Chapter 24: Pluto Remembers

On Pluto her name was originally Meioh Jikuu but once she took her post at the Time Gates she took the name of Meioh Aida. Finally when it was time for her to serve Princess Serenity's mother, Queen Serenity XXII, she changed her name to Meioh Setsuna. Sailor Pluto is the only Senshi who never had to regain her memories because she has never lost them. Only the memory of Dark Pluto was blocked from her mind by Queen Serenity's grandmother, Queen Serenity XX. Sailor Pluto was not always alone guarding the Gates of Time. Sailor Pluto was like the other Senshi of the Solar System in that she was also a princess of her home world. The people of Pluto have the longest lived of anyone in the Solar System.

The people of Pluto, more correctly the royal family, are given power over space and time. There are very strict rules that go with this great power:

1) Time must never be stopped.

2) The time stream shall never be tampered with.

3) The future must never be revealed.

Breaking the first and second rules meant death. If breaking the third rule resulted in a dramatic change of the time stream then death shall also be the punishment. Queen Serenity XX and her people knew that Princess Pluto was destined for great things before she had even awakened as the next Senshi of Pluto. What even the most talented and powerful of the Plutonian people did not know is that she would be the last Senshi of Pluto and that she would be the only Senshi not to be reborn when Queen Serenity would send the people of the Moon forward in time.

Sailor Pluto smiled sadly as she let her memories wash over her. Some memories were good, some were bad and looking around the Space-Time Corridor she remembered asking Queen Serenity XX to let this be her duty alone but she could not remember why she had made the request. Sailor Pluto sat down on the marble steps of the Time Gate and tired to make herself remember.

"Why can I remember everything for the last couple of thousand years but I can't remember anything concerning Dark Pluto," she said. Throwing her hands up in the air and sighed. "I know I can't remember because of the seal Queen Serenity XX placed on my memories. I have always known what is going on or happened and this not knowing is driving me insane." An unseen wind blew through the Space-Time Corridor ruffling her hair and making the keys chime against each other on her waist.

Sailor Pluto could feel she was not alone. The Garnet Orb on top of the Time Key slowly began to glow maroon in color as she stood. "Who is there? Who dares break the taboo of trying to across space and time? This offensive is only punishable by death."

"It is I," two female voices said together.

Sailor Pluto's eyes grew wide in hearing voices in which she had not heard in more than a millennia. She quickly dropped to one knee. "You majesties," she said bowing her head and placing her right arm across her chest as Queen Serenity XX and Queen Serenity XXII stood before her in their ghostly forms. Both queens still looked the same as when she had last seen them.

Queen Serenity XX's grey blue eyes were as calm as ever and her silver blue hair was tired in a double set of odangos. Each pigtail had a small single braid. Her white three layered floor length dress still shimmered even the dimly lit foggy corridor. She still wore golden moon earrings and a golden crescent moon on a chain around her neck.

Queen Serenity XXII's purple grey hair was tied in a set of odangos. Her floor length dress was white and strapless. The fabric was slightly gathered at the chest in the center at the top of the dress was a gold crescent moon clasp holding the dress together.

"It has been along time since I have seen you," Queen Serenity XX said. "Either of you," she added turning toward Queen Serenity XXII.

"It has been awhile grandmother," smiled Queen Serenity XXII.

"You grew into a beautiful lady and I am sure you were a fine queen," praised Queen Serenity XX.

After a quick embrace both former queens turned to Sailor Pluto. "Daughter of Chronos, Princess Pluto, Meioh Jikku Aida Setsuna, the Senshi of Pluto, please do not bow. Rise and face us," the two former queens spoke in unison.

Pluto rose and looked into the eyes of the two former queens. "Your majesties if I may ask, why are you here?"

"The dead have easy access to the Space-Time Corridor," said Queen Serenity XXII. Then after a pause continued, "Well the dead that know of it existence but only a physical being can cause damage to the time stream or pass through. Beings that have lost their physical form like us can only be here or in the place we died. The power of the Ginzuishou has let me appear to my daughter, Princess Serenity, on Earth."

"We are here to release you from your bonds," replied Queen Serenity XX. "Dark Pluto was the only one of the Dark Senshi to appear during my rule as queen of the Moon Kingdom and the Silver Alliance which led into the Silver Millennium. The rest of the Dark Senshi appeared under the rule of my granddaughter, Queen Serenity XXII."

Pluto stood there looking at the two former Moon queens waiting for one of them to continue. Pluto did not have to wait long for it was Queen Serenity XX who spoke again. "I am here to release the seal I placed on your memories so you would not remember anything concerning Dark Pluto."

