Chapter 26: Decisions

*Hestia*

Hearing the sweet voice of the Queen warmed Hestia's heart. She had always loved her when they stayed on the old White Moon. In contrast, her father's voice made her feel cold all over…. As if a winter storm were coursing through her veins. Regardless, the Queen of Old was correct; it was her father's laws that had been broken. Catching a sideways glance at Nyx, Hestia saw fear in her sister mixing with rage. Hestia knew where it all came from. Nyx feared their father as much as she did. He was not known to be a kind being. They had watched with their own eyes as he had tried to destroy the Golden Queen, Kiyoko, not long ago. Hestia also knew Nyx's rage… Rage at the child for making a fool of her… Rage at having her duties interfered with… Moreover, rage that she associated with Queen Serenity because of Setsuna becoming a Senshi and not her.

Gently, Hestia laid Setsuna's still unconscious body on the ground and stood. She turned to look at the Queen and her father. Straightening her shoulders, Hestia spoke up with her heart, "Your Majesty… Father, I agree with Sailor Moon and Starfighter. The Golden Queen, Kiyoko, made mistakes in how she handled the situation. Nonetheless, her intentions were good and her heart is as pure as the child's who stands before you." She knew that Nyx would feel betrayed, but Hestia had to be true to herself.

Queen Serenity nodded gently at Hestia and told her, "It is a joy to see you again Keeper Hestia, and thank you for your kind words."

Chronos looked at Hestia, a strange expression on his face. Hestia did not understand it. He spoke very formally to her, "Keeper Hestia…. Servant of the Temple of Taimu… Would you lay your life down to stand by the statement you have made?" His eyes, always pure-darkness, were impossible to read.

Playing with a lock of her blood red tendrils of hair, Hestia responded with conviction, "Yes, father I would. I would sacrifice my life in the same way that Queen Kiyoko did and the child has sworn to do if necessary." She looked over at her sister, watching her rage begin to boil.

Their father glanced over at her as well and shook his head, "Thank you Hestia." Then he said something he had never said to his daughters before, "I am sorry, Hestia and Nyx." A phrase did not seem to suit him. However, he continued speaking, "Thank you for following my command, but I no longer require your services here." He waved his hand and the world began to dissolve around Hestia. She knew it was happening to Nyx as well. They were being sent back to the Temple…. Back to the mirrors.

*Usagi*

She felt the energy and saw as Hestia and Nyx disappeared from sight. Usagi could only hope that their father would not punish them. She did not get the impression that Chronos was a kind man, not from his actions here or things that had happened to Setsuna in the past. Next to her stood her friend, no her family, Seiya still cradling Kiyoko. On the ground before her was an unconscious Setsuna. In front of her stood the God of Time itself and her mother still holding her newest grandchild tightly. Her grandchild who appeared the same age as the twins even though she had just been born. Usagi took a deep breath and waited. Her eyes locked on Chronos as he stepped forward and looked down at Setsuna. A ball of energy that matched the indigo light he'd appeared from shot from his hand and permeated Setsuna's entire body. He looked up at Usagi and said plainly, "She will recover momentarily."

Bowing politely, showing the royalty that she was, Usagi spoke respectfully to Chronos, "Thank you very much my lord. May I ask though…? About my daughter?"

Not moving, Usagi's mother addressed Chronos, her voice that soothing melodic tone again, "My lord, Chronos, as I said, it is true that she broke your laws. However, you have heard everyone her speak of her purity, her nobility, and her willingness to sacrifice everything for good. I would venture if you asked each person present they would say the same thing." By the smile on her mother's face, Usagi knew that all of those behind her had nodded in agreement.

Then she heard footsteps and saw Haruka stand on the opposite side of her from Seiya. The Senshi knelt on one knee and addressed the God, "Please save Queen Kiyoko. As Usagi said, the universe would be a darker place without her." Without a word, Usagi saw Michiru come to kneel next to Haruka. She should have known better than to doubt the love and commitment these two had always shared.

It was at that moment that Setsuna came around and slowly stood up. Usagi watched her eyes widen shortly as she took in everything as it stood now. Then she saw her bow to her father and the Queen. She whispered reverently, "Father… Queen Serenity…"

Chronos' vision darted from his daughter, to the child and Usagi's mother, to Kiyoko and Seiya, and then back to Setsuna. He spoke in a tone just a touch less frightening than before, "Alright… The child may live… However, she will stay as she is and move forward from here. The cost of her conception will be that she shall never reclaim the earliest part of her life. Setsuna, I task you with the responsibility in watching over this child." He paused and turned his head for a moment as he addressed the girl with the pink and blue hair, "Child, know this… You may be called upon one day to serve Taimu… Never forget that your life is a favor and one that can be called upon at any time."

The girl spoke without turning from her great grandmother's embrace, "Thank you. I will remember. But please, give my mother her life back."

Looking back at where Usagi stood with Seiya holding Kiyoko, Chronos held out his hand and motioned toward himself. Immediately Kiyoko's body was floating in front of him. He spoke to her as if she were awake, "I know that somewhere you can hear me child of the moon… Child who is constantly changing the future without intention…. Your heart is pure and you are needed in this universe. I shall grant the request of your loved ones." More indigo energy shot from his hand, enveloping Kiyoko's being for a moment. Then he gently laid her on the ground. Looking at the others, "She will live. But it may be some time before she wakes." Taking a few steps back he looked at Usagi's mother and said, "I am finished her my lady. Until we meet again." On that note, he disappeared upward in the same light from whence he came.

Usagi looked at her daughter and then her mother, tears filling her eyes, "She will live? My Kiyo-chan will live?"

The great Queen nodded and smiled, "Not only will she live, but I have a present for you my sweet daughter." She looked down at the girl in her arms, "Why don't you go and wait by your mother child. She will want to see you as soon as she wakes." The girl turned and Usagi gasped, she was so beautiful reminding her of Usa-chan a little. Her eyes were a dazzling _ and her skin so fair. The front of her Fuku just as much a mix of Earth and Estara as the back. Usagi supposed that is what happens when the child is half-Estaran and yet conceived on the twentieth century Earth. Usagi's eyes followed her as she went to sit next to Kiyoko silently.

Her mother cleared her throat and Usagi placed her attention back on her. She was delighted at the smile on her mother's face, though it seemed bitter sweet. The Queen asked Usagi, "Are you ready to receive the greatest gift I could ever give you?"

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