Chapter X: The Seeds of our Futures...
It was the night after Ranma and Hotaru left the Maze and the Brothers Para-Dox. Even with a better idea of what items they were looking for, cards with Exodia's power, that still didn't point them in the right direction.
Still, camping out provided a calming experience, especially since Hotaru found it peaceful. Ranma cooked some stew over the fire, and served dinner. Once they were full they took out their sleeping bags and slept in their tent, unaware of the journey they would take that night.
---
"Is the time now?"
Even great beings have some doubt now and then, even Exodia. Although he could no longer transport them to his realm, he COULD transport his conciseness into their dreams with little effort.
"Little Hotaru would not take this well, learning the path of Crystal Tokyo is not the future to save man... but to ruin it. Is she ready?"
The great being sighed as he considered his options. Now that they have recovered one of his pieces he felt his power flow more easily in his left arm. He had no more power than before their discovery, he could just recover it slightly faster and use it slightly easier.
"To unseal my powers... all five cards must be reunited by Ranma. But Hotaru too has a grand future should she embrace a balance of Order and Chaos. There is no choice. I must teach them of the past. Of my sealing. Of Old Egypt and the Moon Kingdom."
And thus he began to channel his power.
---
Ranma opened his eyes and blinked.
Hotaru opened her eyes and blinked.
Ranma and Hotaru looked at each other and blinked.
Then noticed there was only darkness around them.
As they took note of that... they blinked.
There was much blinking going on. They did notice that their traveling clothes where on, strange when you consider they wore pajamas to bed.
"Ranma... what's going on? I know I just went to bed."
"I'm not sure."
"Then I shall answer."
Both turned towards the sound as a being began to form from the darkness, a golden giant with an Egyptian like headdress. Ranma instantly recognized him.
"Exodia!"
The giant nodded as he sat down cross-legged.
"Forgive my intrusion, but I sent my astral form into your dreams so that we may speak upon these terms. Ranma, Hotaru... I congratulate you. Four pieces remain upon you journey, but you have taken a grand step."
"Thank you Exodia, but why do I feel like you didn't come here to just say hello?"
The giant nodded his head. "Yes. I came here for a different reason. I wish to send your sprits on a short journey... so you may better know what is to come."
Hotaru looked up to the giant and spoke to him. "Journey to where?"
"The past."
"The past?"
"Indeed. Many wish to sow the seeds of the future. But few realize that those seeds have been sown in the past. But before anything else, I think Ranma needs to know a little thing... of your past."
Ranma blinked at the god. "Her past?"
Exodia eyes glowed for a moment and in that instant Hotaru too glowed. When the glowing ceased Hotaru was standing but her usual traveling clothes where gone. In their place was a white leotard with a short purple skirt. The bow at her chest and in the small of her back reminded him of a schoolgirls uniform. Her boots was purple, knee length and had high heels. Elbow length gloves covered her hands and a tiara was places on her head.
Hotaru noticed the change and blushed in response. She didn't really know how to explain THIS to her friend and partner.
Ranma took in the look before shooting Exodia a glance that said one word. 'Explain.'
"Hotaru was a part of a group of magic-based... schoolgirls is probably the best term, that fight demons and other evils. She, in pacific, is the 'Bringer of Silence' or 'Senshi of Destruction' Sailor Saturn. She, however, has no power to revert to her Senshi form on Celadon, as it's in a different universe, and she takes her powers from the Celestial body, Saturn."
Hotaru held her head low during the explanation. It was, for the most part, embarrassing. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and looked up to see Ranma smiling at her.
"It not the weirdest thing I've seen Hotaru-Chan. Sides the outfit looks good on you."
The complement was Ranma's way of saying 'It doesn't bother me at all.' Hotaru, however, couldn't keep her face from being cherry-red. 'Why is it so hot here?'
"I do... apologize for exposing your secret Hotaru. But it will make the understanding of the journey far easier. You will be able to see and hear the past, but you will be unable to make changes. You will pass through objects and people as if you were ghosts. No one in the past shall hear or see you. Are you ready for this my Champions?"
Ranma nodded and took Hotaru's hand in his own. Hotaru also nodded.
"Then... May it begin! May you see the past itself!"
---
"As the Gulf War continues..."
---
"And let us conquer the inferior!"
"Hail Hitler!"
---
"Orville, you sure we can make it fly?"