"I am here to release you from you station at the Time Gates. No longer shall you have to spend your days here alone. Your place shall now be beside my daughter until she commands otherwise. So now unlike the past when this battle is over you do not have to return," spoke Queen Serenity XXII.

"Thank you both. Thank your for honoring my request to guard this door to atone for what I did," stated the Senshi of Pluto to Queen Serenity XX. Then turning to Queen Serenity XXII she said with tears threatening to spill from her eyes, "I am sorry I could not be there for you that day. I am sorry I could not along with the other Outer Senshi prevent Metallia from entering our Solar System. Even though I was not able to defend the Moon that day I want you know that I saw the destruction of the Moon Palace as I alone walked the halls. When I found your body and that of Princess Serenity along with Endymion and her guard I gave you all a proper burial. I buried you and Princess Serenity's bodies in the royal burial chambers under the palace. Then I buried Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Venus in the Royal Senshi burial chambers of each of their planets. I was unable to bury Endymion on Earth so I buried him as close to Princess Serenity as I could. While I walked around the ruins of the Moon Palace I also found the bodies of Neptune and Uranus which I buried them each on their respective planets. I guess once Metallia got past them Neptune and Uranus came to the Moon to keep fighting. Uranus probably saw it as trying to make up for failing in her duty as protector of the Outer Solar System. My last act before returning to the Time Gates after you sent the children of the Moon forward was to go to Saturn. Once there I fell to my knees as the destruction on Saturn was the same as on the Moon and Pluto. Gathering myself I stood and walked to the temple of Saturn. Opening the door I saw Sailor Saturn lying on the altar in the healing sleep she had placed herself in after being beaten by Metallia. With a heavy heart I awoke the Senshi of Destruction and when she awoke I saw my sorrow reflected in her eyes. We transported ourselves to the Moon and stood in the now demolished throne room of the Moon Palace. Sailor Saturn nodded to me and I opened a portal to come back here to my post. As I stepped through the portal I saw the Silence Glaive materialize in her hands. That is the last memory I have of the Silver Millennium."

"Thank you for all you did," whispered Queen Serenity XXII trying not to be over come by the memory of the destruction.

Queen Serenity XX stepped toward Sailor Pluto. "Adia, Senshi of Time and Space please kneel." Queen Serenity XX began to glow silver as Pluto began to glow maroon. She placed her ghostly hands over Pluto's head as her silver aura intensified and washed over Pluto. When the light faded the sigil of Pluto burned bright on the Time Senshi's brow and her aura had a light purple tint. Opening her eyes she saw that the two former queens were not gone and Sailor Pluto once again was alone in the Space-Time Corridor.

The Garnet Orb on her Time Key began to glow and a grey lavender mist began to surround her. The light from the Garnet Orb bathed the Space-Time Corridor briefly before the small top jewel shot a beam of maroon light at the sigil on Pluto's brow. The sigil burned a dark maroon before fading to grey lavender. Tears filled Setsuna's eyes as she remembered, after many millennia, the first time Dark Pluto appeared.

Princess Pluto walked the halls of the Plutonian Palace thinking of many things. She was supposed to ascend the throne soon but she also had her duty as a Sailor Senshi. Her race was the only race in the entire galaxy that had access and control over the Time Gates. Princess Pluto wanted to be there for her people yet she felt her duties as a Sailor Senshi were more important as she not only would be protecting her people but she would be protecting an entire galaxy. There was always the possibility of giving the throne to her sister, who she trusted dearly, but it would be last resort and she would have to think things over carefully. She noticed that she had made her way to the training grounds without realizing. Calling forth her henshin pen from the space pocket she called the phrase that would change her into the Senshi of Time and Space.

"Pluto Planet Power, Make-Up!"

Mist swirled around Princess Pluto and when the mist cleared there stood Sailor Pluto. When the guards saw the Time Senshi they stopped sparing and bowed to her.

"May I join you in training?" asked Sailor Pluto picking up a staff. She had always felt more comfortable wielding a staff than any other weapon.

Pluto knew that once she became Queen of Pluto that she would come into possession of the Time Staff which symbolized Plutonian Royalty. The Time Staff was shaped like a giant key. The metal which the staff was made of was silver lavender in color. The shaft of the staff had a fan looking decoration in which a clear orb with the sigil of Pluto inside rested on the fan design. On the top of the clear orb rested a much small maroon orb. At the base of the head of the staff was a ball followed by a small rod. Below that there was another ball and a long rod with two key teeth, one single tooth and one double tooth. That is followed by a ball, a small rod, another ball, another small rod, and a ball. The next rod is longer than the smaller rod but much shorter than the long rod. This rod has three individual key teeth. The last part of the Time Staff was made up of a very short rod about half the size of a small rod, a ball, a small rod and another ball at the very bottom of the staff.

