She was having the same vision again:

There they were: the orbs. Like pearls on a necklace, they stood in a perfect circle amongst the stars, surrounding the glowing, golden-yellow light in the center—the sun, she realized. As she had for months before.

A voice called out in the expanse and grew in decibel and then faded—like a wave rushing to shore only to pull itself back just as quickly. It called out again, and she heard the single word—sound? noise? …name?—she had been waiting to hear.

She moved through space and walked closer to the orbs…to the voice.

It was a girl's voice…

The orbs began to spin, slowly at first and then slowly picked up speed, like dancers in a ballet. The glow of sunlight illuminated them, but in…strange ways: for some, the sun created waxing crescents; for others, they waned; but the one furthest away glowed like a golden disk.

Her fingers found the crescent on her forehead. It's the phases of the Moon, she realized for maybe the hundredth time.

This was when the vision ended, and she found herself back in the Mare Serenitias. But instead of her eyes opening, she stayed in this plane of existence. Each orb stopped spinning, and she couldn't help feeling like they were all waiting for something to happen.

"…Look harder, Serena."

Had she been awake, maybe she would have been shocked. This was the first time the Silver Millennium Crystal had spoken to her in three years.

"…look harder…"

The orbs began to move…rotate…in their circle. She watched as the furthest orb made its way and stood in front of her. It was beautiful: golden and smooth despite its cracks and dents, yellow-gold against white-gold.

The voice of the girl called out again.

"…listen harder…hear the name…"

…This time when she heard the voice approach, it didn't fade away, but grew into a crescendo. If it had felt like a wave crashing to shore ninety-nine times before, then this time it had reached the beach and flooded over the sand. She was drowning in the sound…

And then she heard it.

It wasn't the Moon she was looking at. The orbs, what they were…their name was—

Nineteen-year-old Serena Tsukino gasped, her meditation broken. Sweat dripped down her skin from her temples. And her fingernails scratched against the marble floor below her body. "When did I…?" she murmured groggily.

And then she remembered what had happened. Her hands groped the front of her dress where she had placed her brooch that morning. It was a compact, a heart made of rose quartz with golden wings and a crescent moon in its center. The click it made as she opened it was quieter than the sound of her breathing in the sanatorium.

The Silver Millennium Crystal sparkled in the light, refracted colors of light it emitted dancing across her face. "I understand…"

XIV

Everyone knew it was an important day.

And because it was such an important day, it was also a day that promised things going awry: the catered food needed to feed everyone would arrive late or taste unsatisfactorily, or an entire dish would be dropped in a haste to feed the evening's attendees; one or all of the decorations would arrive damaged, or something that was not part of the decorations—a statue, for example—would incur some harm; or the chosen dress would get a tear that even the most skilled seamstress or tailor would not be able to repair in time.

Those were the things Endymion knew worried Luna for days on end. However, as of mid-morning, the prince realized that the "girl of the hour" herself may be the only factor that had been unaccounted for by the dark-haired woman. Which is why when he had finally found her the library, in the company of some of the new mothers and their babies, he cut their greeting short to remind her Luna, and possibly even Artemis, were likely waiting for her arrival to her first obligation of the day and growing more annoyed by the minute. And as he followed behind her some moments later, giving and receiving amicable greetings from the royals he encountered along the hallways and imaging the flutter of her white skirt as she had raced past these groups, he finally came upon her scribe's scolding:

"For goodness' sake, Serena," the dark haired woman pouted with pen and clipboard in hand, "you know you have a schedule to keep today, and it is expected that you keep abreast of it!"

"I kno~w! I'm sorry, Lun~a!"

Luna sighed. "…Losing track of time in the library has certainly become a habit with you in the last few days. What were you doing in there?"

"Reading manga?" Artemis offered with a faint smile on his face. Even after three years, he was still amused at the mother-daughter exchange that occurred between the two from time to time. He made no effort to move from against the palace walls as the conversation continued.

