Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Crystal Tokyo
Chapter One: The Beginning of the New War
It started at the water reservoir, where a enemy appeared, a young girl named Serpentine and to Mercury's immense shock and disbelief, the familiar face of Jadeite. Mercury gathered with the other sailor Senshi several days after the water became tainted and people were given time to recuperate.
She entered the long hall, the table set up with some finger foods and drinks as Neo Queen Serenity and King Endymion sat in the front. She bowed deeply toward both and did a partial one for Princess Lady Serenity. She sat down gracefully as the others trekked in, Jupiter with Mars, Venus being trailed by Hotaru, who being pregnant was unable to be in Senshi form, and Pluto, and finally Neptune and Uranus, all who fell silent as they bowed respectfully and sat down in their allotted seats.
"Let's get to the point," King Endymion said heavily. "From what you saw, Mercury, is a high surprise though in fact we never saw what happened to him. Tell me what you saw."
"I came upon Sailors Angelia and Nethuns breaking the black jar that held the poison being poured into the main water source and seeing the General Jadeite, though aged and longer hair. I could never forget my first enemy."
"Wasn't Jadeite a part of the Dark Kingdom?" Uranus asked.
"He suddenly just stopped appearing and Nephrite seemed to take his place," Mars answered. "Your Majesties, I have been working with the holy fires to further gain any information. Whatever has happened, he is no longer a General but somehow King of the old Dark Kingdom."
"Why wasn't it destroyed?" Neptune crossed her arms.
"It should've been," Neo Queen Serenity said quietly. "With all the powers of myself and all my friends, at the time mind you," She smiled at the four Outer Senshi warmly. "I felt it all shake and collapse."
"Somehow, it survived and with it, a new leader," Venus glowered. "The Dark Kingdom had always been a pain in the.."
"Venus!" Mercury shook a finger at her. The blonde woman stuck out her tongue as she rolled her eyes, the classic Minako.
"Anything else?" King Endymion asked Mars.
"All I know is that he survived, he has some followers, and possibly youma."
"My daughter," Mercury said hesitantly, not wanting to impose on Mars' own visions. "Said that there are at least three followers. Two of them who are named Serpentine, who we're assuming is the girl because that was the only other person besides Jadeite, and someone who was with the girl previously but left before the children reached her named Aragonite."
"What else?" King Endymion asked softly as Mercury looked uncomfortable.
"She knows why he's resurfaced."
"What? Already?" Jupiter asked in surprise.
"Not the Ginzuishou again!" Venus exclaimed.
' "No, something else that could be even more trouble." Mercury shook her head. "The Time Gate."
Pluto straightened. "Are you sure of this?" She asked in her soft voice.
"Yes."
"But it's inside the Crystal Palace," Neo Queen Serenity protested.
"That's true," Jupiter agreed. "They'd have to attack us outright."
"They wouldn't really be that stupid, would they?" Mars asked quizzically.
"Pluto, do you know if the Time Gate can be accessed from an outside source?" Mercury asked.
"No, not unless you enter from the Time Stream itself," Pluto said.
"Is that possible?" Mercury persisted, wanting to know all the facts and possibilities.
Pluto frowned, thinking. "I have only been watching from one point but I'm sure there must be another entrance, maybe even more than one. To find it, you need to have used it and until then, we can only protect the only door we know."
"Well, are we assuming that Jadeite might know of this?" Jupiter asked. "This was all very hush-hush, right? I mean, we didn't even know of the Time Gate until we knew Pluto!"
"But I'm sure the Dark Kingdom has saved valuable information about Elysion, the Silver Millennium, and any thing vital about the Earth," King Endymion interjected. "They were once my guards, remember that fact, and I believe we were are at least aware of the rumored Sailor Pluto. Mind you, it was a rumor for us but several of us, myself included, believed in it."
"Besides, how else would we have gotten to the Moon?" Mercury asked logically. "We are repeating history by opening doors to new worlds, we must've been able to have done that at one point in our past in order to arrive to this solar system."
"So what are we going to do to solve this? Before it gets to be real problem," Saturn asked.
