I do not own any of the rights to any of the characters in this fanfic. This is for entertainment purposes only, so enjoy!
This Time Around
Chapter 11
Sailor Pluto looked at each Ronin and Scout, searching their faces for any trace of understanding. She had just explained what would happen during the merging of their worlds, and what role each Ronin would play as the newest members of the team. She rubbed her temples wearily. It was going to be an even longer night that it had already been. 'They have to understand what I'm talking about,' she thought, annoyed. 'I explained it as simply as I could!'
"Sailor Pluto, the process sounds easy enough," Serena said as Pluto's gaze rested on her. Serena blushed slightly as she glanced over at Kento, and looked away quickly as he silently returned her gaze.
"But," Pluto prompted.
"Um . . . nothing," Serena replied.
"It won't be that bad, Serena," Mina said as Rowen wrapped an arm around her waist. "It's going to be a nice twist of fate, for once!"
'That's easy for you to say,' Serena thought inwardly as she smiled weakly. 'You're not the one torn between two guys. I just wish I didn't have to hurt either one of them.' Her thoughts were interrupted as Darien, Mia, and Yuli, followed by Lady Kayura, entered the house.
"Lady Kayura, welcome back. I suppose your appearance means you're ready," Pluto greeted. "But where are Kale, Dais, and Sekhmet?"
"There's no time to explain any of that, Sailor Pluto," Kayura said apologetically. "If we are to merge, we must act now."
"Now," Serena exclaimed. "But why are we doing it tonight? I thought we were going to wait until morning."
"Princess, please," Kayura said. "There's no time to explain, I'm afraid." She paused and looked towards the Guardian of Time. "Sailor Pluto, the problem we discussed is upon us. If we do not act now, then the enemy will be much stronger."
Pluto nodded her head, immediately understanding the severity of the situation. "Princess, we must merge the worlds now. Tonight."
"Oh no, no you don't," Serena exclaimed, glancing from Pluto to Kayura, and back again in disbelief. "You won't have these secrets, not this time! Now you tell me what you're talking about!"
"Serena," Lita began. However, she grew quiet as Serena gave her a look.
"Please Sailor Pluto, Lady Kayura," Serena begged. "Tell us what's going on." The two older women looked at each other, and Kayura finally relented.
"Alright, Princess, I'll tell you," Kayura said. "But I can not get into too much detail." As Serena nodded her head with a grateful smile on her face, Kayura raised the Ancient's staff and an image of Kite and Lotus appeared. "As you're all aware of, Kite and Lotus are from the Black Moon Dynasty."
"Yeah, we know all that already," Rei commented. "So why is it so important for us to merge so quickly?"
"I'm getting to that," Kayura replied. The rings of the staff chimed together, and another image replaced the previous one.
"No way," Kento exclaimed angrily, slamming his fist into the tabletop. "Isn't that Talpa's castle? I thought it was destroyed!"
"It was, Hardrock, but this is where the ones we fight now seek refuge," Kayura replied. "That is why we must merge now. They reside in the Nether Realm, and if we merge now, there is a much lesser chance they'll be able to dimension-hop again."
"But why would they use Talpa's castle as their base," Rowen asked. "That's the most obvious choice!"
"And what do they have to do with the Nether Realm if they are originally from our future," Amy asked.
"They seemed to have aligned themselves with a remaining evil force from the Nether Realm," Kayura stated. "At least that is what I have concluded from my meditation. Though the Ronins destroyed Talpa and his Dynasty, a few of his loyal subjects must still remain."
"But why are they after Rini," Serena asked. "She's only a kid!"
"Time grows short, Princess," Kayura replied. "I can feel them becoming stronger as we speak. Please, merge now, and then we can at least be reassured that fighting them will be much simpler."
"We'll do it now, then," Serena said, after looking at everyone for approval.
"You have made the right choice, Princess," Pluto said.
"What should we do," Mia asked, gesturing towards Yuli, Darien, and herself.
"The three of you can just sit on the couch and watch," Kayura replied. She then turned back towards the warriors. "Girls, you know what you need to do."
Serena nodded her head, and turned to the other Scouts. "Alright, girls," she said. "Sailor Scouts, transform!" Once the Sailor Scouts stood together, ready to perform the ceremony, Sailor Pluto stepped forward.
