Punishment
Second Torture: Decortication
authored 5-23-01
modified 4-9-02
1st AN: In case you ignored the summary, or the warning in part one, MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD! If you don't know what happens at the end of the SMS and Stars seasons, _do_not_ read this if you don't want it spoiled. You've been warned. ~.^
2nd AN: I have neglected the fact that in the manga Setsuna stopped time to stop Diamond from joining the two Imperium Crystals. That bit just wouldn't fit in. So as background, include everything EXCEPT that episode. (I know, stupid author, but work with me.)
***
"PLUTO!"
Setsuna let a few tears drop from her eyes as she observed her partners' distress.
"I wish I could tell them..." she murmured.
The glow from her Garnet Rod suddenly dies and a blue wash of light illuminated her surroundings.
"Sailor Senshi guarded by Pluto, keeper of the Gate of Time, Guide to the Cherry Way, Servant of Hades: also known as Meioh Setsuna!" The sonorous voice rang from a podium in front of Setsuna. It continued as ranks of hooded figures appeared and formed lines on both sides of Setsuna, creating a corridor with the speaker at its head. "You are charged with violation of the Third Taboo! Step forward and explain yourself."
Setsuna took one tiny step forward. The space was so quiet that she could hear the back bow of her skirt swish and hush.
"Your excellence...I only wished to help save those who will attempt to save the world."
"Though your action will ultimately prove key in the redemption of Sailor Saturn and the destruction of Pharaoh 90, it will have far-reaching consequences when those you saved turn against their kin in the final battle against Galaxia."
{'Galaxia'? Turn _against?_ Uranus? Neptune? You would betray us? No! But Excellency DID say that Pharaoh 90 will be defeated...but if Sailor Saturn is resurrected, what difference will it make?} Pluto was confused, terrified, and ashamed. Why had she thought that she would know what was best? Why, why, why had she broken the rules?
Excellency continued. "Despite these mixed consequences, the fact remains that you have broken the Third Taboo. Normally the repercussion of this act is immediate death. But you are still needed in this lifetime, thus, you will merely be -punished-."
As Excellency finished speaking, Pluto felt her Senshi Crystal crack. With a great it shattered. But instead of falling from her breast, it floated in shards before her. Dark purple ribbons wrapped Setsuna, dissolved her Senshi outfit, and tightly wrapped her brooch. Then they too dissolved, leaving the shattered gem hovering near Setsuna's chest. Slowly, it moved closer. Standing before the council, unclad, ashamed of her rash actions, Setsuna watched as the shattered crystal of her guardian planet, the abiding place of her soul, turned its sharp ends toward her. In disbelief of the fact she was still alive, Setsuna barely had wit to react as the fragments darted forward, burying their needle noses between her breasts. They shot into her chest like knives, digging deeply 'till they reached her heart.
Setsuna cried out as blood poured from the wounds. But normal this blood was not. Black as night, it made her ebony skin pale by comparison. Setsuna ceased her screaming and began weeping as the blood poured down her chest. Strangely, its loss did not weaken her. The only sensation she felt was one of alertness and focus on extreme needle-like pain.
"Because of your disobedience, you are unclean and not worthy of being a Senshi. Therefore, you are being purged. In a few days the blood will stop flowing. But before you can transform again, you must prove yourself worthy of the honor. Until then, your crystal will stay embedded in your body. There is no guarantee how long this will take...your Garnet Rod and Orb will be kept in secret against the time you come to claim them. If ever again you feel yourself wrapped by the Senshi ribbons, you will know at that moment you proved yourself to the Council.
You will resume life on earth after the battle with Pharaoh 90 is over. You will not be able to contact the other Senshi at all. The Council will send one projection of Sailor Pluto to a Senshi of your choice to assure her of your well-being. Direct contact is prohibited to keep you from revealing more than you already have." The voice frowned deeply on Setsuna.
"Thank you, Excellency. Please inform Chibiusa I am well." She bowed deeply, and the stream of blood from her chest flowed straight to the ground like a waterfall.
"Are you sure you want to entrust the information to Small Lady?"
"She is my greatest friend. Tell her."
"As you wish. You will now be sent to your cell to wait until you stop bleeding. Then we will give you the means to survive and put you back into the world. None of the Senshi will be able to see or hear you, but they'll still be able to feel you. and normal citizens will be able to interact with you normally, so be careful. Despite the facts against you, the Council has not at all forgotten what you have sacrificed to protect this Solar System. This time, however, you went too far. Learn your lesson well."
As Excellency stopped talking, the council room ranks of cloaked figures, and blue light vanished. Setsuna was left in a black void, in pain emotionally and physically. It was hard for her to tell which was the greater hurt.
