Chapter 17
The Dream
All was silent at the Gates of Time. Setsuna knelt in front of the Mirror, quietly observing a trivial scene from the past being played out before her. Chronos stood at the young woman's shoulder, beholding her with loving eyes, a tender smile upon his lips. Ah, Chronos thought. Sweet Selene, but she is beautiful.
Setsuna's back was round as she knelt there, one hand lying atop the other in her lap. Chronos watched her carefully. Setsuna's chin was threatening to drop upon her collar, and every so often, her thick eyelashes came together, hiding her deep garnet eyes for only a moment.
"Are you weary, Granddaughter?" he asked her. Setsuna straightened, embarrassed to have been caught nodding.
"A bit, I suppose," she admitted. "Oh, but I am alright." Chronos smiled. Setsuna had changed much since her first visit to the Gates of Time, slowly becoming the Time Goddess as her knowledge of the Rules of Time deepened. But she was mortal yet. Setsuna herself recognized that the Sacred Gates lie outside the influence of time. Her physical body, however, still recognized its passage, and demanded that she perform the replenishing rituals it had become accustomed to. Chronos was tolerant of this, for he knew such needs would leave her in time. As a matter of fact, Setsuna had already outgrown the need to nourish herself, but as Chronos could plainly see, the need for rest was still present.
"Why do you not close your eyes for a moment?" Chronos asked.
"I am alright." Setsuna insisted as she swallowed a yawn. Chronos raised an eyebrow at her, and Setsuna knew that he had seen it.
"I will thank you not to mention that," she muttered sternly, but Chronos could see the sheepish grin that was threatening her. He laughed. Kneeling beside her, he slid his arm around her shoulder, and drew her close.
"Come, Setsuna dear," he said, holding her against his side. "Come rest beside me."
"Have I not warned you before about treating me like a little girl?" she murmured, even as she laid her head on his shoulder. "For the love of the gods, I am the future Guardian of Time!" Chronos smiled to himself, and planted a kiss on the crown of the young woman's head.
"That you are," he agreed, "but before that, you are my only grandchild, and I must be certain you are well before I fret over your training."
"You are so silly, Grandfather…" Setsuna whispered, one corner of her mouth lifting into a dry smile.
"Ungrateful child!" Chronos exclaimed teasingly. "Do not insult me so when I only have your best interests at heart." But she did not hear him. Her weary head had already dropped upon his breast. Her breathing was slow and even. Chronos sighed, casting a worried look upon his granddaughter's sleeping face.
He had lied to her. Although the thought had certainly been on his mind, preserving Setsuna's good health had not been his chief motive for encouraging her to give in to her obvious exhaustion. He had spoken to her just now, not as her grandfather, but as the god of time, whose only master was destiny, and whose only duty was seeing that all destinies were fulfilled.
Chronos pursed his lips. This would be the last time Setsuna would have any need of rest, so close she was to becoming the Time Goddess. This would be her last chance to dream. Chronos touched his lips to his granddaughter's forehead, looking upon her with pity. He could not help but mourn for her innocence. He knew what she would see as she slumbered here.
"Helios," he whispered, "Guardian of Dreams, guide Setsuna through your dream world this night. Help her to overcome what dangers she may face, and bring her safely back to me."…
…Setsuna was alone on Pluto, aimlessly wandering the palace grounds late at night. The night air was still about her, and held only a faint chill. Setsuna shivered. Even cloaked in darkness, the palace grounds were familiar and comforting. Still, she could not cast off a cold feeling of trepidation that was wrapped around her heart.
Be wary of your heart's cries… The voice was no more than a whisper, yet it carried enough power to raise the hair on the back of her neck. Setsuna whipped around, searching for the source of the voice, and found herself to be quite alone. Briefly, she wondered if it could be some free soul speaking to her through the Voices of the Dead, but no. No longer did the Voices speak with her unless she invited them to.
"I beg your pardon," Setsuna began, feeling a bit foolish, "but who are you?"
You must not interfere… the voice hissed, ignoring her question.