"Get into your places," she said in an even tone. The Scouts and Ronins stood in two lines facing each other; the Scouts on one side, and the Ronins on the other. Serena stood across from Kento, Lita stood across from Sage, Amy stood across from Sai, Mina stood across from Rowen, and Rei stood across from Ryo. Finally, Sailor Pluto and Lady Kayura took their places at either end of the lines.
"Are you ready," Kayura asked. Everyone nodded their head, and Sailor Pluto held her time staff out in front of her.
"I call upon you, the almighty God of Time, Chronos," Pluto chanted. "Split the heavenly sky and open for us the door of time!" They all looked up towards the roof, and a portal opened up above them. "Now, say your incantations, warriors," Pluto instructed, turning towards Rei and Ryo, who stood next to her.
"By the fire of Mars, I add my power onto yours, Ryo of Wildfire," Rei said as the symbol of Mars shined brightly on her forehead.
"I accept that power, and add my power onto yours, Princess Rei, Sailor Mars," Ryo said as the kanji of virtue appeared on his forehead. Rei began to glow a red hue, and they stepped closer to each other, touching their foreheads together. As the symbols upon their foreheads touched, the red glow left Rei, and surrounded Ryo. Suddenly, his armor began to appear on him piece by piece, and fire seemed to surround his body. The fire faded away as he was fully suited. His armor appeared the same, however it radiated with the new power it possessed, and the symbol of Mars burned on both of his gauntlets.
"Wow," Rei breathed. "That's amazing! I can sense my power within him!" She gasped as the glow from Ryo's gauntlets left and rose towards her neck. "What's going on," she asked, alarmed.
"It's just another process of the merge, Sailor Mars," Kayura replied as the glow settled on Mars' choker. "Please continue, Sailor Venus."
"Alright," Mina replied. "By the beauty and love that is Planet Venus, I add my power onto yours, Rowen of Strata."
"I accept that power, and add my power onto yours, Princess Mina, Sailor Venus," Rowen stated. As the two repeated the process, Mina smiled as her symbol glowed on Rowen's gauntlets, and watched as the dark blue glow returned to her choker.
"By the waters of Mercury, I add my power onto yours, Sai of Torrent," Amy continued, taking her turn next.
"I accept that power, and add my power onto yours, Princess Amy, Sailor Mercury," Sai said. Both blushed slightly as they repeated the process, and a light blue glow settled on his gauntlets to form her planet's symbol. Amy brought her hand up to her throat as she felt the power of Sai's armor lying dormant there.
"By the electricity of Jupiter, I add my power onto yours, Sage of Halo," Lita said.
"I accept that power, and add my power onto yours, Princess Lita, Sailor Jupiter," Sage added. "It looks like we get the chance to get to know each other better, after all," he whispered as the two touched their foreheads together. Lita smiled as she realized what he was talking about.
"I remember you saying you wish we could," she whispered back. "Now we can." The two stepped apart, and the green glow of their powers settled on her choker.
Serena brought a hand up to her forehead and brushed her fingers past the crescent moon that was there. She looked into Kento's eyes, and then smiled. "By the light and serenity of the Moon, I add my power onto yours, Kento of Hardrock," she stated.
"I accept that power, and add my power onto yours, Princess Serenity, Sailor Moon," Kento replied, smiling back at her. A silvery-white light surrounded the two as their foreheads touched, and Kento's armor appeared on him. A crescent moon settled on each of his gauntlets, and then the glow returned to Serena's choker. Serena intertwined her hands with Kento's and the others followed suit.
"Together, the Sailor Scouts and the Ronin Warriors will work to protect the universe from evil," Serena exclaimed as she raised their hands into the air.
Lady Kayura held the Ancient's staff in front of her, and allowed it to float there on its' own. She brought her hands together, as if she were praying. "I beseech you, Great Nether Spirits and Ancient Advisors past, bestow upon the Sailor Scouts your power, protection, and guidance," Kayura said. The kanji upon the foreheads of the Ronins began to glow, as did the chokers around each of the girls' necks. As the glowing stopped, a mark resembling the kanji of each Ronin, remained on the chokers.
