Jupiter's Gone

The sounds of footsteps bounced off the passage walls. Each echo reverberated in her head as she fought to maintain control of her emotions. Her business was of the up most importance.

They approached a massive arch. A servant announced the arrival of the delegation from Jupiter. Bowing to the king and queen, she and her sisters crossed the expanse of the large chamber to the thrones and bowed again.

“Leda,” Neo-Queen Serenity greeted, “it is nice to see you. How is your mother?”

Here was the moment that she dreaded for the entire journey. “My mother is gone, Your Highness.”

“Gone?” Serenity gasped, losing the regal composure that had been so difficult for her to obtain. “Sailor Jupiter’s gone? How?”

“She had received a message that she wouldn’t discuss it with anyone at all. She left several weeks ago and has not come back.”

“Then how do you know she has died?” Endymion asked.

“We have had dreams, Your Highness,” Leda explained, “the Princess of Mars and myself. Each dream shows her defeat in battle. And I have been visited by her spirit.”

“Are you sure it was Lita?” the king pressed.

“Yes, and Princess Rei is certain also. It was my mother’s spirit that directed us here. She said to give this to you.” Leda gave Sailor Jupiter’s transformation pen to the queen. “She said that you would know what to do.”

Serenity studied the transformation pen, remembering the numerous times that Sailor Jupiter had saved her and the other scouts. Endymion squeezed her shoulder, understanding what was running through her mind. Serenity smiled at him weakly and then faced the delegation again.

“Leda, I see you have brought your sisters with you. I welcome you all to Earth and to Crystal Tokyo.”

Leda watched as her four half-sisters thanked Serenity. Elara, the youngest, was still wide-eyed at her side. She understood. The splendor of the palace easily outshone anything on Jupiter.

“I wish there were better circumstances surrounding your first visit to Crystal Tokyo,” Serenity stated. She looked at the transformation pen again. “Your mother was right, Leda. I do know what to do.”

She rose from the throne. “In tribute to what Lita has done for me and the rest of the Scouts, I will continue her legacy.”

Before anyone could comprehend the queen’s meaning, she held up the Silver Crystal and filled the room with painfully bright light. Jupiter’s transformation pen floated from Serenity’s hand and glowed in the light of the Silver Crystal. Then, there was a flash of green light.

In Serenity’s hand were four transformation wands in various shades of green and a sparkling green crystal. She walked down the steps of the throne until she was level with young women. She smiled at them, innocently proud of the gifts in her hand.

“In honor of your mother, I will make you Sailor Soldiers, if you will accept the challenge.”

She turned to Caitlyn, the tallest of the group. The girl’s dark green eyes reminded her of Jupiter’s color and her long, black hair hung to her waist. “Caitlyn, do you accept?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Serenity handed her the darkest transformation pen. The symbol was a star. “Caitlyn, you are Sailor Callisto with the power of the night sky. To transform, say ‘Callisto Moon Power.’ Understand?”

Caitlyn nodded, staring at the transformation pen with awe.

“Try it out,” Serenity said, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

“Callisto Moon Power!” Caitlyn transformed into Sailor Callisto. Her suit was dark green with black bows and her earrings were stars. Her black hair was tied back with a dark green bow.

“Wow.” Sailor Callisto looked at herself and then at Serenity in surprise.

“The commands for attacks will come to you,” Serenity explained, “but don’t try them in here.” Callisto smiled, heeding the warning.

Serenity turned to a girl with brown, medium length hair and blue eyes. “Lysia, do you accept?”

“I do, Your Highness,” she said solemnly.

“You will be Sailor Lysithea with the power of the ocean.” Serenity handed her the blue-green transformation pen. “To transform, say ‘Lysithea Moon Power.’”

“Lysithea Moon Power!” Lysia emerged as Sailor Lysithea. Her uniform was sea green with light blue accents. Part of her hair was pulled back with a light blue clip while the rest fell to her shoulders in waves.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” she said, bowing. Serenity nodded back at her.

Serenity turned to Ilene.

“I accept, Your Highness,” the young woman said before Serenity even asked her. Serenity smiled at her willingness and gave her the bright green transformation pen.

“Ilene, you are Sailor Io, wielder of the powers of earth. ‘Io Moon Power’ will cause your transformation.”

“Io Moon Power!!” Sailor Io’s mahogany hair became braided and tied with a bright green ribbon. Her earrings were daisies, and her accents were yellow. “This is great.”

“But it is also a great responsibility,” Serenity warned.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Io answered, but she continued to smile.

“Elara, do you accept the challenge?”

“Yes, Queen Serenity,” the young woman with curly, dark brown hair answered.

Serenity handed her the yellow-green transformation pen. “You are Sailor Europa, the one of healing. But you will also be able to do harm, so be cautious with your powers. Transform!”

“Europa Moon Power!” Elara’s suit had white bows and her boots came halfway up her thighs. Her curly hair was in a bun but a few tendrils escaped. “Thank you.”

Serenity turned to Leda. “I did not leave you out, Leda. Because of your birthright, you will have special powers.” She opened her palm to reveal the green crystal. “This is the Jupiter Moon Crystal.” She waved her hand and the gem was surrounded by a golden brooch.

“As your mother’s heir, you are Neo-Sailor Jupiter with the powers of thunder and lightning. To transform, say ‘Jupiter Star Power.’ However, you are also Sailor Leda, the soldier of storms. To become Sailor Leda, say ‘Leda Moon Power.’”

Leda fingered the locket that Serenity pinned to her collar. “I don’t know what to say, Your Highness.”

“It’s okay, Leda.” She hugged the young woman briefly. “Transform,” she urged.

“Leda Moon Power!” Leda’s hair was brown and wavy, much like her mother’s, but it hung down her back instead of a ponytail. Also, Leda’s colors were dark green and navy blue, and her earrings were raindrops. “Thank you, Queen Serenity.”

“You are all welcome. As a group, you can teleport by pooling your energy and saying ‘Moon Sailor Teleport.’ But don’t go, yet. You will have an advisor. Cynthia!”

A gray cat with a crescent moon on its head approached the queen. “Your Highness,” she answered.

“You are the advisor to the Moon Sailor Scouts. Do you accept?” Cynthia bowed her head and stood in the center of the Scouts’ circle. “Good.”

The queen faced the young women once more. “Be careful. I hope you never have need of your powers. Now teleport home.”

“Thank you, Neo-Queen Serenity,” Leda said.

“Moon Sailor Teleport!”

Serenity began sobbing once they were gone. Endymion touched her shoulder and she turned, burying her face in his chest. He held her as she cried, releasing a few tears of his own.

“She’s gone! I can’t believe,” she said after a few moments. She wiped away some tears. “Do you think I did the right thing? I mean I am putting them in danger this way. Whoever had the power to defeat Lita has to be very powerful.”

“No, you are protecting them by giving them their powers. Lita would understand.”

“I miss her so much already. Leda has her strength. She will be a much better leader than I was.”

“Yet, as strong as they are, they will need a protector.”

“I will find them one,” she promised, “but the best one is already taken.”

She turned and faced the spot where the girls teleported. “Good luck,” she whispered.