A Change of the Future
Chapter One
She gathered what little of her things that held actual meaning to her: the picture of her, her true love, and their future child, a picture of her scouts in their normal clothes, a small pink bear broach Seiya had given her, and her heart broach which held her Moon Crystal.
"Princess, we must hurry. Luna will return soon. We must be gone by the time she arrives."
The young girl nodded at the scout that kept the gates of time safe.
"I just need to make everyone forget about me, Pluto. Then I'll be ready."
"Don't tamper…"
"…with those who must remember. I know." The Moon Princess's voice was defeated and sad.
"Serena, you know how they have been treating you. Manipulating you and making you feel unworthy. It's threatening Crystal Tokyo. You need to finish growing without them."
"I know. Let me concentrate."
The older girl nodded, falling silent as her princess used the Moon Crystal's power.
Serena held the Moon Crystal just in front of her breast. Moon Crystal, I am your Princess. Answer my plea. Erase me from the memories of the ones who don't know my true identity. Give me a new look and name to hide me from those who do. Help me protect the future we all want. The Moon Crystal shined, using the magic for its princess's request.
Around the house, Serena was erased from photos. Her room slowly changed into a study. At the school, her school records disappeared. Molly and Melvin slowly forgot all about her.
Her hair shortened and curled, along with changing to a strawberry blond, ending at her shoulders. Her eyes changed from an innocent blue to a knowing hazel. No scout would recognize her if it was not her desire.
"Go to the Fireball Princess. Tell her I am in need of protection and ask her if she can send Fighter, Healer, or Maker as I know I can trust them."
"And the others?"
"Will learn of my disappearance in time. Serena is gone. She's not coming back anytime soon."
Pluto nodded before disappearing into the time stream to find the scouts her princess needed.
"She's what?" Fighter exclaimed, a feeling of dread filling him.
"The person known as Serena Tsukino no longer exists. If you would let me explain…" Sailor Pluto had easily explained the Moon Princess's situation to the fireball Princess. The Princess then allowed her to speak to the Starlights so they could hear the Moon Princess's plea.
"How have you survived when she has not? Were you not sworn to protect the Princess of the Moon?" Maker's voice was calmer than Fighter's, but was on edge.
"Fighter. Maker. Pluto has not fully explained. We must allow her to continue if we are to discover the truth." Healer's words allowed no room for argument. Pluto nodded her head in thanks before continuing.
"Though my princess is very much alive, Serena has been erased from existence. Through the power of her star seed, the Moon Crystal, she has erased the life of Serena and fashioned herself a new appearance and life. The other scouts and our prince have manipulating her and the future she holds so dear has become at risk; her disappearance became the only ideal option.
"My princess sent me here to ask for one of you to come to Earth and protect. Her current situation means she cannot become Sailor Moon and, therefore, cannot protect herself. I must go back to protecting the gates of time, or I would try to do it myself. She trusts the three of you and I have learned to trust my princess's extinct."
"It's about time." Fighter's voice, though uneasy, only held a hint of seriousness.
"You would have done the same had the situation been reversed and you felt your princess was being too sweet."
"It was her sweetness that saved us all."
"You don't deny it? I know what saved us; I wouldn't forget."
"Your planet needs us again?" Healer was amused. "It would seem your fellow scouts can't do anything."
"No, your friend needs you. The others, even the prince, do not realize their manipulation of the Princess, at least not fully. The Moon throne's only heir, Princess Serena, who will become NeoQueen Serenity of Earth, must strengthen herself in every way and must be protected at all times. Will you held her? Will one of you choose to protect or must I ask strangers and possibly condemn her to death?"
"Why must only one of us choose?" Maker asked, not really looking for an answer, standing up.
"What would she do if all three of us showed up?" Healer asked standing as well.
"She would never ask that of all of you. She knows how much you love your princess and remembers the lengths you went to find her." Pluto saw that their minds were made up. Fighter stood and walked toward her before gently placing a hand on her arm.
"She doesn't have to; this is what friends do for one another."
She nodded and headed toward the doorway only she could see. Stopping just before entering, she turned.
"I'll tell her that her protection is on its way, then."
"How will we find her?"
"You won't. She'll find you, or she will as long as your Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten once more." And with that she stepped into the doorway of time.