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**DISCLAIMER: All characters from Sailor Moon are the property of Naoko
Takeuchi, Pioneer, Cloverway and any other companies holding rights.
All other characters are the property of the authors of this story and
may not be used or reproduced without consent.**
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Fallen Stars
by
Lady Archanna & Archmage
~~~~~~~~~~
Part I
Chapter 2
~~~~~~~~~~
Thick white mists swirled lazily, carefully protecting the secrets that they
held. Stray sparks of lights and errant gusts that sent the milky white mass
into billowing clouds were all that told of something beyond the shroud of
white. Suddenly the air came alive, the mists parting as a space opened
and a flash of fuchsia and silver heralded the intruder's arrival.
Magenta eyes peered knowingly through the fog, green boots moving with certainty
through the blinding mass as a garnet orb shone with an internal light; the
Guardian's mind opened, searching for what had called her back to the Gate.
A white-gloved hand reached out and rested upon the intricately carved face of
the Gate, feeling, listening to what it was trying to tell her. The Key rested
securely in her other hand, ready to defend the ground on which she stood
within a moment's notice. She sighed and dropped her hand to her side, turning
to face the swirling clouds; her eyes narrowed as the feeling of something being
out of place grew stronger with each passing moment. She could hear the Gate
whispering to her softly, but she could not make out the words of the warning.
Pluto stiffened, feeling a prickling sensation at the base of her neck; the
feeling of unseen eyes focused upon her was overwhelming.
Darkness shifted, the shadows of the realm seeming to crawl with an almost living
intent as they coiled and uncoiled about the base of the Gate. Pluto's eyes shifted
downward, the sudden movement at her feet causing her grip on the Time Key to tighten.
Stepping backward while remaining within reach of the Gate, she watched and waited
silently.
The shadows shifted again, crawling upward into the air for a brief moment and then
subsiding, leaving the integrity of the Gate as it had been before. Or rather, almost
as it had been before. A dark figure cloaked in black and leaning upon a long,
double-ended glaive now stood silently before the Gate, pale face set in a slight
smile as gray eyes looked out from behind a stray lock of black hair and focused
on the Time Senshi. With the sudden surge of shadows came a billowing of the mists,
distorting images and thickening the veil over the Gate. Pluto cursed silently, her
eyes widening as she caught a glimpse of shimmering silver. The Time Key was up
instantly, arching toward the shadowy form with deadly intent. She would ask questions
later. Right now the safety of the time stream was in jeopardy. The man stood silent,
waiting eyes locked on Setsuna's as she turned and raised her weapon. "Hello, Sets."
The Time Key fell toward the intruder with accuracy born of millennia of practice
before the words even registered in Pluto's mind. 'Sets?' Pluto's eyes widened,
the sound of the voice hitting a familiar chord within her, but it was too late.
She winced as her staff came in contact with the target.
The glaive moved once, supernaturally fast, and caught the Time Key neatly between
one set of long and short blades identical to the ones mounted on the other end of
the black-wood staff. The man smiled, gently taking Pluto's weapon from between the
blades and handing it back to her with a slight laugh. "You haven't gotten any slower
to shoot first and then ask questions later, I see."
The Time Senshi felt the blood drain from her face as familiar gray eyes glittered
back at her. Setsuna stared in disbelief as her staff was taken from her hands,
silently thanking the gods that her visitor's reflexes were every ounce as fast
as her own. Magenta eyes met cool gray ones as she extended her hands to take
back the Key, her mind trying to grasp the idea that what she was looking at
had to be a ghost. "What in the name of Chronos?" she whispered, shaking her
head slowly.
The man who had once called himself Wraith smiled gently, eyes sparkling with
golden flecks. "No, dear one. I'm not a ghost. At least, not anymore."
Setsuna felt her heart stop and suddenly it was hard for her to catch her breath.
"Mark?" she whispered, her voice shaking as she leaned against the Time Key and
was suddenly afraid her legs would give out.
The dark clad man walked forward slowly, the glaive dissipating from his hands
as he reached out to embrace her. "Yes, Sets."
Pluto stepped away, her back meeting with the cold stone of the Gate. She felt
trapped as she found herself falling into the depths of eyes she'd lost herself
in countless times. Eyes she'd believed she'd never be able to see again. "It
can't be."
Mark's lips curled in a slight smile as he looked into the face he'd watched
from the shadows for a millennium of nights, always from a distance. Now he
basked in being able to finally wrap his arms around her, to hold her against
him and chase away the dreams and fears that he'd watched her suffer through
alone.
"It is. I'm here, Sets, as alive ... well, as alive as I ever was." His mouth
curved slightly into a self-mocking smile.
Pluto's eyes closed as his arms slid around her, his touch sending shivers up
her spine. Biting her lip she opened her eyes again, half afraid he'd no longer
be there. But he was still smiling down at her, still holding her. No words came
to the senshi, for no words could possibly have described the tumult of emotions
raging through her as his warmth surrounded her. Mark looked down at the woman
he'd loved for all the millennia of his life with an unbreakable reverence and
immeasurable love. "I know." His voice was soft, his eyes not breaking away from
hers.
Setsuna reached up, a gloved hand tentatively tracing the contours of his face
as though still terrified that he'd melt away like the mists from which he'd
arisen. "Where? What?" Setsuna shook her head, a smile rising on her lips as
she looked at his answering smirk. Gods, how she'd missed it.
Mark's eyes sparkled in the dim light. "A long, long story, my love. Let's
just say I've been awhile in recovery. Still, I'm back now. Glad to see me?"
In reply Setsuna reached up to him, her lips capturing his in a kiss with
many millennias worth of longing behind it. 'Very glad, my love.' Her mental
voice shimmered in him, filled with love.
His lips met hers firmly, a kiss he'd been waiting for a long time to make
real again. 'As am I to finally return to you, my dearest one.'
Setsuna's senses were on fire, and she had to fight hard to keep a grasp on
her self-control as she basked in her lover's touch. 'Gods, it's been so
long.' With more restraint than she believed possible she pulled out of the
kiss to look up at Mark, her eyes searching his.
Mark smiled into his wife's confusion, eyes steadily meeting hers. "Yes,
beloved?" His tone was soft, gentle as always.
"I'm just so afraid that at any moment all of this will disappear, like a
dream, and I'll be alone and left without you again." Setsuna said, her
voice filled with emotion as she leaned her head against Mark's chest and
listened to his heartbeat.
Mark smiled, gently running his hands through the long green hair he'd
caressed so long ago. "No, love. I won't be leaving you again. This last
absence was long enough." Gently, he squeezed her against him with a smile.
"Convinced I'm not a dream yet?"
"Yes." Magenta eyes looked up and gloved hands moved to the back of his head,
guiding him downward to her waiting lips. Pluto allowed herself another moment
to drink in his taste, his sense, the feel of his lips on hers; then she pulled
away with eyes sparkling. "And if you ever disappear like that again, my love,
you're going to have to deal with me."
Mark laughed, his love for the woman he held still as strong as it had been all
those millennia ago. "So where to now, my Lady?"
"Hmm ... I could think of several places I'd like to take you." Setsuna's voice
was laced with undisguised desire, but she would have to wait until later to sate
that need because there were other places she was expected.
Mark's lips cracked in a wry grin. "Only several?"
Setsuna laughed, raising an eyebrow. "I could think of more, but I'm afraid that
will have to wait. There's someplace I'm expected to be, a party for a dear friend;
I'm already quite late."
Mark smiled gently. "Well then, shall we?" Extending his arm, he smiled down at her
with all the quiet grace he perpetually exuded.
Setsuna looked at her husband, taking his arm as she had so many times in the past.
"Promise me one thing, my love." She said looking at him.
"Anything, dearest."
"Promise to be on your best behavior." Setsuna said, trying to give him a serious
look and failing miserably.
Mark laughed. "Of course, Sets."
Setsuna shook her head, suppressing a laugh of her own. She wondered if the royal
court was ready for him. Looking up into his sparkling gray eyes, she decided
they certainly were not.
"Let's be going then," She said finally. Suddenly, the mists swirled and then
parted as an invisible door opened. With her staff in her hand and her husband
on her arm, she stepped through the portal that would take them back to Crystal
Tokyo.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Happy Birthday, Chibi-Usa!" Hotaru smiled up at her friend, handing her a small
box wrapped neatly in purple paper. Chibi-Usa smiled, adding it to the pile
next to her on the couch. She'd felt much more at ease as soon as their group had
left the massive crowd, retiring to a smaller chamber all set up to celebrate the
special day.
The room was less lavishly decorated; instead, it mirrored the main room of a
shrine in which the Senshi gathered had spent many days and nights. The ceilings
were strung with streamers, silver and pink balloons floating everywhere. Music
from a time when life had been less complicated filled the air, a time when the
girls' biggest worries had been whether or not to study.
A smile crept onto Michiru's lips as she recalled the image of Hotaru and Chibi-Usa
dancing in the center of the room, laughing like teenagers, not as a Lady and a
Princess. She gently squeezed Haruka's hand, which rested, in her lap, aqua eyes
meeting hazel ones, each silently wondering how long it had been since they'd been
free of their duty.
Minako leaned against Sol's chest, holding his hands tightly in front of her where
they sat on the smaller couch to the left of the Princess. However much she loved
the spotlight, and she loved basking in it, she still adored and cherished these
quiet times between just the twelve people gathered in that room. She always felt
at home, able to be herself without worrying about impressing or entertaining anyone.
Makoto stood, hands gently squeezing Rod's shoulders while he sat before her. She
silently walked around the chair, depositing herself neatly on his lap and slinging
her arm around his neck. She leaned peacefully against him, smiling as his arms went
around her, holding her safe. Looking around the room, she wondered if the others were
as happy at that moment as she was.
'Gods, I hope so,' she thought, waiting anxiously for the Princess to start opening
her gifts.
"So, are you ever going to start opening those gifts, Princess?" Rei asked, violet
eyes laughing as they winked at Chibi-Usa, then turned to the Queen. "That is, if
it's okay with you, Odango."
Serenity's eyes flashed, a wide smile spreading across royal lips at the sound of
the old name. She laughed, the urge to plunge into the thick of a tongue war with
the fire Senshi still strong after all this time. Some things even time could not
change. "Of course you can, darling." Serenity answered, smiling back at Rei. She
gently put her hand on her daughter's shoulder, her eyes filled with love. "It is
your birthday, after all."
'Yours too, Usako,' Endymion's quiet voice pointed out in the Queen's mind, deep
blue eyes flashing with mischief. 'We'll celebrate that later, though. In private.'
"Thank you, everyone!" Chibi-Usa chirped, picking up the first box wrapped in
simple white paper, a red bow wound around it. Upon opening it, Chibi-Usa found
inside a beautiful pink kimono with silver flowers screened onto the delicate
fabric.
"It's beautiful, Rei-san!" Chibi-Usa beamed, gently unfolding the frock,
stopping when she heard something fall into the bottom of the box. Moving
the fabric out of the way she found a small red jewel. Holding it up to the
light she found the symbol of Mars magically suspended in its center. Nathan
smiled slightly as his princess fingered his part of the gift. "What's this?"
Chibi-Usa asked, still examining the stone.
"Put that aside, where you won't lose it," Minako answered, smiling at the girl.
"There's more to come."
Chibi-Usa obeyed, picking up the package that looked as if it had been wrapped
in soft gold. Opening it, Chibi-Usa found herself shuffling through a mound of
golden tissue paper, trying to locate the contents. Finally, in the center, she
found two things. The first was a stone identical to the one Rei had given her
except it was yellow in color and contained the symbol of Venus; the second was
something she knew was from Minako.
"Your mask!" Chibi-Usa gasped, picking up the delicate red mask, an antique worth
much both in dollars and sentiments alike. She looked at the blonde, seeing tears
shimmering in her eyes as she looked at the mask that had once hidden her identity
when she'd just been Sailor V. Not Sailor Venus, not the leader of the inner Senshi,
not a Lady of Crystal Tokyo.
