I DON'T OWN SAILOR MOON!!!!!
A/N: This is a somewhat short chapter because if I had merged this chapter with 11(that's still in progress) We would have one looong chapter on our hands. so i decided to break it up a bit so I can add more detailed content to chapter 11.
Chapter 10: Step Foot Into Shadow
Only a few days had past since Metaila had released the ones she used to know as kids back into the world of the living. Now she was floating around the time gates preparing to have a talk with Pluto and the others in hopes of quelling the pain from the past. She didn't know how they would treat her, The very woman who also released her wrath upon the White Moon at one time. Here she was in front of the castle doors cursing who ever it was that placed those damnable wards up. After trying various entrances to no avail she finally got annoyed enough to start shouting from outside.
On the inside the Senshi were doing the normal sitting around and relaxing. They really had nothing better to do. Ami had her face shoved in one of her many books. The library in the castle was the largest she had seen, and in her spare time found herself glued to one of the many pieces of literature. Haruka was driving everyone crazy due to being restless. She never could sit still for more than a few hours, and Saeko had forbidden everyone besides the children from sparring. Minako had held up in the bathroom for most of the morning, and Michiru was still sleeping from her late night binge eating.
Saeko and Setsuna were off in another corner of the residence playing chess while dealing with the rather loud ruckus coming from Usagi and the children as they destroyed the kitchen. Makoto had been dealing with the no sparring rule by marathon baking, much to the joy of everyone in the castle. There were always extravagant meals being served and baked goods aplenty. Apparently the current argument took place between mother and daughter over who should have the last cookie, even though the next batch was almost ready to be cooled.
Hotaru and Rei were currently checking the many wards around the castle as well as adding more. "The spirits are restless, have been for about an hour now." Hotaru said pinching the bridge of her nose.
"That's odd, I don't feel anything." Rei thought aloud looking around the room for any abnormalities.
"I don't think you would. The spirits here are ones governed by me, not among the living, but have not moved on to accept the fact that they are dead either. The spirits you deal with usually know that they are dead. Whether they like it or not is another matter entirely." The girl stood looking out the window. "Umm, Rei tell the others to come here, we seem to have an impromptu guest."
"Really, who would that be?" The Senshi of fire asked before looking out the window. Outside the shadow was swirling violently turning a deep almost black shade of purple, needless to say it didn't look pleased. "What is that thing?!?" the raven asked startled pulling wards out of her pocket.
"Calm down, it's just Metaila. She's aggravated because she would like a few words with us and can't get in to say them. Go get everyone I'll deal with her." While Hotaru removed a few of the wards from the windows Rei gathered everyone into the room. Before the Senshi of death and rebirth allowed the spirit into the room, she transformed and gave a few orders of warning and direction.
"Ok listen up, when I open this window she will be able to get into this room. I know of your history and I remember your little outburst at Setsuna-mama back on earth. We will NOT be having a repeat performance. There are a lot of souls outside directly connected to the Silver Millennium. It could get ugly very quickly. I will keep Metaila under control, but you are all in charge of your own temperaments. I will also deal with Metaila afterwords. She must have something of importance to say for her to be constantly butting into the wards, so let her say it without our past angst getting in the way." Saturn gave everyone the 'don't do anything stupid' look before opening the window.
The spirit flew in almost instantly before floating in the middle of the pack. She saw many responses to her form and not all of it was welcoming. She saw the princess, fear etched on her face. The inner Senshi looked very annoyed at her presence but said nothing. The outers seemed calm, not really bothered one way or the other, all except for Setsuna who looked as if she was going to have an emotional breakdown at any moment. The children all seemed heavily interested. Chibiusa and the other children showed no outward fear of her floating cold mass. In fact where the others kept a distance they were up close and personal, much to the dismay of the inners.
"Metaila you have the floor and I will allow you to speak without reprimand, but, keep in mind: cause any harm to anyone here and I will need to take action." Saturn said carefully giving a small look of apology towards Setsuna.
"I do not wish to stir up any more trouble. Katan and Dalan caused quite enough of that already. What I wish to do is ask for the aid to stop this stupid war zone. We have been bickering for years and I do believe it's gone quite far enough." Spoke the voice of calm reason. This was not a voice fueled by malice or vengeance, and it brought a small bit of calm to Setsuna's heart to know the voice of the woman she once loved could still be gentle.
"How do you even have the right to propose that after all that you did to us!" Growled Minako low and primal, she was now negatively charged, coins and other loose metallic's went flying into various directions. Rei was also agitated feeding off of Minako's mood sending off little sparks of flame every few moments.
