Disclaimer:

Sailormoon is owned by Naoko Takeuchi. All licenses belong
to the proper people. This is used without permission.

This disclaimer also applies to several intellectual properties
referred to in the text. Please be guided accordingly.

This file can be freely distributed so long as it appears in its
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monetary gain without permission from the author.


Note: This is in the same timeline as "Catnap", an earlier fic.
Also, any complaints about continuity can kiss my ass. This
is my timeline and I know damn well enough when things go.

This is more like a vignette if anything else, a little scene.


****************************************

Children Of A New Age

by

Elsa Bibat

****************************************

Before the Age of Serenity:

    The heart crystal hovered, shining with a multi-colored light, 
over the writhing form bound to the slab-like table. 

    The light from the crystal were like piercing spears of 
brilliance. They illuminated the entire room, bathing its two 
other occupants in white. One was a woman, slender and 
beautiful, dressed in gold-trimmed robes of white. Her alabaster
hair, as white as the glow, was tied up into pair of twin ponytails
were silver streamers flying in an unfelt wind. Sweat beaded
on her brow, over a pair of sapphire blue eyes filled with fires of
purpose. In her outstretched hands, she held the heart crystal 
delicately over the form on the flat table. Serenity the White Queen
was at work.

    The other person was dressed in a black that seemed to drink
the light of the room. A military tunic and pants could be seen under
the cloak of jet. His hair, a luxurious mane of sable streaked with 
white, was tied back in a ponytail. A craggy, handsome face peeked out 
from under wild bangs. His blue-gray eyes gazed at the sight before him.
This was Endymion, brother to Serenity and her protector. The pair of
them together was always an awe-inspiring sight, the power and majesty
that seemed to radiate off them making them always the center of 
attention.

    But of all the figures in the room, the one bound on the table 
would draw the most attention over the two siblings. It was vaguely 
human in form, struggling to escape from the light. Limbs, tentacles 
and pseudopods erupted from the dark form trying to attack the woman. 
But the light was strong and some unknown force held the entity down.

    Then slowly, the woman lowered the heart crystal downward.

    The writhing monstrosity stiffened as the source of incredible 
light came nearer and nearer. Dark limbs sprouted and identifying 
features resolved into the figure making it a vaguely human-like.
The blackish skin started to curl up and fall off, molting like a
snake's scaly exterior, to be replaced by a pink, fleshy color. The
transfiguration continued as the heart crystal came to almost touching
the thing on the table.

    Where there was an unidentifiable mass of vaguely organic 
features before, a woman's form was evident. A rather well-formed 
woman's form as evidenced by the shapely curves that seemed to go 
on forever, curves that went up and down at exactly the right places, 
and a face that seemed like an angel's framed by golden hair.

    Suddenly, Serenity plunged her hands and the heart crystal 
deep in between the valley of the woman's breasts. The woman's eyes
flashed open in an instant, revealing lovely blue eyes, and screeched
as if she was on fire. The girl started to flail her arms trying to 
get away from Serenity's grip.

    Immediately, acolytes dressed in white appeared from hidden 
doors and assisted Serenity in calming the newly-made woman. The 
invisible bonds that held her earlier seemed to have no effect now
as demonstrated by one of the acolytes being thrown into a wall,
unconscious. He had been trying to restrain her leg when a kick
sent him flying. Endymion strode forward to assist the acolytes 
when suddenly the girl stopped. She was looking at Serenity, who
still had her hands inside her chest. The White Queen's gaze was soft
and understanding. The girl was entranced. Then her eyes went up 
and she fainted on the table. 

    Serenity withdrew her hands from the girl's chest, shifting them 
into normal space to be able to use them properly. She moved her hand
to caress the woman's cheek and ran a hand through the long flaxen 
hair.

    "The Third Child has been created. From now on, she will be 
called Venus. Take her to her designated quarters. I will come and 
take care of her later."

    The white-robed acolytes bowed and proceeded to gently carry
Venus to her appointed rooms. Serenity wiped the sweat off her brow
and turned to her brother with a smile.

    "Impressive." Endymion dryly said as he looked at the table
where a young woman was recently created.

    "I was lucky that our friends from Yuggoth managed to intercept
one of the Great Mother's Spawn when it was passing through the Rim."

    Endymion arched an eyebrow and gave her a meaningful look. "In
exchange for what?"

    "In exchange for their reintegration into human society. You've
seen their old records and we've had it confirmed in the Traveler's
Journal. It would be unseemly to let these creatures stay on in their
current form." Serenity waved a hand and a section of the wall became
a door. She gestured for her brother to follow her down a white 
hallway.