"I know you'll take good care of it, Chibi-Usa." Minako said, looking at the girl
with love. Sol, behind her, smiled softly, keeping careful watch on the stone as
it joined the one Nathan had chosen. Chibi-Usa smiled, placing the mask alongside
the stones, giving it one final look before moving on to the next gift. Wrapped
in blue and white foil, the gift came apart in her hands, exposing a small note
atop a sea of aquamarine paper.
"Sorry we couldn't be here. This is from Ami and I.
Your devoted, Lord Alexis"
Moving aside the paper, Chibi-Usa slowly uncovered a table-top model of Crystal
Tokyo, the entire city carefully crafted out of an icy crystal that gave the
impression of being about to melt without ever changing. She gasped slightly,
and Nathan let out a low whistle. "Oh, my...."
After a long moment Chibi set the gift carefully aside, along with the small blue
crystal pulsing with the symbol of Mercury, and reached for the next present.
Opening the icy blue and green paper, Chibi-Usa noticed Makoto watching her
anxiously. Inside was a glass orb, and as she picked it up red eyes sparkled
with wonder as it crackled with electricity, a miniature lightning storm opening
in the center. She watched in awe as the rainbow of bright colors exploded,
illuminating her face.
"Makoto-chan...." Chibi-Usa's wide smile was all the thanks the Lady Jupiter
required, her emerald eyes softening as the girl took out the small green stone
from the box; Rod smiled as his gift joined those of his fellow Knights beside
the Princess. Chibi-Usa reluctantly set the ball aside, mesmerized by the intricate
patterns the lightning drew within its enclosure. She then picked up one of the last
two gifts remaining. She knew it was from Michiru and Haruka, the simple brown paper
topped with a vivid aqua silk bow hinting at the giver's identity.
Inside was a beautiful box made from flawless deep red wood. Picking it up,
Chibi-Usa smiled into the mirror that decorated its lid as she studied the
intricate patterns carved onto the body of it. As she opened the lid, the room
was filled with the delicate, soothing sounds of Michiru's violin and Haruka's
piano, intertwining into a sweet lullaby.
"Thank you both," Chibi-Usa set the box aside, leaving the top open so that the
sweet melody could still be heard. Carefully she took out the forest green and
aqua stones, the givers smiling at their addition of stones to match those the
Knights had offered, and set them beside the others. At last her eyes fell upon
the final gift, then traveled to Hotaru, who sat on the floor at the Princess's
feet. She could see a flash of uncertainty in her friend's violet eyes as she
picked up the package, and knew that Hotaru was worried that she wouldn't like
it. Determined to dispel the pale girl's fears, the Princess picked up the package
and opened it.
"Oh my gods…" Chibi-Usa gasped, taking the beautiful lamp from its box. It reminded
her of the multitude of lamps that still decorated the Lady Saturn's room, sparkling
like fireflies when they were lit. The lamp's base was of a dark metal, providing a
set of clawed feet on which it could rest. The body of it was made of frosted white
glass, decorated with silhouette of horse with wings and a golden horn. Chibi-Usa's
eyes filled with tears, the images of Pegasus, her first true love, bringing back so
many sweet memories.
"Thank you, Hota-chan. It's wonderful." Chibi-Usa's voice shook with emotion. She
set the lamp carefully on the table, being sure to extract the purple stone from
the box and putting it in its place as well. Hotaru hid a small smile at her
completion of the Knights' gifts. Chibi-Usa looked over the beaming faces around
her, joy filling her heart. She could see as well as feel the love they all felt
for her, and she was eternally thankful for it. Looking at Haruka and Michiru, a
small frown crossed her face. Not everyone dear to her was present.
"Mother, where's Setsuna?" Chibi-Usa asked, turning to the Queen.
"She had something to attend to, dear. She told me to tell you...."
"That I wouldn't miss this part for the world!" Setsuna's voice finished the Queen's
sentence as she appeared in the doorway.
"Puu!" Chibi-Usa laughed, getting up from the couch and moving to embrace the woman
only to stop in her tracks as a dark figure moved beside the Time Senshi. "Who?"
Chibi-Usa's eyes narrowed, gauging the man.
All eyes in the room turned to the door, no one recognizing the oddly familiar man
that stood there, wondering what Setsuna was thinking, bringing a stranger to such
a private event.
"Care to introduce us to your guest, Setsuna?" Endymion asked, rising to his feet,
eyeing the man in the doorway with a cautious gaze that spoke of half-remembered
moments and quiet concern.
Setsuna smiled, fully expecting the looks of surprise she received. Her eyes met
Chibi-Usa's warmly in spite of the tension. "I'm sorry to be late, Small Lady."
As the time senshi stepped into the room, her eyes caught the King's stare. "This
is Mark." Setsuna paused, her smile widening "He's a dear friend of mine. We go
back a long, long time."
Haruka's eyebrow raised, looking over at the green-haired woman with amusement.
"A friend? Really, Sets? Just a friend?"
Michiru's grip on her lover's hand tightened, "Haruka!" she hissed, shaking her
head and smiling. It was as clear to her as it was to her lover that there was
something more than just a friendship between the two. Michiru studied Mark's
face, finding something strikingly familiar about it.
"Something like that, yes." Mark's voice was soft and quiet, but with a slightly
mocking lilt to it.
Chibi-Usa looked at Mark, not sure what to make of him. "Setsuna, should we know
him?" she asked, wanting to embrace the woman but feeling slightly intimidated
by Mark.
Setsuna looked at them, taking a moment to decide how to approach this. Shaking
her head, she realized she was just trying to put off the inevitable. "Chibi-Usa,
you would not know Mark. He's been ... missing for a long time." Setsuna paused.
"Since the Silver Millennium and since Metallia attacked the Moon Kingdom."
Nathan cracked a grin at the taller man in black. "What is he, Sets, your brother?"
Setsuna's eyes darted to Nathan, a wry smile on her lips. "Not quite, Nate. Family
yes, brother no."
Mark stepped forward, smiling slightly. "The Lord Pluto at your service, husband
to my Lady Setsuna." With a swift twist he brought a dozen black roses from
beneath his cloak and deftly handed them to Setsuna.
"Husband?" Minako, Rei and Makoto all gasped at once as their jaws dropped open
in disbelief. Pluto, the solitary senshi of the Time Gate, had a husband?
The same thought echoed in the minds of the inner Senshi as what they'd been
told sunk in, coming through their soul-bonds from their respective lovers.
'Go Sets!' The Knights, almost in tandem, broke into wide grins.
"Now I see why you were late." Serenity laughed at the look of embarrassment
on the normally composed Setsuna's face.
"Hai. Mark is my husband." Setsuna laughed nervously, accepting the offered
roses with a further blush that added even more to Haruka's amusement.
Leaning forward, Mark gently kissed his wife before turning to the party. "I
understand this is your birthday, Princess."
Chibi-Usa couldn't help but giggle softly at the look that came over Setsuna's
face, her uncertainty about Mark disappearing like smoke. Taking a deep breath,
Chibi-Usa did the last thing she'd expected. She stepped forward and offered her
hand to Mark. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mark." Chibi-Usa smiled over at
Setsuna, never before having seen the woman look so happy. "I'm glad you were
able to make it."
Mark smiled down at the Princess, sketching a courtly bow with dark, elegant
grace. "Never let it be said that the Lord Pluto came unprepared for his
hostess." With a flourish, he produced from the air a dark stone, obsidian
black, which glowed with a crackling gleam.
Chibi-Usa's eyes widened, amused by Mark's formality. She smiled at him as she
accepted the stone, holding it up to the light. "Thank you."
Then a shimmering mass of darkness rose out of the crystal and formed itself into
a stunningly precise picture. Front and center stood a Prince and a Princess,
one with black hair and the other with long golden tresses that fell from meatballs
mounted on her head. Around them stood the Senshi and Knights, dresses shimmering
and armor gleaming in the light of the rising Earth. Mark was there, beside Setsuna,
smiling at the other Knights with his usual smirk; behind them, at the edge of the
amphitheater, stood a woman with long white hair. A Queen from another time, another
world.
Mark smiled gently. "Perhaps a fitting gift from the avatar of Entropy. A picture
of the past, from when we were all young."
Setsuna watched, smiling as Chibi-Usa peered into the stone to see a snapshot that
most of those gathered carried only in the recesses of their memories, buried so
deep they would have to dig through millennia's worth of dust to uncover it. It
was then that Setsuna remembered her gift for the princess, and she smiled as a
small metal and glass cabinet appeared on the table beside Chibi-Usa. "That, Small
Lady, is from me." Setsuna motioned toward the item, stepping up next to the girl.
Chibi-Usa was silent as she knelt down beside the low table, taking a moment to
just look at the cabinet. It was made out of wrought iron, white glass panels set
inside beautiful frames of the dark metal. Carefully she reached out and used one
of the rose-shaped knobs to open it.
Inside, upon a stand of gold, sat an ice-blue orb. Gently Chibi-Usa reached in,
taking the contents of the cabinet and setting them on the table so she could get
a better look at them. As she peered into the crystal surface of the globe, she
let out a gasp as images arose. Images of the past, of a time that seemed like a
dream to Chibi-Usa sometimes. Chibi-Usa watched, tears rising in her eyes, as
images of Hotaru and she, both much younger, appeared in the globe.
"Chibi-Usa, that orb will allow you to revisit the past, to always be able to
clearly remember all the happy times, no matter how long ago they were. The
globe is able to focus on your memories, bringing forward those which are the
sweetest, the happiest ones you possess." Setsuna explained, placing her hand
on the girl's shoulder.
"Puu!" Chibi-Usa rose to her feet, embracing the woman tightly as tears slid
down her face. "I couldn't have asked for anything better."
Setsuna smiled knowingly. She knew full well how precious those memories of good
times could be, how crucial they were for getting through hard times. Looking at
the faces of those gathered, she knew they realized it as well; most of them were
still trying to grasp memories from many lifetimes ago.
Endymion smiled at his daughter gently, hesitant to break the moment. "Take good
care of that." The smile widened slightly. "Care to see the rest of your presents?"
Chibi-Usa pulled out of Setsuna's embrace, her eyes smiling up at her father.
"You mean there's more?"
Endymion nodded, his eyes warm. "Just a bit. Would you like to bring up those
eight stones to me?"
Chibi-Usa nodded, silently moving to the low table and picking up the stones
one by one, admiring them briefly in the light before cupping them gently in
her palm. As the girl lifted Setsuna's stone, Mark reached out and touched it
briefly; a flicker of light added his own essence to the sparkling jewels.
Chibi-Usa's eyes followed Mark's movements with interest, wondering what he
was doing. She was about to say something when she remembered her father
still standing in the center of the room waiting for her. Closing her fingers
around the stones, she turned and moved so she stood before him once again,
waiting in silent anticipation.
Endymion gently arranged the stones in a small circle, then drew a stone of
his own from around his neck and set it in the center. "Now, then." Energy
crackled between the stones, focusing on the center stone and burning it into
a rainbow of colors. Finally the wash of energy subsided, leaving only the
faint glistening of the gems. Drawing a silver chain from his pocket, he
strung the stone into a small, fitted ring and then clasped the rainbow jewel
around his daughter's neck. Chibi-Usa stood with her mouth slightly agape as
her father slid the fine sliver chain over her head; looking down, she picked
up the stone in her fingers and let out a surprised gasp at how warm it felt
in her hand. "What is it?" she asked, still marveling at the multicolored jewel.
Endymion smiled, "It's a ward stone. It'll grow cold when you're in danger,
and it will let the Knights and I find you if you need help. Anywhere."
Chibi-Usa released the stone after a moment and allowed it to dangle on its
chain, her eyes rising to meet the King's as her face split into a bright
smile. "Thank you, Father." she said, her tone masking the sudden knot in
her stomach. She found herself almost wishing the jewel had been nothing
more spectacular than a piece of jewelry rather than another reminder that
she was something to be protected. With a weak smile, Chibi-Usa returned to
her place on the floor before the gift from Pluto. Endymion saw the flicker
in his daughter's eyes and sighed inwardly as he mind-spoke to Serenity.
'I suppose it's up to you to cheer her up, dearest. I seem to have just
made it worse.'