---
"What I have written is a Declaration of Independence."
---
"Hail to thee, King Henry!"
---
"To the Glory of The Roman Empire!"
---
As Ranma regained his wits he looked around. Hotaru was still holding his hand as they found themselves in a desert. Not too far a distance ahead of them was two men, both with armies behind them. Ranma took note of what each held.
"Hotaru-Chan... They are using dueling decks."
Hotaru nodded as the two men began to speak.
"It seems we are the only two remaining Lords left with claim to the title of Pharaoh."
He was taller than his opponent and had blonde hair. The only clothing he wore was a robe at his waist, a pair of sandals and a cloth of beads on his shoulders. He wore a simple gold crown that had the head of a serpent at the front. His skin was deeply tanned from the desert sun.
"Indeed. To the winner goes all of Egypt."
His opponent had short dark hair and blue eyes. He wore a clean white tunic and sandals, but no headdress. Instead he wore a white strip of cloth with Egyptian writing.
"Then... let us duel!"
---
Ranma looked at the position of the shadows. It was evident to him that they moved forward in time to the end of the duel. The blonde man sank to his knees defeated.
"I have lost. You are the true Pharaoh indeed. May United Egypt be better under your eye and Ra's."
As he turned to leave the dark haired man raised his hand. "Where are you going?"
"I do not know. I no longer have a title of worth."
"Then what would say if I give you one?"
The taller man regarded his opponent. "What do you speak of?"
"You are older than I and have ruled over men for longer as well. I have need of an advisor and friend of such experience."
The blonde man smiled back. "Very well, but I may not have much work. You seem wise for a man barley of age."
"Perhaps. But I seek to be wiser still."
"Then let us become wise together."
---
This time as time shifted the scenery shifted as well. They were now in courtroom, floors and walls of white smooth marble and no imperfections. It looked like a mixture of Roman and a med-evil castle. Seated on the throne was a woman in tight silk dress, white silver hair done in two buns and from each a ponytail extending as far as her own knees.
"I know this place!" Hotaru exclaimed. "The Moon Palace! And that must be Queen Serenity!"
"Who?"
"Well Ranma, it goes like this. Because of an attack from Queen Beryl Queen Serenity sent the Sailor Senshi forward in time with the Princess."
"I see."
"Something wrong Ranma?"
"Nothing, except that Exodia mention the one who trapped him was a 'Silver Queen'. Maybe it's just a coincidence..."
Hotaru blinked but decided it had to be a coincidence. 'Besides, why would they hate the Shadow Games?'
Her musings were cut short as someone appeared into the room.
"Setsuna-Mama!"
"Who?"
"She's one of the people I live with! She's also Sailor Pluto, the Senshi of Time."
Both looked on as Sailor Pluto bowed to the Queen.
"Sailor Pluto, what is there to report?"
"It seems, your Majesty, that force of large Chaos has appeared on Earth."
"That unruly Planet? They NEVER listen. What is causing this Chaos?"
"I'm not sure my Queen, but it may take centuries to learn from the gates. It is a lot of Chaos, and it's causing a disruption in my viewing of events."
"Learn what it is before it disrupts our Kingdom."
"Yes my Queen!"
---
As time passed again Ranma and Hotaru found themselves back on earth, this time in a palace in the desert.
"I wonder..."
"What is it Ranma?"
"Well Exodia was talking about a balance of Chaos and Order what we first met. I'm just wondering why Serenity and Pluto was worried about Chaos."
Before Hotaru could reply a man and a boy walked towards them, eventually stopping to see into the desert. It was easy to see that this man had some relation to the dark haired man they saw in the desert some time ago, be it years of centuries.
"Father, why did you call me here so late?"
"To show you, Son, things you will need to know. Some day all of Egypt and all who live on it's sands will be yours to look after. But you must remember not to take too much power."
"Why is that Father?"
"My boy, it is your thirteenth year. When I reached that age my Father told me why too much power is never good. It corrupts. The great seers of ours past speak of a pure balance... Order and Chaos, War and Peace, Good and Evil... one cannot exist with out a counterpart. And with power... one of those becomes too great."
"Like those Moon People you take about?"
"Yes my Son, you have a good head on those shoulders. They have gone to the extremes of Order and phased all Chaos from their lives. In doing so they disrupt their own lives. Sure no one is capable of crime or lying, but they also limit their own choices. From BIRTH their path is chosen from what jobs they shall have to what they shall study to whom they shall marry."