"Minako! Watch it!" Saturn warned dodging a flying coin before continuing the train of thought just a little more pleasantly if not sassily. "Please pardon the metal slinger and her walking fireball. That's currently the norm for them. Now what I think she was attempting to ask was: How do you intend we do that? It seems your people want little in the way of a friendship."
"Indeed, I too have seen the malice. There was once a time when we could coexists at least, without trying to kill each other. I would very much like to see that happen again. What was thought to happen in the thirtieth century may not happen now and as you know that will affect many people. If the future can not be aligned to do as what was once intended, then perhaps the future does not lie with the ones who have been directly affected." Metaila said loosing most in the room to her way of explanation.
"What are you saying! The future has to be as it was foretold! If not than everything we fought for was for nothing!" Usagi shouted almost falling into tears.
"Usagi, calm down. That's not what she's saying. What she meant was that perhaps it wouldn't happen when it should, so we should set it up so it would happen later." Saturn clarified.
"How the hell do you see that to even happen! Usagi is our future!" This time it was Haruka bellowing.
"That isn't true Papa. In fact I see here two generations of Senshi and two future queens. One will come first and once much later, but as far as securing the future goes I see it to be a high possibility." Saturn said gesturing around the room.
"If we can stop the malice where it started, at the very core, then we will stop the malice from coming later." Metaila said.
"Where is this core? Where does it even start?" a very confused Ami asked.
"The core started where the Dark Moon's future started. In the past. Back when Katan, Dalan, and the orphans were children. Before the crystal that held the innocent, yet hurt souls, became shattered." Pluto said with a shaky voice.
"Just how exactly do we get there then? Not to mention that most of our group can't transform, and that was in the past." Michiru inquired to this new state of affairs.
"That's just it. We can't go in. I could send us back through time, but for the inners it's a deep paradox, it would need to happen during the actual last battle, before the spirits of the children were released. During that time they were dead, or in Usagi's case actually fighting outside the crystal. You two were on a talisman hunt and I was here, at the gates. The only ones not Sailor Senshi at the time were Hotaru, Saeko, Chibiusa, Mari, Yasu, and Yumi. The other paradox is the crystal itself that had already released Metaila into Beryl during the final fight." Pluto said pensively.
"I can handle that one easy. The souls were in the realm of shadow. It's the one connector between life and death. Only souls reside there usually, and only to complete tasks before they move on. What you see here is a manifestation of that realm from the soul of Metaila because of the death pact. They also reside there before being reborn into a physical body. The souls of the children would have been there at the time. I can take us." Saturn offered, however her voice was laced with a discomforting tone.
"What is it like there? Why do you sound so upset?" Asked Usagi sensing Saturn's extreme distaste.
"You saw the realm once, when I had died, right before I had been reborn into an infant. The cold cloud you felt was the opening to the realm. It makes you feel no emotion until after the void between the three worlds close, locking you in. The blank expression you felt and saw within you was in essence, what the realm actually is." Saturn explained grimly.
"You must be joking, and you want us to go back there? Please say your joking.." Usagi pleaded, never again did she want to feel that deep cold cloak of death. She could still remember holding Hotaru as a baby, their bodies felt numb and cold. She couldn't think and could hardly breath. No, never again did she want to feel that emotional pain.
"Your not going anyplace. It's like Metaila said, the ones who need to go can't have been directly affected the first time. That counts you all out. It's up to the future generation to take the stage. This is our battle now. Our fight for the future." Saturn said before looking to the kids before her as well as Chibiusa.
They all nodded in unison, it was clear what they had planned. Saturn then knelt before the adults, making sure to place herself directly in front of Usagi. The other children did the same however instead of kneeling to Usagi, the knelled before Chibiusa.
"I have been chosen by destiny to protect you in this lifetime and, thus far I have, but I have also been given another duty to be continually reborn, and to continually reawaken. This is to ensure that there will always be someone to govern all that the dead can not on their own. When I die in this life I will be reborn again to protect Chibiusa when she takes the stage as a queen. That is my calling and my simple truth. What I request now is the ability to secure a future that will not happen otherwise. I request that you the future queen, entrust the life of your daughter the future princess, to the Sailor Senshi that will one day protect her fully. Will you grant me this request?" Saturn asked with her head bowed not making eye contact.
"Wait! Hold on just a minuet. Saturn you have got to be pulling my chain. Those kids can cause a destruction like no other, we've seen it. Now you to want to take them to a place even you dislike to visit. It's not safe. Not one bit. Usagi would be crazy to allow it." This came from Minako. What she said struck a hard nerve with Saeko, and she stood from her seat to voice her motherly views.