Serenity's eyes softened at her husband's silent plea as she looked to
her daughter and caught the change in her, the dimming of her eyes. She
could relate to the girl and remembered what it felt like to be treated
like a piece of fragile glass, but even she couldn't imagine what it
would feel like to be treated like that for two millennia. "Chibi-Usa,
there's one more gift for you." Serenity said, rising from the couch
with a small object wrapped in golden silk held in her hand. Red eyes
followed the movements of the queen with guarded interest as she moved
to the center of the room, the King moving to the side with eyes locked
on his wife. Carefully, Serenity unfolded the silk to reveal a thin silver
brooch with a white moon engraved on the top that was filled with white
gold. Slim white fingers snapped open the compact, revealing eight
indentations surrounding a central mount on the inner part of the piece.
"Chibi-Usa, would you please bring me the remaining stones?" The Queen smiled
warmly at her daughter, fixing red eyes with blue ones.
Reluctantly Chibi-Usa rose from the floor and moved to pick up the eight
jewels. "Here you go, Mother." The Princess said, her voice low as she
held out the gems to Serenity.
"Thank you, darling." Serenity smiled, reaching out and taking the stones
one by one from her daughter's hand before snapping them into place on the
inside of the locket. Each stone fell into its slot with a soft click, a
small flicker of light bursting to life in the center of the stone to
illuminate the planetary symbol in the center. When all the stones were
in place, the Queen's free hand reached up and grasped her own brooch,
holding it carefully next to the other in her palm with the cover open
and the ginzuishou glinting in the light.
"Ladies?" The Queen's eyes lifted, regarding the Senshi who had already
risen from their seats. In a group, the women moved toward the Queen and
the Princess, forming a circle around them. Without a word, the Senshi
joined hands; their eyes smiled knowingly at the Princess.
"Mars Crystal Power!" Rei whispered, closing her eyes and bowing her head.
In the locket, the ruby red stone suddenly flared to life.
One by one the other Senshi followed suit, and as each girl spoke her
respective stone reacted, bursting to life with rainbow light. Soon the
women's faces were illuminated in a myriad of different colors as the
stones pulsed with energy. All was silent for a moment, then the queen
closed her eyes and spoke.
"Moon Crystal Power," Serenity's voice rose softly and suddenly the
ginzuishou burst to life, shining like the burning heart of a star.
There was a brighter flash and a small orb of light rose from the center
of the crystal to float from the Queen's brooch and settle itself in the
center of the other stones. There was another blinding flash, and when it
dissipated the silver locket sat closed in Serenity's palm, still shimmering
with dormant energy. "This is for you, my dear." Serenity held out her hand
to Chibi-Usa, seeing the girl regard it warily.
"I ... I...." Chibi-Usa stuttered, gingerly taking the gift from her mother,
feeling the energy locked within it.
"That is your crystal, the key to your power." Serenity placed her hand on
Chibi-Usa's shoulder looking at her daughter with pride. "You, my love,
have matured before our eyes. While it is sometimes hard for us to remember
that you are not a child, it is more than clear to me that you have grown
into an intelligent, poised, loving, open-minded woman; you are fully
prepared to handle the full powers that were bestowed upon you at birth."
"But why the other stones?" Chibi-Usa asked, finally finding her voice.
"I understand the ginzuishou, but the others?"
"Unlike myself, you do not have a court of Senshi designated to protect
you at all costs. While the Inner and Outer Senshi have always been around
you and would put their lives on the line to protect you as they would me,
you need to have that type of power and support with you no matter what,
even if we're not with you. Those stones will provide you with the energy
and the power that the Senshi have shared with me numerous times. Consider
those eight stones guardians of sorts. They will be there for you when you
need them."
Chibi-Usa looked at the locket and then up at her mother, and she saw the
immense amount of pride with which the Queen regarded her. Slowly her red
eyes moved over the room, seeing the same look reflected in the eyes of
all those gathered.
"Thank you, Mother." Chibi-Usa smiled as she attached the brooch to the front
of her dress, immediately feeling the crystal inside connecting with her. "I
promise not to disappoint any of you, ever. I promise to prove that I am
indeed ready for such a great responsibility." A moment later she felt her
face go red as the applause and words of congratulation filled the room,
each senshi coming up to her and embracing her. They were all so happy
for her; they all seemed so confident in her. She began to believe that
she might actually be able to fulfill their expectations, that maybe
things would get better. That perhaps she would finally be allowed to
be an adult.
"Small Lady, I'm so proud of you," Setsuna whispered, kissing the girl's cheek.
"Thank you, Puu," Chibi-Usa smiled as the woman pulled away. "Thank you, everyone."
"It's our pleasure, Chibi-Usa," Makoto smiled, her eyes sparkling. "Now
what do you say we get this party moving again?"
Nathan laughed. "I agree." Music struck up again, memories rising with
it as the group collectively slid onto the dance floor.
From the shadows, gray eyes watched the party carefully. 'Interesting,
Sets. No watchers tonight?'
Setsuna's eyes left the dancing forms on the dance floor and slid toward
the darkened corner. 'It wasn't deemed necessary since most of Crystal
Tokyo is gathered here to celebrate.' Setsuna paused, sighing. 'These
are peaceful times, love.'
Mark's lips curled slightly in the shadows. 'So were the times right
before Beryl's rise on Earth, dear. Or don't they teach history in
modern Crystal Tokyo?'
Setsuna crossed her arms, shaking her head. 'They teach it. The problem
is that centuries or even half a millennium without trouble can lull people
into a false sense of security. Most of those people out there don't even
know who Beryl was. To them, she's like some fairy story used to scare
children. The Queen and the King are more than aware of the ever present
potential for danger, but even they allow themselves moments of total peace,
free of worry.'
Mark's eyes met Setsuna's, gentle in their reproach. 'Are they really aware?
How long has it been? A hundred years? A thousand? Are they really ready anymore?'
'Those gathered here live with the same nightmares that I do. They remember
what's happened; they remember the hardships and the dangers. They're all
aware of how fragile this crystal city actually is.' Setsuna replied, wishing
she were as sure of her own words as she tried to sound.
Mark smiled darkly. 'Oh, I know they lived it. But do they remember what it
means?' With a final look around, he slid into a shadow and faded into the
blackness. 'I'll be in your room, my love.'
Setsuna stood there for a moment, eyes still focused on the empty shadows,
thinking about Mark's words. Looking around the room, she had to wonder
if they truly were prepared if their world were suddenly to be thrown upside
down and ripped apart at the seams again. Would they be able to rise to the
occasion, would they be able to handle it? The Time Senshi's eyes drifted from
the shadows and fell upon the dancing forms of the King and Queen. They swayed
in time to the music, lost in each other's eyes, thoughts and embrace. She
could see the strength within both of them, but she wondered if they were
truly ready.
With a sigh, she moved over to Chibi-Usa and whispered her good-byes, telling
the Princess she would see her in the morning. Then with a smile tugging at
her lips she left the party, intent on attending a much smaller and more intimate
gathering in her chambers. She and Mark had a lot of lost time to make up for.
On the dance floor, Endymion watched Setsuna leave, gently holding his wife
close to him. It was a good idea. After all, it was his wife's birthday and
she deserved a present befitting her station. A small smile slipped over his
lips, a hint of mischief gleaming in his eyes.
"And just what are you smiling about?" Serenity asked, her eyes smiling up at
him, awaiting his answer.
Endymion grinned slightly. "I'm thinking that you still haven't gotten your
birthday present." He leaned down, kissing her gently as he spoke in her mind.
'And that I'll enjoy giving it to you.'
Serenity deepened the kiss. 'I'm sure it'll be worth the wait; at least, as
long as that wait isn't too much longer, Mamo-chan.'
His smile widened within the kiss. 'If you say so, Usako.' Gathering her
into his arms, he smiled at the other Senshi. "Good night, all." Moving to
his daughter, he kissed her forehead gently. "Good night, sweetheart."
Rei moved next to Serenity, smiling evilly at the woman. "Enjoy your
birthday present. Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" she whispered,
laughing as Serenity's face reddened.
"Rei!" Serenity hissed in embarrassment, but then her eyes brightened
mischievously. "Hmm. Now that I think of it, that doesn't leave much
out of bounds, does it?"
Nathan grinned as his wife blushed a deep violet red. 'She does have a
point, dear.'
"Hush you!" Rei laughed, turning to her husband and placing a finger on
his lips. "Not another word."
"Good night, Rei," Serenity laughed, winking at the blushing woman.
"Good night everyone, enjoy yourselves."
Serenity kissed Chibi-Usa's cheek, smiling at her. "You have fun
sweetheart, enjoy the rest of the night. It is your birthday after all."
Chibi-Usa smiled up at her mother and hugged her tightly. "Thank
you, Mom." She then turned to her father, embracing him as well.
"Thank you, Dad. For everything."
Endymion smiled gently. "You're welcome. Have fun, small one."
Chibi-Usa's nose wrinkled at the use of the term 'small one', but
her smile never wavered. "Oh, don't worry. I will."
With a grin, Endymion swept his wife up the stairs and away from the
crowd, leading her up to their room. Serenity smiled as her husband
closed the door behind them, her eyes sparkling. "I'm so glad
Chibi-Usa's mood brightened. I was worried her birthday would be
ruined."
Endymion's lips shifted slightly. "I'm glad, too. Hope it'll last."
Sitting on the bed next to his wife, he gently put his arms around
her. "She is a teenager, after all."
Serenity leaned against her husband, sighing. "I know. I just worry
about her sometimes; she's been through so much." Serenity looked up
into Endymion's eyes. "I really do hope this lasts for her, that she
can stay just as happy and safe as she is now."
He smiled down at her, squeezing her gently. "I hope so too. I only
wish…." A sigh and a shrug, a helpless look in his eyes.
"I know. I keep hoping that one day he'll reappear." Serenity nodded,
catching the reference to Elios. She knew that his disappearance had
left a hole in her daughter's heart, and she knew that the two were
separate by a boundary that not even she, the bearer of the ginzuishou,
could overcome. Elios' place was Illusion; Chibi-Usa's was Crystal Tokyo.
When that fact had become known, it had nearly destroyed the Princess and
although nearly millennia had passed, Serenity knew the pain was just as
fresh in the girl's heart. "I can't imagine what it would be like to know
that I could never be with my soul mate, to know that we would be forever
separate."
Endymion sighed, leaning back on the bed. "I just wish I could help her
stop hurting. Maybe find someone else, maybe not, but just heal it. You
know?"
Serenity gently placed her hand against his cheek, smiling at him.
"I know exactly what you mean, love. I've wished the same thing so
many times. Personally, I don't believe that even fate is cruel enough
to keep someone separate from the one person in this universe that completes
them. I think that some way, somehow, sometime she will find that person
again. If it is Elios, then so be it. If not, as long as he's here for her
and as long as they find each other." Serenity smiled. "Hey, we found each
other time and time again, through life and death, across the millennia. If
we did it, then I have no doubt that she can."
Endymion smiled gently. "Thank you, love." Wrapping his wife in his arms
he held her for a long time, then smiled. "Now, shall we get on with your
gift?"
Serenity's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "I thought you'd never ask."
The shroud of night fell softly across their laughter.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Lady Mars! Lord Nathan!" A frantic voice, accompanied by an insistent
knocking, yanked the two rudely from their rest.
"What the hell?" Rei cursed as she jolted up, violet eyes darting around
the room.
Nathan's eyes snapped open, instantly alert. "Trouble. Let's go."
"Lady Mars, there's been an attack. The Senshi are meeting in the Ops
room." The guard was insistent but cautious, not wanting to face the
fire senshi's early morning temper.
"Ops room?" Rei's voice was still heavy with sleep, a blaring headache
reminding her sharply of the previous night's festivities. "We'll be
there in five minutes!" she called as the fog lifted and she came fully
awake.
Nathan was out of bed like lightning, moving for the dresser before the
door was fully closed. "Let's move, love. I doubt it's anything we can't
handle."
Rei rose from the bed, her hand automatically going for the henshin
stick that rested on the night table. In an instant she was transformed,
violet eyes focused on her husband.