"Interfere?" Setsuna repeated warily. "Interfere with what?" The voice did not reply. An icy wind howled across the palace grounds, and then they were gone, replaced by the crowded ballroom of the Silver Palace. It was a day of great celebration for the Kingdom of the White Moon, a conclusion Setsuna reached by observing the lavish decorations that adorned the ballroom. Setsuna scanned the crowd, searching for the faces of her family and friends, who certainly must have been among the invited. Sure enough, she spotted her mother and father off in one corner, laughing and gossiping with the other guests. In the center of the ballroom, she could just make out Haruka and Michiru waltzing happily with one another. What was strange, though, was that the Inner Princesses and Princess Serenity were nowhere to be seen. Stranger still, the High Queen was missing from the scene as well.
All of the sudden, Mina burst into the ballroom at full speed, her golden hair and gowns flowing gracefully behind her. Setsuna drew in a sharp breath at the sight of her young friend. Mina's beautiful face was stained with tears, her features horribly contorted with terror and grief. Her bright sapphire eyes flickered with wild rage, beneath which Setsuna could see the desperate desire to understand some great horror that was far beyond her.
"Attack!" the Princess of Venus screamed. "Attack! The Silver Palace is under attack!" Mina's words immediately sent the guests into a state of panic. Shouts and cries of distress flooded Setsuna's ears as those guests who could be of no help in battle fought to escape the onslaught. Setsuna did not hesitate to react. Steeling herself against the fleeing, screaming swarm, she produced her transformation wand from among the folds of her gown, and thrust it into the air.
"Pluto Planet Power, Make UP!" she yelled at the top of her lungs, and immediately felt her gown convert into her Sailor Soldier's uniform. Gritting her teeth, Sailor Pluto forced her way through the throng, determined to reach the other Sailor Soldiers, and help them fight. The terrified mob did not seem willing to let her go to them.
"Let me pass!" she ordered angrily. "I must help to protect this kingdom!"
"Stay back!" an oddly calm and even voice called out from somewhere in the crowd. "We must leave the battles to the Sailor Soldiers."
"I am a Sailor Soldier!" Pluto retorted hotly.
"No longer, Setsuna of Pluto," the strange voice countered. "You must not interfere." The sound of her given name spoken so casually angered Pluto further.
"Question me not!" she ordered. "Do not pretend to understand what is beyond you!" With that, she forgot the voice, and continued to push against the throng. As she did, her transformation began to reverse itself. By the time she reached the edge of the crowd, she was once again draped in the flowing gowns of the Princess of Pluto. Setsuna did not notice her change until, breaking through the last line of guests, she caught her foot on her skirt, and fell heavily to the floor. Somewhat dazed, Setsuna lifted her eyes to see the battle, which she had already begun. She was struck speechless at the sight that met her eyes.
Sailor Neptune was dead. Uranus, her tear-filled eyes glittering with cold fury, stood protectively over her lover's body, her feet spread, the Space Sword held menacingly before her. What she was preparing to fight, Setsuna could not see. Whatever it was, it was invisible to her. But from the look on Uranus' face, Setsuna could tell that she was hopelessly outnumbered. Still, Uranus was prepared to fight—and perhaps die—to protect her Queen, and avenge the death of her lover. With her dark blue eyes fixed unblinkingly upon her enemy, Uranus raised her sword…and faded from Setsuna's view.
In her place now stood Princess Serenity, trembling in the embrace of a young man whom Setsuna had never seen before. He was dressed all in black, with a sweeping black cape, which he had wrapped around the reigning princess, as if to hide her. Setsuna could not see his face clearly, but something in his stance told her that this young man was a warrior, and more importantly, that he was fighting for Princess Serenity's sake. The Sailor Guardians formed a protective circle around Serenity and the strange young man, bravely staring down invisible foes, their eyes burning with the desire to protect their princess. In one gloved hand, Venus held the Crystal Sword, a weapon given to the Sailor Guardians by Selene herself, that they might forever defend the princess.
