HOTARU

I smile as I watch Usagi, Haruka, Michiru, Minako, Rei, Ami, and Makoto. They are with Seiya, Yaten, and Taiki. Ami is talking to Taiki about school, and Minako is talking to Yaten about everything BUT school. Haurka and Seiya eye each other warily. It is not hard to see that they do not like each other.

They do not see me now, nor have they seen me recently. But I am always watching them. They are my dearest friends… they are my only friends. For all I have done in the past, I feel I must apologize. But they have already forgiven me. Will I ever forgive myself? I shiver as I remember. I remember my death… the day Hotaru Tomoe died… and I remember my re-birth... the day Sailor Saturn was TRULY born.

It was when I first became friends with Usagi, and she, in turn, introduced me to her own friends. At this time, an unwanted guest slowly made her presence known within me. My body had been taken over by a creature known only as Mistress 9. Using my body, she unleashed the powers I had not yet been able to develop while I lived. The powers of Sailor Saturn.

I watched through my own eyes as Mistress 9 tried to kill everyone I loved. I watched as she tried to bring about The Silence that would consume the Earth. I watched, feeling helpless. I could not do anything to stop the destruction. I was not in control of my own body! How that feels is indescribable! Complete and utter helplessness! Such power! It overwhelmed me!

I fought to gain control of my own body, but I could not stop Mistress 9! I could not stop her from taking all those lives! I could not stop her from trying to resurrect the ultimate evil known only as Pharaoh 90.

If it had not been for the Sailor Soldiers, this Earth would not exist… and it would have been MY fault!

It was not until the Sailor Soldiers weakened Mistress 9 that I was finally able to overpower her. In killing Mistress 9, however, I destroyed my own body.

As a spirit, I saw the vortex waiting. The vortex to my final destination. Sailor Moon tried to stop me. I could not let her. My desitny had lead to this. Without a word, I jumped in to the vortex. Usagi jumped in after me.

When Usagi emerged, my spirit had taken the form of a baby. I still do not understand how this happened, nor do I wish to understand.

For almost two years, I have lived as a child. I have had visions. Even before Sailor Moon became Eternal Sailor Moon, I knew that was her destiny. I knew the time had come for Sailor Saturn to awaken once more.

My body has aged rapidly in the last few months, and I am now a fully grown teenager. Once again, I am Sailor Saturn. Yes... my friends call me Hotaru. But I understand in my heart that Hotaru died a long time ago. Only Sailor Saturn remains now.

What does the future hold for the senshi? What does it hold for ME? I have seen things. Things that should only be seen by one who has lived a long time, and witnessed the world changing before her eyes... and even though I appear to be only 16, I am much older.

Who are our real enemies? Haruka believes it is the Star Soldiers, but I know better. It is not THEM whom we need to fear. It is not even Galaxia. It is a stronger power. A power known only as Chaos.

Although one considers Chaos a state of disarray, it is a very real, very physical being. All evil creatures... such as Pharaoh 90… are it's children... and Galaxia is merely it's Avatar. Everything destructive is of its doing. It even created the devil itself.

I cannot tell my friends this. They must find out on their own. It is best that they concern themselves with one creature at a time. Galaxia is their main target now… and so I shall let them believe -- until it is time for them to know the truth.

Do not ask me how I know all this… for I do not comprehend it myself. But it is what I have seen. It is the prelude to the great rebirth. Not the rebirth of a person, or creature… but of a world. A planet. A Universe. Only one child can bring about this rebirth. A child who is, in actuality, an angel. A child who is the embodiment of tranquillity, peace, love... and serenity. But to bring about this rebirth, something must die first.

"Hotaru-chan!" A voice calls out to me, and my thoughts are quickly disrupted by the cheerful shouts of Usagi Tsukino -- Princess Serenity. I smile and wave at her. She runs to me quickly. "Wow! Where have you been?? We haven't seen you in … like… forever!" she says.

"I am always here," I reply. I look at this beautiful girl. I see in her eyes what her true destiny is. SHE is the chosen one. SHE is the one who will bring about the rebirth. I cannot tell her this, however. Let her live her present life in peace… for in the near future, she will grow up faster then ever.

NEXT: Setsuna