Guardians- Silver Millennium

by Celeste Carter

Chapter Two: Destiny

"So you think you're father is up to something? Well, I'll admit that's no surprise, Setsuna-chan." Queen Lexia said from her chair in her private study. She was sitting in a small, hand-carved chair made from the finest cherry oak. It's cushions were silver and trimmed with black ribbon. In her lap she held a monstrous book, and her reading glasses she had just removed.

Setsuna sat at her mother's feet. She rested her head on her mother's lap, ignoring the huge tome. "No, Mama. I think Papa is going to get himself trouble. I have this feeling that something bad is going to happen, but it's not my place to say anything." She glanced up into her mother's soft, crimson eyes.

"Ah, I see. So you want me to scold your Father for something he hasn't even done?"

"Yet, Mama. Yet. I know something big is going on....something wrong." She thought for a moment, then remembered her earlier conversation with her brother. "Oh, Mama? Do you know what's going on at the Great Temple? There has been a lot going on there lately."

"Oh, that's right. Your father told me they are doing repairs. The last great storm we had destroyed some of the statues, so they are taking in more stone to recarve and repair them. I even heard the Seven Mages have come to oversee things."

Setsuna let a sigh of relief. So maybe she was just jumping to conclusions. Maybe.. but her Father's words still haunted her.

"Setsuna will...Setsuna will...The Queen will not be notified..."

Setsuna gasped. "That's it! Oh my goodness!" She rose to her feet. The Queen looked up at her daughter in alarm. Setsuna turned to her mother, lifting the giant book out of her lap and sitting it aside on her mother's desk. She grasped her mother's hands in her own.

"Mama... the reason we...you don't know anything... Papa isn't telling you everything! That night, when I was listening... Papa said, 'The Queen will not be notified.'!" Setsuna's excitement slowly turned into fear. Lexia stood before her daughter, a look of surprise mixed with anger in her features.

"And he also said something is going to happen with me. He said that I'm going to do something, and that you will not be told about it...." Setsuna's eyes filled with tears as cold fear gripped at her. Lexia gently hugged her daughter, holding her close and slowly swaying back and forth.

"My baby....my sweet daughter. Don't worry. I'll find out what's going on. Nothing will happen. I promise." She stroked her daughter's long jade hair until her crying had ceased.

"Mama. I'm going to be strong and brave throughout this. No more tears, I promise."

Lexia smiled. "Good girl. Now," She was interrupted by a knock on the door.

Setsuna walked to the door, letting in one of young page boys.

"Setsuna-hime, my Imperial Princess, a visitor has come calling."

The puzzled expression on her face was replaced by a look of pure rapture. Setsuna turned to her mother. The Queen simply nodded and shooed her out the door. Setsuna bowed, then turned and ran down the hall, followed by the young page.

"Is it a young man with dark hair and dark eyes?"

"Yes, my Lady." the page replied.

"And is he from Mars?" she pressed on.

"Vulcan City, my Lady."

Setsuna felt her head swim. Of all the times! Reaching her chambers, she ran in and headed straight for her closet. Oh, where's my black dress? She spotted a sliver of black material hanging next to her purple commencement gown. She reached for it. Agh! No, my other black dress!! Where..where is June? Remembering the young boy, she ordered him, "Quick! Run downstairs and find June, my maid. She's the young girl with green hair. Tell my lord-father I'll not be joining him for croquet today. And send my visitor to the vestibule at the bottom of the staircase. So I can make a grand entrance. She smiled. The page boy nodded.

"Quick! Run, very fast!"

"Yes, my Princess!" As the young boy ran out, Setsuna turned back to her closet. The closet was more like a room, really, as was customary for all members of every royal family throughout the Empire. It had racks along every wall, hanging full to the brim with dresses, riding habits, gowns, robes, and costumes. Above the racks were shelves which were also full. Shoes, hats, masks, scarves, purses and handbags, all of which, at the moment, were being strewn across the floor in Setsuna's room. Nonetheless, they'll be returned to their place when I get back.

The sound of hurried feet caused Setsuna to turn. A short, green-haired young girl wearing the brown and black uniform of a maid was scurrying towards her. Setsuna sighed in relief.

"Oh, June, where is my black gown? The one with no back, and the diamond- studded collar?"

The maid stepped into the closet, careful not to step on any of the garments in the floor. She walked to the back wall and pulled out and black gown with a long, full skirt and no sleeves. It was hand-made on Venus by the Venusian Royal Dressmaker, a gift from Princess Cassandra.

Setsuna snatched the dress from June's hands and ran into her room, beginning to undress. "Now June, you'll have to put my hair up, somehow. There's no back to the dress, and it will defeat the purpose if I let my hair hide it. Quick! Find my tiara, and those earrings I received from Takara-hime." She pulled the dress on, her excitement building. Every single bone in her body was gushing with nervousness. From behind her, her maid spoke.

"Princess, do not worry so. You're beginning to flush, and you're getting clumsy." she said as she brushed Setsuna's hair. She skillfully braided two long pieces, then pulled the remaining hair up into a taught bun. Wrapping the two braids around the bun, she gently set the tiara down around it.