"Easy," Venus crossed her arms in triumph. "Go to the old base."
"Before we do anything," Neo Queen Serenity said fiercely. "Mercury, run some tests or something to figure out if it's in fact being used. If we have any signs, we will then…" She trailed off. "Oh, that's right. I can't go." She sighed. "You will go. Seven sailor Senshi must be a good force."
"We can bring the children," Uranus suggested. "Great for experience."
"I wouldn't," Mars protested. "They're too young!"
"We were fourteen! Nearly all of them are of that age! Make it the cutting point, anyone younger can't come," Venus nodded.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," King Endymion's voice trailed down the table, calming the group. "Let's see what Mercury comes out with. We need information first."
The group eventually dispersed, their serious talks going to a more amicable line as they updated each other on their families.
Once out of the room, they all wordlessly transformed back into their civilian forms. They said their customary goodbyes as Setsuna helped Hotaru head back, Haruka and Michiru following the two as they wrapped arms around each other's waists.
Ami smiled as she finally arrived home. She looked at her one-story home, where she saw Ryo's van already parked. She got out as Chiyuu poked her head out and gave a cry. Her blue eyes, inherited from her mother, shined with glee as the young brunette flew out of her door, the long French brain swinging, the dark blue bow kept at the back of her neck clasped firmly.
"Mama!" Chiyuu came to a halt. "How did it go? Did you tell them?"
"Yes, I did," Ami brushed a hand on the top of her daughter's head lovingly. "Thank you, I know you had to work hard to learn that."
"Dad's been helping me with learning more about controlling my telepathic powers but I still feel like I'm grasping at straws sometimes. I hate that it happens so suddenly too!"
"You should try training with Rei. With her ESP, she could give quite the helping hand."
"Yea but she's so easily angered." Chiyuu shook her head. "I'd rather work with Dad. He's got patience."
"Now, Chiyuu, I raised you better than that. Rei is a very good person. What would expect from the element fire?"
"Well, what about Maku, then?"
Rei had arrived to the temple, getting off the bus and heading up the long steeped stairs. Once up there, she took in a deep, cleansing breath.
"Maku!" Yuuichiro nearly yelled, hurriedly poking his son to get up who sat on the temple front. Yuuichiro whacked his back with the broom. "Your mother is here and you didn't finish your chores!"
"You didn't do yours, either," Maku was a long haired fellow, his trade mark brown hair matching his father save that he was growing facial hair fashioned into a trimmed goatee. Only fourteen, he could pass for seventeen or even eighteen. He kind of liked that notion, if he ever thought more on it.
But like his father, he retained a rather laidback behavior. He didn't have the panic attacks his father had who fought to please his wife and make sure she never got angry.
As appreciative of this as she was, she still favored her own son's disposition since after years of being married, she would've thought that Yuuichiro would've figured out he didn't have to try so hard.
"How was the meeting, honey?" Yuuichiro inquired. Maku cracked an eye open and leaned slightly with a turn of his ear.
"It was a start. We haven't decided to do anything yet but I'm sure we'll be going."
"Can I come?" Maku asked.
Rei was careful in her answer. "We haven't decided on that. We need to discuss it some more."
"I'm quite capable of handling things," Maku muttered, turning away.
Rei sighed. Though generally like his father, sometimes his pride was so easily hurt.
She wondered how the others were talking to their children. She hoped that they weren't giving away too much, too soon. The children could and most likely would be thrust into a battle that should've been finished years and years ago.
Hotaru smiled as Setsuna drove up to the large home. It was home to Haruka, Michiru, and their two children, as well as Setsuna, Shouichi, and their daughter, and finally, Hotaru with her young daughter and as of yet unborn child.
Hotaru had married young, a young gentleman from Britain whom she loved unconditionally. Few people knew him as she was very private about her personal life. She was quick to become pregnant which made others afraid for her health. She was very ill during the time of her pregnancy but afterwards, to everyone's surprise, she regained a better health and has since seem to have recuperated completely. It might be because of her young daughter, one of the two youngest in the next generation, Keika. A very bright and happy child, she talked a great deal at the age of four but was very polite and sweet. She was the usual companion for Neo Queen Serenity's son, Mamoru, whom she loved quite clearly and often told him so. Sadly for her, he'd just run away at this, screaming on the top of his lungs about cooties.
