WHAT TIME IS IT
Chapter 9: "Saving The Past"
A Sailor Moon fanfic
By Bill K.
Serenity, Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus stood in shock, their gaze shifting from their companion Sailor Jupiter to the little five year old girl in the doorway: little Makoto Kino. For her part, Jupiter just stared, stared at a face she once saw in a mirror wearing an annoyed scowl as her mother brushed her hair.
They noticed little Makoto begin to shy and edge toward the door. Immediately Serenity knelt down and offered her most bewitching smile.
"Hello, Mako-Chan," Serenity said gently. "We apologize for showing up in your room uninvited. We don't want to hurt you. We're looking for someone who has done something wrong. We want to catch him and stop him from hurting people. And we heard that he was going to show up here." She flashed her big blue eyes at the child. "I hope you can forgive us."
"Who are you?" little Makoto asked. She was frowning, trying to understand, and everyone in the room recognized the expression that their friend had used a thousand times before.
"My name is Serenity," the Queen said gently.
"You sure you should be telling her that?" Venus cautioned.
"It's all right," Serenity replied. She turned back to Makoto. "Maybe you should go sit with your parents where you'll be safe. I don't know when this man will show up, but I don't want you to be in danger."
"Can't I help?" Makoto asked. Serenity seemed surprised. "If somebody is doing bad things, we all have to do everything we can to stop them and protect other people. That's what my Daddy says."
"Oh, you're so sweet for offering," Serenity beamed. "But we're better equipped to handle this than you are. We have - - special abilities."
"Like Team Gatchaman!" Makoto gasped. Serenity heard Venus snort out a laugh behind her.
"Yes, like," Serenity began, "um, Team Gatchaman."
The Senshi heard footsteps on the stairway and tensed. The door opened wider and a man entered. He was big, broad and gave the impression of a coiled spring. Venus noticed the thick brown hair and the very handsome, masculine face. Mars noticed the intelligent look in his eyes and the gentle, controlled manner of his movements. Serenity noticed the concern for his home and his daughter when he spotted them.
"Dad?" Jupiter squeaked like she was seeing a ghost. That stilled the question he was about to ask. Little Makoto turned to him, grateful for her rock of strength.
Jupiter was across the room in an instant. She wrapped her arms around the man and crushed herself to him.
"Daddy!" she sobbed, squeezing him tight. Her father was startled by this and tried to gently push Jupiter away. "Dad, don't you recognize me? It's me! Makoto!"
"Makoto?" he asked incredulously. He glanced down at his little girl, staring up at him in utter confusion. Then he looked back at Jupiter and the light of recognition brightened in his eyes. "Makoto? But how?"
"Oh, Dad, I've missed you so much!" Jupiter sobbed. "I'm sorry we have to meet like this! I'm from . . ."
"Jupiter, I don't think you should be telling him that," Mars admonished.
Jupiter stared at her, stung. She turned back to her father. For a moment, there was turmoil within her. She caressed his cheek with her gloved hand, then backed away. Her father was just as confused as little Makoto was.
"I apologize, Sir," Serenity said and bowed to him. "But this spot is about to become very dangerous. Please take your daughter to a safe place."
"Who are all of you?" he sputtered out.
"I really can't explain that. Just think of me as a friend."
"She said her name was Serenity, Daddy," little Makoto offered. "I think we can trust her." Her father placed his hand lovingly on her head, but still glanced with uncertainty at the Queen and her three Senshi.
In the corner of the room by the window, space seemed to shimmer for a moment. And suddenly, Lester Kelvion was there, wearing his temporal suit. Little Makoto gasped in amazement, while her father's eyes grew wide.
"How?" Kelvion gasped in surprise. "How did you know to come here?"
"SUPREME THUNDER!" roared Sailor Jupiter, bellowing with all the rage she suddenly felt at that moment.