"I can't believe I just heard that! Look at you all, most of you in this room are teenagers yourselves. As far as safe goes when have any of you ever been safe? I've heard stories of what you went through. Most of the really horrific things happened when you were fourteen. None of it was what a normal person would consider safe. With that in mind look at Ami, I do not like the situations she's placed in half of the time, but I don't tell her she is unable strictly because of safety. If I did she and I wouldn't be standing here right now. These are your children, but, they are also Senshi just as you are. If it's the fact that no adult will be with them, you are poorly mistaken." Saeko said venom clear in her voice.
"Who will go with them? All of us fall under at least one paradox." Asked Rei sarcastically.
"I will. It's my job to protect those from planet Mercury is it not? Well it just so happens Yasu has Mercurian blood, not to mention she's my grandchild. She will be with Chibiusa meaning that I will be with her as well. I know your not asking for my motherly statement but, if you are unable to support your children now, what will happen when they are your age? Possibly fighting in a galactic war years in the future. You may think you are adults, but as I see it your seven and eight years older than them. When you started this charade you were only three or four years older. Really in a parents eyes that's not a long time. Look at Saturn, she's still a child yet she fights for Usagi now. Tell me, do any of you, even Usagi have the right to make this decision. In my eyes it falls to the kids, just as with Ami, the choices in her life fall to her." Even if Saeko was from Mercury, Rei could have sworn that there was a raging fire in that soldiers' eyes.
"It's not only that, it's the fact that they want to go where no living being should be in the first place. None the less I see your point, it isn't our choice to make. I may be a future queen, but at this point I am no more or less then you all see me now. Chibiusa has gotten into scrapes with us before, she knows of the possible dangers. If and only if she wants to go will I even think twice about the idea. The rest of them have their own children to worry about, but, if Chibiusa wants to go…I won't stop her." Usagi said full of determination.
"I still say no. This is not a good plan anyway you look at it. You are all just children who don't-" Minako was in the middle of her leadership speech when a smart ass, hot headed, tornado decided to take the floor.
"Shut up! I don't care what you say, any of you. We will protect Chibiusa, that's our job just as her mother is yours. I swear on my life anything so much as lays a finger on her I'll kick it's ass into oblivion! You hear me!" The tone of the little tomboy was one itching to provoke a fight with anyone who denied her the obligation she was born into.
This apparently got the attention of Haruka and Michiru who looked at Mari with a slight fascination. She was the spitting image of Haruka alright, it was as clear as ever when they saw the child's eyes. She just like her parents wouldn't take no for an answer, especially not when her princess needed her protection. She looked to them in a head on defiance. This of coarse got Yasu into the combat spirit as well.
"She's right, this is our fight so let us handle it. Chibiusa is our responsibility and we'll take care of her. You all can't do anything about this, and if we leave it as it is there won't be much reason to go back home one day. I know it sounds crazy but we can protect her." Yasu spoke in a softer voice than Mari. Even if it was quieter it was no less defiant, she too was ready to face all odds in the name of her princess.
"Absolutely not, as in hell no, as in I'm not going to allow it. Get the picture? You are NOT going!" Minako said again, she was the leader as far as combat went for the adults, and this was all well and good except for one little thing that slipped her mind. Though she was leader of the inner Senshi it had never occurred to her that one day a new leader in combat would take the stage.
"I'm afraid I can not agree mother. Chibiusa will need protection, in that event it is our job to protect her, but, more than that she's my friend. Can you honestly tell me if Neo Queen Serenity were to be in this situation you would not jump in head first, without a second thought? That you would say 'it's far to dangerous, we can't go'. If that's what you would say then you truly aren't the mother I have from the future, not one of you are the same people we know." Yumi said facing the adults down.
"It's not that we wouldn't jump head first if we must, but in this situation you are all placing yourselves at risk, we can't allow that." Rei said backing up Minako.
"Our families are fighting some stupid war dealing with treaty signings. If we can stop that now, if we have that chance, then none of you can deny us the right. Even more, you can not deny us our job as Senshi, right now, that's ensuring Chibiusa stays safe. If Chibiusa goes then the rest of us will follow because I will order that, and my orders to protect Chibiusa override yours to stay behind. I am the embodiment of love in all forms that comes from Venus, and the passion of the spiritual flames that govern Mars. However there is one other thing I am. The voice of command amongst the ranks to protect Chibiusa. That is my bloodline and my heritage." Yumi said with a strength in her voice no one had heard until now. She was no longer the soft spoken obedient child, but the defiant leader that follows her heart and asks questions later.