    "The Mi-Go have finally come to their senses?" Endymion said in
wonder.

    "More likely they would like to plumb our non-linear thinking 
patterns in the most throrough way possible," dead-panned Serenity. 
"I have Klark-ashton, one of my acolytes helping out. He has already 
managed to soulmeld several Earth cats with Mi-Go mind spores. I have 
a few ideas for creating human bodies for them." 

    "This could bode trouble for our plans, sister."

    "Do not worry, brother. I can handle those who would object. One
of the reasons I agreed is because Mi-Go minds are extremely useful.
Their logic patterns would help the technologists of Mercury in 
figuring out the old archives. Add to that the fact that they are 
instinctively adept at certain magics..." Serenity trailed off, letting 
her brother guess at what she planned.

    "You do not intend to make one a Child?" gasped Endymion.

    "Why not? If I use one of the buds and meld it with a ghola, 
I could give us another Child. Actually, I have several other ideas for 
other Children. Some Deep One half-breeds are seeking help for their 
condition and water magic runs deep in Deep One blood, even those 
diluted by human blood. Then there are the Sons of Fire. Eibon has
managed to capture one and I have a thought on melding it with a human. 
All in all, I have the capability to double the number of Children 
we have..."

    Endymion sighed as Serenity continued her explanations. He could 
not blame his sister for seeking allies in the strangest places. In the
war that was to come, strength and power as long as they are on your 
side was all that was neccessary. He shuddered to contemplate what 
their opponent's weapons would be.

    "How is your First?" Serenity suddenly inquired, breaking into
his thoughts.

    "Eh? He is ... doing fine. Though he can be a bit taciturn at 
times." 

    "My First is also the same. Maybe we should have them meet. It 
must be hard for them, being the only ones of their kind." Serenity
sadly said as she looked out at a nearby window. "We do what we must,
brother, so that our kind will live. But what of them when the war
is done? I teach the First and the Second how to be human, but at time
I still feel the beast within them, raging to get out." 

    "What do you expect? They are of the Eldest Ones, like the Third.
I could almost expect the trouble you will get from them."

    Serenity smiled. "They are also children in their own way. Do 
you know that they call me Mama?"

    "No."

    "Well, they do. Even the Second who still remembers her true 
mother calls me that. Don't give me that look, Endymion. They may not
be totally human, but all they need is love and protection and someone
who understands them. They will turn out fine."

    "That is why I'm here. My First will be my last. From now on I 
will seek for my warriors among those of humanity. I am not like you,
Serenity. I work with soldiers and men, I have a better time of 
understanding than children who are living weapons." 

    The siblings had stopped their walk and looked at each other.
Endymion continued in his speech.

    "Also, I am worried. They are not totally human. The possibility
that they may turn against us high."

    "But-" Serenity was cut off by Endymion's raised hand.

    "You say that all they need is someone who would understand them.
Where would they find such beings? Each of them is unique, a product of
your magic and the ancient technologies of the Empire, tell me who 
could-" It was Serenity's turn to cut her brother off. 

    "Do you think so low of me that I would not subject people under 
my magic and my hands without doing it to myself?" Her voice was low
enough to be a whisper but in the deserted hallway it was like a 
shout.

    "Serenity, you did not -"

    Serenity punched a nearby wall. A spiderweb pattern of cracks
radiated from where her fist met the alabaster structure. She turned
to her brother.

    "That was my physical strength. My magical strength is three 
times greater than it was when we faced the Black Pharaoh. I am also
forging weapons of power to even make myself stronger. The Atlantean
pendant of mine I melded with the Crystal. By the end of it, brother,
I would be like a goddess. I will be powerful enough to match any or 
all of the Children I create. I would also know what they are going 
through. They will not be alone when the time comes."

    Endymion was silent. After a few moments, he shook his head. 

    "Sister, you are either a genius or a madwoman. If anything 
else you are still my blood and I trust your decisions. I just hope
they do not destroy all that we have worked for. But I will not make
anymore Children."

    Serenity smiled and nodded, showing her understanding. She then 
gave her brother a light hug.

    "Always faithful, my Endymion."

    "More like always gullible, little Serenity. My First is in 
your Gardens waiting for you. I assume that this is where this 
hallway leads."

    "Here in Luna, all paths lead to the Gardens."

    Then brother and sister moved on to meet one of their Children. 

****************************************

C&C is always welcome.





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