The Winter Soldier and the Queen of the Moon [SailorBucky]

Shortly before dinner, Maeve decided to visit the Sailor Senshi, who she knew were guests at the castle. She found Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn together, ready to resume their duties as guardians of Earth after a short break. Sailor Uranus radiated an aura of strength and determination, while Sailor Neptune exuded grace and serenity. Sailor Saturn, with her deep eyes and mysterious demeanor, seemed to conceal a destructive potential that Maeve knew was necessary to combat Evil.

«Princess, thank you for allowing me, allowing us, to protect you» Uranus said with a smile, firmly shaking her hand. Sailor Neptune gave her a sweet hug, making her feel safe and protected. Sailor Saturn approached slowly but with a slight smile, showing her appreciation for Maeve's presence.

«Now we must return home, but for anything, we will come to protect you. You are our princess.»

«Thank you.»

«No, thank you. I have realized that defending the Castle is no longer a meaningless mission. Fighting by your side has value.»

«Exactly, and it makes my task more interesting,» Saturn said.

After this brief exchange, the warriors had to return to their duties. Maeve, wishing to also greet Sailor Pluto, headed toward the door. There she found the guardian of time in all her majesty. The warrior transmitted an aura of wisdom and mystery: she was the link between the present and the past, custodian of the Time Door.

Maeve approached Sailor Pluto with respect, recognizing her importance and responsibility. «Thank you for all you do to protect the temporal continuum and the castle. Your knowledge and presence are essential to maintaining balance between eras. I will make sure to come here more often» Maeve said gratefully.

Sailor Pluto smiled slightly and nodded. «As you know, Serenity, my task is demanding, but I am happy to be able to play my role in ensuring that the past, present, and future are protected; as well as protecting the castle and its inhabitants.»

At that moment more than ever, Maeve felt a deep sense of admiration towards Sailor Pluto and the other Sailor warriors. They were true heroines, ready to sacrifice themselves for the good of humanity, a feeling she had not felt for a long time and had the impression that meeting them had a significant impact on her life and perspectives.

«Pluto, I have something to ask you, I don't know if I should ask as Serenity or as Maeve, but please look after Endymion. I have the impression that something is wrong.»

«Of course, Princess» Pluto said with a smile, nodding respectfully.

After exchanging a few more words with Sailor Pluto, Maeve took her leave and walked away. She had a feeling that something bad was going to happen but hoped it was just fatigue.

A few days later, Princess Serenity was in the throne room when she was called by Pluto. Thanks to the faithful guardian of time, the Princess learned of Bucky's disappearance during a dangerous mission with Steve Rogers.

The news threw Serenity into despair, and she decided to go immediately to Earth, temporarily leaving Luna in charge of the Kingdom, asking her to notify her both before her mother - the queen - returned and if anything happened.

Maeve and the Sailor warriors moved to the point where Bucky was known to have disappeared thanks to Pluto, but Maeve kept tormenting herself after finding traces of blood. She placed her hand on the ground as she did a few days earlier but couldn't find him. It was cold, and she was trembling, but at that moment, the blonde didn't care.

«Where are you, Bucky? You can't have left me like this. Not after everything we've been through together,» she whispered, trying to control her trembling voice.

Her mind was full of unanswered questions, and her fear was turning into a kind of silent rage. «Why can't I find you? Why did you leave without a word? Why didn't you sound the alarm?» she wondered.

Maeve turned to the Sailor warriors who were faithfully following her, reading the determination in their eyes.

«We will continue to search for him» she said firmly. «No matter how difficult it is or how long it takes. We will find Bucky and bring him home.»

The warriors nodded in agreement, reinforcing Maeve's determination. «We need to talk to Steve; he might have some useful information» suggested Ami, Sailor Mercury, with her usual rationality.

Maeve nodded, appreciating her friend's wisdom, but at that moment, Steve was unavailable, so she decided to go talk to Peggy Carter.

«Mae! My God!» she said with a small smile, hugging her. Maeve returned the hug weakly.

«Peggy, I need your help. Bucky is missing, and I don't know what to do. We're about to have a child, and...»

The brunette lowered her eyes for a moment, a shadow of sadness crossing her face, and sighed.

«I'm sorry I couldn't give you this news in person; we did everything possible to find him, but he's been officially declared dead. For what it's worth, congratulations,» she said.

Peggy's words lifted some of the weight Maeve felt on her shoulders, but it didn't ease the sense of helplessness the blonde felt.