"Perfect!"

Setsuna arose from her bedside, where she had been putting on her heels and stockings. She went to her vanity, checking in the mirror to make sure she was indeed, perfect. Not a hair was out of place. Lips were plush, cheeks indeed slightly flushed, but just enough so to make her seem rosy-hued. She put on her diamond earrings given to her by her friend Takara, the Princess of Mars, as a good-luck charm. Taking one last glance, Setsuna smiled.

"Perfect."

Grabbing her black shawl she bolted out of her room, leaving a flustered young maid with a huge mess to clean up.

When she reached the top of the grand staircase, Setsuna found Bellamy standing below, admiring a portrait of her from her commencement only two seasons earlier. The rustle of her skirts caught his attention. He gazed at her as she stood above him, framed in light, the diamond tiara glittering, making her appear as an angel with a halo. He smiled.

"Setsuna!"

She returned his smile with her own. She gracefully glided down the steps, her long skirts leaving a trail of blackness behind her. As she approached the bottom step, Bellamy took her hand, leading her to the center of the vestibule. He brought said hand to his lips, placing a light, but well interpreted kiss on it's skin.

"Bellamy." she said. She placed a hand on his shoulder. "I was beginning to think you had forgotten about me." she said ruefully.

He gave a little chuckle in return. "Forget you? How could I do such a thing?" He touched her face, brushing her lips with his fingertips. "I could never..." He leaned in, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her body next to his. Setsuna closed her eyes in waiting.

And their lips met. There, underneath a sparkling chandelier in the midst of servants, guards, and passersby, they kissed. However, the world around them had become oblivious, and to them all that was, is, and shall ever be, was each other.

This was the first kiss of many to come. It became a regular occurrence at the palace of Pluto, to be strolling down a hallway, turn a corner, and find the crown Princess

and her suitor engaged in the thrill of a deep, passionate kiss. Some were disturbed by this, but most were happy the Princess had finally given in to the perils of love. Especially her father, who was making plans to throw a wedding party sometime within the next few months.

Bellamy made a regular habit of visiting every season, and after a year, decided that he needed to be closer to his soulmate. So, after discussing it with the King, his belongings were gathered up and he took up permanent residence at the Onyx Imperial Palace.

He had already made up his mind to propose. He was waiting for the right moment, the right opportunity. On the opening day of the Fire Season Festival, the day they had first met exactly one year previous to that. It was an excellent idea! On the beginning day of the Festival , he rushed about madly, constantly checking his pocket for the ring wherever he went. His nerves didn't allow him breakfast, and by lunch his stomach demanded he make up for it. However, when the time came for him to search out his Princess, it was discovered she was missing.

King Zinon led his daughter by the hand through the Temple of Pluto. Setsuna followed her father suspiciously. The Temple was a holy place, and only a select few were allowed to enter, and then only during certain seasons. So it made no sense to her why now, on the first day of the Fire Season, she and her father had been allowed to enter, when never before they had visited the temple on this day.

Her wonderings were halted when they stopped in front of the door to the Chamber of Time and Space. It was the most sacred of places on the entire planet, and only the Nine Mages were allowed to enter. It was this that caused Setsuna such a shock when the doors opened before them, and her father stepped inside. Setsuna stood unbelievingly outside, watching as her father bowed respectfully to a hooded figure in black robes. The figure nodded in return, then with a slim hand, beckoned Setsuna inside.

"Come along, Setsuna-hime." her father ordered. Setsuna stepped inside the room cautiously, every bone in her body shaken with mistrust. Her father never referred to her as Setsuna-hime unless he were discussing serious business.

Something caught Setsuna's eye. In the center of the room stood a large door. There was nothing on the other side of the door, it was simply a door in the center of the room. Why it had been constructed, Setsuna was unsure. But she did know it was the most questionable thing she had ever seen.

"Father, what is this?" she asked.

Zinon smiled suspiciously. "This is your destiny, my daughter."

Setsuna whirled around, staring uncertainly at the father, then at the door.

"I don't understand. How is this door my destiny father? I am destined to be Queen." She shivered as a cold draft circled the room.

"Setsuna." her father started. He motioned for the mysterious figure to step forward. In it's hands, the figure carried a long, ornate staff in the shape of a large key. The figure stepped in front of Setsuna, who's unsettled nerves were masked by an unconcerned expression.

"You should understand Setsuna, that you must become a Sailor Senshi."

Setsuna drew in a sharp breath. "What?"

King Zinon stood dignantly beside his daughter. "The first-born Princesses all throughout the Empire have become Sailor Senshi. Your friend Takara-hime is the latest. I've heard she is a great warrior. And now it seems Queen Crystal has called for Pluto to send her their crown Princess. So what will I do, as a father, and as a King?" He smirked. "I'll do what's best."

Setsuna stared at her father with horror. "Father! You would really send me off to become a... soldier?"

Zinon raised an eyebrow at his bewildered daughter. "Would you rather not become strong and rough?"

"Of course not! I was planning...." she blushed slightly. "I was planning on marrying Bellamy."