"I'm sure you're right," Rei agreed, smiling slightly, "but don't you think
you could hurry up and get dressed already?"
Nathan's eyes tightened. "Right." Closing his eyes for a moment, he
summoned the armor of his Knight form and shifted. The Greek-style armor
was normally impressive; now it was as natural as a second skin. Moments
later they jogged into the Ops room, finding that they were among the last
to arrive. Looking around the room, it was obvious that they had all been
pulled from their beds; the faces around the table were both troubled and
slightly tired.
Endymion and Serenity sat at the head of the table, the Queen's hair
haphazardly wrapped into its customary odangos. To their right sat
Chibi-Usa, who's pink head rested on the table, red eyes looking drowsily
into space, trying to get her mind to focus. Beside her, Hotaru wore a
similar expression, the two girl's head inches apart as they whispered
and exchanged glances.
Next down the line were Haruka and Michiru, looking calm and collected
as ever. No one would have believed the couple had yet to get any sleep.
The only sign of anything amiss was the stray feather clinging to Michiru's
normally immaculate hair.
Setsuna and Mark were next, both of them regarding the King and Queen
seriously, awaiting further news. Setsuna's eyes, although serious,
sparkled with something else. The only indication of something below
the Time Senshi's stoic demeanor was the way her and her lover's hands
rested upon one another, fingers intertwined. Mark's face however,
showed no signs of emotion, his expression hard as gray eyes regarded
the Royals with detached interest.
Across the table sat a stony faced Rod, his hands resting before him
on the table as he waited silently. Beside him, Makoto's eyes were
worried and her clenched fists told of her eagerness to act. Rei
rested a hand on the brunette's shoulder as she took a seat beside
her and both sets of eyes turned toward the head of the room.
Finally, directly next to Serenity, sat Minako and Sol. An
uncharacteristically serious expression clung to the blonde's
face; she sat with her arms crossed and her legs shaking under
the table. Rei was about to ask for a further explanation of
what had happened when Ami and Alexis entered, the blue-haired
girl flushed and panting.
"I apologize for our lateness. We were just told of the attack."
Ami said breathlessly, taking her seat. She glanced over at her
husband and frowned at how calm and collected he still seemed.
He calmly took his place beside his wife and turned to Endymion.
"What's happened?" Alexis asked finally, all eyes turning as they
awaited the answer.
"There's been an attack within the city," Serenity spoke up
tonelessly, as if she were still trying to figure out how it
had happened. "Reports are sketchy at the moment, but it appears
as if things are quite messy."
Endymion's lips tightened. "We're short on details, but the target
appears to have been a school. Other than that, we know very little."
There was a collective gasp, and even Chibi-Usa's head rose from the
table to stare at her father in disbelief. "A school?" Chibi-Usa
asked, her fingers tightening around the brooch that lay on the
table beside her.
"Yes, a school." Serenity answered dryly. "We will not sit around
here and wait for the guard to bring us reports, either. We're
going out there now to see just what's happened, to see what we
can do to fix it and prevent it from happening again."
Nathan rose, face grim, for once without a flippant comment. "Let's
get going."
The Knights rose, armor or weapons crackling into place as they
shifted, moving with shared, silent determination. Nathan spun
his spear up into guard position, Greek armor gleaming gold and
red, nodding to Rod with a grim salute. In response, the other
man shifted his grip on the black-shafted war-hammer slung across
his silver and black back and breast plate armor as the light
sparkled off Sol's golden battle armor, gleaming with deadly
devices whose functions were better left unknown. On the other
end of the table Alexis hefted his ivory and silver staff and
nodded to the others, blue robes swirling. "Ready."
As the Knights gathered themselves so too did the Senshi,
those that had not henshined making short order of their
transformations. Soon they all stood looking at the King
and Queen, awaiting the order to leave with practiced
professionalism. Saturn leaned her head on her glaive,
her eyes falling upon the Princess who still sat holding
her brooch, as if unsure what to do with it.
"Chibi-Usa, say Solar Moon Crystal Power," Serenity
instructed, rising from her seat.
The girl uttered the words and was immediately engulfed in
a rainbow of lights, reappearing in her Senshi fuku, silver
skirt shimmering and the rose quartz upon her tiara shining
brightly. In her hand appeared a scepter, a silver rose at
the top, the bloom encasing a glowing crystal.
"Now, we're all ready." Serenity said, nodding at her court.
Space crackled around them, Endymion and Serenity leading the
way in the mass teleport; for a moment there was nothing, and
then they were there.
What had once been a school was now only ruins, ashes and debris.
Scattered through it at apparently random intervals were bodies
upon bodies upon bodies; children, teachers, a handful of adults
who looked to have been parents, all ripped bloodily apart with
faces frozen in pain and terror. This had not been a bomb blast
or an explosion or anything so mercifully quick. This had been a
slow and deliberate slaughter, carried out with ruthless precision
in what those who were there would have sworn was the safest place
in the world. It had been done with a savage, relentless ferocity
that had left nothing but torn bodies and ashes in its wake, and in
the center of it all was a single body, positioned at what had been
the school's entrance: a teen, perhaps Chibi-Usa's age, apparently
unmarked but thoroughly dead. On her face was an expression of pure
agony and horror so powerful as to defy description.
Nathan blanched hard as his face paled and Rod's eyes widened visibly,
jaw going slack. Sol stood utterly still, stunned into silence, and
Mark stood beside Setsuna with his face blank of emotion and eyes
scanning the scene silently. "Oh my gods." Mars whispered, her hand
covering her mouth as violet eyes took in the scene before them.
Her heart wrenched and her stomach lurched as her gaze moved over
the utter carnage before her.
"This wasn't an attack." Venus whispered, bending over and placing
her hands on her legs, trying to fight back the wave of nausea that
suddenly overwhelmed her. Blue eyes looked up through blonde bangs
as her body trembled, watching as Ami and Hotaru moved toward the
wreckage. Mercury's visor slid down across her face, scanning the
rubble that had been a school for any signs of life. Even with all
her medical training, she felt her stomach tighten at the sight of
such horribly and brutally mangled bodies. She turned her gaze
toward Saturn, the other girl shaking her head sadly. Saturn may
have been the senshi of death, but even this disturbed her. So
many innocent lives ended in such a wave of meaningless violence.
Jupiter's face was white, her expression blank as her mind tried
to process what she was seeing. Her eyes dropped to the ground,
falling upon the hand of a child, the body nowhere in sight.
Jupiter whirled around, falling to her knees as the bitter taste
of bile overwhelmed her senses and she emptied the contents of
her stomach onto the ground. Neptune moved beside Jupiter, crouching
down beside the woman and placing a hand her shoulder. No words came
to her mind that she could use to comfort the brunette; no comfort
could be offered in the face of something so utterly cruel and disgusting.
Uranus slid over to Setsuna, hazel eyes hard and her fingers flexing
around the hilt of her sword. "What the hell happened here? How could
something like this have happened under our noses?"
"I'm not sure." Setsuna said, her voice carrying no emotion. Magenta
eyes looked over the scene before them, memories of the past blazing
to the front of the Time Senshi's mind. She could feel the same sense
of frustration, anger and disbelief in her fellow Senshi that she's
felt in another time when the peaceful world they'd come to exist in
began to crack. Her eyes moved to where the Queen stood, crystal eyes
shimmering with tears as she held her daughter's head to her chest;
Serenity's arms embraced the Chibi-Usa, the girl's body shaking with
sobs. Never in her life had she been exposed to a vision of such sheer
terror. "How did this happen?" she heard Serenity ask, her head shaking
slightly as she tried to maintain her composure, tried to remain in
control, but Setsuna could see her hands shaking where they rested on
the Princess's back.
Mark knelt at the edge of the rubble, hands sifting through the sand
gently. When he spoke his voice was soft, detached and analytical.
"Whoever did this wanted to make a point." More sand slid silently
through his fingers, clotted with occasional clumps of drying blood.
"This was carefully calculated, not just destruction for destruction's
sake."
"This is sick, that's what it is!" Venus snapped, her eyes turning to
Mark. "Why here? Why now? Why kill so many innocent children? Gods,
why?"
Mark's voice was quiet and relentlessly calm. "To show they could."
He stood, hand gesturing to the ruin around them. "Look at it. Not a
wasted shot, no damage to the surrounding area and not a trace of
attackers anywhere. They weren't just trying to kill. They wanted
to show you that they could hurt the things you considered most safe,
and that you couldn't do anything about it." He pointed to the girl at
the entrance, a mute witness of terror. "They wanted to show you there
was nothing they wouldn't do to hurt you."
"Like hell we can't do anything about it!" Uranus growled through clenched
teeth. "I, for one, don't plan on allowing anything like this to happen
again! I will not have some maniac mocking us like this."
Mark met her eyes calmly as his lips twitched with a small, sardonic
smile. "I don't recall you planning for this to happen either, Uranus."
"How dare you, you a-!" Uranus' words were halted by her lover's hand
suddenly on her arm.
"He's right, Uranus," Neptune's eyes regarded Mark coldly. "We didn't
plan for this to happen. Hell, we didn't even know about it until after
the damage had already been done."
Mark's voice remained quiet, icily polite. "Thank you, my lady. To put
it simply, your opponent knew you; he knew how to slip past your guard
to do exactly what he wished and then leave before you could even try
to stop him." Mark's eyes raked them, probing. "Now the question is,
what are you going to do about it?"
"We're sure as hell not going to let it happen again," Jupiter said,
on her feet once again although her face was still deathly pale.
Endymion's voice was soft but chilled with anger. "No. We won't."
His hands hung loosely at his sides, but the rage in his eyes burned
deep and bright. "Mercury, I want you to scan the area. Thoroughly.
Mars, Coldfire, I want you to check things over as well. I want to
know who did this, how they did it, and I want to know it yesterday."
Alexis nodded, taking his orders with a grim professionalism. "Right."
Mercury nodded as well, turning her attention away from the group and
forcing her mind to concentrate on gathering information while trying
not to let what she was seeing sink in too deeply.
Endymion turned to Serenity, meeting her eyes. "Have we seen enough?"
Serenity's only answer was a simple nod, her arms still wrapped around
their daughter. 'She should not have been here, she should not have seen
this,' she said in his mind, voice shaking with disbelief. 'Gods, I didn't
want to see this.'
Endymion's lips hardened. 'I know.' Aloud he raised his voice to the other
Senshi. "Come on, back to the Palace. We have work to do."
The others nodded; Mercury, Mars and Coldfire remained behind, probing the
wreckage for answers. Saturn moved next to Serenity, her eyes regarding
the Princess with sadness as she felt the girl's terror. Venus stepped to
Jupiter and put her arm around the other woman's shoulder, the blonde's face
set in grim determination. Uranus glanced at Pluto and then at Mark, her
eyes hard and her mouth opening to say something. Neptune caught the storm
coming, and knowing it would do nothing but ignite already flaring emotions
she gently guided her lover away from them and toward the others.
Mark stood silently, watching them, not moving from where he stood as his
hand gently fingered his glaive. Pluto stood wordlessly beside him, waiting
for the others to leave before speaking, her mind returning to her husband's
words from the previous night.
'I think you were right. I don't think they truly remembered what death and
danger meant.' she said in his mind. 'But I think they're beginning too.'
Mark's voice in her mind ran tight with tension. 'I hope so. Because I've
never seen anything like this, and I thought I'd seen everything.'
There was a crackle of shadow, and the Senshi of Time and her Knight were
gone. Several long minutes later a small figure slipped away from the
ruins and vanished without a trace, hurrying to report to a distant master
on the progress of the first seeds of his plan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special thanks goes out to all those that have made this possible, including
Soul for doing the first round of edits and helping with our sometimes horrendous
spelling and typing skills, and Liz for doing the final round, making sure everything
fits and correcting the little mistakes we'd never pick up.
Fallen Stars has been a year in the making, hopefully it lives up to all expectations.
Feel free to contact us with any praise, comments, moans, groans or suggestions.