Setsuna knew that they would need her help. Once again, she pulled out her wand, and called out her transformation phrase. Nothing happened. She could not feel the power of the Voices at all.
Uranus cried out as a wound was opened on her body. Venus lunged at her enemy, and a moment later, fell dead. The Crystal Sword passed to Sailor Mars' hand. Setsuna tried again. Again, the power of the Voices evaded her. Mars lost her battle and fell, soaked in blood. Jupiter, already weary from fighting, summoned her strength, and took up the Crystal Sword.
Setsuna swore through her teeth. This was ridiculous! She was still Sailor Pluto! She would be until the time of her grandsire's Passing into the Realm of Gods! She knew this to be the truth. Why, then, could she not transform herself? Desperately, she tried once more. Nothing. Uranus, bested by her adversary, collapsed beside Neptune, prepared to breathe her last. Jupiter was the next to be defeated. She died where she fell, her gloved fingers still curled around the hilt of the Crystal Sword. Setsuna's heart sank. Sailor Mercury should have been the next of the Sailor Guardians to take up the Crystal Sword and protect the princess, but she could not. She had been dead even before Neptune had fallen.
Princess Serenity cried out in terror and anguish each time she saw one of her friends murdered. The young man held her tighter to him, and unsheathed a broadsword, which he held defensively in front of them. Setsuna could tell that he was as well prepared to give his life for Serenity as any of the Sailor Guardians.
All at once, Setsuna could see their enemy. It was naught but a giant shadow, but it radiated such evil that she could not help but be afraid. Serenity released a weak cry, and buried her face in his chest as the shadow rose up before them. Then, as it descended upon the princess, all that Setsuna could see went dark.
An image flashed across her mind. She saw the princess, as she had been as an infant, asleep in her cradle. As her lady mother wept, a dark, yet beautiful woman gently caressed the child's cheek with a cold hand, her lips curled into a dreadful sneer.
"Thy daughter will not follow thee to this Kingdom's throne, Serenity," the woman declared. "Morganna will descend upon her long before she comes for thee." The vision was gone then. Setsuna heard the princess scream, and the darkness lifted. Princess Serenity now lay dead atop the young man's body. Blood poured from both of them, soaking their garments as it ran to the floor, where it mingled in puddles of dark red life force. Suddenly, the High Queen was there as well, sobbing over her beloved daughter's corpse, powerless to save her. The shadow rose behind them, prepared to consume them all.
"No!" Setsuna cried weakly, too horrified by the carnage to turn away. But the shadow did not swallow the Queen. Rather, from the shadow's heart, there appeared a strange silhouette. It was roughly the shape of a young girl, and in its hands was a long staff, topped by an evil-looking blade that flashed silver when it caught the light. The girl's face was dark, her features indistinguishable, except for her eyes. Setsuna trembled as the girl's gaze came to rest on the High Queen. Her eyes carried a kind of evil that Setsuna was certain no mortal was ever meant to witness, and burned with a strange violet fire that was, at the same time, cold as ice. The girl regarded the High Queen with apparent disgust for a moment, then raised her gleaming blade high above Serenity's head…
…Setsuna awoke with a feeble cry, dripping with cold sweat. Her heart thundered so forcefully behind her ribs that her breast jumped with its rhythm. Trembling, she sat up. Chronos had left her side, laying her upon the nonexistent ground, and gone to observe the present. He stood before the Window now, silently looking on as the High Queen conversed with a humble peasant man who had requested audience with her.
"What troubles you, my granddaughter?" he asked without turning to look at her. Setsuna blinked, remembering her dream with frightening clarity. It was naught but a dream, she told herself. Be at peace.
"Nothing, Grandfather," she told him. "I am alright."
That would be the only falsehood that Setsuna ever imparted to her grandfather in her lifetime.
**************************************************************************** **Confusing? I thought so. Well, don't worry, its supposed to be. After all, it is a dream. Hey! I actually got this chapter out pretty quick, didn't I? Well, don't expect the next one to be so quick. It's the most delicate chapter in the whole thing, so I gotta be really careful with it. But don't worry, this story will be finished eventually!
