Chapter 21
Guardian of Time
It was a day of celebration throughout the Kingdom of the White Moon. It was eight
days past the summer solstice, and Princess Serenity's sixteenth birthday. It was a very
important day in the life of the reigning princess, for on the first full moon following her
birthday she would have her coming of age ceremony. The princess' coming of age meant that
she was fully trained, and ready to inherit the throne. It was official statement that as soon as
the princess was wed, she would take the Silver Crystal from her mother's hand, and be crowned
High Queen of the White Moon Kingdom.
In honor of the princess' birthday, Queen Serenity was throwing a spectacular party at
the Silver Palace. Every member of her court was invited, as were many of the noble families
from the various planets. Setsuna longed to be among the guests. She longed to see the other
Sailor Soldiers, to wish the princess a happy birthday, and to toast to the Queen's health and the
long reign of the White Moon Kingdom. But alas, at the Gates of Time, she too was facing an
important day in her life, and Chronos made it quite clear that there was no possible way that
she could leave the Gates of Time now, not even for a quick visit to the Silver Palace to wish the
princess well.
"Your own training as Guardian of Time is now complete, dear one," he explained.
Around his granddaughter's waist, the god of time fastened a silver chain from which hung
many small silver keys.
"What are these for?" Setsuna asked curiously, gently fingering one of the ornate keys.
"They will allow a mortal to travel the time stream," her grandfather replied, standing.
"Are you ready?" Setsuna glanced up in surprise.
"Ready?" she repeated. "Ready for what?" Chronos smiled, and extended a hand.
"For your own first journey through the time stream," he replied. "You cannot become
the Guardian of Time without learning to travel the time stream. Are you ready?"
"I suppose I am." Setsuna replied, slightly bewildered, and took her grandfather's hand.
"Are we journeying to the past or the future?"
"The past." Chronos answered. "Pass your hand over the Mirror, dear one. Order it to
open the time stream for us." Setsuna was startled.
"Me?" she asked in wonderment.
"You are the one who wears the keys, my child." Chronos reminded her with an amused
smile. "Time will listen to no one else." Setsuna felt color creep up her neck. The answer was so
obvious that she was embarrassed that she had not thought of it herself. To cover her
embarrassment, she focused on the Mirror of the Past, and raised a hand to it. Immediately
foreign knowledge flowed into her, and she knew what she was to do.
"Father of Time, open the gate to the fourth dimension for me. Guide me on my path to
the past." As Setsuna spoke, the glass on the Mirror of the Past dissolved into a swirling black
hole. Like the one that guided me to the Voices, she thought, feeling the familiar peace wash over
her. Setsuna started to enter, then paused, and turned back to Chronos.
"Are you coming, Grandfather?" she asked. The god of time smirked slightly.
"Of course," he replied. "I'll not have my granddaughter getting lost in the time stream,
wreaking havoc on the past. Why, Selene would have my head for upsetting the natural order.
That is, unless Lady Pluto claimed it first, that she might take revenge upon me for losing the
youngest daughter of her bloodline." Setsuna assumed a pained expression.
"If you do not think me capable of navigating the time stream on my own, or visiting
the past without disrupting the future, then why would you send me at all?"
"Oh, I know that you are capable," Chronos told her, "but even the slightest disturbance
in the past can destroy the future entirely."
"And you believe I would cause such a disturbance?" Setsuna asked, unable to remove
the hurt from her voice.
"Not in the least!" Chronos assured her, sounding surprised by the idea. Setsuna was
exasperated.
"Then why—,"
"There is someplace special I wish to take you in the past," he explained. "I trust you not
to find it on your own."
"…Oh…" Setsuna said, feeling more than a little confused. I declare, sometimes I feel as if
confusing me is Grandfather's sole purpose in life, she thought, smiling a little.
"Well," said she to her grandfather, "we best not keep the past waiting. Lead me, my
grandsire, and I shall follow." With these words, Setsuna put her hand in his, and both entered
the Mirror.
***
They came out of the time stream in a darkened room that Setsuna found to be oddly
familiar. Although the air was warm and comforting, Setsuna found it difficult to slow the rapid
rhythm of her heart due to the eerie waves of nostalgia sweeping through her.
"I know this place," she whispered to Chronos. In the semi-darkness, she could just
make out the sly grin upon his face.
"I should hope you do," he answered. Setsuna did not even bother questioning his
words. She knew her grandfather well enough by now to know that his meaning would become
clear when he wanted it to, not any sooner or later. Flickers of movement in the corner of her
eye, accompanied by the soft rustle of bed cloths, caught Setsuna's attention. They were in
someone's bedchamber, a girl-child's judging by the size and shape of the sitting up in her bed.
Setsuna knew the child also, but could not imagine who she was, nor from where she knew her.
"Grandfather?" the child asked.
"It is I, my dear one." Chronos replied, and the meaning of his earlier words was
revealed to Setsuna. This is my bedchamber! She realized with a start. It is the one I shared with
Haruka and Michiru when I was a girl, training at the Silver Palace. That child is my past self!
"Who is that?" the child—Setsuna—asked, pointing at her future self.
"I am you," the elder Setsuna replied. "I am who you will become." The child gasped.
"Are you Sailor Pluto?" she asked in a whisper. Setsuna the woman was seized by a
sudden panic. What was she to say? She was not Sailor Pluto, but the Guardian of Time. But the
child could not know that. At eight years of age, Setsuna had believed herself destined to
become Sailor Pluto, and she would not—could not—know differently until she was eighteen.
But Setsuna could not lie, not even to herself. She shushed the child gently.
"Sleep now," she told her younger self, prompting an indignant protest from the girl. As
her grandfather chuckled and moved to tuck the child Setsuna into her bed, the woman
struggled to sort her jumbled thoughts.
Setsuna remembered that night. She had thought the appearance of her grandfather and
her future self had been only a bizarre dream. Now that she knew the truth, she wondered how
she ever could have believed such nonsense. Was I completely blind to the reality around me? She
thought somewhat angrily. How could I ignore the obvious truth?
Chronos must have sensed her conflict, for as he returned to her side after tucking the
child into bed, he asked, "What vexes you, dearest granddaughter?"
"I thought this was a dream," she replied coldly. "Now I wonder how I could have been
so foolish." Setsuna could grandfather's face in the semi-darkness, but sensed that he was
smiling kindly.
"Her Majesty once said, 'What is meant to happen will'," he told her. "Never have I met
a mortal with a greater understanding of destiny than the White Moon Kingdom's High
Queen." Setsuna understood what he was telling her. All along, he had intended for her past self
to believe that her appearance was a dream. That was what the child was meant to believe, and
so nothing would convince her otherwise—nor would her future self try. Setsuna of Pluto was
not stranger to the meaning of destiny, nor was she ignorant of the consequences to altering the
past. Setsuna racked her brain, trying to unearth the memory of the events that had led up to
the encounter with her future self. The task was a difficult one; she had not thought much about
her days in training since learning her true destiny.
An image of the past touched her. In her memory's eye, Setsuna saw herself as a child
sitting beside Lady Moira in a large chair. The girl wore a piteous expression. The memory
played out in silence for a moment as Setsuna struggled to recall what she and her mother had
said. Suddenly, she heard herself speak.