Feedback is a good thing. ^_^
Email: fallen_star715@yahoo.com
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**DISCLAIMER: All characters from Sailor Moon are the property of Naoko
Takeuchi, Pioneer, Cloverway and any other companies holding rights.
All other characters are the property of the authors of this story and
may not be used or reproduced without consent.**
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fallen Stars
by
Lady Archanna & Archmage
~~~~~~~~~~
Part I
Chapter 2
~~~~~~~~~~
Thick white mists swirled lazily, carefully protecting the secrets that they
held. Stray sparks of lights and errant gusts that sent the milky white mass
into billowing clouds were all that told of something beyond the shroud of
white. Suddenly the air came alive, the mists parting as a space opened
and a flash of fuchsia and silver heralded the intruder's arrival.
Magenta eyes peered knowingly through the fog, green boots moving with certainty
through the blinding mass as a garnet orb shone with an internal light; the
Guardian's mind opened, searching for what had called her back to the Gate.
A white-gloved hand reached out and rested upon the intricately carved face of
the Gate, feeling, listening to what it was trying to tell her. The Key rested
securely in her other hand, ready to defend the ground on which she stood
within a moment's notice. She sighed and dropped her hand to her side, turning
to face the swirling clouds; her eyes narrowed as the feeling of something being
out of place grew stronger with each passing moment. She could hear the Gate
whispering to her softly, but she could not make out the words of the warning.
Pluto stiffened, feeling a prickling sensation at the base of her neck; the
feeling of unseen eyes focused upon her was overwhelming.
Darkness shifted, the shadows of the realm seeming to crawl with an almost living
intent as they coiled and uncoiled about the base of the Gate. Pluto's eyes shifted
downward, the sudden movement at her feet causing her grip on the Time Key to tighten.
Stepping backward while remaining within reach of the Gate, she watched and waited
silently.
The shadows shifted again, crawling upward into the air for a brief moment and then
subsiding, leaving the integrity of the Gate as it had been before. Or rather, almost
as it had been before. A dark figure cloaked in black and leaning upon a long,
double-ended glaive now stood silently before the Gate, pale face set in a slight
smile as gray eyes looked out from behind a stray lock of black hair and focused
on the Time Senshi. With the sudden surge of shadows came a billowing of the mists,
distorting images and thickening the veil over the Gate. Pluto cursed silently, her
eyes widening as she caught a glimpse of shimmering silver. The Time Key was up
instantly, arching toward the shadowy form with deadly intent. She would ask questions
later. Right now the safety of the time stream was in jeopardy. The man stood silent,
waiting eyes locked on Setsuna's as she turned and raised her weapon. "Hello, Sets."
The Time Key fell toward the intruder with accuracy born of millennia of practice
before the words even registered in Pluto's mind. 'Sets?' Pluto's eyes widened,
the sound of the voice hitting a familiar chord within her, but it was too late.
She winced as her staff came in contact with the target.
The glaive moved once, supernaturally fast, and caught the Time Key neatly between
one set of long and short blades identical to the ones mounted on the other end of
the black-wood staff. The man smiled, gently taking Pluto's weapon from between the
blades and handing it back to her with a slight laugh. "You haven't gotten any slower
to shoot first and then ask questions later, I see."
The Time Senshi felt the blood drain from her face as familiar gray eyes glittered
back at her. Setsuna stared in disbelief as her staff was taken from her hands,
silently thanking the gods that her visitor's reflexes were every ounce as fast
as her own. Magenta eyes met cool gray ones as she extended her hands to take
back the Key, her mind trying to grasp the idea that what she was looking at
had to be a ghost. "What in the name of Chronos?" she whispered, shaking her
head slowly.
The man who had once called himself Wraith smiled gently, eyes sparkling with
golden flecks. "No, dear one. I'm not a ghost. At least, not anymore."
Setsuna felt her heart stop and suddenly it was hard for her to catch her breath.
"Mark?" she whispered, her voice shaking as she leaned against the Time Key and
was suddenly afraid her legs would give out.
The dark clad man walked forward slowly, the glaive dissipating from his hands
as he reached out to embrace her. "Yes, Sets."
Pluto stepped away, her back meeting with the cold stone of the Gate. She felt
trapped as she found herself falling into the depths of eyes she'd lost herself
in countless times. Eyes she'd believed she'd never be able to see again. "It
can't be."
Mark's lips curled in a slight smile as he looked into the face he'd watched
from the shadows for a millennium of nights, always from a distance. Now he
basked in being able to finally wrap his arms around her, to hold her against
him and chase away the dreams and fears that he'd watched her suffer through
alone.
"It is. I'm here, Sets, as alive ... well, as alive as I ever was." His mouth
curved slightly into a self-mocking smile.
Pluto's eyes closed as his arms slid around her, his touch sending shivers up
her spine. Biting her lip she opened her eyes again, half afraid he'd no longer
be there. But he was still smiling down at her, still holding her. No words came
to the senshi, for no words could possibly have described the tumult of emotions
raging through her as his warmth surrounded her. Mark looked down at the woman
he'd loved for all the millennia of his life with an unbreakable reverence and
immeasurable love. "I know." His voice was soft, his eyes not breaking away from
hers.
Setsuna reached up, a gloved hand tentatively tracing the contours of his face
as though still terrified that he'd melt away like the mists from which he'd
arisen. "Where? What?" Setsuna shook her head, a smile rising on her lips as
she looked at his answering smirk. Gods, how she'd missed it.
Mark's eyes sparkled in the dim light. "A long, long story, my love. Let's
just say I've been awhile in recovery. Still, I'm back now. Glad to see me?"
In reply Setsuna reached up to him, her lips capturing his in a kiss with
many millennias worth of longing behind it. 'Very glad, my love.' Her mental
voice shimmered in him, filled with love.
His lips met hers firmly, a kiss he'd been waiting for a long time to make
real again. 'As am I to finally return to you, my dearest one.'
Setsuna's senses were on fire, and she had to fight hard to keep a grasp on
her self-control as she basked in her lover's touch. 'Gods, it's been so
long.' With more restraint than she believed possible she pulled out of the
kiss to look up at Mark, her eyes searching his.
Mark smiled into his wife's confusion, eyes steadily meeting hers. "Yes,
beloved?" His tone was soft, gentle as always.
"I'm just so afraid that at any moment all of this will disappear, like a
dream, and I'll be alone and left without you again." Setsuna said, her
voice filled with emotion as she leaned her head against Mark's chest and
listened to his heartbeat.
Mark smiled, gently running his hands through the long green hair he'd
caressed so long ago. "No, love. I won't be leaving you again. This last
absence was long enough." Gently, he squeezed her against him with a smile.
"Convinced I'm not a dream yet?"
"Yes." Magenta eyes looked up and gloved hands moved to the back of his head,
guiding him downward to her waiting lips. Pluto allowed herself another moment
to drink in his taste, his sense, the feel of his lips on hers; then she pulled
away with eyes sparkling. "And if you ever disappear like that again, my love,
you're going to have to deal with me."
Mark laughed, his love for the woman he held still as strong as it had been all
those millennia ago. "So where to now, my Lady?"
"Hmm ... I could think of several places I'd like to take you." Setsuna's voice
was laced with undisguised desire, but she would have to wait until later to sate
that need because there were other places she was expected.
Mark's lips cracked in a wry grin. "Only several?"
Setsuna laughed, raising an eyebrow. "I could think of more, but I'm afraid that
will have to wait. There's someplace I'm expected to be, a party for a dear friend;
I'm already quite late."
Mark smiled gently. "Well then, shall we?" Extending his arm, he smiled down at her
with all the quiet grace he perpetually exuded.
Setsuna looked at her husband, taking his arm as she had so many times in the past.
"Promise me one thing, my love." She said looking at him.
"Anything, dearest."
"Promise to be on your best behavior." Setsuna said, trying to give him a serious
look and failing miserably.
Mark laughed. "Of course, Sets."
Setsuna shook her head, suppressing a laugh of her own. She wondered if the royal
court was ready for him. Looking up into his sparkling gray eyes, she decided
they certainly were not.
"Let's be going then," She said finally. Suddenly, the mists swirled and then
parted as an invisible door opened. With her staff in her hand and her husband
on her arm, she stepped through the portal that would take them back to Crystal
Tokyo.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Happy Birthday, Chibi-Usa!" Hotaru smiled up at her friend, handing her a small
box wrapped neatly in purple paper. Chibi-Usa smiled, adding it to the pile
next to her on the couch. She'd felt much more at ease as soon as their group had
left the massive crowd, retiring to a smaller chamber all set up to celebrate the
special day.
The room was less lavishly decorated; instead, it mirrored the main room of a
shrine in which the Senshi gathered had spent many days and nights. The ceilings
were strung with streamers, silver and pink balloons floating everywhere. Music
from a time when life had been less complicated filled the air, a time when the
girls' biggest worries had been whether or not to study.
A smile crept onto Michiru's lips as she recalled the image of Hotaru and Chibi-Usa
dancing in the center of the room, laughing like teenagers, not as a Lady and a
Princess. She gently squeezed Haruka's hand, which rested, in her lap, aqua eyes
meeting hazel ones, each silently wondering how long it had been since they'd been
free of their duty.
Minako leaned against Sol's chest, holding his hands tightly in front of her where
they sat on the smaller couch to the left of the Princess. However much she loved
the spotlight, and she loved basking in it, she still adored and cherished these
quiet times between just the twelve people gathered in that room. She always felt
at home, able to be herself without worrying about impressing or entertaining anyone.
Makoto stood, hands gently squeezing Rod's shoulders while he sat before her. She
silently walked around the chair, depositing herself neatly on his lap and slinging
her arm around his neck. She leaned peacefully against him, smiling as his arms went
around her, holding her safe. Looking around the room, she wondered if the others were
as happy at that moment as she was.
'Gods, I hope so,' she thought, waiting anxiously for the Princess to start opening
her gifts.
"So, are you ever going to start opening those gifts, Princess?" Rei asked, violet
eyes laughing as they winked at Chibi-Usa, then turned to the Queen. "That is, if
it's okay with you, Odango."
Serenity's eyes flashed, a wide smile spreading across royal lips at the sound of
the old name. She laughed, the urge to plunge into the thick of a tongue war with
the fire Senshi still strong after all this time. Some things even time could not
change. "Of course you can, darling." Serenity answered, smiling back at Rei. She
gently put her hand on her daughter's shoulder, her eyes filled with love. "It is
your birthday, after all."
'Yours too, Usako,' Endymion's quiet voice pointed out in the Queen's mind, deep
blue eyes flashing with mischief. 'We'll celebrate that later, though. In private.'
"Thank you, everyone!" Chibi-Usa chirped, picking up the first box wrapped in
simple white paper, a red bow wound around it. Upon opening it, Chibi-Usa found
inside a beautiful pink kimono with silver flowers screened onto the delicate
fabric.
"It's beautiful, Rei-san!" Chibi-Usa beamed, gently unfolding the frock,
stopping when she heard something fall into the bottom of the box. Moving
the fabric out of the way she found a small red jewel. Holding it up to the
light she found the symbol of Mars magically suspended in its center. Nathan
smiled slightly as his princess fingered his part of the gift. "What's this?"
Chibi-Usa asked, still examining the stone.
"Put that aside, where you won't lose it," Minako answered, smiling at the girl.
"There's more to come."
Chibi-Usa obeyed, picking up the package that looked as if it had been wrapped
in soft gold. Opening it, Chibi-Usa found herself shuffling through a mound of
golden tissue paper, trying to locate the contents. Finally, in the center, she
found two things. The first was a stone identical to the one Rei had given her
except it was yellow in color and contained the symbol of Venus; the second was
something she knew was from Minako.
"Your mask!" Chibi-Usa gasped, picking up the delicate red mask, an antique worth
much both in dollars and sentiments alike. She looked at the blonde, seeing tears
shimmering in her eyes as she looked at the mask that had once hidden her identity
when she'd just been Sailor V. Not Sailor Venus, not the leader of the inner Senshi,
not a Lady of Crystal Tokyo.