Before the disbelieving eyes of the elder Kino and his daughter, lightning jumped from the rod extended from Jupiter's tiara and leaped at Kelvion like a ravenous animal. A blue-yellow field encompassed him for a second, then sparks began spitting from two of the red circles on his suit. Kelvion faded from view, reality rippling in his wake. With nothing left to conduct it, Jupiter's lightning bolt dissipated.
"Great," sighed Mars. "Now we have to chase him down again."
"Sorry," grunted Jupiter, her anger still smoldering.
If that wasn't enough to astound the Kinos, another ripple brought Sailor Pluto into the room.
"I'm sorry, Pluto," Serenity offered. "We let him get away."
"I know this, My Queen," Pluto nodded. "I have come to ferry you back to The Door."
"Um," Serenity began. "Can - - can Jupiter say good-bye first?"
Pluto sighed, a rare glimpse of emotion from her. "Yes, My Queen. This moment in time is already damaged so badly that it can do no harm that hasn't already been done."
Jupiter walked timidly over to her father. Little Makoto was staring up at her, though she kept her father between them at all times. Jupiter could see he was struggling to understand.
"You're," he began tentatively, "from the future. Right?"
"Yeah, Dad," Jupiter smiled through tears. "All grown up. I even gave you grand kids. You'd love 'em both."
"You say that like," he swallowed, "I won't be around to see them." And Jupiter suddenly wanted to rip her tongue out.
"Oh, Dad, I'm sorry!" Jupiter cried and hugged him again. She felt his arms fold around her and she sobbed on his shoulder just like she'd done as a girl.
"We all have to go sometime," he whispered. "So you're what - - a magical girl? Guess I shouldn't be surprised. You're probably the best one." He pulled back to look at her tear-stained face. "And you've managed to become a crusader for justice," and he smiled warmly, "and a lady."
Jupiter looked like she was about to burst.
"You mean," little Makoto spoke up, "you're me?"
Jupiter knelt down to her. "Yep. Hope you're not disappointed. Now you keep doing what's right, no matter how tough things get. Make your parents proud."
Jupiter stood up and nodded to Pluto. And just like that, they were gone.
The mist were no more friendly than when they'd left. As usual, Mars looked around with suspicion and distaste, for this place made her most uncomfortable. Pluto turned to them, looking directly at Queen Serenity.
"I'm sorry if we made things worse," Serenity offered.
"Forgive me, My Queen," Pluto cut her off. "I shall return shortly." And with a quarter turn of her staff, she disappeared.
"She must really be mad," Serenity sniffed.
"Maybe not at you," Jupiter mumbled. "I'm sorry, Serenity. But when I saw Dad alive, I just kind of lost it." She thought a moment. "Weirdest thing: before we went back, I had no memory of meeting us as a little girl. But I've got one now. Suppose that's my fault? If I hadn't lost it, maybe we wouldn't have changed the past?"
"We understand, Jupiter," Serenity smiled at her. "It's been so long since you've seen him, and I know how much you miss him."
"He seems like a very wise and kind man," Mars added.
"And kind of hot," Venus added.
"Blondie, do not lust after my dad," Jupiter bristled. Mars added a condemning glare.
"So," Venus began, quickly changing the subject, "are you going to try again, Serenity? You've already shown that you can operate The Door without Pluto."
"I don't know how," Serenity marveled, "but I guess I can. But where do we go to find him? He could be anywhere?"
"You didn't know where he was before," Venus reasoned. "But The Door took us right to him. It even let us ambush him." She glanced at The Door. "Makes me wonder if the thing is alive."
"It's not alive," Mars stated flatly. "But it's not natural, either."
"Should we try again?" Serenity wondered. "You saw how mad Pluto was. I don't want to make things worse."
"She wasn't as mad as you think she is," Mars assured her. "And Jupiter managed to damage his suit. That means he's vulnerable. Now is the time to run him down."
"Yeah, maybe that's why he came back to off little Makoto-Chan," Venus suggested. "He knows she's a threat to his suit. All the more reason to go after him. Pluto will just have to deal."