Second Torture: Decortication
authored 5-23-01
modified 4-9-02
1st AN: In case you ignored the summary, or the warning in part one, MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD! If you don't know what happens at the end of the SMS and Stars seasons, _do_not_ read this if you don't want it spoiled. You've been warned. ~.^
2nd AN: I have neglected the fact that in the manga Setsuna stopped time to stop Diamond from joining the two Imperium Crystals. That bit just wouldn't fit in. So as background, include everything EXCEPT that episode. (I know, stupid author, but work with me.)
***
"PLUTO!"
Setsuna let a few tears drop from her eyes as she observed her partners' distress.
"I wish I could tell them..." she murmured.
The glow from her Garnet Rod suddenly dies and a blue wash of light illuminated her surroundings.
"Sailor Senshi guarded by Pluto, keeper of the Gate of Time, Guide to the Cherry Way, Servant of Hades: also known as Meioh Setsuna!" The sonorous voice rang from a podium in front of Setsuna. It continued as ranks of hooded figures appeared and formed lines on both sides of Setsuna, creating a corridor with the speaker at its head. "You are charged with violation of the Third Taboo! Step forward and explain yourself."
Setsuna took one tiny step forward. The space was so quiet that she could hear the back bow of her skirt swish and hush.
"Your excellence...I only wished to help save those who will attempt to save the world."
"Though your action will ultimately prove key in the redemption of Sailor Saturn and the destruction of Pharaoh 90, it will have far-reaching consequences when those you saved turn against their kin in the final battle against Galaxia."
{'Galaxia'? Turn _against?_ Uranus? Neptune? You would betray us? No! But Excellency DID say that Pharaoh 90 will be defeated...but if Sailor Saturn is resurrected, what difference will it make?} Pluto was confused, terrified, and ashamed. Why had she thought that she would know what was best? Why, why, why had she broken the rules?
Excellency continued. "Despite these mixed consequences, the fact remains that you have broken the Third Taboo. Normally the repercussion of this act is immediate death. But you are still needed in this lifetime, thus, you will merely be -punished-."
As Excellency finished speaking, Pluto felt her Senshi Crystal crack. With a great it shattered. But instead of falling from her breast, it floated in shards before her. Dark purple ribbons wrapped Setsuna, dissolved her Senshi outfit, and tightly wrapped her brooch. Then they too dissolved, leaving the shattered gem hovering near Setsuna's chest. Slowly, it moved closer. Standing before the council, unclad, ashamed of her rash actions, Setsuna watched as the shattered crystal of her guardian planet, the abiding place of her soul, turned its sharp ends toward her. In disbelief of the fact she was still alive, Setsuna barely had wit to react as the fragments darted forward, burying their needle noses between her breasts. They shot into her chest like knives, digging deeply 'till they reached her heart.
Setsuna cried out as blood poured from the wounds. But normal this blood was not. Black as night, it made her ebony skin pale by comparison. Setsuna ceased her screaming and began weeping as the blood poured down her chest. Strangely, its loss did not weaken her. The only sensation she felt was one of alertness and focus on extreme needle-like pain.
"Because of your disobedience, you are unclean and not worthy of being a Senshi. Therefore, you are being purged. In a few days the blood will stop flowing. But before you can transform again, you must prove yourself worthy of the honor. Until then, your crystal will stay embedded in your body. There is no guarantee how long this will take...your Garnet Rod and Orb will be kept in secret against the time you come to claim them. If ever again you feel yourself wrapped by the Senshi ribbons, you will know at that moment you proved yourself to the Council.
You will resume life on earth after the battle with Pharaoh 90 is over. You will not be able to contact the other Senshi at all. The Council will send one projection of Sailor Pluto to a Senshi of your choice to assure her of your well-being. Direct contact is prohibited to keep you from revealing more than you already have." The voice frowned deeply on Setsuna.
"Thank you, Excellency. Please inform Chibiusa I am well." She bowed deeply, and the stream of blood from her chest flowed straight to the ground like a waterfall.
"Are you sure you want to entrust the information to Small Lady?"
"She is my greatest friend. Tell her."
"As you wish. You will now be sent to your cell to wait until you stop bleeding. Then we will give you the means to survive and put you back into the world. None of the Senshi will be able to see or hear you, but they'll still be able to feel you. and normal citizens will be able to interact with you normally, so be careful. Despite the facts against you, the Council has not at all forgotten what you have sacrificed to protect this Solar System. This time, however, you went too far. Learn your lesson well."
As Excellency stopped talking, the council room ranks of cloaked figures, and blue light vanished. Setsuna was left in a black void, in pain emotionally and physically. It was hard for her to tell which was the greater hurt.