"I know you'll take good care of it, Chibi-Usa." Minako said, looking at the girl
with love. Sol, behind her, smiled softly, keeping careful watch on the stone as
it joined the one Nathan had chosen. Chibi-Usa smiled, placing the mask alongside
the stones, giving it one final look before moving on to the next gift. Wrapped
in blue and white foil, the gift came apart in her hands, exposing a small note
atop a sea of aquamarine paper.
"Sorry we couldn't be here. This is from Ami and I.
Your devoted, Lord Alexis"
Moving aside the paper, Chibi-Usa slowly uncovered a table-top model of Crystal
Tokyo, the entire city carefully crafted out of an icy crystal that gave the
impression of being about to melt without ever changing. She gasped slightly,
and Nathan let out a low whistle. "Oh, my...."
After a long moment Chibi set the gift carefully aside, along with the small blue
crystal pulsing with the symbol of Mercury, and reached for the next present.
Opening the icy blue and green paper, Chibi-Usa noticed Makoto watching her
anxiously. Inside was a glass orb, and as she picked it up red eyes sparkled
with wonder as it crackled with electricity, a miniature lightning storm opening
in the center. She watched in awe as the rainbow of bright colors exploded,
illuminating her face.
"Makoto-chan...." Chibi-Usa's wide smile was all the thanks the Lady Jupiter
required, her emerald eyes softening as the girl took out the small green stone
from the box; Rod smiled as his gift joined those of his fellow Knights beside
the Princess. Chibi-Usa reluctantly set the ball aside, mesmerized by the intricate
patterns the lightning drew within its enclosure. She then picked up one of the last
two gifts remaining. She knew it was from Michiru and Haruka, the simple brown paper
topped with a vivid aqua silk bow hinting at the giver's identity.
Inside was a beautiful box made from flawless deep red wood. Picking it up,
Chibi-Usa smiled into the mirror that decorated its lid as she studied the
intricate patterns carved onto the body of it. As she opened the lid, the room
was filled with the delicate, soothing sounds of Michiru's violin and Haruka's
piano, intertwining into a sweet lullaby.
"Thank you both," Chibi-Usa set the box aside, leaving the top open so that the
sweet melody could still be heard. Carefully she took out the forest green and
aqua stones, the givers smiling at their addition of stones to match those the
Knights had offered, and set them beside the others. At last her eyes fell upon
the final gift, then traveled to Hotaru, who sat on the floor at the Princess's
feet. She could see a flash of uncertainty in her friend's violet eyes as she
picked up the package, and knew that Hotaru was worried that she wouldn't like
it. Determined to dispel the pale girl's fears, the Princess picked up the package
and opened it.
"Oh my gods…" Chibi-Usa gasped, taking the beautiful lamp from its box. It reminded
her of the multitude of lamps that still decorated the Lady Saturn's room, sparkling
like fireflies when they were lit. The lamp's base was of a dark metal, providing a
set of clawed feet on which it could rest. The body of it was made of frosted white
glass, decorated with silhouette of horse with wings and a golden horn. Chibi-Usa's
eyes filled with tears, the images of Pegasus, her first true love, bringing back so
many sweet memories.
"Thank you, Hota-chan. It's wonderful." Chibi-Usa's voice shook with emotion. She
set the lamp carefully on the table, being sure to extract the purple stone from
the box and putting it in its place as well. Hotaru hid a small smile at her
completion of the Knights' gifts. Chibi-Usa looked over the beaming faces around
her, joy filling her heart. She could see as well as feel the love they all felt
for her, and she was eternally thankful for it. Looking at Haruka and Michiru, a
small frown crossed her face. Not everyone dear to her was present.
"Mother, where's Setsuna?" Chibi-Usa asked, turning to the Queen.
"She had something to attend to, dear. She told me to tell you...."
"That I wouldn't miss this part for the world!" Setsuna's voice finished the Queen's
sentence as she appeared in the doorway.
"Puu!" Chibi-Usa laughed, getting up from the couch and moving to embrace the woman
only to stop in her tracks as a dark figure moved beside the Time Senshi. "Who?"
Chibi-Usa's eyes narrowed, gauging the man.
All eyes in the room turned to the door, no one recognizing the oddly familiar man
that stood there, wondering what Setsuna was thinking, bringing a stranger to such
a private event.
"Care to introduce us to your guest, Setsuna?" Endymion asked, rising to his feet,
eyeing the man in the doorway with a cautious gaze that spoke of half-remembered
moments and quiet concern.
Setsuna smiled, fully expecting the looks of surprise she received. Her eyes met
Chibi-Usa's warmly in spite of the tension. "I'm sorry to be late, Small Lady."
As the time senshi stepped into the room, her eyes caught the King's stare. "This
is Mark." Setsuna paused, her smile widening "He's a dear friend of mine. We go
back a long, long time."
Haruka's eyebrow raised, looking over at the green-haired woman with amusement.
"A friend? Really, Sets? Just a friend?"
Michiru's grip on her lover's hand tightened, "Haruka!" she hissed, shaking her
head and smiling. It was as clear to her as it was to her lover that there was
something more than just a friendship between the two. Michiru studied Mark's
face, finding something strikingly familiar about it.
"Something like that, yes." Mark's voice was soft and quiet, but with a slightly
mocking lilt to it.
Chibi-Usa looked at Mark, not sure what to make of him. "Setsuna, should we know
him?" she asked, wanting to embrace the woman but feeling slightly intimidated
by Mark.
Setsuna looked at them, taking a moment to decide how to approach this. Shaking
her head, she realized she was just trying to put off the inevitable. "Chibi-Usa,
you would not know Mark. He's been ... missing for a long time." Setsuna paused.
"Since the Silver Millennium and since Metallia attacked the Moon Kingdom."
Nathan cracked a grin at the taller man in black. "What is he, Sets, your brother?"
Setsuna's eyes darted to Nathan, a wry smile on her lips. "Not quite, Nate. Family
yes, brother no."
Mark stepped forward, smiling slightly. "The Lord Pluto at your service, husband
to my Lady Setsuna." With a swift twist he brought a dozen black roses from
beneath his cloak and deftly handed them to Setsuna.
"Husband?" Minako, Rei and Makoto all gasped at once as their jaws dropped open
in disbelief. Pluto, the solitary senshi of the Time Gate, had a husband?
The same thought echoed in the minds of the inner Senshi as what they'd been
told sunk in, coming through their soul-bonds from their respective lovers.
'Go Sets!' The Knights, almost in tandem, broke into wide grins.
"Now I see why you were late." Serenity laughed at the look of embarrassment
on the normally composed Setsuna's face.
"Hai. Mark is my husband." Setsuna laughed nervously, accepting the offered
roses with a further blush that added even more to Haruka's amusement.
Leaning forward, Mark gently kissed his wife before turning to the party. "I
understand this is your birthday, Princess."
Chibi-Usa couldn't help but giggle softly at the look that came over Setsuna's
face, her uncertainty about Mark disappearing like smoke. Taking a deep breath,
Chibi-Usa did the last thing she'd expected. She stepped forward and offered her
hand to Mark. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mark." Chibi-Usa smiled over at
Setsuna, never before having seen the woman look so happy. "I'm glad you were
able to make it."
Mark smiled down at the Princess, sketching a courtly bow with dark, elegant
grace. "Never let it be said that the Lord Pluto came unprepared for his
hostess." With a flourish, he produced from the air a dark stone, obsidian
black, which glowed with a crackling gleam.
Chibi-Usa's eyes widened, amused by Mark's formality. She smiled at him as she
accepted the stone, holding it up to the light. "Thank you."
Then a shimmering mass of darkness rose out of the crystal and formed itself into
a stunningly precise picture. Front and center stood a Prince and a Princess,
one with black hair and the other with long golden tresses that fell from meatballs
mounted on her head. Around them stood the Senshi and Knights, dresses shimmering
and armor gleaming in the light of the rising Earth. Mark was there, beside Setsuna,
smiling at the other Knights with his usual smirk; behind them, at the edge of the
amphitheater, stood a woman with long white hair. A Queen from another time, another
world.
Mark smiled gently. "Perhaps a fitting gift from the avatar of Entropy. A picture
of the past, from when we were all young."
Setsuna watched, smiling as Chibi-Usa peered into the stone to see a snapshot that
most of those gathered carried only in the recesses of their memories, buried so
deep they would have to dig through millennia's worth of dust to uncover it. It
was then that Setsuna remembered her gift for the princess, and she smiled as a
small metal and glass cabinet appeared on the table beside Chibi-Usa. "That, Small
Lady, is from me." Setsuna motioned toward the item, stepping up next to the girl.
Chibi-Usa was silent as she knelt down beside the low table, taking a moment to
just look at the cabinet. It was made out of wrought iron, white glass panels set
inside beautiful frames of the dark metal. Carefully she reached out and used one
of the rose-shaped knobs to open it.
Inside, upon a stand of gold, sat an ice-blue orb. Gently Chibi-Usa reached in,
taking the contents of the cabinet and setting them on the table so she could get
a better look at them. As she peered into the crystal surface of the globe, she
let out a gasp as images arose. Images of the past, of a time that seemed like a
dream to Chibi-Usa sometimes. Chibi-Usa watched, tears rising in her eyes, as
images of Hotaru and she, both much younger, appeared in the globe.
"Chibi-Usa, that orb will allow you to revisit the past, to always be able to
clearly remember all the happy times, no matter how long ago they were. The
globe is able to focus on your memories, bringing forward those which are the
sweetest, the happiest ones you possess." Setsuna explained, placing her hand
on the girl's shoulder.
"Puu!" Chibi-Usa rose to her feet, embracing the woman tightly as tears slid
down her face. "I couldn't have asked for anything better."
Setsuna smiled knowingly. She knew full well how precious those memories of good
times could be, how crucial they were for getting through hard times. Looking at
the faces of those gathered, she knew they realized it as well; most of them were
still trying to grasp memories from many lifetimes ago.
Endymion smiled at his daughter gently, hesitant to break the moment. "Take good
care of that." The smile widened slightly. "Care to see the rest of your presents?"
Chibi-Usa pulled out of Setsuna's embrace, her eyes smiling up at her father.
"You mean there's more?"
Endymion nodded, his eyes warm. "Just a bit. Would you like to bring up those
eight stones to me?"
Chibi-Usa nodded, silently moving to the low table and picking up the stones
one by one, admiring them briefly in the light before cupping them gently in
her palm. As the girl lifted Setsuna's stone, Mark reached out and touched it
briefly; a flicker of light added his own essence to the sparkling jewels.
Chibi-Usa's eyes followed Mark's movements with interest, wondering what he
was doing. She was about to say something when she remembered her father
still standing in the center of the room waiting for her. Closing her fingers
around the stones, she turned and moved so she stood before him once again,
waiting in silent anticipation.
Endymion gently arranged the stones in a small circle, then drew a stone of
his own from around his neck and set it in the center. "Now, then." Energy
crackled between the stones, focusing on the center stone and burning it into
a rainbow of colors. Finally the wash of energy subsided, leaving only the
faint glistening of the gems. Drawing a silver chain from his pocket, he
strung the stone into a small, fitted ring and then clasped the rainbow jewel
around his daughter's neck. Chibi-Usa stood with her mouth slightly agape as
her father slid the fine sliver chain over her head; looking down, she picked
up the stone in her fingers and let out a surprised gasp at how warm it felt
in her hand. "What is it?" she asked, still marveling at the multicolored jewel.
Endymion smiled, "It's a ward stone. It'll grow cold when you're in danger,
and it will let the Knights and I find you if you need help. Anywhere."
Chibi-Usa released the stone after a moment and allowed it to dangle on its
chain, her eyes rising to meet the King's as her face split into a bright
smile. "Thank you, Father." she said, her tone masking the sudden knot in
her stomach. She found herself almost wishing the jewel had been nothing
more spectacular than a piece of jewelry rather than another reminder that
she was something to be protected. With a weak smile, Chibi-Usa returned to
her place on the floor before the gift from Pluto. Endymion saw the flicker
in his daughter's eyes and sighed inwardly as he mind-spoke to Serenity.
'I suppose it's up to you to cheer her up, dearest. I seem to have just
made it worse.'