"I am the embodiment of wind and sea. The merger of the tops of the Sky from Uranus and the depths of the ocean from Neptune. I go where ever that path leads. One day it may send me flying headlong into battle with a rage no one can compare. The next it could send me a calm like the waves upon the sand. Everything floating aimlessly with no end in sight. Both paths will always lead me to Chibiusa because she is my destined responsibility." Mari said flanking Yumi, Yasu following soon after on Yumi's other side.
"I am the embodiment of courage, the power of electricity runs through my veins from the deity of Jupiter, however I am also that of knowledge and water from Mercury. I will protect Chibiusa no matter the cost. The power of Jupiter makes me strong. The power of Mercury makes me wise. It is the courage I have that makes me want to fight, and it will also give me the ability to do as I feel I must in the name of my guardian deities, and in the name of our princess." Yasu stated as plain fact.
It was clear that they would go wherever Chibiusa went, and as for Hotaru, well she would follow both Usagi and Chibiusa into the deepest parts of hell with no hesitation. Chibiusa was her best friend, and Mari was effectively her little sister, there would be no stopping her.
"Chibiusa, what do you want to do?" Asked Usagi with tears in her eyes. It was clear she didn't want her to go, but this was choice only her daughter could make.
"I'm going, I'm tired of growing up in what might possibly become a battle field. Besides, we can't all be crybabies like you, something needs to be done." Chibiusa said giving the sniffling blond a hug.
"It's decided then, everyone that's going meet me in the fire room in fifteen minuets. I want a game plan before we just charge in unannounced." Yumi said to her fellow Senshi before they all broke off into different directions, Saeko following quickly behind Yasu.
"I can't believe your all going to allow this! Of all the stupid, moronic, ideas any of us has ever had this takes the cake! Hell we even attempted to get Usagi herself captured on occasion! I know I'm not the prime example of perfection but for the love of all that is-" Minako continued to rant as she stormed around the room.
"I can't say I openly agree with this either." Rei commented offhandedly
"I'm sorry guys, I just… I don't want our future to suffer because of what I did when I was younger. I should have done a better job making sure we wouldn't have this sort of problem later. I don't want the people i love to pay for my mistakes, but that's what has happened hasn't it?" Usagi whispered in small voice.
She had never seen Minako go on such a heated rant before. For Rei, Makoto, and Haruka this was normal. Not for Minako, not the Senshi of love. Usagi was sure apart of it was the over abundance of hormones, yet even so, a very angry Minako was something she never wanted to witness again.
"No, you have nothing to feel sorry for. They are right, think about us. Saeko made a lot of good points." Makoto replied into the banter over Minako's yelling voice.
"How can you say that! They're friggin' kids! Kids who are going to get killed! When we died it was pure luck we came back! But what about them! Damn it, you all should have backed me up!" Minako shouted back angrily.
Haruka was quite done by this point and strode over grabbing hold of the ferrous leader and pinned her to the wall to make her parental opinions known. "Calm down! Minako, we aren't stupid, we know this is dangerous. Did you even look at their eyes? Did you even think that perhaps they would have fought us until the end? That they would have found some way to defy your orders? We would be hypocrites do you understand! That's why we let them go." Haruka bellowed once again before finishing into a whisper that sounded much more like a growl.
"Why! How can you let them just storm off like that, into a place that only Usagi and Hotaru had ever seen first hand? How can you just let them leave acting like it's ok." Minako continued her end of the argument when Setsuna finally stepped in.
"We know from experience, I myself know quite well. Saria gets into battles all the time, even so, I let her do it. When I die she will be the one that guards the gates, she will be the one to watch over the future queens, and she will go against my every wish if she believes what she does is the right choice. Hotaru holds the same type of hell, constantly being reborn to fight, govern death, and die only to be reborn to repeat the process. Saeko's right she's still just a child compared to the rest of us, but you all know that makes her no less capable. She can hold her own and so can the others. They will do as they feel they must with or without your permission. If that's the case then you shouldn't fight against them, you should fight with them in every way you can." her crimson eyes started to become puffy with unshed tears as she looked at her fellow Senshi.
"I still can't agree to this openly, a lot can go wrong… Ami you've been rather quiet about all of this, what do you think?" Asked Rei trying to find some comfort in the blunette and her usually logical mindset.