Sailor Pluto held the plain wooden training staff in her hand feeling the weight of the staff so she would know how to use it in a fight. This time she decided to use a heavier staff as she motioned for the guard to charge her. Sailor Pluto dodged the guard's first attack easily. She blocked his second attack and threw him back. Sailor Pluto and the guard went on sparing for awhile longer with Pluto's emerald green hair about to the middle of her back flew around as she countered the guard's attacks and launched her own. The Time Senshi was caught unaware and was thrown to the ground as her feet were knocked from her.

"What the…" she thought as she saw the guard standing in front of her but not close enough to her. "Who," began Pluto as a shadow appeared over her.

"Jikuu you need to be aware of all of your surroundings and not solely focus on the opponent in front of you," stated the man leaning over her.

Sailor Pluto looked up to see her older brother standing above her. "Kokugen, always pointing out my faults aren't you."

"Only in battle dear sister," replied Kokugen. "Mother requested your presences," holding out a hand to help her up.

"Do you know what she wants?" asked Jikku.

"Does anyone ever truly know what she wants," he said raising an eyebrow.

"True," answered Jikku with a laugh as she transformed back into her princess attire and started walking toward the palace with her brother. Once she reached her mother's chamber she knocked softly on the door before entering. "You wanted to see me mother?"

"Yes Jikku," her mother answered motioning for her to come by the bed. "Your time to ascend the throne may come sooner than you thought my beautiful daughter. We both know that I do not have much time left and that your brother has opted to take charge of the army and let you be queen. Everyone has known from the time you were born that you were most exceptional. People used to think I was biased because I was your mother but when you opened a portal which I fell through so I would not be killed by the falling chandelier on your first birthday other realized what I had been saying all along." With a smile she continued. "You are so very wise beyond your years and you have the strongest gift over time and space I have ever seen. Jikku, I truly believe that you could stop time with a thought." Reaching behind her neck she unclasped the necklace she had always worn, a small double heart shaped pendent.

The majority of the pendent was a large purple silver metallic heart sitting on top a fan. There was a maroon orb sitting on top of the fan looking detail. There was also a small piece of metal coming from the fan shaped part of the pendant on either side of the large heart. At the top of the small bar there was a small golden jewel and on top of that was a slightly larger golden jewel. At the top of the heart where the two halves joined there was another maroon orb much smaller than the first but larger than the golden jewels. Resting on top of the large heart was a smaller heart with a golden jewel, where the two halves met, and the jewel was size of the smaller of the two golden jewels on the sides of the large heart.

"This is the Garnet Orb. This pendant is in condensed form as I can not use its power. The Garnet Orb is the talisman of the Senshi of Pluto. Once the old Senshi of Pluto has passed the Queen of Pluto holds this pendant until the new Senshi of Pluto is ready to accept its power. I believe you are ready my daughter."

When Princess Pluto touched the necklace the pendant detached itself from the chain and grew to four times the size it had been. There was a brilliant flash of maroon light and the Garnet Orb vanished.

"Mother what happened?" Jikku asked surprised and confused.

"I knew when the Garnet Orb had accepted you because it grew in size at your touch. The fact that the talisman has disappeared is even more proof. The talisman now resides in your heart crystal and will come whenever you call." Then queen of Pluto took a deep breath and with a sad smile looked at her daughter. "Jikku I know you will make a great queen one day. My job is done and my time is up. Just because you can't see me does not mean I will not be watching over you." She tired to rise up to hug her daughter but Jikku bent down to hug her mother first.

Jikku let the tears fall that she had been holding back when she felt her mother's form go limp. She laid her mother down and kissed her brow. "Rest now mother." Jikku left her mother's chambers and quietly closed the door. "Now to find Kokugen," she whispered in a choked voice. She found her brother back at the training grounds with his men. As soon as her eyes met his she lost control and let the tears fall once more.

"Jikku," he yelled rushing to her. "What is wrong? What happened? Did you talk to mother?"

Upon hearing the last question she began to cry harder. Her throat was too swollen to talk. She just looked deep into her brother's eyes and managed to say "mother" at barely a whisper.

"We need to go find the priest," said Kokugen helping Jikku up.

The next couple of days all blended together. Jikku knew everything that went on but she could still not believe her mother was gone. Now she stood before the people of Pluto waiting to be crowned their next Queen. Looking out over the crowd Jikku sighed. She knew she would be queen one day but she wished it did not have to be this way. Jikku knew her brother and the priest were speaking but was not aware they were calling her until her sister nudged her. "Jikku. Jikku! Kokugen is calling for you to stand and approach the crowd."