"She meant that you were born to her, so you were her own no matter what," the child
was saying, her tone holding something akin to suspicion. Of course, Setsuna thought. I remember
now. I was feeling badly because I had not begun to hear the Voices of the Dead. Mother said that it was
not my fault, and that she would love me always, even while the Voices yet evaded me. Remembering
that, Setsuna felt a stab of guilt. How could I forget something so important? She wondered.
Setsuna suddenly felt very cold and lonesome as she remembered that moment from her
childhood. Wrapping her arms around herself, she shivered, valiantly fighting the tears that
threatened her. Mother told me I was too young to lose my innocence, she thought bitterly, and by the
gods, she was right. I was too young, yet the only thing I wanted in the entire world was to become Sailor
Pluto. Now I wish I could have kept my innocence forever, but alas, I had to meet my destiny someday.
"Do not forget Mother's words, Setsuna," she told her past self. "She speaks only the
truth." A strong arm wound its way around her waist, and drew her close.
"It is time to leave, dear one." Chronos told her gently. Setsuna nodded her agreement,
swallowing the lump that had risen in her throat. With a heavy heart, she turned her back upon
her childhood.
***
Reentering the bridge-between-realms where the Gates of Time stood, Chronos turned
to face his granddaughter, and their eyes locked. Setsuna held his gaze steadily, waiting
patiently for him to speak.
"Congratulations, granddaughter," he said. "You have passed your greatest test."
Setsuna was startled.
"Test?" she repeated. "Was that a test?"
"It was. Normally, it is impossible for two of the same person even to exist in one time,
much less speak to one another. The reason is that such an encounter could easily change the
past, and inevitably the future, forever. That is the reason time travel is usually forbidden.
Because your past self believed the encounter to be a dream, we were able to remain for a good
amount of time without causing any kind of disturbance. Had you let the child know that it was
real, or told her anything that would have led her to believe she was not destined to become
Sailor Pluto, you would have begun to feel the distortions as the past changed forever. But you
are wiser than that. You knew not to alter a word of your memory, and therefore, the past
remained as it was supposed to be." Setsuna blinked in astonishment.
"I…I only said what I felt to be correct," she stammered, somewhat agitated by the fact
that she had just passed a test without even realizing that she was being tested. "It felt so
natural." Chronos smiled.
"As it should, dear one," he replied. "As it should." Bemused, Setsuna shook her head,
turning the facts over in her mind, struggling to make sense of what she had been told. Slowly,
her lips twisted into a half-smile that eventually spread into a wide grin.
"Well," she said, beaming, "I have passed your test. What, pray tell, does that mean, and
what am I to do next?"
"It means that you are now ready to take my place as Guardian of the Sacred Gates."
Chronos told her solemnly. "As for what you are to do next, well, I think I shall let you decide
that." Setsuna's bubbling good spirits gave way to frustration. Once again, her grandfather was
leaving her without guidance.
You are the Guardian of Time now, she reminded herself impatiently. You should not need
to be told what do in every situation. Now think carefully. There is something more that you must do and
it is up to you to figure out what that something is.
Setsuna closed her eyes, furrowing her brow in concentration. Let your heart lead you, she
thought. Her plan worked. Immediately, she knew what she was to do. Tightening her grip on
her Time Staff, Setsuna approached the Door to the Future, her step cautious and her gaze alert.
Slowly and deliberately, she stretched a hand toward the door, and gingerly touched its great
lock with the tip of one finger. Gradually, Setsuna relaxed and her touch became more tranquil.
Her gloved fingers journeyed over the lock, exploring every curve and crevice on its surface. As
she stroked the great iron lock, she suddenly noticed strange warmth radiating from the Door.
It flowed from the lock to her fingertips, and traveled up her arm to spread through out her
entire body. This is divine magic, she realized. I am borrowing power and knowledge from the gods.
Then another thought occurred to her.
Am I borrowing the power of the gods, she wondered, or am I becoming one myself? Am I
turning into the Time Goddess?
"Father of Time," she called, "unlock the Door to the Future for me! Let it be opened,
that the secrets of the future may be revealed to me!" With a click, the lock opened and fell from
the door, clattering noisily upon the nonexistent ground. Setsuna jumped back slightly,
frightened by the show of power she had never known herself to possess. Almost immediately,
her grandfather was at her side. Setsuna did not turn to face him, but she felt his fingertips in
her back, gently prodding her toward the Door to the Future, which was now agar, just open
enough to let a sliver of silver light shine through. Gathering her courage, Setsuna moistened
her lips nervously and took a wary step towards the Door. Be not afraid, she told herself. It only
reacted to your command. You have control over it, and it will obey you. The knowledge increased
Setsuna's confidence a hundred-fold. Steadily and without fear, she reached out and pushed upon
the Door to the Future. It swung open, revealing a pool of harsh white light. The magic coming
off the pool was so great that Setsuna could actually hear it as a high-pitched whistle inside her
head. Setsuna raised an arm in front of her face, shielding her eyes from the glare.
…Wish to see… Setsuna drew in a sharp breath. The whistle of magic within her mind
was beginning to fade. In its place, she heard a voice. Whether it was male or female, both or
neither, Setsuna could not tell. For all she knew, it was the collective voice of every soul in
existence. She could not tell whom the voice belonged to, but she knew she had to listen to it.
She bid her mind be silent.
…Wish to see…said the voice…what you wish to see…Tell me…what…you wish…to see…
"Door to the Future!" Setsuna shouted. "Reveal to me the future of the White Moon
Kingdom." Silence fell. The light faded. Slowly, Setsuna lowered her arm, and peered through
the Door, where she knew she could find the future of the White Moon Kingdom.
On the other side of the Door to the Future, Setsuna saw a woman dressed in a flowing
silver white gown. Setsuna felt her breath catch as she watched the woman move gracefully
about her chambers, for she was a breathtakingly beautiful creature. Slim and delicate, she
nevertheless radiated such power that it would be difficult for anyone to regard her as anything
less then a force to be reckoned with. Although she wore her long golden hair in the customary
bunned pony's tails of the royal Lunarian women, and the Mark of Selene glowed clearly upon
her brow, it was ultimately the woman's stance and manner that allowed Setsuna to recognize
her as Princess Serenity. Like her mother, the reigning princess was surrounded with an
otherworldly aura of peace and calm.
"That is Princess Serenity!" she told her grandfather, smiling brightly. "Although now I
suppose she would be called the Queen."
"I suppose you are correct." Chronos replied absently. For a moment, Setsuna was put
off by his tone, but dismissed her uncertainties quickly when a new figure appeared on the
future's scene. A child of about three years of age raced into the Queen's chambers on chubby
little legs, her arms stretched toward the golden-haired woman.
"Mama!" the girl squealed happily as Queen Serenity collected her in her arms and held
her close. Setsuna laughed, amused by the sight of the future High Queen standing in the middle
of her chambers, her arms full with a squirming child.
"That must be her heir! Oh, what a beautiful and small lady!" Setsuna said this in all
sincerity, for the little girl was indeed a pretty thing. She was like a plump and rosy doll, with
dusty pink hair, and eyes like twin rubies. As she studied the girl, Setsuna frowned. The child
might have been lovely, but there was something missing.
"Grandfather, why does Serenity's heir not bear the Mark of Selene?" she asked
worriedly as Serenity kissed the child and set her down upon the bed.