Ranma frowned at these revelations. Hotaru was hard pressed to keep her knees steady as the man continued.
"We of Egypt have been striving away from that. While Sons almost always take the place of Fathers at their jobs, what they study and whom they wed is their choice. Some day, my Son, I see a day where a father may work the fields of a farm and his son learns to fashion pots! Where a young man and woman may not be torn my spouses chosen for them, but where they can choose each other... A world of free choice!"
"But Father..." The boy began. "Wouldn't that mean people could choose to do bad things too?"
"Yes Son. People could choose to steal and lie and murder. But such is the cost of freedom. Never forget. That is why we must settle for rule of Egypt and guide it's people. We must leave absolute power to the gods, Ra, God of the Suns, Basset, Matron of Cats and Exodia, Ruler and Creator of the Shadow Games."
"Father, what are Order and Chaos?"
"Order is a force of peace and law, to help men live their lives. Chaos is a force of war and freedom, able to let people have freedom and defend themselves."
The man kneeled down next to his Son. "There must be Order for the peace and Unity of Egypt, but Chaos is needed for war, to defend ourselves from invaders. That is why we strive for a balance."
---
"The Silver Millennium was like THAT?"
Hotaru was slightly disturbed at those revelations at the scenery shifted again. They were once more on the Moon Kingdom, but neither Ranma nor Hotaru knew how much time had past since they saw the duel in the desert and now.
Once more they were in the courtroom when Sailor Pluto arrived.
"Report Sailor Pluto."
"My Queen, after two centuries I have found the source of Chaos that's leaking into our civilization."
"Yes?"
"It's coming from the country Egypt and is generated by the Shadow Games."
"Shadow Games?"
"Yes. They place these... games for fun. But it is connected to a realm and a god of Chaos."
"Are you certain."
"Yes. This 'Exodia' is where most of the Chaos is generated. After he is dealt with we can begin taking the Shadow Cards that the duelist uses."
"Setsuna-Mama!" Hotaru ran to the image as Pluto continued.
"We can use Moon Commandos to steal their decks in secret, so that by the time that they realize what's happened it will too late."
"Setsuna-Mama! Don't! The Games aren't a bad thing!"
"How do we stop this Exodia?"
"Don't bother Hotaru-Chan... We cannot interact with the past."
"I have a plan to trap him in another realm. The spell to seal him will be difficult."
"Excellent."
---
"Your trap is flawed."
Exodia was trying to break down a magic barrier erected by a number of mages. Meanwhile Queen Serenity, the 'Silver Queen' was busy casting a spell. Ranma and Hotaru watched this from a distance.
"Our trap... can seal even you!"
"Your trap can only seal me at the power I am when I am sealed."
So saying Exodia raised his hands and focused his power. Five small items rose from his hands and then vanished.
"Use your foolish trap. My powers are locked away elsewhere. When reunited I can break from your foolish trap, severe your chains and snap your seals. Centuries, or Millennia's, they make no difference. I will return someday with a champion and restore Order and Chaos to a balance."
"Chaos will... never... LIVE!"
With that her spell was cast, and the seal appeared behind Exodia and mystic chains bound his limbs to the seal. As the scene changed Exodia let out a defiant roar.
---
"And so this is it then..."
Once more they were in Egypt. Hotaru was looking at the small group of people and walked towards them, Ranma right behind her.
On the table in front of them was seven items of pure gold, one disassembled in several pieces. Ranma recognized it as his Puzzle.
"Aye. This is it. I still cannot believe the Moon Kingdom would do such an underhanded thing as seal a god away and take our games and decks. All in the name of... freedom."
"They would never know freedom if it was a Scarab Beetle and bit them on their royal cushions."
They gave a short laugh at their own little joke. "True my friend, true. Still, the magics in these items are finished. Now the Pharaoh will seal his soul into one of his choosing and send them to Exodia's lonesome tomb, along with his deck and that of his friend's."
"Yes... it is a shame that within weeks we may never find him again."
"Aye. We cannot free our god, but perhaps someday we would have through our actions today."
"The future is unknown to us. We may only pray for the best."
"Aye. The Chaos magic in these items will grant them great powers, even if will never know what they are."
"To Exodia... and the true freedom!"