The Dream
All was silent at the Gates of Time. Setsuna knelt in front of the Mirror, quietly observing a trivial scene from the past being played out before her. Chronos stood at the young woman's shoulder, beholding her with loving eyes, a tender smile upon his lips. Ah, Chronos thought. Sweet Selene, but she is beautiful.
Setsuna's back was round as she knelt there, one hand lying atop the other in her lap. Chronos watched her carefully. Setsuna's chin was threatening to drop upon her collar, and every so often, her thick eyelashes came together, hiding her deep garnet eyes for only a moment.
"Are you weary, Granddaughter?" he asked her. Setsuna straightened, embarrassed to have been caught nodding.
"A bit, I suppose," she admitted. "Oh, but I am alright." Chronos smiled. Setsuna had changed much since her first visit to the Gates of Time, slowly becoming the Time Goddess as her knowledge of the Rules of Time deepened. But she was mortal yet. Setsuna herself recognized that the Sacred Gates lie outside the influence of time. Her physical body, however, still recognized its passage, and demanded that she perform the replenishing rituals it had become accustomed to. Chronos was tolerant of this, for he knew such needs would leave her in time. As a matter of fact, Setsuna had already outgrown the need to nourish herself, but as Chronos could plainly see, the need for rest was still present.
"Why do you not close your eyes for a moment?" Chronos asked.
"I am alright." Setsuna insisted as she swallowed a yawn. Chronos raised an eyebrow at her, and Setsuna knew that he had seen it.
"I will thank you not to mention that," she muttered sternly, but Chronos could see the sheepish grin that was threatening her. He laughed. Kneeling beside her, he slid his arm around her shoulder, and drew her close.
"Come, Setsuna dear," he said, holding her against his side. "Come rest beside me."
"Have I not warned you before about treating me like a little girl?" she murmured, even as she laid her head on his shoulder. "For the love of the gods, I am the future Guardian of Time!" Chronos smiled to himself, and planted a kiss on the crown of the young woman's head.
"That you are," he agreed, "but before that, you are my only grandchild, and I must be certain you are well before I fret over your training."
"You are so silly, Grandfather…" Setsuna whispered, one corner of her mouth lifting into a dry smile.
"Ungrateful child!" Chronos exclaimed teasingly. "Do not insult me so when I only have your best interests at heart." But she did not hear him. Her weary head had already dropped upon his breast. Her breathing was slow and even. Chronos sighed, casting a worried look upon his granddaughter's sleeping face.
He had lied to her. Although the thought had certainly been on his mind, preserving Setsuna's good health had not been his chief motive for encouraging her to give in to her obvious exhaustion. He had spoken to her just now, not as her grandfather, but as the god of time, whose only master was destiny, and whose only duty was seeing that all destinies were fulfilled.
Chronos pursed his lips. This would be the last time Setsuna would have any need of rest, so close she was to becoming the Time Goddess. This would be her last chance to dream. Chronos touched his lips to his granddaughter's forehead, looking upon her with pity. He could not help but mourn for her innocence. He knew what she would see as she slumbered here.
"Helios," he whispered, "Guardian of Dreams, guide Setsuna through your dream world this night. Help her to overcome what dangers she may face, and bring her safely back to me."…
…Setsuna was alone on Pluto, aimlessly wandering the palace grounds late at night. The night air was still about her, and held only a faint chill. Setsuna shivered. Even cloaked in darkness, the palace grounds were familiar and comforting. Still, she could not cast off a cold feeling of trepidation that was wrapped around her heart.
Be wary of your heart's cries… The voice was no more than a whisper, yet it carried enough power to raise the hair on the back of her neck. Setsuna whipped around, searching for the source of the voice, and found herself to be quite alone. Briefly, she wondered if it could be some free soul speaking to her through the Voices of the Dead, but no. No longer did the Voices speak with her unless she invited them to.
"I beg your pardon," Setsuna began, feeling a bit foolish, "but who are you?"
You must not interfere… the voice hissed, ignoring her question.