"That is not your concern, dear one. It is in the hands of the gods, and that is all you
need know." Setsuna sighed and nodded, knowing better than to demand that he tell her the
reason. She would learn someday, that she knew. She turned her attention back to the scene of
the future, just in time to see the Queen's chamber door open a second time. Her jaw dropped.
Standing in the doorway of Serenity's chambers was the most handsome man Setsuna had ever
laid eyes on. He was tall and strong looking, with power in his stance and step. His hair was a
sleek black cap, his eyes swirling pools of dark, beautiful blue. Setsuna felt her pulse racing as
she watched him standing there. If she had been able to tear her eyes from the gorgeous man
and look down, she would have seen her breast jumping with the rhythm of her heart. As it was,
she did not look anywhere except at that beautiful, beautiful man. She couldn't have looked away
had she tried.
The man smiled, and Setsuna felt her mouth go dry. His smile, so full of pure love, only
served to increase his splendor. Please, do not cease to smile, Setsuna thought. You are so lovely
when you smile. The man did continue to smile as he moved toward the Queen and took her into
his arms, lacing his fingers at the small of her back. Serenity returned his beam, her bright blue
eyes beholding him with absolute adoration, and draped her arms about his neck.
"Serenity, my love," he whispered gently, letting his eyes flutter closed as he lowered his
forehead to the Queen's. His voice sent a delicious shiver throughout Setsuna, but his words
were like a dagger in her heart.
"That is the King," she whispered sadly as Serenity tipped her chin to accept her
husband's kiss. Tears filled Setsuna's eyes as their mouths met with obvious passion. They love
one another, she realized, her heart sinking like a stone. Gods, it is so obvious even a drunken dog
could see the truth! Noticing the moisture in her eyes, Setsuna scrubbed at them furiously,
determined not to cry. Do not be an idiot, she snarled at herself. You have no place hungering for
any man! You are the Guardian of Time! You must not fall in love or lust! Setsuna forced her heart to
slow itself, ordered her emotions to leave her. She once again focused on the future.
"Oh, Endymion," the Queen murmured, resting her head against the King's shoulder, "I
love you so much. Don't ever forget that I love you." Setsuna stiffened, feeling a cold shiver
skitter up her spine.
" 'Endymion'," she repeated. "I know that name from somewhere."
"You are looking too far into the future," Chronos said suddenly, startling Setsuna. "Ask
it to show you the era before the New Kingdom's rise." Setsuna faced her grandfather, wearing
an expression of utter confusion.
" 'New Kingdom'?" she repeated skeptically.
"Ask it." Chronos ordered sharply. Setsuna shrugged, and turned back to the Door,
prepared to ask what her grandfather had told her to, although some instinct told her she would
not like what she would see.
"Door to the Future, show me the era before the New Kingdom's rise!" The sight of the
King and Queen locked in their loving embrace dissolved back into a pool of silver light, which
rapidly gave way to another image of the future.
Princess Serenity raced through the night, Luna and Artemis at her heels, her four
guardians following close behind. Or at least, that was who the crowd appeared to be at first
glance. At second glance, Setsuna realized they could not be the princess and the Sailor
Guardians, because the girl who appeared to be Serenity did not even bear the Mark of Selene.
Furthermore, they were all dressed in the most ridiculous attire Setsuna had ever seen. No, they
could not be the princess and her Sailor Soldiers. But then, if they were not, then who were
they? And whom were the two cats running as if their lives depended on it with those five girls
who bore such a strong resemblance to Serenity, Mina, Rei, Mako, and Ami? As Setsuna
watched them running, the girl who looked like Serenity pulled something from her pocket, and
held it high above her head.
"Moon Cosmic Power, Make UP!" she shouted. What an odd phrase, Setsuna thought.
The first part sounds like the words that Queen Serenity would use to activate the Silver Crystal, but the
second part sounds like what a Sailor Soldier would use to transform herself. As if the familiar words
coming from the mouth of the strange girl were not enough of a shock for Setsuna, in the next
moment, the girl's bizarre clothing was replaced by a Sailor Soldier's uniform of red and blue. In
the center of her tiara, rather than an oval jewel, there was an upright crescent, not unlike the
Mark of Selene. The other four girls followed suit, using wands to change their odd garments to
the familiar uniforms of the Sailor Guardians.
Setsuna could no longer doubt that the four girls were indeed Princess Serenity's
guardians. The girl who looked like Mina had called upon the planet Venus to transform. The
Rei look alike had called out to Mars. Mako and Ami had called for Jupiter and Mercury
respectively. They were most certainly the same girls that she had known for years. Knowing
that, Setsuna was a bit more willing to believe that the two felines could in fact be Artemis and
Luna. But then, who was the fifth girl, the one who looked so much like Princess Serenity?
The images swirled again, and Setsuna saw the same golden-haired girl lying bruised
and beaten on the icy ground as snow whirled around her. Her red and blue uniform was dirtied
and torn, and Setsuna could tell she had nearly reached the limit of her power, but she gritted
her teeth, and forced herself to stand. For an instant, her beautiful face contorted with pain, but
she stubbornly set her jaw and faced her enemy, her blue eyes hard as diamonds.
"There is no beauty in a world that is completely still!" she shouted above the roar of the
icy wind. The face of the brooch on her collar opened. The air in front of her chest began to
glow, and there appeared a large, shining silver stone.
"Sailor Moon!" a voice Setsuna recognized as Venus' screamed. "If you use the Silver
Crystal, you'll die!"
"I won't let her die!" Uranus' voice declared fiercely.
"We have to protect her!" Mars cried. Silver Crystal? Setsuna thought, her heart racing
madly. This girl they call Sailor Moon can use the Silver Crystal. It was more than Setsuna could
comprehend. The girl could use the Silver Crystal. Furthermore, her safety had seemed to be
the first thing on the minds of Venus, Uranus, and Mars. Setsuna could not see them, but their
tones were enough to bring her to that conclusion, and something told her that any of the other
Sailor Soldiers who were there would be of a similar mind frame. Truly, based on that
knowledge, the only person the strange golden-haired girl could be was…
"No. That could not be the princess." Setsuna said without much confidence. "Could it?"
"You ought to know the answer to that question." Chronos said quietly. Setsuna did
know the answer. But how could it be so? It simply made no sense!
"What is she doing in the uniform of a Sailor Soldier? And I saw that she did not bear
the Mark of Selene! What is the meaning of this?" As if in answer to her question, the images
swirled once more.
Princess Serenity, clad in a pink nightdress, sat upon her bed, her elbows propped up on
the windowsill with her chin in her hands. There was look of great sorrow in her eyes as she
stared silently at the night sky. Luna leapt up onto the bed beside her.
"You're looking at the moon again," she told her mistress. It was a statement, not a
question. Serenity nodded.
"Yeah," she answered, her voice sounding very far away. "What was it like back then,
Luna?"
"Back then?" Luna repeated as if she did not know what Serenity was talking about,
although Setsuna somehow got the impression that she did.
"Yeah. You know, what was it like before…well…you know…" the princess trailed off,
and pressed her lips together tightly. Although she never took her eyes from the sky, Setsuna
could still see that they were coated with tears.
"It was lovely." Luna answered sadly. "The Silver Palace was large and beautiful, and
there were great parties and celebrations…" then Luna, too, was silent.