"What I think? Honestly? Look who we're dealing with. It doesn't matter what we say or what we do. These kids are us, in so many ways. Yumi was correct, we would follow Usagi into the worst situations possible, we've done it before, and we know the consequences of action. Rather, we thought we knew. Perhaps they are right, look at this for a prime example. We thought we handled this long ago but apparently not. If we had we would not be sitting here with Metaila's soul floating above a table, have ten year olds running amok, gotten pregnant, or be here at the time gates hiding. If there is just one thing that I dislike…correction…hate about all of this. It's not that they are defying our best wishes, it's the place they intend to visit." Ami said as an unsettling shiver went down her spine.
All of the inners knew that shiver, they all got it in reference to only one location. Looking to each other, they all spoke in unison Metaila even joined in "D Point."
~~~~~~~~~~MEANWHILE IN THE FIREROOM~~~~~~
"I knew they had an ulterior motive to be sending us here! Why else would they send us to be raised by their teenage counterparts. Maka is going to get an earful!" Shouted Yasu as she paced the room.
"You know that's not the case. If it were then they would have known we had powers, up until we go back they still won't. This just happened to be yet more spectacularly crappy planning on Papa's part." Mari said shaking her head. It really was Haruka's fault considering she had put Chibiusa up to wanting to come back for a visit in the first place using Hotaru as an excuse. After that add a few hints to Serenity and Saria, who in turn talked things over with the other Senshi and you had one hair brained idea from a meddling butch.
Planning had gone back and forth repeatedly. Attack rotations, defensive alignments, flanking positioning, and over all emergency protocol had been discussed. Simplistic as possible kept it so that things could be done quickly if necessary. Saeko was told by all of the kids to keep a constant vigilant on Chibiusa and to not worry about them. She and Hotaru were also ordered them to get her out of the combat if things started to get ugly. That was when Yasu had gone off topic a bit out of annoyance. Finally Hotaru brought it back to reality briefing them on the topic of the shadow realm itself.
"Anyway, conditions are pretty rough going, it's pitch black and the only thing that will illuminate us is our auras. Well mine, Saeko's and Chibiusa's anyway. Can you all transform at all? Into anything?" Hotaru asked hopeful that pens would be produced, alas it didn't happen.
"Nope, we are the merger of both powers, and where we come from no one transforms anymore." Mari answered.
"Not at all, you see from what I understand where our parents had to grow accustom to their powers we never did, they've just been in us this whole time. It is possible that we may grow stronger over time but we aren't really sure, that was just a theory Yasu came up with." Yumi explained in grater detail.
"Well if it's dark why not carry some kind of light? We could always get a lantern or something." Saeko suggested while thinking on the area she was going to be going into.
"That wouldn't really work. The air is dark but that's from the darkness that resides in the soul, not from missing any light. Our best coarse of action would be to travel right through Metaila's shadow and into the realm. From what I gathered the crystal she had her soul placed into kept a strong barrier on everything until the darkness consumed her. When she was in Beryl or merged with her, the soul went as well. If they used her soul it would have only made sense the kids had merged as well. They were not dead, but they didn't stand among the living. That would be why they are still alive now I would think. They weren't killed, but because of the state of undeath they weren't purified. All that happened is that they were released before their time." Hotaru said while spinning her pen between her fingers.
"Meaning we aren't targeting the Dark Moon kids themselves?" Yumi asked needing a better explanation.
"No, it's their anger as kids and the loss of loved ones that did it. Remember Sailor Moon was quite pissed at the loss of the inners and the prospect of the world being destroyed. My conclusion is that she was unable to purify them because firstly she had no idea they were the cause. The second thought being she was focused of winning the fight at hand, not purifying anything. More like 'you've just pissed me off and now feel my wrath' instead of 'it will all be ok, let me help you'." Hotaru explained before leaning on a corner of a table.
"When has the queen ever gotten pissed? I've never seen her that angry to want to cause anyone bodily harm." Yumi asked again as the three kids sat flabbergasted.
"I wasn't around for that fight, but I've heard the stories. She's grown up a lot since then and one of our latest fights she didn't kill off our opponent, she saved them. Anyway that's my thoughts on the matter. They still blame White Moon for effectively murdering Metaila. If they consider her a parent it wouldn't be that far fetched. We know what we have to do but I need to see too something first, before we start anything rash." Hotaru finished quietly exiting the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IN A DIFFERENT SITTING ROOM~~~~~
Hotaru had called only Metaila and Setsuna into a private discussion . She knew what was going to happen and it wasn't going to be anywhere near a pleasant conversation.