«Thank you, Peggy. It means a lot to me. However, there was no body; he can't be dead.»

Maeve and Ami tried to discuss strategies with Peggy, but Maeve had to admit that she had to let it go for the moment and hope to find further clues that would indicate where Bucky might be. Maeve allowed herself a moment of reflection. She looked out the window at the city's landscape, wondering if Bucky, wherever he was, was also looking at the Moon.

«Don't worry, Bucky, I will find you, wherever you are. No matter how long it takes or how many challenges I have to face along the way. I will bring you home» she whispered, her gaze fixed on the Moon. How many hours had passed since she had returned to Earth?

She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Peggy and Sailor Venus, who smiled at her gently. «We are with you, Maeve. You will not face this search alone. Together, we will overcome every obstacle.»

Venus's words rekindled the flame of hope in Maeve's heart, reassured by the presence of her friends.

«Thank you, girls. I don't know what I would do without you.»

«Let's go say goodbye to Howard, and it's time for you to go home. I have the impression that you shouldn't be here,» Peggy said with a sad smile.

They went to say goodbye to Howard, who was still working on the Tesseract project, and he hugged her.

«For anything, I am here, Maeve. Even if I have to move to the Moon, you can count on me,» he said, and Maeve nodded.

«Thank you very much, Howard.»

«Take care of yourself.»

«You too.»

That hug lasted a moment too long; some might have called it inappropriate, but for Maeve, it was a lifeline.

The days following her return to the Moon did not bring relief to the princess, who worked as she was asked but had withdrawn into herself, trapped in pain and loneliness. The nights were the worst: as she contemplated the starry sky from her balcony, a flood of memories surfaced in her mind. Images of Bucky smiling gently in her heart, reminding her of the happy moments they had shared together.

Tears ran down her cheeks as she took the dog tags the general had given her, hoping that gesture might bring her some comfort. Her mind was in turmoil, swinging between hope and despair.

Weeks passed, but Maeve could not accept the idea of having lost Bucky forever. She was sure there was still hope, a chance that he was alive somewhere. That flame of hope inside her burned tenaciously, and Maeve knew she could not live with herself if she did not do everything possible to find him.

Determined not to give in further to pain and loneliness, especially for the child growing inside her, Maeve made a brave decision: to go to Wakanda. She knew she could go to Asgard, but the two princes, Thor and Loki, would pamper her too much, and she needed to be on Earth, in a land that carried with it more joyful memories linked to the royal family than to Bucky himself.

Shortly before departing for Wakanda, Serenity decided to go to the throne room to talk to her mother, Queen Serenity. She needed her advice and support to face the journey ahead of her.

«Mother» Maeve said in a calm but resolute voice, «I need to talk to you about an idea I have. I wanted to retreat to Wakanda for a period, I need to find peace. I plan to spend a very short period in Asgard once I feel ready.»

Queen Serenity looked up at her daughter, her blue eyes filled with love and wisdom. «Maeve, I understand how important it is for you to find Bucky and how much you are suffering. I ask you: are you sure you don't prefer Asgard from now?»

Maeve nodded, showing her determination. «Yes, mother.»

Queen Serenity rose from the throne and approached her daughter. She placed her hands on Maeve's shoulders, conveying the warmth and wisdom of her words.

«Serenity, my daughter, your love and inner strength will guide you in this search, but remember: you must also protect yourself. Be brave, but not reckless. I imagine you don't want to take the warriors with you.»

«Thank you, mother. No, for now, I don't intend to take the warriors with me, but I will do everything possible to return safe and sound. In case of danger, I will contact them» Maeve admitted.

«All right. I am not happy that you are going alone, but I support your request.»

With a heart full of gratitude, Maeve left the throne room and communicated to Wakanda that she would arrive in two days.

The reception in Wakanda exceeded Maeve's expectations, and she even found King Azuri, T'Chanda, waiting for her. When Serenity approached the King, the man crossed his arms over his chest with closed fists, his right arm over his left.

«Princess Serenity, welcome back to Wakanda. I am honored to have you here, despite the circumstances.»

Serenity returned the gesture, bowing her head slightly. «Thank you, King Azuri. I am grateful for your kindness and hospitality, in a delicate moment like the one during World War II.»

«Captain Rogers has been very helpful to us, hence he was given a shield. In any case, I was talking about your loss, and I would ask you not to belittle it: the prince consort is a great loss, and if you ask me, I believe he is still alive. Wakanda will always be your home for as long as you desire.»

«Thank you very much» she said, following him inside the royal palace.