Serenity's eyes softened at her husband's silent plea as she looked to
her daughter and caught the change in her, the dimming of her eyes. She
could relate to the girl and remembered what it felt like to be treated
like a piece of fragile glass, but even she couldn't imagine what it
would feel like to be treated like that for two millennia. "Chibi-Usa,
there's one more gift for you." Serenity said, rising from the couch
with a small object wrapped in golden silk held in her hand. Red eyes
followed the movements of the queen with guarded interest as she moved
to the center of the room, the King moving to the side with eyes locked
on his wife. Carefully, Serenity unfolded the silk to reveal a thin silver
brooch with a white moon engraved on the top that was filled with white
gold. Slim white fingers snapped open the compact, revealing eight
indentations surrounding a central mount on the inner part of the piece.
"Chibi-Usa, would you please bring me the remaining stones?" The Queen smiled
warmly at her daughter, fixing red eyes with blue ones.
Reluctantly Chibi-Usa rose from the floor and moved to pick up the eight
jewels. "Here you go, Mother." The Princess said, her voice low as she
held out the gems to Serenity.
"Thank you, darling." Serenity smiled, reaching out and taking the stones
one by one from her daughter's hand before snapping them into place on the
inside of the locket. Each stone fell into its slot with a soft click, a
small flicker of light bursting to life in the center of the stone to
illuminate the planetary symbol in the center. When all the stones were
in place, the Queen's free hand reached up and grasped her own brooch,
holding it carefully next to the other in her palm with the cover open
and the ginzuishou glinting in the light.
"Ladies?" The Queen's eyes lifted, regarding the Senshi who had already
risen from their seats. In a group, the women moved toward the Queen and
the Princess, forming a circle around them. Without a word, the Senshi
joined hands; their eyes smiled knowingly at the Princess.
"Mars Crystal Power!" Rei whispered, closing her eyes and bowing her head.
In the locket, the ruby red stone suddenly flared to life.
One by one the other Senshi followed suit, and as each girl spoke her
respective stone reacted, bursting to life with rainbow light. Soon the
women's faces were illuminated in a myriad of different colors as the
stones pulsed with energy. All was silent for a moment, then the queen
closed her eyes and spoke.
"Moon Crystal Power," Serenity's voice rose softly and suddenly the
ginzuishou burst to life, shining like the burning heart of a star.
There was a brighter flash and a small orb of light rose from the center
of the crystal to float from the Queen's brooch and settle itself in the
center of the other stones. There was another blinding flash, and when it
dissipated the silver locket sat closed in Serenity's palm, still shimmering
with dormant energy. "This is for you, my dear." Serenity held out her hand
to Chibi-Usa, seeing the girl regard it warily.
"I ... I...." Chibi-Usa stuttered, gingerly taking the gift from her mother,
feeling the energy locked within it.
"That is your crystal, the key to your power." Serenity placed her hand on
Chibi-Usa's shoulder looking at her daughter with pride. "You, my love,
have matured before our eyes. While it is sometimes hard for us to remember
that you are not a child, it is more than clear to me that you have grown
into an intelligent, poised, loving, open-minded woman; you are fully
prepared to handle the full powers that were bestowed upon you at birth."
"But why the other stones?" Chibi-Usa asked, finally finding her voice.
"I understand the ginzuishou, but the others?"
"Unlike myself, you do not have a court of Senshi designated to protect
you at all costs. While the Inner and Outer Senshi have always been around
you and would put their lives on the line to protect you as they would me,
you need to have that type of power and support with you no matter what,
even if we're not with you. Those stones will provide you with the energy
and the power that the Senshi have shared with me numerous times. Consider
those eight stones guardians of sorts. They will be there for you when you
need them."
Chibi-Usa looked at the locket and then up at her mother, and she saw the
immense amount of pride with which the Queen regarded her. Slowly her red
eyes moved over the room, seeing the same look reflected in the eyes of
all those gathered.
"Thank you, Mother." Chibi-Usa smiled as she attached the brooch to the front
of her dress, immediately feeling the crystal inside connecting with her. "I
promise not to disappoint any of you, ever. I promise to prove that I am
indeed ready for such a great responsibility." A moment later she felt her
face go red as the applause and words of congratulation filled the room,
each senshi coming up to her and embracing her. They were all so happy
for her; they all seemed so confident in her. She began to believe that
she might actually be able to fulfill their expectations, that maybe
things would get better. That perhaps she would finally be allowed to
be an adult.
"Small Lady, I'm so proud of you," Setsuna whispered, kissing the girl's cheek.
"Thank you, Puu," Chibi-Usa smiled as the woman pulled away. "Thank you, everyone."
"It's our pleasure, Chibi-Usa," Makoto smiled, her eyes sparkling. "Now
what do you say we get this party moving again?"
Nathan laughed. "I agree." Music struck up again, memories rising with
it as the group collectively slid onto the dance floor.
From the shadows, gray eyes watched the party carefully. 'Interesting,
Sets. No watchers tonight?'
Setsuna's eyes left the dancing forms on the dance floor and slid toward
the darkened corner. 'It wasn't deemed necessary since most of Crystal
Tokyo is gathered here to celebrate.' Setsuna paused, sighing. 'These
are peaceful times, love.'
Mark's lips curled slightly in the shadows. 'So were the times right
before Beryl's rise on Earth, dear. Or don't they teach history in
modern Crystal Tokyo?'
Setsuna crossed her arms, shaking her head. 'They teach it. The problem
is that centuries or even half a millennium without trouble can lull people
into a false sense of security. Most of those people out there don't even
know who Beryl was. To them, she's like some fairy story used to scare
children. The Queen and the King are more than aware of the ever present
potential for danger, but even they allow themselves moments of total peace,
free of worry.'
Mark's eyes met Setsuna's, gentle in their reproach. 'Are they really aware?
How long has it been? A hundred years? A thousand? Are they really ready anymore?'
'Those gathered here live with the same nightmares that I do. They remember
what's happened; they remember the hardships and the dangers. They're all
aware of how fragile this crystal city actually is.' Setsuna replied, wishing
she were as sure of her own words as she tried to sound.
Mark smiled darkly. 'Oh, I know they lived it. But do they remember what it
means?' With a final look around, he slid into a shadow and faded into the
blackness. 'I'll be in your room, my love.'
Setsuna stood there for a moment, eyes still focused on the empty shadows,
thinking about Mark's words. Looking around the room, she had to wonder
if they truly were prepared if their world were suddenly to be thrown upside
down and ripped apart at the seams again. Would they be able to rise to the
occasion, would they be able to handle it? The Time Senshi's eyes drifted from
the shadows and fell upon the dancing forms of the King and Queen. They swayed
in time to the music, lost in each other's eyes, thoughts and embrace. She
could see the strength within both of them, but she wondered if they were
truly ready.
With a sigh, she moved over to Chibi-Usa and whispered her good-byes, telling
the Princess she would see her in the morning. Then with a smile tugging at
her lips she left the party, intent on attending a much smaller and more intimate
gathering in her chambers. She and Mark had a lot of lost time to make up for.
On the dance floor, Endymion watched Setsuna leave, gently holding his wife
close to him. It was a good idea. After all, it was his wife's birthday and
she deserved a present befitting her station. A small smile slipped over his
lips, a hint of mischief gleaming in his eyes.
"And just what are you smiling about?" Serenity asked, her eyes smiling up at
him, awaiting his answer.
Endymion grinned slightly. "I'm thinking that you still haven't gotten your
birthday present." He leaned down, kissing her gently as he spoke in her mind.
'And that I'll enjoy giving it to you.'
Serenity deepened the kiss. 'I'm sure it'll be worth the wait; at least, as
long as that wait isn't too much longer, Mamo-chan.'
His smile widened within the kiss. 'If you say so, Usako.' Gathering her
into his arms, he smiled at the other Senshi. "Good night, all." Moving to
his daughter, he kissed her forehead gently. "Good night, sweetheart."
Rei moved next to Serenity, smiling evilly at the woman. "Enjoy your
birthday present. Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" she whispered,
laughing as Serenity's face reddened.
"Rei!" Serenity hissed in embarrassment, but then her eyes brightened
mischievously. "Hmm. Now that I think of it, that doesn't leave much
out of bounds, does it?"
Nathan grinned as his wife blushed a deep violet red. 'She does have a
point, dear.'
"Hush you!" Rei laughed, turning to her husband and placing a finger on
his lips. "Not another word."
"Good night, Rei," Serenity laughed, winking at the blushing woman.
"Good night everyone, enjoy yourselves."
Serenity kissed Chibi-Usa's cheek, smiling at her. "You have fun
sweetheart, enjoy the rest of the night. It is your birthday after all."
Chibi-Usa smiled up at her mother and hugged her tightly. "Thank
you, Mom." She then turned to her father, embracing him as well.
"Thank you, Dad. For everything."
Endymion smiled gently. "You're welcome. Have fun, small one."
Chibi-Usa's nose wrinkled at the use of the term 'small one', but
her smile never wavered. "Oh, don't worry. I will."
With a grin, Endymion swept his wife up the stairs and away from the
crowd, leading her up to their room. Serenity smiled as her husband
closed the door behind them, her eyes sparkling. "I'm so glad
Chibi-Usa's mood brightened. I was worried her birthday would be
ruined."
Endymion's lips shifted slightly. "I'm glad, too. Hope it'll last."
Sitting on the bed next to his wife, he gently put his arms around
her. "She is a teenager, after all."
Serenity leaned against her husband, sighing. "I know. I just worry
about her sometimes; she's been through so much." Serenity looked up
into Endymion's eyes. "I really do hope this lasts for her, that she
can stay just as happy and safe as she is now."
He smiled down at her, squeezing her gently. "I hope so too. I only
wish…." A sigh and a shrug, a helpless look in his eyes.
"I know. I keep hoping that one day he'll reappear." Serenity nodded,
catching the reference to Elios. She knew that his disappearance had
left a hole in her daughter's heart, and she knew that the two were
separate by a boundary that not even she, the bearer of the ginzuishou,
could overcome. Elios' place was Illusion; Chibi-Usa's was Crystal Tokyo.
When that fact had become known, it had nearly destroyed the Princess and
although nearly millennia had passed, Serenity knew the pain was just as
fresh in the girl's heart. "I can't imagine what it would be like to know
that I could never be with my soul mate, to know that we would be forever
separate."
Endymion sighed, leaning back on the bed. "I just wish I could help her
stop hurting. Maybe find someone else, maybe not, but just heal it. You
know?"
Serenity gently placed her hand against his cheek, smiling at him.
"I know exactly what you mean, love. I've wished the same thing so
many times. Personally, I don't believe that even fate is cruel enough
to keep someone separate from the one person in this universe that completes
them. I think that some way, somehow, sometime she will find that person
again. If it is Elios, then so be it. If not, as long as he's here for her
and as long as they find each other." Serenity smiled. "Hey, we found each
other time and time again, through life and death, across the millennia. If
we did it, then I have no doubt that she can."
Endymion smiled gently. "Thank you, love." Wrapping his wife in his arms
he held her for a long time, then smiled. "Now, shall we get on with your
gift?"
Serenity's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "I thought you'd never ask."
The shroud of night fell softly across their laughter.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Lady Mars! Lord Nathan!" A frantic voice, accompanied by an insistent
knocking, yanked the two rudely from their rest.
"What the hell?" Rei cursed as she jolted up, violet eyes darting around
the room.
Nathan's eyes snapped open, instantly alert. "Trouble. Let's go."
"Lady Mars, there's been an attack. The Senshi are meeting in the Ops
room." The guard was insistent but cautious, not wanting to face the
fire senshi's early morning temper.
"Ops room?" Rei's voice was still heavy with sleep, a blaring headache
reminding her sharply of the previous night's festivities. "We'll be
there in five minutes!" she called as the fog lifted and she came fully
awake.
Nathan was out of bed like lightning, moving for the dresser before the
door was fully closed. "Let's move, love. I doubt it's anything we can't
handle."
Rei rose from the bed, her hand automatically going for the henshin
stick that rested on the night table. In an instant she was transformed,
violet eyes focused on her husband.