---
Once more they were back in the Darkness. Not even Exodia was around. And Hotaru was shaking badly.
"Hotaru-Chan, are you OK?" Ranma placed a hand on her shoulder as she looked up at him.
"No... I don't know what to do." She looked at her gloved hands and her Senshi outfit. "I'm a Senshi, but I'm also a Duelist. I want the world to be at peace, but what if something out there could attack a world with no war."
"And that is why you are here."
Both turned to see Exodia reemerge into the darkness.
"You know what Sailor Pluto has in store. But I must explain to Ranma. The Queen you saw eventually fell, however her daughter and her protectors were sent to be reborn in the future, your present. However, Sailor Pluto survived through the ages with her connection to the Time Gate. Using it she began to force the world towards Order, but found she could not alone do it.
"Chaos is a natural force that rises higher as Order rises. When Order was brought to one land Chaos would arise in another. No matter what she did, Order would never fully be supreme. She had, however, begun a plan to correct that.
"She would awaken the Senshi to a future path she found, Crystal Tokyo. Her world void of all Chaos. But the path... is a bloody one." He looked down toward the girl. "Hotaru... Do you know how Crystal Tokyo is to be formed?"
"N-No..."
"Pluto would interfere with a scientist of cryogenics. As he looked for ways to freeze and preserve bodies for the future... Pluto would kill him and change the parameters of his experiments causing the world to freeze. Half of the world's population... would die.
"As Earth would begin to recover Serena, The Moon Princess of the Kingdom long since dead, in good heart, would begin to help the people. A Messiah of Mercy. I do not fault her. She knew not, and shall know not of the future outside of what she was told.
"But as she helped human kind and led them Pluto would begin solidifying Order on the planet. Soon mankind would ask Serena, Sailor Moon, to lead them. And then she would become the new Queen Serenity. Neo Queen Serenity."
"Setsuna-Mama... no..."
"Exodia... is that the future."
"No. It once was, but the moment I brought you here new paths began to form hidden from Pluto. As Hotaru joined you her pathway to Crystal Tokyo shattered like glass, with millions of possibilities of the future appearing like wildfire. But Crystal Tokyo is still upon the horizon. Pluto is once more pushing her future to the forefront. In a matter of months Crystal Tokyo will be the main timeline again. To assure balance Pluto herself must be stopped.
"There is no alternative. Hotaru. You now stand upon a crossroad to the future. You must make a choice. Shadow Games and the balance, or Crystal Tokyo and a freedom-less world. The future is growing my children from the seeds planted in the past. Help it grow..."
With that the darkness was gone.
---
Groaning both Ranma and Hotaru awoke and looked at each other.
"It wasn't a dream, was it Ranma?"
"No... I don't think so."
"... What will I do now?"
"Whatever you want Hotaru-Chan."
Silence stood for almost a minute.
"Ranma... I don't want to fight Setsuna-Mama, she's been so good to me but... I couldn't just let Crystal Tokyo rise up. Not like this..."
"So, what do you want to do?"
"Well Ranma... we have a god to free first."
And as they started the new day they smiled at each other. And as he watched from his prison Exodia cursed the fact that he couldn't smile with them.
But in his mind's eye he was.
---
Author's Notes: Okay, so maybe I painted the Moon Kingdom and Crystal Tokyo and Sailor Pluto in a bad light, but hey, it's FAN FICTION! I CAN DO THAT! ^_^ V Anyway, we have a bit more info on the past events, and Hotaru looks to be shying away from Crystal Tokyo. Comment, Suggestion and Complements are Welcome. Complaints are also welcome. Flames can roast a Marshmallow for me. Yum.
Next Chapter: Back to work! We gotta find Exodia!
It was the night after Ranma and Hotaru left the Maze and the Brothers Para-Dox. Even with a better idea of what items they were looking for, cards with Exodia's power, that still didn't point them in the right direction.
Still, camping out provided a calming experience, especially since Hotaru found it peaceful. Ranma cooked some stew over the fire, and served dinner. Once they were full they took out their sleeping bags and slept in their tent, unaware of the journey they would take that night.
---
"Is the time now?"
Even great beings have some doubt now and then, even Exodia. Although he could no longer transport them to his realm, he COULD transport his conciseness into their dreams with little effort.
"Little Hotaru would not take this well, learning the path of Crystal Tokyo is not the future to save man... but to ruin it. Is she ready?"