"Was I happy?" Serenity asked in a whisper. Luna turned bright orange eyes upon her
mistress and cocked her head, her expression one of concern.
"What's the matter, Usagi-chan?" she asked.
"I don't know," Serenity sighed. "It's just that…well, the moon was my home. There
were people I loved with all my heart there. It will always be a part of me, but I can hardly
remember any of it. All I really remember is that I loved it all, and that I was happy. I want to
feel happy like that again. I want to go back to the moon and have things be the way they were
again, even if I can't remember the way things were, because I want that happiness back. Then,
on the other hand, I'd be leaving behind a different kind of happiness, the kind I have here on
Earth. Whenever I think that, I wish I could go back to the days before I knew about any of
this. But then I realize I would be living a lie. The moon, and everything connected with it, is a
part of me, and I can't escape the truth. When I think that, I go back to wishing things could go
back to the way things used to be, back when I lived on the moon. Then, well, the cycle starts
all over again, and I'm left not knowing what in Selene's name I want anymore, and then I feel
like a part of me has died. I'm sorry. I'm not making any sense, am I?" Luna shook her coal black
head and crawled into Serenity's lap.
"You're making perfect sense, Usagi-chan," she declared. "Sometimes, I feel the same
way." Serenity sighed again and picked up the royal advisor, cuddling her against her breast.
She turned her eyes back to the sky, and for a long moment, all was silent.
"Luna," Serenity began in a small voice, "did my mother love me?"
"She died for you, Usagi-chan." Luna said gravely. "Doesn't that prove it?"
Luna's dark words were the last straw for Setsuna. Without waiting to hear the
princess' reply, she slammed the Door to the Future shut, and pressed her back to it as if she
were afraid it would try to force its way open and force more scenes from the future upon her.
Setsuna would not have that. She had seen all she could bear, and it had left her cold and sick
with fear.
"Something is wrong," she said, somehow surprised by the way her voice was quivering.
"Something is terribly wrong." Trembling, she slowly made her way to the Window to the
Present, not even knowing why she was going that way, but determined to find the answers to
the frantic questions flying through her mind. Why was Princess Serenity fighting in the
uniform of a Sailor Soldier? Why could she not remember the moon? Why had Luna called her
by that strange name—what was it? Usagi-chan. And what did she mean saying that Queen
Serenity had died?
Setsuna suspected she was half-mad from fear. The journey to the Window seemed to
take hours, even though her logical mind told her that she was well outside the influence of
time. At last she reached her destination. Setsuna practically fell upon the window, pushing it
open with a clumsy hand, so desperate she was to encounter the answers waiting on the other
side. The sight that met her eyes might have stopped her heart.
Battle. Death. The Silver Palace was under attack. Uranus and Neptune faced off against
an entire regiment of enemy soldiers. Their expressions were determined, but their situation
was grim. They had their magic, their talismans, and their will to protect the White Moon
Kingdom on their side, but against so many soldiers, even their celestial powers seemed
insignificant, weak. Then Setsuna saw Venus, locked in a duel with a white-haired young man.
Setsuna knew the Crystal Sword was deadly placed in Venus' skilled hand, but her opponent
seemed just as skilled. He calmly fended off the Sailor Soldier's angry blows, quickly wearing
her down. The image shifted again. Princess Serenity ran from the palace, gripping the hand of
a handsome young man. Setsuna recognized the man. He was the one the Door to the Future
had shown her. His name was Endymion, and he would reign at Serenity's side as King when
she became the High Queen. Now, though, he urged her to run faster, reminded her that they
had to find Lady Beryl before she found Serenity's mother. Meanwhile, more enemy soldiers
stormed the Silver Palace, reminding one another of their orders: find the Queen and bring her
before the Empress. Find Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion, and take them to Lady Beryl.
Setsuna clenched her fists, immediately knowing what she had to do. Kill the Sailor Soldiers,
and anyone else who got in their way.
"I have to fight."
"No, Setsuna." Chronos answered. "You mustn't."
"Grandfather, the Queen is in danger. The Sailor Soldiers are hopelessly outnumbered. I
have to help them."
"You would be killed." Setsuna never took her eyes off the scene being played out before
her.
"That is a risk I shall have to take," she replied stubbornly. "I cannot simply sit here and
watch while the White Moon Kingdom falls to ruin before my eyes!"
"Well, you cannot very well leave!" Chronos shot back. "You are the Guardian of Time
now, and are forever bound to these Sacred Gates!"
"I am not bound yet, Grandfather!" Setsuna countered angrily. "I care not what you say,
I am not bound until the time of your Passing!"
"Setsuna!" Chronos shouted. "Look upon me!" There was no wrath in his voice, but
enough power to make Setsuna's blood run cold. She turned to face him.
She screamed.
Sounds of the battle in progress on the moon, floating to her ears from the still-open
Window, faded into silence as she stared in horror at the god of time.
All her life, just like the rest of her family, Chronos had retained a youthful appearance.
Members of the royal lines ceased to age physically once they reached full adulthood. Oh, their
bodies weakened some as the years slipped by, as did their power, but never would a line or a
wrinkle mar their youthful faces, nor a streak of gray appear in their hair. Gods never aged at
all. Never, that is, until the moment of their Passing. Then, what would have been years' worth
of aging for a common mortal appeared upon the god in mere minutes.
Setsuna felt her legs turn to water beneath her. Shivering, she sank to the ground-that-
was-not-there, never taking her gaze off her grandfather. Her mouth hung open in silent horror,
and tears cascaded down her cheeks in waterfalls. For looking upon him now, Chronos appeared
to be a very old man.
Setsuna vehemently shook her head. "No. It cannot be. Grandfather, we are not touched
by time here!" Chronos regarded her sadly.
"The last time I left these Sacred Gates, I returned with less than an hour remaining in
the world of men. I was able to remain only because you had not been made into the Time
Goddess yet. Now that you have passed your final test, there is absolutely nothing to stop me
from Returning."
"Grandfather, please say it is not so! If I cannot help the Sailor Soldiers fight, then they
will be killed, and the Kingdom of the White Moon will most certainly fall to ruin! I must help
them! Please, Grandfather!"
"I am no longer your grandfather!" Chronos snapped. "I am only a god Returned!" His
words filled Setsuna with a fear unlike any she had ever known. Her grandfather was truly
leaving her! She would be bound to the Gates of Time, and she would not be able to leave ever
again, even to help the Sailor Soldiers fight.
"Please, Grandfather," she whispered. "I do not want it to be this way."
"Neither do I, dear one," he admitted, "but destiny never leaves us with any sort of
choice. I'm sorry I could not protect you from this pain."
"Oh, Grandfather…" Chronos smiled sadly.
"I love you, Setsuna. I always will." And then he was gone, Returned to the Realm of
Gods.
"Grandfather?" Setsuna cried frantically. "CHRONOS!!" Left alone at the Sacred Gates,
the Guardian of Time broke down, and wept, although she knew the loss of her grandfather was
not the end of her horror. Slowly, regretting it with all her heart, Setsuna turned back to the
Window to the Present.
The fall of the White Moon Kingdom was at hand.
******************************************************************************
Three chapters left! Aren't you all so happy for me? This is the closest I've ever been to
finishing a story in my life! Anyway, keep reviewing, and stay tuned for Chapter 22!