"I'm sure you're right," Rei agreed, smiling slightly, "but don't you think
you could hurry up and get dressed already?"
Nathan's eyes tightened. "Right." Closing his eyes for a moment, he
summoned the armor of his Knight form and shifted. The Greek-style armor
was normally impressive; now it was as natural as a second skin. Moments
later they jogged into the Ops room, finding that they were among the last
to arrive. Looking around the room, it was obvious that they had all been
pulled from their beds; the faces around the table were both troubled and
slightly tired.
Endymion and Serenity sat at the head of the table, the Queen's hair
haphazardly wrapped into its customary odangos. To their right sat
Chibi-Usa, who's pink head rested on the table, red eyes looking drowsily
into space, trying to get her mind to focus. Beside her, Hotaru wore a
similar expression, the two girl's head inches apart as they whispered
and exchanged glances.
Next down the line were Haruka and Michiru, looking calm and collected
as ever. No one would have believed the couple had yet to get any sleep.
The only sign of anything amiss was the stray feather clinging to Michiru's
normally immaculate hair.
Setsuna and Mark were next, both of them regarding the King and Queen
seriously, awaiting further news. Setsuna's eyes, although serious,
sparkled with something else. The only indication of something below
the Time Senshi's stoic demeanor was the way her and her lover's hands
rested upon one another, fingers intertwined. Mark's face however,
showed no signs of emotion, his expression hard as gray eyes regarded
the Royals with detached interest.
Across the table sat a stony faced Rod, his hands resting before him
on the table as he waited silently. Beside him, Makoto's eyes were
worried and her clenched fists told of her eagerness to act. Rei
rested a hand on the brunette's shoulder as she took a seat beside
her and both sets of eyes turned toward the head of the room.
Finally, directly next to Serenity, sat Minako and Sol. An
uncharacteristically serious expression clung to the blonde's
face; she sat with her arms crossed and her legs shaking under
the table. Rei was about to ask for a further explanation of
what had happened when Ami and Alexis entered, the blue-haired
girl flushed and panting.
"I apologize for our lateness. We were just told of the attack."
Ami said breathlessly, taking her seat. She glanced over at her
husband and frowned at how calm and collected he still seemed.
He calmly took his place beside his wife and turned to Endymion.
"What's happened?" Alexis asked finally, all eyes turning as they
awaited the answer.
"There's been an attack within the city," Serenity spoke up
tonelessly, as if she were still trying to figure out how it
had happened. "Reports are sketchy at the moment, but it appears
as if things are quite messy."
Endymion's lips tightened. "We're short on details, but the target
appears to have been a school. Other than that, we know very little."
There was a collective gasp, and even Chibi-Usa's head rose from the
table to stare at her father in disbelief. "A school?" Chibi-Usa
asked, her fingers tightening around the brooch that lay on the
table beside her.
"Yes, a school." Serenity answered dryly. "We will not sit around
here and wait for the guard to bring us reports, either. We're
going out there now to see just what's happened, to see what we
can do to fix it and prevent it from happening again."
Nathan rose, face grim, for once without a flippant comment. "Let's
get going."
The Knights rose, armor or weapons crackling into place as they
shifted, moving with shared, silent determination. Nathan spun
his spear up into guard position, Greek armor gleaming gold and
red, nodding to Rod with a grim salute. In response, the other
man shifted his grip on the black-shafted war-hammer slung across
his silver and black back and breast plate armor as the light
sparkled off Sol's golden battle armor, gleaming with deadly
devices whose functions were better left unknown. On the other
end of the table Alexis hefted his ivory and silver staff and
nodded to the others, blue robes swirling. "Ready."
As the Knights gathered themselves so too did the Senshi,
those that had not henshined making short order of their
transformations. Soon they all stood looking at the King
and Queen, awaiting the order to leave with practiced
professionalism. Saturn leaned her head on her glaive,
her eyes falling upon the Princess who still sat holding
her brooch, as if unsure what to do with it.
"Chibi-Usa, say Solar Moon Crystal Power," Serenity
instructed, rising from her seat.
The girl uttered the words and was immediately engulfed in
a rainbow of lights, reappearing in her Senshi fuku, silver
skirt shimmering and the rose quartz upon her tiara shining
brightly. In her hand appeared a scepter, a silver rose at
the top, the bloom encasing a glowing crystal.
"Now, we're all ready." Serenity said, nodding at her court.
Space crackled around them, Endymion and Serenity leading the
way in the mass teleport; for a moment there was nothing, and
then they were there.
What had once been a school was now only ruins, ashes and debris.
Scattered through it at apparently random intervals were bodies
upon bodies upon bodies; children, teachers, a handful of adults
who looked to have been parents, all ripped bloodily apart with
faces frozen in pain and terror. This had not been a bomb blast
or an explosion or anything so mercifully quick. This had been a
slow and deliberate slaughter, carried out with ruthless precision
in what those who were there would have sworn was the safest place
in the world. It had been done with a savage, relentless ferocity
that had left nothing but torn bodies and ashes in its wake, and in
the center of it all was a single body, positioned at what had been
the school's entrance: a teen, perhaps Chibi-Usa's age, apparently
unmarked but thoroughly dead. On her face was an expression of pure
agony and horror so powerful as to defy description.
Nathan blanched hard as his face paled and Rod's eyes widened visibly,
jaw going slack. Sol stood utterly still, stunned into silence, and
Mark stood beside Setsuna with his face blank of emotion and eyes
scanning the scene silently. "Oh my gods." Mars whispered, her hand
covering her mouth as violet eyes took in the scene before them.
Her heart wrenched and her stomach lurched as her gaze moved over
the utter carnage before her.
"This wasn't an attack." Venus whispered, bending over and placing
her hands on her legs, trying to fight back the wave of nausea that
suddenly overwhelmed her. Blue eyes looked up through blonde bangs
as her body trembled, watching as Ami and Hotaru moved toward the
wreckage. Mercury's visor slid down across her face, scanning the
rubble that had been a school for any signs of life. Even with all
her medical training, she felt her stomach tighten at the sight of
such horribly and brutally mangled bodies. She turned her gaze
toward Saturn, the other girl shaking her head sadly. Saturn may
have been the senshi of death, but even this disturbed her. So
many innocent lives ended in such a wave of meaningless violence.
Jupiter's face was white, her expression blank as her mind tried
to process what she was seeing. Her eyes dropped to the ground,
falling upon the hand of a child, the body nowhere in sight.
Jupiter whirled around, falling to her knees as the bitter taste
of bile overwhelmed her senses and she emptied the contents of
her stomach onto the ground. Neptune moved beside Jupiter, crouching
down beside the woman and placing a hand her shoulder. No words came
to her mind that she could use to comfort the brunette; no comfort
could be offered in the face of something so utterly cruel and disgusting.
Uranus slid over to Setsuna, hazel eyes hard and her fingers flexing
around the hilt of her sword. "What the hell happened here? How could
something like this have happened under our noses?"
"I'm not sure." Setsuna said, her voice carrying no emotion. Magenta
eyes looked over the scene before them, memories of the past blazing
to the front of the Time Senshi's mind. She could feel the same sense
of frustration, anger and disbelief in her fellow Senshi that she's
felt in another time when the peaceful world they'd come to exist in
began to crack. Her eyes moved to where the Queen stood, crystal eyes
shimmering with tears as she held her daughter's head to her chest;
Serenity's arms embraced the Chibi-Usa, the girl's body shaking with
sobs. Never in her life had she been exposed to a vision of such sheer
terror. "How did this happen?" she heard Serenity ask, her head shaking
slightly as she tried to maintain her composure, tried to remain in
control, but Setsuna could see her hands shaking where they rested on
the Princess's back.
Mark knelt at the edge of the rubble, hands sifting through the sand
gently. When he spoke his voice was soft, detached and analytical.
"Whoever did this wanted to make a point." More sand slid silently
through his fingers, clotted with occasional clumps of drying blood.
"This was carefully calculated, not just destruction for destruction's
sake."
"This is sick, that's what it is!" Venus snapped, her eyes turning to
Mark. "Why here? Why now? Why kill so many innocent children? Gods,
why?"
Mark's voice was quiet and relentlessly calm. "To show they could."
He stood, hand gesturing to the ruin around them. "Look at it. Not a
wasted shot, no damage to the surrounding area and not a trace of
attackers anywhere. They weren't just trying to kill. They wanted
to show you that they could hurt the things you considered most safe,
and that you couldn't do anything about it." He pointed to the girl at
the entrance, a mute witness of terror. "They wanted to show you there
was nothing they wouldn't do to hurt you."
"Like hell we can't do anything about it!" Uranus growled through clenched
teeth. "I, for one, don't plan on allowing anything like this to happen
again! I will not have some maniac mocking us like this."
Mark met her eyes calmly as his lips twitched with a small, sardonic
smile. "I don't recall you planning for this to happen either, Uranus."
"How dare you, you a-!" Uranus' words were halted by her lover's hand
suddenly on her arm.
"He's right, Uranus," Neptune's eyes regarded Mark coldly. "We didn't
plan for this to happen. Hell, we didn't even know about it until after
the damage had already been done."
Mark's voice remained quiet, icily polite. "Thank you, my lady. To put
it simply, your opponent knew you; he knew how to slip past your guard
to do exactly what he wished and then leave before you could even try
to stop him." Mark's eyes raked them, probing. "Now the question is,
what are you going to do about it?"
"We're sure as hell not going to let it happen again," Jupiter said,
on her feet once again although her face was still deathly pale.
Endymion's voice was soft but chilled with anger. "No. We won't."
His hands hung loosely at his sides, but the rage in his eyes burned
deep and bright. "Mercury, I want you to scan the area. Thoroughly.
Mars, Coldfire, I want you to check things over as well. I want to
know who did this, how they did it, and I want to know it yesterday."
Alexis nodded, taking his orders with a grim professionalism. "Right."
Mercury nodded as well, turning her attention away from the group and
forcing her mind to concentrate on gathering information while trying
not to let what she was seeing sink in too deeply.
Endymion turned to Serenity, meeting her eyes. "Have we seen enough?"
Serenity's only answer was a simple nod, her arms still wrapped around
their daughter. 'She should not have been here, she should not have seen
this,' she said in his mind, voice shaking with disbelief. 'Gods, I didn't
want to see this.'
Endymion's lips hardened. 'I know.' Aloud he raised his voice to the other
Senshi. "Come on, back to the Palace. We have work to do."
The others nodded; Mercury, Mars and Coldfire remained behind, probing the
wreckage for answers. Saturn moved next to Serenity, her eyes regarding
the Princess with sadness as she felt the girl's terror. Venus stepped to
Jupiter and put her arm around the other woman's shoulder, the blonde's face
set in grim determination. Uranus glanced at Pluto and then at Mark, her
eyes hard and her mouth opening to say something. Neptune caught the storm
coming, and knowing it would do nothing but ignite already flaring emotions
she gently guided her lover away from them and toward the others.
Mark stood silently, watching them, not moving from where he stood as his
hand gently fingered his glaive. Pluto stood wordlessly beside him, waiting
for the others to leave before speaking, her mind returning to her husband's
words from the previous night.
'I think you were right. I don't think they truly remembered what death and
danger meant.' she said in his mind. 'But I think they're beginning too.'
Mark's voice in her mind ran tight with tension. 'I hope so. Because I've
never seen anything like this, and I thought I'd seen everything.'
There was a crackle of shadow, and the Senshi of Time and her Knight were
gone. Several long minutes later a small figure slipped away from the
ruins and vanished without a trace, hurrying to report to a distant master
on the progress of the first seeds of his plan.
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Special thanks goes out to all those that have made this possible, including
Soul for doing the first round of edits and helping with our sometimes horrendous
spelling and typing skills, and Liz for doing the final round, making sure everything
fits and correcting the little mistakes we'd never pick up.
Fallen Stars has been a year in the making, hopefully it lives up to all expectations.
Feel free to contact us with any praise, comments, moans, groans or suggestions.
Feedback is a good thing. ^_^
Email: fallen_star715@yahoo.com
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