"We have talked about what we think the cause is, and we know how to correct it. However there will be a reaction to our actions and it will effect you specifically." Hotaru said to the floating shadow before her.
"In what way? Will you not be trying to stop parts of the past from replaying?" Asked Metaila confused.
"Yes we will, however it would be common logic to state that the kids were protected by your soul at the time. Back then even Moon was enraged, that's why you weren't purified. She was angry and it prevented anything from resetting perfectly. The people on earth did just fine, but the people of a future Dark Moon were not. It was because of this that we are now facing the problem at hand. The only way to fix it now is to go in and purge the darkness ourselves, however that will directly effect you and break the death pact. You will not longer float around in an undeath situation and when we return to this time many things will have changed." Explained Hotaru carefully.
"And what will become of the children and myself?" Metaila asked extremely worried.
"Well, you will all Light Spark and turn into the many floating lights you see here. From there you have a few choices. Some choose to stay dead happily floating in a state of frozen time here at the gates, others miss the land of the living and become reborn into a new life. Some go back to the land of the living as spirits guiding the souls of unrest here. The choice will be for all of you to make as individuals. If we do it right then perhaps the Dark Moon bloodline will merge with that of the White Moon, making it so that actual Moon bloodlines become irrelevant. We just aren't sure what will change in the future." Hotaru sighed
"I understand. If that's what must be done, then please do everything in your power to stop this from happening. I don't want this to go on any longer." Metaila confirmed tearfully, the tears were not seen but instead felt.
"Alright then, I'll go tell the others." Hotaru said as she walked out the door.
"Why did you just agree to this? Why are you letting this happen so easily. If you light spark then… I'll loose you again after I just… Damn it Meta! Not again!" Setsuna cried out tears poring out of crimson eyes.
"You know exactly why Setsuna. You have lost me, I have been dead for a long time floating in this state. I will not be reborn like this and I have failed at my task. I now need to set things right and this is the only way I know how." The shadow spoke in a bare whisper as if she was afraid of breaking the unsettling tranquility like glass shattering to the floor.
"Yes, I know that, and yet I still have not healed Metaila, I don't think I ever will completely. You were the first women I loved, the woman who gave birth to our daughter, this is more than just the loss. It's knowing now another child I consider to be my own must right the wrongs we caused. I can't bare that, because if you were still here she would have also been a daughter to you." The tall woman who could be so strong was beyond the point of total weakness, she was broken.
"Do not say that. Not now and not ever. You are a mother to a child who can wield death, but, she can also bring light to many. You are right though, she is not my daughter, that role has already been filled by another woman, one might I add that I am happy you have in your life. This woman, Saeko, she has watched over you and I have seen how she brings you strength. She will continue to do so. Even more than that though, you both have a long life left to live, and I know you had always wanted a large family. You have that now." The shadow that could look and feel so cold, the one that had caused so much grief to the inner Senshi was now a loving spirit once again.
Metaila knew her place, it just so happened the place no longer continued to be in shadow. Floating over the window she looked out into a space of never ending time. It never moved forward or backwards and it never stopped. It was exactly like the realm of shadow, forever frozen and yet the world would continue to move on just as it always had before.
"Setsuna, remember when you once asked me if I believed in frozen time?"
"Yes I do, you said you didn't know if you knew an answer to give so you wouldn't dwell on it." The tall woman replied stepping towards the window.
"I have your answer, and for you it's not here. There is a thing such as frozen time, but not within the time stream itself. It lies with your memories, pictures that will replay in the depth of your mind over and over again. This shadow is not completely frozen, nor are you or these gates. The Senshi will be your family, just as they always have been. Saeko and even the inners seem to move along in all of their lives, everyone here does. Everyone except you Setsuna. Stop living in a frozen time, move on with the people you still have with you because your memories will never leave you. I won't either, but, I don't want to stay like this for the rest of my existence. Live the life you want to lead, don't worry about my disapproval because if you are happy, I never would." Metaila said as floated near the women she at one time was able to feel. Now though, she could feel no physical element, just the love for her that was still there.
They continued to talk in the quiet of the room while on the outside the kids were preparing to go into battle Saeko, Chibiusa, and Hotaru had transformed and awaited Yumi's call. They stood before the other Senshi a mixture of emotions within each one of them. All different and so very clear in each personality.
Yasu was calculating every plausible situation that they could run into in the depth of her mind. Hugging Makoto and Ami she attempted to put off the front of bravery that resembled the deity of Jupiter so well. She was certain that if things went according to plan a lot would change. The thought of a new unknown future worried her to no end and she knew that things would not be as she remembered them to be now.
