Only A Memory Away
By: Lirial Raito
Chapter 4: Unexplained Occurrence
Setsuna stood on the beach, looking up into the clear night sky.
Two more days before we tell the Queen we accept her job offers. I wonder how life will be then.
She studied the sparkling stars, letting their gently light wash over her, calming her thoughts. Without any intention of calling the thing to her, the Time Staff appeared in her hand. She looked at the red orb on top, once more recalling the odd man who had given the thing to her. The sign of Pluto appeared on her forehead, and Setsuna passed out onto the sand.
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Far away from the blue green jewel of Earth, a lone figure sat floating in what little atmosphere remained on Pluto. She stretched, and let herself down to the surface. Raising a hand, she summoned a small sphere of light to see around her, carefully studying the planet, then looking up to watch the moon above. A light wind blew around her, but had no source. Her pale skin shimmered under the light she held above her, casting odd colors onto the silver of her fuku. Closing her eyes she pictured Pluto, and its moon, full of sleeping life.
The light above went out, no longer needed as the air around her began to glow. She held her hands together near her heart. The glow formed into feathered wings, which gave off sparks of fire when she moved. Opening her wings as far as they would go she jumped upwards, calling out "Rebirth Flames!"
Her wings burst into flames, seeming to consume the girl, and the fire stretched across Pluto, and upwards to Charon. In seconds the flames where gone, but the girl remained, shimmering. Across Pluto and Charon the same shimmer existed. A few seconds longer the ruins on Pluto and her satellite were restored, the populace asleep. With a please smile, the girl teleported to Saturn, working her way backwards though the Milky Way Galaxy, restoring and putting to sleep the people of every planet and satellite. The only places she left unrestored were the Moon Kingdom, and Nemesis…
Hours later as dawn approached Earth, she returned to the blue-green planet to rest, and rejoin her friends.
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Setsuna opened her eyes, wincing at the bright sunlight that came through the open curtains. She sat up as her eyes adjusted, then looked around.
How did I get back to my bedroom?
She looked around for the staff, then sighed with relief when she saw it was gone again. Her door opened, and Hotaru peeked inside.
"Oh good! You're awake again Setsuna." Her violet eyes shined with relief as she walked inside.
"What happened?" Setsuna asked, "How did I get back here?"
"Oh, well, Usagi found you this morning and carried you back. She's a lot stronger than she looks it seems," Hotaru replied.
Setsuna was a bit taken back by the mention of 'Usagi' before she remembered that Chibi-Usa had declared herself old enough to be called that, especially since her mother wasn't there to confuse the two with.
Before Hotaru could say more, Usagi walked in behind her carrying a tray with soup and some fruit. "I heard Hotaru talking with you Sets, and thought you might like to eat. It's a little past lunch time." Her pink hair sparkled under the sunlight, making her look older than sixteen. Setsuna smiled at her young friend. "Thank you Usagi, that was very thoughtful." Her smile was returned, "Hotaru-chan, want to go shopping today? I heard there will be lots of good sales this weekend." Hotaru grinned, and bowed, "Lead on, my friend." Both giggled and bid Setsuna farewell, to ponder her black out.
She ate the lunch Usagi had brought her before taking a shower. Once she was dressed she went into the front room, a small voice telling her to watch the news.
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And at 11:50 pm last night, a strange energy surge was detected all across this part of the cosmos, from the Sun to Pluto. Experts have no cause yet as to the source of the energy surge, but scientists at the Crystal Tokyo Space Observatory have reported what appear to be castles and cities have suddenly appeared on every planet and satellite within this solar system, with the noted exception of the Earth's moon.
-
Setsuna stared at the television for a moment, then turned it off. Cities on other planets, appearing out of nowhere? That was impossible… The symbol of Pluto flicked for a brief moment on her head again before disappearing. She shook her head to clear it, and then went to go do some shopping of her own.
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Mamoru sat in his apartment, staring off into space. His little girl was almost all grown up, and assuming her full name. And now he was on even worse terms with her than before, after he had refused to talk to her last time they were at Makoto's. He sighed and stood up. No use wallowing in self-pity. She's so much like her mother; I know she'll forgive me. Now, all I have to do is get past how much like my Usako she looks, and go apologize. But first, I think I'll buy her a present. With that he walked out of his apartment, and toward the mall.
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Hotaru and Usagi stood looking at the current menu the Crown Arcade offered, trying to concentrate over all the noise. A crowd was gathered in one of the rooms Andrew had added for parties and special gatherings. Usagi sighed to herself. "Hey Andrew, what is all that noise about?"
He glanced back at the crowd with a grimace. "Well, do you remember that band called Three Lights whose cd Minako is always playing?"
Both girls nodded.
"Well, that's them back there, and apparently people remember them better than I would have thought. They've been disbanded for years… Minako and them used to be friends with them."
Red eyes met purple with a mischievous sparkle.
Andrew shook his head as the two jumped up and weaved their way through the crowd, pushing their way right up to the Three Lights. A red haired woman was with them, mostly ignored by the crowd. The two definitely remembered these guys from Minako's cd collection, and the stories she had told them about their days in school at Juuban Junior High.
Standing in front of the Three Lights, Usagi and Hotaru turned toward the crowd, and together shouted, "ENOUGH!"
The room fell silent fairly quick. These two had been shown on television, as new advisors to the Queen, and they knew it. Usagi placed her hands on her hips and glared at the people in the room. "I hope you realize that you have made the Three Lights late for a meeting with the Queen. Now, disperse so they can eat and continue on toward the Palace. And no, they don't need any escorts more than us."
There was a lot of grumbling and dirty looks, but the fans dispersed, leaving Usagi and Hotaru alone with the group. They turned together to face the group. "Well," Usagi said, "I'm sure the Queen really would like to meet you. I've heard she's a fan."
All four stared at Hotaru, then Kakyuu offered a hand to Usagi, since she seemed to be in charge for the moment. "I am Kakyuu Kou, it's a pleasure to meet you." Usagi shook her hand. "I am Usagi Chiba, and this is my friend, Hotaru Tomoe. As to what you're wondering, how we're going to get you in to see the Queen? We're advisors to Neo Queen Serenity on current youth trends, or at least we will be, once we officially accept the position."
Kakyuu kept a neutral smile in place and nodded. "Thank you."
Taiki and Yaten continued to stare at Hotaru, while Seiya watched Usagi.
Usagi Chiba? She must be… Odango's daughter with Mamoru-san. I guess I don't have a chance anymore… As if reading his thoughts, Usagi placed herself in a chair next to Seiya and faced him. Andrew walked in with the Three Lights food as well as Usagi's and Hotaru's usual orders. He left without saying anything to them.
"I heard from Minako that you were friends with her, and Rei, Ami, Makoto, and my mom, Usagi Tsukino."
Seiya nodded, waiting to see what else she would say.
Usagi grinned at him. Hmm… I bet momma never guessed he was in love with her. At least, from what I was told...
"Well, I'll have you know I am nowhere near as clumsy, or such a crybaby, as my mother was. But, it's nice to meet someone else who knew her…"
His eyes widened, startled. Who… knew her?
"What happened to her?"
Usagi looked down at her food.
"No one knows for sure… after the awakening, momma was just… gone."
He nodded, pretending to understand. "Oh…"
She looked up again and grinned. "Well, enough of that, let's eat so you can see the Queen!"
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To Be Continued!