Guardian of Time
It was a day of celebration throughout the Kingdom of the White Moon. It was eight
days past the summer solstice, and Princess Serenity's sixteenth birthday. It was a very
important day in the life of the reigning princess, for on the first full moon following her
birthday she would have her coming of age ceremony. The princess' coming of age meant that
she was fully trained, and ready to inherit the throne. It was official statement that as soon as
the princess was wed, she would take the Silver Crystal from her mother's hand, and be crowned
High Queen of the White Moon Kingdom.
In honor of the princess' birthday, Queen Serenity was throwing a spectacular party at
the Silver Palace. Every member of her court was invited, as were many of the noble families
from the various planets. Setsuna longed to be among the guests. She longed to see the other
Sailor Soldiers, to wish the princess a happy birthday, and to toast to the Queen's health and the
long reign of the White Moon Kingdom. But alas, at the Gates of Time, she too was facing an
important day in her life, and Chronos made it quite clear that there was no possible way that
she could leave the Gates of Time now, not even for a quick visit to the Silver Palace to wish the
princess well.
"Your own training as Guardian of Time is now complete, dear one," he explained.
Around his granddaughter's waist, the god of time fastened a silver chain from which hung
many small silver keys.
"What are these for?" Setsuna asked curiously, gently fingering one of the ornate keys.
"They will allow a mortal to travel the time stream," her grandfather replied, standing.
"Are you ready?" Setsuna glanced up in surprise.
"Ready?" she repeated. "Ready for what?" Chronos smiled, and extended a hand.
"For your own first journey through the time stream," he replied. "You cannot become
the Guardian of Time without learning to travel the time stream. Are you ready?"
"I suppose I am." Setsuna replied, slightly bewildered, and took her grandfather's hand.
"Are we journeying to the past or the future?"
"The past." Chronos answered. "Pass your hand over the Mirror, dear one. Order it to
open the time stream for us." Setsuna was startled.
"Me?" she asked in wonderment.
"You are the one who wears the keys, my child." Chronos reminded her with an amused
smile. "Time will listen to no one else." Setsuna felt color creep up her neck. The answer was so
obvious that she was embarrassed that she had not thought of it herself. To cover her
embarrassment, she focused on the Mirror of the Past, and raised a hand to it. Immediately
foreign knowledge flowed into her, and she knew what she was to do.
"Father of Time, open the gate to the fourth dimension for me. Guide me on my path to
the past." As Setsuna spoke, the glass on the Mirror of the Past dissolved into a swirling black
hole. Like the one that guided me to the Voices, she thought, feeling the familiar peace wash over
her. Setsuna started to enter, then paused, and turned back to Chronos.
"Are you coming, Grandfather?" she asked. The god of time smirked slightly.
"Of course," he replied. "I'll not have my granddaughter getting lost in the time stream,
wreaking havoc on the past. Why, Selene would have my head for upsetting the natural order.
That is, unless Lady Pluto claimed it first, that she might take revenge upon me for losing the
youngest daughter of her bloodline." Setsuna assumed a pained expression.
"If you do not think me capable of navigating the time stream on my own, or visiting
the past without disrupting the future, then why would you send me at all?"
"Oh, I know that you are capable," Chronos told her, "but even the slightest disturbance
in the past can destroy the future entirely."
"And you believe I would cause such a disturbance?" Setsuna asked, unable to remove
the hurt from her voice.
"Not in the least!" Chronos assured her, sounding surprised by the idea. Setsuna was
exasperated.
"Then why—,"
"There is someplace special I wish to take you in the past," he explained. "I trust you not
to find it on your own."
"…Oh…" Setsuna said, feeling more than a little confused. I declare, sometimes I feel as if
confusing me is Grandfather's sole purpose in life, she thought, smiling a little.
"Well," said she to her grandfather, "we best not keep the past waiting. Lead me, my
grandsire, and I shall follow." With these words, Setsuna put her hand in his, and both entered
the Mirror.
***
They came out of the time stream in a darkened room that Setsuna found to be oddly
familiar. Although the air was warm and comforting, Setsuna found it difficult to slow the rapid
rhythm of her heart due to the eerie waves of nostalgia sweeping through her.
"I know this place," she whispered to Chronos. In the semi-darkness, she could just
make out the sly grin upon his face.
"I should hope you do," he answered. Setsuna did not even bother questioning his
words. She knew her grandfather well enough by now to know that his meaning would become
clear when he wanted it to, not any sooner or later. Flickers of movement in the corner of her
eye, accompanied by the soft rustle of bed cloths, caught Setsuna's attention. They were in
someone's bedchamber, a girl-child's judging by the size and shape of the sitting up in her bed.
Setsuna knew the child also, but could not imagine who she was, nor from where she knew her.
"Grandfather?" the child asked.
"It is I, my dear one." Chronos replied, and the meaning of his earlier words was
revealed to Setsuna. This is my bedchamber! She realized with a start. It is the one I shared with
Haruka and Michiru when I was a girl, training at the Silver Palace. That child is my past self!
"Who is that?" the child—Setsuna—asked, pointing at her future self.
"I am you," the elder Setsuna replied. "I am who you will become." The child gasped.
"Are you Sailor Pluto?" she asked in a whisper. Setsuna the woman was seized by a
sudden panic. What was she to say? She was not Sailor Pluto, but the Guardian of Time. But the
child could not know that. At eight years of age, Setsuna had believed herself destined to
become Sailor Pluto, and she would not—could not—know differently until she was eighteen.
But Setsuna could not lie, not even to herself. She shushed the child gently.
"Sleep now," she told her younger self, prompting an indignant protest from the girl. As
her grandfather chuckled and moved to tuck the child Setsuna into her bed, the woman
struggled to sort her jumbled thoughts.
Setsuna remembered that night. She had thought the appearance of her grandfather and
her future self had been only a bizarre dream. Now that she knew the truth, she wondered how
she ever could have believed such nonsense. Was I completely blind to the reality around me? She
thought somewhat angrily. How could I ignore the obvious truth?
Chronos must have sensed her conflict, for as he returned to her side after tucking the
child into bed, he asked, "What vexes you, dearest granddaughter?"
"I thought this was a dream," she replied coldly. "Now I wonder how I could have been
so foolish." Setsuna could grandfather's face in the semi-darkness, but sensed that he was
smiling kindly.
"Her Majesty once said, 'What is meant to happen will'," he told her. "Never have I met
a mortal with a greater understanding of destiny than the White Moon Kingdom's High
Queen." Setsuna understood what he was telling her. All along, he had intended for her past self
to believe that her appearance was a dream. That was what the child was meant to believe, and
so nothing would convince her otherwise—nor would her future self try. Setsuna of Pluto was
not stranger to the meaning of destiny, nor was she ignorant of the consequences to altering the
past. Setsuna racked her brain, trying to unearth the memory of the events that had led up to
the encounter with her future self. The task was a difficult one; she had not thought much about
her days in training since learning her true destiny.
An image of the past touched her. In her memory's eye, Setsuna saw herself as a child
sitting beside Lady Moira in a large chair. The girl wore a piteous expression. The memory
played out in silence for a moment as Setsuna struggled to recall what she and her mother had
said. Suddenly, she heard herself speak.