Mari was fired up and ready to go into battle head on. She was like her papa in many ways and her love to start a ruckus was one of them. Even so, it was highly evident that the difference was one did it out of brash reaction, while the other did it for the necessity of the task at hand. One had skill trained over years and the instincts to back up the strength, the other was still getting her feet wet with the feel of true combat. Either way, both were powerful. It would be a mistake to be on the receiving end of a hostile attitude from either Papa or daughter.
Hotaru, now transformed as Saturn, for her part showed no outward fear, though discomfort was slightly showing in her over all features. She was silence, death, eventual rebirth, and the one who was the least worried about the task at hand. Out of all that would be attending this mission she was the one most experienced in combat. True, she had no powers that could combine with others, but her time fighting as a Senshi had well made up for that. Giving her Papa and mama's a hug she bid them a farewell. They did not like the look she gave them. It was as if she was hiding a truth to the shadow that she herself was unable to accept just yet. Her voice did not betray her though, so they said nothing about the thoughts at hand.
Yumi, the ever soft spoken shy child was no longer what she was perceived to be. Rei saw an alarming about of uncontrolled emotion in her eyes. She was powerful no doubt, but could she lead these children in combat? She was the most outward with her feelings on the situation, but Rei had suspected that was partly due to Minako's deity than anything else.
Then there was the solider of mercury. She was the greenest in terms of combat, never really understanding the basics let alone how to protect anything. Even Chibiusa was far more experienced than her in terms of combat, and that was something that made everyone, especially Ami uncomfortable.
Chibiusa was the one so much like her mother. It was clear even at this age she would fight for the people she knew as friends and family. One day she would be a queen herself, and this time she was fighting for the Kingdom she herself would one day lead. Usagi was a jumbled mess of tears. Not the big crocodile tears she was so used to expelling, no. these were soft sniffles, heart felt, and full of emotions she couldn't even begin to explain. She was proud, but also very worried. Happy that Chibiusa had her own path in life, but also sad that even as a very young teenager she was already starting to shape the future.
In all honesty they all felt slightly as if they had missed a step someplace. In reality it was the truth. Here were their children, and in Ami's case her own mother, going in to take care of a past mistake. It would re-shape everything they know now, everything in the past could be altered, some may even be forgotten completely. In the end though, there was not much that could be done.
When Setsuna and Metaila emerged from the room it was finally time. The quiet in the room was unsettling. No one dared to speak as the children stood before Metaila. Saturn then pulled forth her glaive and placed into the shadow slicing a hole through the realm. It wasn't felt by anyone and the purple dome was then opened. Now was the time when people of the living could enter and those of undeath could exit. It was the void seen in Usagi's eyes that day. It was only at this moment that one last body, one last presence made herself known.
"Do not think I agree to this openly Saturn. If you so intend on taking our princess into that hell hole you'd better be ready to take your best in combat with you. It seems you left me out of it and that is a pure sign of disrespect. After all, you intend on tampering with the souls of not only my friends, but my mother as well. I can not just sit idly by and allow it to happen." The voice held absolutely no emotion but it was clear who it was that stood behind them.
The figure with eyes of crimson, and olive toned skin stood before them. However there was one major difference between now and the last time they saw her. This time she was equipped to do damage. She carried no staff, but, a Scythe instead. The blade was as dark as night, the bottom the shape of a key. This was the true power, the true merger between those of the White Moon and that of the Dark Moon. This was Saria.
"And just what do you think your doing?" Came the rather annoyed reply from Setsuna.
"I'm here to make sure things don't get out of hand. Honestly, If you all think I would allow this to happen without someone who actually has an idea of the many threats in time line you must be nuts. I won't take no for an answer. Now are we going, or are we to just sit here and act like damsels in distress?" the younger time mage scoffed as she stood along side Saturn, the both of them leading the way into the abyss before anyone could argue, the others following closely behind.
As soon as the last of the children stepped through the void it was closed. Metaila's shadow seemingly disappeared as well, though no one knew exactly why. Now the parents all stood before the spot where their children had left them. The flood gates opened fully now as Setsuna crumpled to the floor. Saeko had went with the children leaving the others to comfort her. Ami was no better off seeing not only her child, but her mother go into that void.