"I had expected as much. That is why I have given you a choice. You can accept this staff, inherit the great powers our great Queen has bestowed upon you and fight for our Empire..... or you can step through this Gateway before you," he motioned to the door, "and remain here on your home world."

Setsuna looked at the doors. They were made from an alien alloy she did not recognize, and were engraved with symbols she could not read. Suddenly, remembering legends and folk tales from her childhood, it occurred to Setsuna exactly what stood before her.

"Father, are these the Gates of Time?"

"These are the Gates of Time and Space Passage. Yes, the Gates of Time, as we described to you in bedtime stories long ago. You will become it's Guardian, ever vigilant, everlasting."

"And I will remain here, on Pluto. And I can marry Bellamy and become the Queen. Yes, father?"

King Zinon grimaced out of view of his daughter. "Yes, that's right." he replied.

Setsuna hesitantly walked toward the doors. So the fairy tales were true. The monsters had come through the great gate, and the Queen Phoebe destroyed them all and locked the gates away until a time when their Guardian was found.

::Setsuna::

Setsuna stepped back. Had the Gates.... called her name?

::Setsuna..... open my doors....::

Setsuna stared wide eyed at the Gates of Time. They had just spoken to her!

"Father, did you just hear that?"

Zinon shook his head. "Hear what?"

Was it true? Was she really the legendary Guardian of Gates of Time?

::Open my doors, Setsuna... and receive your power::

Setsuna, unthinking, stepped forward and with a great effort, pushed open the mystical doors.

"Setsuna, no!" her father shouted after her. But it was a warning too late. The doors flew open, sending forth a howling gust of sourceless wind and a powerful darkness that threw Setsuna and Zinon in opposite directions across the room.

Setsuna looked up to see her father's slumped body in a distant corner. Surges of dark power were constantly being flung through the door, escaping into the already frightening chamber. Suddenly, from seemingly nowhere, the enigmatic hooded figure appeared before her. It still carried the strange staff. It suddenly spoke to her:

"You have made a wrong decision." The voice was female, and extremely harsh and angry. The figure held the staff out to Setsuna, at the same time pulling her hood back and revealing her true character. "Now you must pay for it."

Setsuna was overwhelmed to discover the veiled person was none other than the very person she had considered defying.

"My Queen!" Setsuna cried, flinging herself at her monarch's feet. "Please forgive me! I couldn't help but open it.... I swear to you, it called for me-"

Crystal glared. "I know that! And had you become the Senshi of Pluto as you should have, this great evil wouldn't have been unleashed." She held the staff at arm's length, pointing it straight into Setsuna's chest. Without a word, only a will, a silver light shot forth, knocking Setsuna unconscious. Floating above her body was a many-pointed crystal, glowing with power. Within seconds, a garnet orb appeared where the crystal had been. Crystal drew the orb to her, placing it on top of the staff. With a motion of her hand, the crystal pulled out of the orb. Crystal smiled sadly as she returned the crystal to Setsuna's body, breathing life back into her lungs.

Pure heart, protect this child, who has broken ancient law and now must pay with her life.

Setsuna's eyes fluttered open to see Queen Crystal towering above her, shielding the two of them from the evil forces assembling in the room. Crystal reached down and yanked Setsuna to her feet.

"Princess Setsuna, as punishment for opening the Gates of Time without the power to control them, and releasing the evil forces locked behind it's passage, I hereby sentence you to a life of service as it's Guardian. Also, for planning to defy royal decree as commanded by myself, the supreme ruler of this Empire, I order you to take on your Senshi powers and the responsibilities of the Senshi of Pluto for now until your duties as Guardian of the Time Space Gates are completed." Crystal's eyes softened at the tears trickling down the young Princess's face.

"Take this staff, and inherit your power. I am sorry your destiny has led you down this path." She handed the staff to Setsuna, who was instantly transformed into a Sailor Senshi fuku. Power surged through her veins. Her body was blazing with strength and energy, her mind in pure agony from the commands and instructions from the Gates themselves. Time was torn, evil was growing, and space was warped at every level.

"Go now." Crystal pointed to the open gates. "I will destroy this place, and all that is in it. When you step through the Gates, this portal will disappear until the time you have taken control and stopped the evil within it."

Setsuna, with a heavy heart and mind, made her way to the Gates of her destiny. Her fate had been set, and with one last tear, spoke her last word for decades.

"Bellamy....."

The girl stood at the door frame, silhouetted by an eerie light. The light engulfed her, along with the power of Pluto that would fuel her existence for generations, centuries, millennia.... she knew she could never truly return to the other side. And so she waited, long years in the formless void, eternally vigilant. But she stood on... watching... waiting... for a savior....

I am the watcher of the space time door... the guardian of the underworld...

I am Sailor Pluto...

And I will eliminate those who violate the law...

Author's note: The last three lines of this chapter comes from a different fanfic that I read long, long ago and totally cannot remember now. My sincere apologies to the author. If someone recognizes it, please email me and let me know and I'll be more than happy to credit the author! Happy Turkey Day, minna-san!