And just like that, Pluto was there again. Venus jumped back, startled.
"You didn't happen to hear that, did you?" Serenity grimaced.
"Long ago, My Queen. You all walk a path I have already foreseen," Pluto replied. "And please do not concern yourself that I might be angry with you. I could never be such. I merely had to travel into the past to prevent Kelvion from killing the infant Rei Hino."
Everyone gasped and turned to Mars. For her part, Mars put her hand to her throat and looked momentarily ill.
"Then I guess there's no choice. We have to go after him," Serenity said. She looked at Pluto. "Please don't try to stop us."
"I no longer have that ability, My Queen. You have proven that conclusively," Pluto said. "But again I beg of you, you must take every precaution. You MUST NOT recklessly gamble your life. I know that you feel differently, but in this particular case, YOUR LIFE is the most important one."
"All right, Pluto," Serenity assured her.
"You're welcome to come along," Venus said. "We could use all the Senshi we can get, particularly with Mercury down."
"Alas, I cannot," Pluto replied. "Reality even now fractures because of the efforts of Lester Kelvion and the efforts against him. At this point, I am the only thing holding back its complete collapse. I will try to aid you when I can, but you must not depend upon me."
"Do what you have to do," Venus nodded. "Well, back to the future, ladies."
Serenity walked over to the Door of Time and opened it. She and her Senshi plunged in, leaving Pluto behind.
Endymion was in his office, sitting at his desk. His hand was to his face and his fingers were pressing against his eyes. In addition to the burden of running a nation, his wife was off fighting a deadly menace and a close friend was injured and fighting for life. He knew that burden came with the position of king, but right now he could feel his back bending under the strain. If only he could be by Serenity's side. He wouldn't worry so much. Seeing Hayami in Mercury's room brought home once again the haunting prospect of losing the woman he loved and being alone again.
"Papa?"
He looked up. Seven year old Setsuko was in the doorway.
"I'm sorry, Setsuko-Chan," he smiled. "Did something wake you?"
"Where's Mama?" Setsuko asked. "I thought she was flying back tonight."
"She did. Don't worry."
"Is she on a mission?"
"Yes, she's on a mission with the Senshi."
"Is it dangerous? They say Sailor Mercury got hurt."
He sighed. What to tell her?
"Yes, it's dangerous," he admitted, getting up and walking over to the child. Endymion picked her up and cradled her against his chest. "That's why your mama and the Senshi have to face it. They're the ones with the best chance of winning."
"I wish she didn't have to go," Setsuko mumbled, clinging to her father figure.
"So do I," Endymion told her as he walked her down the hall. "So does she. She misses you terribly."
"I know," Setsuko said. "Is she going to be back for her birthday? I made her a present." The child began to grow emotional. "I really want to give it to her."
"And she really wants to get it," Endymion cooed. "That's why she's going to do everything she can to get back so you can give it to her. And we have to wait for her."
In Setsuko's room, Endymion sat her down on the edge of her bed.
"What if she doesn't come back?" she asked. "Sometimes people don't come back. Sometimes . . ."
"Believe," he said gently. "Believe in her until every shred of evidence says otherwise. I've put my faith in her and I've been rewarded many, many times. If anybody can, she can."
"But if she can't?"
"Even if she doesn't come back," Endymion said, "she'll always be with you."
"Like Mom and Dad and Onee-Chan?"
"Yes," Endymion said, hugging her. "Think you can go back to sleep now?"
"I'll try."
He kissed her on her forehead. "Do you want a story?"
"I'm seven, Papa. I don't need stories anymore," Setsuko sighed.
"I apologize," Endymion smirked. "Good night, my brave little girl."
He got up and began to leave. But at the door, he heard Setsuko whisper to herself.
"I'm not that brave," she said softly.