Serena shook her head adorably, her floor-length pigtails shaking. "No! No! I was…I was…"

Endymion emerged from his hiding place. "I am afraid that I may be the reason for Serena's tardiness. I suggested some time ago that the library would be a quiet place for her to write and practice her speech, but it seems that it has been a bit too effective." His hand pressed against her lower back. "Please accept her apology, Luna—on my behalf." He bowed toward the older woman.

He watched with quiet amusement as Serena's face lit up at the realization of his little white lie. "Yeah, see? It's not even my fault this time!" She pressed her hands together in supplication and mustered up her puppy-eyed look. Please say you'll forgive me—pretty ple~ase?"

Luna sighed again, but thankfully broke into a smile. "Alright… I supposed I am to be glad that you are taking your speech seriously. …It is good to see you being so…diligent…" Serena nodded her head eagerly. "So be it then—although," her attention turned to the Prince of Earth with a pointed look, "it seems His Royal Highness has picked up your wonton disregard of time."

That gave the two pause, and Endymion's eyes met Serena's pale blue ones. "…It seems I am now receiving the scolding Luna specifically reserves for you," the prince deadpanned. "But, she may be right: I never used to be the reason for your tardiness. However shall my good name be cleared?"

"I'm sorry, Endymion." Serena now flashed him her puppy-dog eyed look, the one she knew he was weak to fight. "I promise on this day to no longer be late ever, ever, ever." Before he could voice his doubts, she neared him and touched his shoulder for support. She balanced on her tiptoes. "And I'll be the one to restore your honor. I promise it with this kiss."

Her eyes closed and her lips puckered, and he felt himself almost helpless by her playfulness and her beautiful face. And yet—

He pressed his finger to her mouth and instead opted to kiss her forehead, right over her crescent-moon mark. "Go with Luna now; promise you will be on time with Artemis and the delegates later; and I will retrieve this kiss from you tonight." He flashed her one of his boyish smiles.

She blushed. "…Okay..."

The casual wave that Endymion bid Serena and Luna adieu with ended as the women rounded the corner.

"…Am I correct in thinking this has been the fourth or fifth time she has been inside the library?" Artemis asked, turning to him for the first time.

"…Yes…" Endymion sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Before I came upon you all, I saw her usual spot, and there were quite a number of books there…" he trailed off. "I think her reason for being there was the dream."

Her on-going confusion and puzzlement and researching into her dream about the orbs worried him—or it made him feel like he should be worried. Lately, almost in conjunction to the decision to hold the Coronation Announcement, his thoughts reminded him of Diamond and the past. He was reminded of Serenity, of how his world was different and he was certain that he would be able to protect her…and what he felt was his complete inability to do so now. This young girl had brought him back to life in ways apart from simple reanimation, and now she was becoming queen, and he was—what?

He was being asked to return to Earth…

Kunzite, or a man who claimed to be Kunzite… A series of letters from his former general, spanning for almost eighty years, were recently found in a raid of Diamond's old quarters. The most recent one had been three years ago, a series of thoughts that spoke of visions and worry over his well-being. The message stated that they—his generals—had experienced sensations of the heart, and a flooding of warmth and light in their chests that coincided with strange phenomena: the extraordinary brilliance of the Moon one afternoon. The prince had read and reread their entreaties for his return and assuming his birthright as King of Earth, and their seriousness and intelligibility weighed on his mind.

And he was being anchored to the Moon Kingdom, happily anchored to Serena. Her joy, their love. In him, in the same space where he felt himself give in to the words of his general, he felt a pull to another future where he would be with the savior of his soul and everything that had become important to him as well. And he would stand as her own protector; as her…husband and father of their children—

"Well. We could worry about the secrets of the universe, or we can celebrate in the moment and wait for her speech tonight. Whatever unfolds afterwards, I am certain that she will look to you for support. After all, make no mistake," Artemis reassuringly clasped a hand on his shoulder, "when she needs you, you will be able to protect her and give her strength—as she endeavors to be strong for you and endeavors to give you strength as you so need it."