"She meant that you were born to her, so you were her own no matter what," the child
was saying, her tone holding something akin to suspicion. Of course, Setsuna thought. I remember
now. I was feeling badly because I had not begun to hear the Voices of the Dead. Mother said that it was
not my fault, and that she would love me always, even while the Voices yet evaded me. Remembering
that, Setsuna felt a stab of guilt. How could I forget something so important? She wondered.
Setsuna suddenly felt very cold and lonesome as she remembered that moment from her
childhood. Wrapping her arms around herself, she shivered, valiantly fighting the tears that
threatened her. Mother told me I was too young to lose my innocence, she thought bitterly, and by the
gods, she was right. I was too young, yet the only thing I wanted in the entire world was to become Sailor
Pluto. Now I wish I could have kept my innocence forever, but alas, I had to meet my destiny someday.
"Do not forget Mother's words, Setsuna," she told her past self. "She speaks only the
truth." A strong arm wound its way around her waist, and drew her close.
"It is time to leave, dear one." Chronos told her gently. Setsuna nodded her agreement,
swallowing the lump that had risen in her throat. With a heavy heart, she turned her back upon
her childhood.
***
Reentering the bridge-between-realms where the Gates of Time stood, Chronos turned
to face his granddaughter, and their eyes locked. Setsuna held his gaze steadily, waiting
patiently for him to speak.
"Congratulations, granddaughter," he said. "You have passed your greatest test."
Setsuna was startled.
"Test?" she repeated. "Was that a test?"
"It was. Normally, it is impossible for two of the same person even to exist in one time,
much less speak to one another. The reason is that such an encounter could easily change the
past, and inevitably the future, forever. That is the reason time travel is usually forbidden.
Because your past self believed the encounter to be a dream, we were able to remain for a good
amount of time without causing any kind of disturbance. Had you let the child know that it was
real, or told her anything that would have led her to believe she was not destined to become
Sailor Pluto, you would have begun to feel the distortions as the past changed forever. But you
are wiser than that. You knew not to alter a word of your memory, and therefore, the past
remained as it was supposed to be." Setsuna blinked in astonishment.
"I…I only said what I felt to be correct," she stammered, somewhat agitated by the fact
that she had just passed a test without even realizing that she was being tested. "It felt so
natural." Chronos smiled.
"As it should, dear one," he replied. "As it should." Bemused, Setsuna shook her head,
turning the facts over in her mind, struggling to make sense of what she had been told. Slowly,
her lips twisted into a half-smile that eventually spread into a wide grin.
"Well," she said, beaming, "I have passed your test. What, pray tell, does that mean, and
what am I to do next?"
"It means that you are now ready to take my place as Guardian of the Sacred Gates."
Chronos told her solemnly. "As for what you are to do next, well, I think I shall let you decide
that." Setsuna's bubbling good spirits gave way to frustration. Once again, her grandfather was
leaving her without guidance.
You are the Guardian of Time now, she reminded herself impatiently. You should not need
to be told what do in every situation. Now think carefully. There is something more that you must do and
it is up to you to figure out what that something is.
Setsuna closed her eyes, furrowing her brow in concentration. Let your heart lead you, she
thought. Her plan worked. Immediately, she knew what she was to do. Tightening her grip on
her Time Staff, Setsuna approached the Door to the Future, her step cautious and her gaze alert.
Slowly and deliberately, she stretched a hand toward the door, and gingerly touched its great
lock with the tip of one finger. Gradually, Setsuna relaxed and her touch became more tranquil.
Her gloved fingers journeyed over the lock, exploring every curve and crevice on its surface. As
she stroked the great iron lock, she suddenly noticed strange warmth radiating from the Door.
It flowed from the lock to her fingertips, and traveled up her arm to spread through out her
entire body. This is divine magic, she realized. I am borrowing power and knowledge from the gods.
Then another thought occurred to her.
Am I borrowing the power of the gods, she wondered, or am I becoming one myself? Am I
turning into the Time Goddess?
"Father of Time," she called, "unlock the Door to the Future for me! Let it be opened,
that the secrets of the future may be revealed to me!" With a click, the lock opened and fell from
the door, clattering noisily upon the nonexistent ground. Setsuna jumped back slightly,
frightened by the show of power she had never known herself to possess. Almost immediately,
her grandfather was at her side. Setsuna did not turn to face him, but she felt his fingertips in
her back, gently prodding her toward the Door to the Future, which was now agar, just open
enough to let a sliver of silver light shine through. Gathering her courage, Setsuna moistened
her lips nervously and took a wary step towards the Door. Be not afraid, she told herself. It only
reacted to your command. You have control over it, and it will obey you. The knowledge increased
Setsuna's confidence a hundred-fold. Steadily and without fear, she reached out and pushed upon
the Door to the Future. It swung open, revealing a pool of harsh white light. The magic coming
off the pool was so great that Setsuna could actually hear it as a high-pitched whistle inside her
head. Setsuna raised an arm in front of her face, shielding her eyes from the glare.
…Wish to see… Setsuna drew in a sharp breath. The whistle of magic within her mind
was beginning to fade. In its place, she heard a voice. Whether it was male or female, both or
neither, Setsuna could not tell. For all she knew, it was the collective voice of every soul in
existence. She could not tell whom the voice belonged to, but she knew she had to listen to it.
She bid her mind be silent.
…Wish to see…said the voice…what you wish to see…Tell me…what…you wish…to see…
"Door to the Future!" Setsuna shouted. "Reveal to me the future of the White Moon
Kingdom." Silence fell. The light faded. Slowly, Setsuna lowered her arm, and peered through
the Door, where she knew she could find the future of the White Moon Kingdom.
On the other side of the Door to the Future, Setsuna saw a woman dressed in a flowing
silver white gown. Setsuna felt her breath catch as she watched the woman move gracefully
about her chambers, for she was a breathtakingly beautiful creature. Slim and delicate, she
nevertheless radiated such power that it would be difficult for anyone to regard her as anything
less then a force to be reckoned with. Although she wore her long golden hair in the customary
bunned pony's tails of the royal Lunarian women, and the Mark of Selene glowed clearly upon
her brow, it was ultimately the woman's stance and manner that allowed Setsuna to recognize
her as Princess Serenity. Like her mother, the reigning princess was surrounded with an
otherworldly aura of peace and calm.
"That is Princess Serenity!" she told her grandfather, smiling brightly. "Although now I
suppose she would be called the Queen."
"I suppose you are correct." Chronos replied absently. For a moment, Setsuna was put
off by his tone, but dismissed her uncertainties quickly when a new figure appeared on the
future's scene. A child of about three years of age raced into the Queen's chambers on chubby
little legs, her arms stretched toward the golden-haired woman.
"Mama!" the girl squealed happily as Queen Serenity collected her in her arms and held
her close. Setsuna laughed, amused by the sight of the future High Queen standing in the middle
of her chambers, her arms full with a squirming child.
"That must be her heir! Oh, what a beautiful and small lady!" Setsuna said this in all
sincerity, for the little girl was indeed a pretty thing. She was like a plump and rosy doll, with
dusty pink hair, and eyes like twin rubies. As she studied the girl, Setsuna frowned. The child
might have been lovely, but there was something missing.
"Grandfather, why does Serenity's heir not bear the Mark of Selene?" she asked
worriedly as Serenity kissed the child and set her down upon the bed.