"Then it is done," Pluto chanted. "I hereby declare that two worlds have become one!"
"Together, they swear to protect and serve the White Moon Kingdom," Kayura added.
"Do you accept this condition," Pluto asked the warriors.
The ten warriors linked hands, and then nodded their heads. "We accept. Let the worlds be merged," they replied in unison.
"Now, make your wish, Princess," Kayura said. Serena thought about it for a split second, and then smiled as she silently made her wish.
"I'm done," she said when she was done.
Pluto slammed her staff into the ground. "Then let these pairings be forever linked," she said.
"And it will be done, as these warriors fight side by side," Kayura continued. "Two have become one!" As she slammed her staff into the ground, a blinding light surrounded the room and engulfed the house.
**AN - About the wish thing, remember how in the SM S Movie, Serena was able to make a wish to turn Luna human for a day? Well, the situation is similar here, and she's able to make a wish.**
* * * * * * *
Kite opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. She was wearing a ceremonial kimono, and her long, dark hair was loose around her shoulders, and rested on the floor. She sat kneeling on a pillow, and she was surrounded by dozens of lit candles, forming a circle around her. She looked up as a door slid open, and a man wearing similar clothing entered the room. He knelt down on the pillow opposite of her, and placed a worn, ancient-looking book in front of him.
"My Lord," Kite began, still slightly dazed, "what's going on? Why do you have the Book of the Ancient Realm? I thought that book was forbidden to use here."
"You must understand something, Kite," he began as he flipped through the worn pages of the book. "I need that crystal from the girl to return to my former glory. Only then can I truly take this world, and others." He looked up at Kite briefly, and then returned to the book. 'Besides, I'm losing my hold over you,' he added silently. 'My magic just isn't strong enough.'
"Is there possibly another way to perform this ceremony, without harming Small Lady," Kite asked warily as the Emperor seemed to find the page he was looking for. Kite frowned momentarily. 'Small Lady,' she thought to herself. 'Where did that come from?' She shook her head and then cleared her throat. "Master, I won't hurt her of my own free will," she told him in a shaky voice.
The Emperor closed his eyes, and a dish with some sort of dark liquid in it appeared in front of him. He dipped his finger into the contents of the dish, and then leaned towards Kite and drew the sign of loyalty on her forehead. Her eyes became glossed over, and he smiled triumphantly. "This will only be temporary, but once I have my full powers back, I won't have to worry about your disloyalty," he said.
"Yes, Master," Kite replied in a monotone voice. As the Emperor began to read from the book, the symbol upon her forehead began to glow a bright shade of red and a being with an unidentifiable form floated above Kite's head. As the Emperor finished his incantation, the being entered her body and the symbol on her forehead faded. As she continued to stare blankly ahead of her, a lone tear trailed down her cheek.
"Now, Kite, none of that," Emperor said, breathing heavily from the ritual he had just performed. He wiped the sweat off of his brow and then closed his book. "Once I have my full powers back, there will be no more need for such ceremonies. And when the time is right, I will make you my queen."
"Of course, Master," she said, bowing to him. "I look forward to the day I become your Queen. It would please me, if you can forgive my insolent behavior from before."
"You may rise, Kite," he replied, pleased. "Now go prepare for Lotus' return." She rose and then, with a nod of her head, she disappeared. "It's only a matter of time, now, Small Lady. That great power you possess will soon be mine."
* * * * * * *
The Ronins and Scouts opened their eyes, and saw that they were back in their regular clothing. They looked around the house, however, and everything appeared to be the same. When they looked out the window, that's when they noticed a difference. Instead of seeing trees surrounding their house, a driveway leading towards a fairly busy street was there. Though the house was still somewhat secluded, they were definitely not in the same place.
"Why this . . . We're on the outskirts of the Juuban District," Lita exclaimed.
"That means it worked! We did it," Rowen replied. He picked Mina up and spun her around in a circle. She laughed happily, and the others erupted into conversation. Sailor Pluto took a step towards them, and cleared her throat.
"There will be plenty of time to celebrate later," she said. "We still have some things to discuss." The warriors settled down, and found a seat. "As I have promised, I will fully explain everything now."