As for the baby she carried, she was nearly due. Despite everyone asking her if she was going find out the sex and hoping that she would, she did nothing, keeping mum about the whole deal. It seemed like she wanted to keep it as a secret till the baby showed up.
The house really belonged to former Professor Tomoe, Shouichi, who now spent his time working with his wife on the Time Gates to other worlds, and the various complicated sciences related to that topic. Ever since Setsuna took Hotaru so long ago, he bore a torch for the woman he trusted to have his child with and when she returned, he did everything to woo her.
To his delight, it seemed to work. She married him in a simple ceremony and bore a daughter named Setsuko. As the oldest in the group, save for Princess Lady Serenity, she was a serious woman with a good fashion eye. She had her mother's hairstyle but father's color, with warm brown skin and bright crimson red eyes. She was always stunning to look at and once you got to know her, very intelligent.
Michiru and Haruka bore children at the same time, with only days in between of birthing. Haruka had been first, bearing Mitsu, a mint-colored, long hair pulled up into low-riding pigtails, in homage to her Queen as well as her mother's loyalty to her Queen. She had Michiru's sea green eyes and her complexion. She was very sweet and kind, though she could have an iron spine when needed.
Michiru bore their second daughter, Puroko. With Haruka's blond hair, stylized like Michiru's with a cute medium aquamarine tie bow to pull back her thick hair in a partial tail, the rest floating to her shoulders, barely brushing. She was unlike either parent, a very lively and happy-go-lucky and often very emotional girl. She loved anything fun and anything shiny, easily distracted.
Once out of the car, Keika tore out of the house, the young girl, with the traditional hairstyle of her mother's youth colored a Tyrian purple with wisteria-hued, wide, innocent eyes, she was a mere four years old and very happy for her age. She charged with an sound of excitement as the adults stepped out. Hotaru, unable to bend, waited as her daughter wrapped her limbs tightly around a leg, giggling like mad.
Following the young girl was Setsuko, who had been babysitting the three other daughters, though she kept a firmer eye on Keika. She was nearly as tall as her mother and dressed in a snazzy outfit of khaki flood pants, hued a dark red, with a white tank top with a huge heart in the front. She wore her long hair down, brushed meticulously.
She gave a wave to her mother and the others as behind her, Mitsu dove around Setsuko.
"Mitsu! Wait!" Puroko's eyes filled with tears, sniffling. "We were going to surprise them together!" She held the picture she had labored over. "I worked so hard!"
"So why not show them?" Setsuko offered simply.
Puroko blinked, the tears fading as she nodded and took off.
Haruka caught her as Mitsu chatted off both of their mother's ears off, giggling as she fussed over Michiru's outfit.
Keika trailed after her mother, holding the hem of the simple dress and giggling, imagining her as the train on a wedding dress. She was quite easily entertained.
"How were the children?" Hotaru asked Setsuko, once approached.
"Like angels. Keika took a small nap and the girls did arts and crafts."
"Where's Papa?"
"Cooking!" Keika crowed. "Granpa is cooking dinner! He says it's a surprise."
"It's chicken and vegetables, nothing he can't burn," Setsuko offered.
"Well, it's the attempt that matters," Setsuna smiled. "I'll go help your father," She nodded to Setsuko. "Make sure your sister rests her feet. Don't want an early delivery."
Haruka and Michiru watched as their two ran up and away. Haruka frowned at the picture. "Is.. This underwater?"
"I thought it was the sky."
Both pondered on the picture.
"Well, to each their own, right?" Michiru smiled as she leaned against Haruka. "I wish Hotaru knew the baby."
"We tried to find out," Haruka thought on Michiru's mirror and that it did absolutely nothing for them.
"Oh well." Michiru sighed.