The great being sighed as he considered his options. Now that they have recovered one of his pieces he felt his power flow more easily in his left arm. He had no more power than before their discovery, he could just recover it slightly faster and use it slightly easier.
"To unseal my powers... all five cards must be reunited by Ranma. But Hotaru too has a grand future should she embrace a balance of Order and Chaos. There is no choice. I must teach them of the past. Of my sealing. Of Old Egypt and the Moon Kingdom."
And thus he began to channel his power.
---
Ranma opened his eyes and blinked.
Hotaru opened her eyes and blinked.
Ranma and Hotaru looked at each other and blinked.
Then noticed there was only darkness around them.
As they took note of that... they blinked.
There was much blinking going on. They did notice that their traveling clothes where on, strange when you consider they wore pajamas to bed.
"Ranma... what's going on? I know I just went to bed."
"I'm not sure."
"Then I shall answer."
Both turned towards the sound as a being began to form from the darkness, a golden giant with an Egyptian like headdress. Ranma instantly recognized him.
"Exodia!"
The giant nodded as he sat down cross-legged.
"Forgive my intrusion, but I sent my astral form into your dreams so that we may speak upon these terms. Ranma, Hotaru... I congratulate you. Four pieces remain upon you journey, but you have taken a grand step."
"Thank you Exodia, but why do I feel like you didn't come here to just say hello?"
The giant nodded his head. "Yes. I came here for a different reason. I wish to send your sprits on a short journey... so you may better know what is to come."
Hotaru looked up to the giant and spoke to him. "Journey to where?"
"The past."
"The past?"
"Indeed. Many wish to sow the seeds of the future. But few realize that those seeds have been sown in the past. But before anything else, I think Ranma needs to know a little thing... of your past."
Ranma blinked at the god. "Her past?"
Exodia eyes glowed for a moment and in that instant Hotaru too glowed. When the glowing ceased Hotaru was standing but her usual traveling clothes where gone. In their place was a white leotard with a short purple skirt. The bow at her chest and in the small of her back reminded him of a schoolgirls uniform. Her boots was purple, knee length and had high heels. Elbow length gloves covered her hands and a tiara was places on her head.
Hotaru noticed the change and blushed in response. She didn't really know how to explain THIS to her friend and partner.
Ranma took in the look before shooting Exodia a glance that said one word. 'Explain.'
"Hotaru was a part of a group of magic-based... schoolgirls is probably the best term, that fight demons and other evils. She, in pacific, is the 'Bringer of Silence' or 'Senshi of Destruction' Sailor Saturn. She, however, has no power to revert to her Senshi form on Celadon, as it's in a different universe, and she takes her powers from the Celestial body, Saturn."
Hotaru held her head low during the explanation. It was, for the most part, embarrassing. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and looked up to see Ranma smiling at her.
"It not the weirdest thing I've seen Hotaru-Chan. Sides the outfit looks good on you."
The complement was Ranma's way of saying 'It doesn't bother me at all.' Hotaru, however, couldn't keep her face from being cherry-red. 'Why is it so hot here?'
"I do... apologize for exposing your secret Hotaru. But it will make the understanding of the journey far easier. You will be able to see and hear the past, but you will be unable to make changes. You will pass through objects and people as if you were ghosts. No one in the past shall hear or see you. Are you ready for this my Champions?"
Ranma nodded and took Hotaru's hand in his own. Hotaru also nodded.
"Then... May it begin! May you see the past itself!"
---
"As the Gulf War continues..."
---
"And let us conquer the inferior!"
"Hail Hitler!"
---
"Orville, you sure we can make it fly?"
---
"What I have written is a Declaration of Independence."
---
"Hail to thee, King Henry!"
---
"To the Glory of The Roman Empire!"
---
As Ranma regained his wits he looked around. Hotaru was still holding his hand as they found themselves in a desert. Not too far a distance ahead of them was two men, both with armies behind them. Ranma took note of what each held.
"Hotaru-Chan... They are using dueling decks."
Hotaru nodded as the two men began to speak.
"It seems we are the only two remaining Lords left with claim to the title of Pharaoh."
He was taller than his opponent and had blonde hair. The only clothing he wore was a robe at his waist, a pair of sandals and a cloth of beads on his shoulders. He wore a simple gold crown that had the head of a serpent at the front. His skin was deeply tanned from the desert sun.