"Interfere?" Setsuna repeated warily. "Interfere with what?" The voice did not reply. An icy wind howled across the palace grounds, and then they were gone, replaced by the crowded ballroom of the Silver Palace. It was a day of great celebration for the Kingdom of the White Moon, a conclusion Setsuna reached by observing the lavish decorations that adorned the ballroom. Setsuna scanned the crowd, searching for the faces of her family and friends, who certainly must have been among the invited. Sure enough, she spotted her mother and father off in one corner, laughing and gossiping with the other guests. In the center of the ballroom, she could just make out Haruka and Michiru waltzing happily with one another. What was strange, though, was that the Inner Princesses and Princess Serenity were nowhere to be seen. Stranger still, the High Queen was missing from the scene as well.
All of the sudden, Mina burst into the ballroom at full speed, her golden hair and gowns flowing gracefully behind her. Setsuna drew in a sharp breath at the sight of her young friend. Mina's beautiful face was stained with tears, her features horribly contorted with terror and grief. Her bright sapphire eyes flickered with wild rage, beneath which Setsuna could see the desperate desire to understand some great horror that was far beyond her.
"Attack!" the Princess of Venus screamed. "Attack! The Silver Palace is under attack!" Mina's words immediately sent the guests into a state of panic. Shouts and cries of distress flooded Setsuna's ears as those guests who could be of no help in battle fought to escape the onslaught. Setsuna did not hesitate to react. Steeling herself against the fleeing, screaming swarm, she produced her transformation wand from among the folds of her gown, and thrust it into the air.
"Pluto Planet Power, Make UP!" she yelled at the top of her lungs, and immediately felt her gown convert into her Sailor Soldier's uniform. Gritting her teeth, Sailor Pluto forced her way through the throng, determined to reach the other Sailor Soldiers, and help them fight. The terrified mob did not seem willing to let her go to them.
"Let me pass!" she ordered angrily. "I must help to protect this kingdom!"
"Stay back!" an oddly calm and even voice called out from somewhere in the crowd. "We must leave the battles to the Sailor Soldiers."
"I am a Sailor Soldier!" Pluto retorted hotly.
"No longer, Setsuna of Pluto," the strange voice countered. "You must not interfere." The sound of her given name spoken so casually angered Pluto further.
"Question me not!" she ordered. "Do not pretend to understand what is beyond you!" With that, she forgot the voice, and continued to push against the throng. As she did, her transformation began to reverse itself. By the time she reached the edge of the crowd, she was once again draped in the flowing gowns of the Princess of Pluto. Setsuna did not notice her change until, breaking through the last line of guests, she caught her foot on her skirt, and fell heavily to the floor. Somewhat dazed, Setsuna lifted her eyes to see the battle, which she had already begun. She was struck speechless at the sight that met her eyes.
Sailor Neptune was dead. Uranus, her tear-filled eyes glittering with cold fury, stood protectively over her lover's body, her feet spread, the Space Sword held menacingly before her. What she was preparing to fight, Setsuna could not see. Whatever it was, it was invisible to her. But from the look on Uranus' face, Setsuna could tell that she was hopelessly outnumbered. Still, Uranus was prepared to fight—and perhaps die—to protect her Queen, and avenge the death of her lover. With her dark blue eyes fixed unblinkingly upon her enemy, Uranus raised her sword…and faded from Setsuna's view.
In her place now stood Princess Serenity, trembling in the embrace of a young man whom Setsuna had never seen before. He was dressed all in black, with a sweeping black cape, which he had wrapped around the reigning princess, as if to hide her. Setsuna could not see his face clearly, but something in his stance told her that this young man was a warrior, and more importantly, that he was fighting for Princess Serenity's sake. The Sailor Guardians formed a protective circle around Serenity and the strange young man, bravely staring down invisible foes, their eyes burning with the desire to protect their princess. In one gloved hand, Venus held the Crystal Sword, a weapon given to the Sailor Guardians by Selene herself, that they might forever defend the princess.