"Thanks Moment," Jikku said with a smile and a nod. As soon as Jikku stood and took a step her eyes rolled in the back of her head and she blacked out

Princess Pluto awoke in her bed and the Garnet Orb was floating above her chest. Slowly as her eyes focused she realized that images were being shown to her inside the large maroon orb. She could not believe the images that were flashing before her eyes. She saw an image of a Sailor Senshi with a black body suit, someone stabbing her brother, and the strangest one was seven crystals all different colors flying from the Moon towards Earth. Princess Pluto closed her eyes and willed the Garnet Orb to go back into her heart crystal. She thought that the image of the seven crystals was strange but what worried her more was the image of someone killing her bother. It was even stranger that the person looked like a Sailor Senshi.

"Why would a Sailor Senshi want to kill Kokugen," Princess Pluto said out loud as she got out of bed. Wrapping her black silk robe around herself she tied it together with a maroon silk belt and grabbed two maroon towels.

Entering her bathroom she placed the towels at the edge of the tube and ran the water until it was hot and steamy. Sighing as she stepped in the water as her robe fell on the marble floor. Princess Pluto groaned as she heard a knock at her bathroom door. "Who is it," she yelled letting the annoyance show in her voice.

"Jikku, it is Kokugen. I came to check on you and saw you were not in bed."

"I am going to be okay. I am just trying to destress," she replied.

"Can we talk when you are done?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Meet me in the throne room when you are ready," was his only answer as he walked away still grieving for his mother, worried about his sister, and wondering if he should offer to take the throne until she felt up to the task.

Some hours later Princess Pluto finally entered the throne room to find her brother deep in discussion with the priest, his Shitennou, and Kokachi, her mother's advisor. Upon seeing his sister he smiled. "Gentlemen and Kokachi we shall finish this later. I need to talk to my sister now."

All men and Kokachi nodded and bowed to their prince before silently leaving the room and all bowed to Princess Pluto as they left.

"What is it dear brother?" asked Princess Pluto as she walked up to him.

"You were the closest to mother and I think you are taking this the hardest because you were there with her in her final moments," said Kokugen. "Would you be willing to let me rule in your place until you feel better?"

"Thank you Kokugen," Princess Pluto said as she hugged her brother. "I promise not to take to long as I know you are in charge of the army also." Kokugen nodded. "I have received the Garnet Orb from mother and I need to learn how to use its power before I can be queen."

"When you take your place as queen you should also come into possession of the Crystal of Pluto which is similar to the Ginzuishou of the Moon that has been passed through the generations. The Crystal of Pluto is a maroon orb and is a symbol of Plutonian Royalty."

"Did mother give you this crystal because she did not give it to me?"

Kokugen shook his head. "I asked the priest about it and he does not know where mother hid the stone. Do you feel like attending the crowning ceremony and addressing out people?"

"That is the least I can do for everything you are doing for me," replied Princess Pluto.

"Thank you everyone for coming," said Princess Pluto. "For many reasons I am not able to take my place as your queen right now. My brother, Prince Kokugen, has offered to take the throne in my stead until I am ready. Had he not chose to command the army this would be his true crowning as king since he was mother's first born. I will be leaving for awhile to train as a Senshi and therefore train to become a better queen to you." The crowd cheered as Princess Pluto finished speaking and turned to her brother. "Protect our people in my stead," she spoke as she placed the crown on his head. Turning back to the Plutonian people said she, "I present King Kokugen of Pluto!" causing the crowd to cheer louder.

Days later Princess Pluto was ready to leave. "Brother I am leaving today to further my training as a Sailor Senshi." He brother nodded and she called out the magical words to transform her into Sailor Pluto, Guardian of Time and Space.

"Pluto Planet Power, Make Up!"

Before King Kokugen now stood the Senshi of Time, "Be well Sailor Pluto, my dear sister."

Sailor Pluto nodded and bowed to the King of Pluto before opening the portal that would take her to train with the first Senshi of Pluto. Before stepping through the portal she stopped and looked at Kokugen. "When I return I will be strong enough to rule and I will not let you or mother or our people down," Sailor Pluto vowed before stepping through the portal.

As Sailor Pluto walked along the Space-Time Corridor it was as her mother had explained to her. The corridor seemed to be an endless void filled around the edges with gray lavender mist. Pluto was not sure what she was looking for but knew that she would know it when she found it. After walking a long time and seeming to be getting no where a figured appeared in the distance almost beyond her realm of vision. As Pluto got close to the figure she heard a voice in her head, "Daughter of Pluto, Meioh Jikku do not fear me. I am the first Daughter of Pluto, the first Senshi of Pluto."