Minako came up to her large home, coming to a jerky halt. Though she had a license, she was still a rocky driver. Which was why whenever her son needed a drive, his father did it for her. Asai was a teacher at Crystal Tokyo Private Compound as a elementary teacher. He also was the volleyball coach, taking his job very seriously.
Which was a huge difference from the happy boy. Zenshin was kicking the soccer ball in the large front yawn, yelling as he pretended to be a famous player, ultimately winning the game.
"GOOOAAAALLLL!" He yelled, pumping his fists. "And once again! Aino Zenshin has won the game!"
"Go, Zenshin!" Minako pumped her own fist as she raced toward him. They high-fived and both yelled for several minutes over the phantom win of the ultimate game.
"MINAKO!" Asai yelled, having been trying to get his wife's attention for the minutes both had been distracted for. "How did everything go?"
"Oh, it went fine, as expected," Minako glanced at Zenshin, who stared at her intently. "We'll talk about it later, okay?" She smiled at her husband who nodded. She headed inside with him.
"Why am I always left out!?" Zenshin demanded as both parents disappeared into the house. "That's not fair! I'm a leader… kind of… okay, but I'm working on it!" He eyed the ball and a smile slowly stretched across his lips. "It's up to Aino Zenshin once again! The infamous ball-kicker of the entire season, the secret in the pocket, it's a tie and it's all on his shoulders!"
"YAAHHHHHH!" He did a kick and found himself in a tail spin. "OUCH!"
Makoto hummed as she reached the door. She had stopped at the store for groceries, carrying them easily in her grip. Upon reaching the door, however, she eyed the keyhole and her occupied hands. She opened her mouth and yelled at the top of her lungs. "SOMEONE COME TO THE DOOR PLEASE!"
Five seconds later, the door flung open as her son, fourteen-year-old Raijin, beamed at her. Five more seconds and her arms were free. He turned, his braid flipping at her as he took the bags back inside. He had his mother's hair, with the same part save he wore his hair in a long, thin braid. It was a form of his only rebellion, in keeping his hair long while the rest of him was carefully groomed into the perfect gentleman. "How did it go, Mom?"
"It went.." There was a crash, like a door slamming a wall too hard.
"MAMA!" Sansai, with her sunbathed skin and unruly curly hair fluttering around her shoulder blades, was a well-figured and tall girl, much alike her mother. She smiled as charmingly as possibly. "Mama, mom? Can I borrow that pretty little green dress you have?"
"For what?" Makoto frowned.
"For the ball at the Palace?"
"Are you talking about the back-free, low-slung, complete with mini skirt dress that makes Dad insane about Mom?" Raijin asked politely.
Sansai eyed him. "No, it's the one that makes you look like an adult," She said huffily.
"It's an adult dress. You are fourteen. I don't think the two go all that well together," Makoto said pointedly.
"But Mom! I'm old enough," Her daughter protested as her mother gestured for Raijin to start putting away the groceries.
"Where's your father?" She asked next.
"He went to the hospital, he was on call," Raijin answered.
"Mom! Mom! What did you talk about!"
"None of your concern," She said sternly. She softened. "When we know more information, you will all know."
"I can't wait to kick butt!" Sansai grinned. "Right, Mom?"
Makoto sighed. "There is a time and place for it, yes. But you need to have normal lives for as long as possible. Don't be so eager."
"But.."
"Sansai, don't be absurd," Raijin snorted. "Keep to your makeup."
"That's not all I'm about!"
"It is so! Look at that skin!"
"I have easily sunbathed skin," She retorted. "Besides, I look good." She fluffed her hair.
Meanwhile, Raijin made a gagging motion as his mother whacked on the head.
"Stop that, Raijin."
"Sure, punish the good one."
"You are so not the good one!"
The night was coming as all settled in and prepared for the night. Neo Queen Serenity walked, her hand held in her son's small hand as he rubbed at his eyes tiredly. Mamoru was a look-a-like of the queen, with the same hair and eyes, wide on his round face. He stumbled a little, being led to bed.