Setsuna knew that they would need her help. Once again, she pulled out her wand, and called out her transformation phrase. Nothing happened. She could not feel the power of the Voices at all.
Uranus cried out as a wound was opened on her body. Venus lunged at her enemy, and a moment later, fell dead. The Crystal Sword passed to Sailor Mars' hand. Setsuna tried again. Again, the power of the Voices evaded her. Mars lost her battle and fell, soaked in blood. Jupiter, already weary from fighting, summoned her strength, and took up the Crystal Sword.
Setsuna swore through her teeth. This was ridiculous! She was still Sailor Pluto! She would be until the time of her grandsire's Passing into the Realm of Gods! She knew this to be the truth. Why, then, could she not transform herself? Desperately, she tried once more. Nothing. Uranus, bested by her adversary, collapsed beside Neptune, prepared to breathe her last. Jupiter was the next to be defeated. She died where she fell, her gloved fingers still curled around the hilt of the Crystal Sword. Setsuna's heart sank. Sailor Mercury should have been the next of the Sailor Guardians to take up the Crystal Sword and protect the princess, but she could not. She had been dead even before Neptune had fallen.
Princess Serenity cried out in terror and anguish each time she saw one of her friends murdered. The young man held her tighter to him, and unsheathed a broadsword, which he held defensively in front of them. Setsuna could tell that he was as well prepared to give his life for Serenity as any of the Sailor Guardians.
All at once, Setsuna could see their enemy. It was naught but a giant shadow, but it radiated such evil that she could not help but be afraid. Serenity released a weak cry, and buried her face in his chest as the shadow rose up before them. Then, as it descended upon the princess, all that Setsuna could see went dark.
An image flashed across her mind. She saw the princess, as she had been as an infant, asleep in her cradle. As her lady mother wept, a dark, yet beautiful woman gently caressed the child's cheek with a cold hand, her lips curled into a dreadful sneer.
"Thy daughter will not follow thee to this Kingdom's throne, Serenity," the woman declared. "Morganna will descend upon her long before she comes for thee." The vision was gone then. Setsuna heard the princess scream, and the darkness lifted. Princess Serenity now lay dead atop the young man's body. Blood poured from both of them, soaking their garments as it ran to the floor, where it mingled in puddles of dark red life force. Suddenly, the High Queen was there as well, sobbing over her beloved daughter's corpse, powerless to save her. The shadow rose behind them, prepared to consume them all.
"No!" Setsuna cried weakly, too horrified by the carnage to turn away. But the shadow did not swallow the Queen. Rather, from the shadow's heart, there appeared a strange silhouette. It was roughly the shape of a young girl, and in its hands was a long staff, topped by an evil-looking blade that flashed silver when it caught the light. The girl's face was dark, her features indistinguishable, except for her eyes. Setsuna trembled as the girl's gaze came to rest on the High Queen. Her eyes carried a kind of evil that Setsuna was certain no mortal was ever meant to witness, and burned with a strange violet fire that was, at the same time, cold as ice. The girl regarded the High Queen with apparent disgust for a moment, then raised her gleaming blade high above Serenity's head…
…Setsuna awoke with a feeble cry, dripping with cold sweat. Her heart thundered so forcefully behind her ribs that her breast jumped with its rhythm. Trembling, she sat up. Chronos had left her side, laying her upon the nonexistent ground, and gone to observe the present. He stood before the Window now, silently looking on as the High Queen conversed with a humble peasant man who had requested audience with her.
"What troubles you, my granddaughter?" he asked without turning to look at her. Setsuna blinked, remembering her dream with frightening clarity. It was naught but a dream, she told herself. Be at peace.
"Nothing, Grandfather," she told him. "I am alright."
That would be the only falsehood that Setsuna ever imparted to her grandfather in her lifetime.
**************************************************************************** **Confusing? I thought so. Well, don't worry, its supposed to be. After all, it is a dream. Hey! I actually got this chapter out pretty quick, didn't I? Well, don't expect the next one to be so quick. It's the most delicate chapter in the whole thing, so I gotta be really careful with it. But don't worry, this story will be finished eventually!