"That is not your concern, dear one. It is in the hands of the gods, and that is all you
need know." Setsuna sighed and nodded, knowing better than to demand that he tell her the
reason. She would learn someday, that she knew. She turned her attention back to the scene of
the future, just in time to see the Queen's chamber door open a second time. Her jaw dropped.
Standing in the doorway of Serenity's chambers was the most handsome man Setsuna had ever
laid eyes on. He was tall and strong looking, with power in his stance and step. His hair was a
sleek black cap, his eyes swirling pools of dark, beautiful blue. Setsuna felt her pulse racing as
she watched him standing there. If she had been able to tear her eyes from the gorgeous man
and look down, she would have seen her breast jumping with the rhythm of her heart. As it was,
she did not look anywhere except at that beautiful, beautiful man. She couldn't have looked away
had she tried.
The man smiled, and Setsuna felt her mouth go dry. His smile, so full of pure love, only
served to increase his splendor. Please, do not cease to smile, Setsuna thought. You are so lovely
when you smile. The man did continue to smile as he moved toward the Queen and took her into
his arms, lacing his fingers at the small of her back. Serenity returned his beam, her bright blue
eyes beholding him with absolute adoration, and draped her arms about his neck.
"Serenity, my love," he whispered gently, letting his eyes flutter closed as he lowered his
forehead to the Queen's. His voice sent a delicious shiver throughout Setsuna, but his words
were like a dagger in her heart.
"That is the King," she whispered sadly as Serenity tipped her chin to accept her
husband's kiss. Tears filled Setsuna's eyes as their mouths met with obvious passion. They love
one another, she realized, her heart sinking like a stone. Gods, it is so obvious even a drunken dog
could see the truth! Noticing the moisture in her eyes, Setsuna scrubbed at them furiously,
determined not to cry. Do not be an idiot, she snarled at herself. You have no place hungering for
any man! You are the Guardian of Time! You must not fall in love or lust! Setsuna forced her heart to
slow itself, ordered her emotions to leave her. She once again focused on the future.
"Oh, Endymion," the Queen murmured, resting her head against the King's shoulder, "I
love you so much. Don't ever forget that I love you." Setsuna stiffened, feeling a cold shiver
skitter up her spine.
" 'Endymion'," she repeated. "I know that name from somewhere."
"You are looking too far into the future," Chronos said suddenly, startling Setsuna. "Ask
it to show you the era before the New Kingdom's rise." Setsuna faced her grandfather, wearing
an expression of utter confusion.
" 'New Kingdom'?" she repeated skeptically.
"Ask it." Chronos ordered sharply. Setsuna shrugged, and turned back to the Door,
prepared to ask what her grandfather had told her to, although some instinct told her she would
not like what she would see.
"Door to the Future, show me the era before the New Kingdom's rise!" The sight of the
King and Queen locked in their loving embrace dissolved back into a pool of silver light, which
rapidly gave way to another image of the future.
Princess Serenity raced through the night, Luna and Artemis at her heels, her four
guardians following close behind. Or at least, that was who the crowd appeared to be at first
glance. At second glance, Setsuna realized they could not be the princess and the Sailor
Guardians, because the girl who appeared to be Serenity did not even bear the Mark of Selene.
Furthermore, they were all dressed in the most ridiculous attire Setsuna had ever seen. No, they
could not be the princess and her Sailor Soldiers. But then, if they were not, then who were
they? And whom were the two cats running as if their lives depended on it with those five girls
who bore such a strong resemblance to Serenity, Mina, Rei, Mako, and Ami? As Setsuna
watched them running, the girl who looked like Serenity pulled something from her pocket, and
held it high above her head.
"Moon Cosmic Power, Make UP!" she shouted. What an odd phrase, Setsuna thought.
The first part sounds like the words that Queen Serenity would use to activate the Silver Crystal, but the
second part sounds like what a Sailor Soldier would use to transform herself. As if the familiar words
coming from the mouth of the strange girl were not enough of a shock for Setsuna, in the next
moment, the girl's bizarre clothing was replaced by a Sailor Soldier's uniform of red and blue. In
the center of her tiara, rather than an oval jewel, there was an upright crescent, not unlike the
Mark of Selene. The other four girls followed suit, using wands to change their odd garments to
the familiar uniforms of the Sailor Guardians.
Setsuna could no longer doubt that the four girls were indeed Princess Serenity's
guardians. The girl who looked like Mina had called upon the planet Venus to transform. The
Rei look alike had called out to Mars. Mako and Ami had called for Jupiter and Mercury
respectively. They were most certainly the same girls that she had known for years. Knowing
that, Setsuna was a bit more willing to believe that the two felines could in fact be Artemis and
Luna. But then, who was the fifth girl, the one who looked so much like Princess Serenity?
The images swirled again, and Setsuna saw the same golden-haired girl lying bruised
and beaten on the icy ground as snow whirled around her. Her red and blue uniform was dirtied
and torn, and Setsuna could tell she had nearly reached the limit of her power, but she gritted
her teeth, and forced herself to stand. For an instant, her beautiful face contorted with pain, but
she stubbornly set her jaw and faced her enemy, her blue eyes hard as diamonds.
"There is no beauty in a world that is completely still!" she shouted above the roar of the
icy wind. The face of the brooch on her collar opened. The air in front of her chest began to
glow, and there appeared a large, shining silver stone.
"Sailor Moon!" a voice Setsuna recognized as Venus' screamed. "If you use the Silver
Crystal, you'll die!"
"I won't let her die!" Uranus' voice declared fiercely.
"We have to protect her!" Mars cried. Silver Crystal? Setsuna thought, her heart racing
madly. This girl they call Sailor Moon can use the Silver Crystal. It was more than Setsuna could
comprehend. The girl could use the Silver Crystal. Furthermore, her safety had seemed to be
the first thing on the minds of Venus, Uranus, and Mars. Setsuna could not see them, but their
tones were enough to bring her to that conclusion, and something told her that any of the other
Sailor Soldiers who were there would be of a similar mind frame. Truly, based on that
knowledge, the only person the strange golden-haired girl could be was…
"No. That could not be the princess." Setsuna said without much confidence. "Could it?"
"You ought to know the answer to that question." Chronos said quietly. Setsuna did
know the answer. But how could it be so? It simply made no sense!
"What is she doing in the uniform of a Sailor Soldier? And I saw that she did not bear
the Mark of Selene! What is the meaning of this?" As if in answer to her question, the images
swirled once more.
Princess Serenity, clad in a pink nightdress, sat upon her bed, her elbows propped up on
the windowsill with her chin in her hands. There was look of great sorrow in her eyes as she
stared silently at the night sky. Luna leapt up onto the bed beside her.
"You're looking at the moon again," she told her mistress. It was a statement, not a
question. Serenity nodded.
"Yeah," she answered, her voice sounding very far away. "What was it like back then,
Luna?"
"Back then?" Luna repeated as if she did not know what Serenity was talking about,
although Setsuna somehow got the impression that she did.
"Yeah. You know, what was it like before…well…you know…" the princess trailed off,
and pressed her lips together tightly. Although she never took her eyes from the sky, Setsuna
could still see that they were coated with tears.
"It was lovely." Luna answered sadly. "The Silver Palace was large and beautiful, and
there were great parties and celebrations…" then Luna, too, was silent.