"Sailor Pluto," Luna asked, uncertain of what she meant.
"Everything, Luna," Sailor Pluto said. "First of all, I'm sure you'd all like to know what the rest of that prophecy meant."
"It's been bothering me for a long time," Mia said. "Do you really know what it means?"
"Yes," Pluto replied. "When the Ancient Evil comes for the child with the sacred jewel within, two must become one. The power of maternal love will bring forth the power to vanquish the dark."
"The power of maternal love will bring forth the power to vanquish the dark," Amy repeated. "Well what does that mean to any of us? It doesn't make sense."
"Actually, when I was dreaming, my mother came to me," Serena said. "She told me that she would watch over me, and that she would always be with me in spirit. Is that what it means, Sailor Pluto?"
"Something like that, yes," Pluto replied. "Though the power the prophecy speaks of will come to you, Princess."
"But that still doesn't make much sense, Sailor Pluto," Amy said. "The prophecy speaks of maternal love, and that means the love of a mother."
"Something is going to happen soon, and that will cause our Princess great grief," Pluto said. "And when that happens, she will receive her new powers."
"Well, I won't let anything happen to Serena," Darien stated. "The Scouts and I have sworn to protect her."
"We will, too," Kento added, looking at Darien pointedly. "Like it or not, we are a part of the team now, too. And now that Serena and I share a bond, I'm more determined not to let anything happen to her."
"This newly formed bond you two may share doesn't compare to the bond me and Serena have shared in the past, and still share now," Darien retorted. He pulled Serena towards him protectively, and she pushed him away.
"Will you stop Darien," she exclaimed. "Both of you! None of us understand the prophecy, and I know I don't especially. And the two of you fighting is just making it worse!" She turned towards Pluto. "So what does this really have to do with me?"
"As you may have guessed already, the child the prophecy is talking about is Rini," Pluto began.
"That's what she said to me," Yuli exclaimed. Everyone turned towards him. "Earlier, when you guys were talking, that's what me and Rini were talking about. She said Kite was after some jewel she said Rini had."
"That's right, Yuli," Kayura said with a smile. "And the second half is speaking of the grief her mother will go through in order to acquire a new power."
"Princess Serenity, Small Lady is your daughter in the future," Pluto said gently. "She was sent here to find you, so that she could help your future self overcome something terrible that has happened in her own time."
Serena's eyes grew wide, and she staggered towards the couch and sat down. She was too shocked to speak. "Rini . . . She's my daughter," she asked in a barely audible voice.
"That's right, Princess," Pluto replied.
"So, the Jewel of the Royal Family she was talking about . . . She needed the Silver Emperial Crystal from me? Why didn't you tell me," Serena demanded, looking at Sailor Pluto accusingly. "Why didn't you tell me!"
"You have to understand something, Princess Serenity," Kayura said. "Pluto couldn't tell you. She didn't even want to tell me, but she had already foreseen that our two worlds would merge."
"You knew, too," Serena asked incredulously. She put her head in her hands, slowly shaking her head. Then, she looked towards her foot as something rolled over it. "Luna-P?" She picked up Rini's toy, and detached the note that was there. As she skimmed over it, she stood up quickly, and ran up the stairs, dropping the note in the process.
"What in the world," Mina asked. She picked up the note, quickly reading it, and she gasped. "Oh no! You guys, Lotus took Rini!" Everyone gathered around Mina to see what she was talking about.
"I was afraid this was going to happen," Pluto mumbled as Serena came bounding down the stairs.
"She really is gone," Serena said hysterically. "Sailor Pluto, you've got to take us to her! Please, I've got to help Rini."
"Settle down, Princess," Pluto said, shaking her slightly. "Small Lady will be alright! Nothing bad will happen to her."
"You don't know that," Serena exclaimed, shaking her head. "You don't know that! How can you even say that?" She finally allowed herself to cry, and Sailor Pluto comforted her. Pluto seemed to be considering something, and she sighed wearily.
"I do know, Princess," Pluto said quietly. She cleared her throat, and forced Serena to look her in the eyes. "Lotus would never bring harm to his little sister." As everyone gasped in shock, Serena fainted.
To Be Continued . . .