Serenity and her Senshi materialized in a room packed densely with electronic equipment. Florescent light illuminated the room. It was twenty feet by twenty, but seemed smaller due to the crush of computers, electrical generators and component equipment.
"Yow! Mad scientist central!" marveled Venus. "I think I saw this set up in a movie once."
"You suppose this is Lester Kelvion's lab?" Mars wondered. "The place where he built that time suit?"
"Mercury would know," Jupiter mumbled.
"Hell, Mercury would take one look at this place and wet herself," snorted Venus. She got withering looks from Jupiter and Mars. "Oh, lighten up! I'm worried about her, too!"
"But where's Kelvion?" Serenity asked.
"Maybe he's in hiding," Jupiter looked around.
Mars tilted her head back and closed her eyes. Everyone looked at her with mounting concern. After almost a minute, she tilted forward and opened her eyes.
"He's not here," Mars said flatly. "I only sense the spirit energy of four people."
"So why did the door bring us here?" Serenity asked.
"Well, it took us to the past in advance of Kelvion getting there," suggested Venus. "Maybe it's doing that again - - giving us a chance to ambush him when he does get here." She glanced at Jupiter and Mars. "I know. My head's beginning to hurt, too."
With that, the far door opened. The Senshi turned in time to see futuristic-looking drones fly in. Without warning, the drones opened fire on the Senshi with projectile weapons. Serenity was barely able to shield the others with an energy barrier.
"Look out!" Venus shouted. "They're separating! They're trying to surround us!"
"Jupiter!" shouted Sailor Jupiter. "Oak Evolution!"
Bursts of electricity began popping in the air all around the room. One popped against a drone and caused a surge that burned its circuitry out. The drone dropped like a stone to the floor. Two more bursts caught two other drones and disabled them in similar fashion.
"I've got the fourth one!" Venus shouted. "Crescent Beam!"
The beam of energy shot from the fingertip of Sailor Venus and tracked the flight of the drone until it struck, slicing the metal craft in half.
"Nice watchdogs," Venus commented. "I could use one of those when the paparazzi get a little too pushy."
"And you said there's no such thing as bad publicity," Mars smirked.
"Well I lied. Trying to get a picture of me in the shower is crossing a line," Venus said. She spotted the eye-popped look from Serenity. "Actually happened on the set of 'Princess of Space'. I'll tell you about it some time."
To their left, reality seemed to warp for a moment. And suddenly Lester Kelvion was there. On his right side, two of the red circles of his suit were a darker shade of red, as if they were dark and inert. Spotting the Senshi, his eyes widened in shock.
"How are you trailing me?" he exclaimed. "How are you beating me to my destination? It's that one! The one with the staff! She's doing it!"
"Kelvion-San," Serenity started forward. "Please, we don't want to hurt you. But you must stop what you're doing. You're doing unimaginable harm to people and history and even time and space itself."
"No," he shook his head with the fervency of the righteous. "I'm remaking the past! Altering it for a better future! A future where Madame Charress is the undisputed, unchallenged ruler of Europe! A future where we will all prosper!"
"At the expense of the lives of other people?" Serenity asked incredulously.
"Other people? Intellectuals and social radicals who weaken us and pollute the minds of our children! And foreign devils who want to infiltrate our society and leech our wealth and vitality until they're in control and we're nothing!" He sneered in contempt. "So what if they die? The world is better off!"
"No!" Serenity exclaimed. "No one is better off by killing others! No one improves themselves through hate! Only through joining together and understanding each other and peacefully coexisting can humanity become better than it is now!"
"Just what I'd expect to here from a Japanese mongrel pretending to be European," scowled Kelvion. "I'm sure that blonde hair came out of a bottle. Do you think you can infiltrate us that easily?"
Again the door to the lab flew open. This time, though, there were no self-defense drones. There was a squad of twelve soldiers, all armed with automatic weapons. They quickly entered the room and pointed their weapons at Serenity and the Senshi.
Continued in Chapter 10