"Kankaku," whispered Sailor Pluto.

"Yes," replied Kankaku. "Since we have the longest span of like out of all the planets in this galaxy there have only been a few women born with the star seed of a Senshi."

"How many Senshi have been born to our planet?" asked Sailor Pluto.

"Only ten not including yourself," answered the first Senshi of Time.

There was a bright flash of lavender light and when the light faded the Garnet Orb was floating in front of the current Sailor Pluto. The Garnet Orb flickered a few times almost as if it was greeting its original owner. The former Time Senshi smiled. "I see that the talisman of the Plutonian Senshi has accepted you." Jikku did not say a word almost as if she was ashamed like she had taken something that did not belong to her and the old Time Senshi could sense this. "Do not feel you have done anything wrong. The Garnet Orb is your birthright. It would be like being ashamed of being the heir to the throne of Pluto." At this the young Senshi of Time smiled. "Good, now follow me and we shall being your training on how to correctly wield the powers of the Garnet Orb."

As Kankaku turned and started walking away Jikku noticed she has a staff which closely resembled the royal staff of Pluto yet the top of the staff seemed to be missing. "This is the Time Key which only a Sailor Senshi of Pluto can wield. The royal staff of Pluto was molded after the Garnet Rod. The Garnet Rod has the ability to access any point in time and space. When the time is right and you are ready you, young Senshi, shall posses the Garnet Rod."

A door with the seal of Pluto appeared before the two Plutonian Senshi. Sailor Pluto looked at Kankaku and nodded. "I am ready to start my training to hone my powers and become stronger."

The first Senshi of Pluto touched the barrier and the seal disappeared. Sailor Pluto stepped forward and opened the doors. "Beautiful," she breathed as she took in the landscape sprawling before her as the two Senshi stepped through the door which closed on it own behind them and disappeared.

"This is Pluto at a time before even I was born," said Kankaku.

"It looks so peaceful," replied Sailor Pluto.

"Do not go beyond these mountains as there are constant wars gong on and we do not want to alter the time stream. I found this is a good place to train undisturbed."

"Are you sure it is okay to be here,?" asked Sailor Pluto.

"I have trained all the other Senshi of Pluto here and everything has been fine as long as we do not go beyond these mountains. Now call forth the Garnet Orb and close your eyes. Listen closely to the words the Garnet Orb speaks to you. You will here the words form in your mind that will active your talisman," stated Kankaku.

Pluto closed her eyes and listened with her mind. She stood like this for awhile unmoving, waiting to hear what her talisman would say to her. Slowly the words began to form in her mind. Pluto opened her eyes and held her talisman in front of her as it began to glow soft grey lavender.

"Chronos Typhoon!"

The large maroon orb began to glow as a misty wave of maroon mixed with grey lavender shot from the orb. The wave surrounded Pluto's target and then came crashing down from all side obliterating the small rock formation.

"Good," said Kankaku with a smile. "We will continue training until you have mastered the Garnet Orb's powers."

To her what had been years later, as time moved faster where she was, Sailor Pluto stood in the time Space-Time Corridor with Kankaku. "Your training with me is complete young one. Now you must go and care for your people. When the time is right you shall inherit the Garnet Rod and that is why I have trained you on how to control it."

"Thank you for all you have shown me," Sailor Pluto said with a bow and began walking down the Corridor.

"I am sorry little one," said the former Time Senshi as she watched her successor walk away.

Again Sailor Pluto felt she had been walking for days in the grey lavender mist without going anywhere. Before she realized it she had come upon a black door engraved with a crescent moon. Pluto knew the crescent moon was the symbol for the royal line of the moon but this symbol was strange and unfriendly to her. Instead of the crescent moon being yellow gold in color the one engraved on this door was black and inverted. Pluto could feel the negative energy that the door was emitting and could tell that the barrier which had been placed on the door was weakening. Suddenly the door burst open and black mist began to surround the Time Senshi. Her Garnet Orb appeared in front of her forming a protective barrier around her. A pair of ghostly hands emerged from the door, broke through the barrier her Garnet Orb had created and pulled the Plutonian Senshi through the door before she could blink or even breathe.

* Queen Serenity XXII is Princess Serenity's mother.

** The only part not spoken in unison is Queen Serenity XX called Sailor Pluto Adia while Queen Serenity XXII called her Setsuna.

Dark Senshi by DavisJes

Dark Senshi DavisJes 2006-2007

Sailor Moon Naoko Takeuchi