"All right, Mamoru," His mother smiled down at him, lifting him with a grunt. "Phew, soon you'll be too big for me to carry," She hugged him close. "Time for bed," She opened the door to his bedroom, only a handful of rooms away from hers and King Endymion. Inside, King Endymion was waiting as both of them tucked in their son.
"Mama…" Mamoru yawned widely. "I donna go to bed…" He whined, halfway through his yawn.
"Shush now, Mamoru," Neo Queen Serenity began to look around on the floor. "Where is Minerva?"
Luna came in, carrying a nearly-sleeping kitten in her mouth. She mumbled something before King Endymion took the small kitten. "Phew," Luna sat down swiftly. "She was so deep in reading, she practically fell asleep at the books."
"Minnie…" Mamoru managed to reach up arms to the kitten. "Minerva…"
"Go to sleep," King Endymion put the small kitten on the adjacent pillow. She curled into a tight ball and was asleep in seconds, Mamoru following in mere minutes. Both parents left the room, thoughtfully holding the door for Luna. Luna nodded and said her goodnight as she headed off to find her mate, Artemis.
Neo Queen Serenity looked at her husband. "Do you want Hinata or Usagi?"
"Hmm? Why don't we go to Hinata first?" He offered, deliberately confusing the question.
Neo Queen Serenity sighed. "I don't want to give Hinata nightmares."
"You don't give her nightmares," He protested as they turned a corner. After a long winding path, they came to Hinata's room. Painted a beautiful pale gold, the door was unlocked as first they knocked then King Endymion poked his head in slowly. "Hinata?"
She was in the large, pillowed armchair, writing thoughtfully. She glanced up and marked her page, slowly getting to her feet with a welcoming smile. "Hi, Papa. Hello, Mama."
Both parents encircled her. "Just wanted to say goodnight. Don't stay up too late," Neo Queen Serenity told her softly, though she shook a finger a little sternly.
"Yes, Mama."
"Have you brushed your teeth?" King Endymion asked teasingly.
"Of course, Papa!" She gave a soft giggle.
"All right then, good night sweetheart." Both made to leave.
"Mama, what was with the meeting today?" The question seemed out of the blue for the young girl, who was usually non-inquisitive about the politics and Senshi meetings.
"Well, remember when people were getting sick from the water?" Her mother asked her.
"Yes, Usagi said that an old enemy of the past had resurfaced and was tainting the water."
"Well, yes, that is true. We're still learning more and we'll let you…" Neo Queen Serenity didn't get to finish her sentence as Hinata interrupted.
"But you let Usagi attend."
"What?" Neo Queen Serenity was startled by the intensity Hinata had spoken in. The young girl stared down at her mother, her gaze deep and intense. "Yes but…"
Neo Queen Serenity glanced at her husband. "Well, you are getting older, perhaps we should start including you in these meetings. I wasn't sure if you could handle it, really," She glanced back at her daughter to catch the hurt look for a mere second before her daughter's gaze closed off. "Oh.. Um…" She glanced back at King Endymion.
"Next time there is a Senshi meeting, you will be completely invited," He said warmly. "We look forward to any input you would have, Hinata."
"Yes, Papa." She barely smiled as he kissed a cheek and her mother copied his move, on the opposite end. "Good night, Mama. Papa."
"Good night," Both left as Hinata turned away, returning back to her armchair with a long sigh.
"I knew it," Neo Queen Serenity blinked back tears. "I always, ALWAYS! Hurt her feelings."
"Don't worry so," King Endymion said soothingly. "She loves you, remember that."
She sighed again as King Endymion led the way to Usagi's room. Usagi's room was heard first, the music blaring as Neo Queen Serenity plugged her ears. "What in the world is she listening to!?"
King Endymion banged on the door as the music was suddenly cut off. A blushing Usagi opened the door.
"Oh, look, she matches her hair," Neo Queen Serenity said fondly.
"Mama," Usagi crossed her arms.
"I know it's not bedtime but we're making the rounds," King Endymion smiled at his oldest child. "Do you need anything?"
"Nope!" She hugged them both, leaving them with a kiss of affection. "Night!"