Haruka and Makoto were both on the verge of tearing something to shreds, they never could just sit by and let events unfold. No one left the company of each other. No one dared to bring up what might happen should this fail. Usagi was the only one to feel a slight calm. One that brought peace. It was odd for her feeling something like that, especially during a time like this. Yet even so, she knew it was out of her hands. All that any of them could do now was wait. Good or bad it did not matter anymore, the answers were bound to come, events about to change, people both good and bad would be highly effected. The world of past, present, and future were now in another's hands. All they could do now was sit and wait.
~~~~~~THE REALM OF SHADOWS~~~~~
It was dark and cold, much like the gates at first sight. Every sound that was made was amplified, only this time danger lurked around in the depths. This shadows held a history. One that wasn't heavily understood by most surrounding them. Dark purple orbs floated in an endless sea, some above them, some below, they were everywhere. Yet as spooky as it was at the first arrival things slowly became warm, soothing, protective. It was a funny feeling to Silver as she looked around. How could something feel so uncomfortable, yet welcoming all at the same time. The best way she could equate it was as if she didn't know the world around her, as if she had yet to understand. Saturn seeing the confusion in the her eyes decided it was for the better to at least let her understand what she felt.
"I take it your feeling odd right now aren't you?" Saturn asked as she continued to walk through the dark lights that barely illuminated the path they walked on.
"You could say that, what I don't get is why? It's like I know this place has to be huge and yet I feel as I'm being crammed into the smallest space possible." Quicksilver explained as she continued her pace with the group along side Yasu and Chibimoon.
"That would make sense, considering that this is the realm of the unborn. See all of those dark lights, they are unborn. Notice how they are like the white ones that were in the time gates? Well think of it by aura association." Saturn explained as one of the very small purple lights floated down and landed in Saturn's hand before taking flight again.
"How in the world do you even begin to do that? Aren't these the same as Metaila's shadow?" Yasu cut in quickly gaining interest.
"Not exactly. The white lights are the dead that are happy to stay dead, content in the choice to float around in an endless harmony. These purple ones you see are the equivalent to unborn babies in a womb awaiting to be given the opportunity to be reborn into a new life. The shadows you come across are the ones who I need to keep a careful eye on because they have not chosen death or rebirth for various reasons normally dealing with death pacts or the like. The light purple ones that look like my aura are the most docile. They don't want to choose, they would rather follow me around, they can have temperaments on occasion, but mostly they just want comfort. The purple you often see is me pulling any discomfort they may have within my body. Ironically enough I can convert that discomfort into a source of healing. Hence that's why that same purple that scares people can heal wounds." Saturn said as more little floating orbs continued to gather near them. A soft smile crossed her face as Silver tried to duck out of the way from the clustering lights while screeching as a few followed her.
"Relax, none of these little guys will hurt you. If it helps think of them as… hmm.. As embryos awaiting birth, for example one of them in here is actually going to end up being your grandchild. I'm just not sure which one. Some like the Senshi are going to be reincarnated, others will be given a new slate and a new chance in life. Until then they float here awaiting their turn. Because they have chosen rebirth this place is where they come before life is granted. In fact since we are in Metaila's frozen state headed towards the time of the final fight it would be safe to state that Ami is also here someplace." Saturn said before continuing leading the group through the world of purple.
"You've got to be joking, Ami is here? She's alive back in the gates how is that-" Silver was cut off when Yumi broke in.
"Yeah, at the gates she's alive, but remember, during the final battle she had been killed, all of our parents were dead at one point. The people of the White Moon were reset remember? That means earth and all that we knew happened to be reset as well. Even the birth of our parents. That's why they are alive now, because of the reset request granted by the silver crystal. When we are done with our task a lot of things will change. Certain memories will be gone and others will be created." the future leader in combat seemed interested the object ahead of them rather than the discussion at hand.
As they approached a rather large wall Saturn stopped and inspected it. Even if it looked solid she easily placed her hand through the almost gelatin like substance.
"This is it guys. The shadow in time where it all took place. Once we go through the real fun begins. I can't say what we will find on the other side, but it won't feel like it does here. This thickness is going to feel gross and it'll be hard to move. From here on out keep on your guard be ready for anything and everything. Also keep in mind on the other side of this passage you will all come in contact with things you won't ever want to see. That is the reality of the void. Remember keep ChibiMoon safe at all times." Saturn warned carefully.
This was it and they knew it. This was where the stories they had only heard about in hushed whispers took place. Where their parents had died and where one of the most hellish battles took place. Now they were all going to experience it first hand through the eyes of the undeath. No one, not even Saturn, could fathom a clue of how hard it would be or what might be seen. All they knew for certain was that some of the worst nightmares were bound to make an appearance, and when they did everyone had to be ready.
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