A small smile flitted on Endymion's face, relieved that the fear he kept in his heart was assuaged, if only for a moment. "…Thank you."

The grand ballroom never looked more beautiful and she had never felt like things were more perfect. Her dress, the sheer white frock with a cape and black-spectacled gold feathers made her look like what the tailor called "a vision;" everyone in the palace, from the royals to the servers—and even her family and closest friends—were dancing, enjoying themselves and celebrating under the low lights of the enfilade.

And not just them: on the other side of the camera lenses that filmed them were more people watching in their home throughout the kingdom…and beyond…

The whole Solar System is watching, she told herself more than once throughout the night. And with each time she thought it, she gripped the handle of her scepter tighter to keep the butterflies in her stomach from fluttering out of control.

And then came Artemis' speech:

"It is again an honor to be standing on this stage tonight," he started, his face magnified by a hundred times on the screen behind him. "…In thinking about this speech, I have frequently been visited by my very first impressions of Serena Tsukino—specifically, the night she floated unto this very platform. The word that comes to mind is surprise—and nothing else, really." He smiled at the chuckles from the crowd. "However, I have realized that that was not entirely true: when I saw her up close some time later, I felt a…stirring within myself: an understanding that now that she existed in these walls, everything was different. Everything was different.

It was only after some time I truly came to know with Serena, surprise is merely a preclude to change with her. With all the things she exudes—joy, laughter, cheerfulness—the surprise I feel comes before the change her very presence seems to cause.

"Although I say that…I am not surprised about whom she has become now. I witnessed this, a young woman who when presented with obstacles to her own self growth, wholeheartedly embraced her sense of duty long before it truly manifested once one rainy afternoon—and maybe I should have encouraged her to go to the meeting she had been expected to attend," laughter, "but I am glad that I did not. Because if she had, we may not now have all the changes she has brought into our lives. She has brought us, the followers of the Moon Kingdom's royal family, back to life; she has helped to usher in life anew, the births of our healthy, happy children loyal to the kingdom and its legacy; and she has casted out the darkness that lurked in the shadows of these very halls.

"I can only imagine what changes lay in store in our future with her ascension," he raised his arm towards her and smiled. "Long live the Moon Kingdom's special daughter! Long live its protector! Long live its queen! Long live Serena Tsukino!

"Long live Serena Tsukino!" The words were echoed through the ballroom and repeated again and again. By the time she reached the stage, Artemis' words had grown into a loud, wild chant punctuated with toasts of champagne and the flash of camera lights.

With surprised, pale-blue eyes, she stared out at all the faces of her friends and loved ones.

And then she locked eyes with Endymion at the foot of the stage, smiling up at her.

"…Thank you, Artemis…and thank you, everyone. I never imagined that when I came here with my dad almost four years ago, I would be standing here—I was just happy I had actually passed my Ancient Moon History exam." She grinned at the light chuckles that spread in the room. "It has been such an amazing time here. And everything I have done has been to protect the people of the Moon—and there is still so much I know I need to do!"

Serena paused to hear the applause. And then, with an audible sigh into her microphone, said, "Which is why I don't feel ready to accept the throne yet."

Her gripped tightened around her scepter as cameras flashed; gasps could be heard; even Luna's surprised voice reached her ears. "Please understand!" Her voice rose above the others, which somehow, quieted them. "Please understand… I have thought about this for a while. I have thought for so long about what being queen would mean for our kingdom—what my purpose as queen would be.

"But, it is only recently I realized that being queen and protecting the kingdom would mean more than just fighting what happened to our kingdom a few years ago. It wouldn't be smart of me to, to, to," she stopped and waited for the words to come to her, "to just think of the darkness as a sole threat to us alone."

Her eyes closed and she remembered the last time she saw Diamond.