Both found themselves outside the door without preamble.
"Hmmm.. A little suspicious, don't you think?" Neo Queen Serenity tapped a lean finger on her cheek, watching as King Endymion make his way back to their bedroom.
"We'll worry about it tomorrow," He yawned. "It's bed time."
She linked arms with him, cuddling close to him. "I love you."
"Love you too."
"Everything will be all right, right?" She asked eventually.
"Yes, I believe it will. We have a lot of power on the side of good, Usako. We'll be all right."
Morning rose on the school campus as Chiyuu and Zenshin walked off, dropped off simultaneously by their parent. Zenshin spotted Chiyuu first and yelled at the top of his lungs for her.
"SHHH!" Chiyuu was pink in the face. "Do you always have to be so loud?" She eyed him. Dressed in the winter uniform of burly wood and brown, she thought privately that with his spiked hair, he looked pretty cute. That thought alone turned her entire face red as Zenshin turned toward her.
"Wow…" He breathed. Chiyuu was sure he was going to point out the flaming face. "Look at that kid right there!" He pointed as she instinctively whacked his outstretched hand. "Ow! What was that for?"
It's rude to point!" Chiyuu started for the elementary section since she attended the fifth grade. Zenshin attended the first grade in junior high.
Mitsu and Puroko, driven by Setsuko, arrived for school. Mitsu and Puroko were attending sixth grade while Setsuko was in the last grade possible. Mitsu and Puroko even attended the same class, at their own personal request. Setsuko wanted to fully complete her levels and often attended harsh, complicated classes, with surprising ease on her part.
Setsuko noted Zenshin and gave him a wave. He gave a very enthusiastic wave as he disappeared into the building.
Maku rushed out of the car, nearly forgetting his lunch as his dad yanked on the shirt. "Thanks, Dad!" Maku fled up the stairs. He caught sight of Setsuko and nodded in a fast acknowledgement. He then disappeared into the Junior High division.
And finally, Raijin and Sansai ran up the Junior High, both breathing heavily as the first bell rang. They could be heard arguing as they charged up the stairs.
"We're late again! If you didn't pamper yourself…!"
"I don't pamper!" The door slammed shut.
At the Palace, Hinata was being home schooled by King Endymion himself. All of their children was home schooled, in order to protect them. They still managed outings but the parents felt it be better if their children were just safer.
"We'll work on math, all right?" King Endymion assigned her several pages and slowly, they worked together toward answers, her father eventually pulling away until Hinata did all the work.
His gaze moved slowly across her room before he noted the painting, partially hidden. She was too engrossed in her work as he approached it and took a long look at it. It was a planet, a very familiar one though it took him a moment to remember it.
'Nemesis?' He looked down at the other sheets, a large pile of many sketches. He blinked at them. Done realistically, they were quite clearly the former Prince of Nemesis, Diamond.
"Papa!" The papers were torn from his light grip. "Oh.. Papa, those are mine!" Her voice shook, both with embarrassment and something else.
King Endymion blinked. "I'm not sure if I approve of this… do you want to talk about it?"
"NO!" Hinata turned away. "It's nothing," She barely whispered, covering her face with a single hand.
"Nothing?" King Endymion stared at the painting, thinking heavily. "Honey… you can like whomever you want."
"I.. I don't like him…" She managed thinly, keeping her gaze averted as she turned slowly. "I.. I love him, Papa," Her gaze, filled with sorrow, met his. "I'm sorry, Papa."
"For what?" He smiled, keeping his head calm. "You're growing up so much, Hinata."
"Do.. Do you think he could like me?" She whispered then, her gaze dropping slowly as they filled with tears.
"Of course, why not?" King Endymion managed to sound nonchalant.
"But Mama and you are always so serious with him, very… sensitive."
"Diamond and his brother have been led astray for a long time. They are trying to make amends."
"I see…" She pulled at the painting, staring down at it.
"Let's go back to the schoolwork," Her father instructed.
His gaze dropped on the sketches, wondering when she fell in love with the former prince.