"Was I happy?" Serenity asked in a whisper. Luna turned bright orange eyes upon her
mistress and cocked her head, her expression one of concern.
"What's the matter, Usagi-chan?" she asked.
"I don't know," Serenity sighed. "It's just that…well, the moon was my home. There
were people I loved with all my heart there. It will always be a part of me, but I can hardly
remember any of it. All I really remember is that I loved it all, and that I was happy. I want to
feel happy like that again. I want to go back to the moon and have things be the way they were
again, even if I can't remember the way things were, because I want that happiness back. Then,
on the other hand, I'd be leaving behind a different kind of happiness, the kind I have here on
Earth. Whenever I think that, I wish I could go back to the days before I knew about any of
this. But then I realize I would be living a lie. The moon, and everything connected with it, is a
part of me, and I can't escape the truth. When I think that, I go back to wishing things could go
back to the way things used to be, back when I lived on the moon. Then, well, the cycle starts
all over again, and I'm left not knowing what in Selene's name I want anymore, and then I feel
like a part of me has died. I'm sorry. I'm not making any sense, am I?" Luna shook her coal black
head and crawled into Serenity's lap.
"You're making perfect sense, Usagi-chan," she declared. "Sometimes, I feel the same
way." Serenity sighed again and picked up the royal advisor, cuddling her against her breast.
She turned her eyes back to the sky, and for a long moment, all was silent.
"Luna," Serenity began in a small voice, "did my mother love me?"
"She died for you, Usagi-chan." Luna said gravely. "Doesn't that prove it?"
Luna's dark words were the last straw for Setsuna. Without waiting to hear the
princess' reply, she slammed the Door to the Future shut, and pressed her back to it as if she
were afraid it would try to force its way open and force more scenes from the future upon her.
Setsuna would not have that. She had seen all she could bear, and it had left her cold and sick
with fear.
"Something is wrong," she said, somehow surprised by the way her voice was quivering.
"Something is terribly wrong." Trembling, she slowly made her way to the Window to the
Present, not even knowing why she was going that way, but determined to find the answers to
the frantic questions flying through her mind. Why was Princess Serenity fighting in the
uniform of a Sailor Soldier? Why could she not remember the moon? Why had Luna called her
by that strange name—what was it? Usagi-chan. And what did she mean saying that Queen
Serenity had died?
Setsuna suspected she was half-mad from fear. The journey to the Window seemed to
take hours, even though her logical mind told her that she was well outside the influence of
time. At last she reached her destination. Setsuna practically fell upon the window, pushing it
open with a clumsy hand, so desperate she was to encounter the answers waiting on the other
side. The sight that met her eyes might have stopped her heart.
Battle. Death. The Silver Palace was under attack. Uranus and Neptune faced off against
an entire regiment of enemy soldiers. Their expressions were determined, but their situation
was grim. They had their magic, their talismans, and their will to protect the White Moon
Kingdom on their side, but against so many soldiers, even their celestial powers seemed
insignificant, weak. Then Setsuna saw Venus, locked in a duel with a white-haired young man.
Setsuna knew the Crystal Sword was deadly placed in Venus' skilled hand, but her opponent
seemed just as skilled. He calmly fended off the Sailor Soldier's angry blows, quickly wearing
her down. The image shifted again. Princess Serenity ran from the palace, gripping the hand of
a handsome young man. Setsuna recognized the man. He was the one the Door to the Future
had shown her. His name was Endymion, and he would reign at Serenity's side as King when
she became the High Queen. Now, though, he urged her to run faster, reminded her that they
had to find Lady Beryl before she found Serenity's mother. Meanwhile, more enemy soldiers
stormed the Silver Palace, reminding one another of their orders: find the Queen and bring her
before the Empress. Find Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion, and take them to Lady Beryl.
Setsuna clenched her fists, immediately knowing what she had to do. Kill the Sailor Soldiers,
and anyone else who got in their way.
"I have to fight."
"No, Setsuna." Chronos answered. "You mustn't."
"Grandfather, the Queen is in danger. The Sailor Soldiers are hopelessly outnumbered. I
have to help them."
"You would be killed." Setsuna never took her eyes off the scene being played out before
her.
"That is a risk I shall have to take," she replied stubbornly. "I cannot simply sit here and
watch while the White Moon Kingdom falls to ruin before my eyes!"
"Well, you cannot very well leave!" Chronos shot back. "You are the Guardian of Time
now, and are forever bound to these Sacred Gates!"
"I am not bound yet, Grandfather!" Setsuna countered angrily. "I care not what you say,
I am not bound until the time of your Passing!"
"Setsuna!" Chronos shouted. "Look upon me!" There was no wrath in his voice, but
enough power to make Setsuna's blood run cold. She turned to face him.
She screamed.
Sounds of the battle in progress on the moon, floating to her ears from the still-open
Window, faded into silence as she stared in horror at the god of time.
All her life, just like the rest of her family, Chronos had retained a youthful appearance.
Members of the royal lines ceased to age physically once they reached full adulthood. Oh, their
bodies weakened some as the years slipped by, as did their power, but never would a line or a
wrinkle mar their youthful faces, nor a streak of gray appear in their hair. Gods never aged at
all. Never, that is, until the moment of their Passing. Then, what would have been years' worth
of aging for a common mortal appeared upon the god in mere minutes.
Setsuna felt her legs turn to water beneath her. Shivering, she sank to the ground-that-
was-not-there, never taking her gaze off her grandfather. Her mouth hung open in silent horror,
and tears cascaded down her cheeks in waterfalls. For looking upon him now, Chronos appeared
to be a very old man.
Setsuna vehemently shook her head. "No. It cannot be. Grandfather, we are not touched
by time here!" Chronos regarded her sadly.
"The last time I left these Sacred Gates, I returned with less than an hour remaining in
the world of men. I was able to remain only because you had not been made into the Time
Goddess yet. Now that you have passed your final test, there is absolutely nothing to stop me
from Returning."
"Grandfather, please say it is not so! If I cannot help the Sailor Soldiers fight, then they
will be killed, and the Kingdom of the White Moon will most certainly fall to ruin! I must help
them! Please, Grandfather!"
"I am no longer your grandfather!" Chronos snapped. "I am only a god Returned!" His
words filled Setsuna with a fear unlike any she had ever known. Her grandfather was truly
leaving her! She would be bound to the Gates of Time, and she would not be able to leave ever
again, even to help the Sailor Soldiers fight.
"Please, Grandfather," she whispered. "I do not want it to be this way."
"Neither do I, dear one," he admitted, "but destiny never leaves us with any sort of
choice. I'm sorry I could not protect you from this pain."
"Oh, Grandfather…" Chronos smiled sadly.
"I love you, Setsuna. I always will." And then he was gone, Returned to the Realm of
Gods.
"Grandfather?" Setsuna cried frantically. "CHRONOS!!" Left alone at the Sacred Gates,
the Guardian of Time broke down, and wept, although she knew the loss of her grandfather was
not the end of her horror. Slowly, regretting it with all her heart, Setsuna turned back to the
Window to the Present.
The fall of the White Moon Kingdom was at hand.
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Three chapters left! Aren't you all so happy for me? This is the closest I've ever been to
finishing a story in my life! Anyway, keep reviewing, and stay tuned for Chapter 22!