The blinding light of the Silver Millennium Crystal had drowned him in its glow, and he seemed to slowly be coming apart. His hair was signed, and his skin had peeled into flakes and burned. But, in that glow…she saw the air itself parting, and something emerging in the sudden tear—A pair of dark hands that were bigger than her body with long fingernails. She witnessed those hands grab the fallen Moon royal's body. And she had been so scared in that moment that…she had only been able watch as they pulled him into the sudden abyss and…disappeared...

"The era of our Restoration ends with my ascension to the throne. And when that happens, I want to know that the Moon Kingdom isn't standing alone! I know that is has been with the help of others that I have gotten this far and I want to be able to do the same. But I've realized I can't do this alone.

"And I don't have to. I know that I, like Princess Serenity, have the support of all of you. And I have fighters and warriors waiting for me: senshi." Her saying the word caused another wave of surprise from the royals. "And I want to find them…" Her forehead tingled and the word that she had been hearing in her dreams came to her:

"Venus"

"I want to begin the relationship between the Moon Kingdom and Venus again, and I ask for the aide of the Venetian government in my search for my first senshi. I want this to be the beginning of the Moon and Venus recreating its relationship from history.

"I look forward to hearing from you, and encourage my other senshi to join me and find me. …Thank you." She bowed to the assembly and then walked off the stage.

"As beautiful as you look in that dress, you must also be very cold." Endymion came upon her standing at the entry of the rose garden and staring at the Earth's horizon over the far back wall. He took off his suit jacket and placed it on her shoulders as he spied the spirals of clouds and patches of green and blue on the orb. "You have inadvertently caused a frenzy in the grand ballroom."

She smiled. "Are Luna and Artemis okay?"

He chuckled. "I believe that when once the shock wears off, Luna will be fine." He held her close in his arms. "…Is that what you believe your dream meant?"

"Yeah. Venus has phases almost like the Moon's. When I remembered that, everything about my dream made sense, I guess. I read a couple of Artemis' old notes in Queen Serenity's office, and just thought…"

"Well…Venus was the last and most reluctant of the planets to sever ties with the Moon. I do not know what the sentiment has been like in the last few decades, but you may hear from them in the coming days."

"…Have you ever been to Venus?" She stared at his handsome face. "…I've heard people there are really beautiful…"

"I have heard that as well, but I rather think the Earth may have the most beautiful people. It would be best for you to see Earth's beautiful people and its beauty period before witnessing Venus'…would you like to see it with me?

She pulled away and stared at his face. "You want me to come to Earth?"

"Yes…I have received—or recovered—letters from my generals there. They have urged for my return and reminded me that Earth is my own birthright. It is time to assume as much responsibility as my planet will allow me in my absence—or, if not, bear witness to what it will become.

"…Will you come with me?"

"…Yes...yes…"

With wide, pale-blue eyes, she watched him fall to a knee. "…And will you marry me there? On Earth?"

She gasped again.

"You, all sides of you, have become the most important person to me. I never thought it would again be possible to feel this way once more, and when I had finally seemed to accept knowing that I was worthy of feeling true happiness for one brief moment in my life, you appeared. You proved me wrong, and then reawakened my heart, and I have again found completion and purpose. To marry you on the planet of my birth would only guarantee my happiness for as long my heart is allowed to beat.

"Will you marry me?"

She herself kneeled on the cold, hard ground and hugged him. "YES! YES, I will marry you!" And then she kissed him and felt as though the whole, entire universe bore witness for them in this moment. Her forehead tingled; her heart beat merrily.

"I love you."

"I love you."

A/N: I would like to thank everyone who read this fanfic from the beginning. I know that certain decisions I made in early chapter led me to lose some readers—but if you stuck around and found something to enjoy, I truly thank you very much. This really went far beyond what I expected it would become when I wrote the first three chapters, so thanks for putting this and me on your alerts and favorites, and leaving me a review.