Hinata knew it but she wasn't going to be talking about it with anyone but Diamond himself. Once done with her school work, she went to the gardens, her thoughts drifting toward the past. She remembered the attack on Diamond by that strange, flying girl. Her hand fisted against her chest. She was ready, she decided, to be the Senshi she was meant to be.
If only she could know exactly where she'd belong when she got older. As Sailor Mithras, she didn't have her own world. She bit her lip and sighed. She wished she was more willing to talk to her parents but just admitting her feelings to her father was intensive enough.
"Hi, Hina!" Minerva popped up. "What'cha doing?"
Hinata bent down. "Nothing, what about…" She trailed off as Diamond arrived around the corner. She blinked at her luck as she started to pet Minerva, who while confused about the sudden silence, was liking the attention as she purred.
Diamond actually smiled as he greeted her. "Good afternoon, Princess Felicity."
She smiled, feeling light in her chest but unable to talk. Minerva glanced at her shrewdly before moving suddenly as Hinata's touch was lost and she lost her balance. Hinata saw, as Diamond helped her up, Minerva flee with a laugh.
"How have you been?" Diamond asked next, once she was on her feet.
"I.. have been well," She brushed at his sleeve nervously before focusing herself on him. His own gaze met hers and both smiled simultaneously.
Minerva was slinking in as King Endymion watched the pair from the distance. "When did this happen!"
"When she transformed and saved him," Minerva responded, about to walk on by. She squeaked as he pulled her up to his face. "You.. Didn't know?"
"No… I thought that last time, she would've picked a planet for sure but she… transformed on her own?"
"Yes, she calls herself Sailor Mithras."
"Why didn't she tell me.. Us?"
"I don't know that, Sire." Minerva was apologetic. "But she's been watching Diamond for years now."
"Years?" Her father was incredulous about that.
"Of course. And he seems to have finally noticed her," Minerva and King Endymion gazed back out at the two.
"I remember a time when your mother was a soldier," Diamond was talking, his hand brushing against the roses thoughtfully. "She ended up that she wasn't supposed to be one but because of fate, things changed. Her heart was a powerful star, your mother…" He trailed off.
"You loved her."
Diamond turned toward her. "Once, yes. I thought I still would but time heals wounds. Now I try to make amends for my people. I am no longer fit for my role because of my own selfishness."
"But you're not selfish."
"I try not to be," Diamond smiled at her. "You're a lot like your mother but you also have a bit of your father. Now there was a force when those two are together."
"I envy them for that."
Diamond stilled. "Why should you?"
"I…I care for a lot things in this world. I… am not well liked because I.." She halted before struggling to continue in a softer voice. "I am afraid all of the time, of what to say, what to do. I crumble under pressure. I could not run things like Usagi or be as strong as my mother…"
"Strange," Diamond slowly turned, a hand brushing her cheek very, very lightly. "That's not what I see."
Her eyes widened at the touch and instinctively, her hand grasped his in a rather tight grip. Diamond looked momentarily at a loss before there was a delicate cough. Seeing King Endymion's stern gaze, Diamond took several discreet steps back from Hinata.
"I heard that Hinata rescued you from trouble. Who was it?"
"A girl, a child really. Blonde hair and bright, silver eyes."
"She was targeting him," Hinata said softly.
"Yes, until she saw you," Diamond corrected her.
"Well, she didn't get me," Hinata said, sounding uncharacteristically rude.
King Endymion blinked. "If they start targeting the Royal family.. You will be getting a bodyguard," He told his daughter.
She shook her head. "No, Papa. I can defend myself!"
"You need to be protected," He started.
"Does Usagi have guards?" Hinata glowered. "Papa, I am safe here, I promise you."
"Are you sure you can transform?"
"I did!" She was getting louder. "Ask him! Diamond, tell him!"
"She did transform into a beautifu…" King Endymion fixed a gaze on him. "A powerful soldier she called herself Sailor Mithras."
"I see. Can we talk, Diamond?" Both of the men started off.
"Pap..papa, no!" Hinata watched them leave her, not knowing what her father was going to say but wanting badly to stop them. Diamond's gaze drifted back and then he smiled and gave her a comforting wave.
Minerva blinked up at Hinata. "I think Mercury is coming by this afternoon with some information. Perhaps we can prepare for that."
"I suppose," Hinata followed her back, toward another entrance.
At the meeting, only two days after the first, Usagi sat across from Hinata who remained silent but listened intently as Mercury slowly explained the situation.
"From what it looks like, the Dark Kingdom is no longer at the Artic Circle," Mercury said firmly. "No traces of energy whatsoever. The only explanation is that they moved somewhere else and learned to cover their tracks."
"Great, so we can't go charging," Uranus crossed her arms with a snort. "I was looking forward to kicking butt."
"What we can do is starting training our children. Let them lose on the town and learn on their experiences," Venus offered. "I did it and it did wonders."
"Sure, have them do the police work," Mars shook her head.
"No, we won't be doing that," Neo Queen Serenity said firmly. "We must give our children as normal of a life as possible."
"Then we should go to plan B," Pluto said softly. "I've begun searching the Time Stream for any distortions. The taint of evil shows quite clearly and it will eventually show the door. They must have a least one door into the Dark Kingdom. We must find that door before they find the main Time Gate."
"Then it's a waiting game," Jupiter tapped fingers on the table. "Great, that's just one of my favorite things," She said sarcastically.
"We've been talking to Diamond and Sapphire," King Endymion said next, causing Hinata's gaze to whip toward his. "About their own door and they've elected a set of guards to watch over it in case of any trouble."
"Good, good," Venus nodded.
"I'm still surprised that we can trust them," Mars muttered darkly.
"Everyone can make mistakes," Neo Queen Serenity rebutted Mars who looked a little remorseful for what she said.
"So now what do we do?" Neptune asked the Royal family.
"We wait as we search. And be on top alert, they're bound to attack. They've already tried to get Hinata."
"NO!" Everyone gasped as Hinata slowly slunk down in her seat as all stared at her.
"And she transformed!" Neo Queen Serenity said proudly.
Hinata was wishing the ground was going to open up and swallow her whole as the gazes intensified.
"No way!" Usagi was just as proud as her mother. "That's so great! What planet did you pick?"
"Umm… I didn't pick one," She barely whispered.
"I knew it!" Mars crowed. "You are destined for greatness! I foresaw you leading a world."
"Umm.. That's me," Usagi corrected. "And if she didn't pick a planet then…"
"Let's not discuss this right now," Neo Queen Serenity interceded. "Now, I have some new things to give you all to give to your children."
She deposited several new watches, all assigned by family planetary symbols. "They are not just communicators but phones, computers, and anything else you could possibly need."
"Do they still tell time?" Uranus asked dryly.
"Of course!" Neo Queen Serenity beamed. "Thanks to Mercury, we're heading fast for a technological future."
"We're already technological," Mars pointed out.
"I mean even more so."
The group continued to talk. Both Hinata and Usagi asked to be excused early as they went the same way out.
"What do you think?" Usagi asked Hinata.
Hinata blinked. "I don't know. But we'll have to do our best."
"Well, you have to," Usagi was bitter. "I can't transform anymore."
"You're nearly of age to be the leader of Elysion," Hinata reminded her.
"At least I'll have Helios," Usagi looked dreamy.
Hinata smiled. "And I… well…"
"Oh ho?" Usagi leaned over. "Who captured your heart, Hinata?"
"I…you can't laugh."
"Of course not!"
"Promise me."
"I swear on my blood!"
"I… I really like Diamond."
Usagi blinked before she covered her face, holding in her strangled gasp of a laugh.
"It's not funny!"
"No, no…I can totally see you both together."
"Really?"
Usagi stilled, at the hopeful tone of her younger sister. "Give it your all, Hinata, if you want it to happen. I found my Prince by luck, I know how hard it is to get someone to notice you as a person."
"He already sees me."
"Really?"
They continued on down the hallway as they talked more about romances, how to deal with men, and the best part of being able to tell someone your feelings.