"Indeed. To the winner goes all of Egypt."
His opponent had short dark hair and blue eyes. He wore a clean white tunic and sandals, but no headdress. Instead he wore a white strip of cloth with Egyptian writing.
"Then... let us duel!"
---
Ranma looked at the position of the shadows. It was evident to him that they moved forward in time to the end of the duel. The blonde man sank to his knees defeated.
"I have lost. You are the true Pharaoh indeed. May United Egypt be better under your eye and Ra's."
As he turned to leave the dark haired man raised his hand. "Where are you going?"
"I do not know. I no longer have a title of worth."
"Then what would say if I give you one?"
The taller man regarded his opponent. "What do you speak of?"
"You are older than I and have ruled over men for longer as well. I have need of an advisor and friend of such experience."
The blonde man smiled back. "Very well, but I may not have much work. You seem wise for a man barley of age."
"Perhaps. But I seek to be wiser still."
"Then let us become wise together."
---
This time as time shifted the scenery shifted as well. They were now in courtroom, floors and walls of white smooth marble and no imperfections. It looked like a mixture of Roman and a med-evil castle. Seated on the throne was a woman in tight silk dress, white silver hair done in two buns and from each a ponytail extending as far as her own knees.
"I know this place!" Hotaru exclaimed. "The Moon Palace! And that must be Queen Serenity!"
"Who?"
"Well Ranma, it goes like this. Because of an attack from Queen Beryl Queen Serenity sent the Sailor Senshi forward in time with the Princess."
"I see."
"Something wrong Ranma?"
"Nothing, except that Exodia mention the one who trapped him was a 'Silver Queen'. Maybe it's just a coincidence..."
Hotaru blinked but decided it had to be a coincidence. 'Besides, why would they hate the Shadow Games?'
Her musings were cut short as someone appeared into the room.
"Setsuna-Mama!"
"Who?"
"She's one of the people I live with! She's also Sailor Pluto, the Senshi of Time."
Both looked on as Sailor Pluto bowed to the Queen.
"Sailor Pluto, what is there to report?"
"It seems, your Majesty, that force of large Chaos has appeared on Earth."
"That unruly Planet? They NEVER listen. What is causing this Chaos?"
"I'm not sure my Queen, but it may take centuries to learn from the gates. It is a lot of Chaos, and it's causing a disruption in my viewing of events."
"Learn what it is before it disrupts our Kingdom."
"Yes my Queen!"
---
As time passed again Ranma and Hotaru found themselves back on earth, this time in a palace in the desert.
"I wonder..."
"What is it Ranma?"
"Well Exodia was talking about a balance of Chaos and Order what we first met. I'm just wondering why Serenity and Pluto was worried about Chaos."
Before Hotaru could reply a man and a boy walked towards them, eventually stopping to see into the desert. It was easy to see that this man had some relation to the dark haired man they saw in the desert some time ago, be it years of centuries.
"Father, why did you call me here so late?"
"To show you, Son, things you will need to know. Some day all of Egypt and all who live on it's sands will be yours to look after. But you must remember not to take too much power."
"Why is that Father?"
"My boy, it is your thirteenth year. When I reached that age my Father told me why too much power is never good. It corrupts. The great seers of ours past speak of a pure balance... Order and Chaos, War and Peace, Good and Evil... one cannot exist with out a counterpart. And with power... one of those becomes too great."
"Like those Moon People you take about?"
"Yes my Son, you have a good head on those shoulders. They have gone to the extremes of Order and phased all Chaos from their lives. In doing so they disrupt their own lives. Sure no one is capable of crime or lying, but they also limit their own choices. From BIRTH their path is chosen from what jobs they shall have to what they shall study to whom they shall marry."
Ranma frowned at these revelations. Hotaru was hard pressed to keep her knees steady as the man continued.
"We of Egypt have been striving away from that. While Sons almost always take the place of Fathers at their jobs, what they study and whom they wed is their choice. Some day, my Son, I see a day where a father may work the fields of a farm and his son learns to fashion pots! Where a young man and woman may not be torn my spouses chosen for them, but where they can choose each other... A world of free choice!"
"But Father..." The boy began. "Wouldn't that mean people could choose to do bad things too?"
"Yes Son. People could choose to steal and lie and murder. But such is the cost of freedom. Never forget. That is why we must settle for rule of Egypt and guide it's people. We must leave absolute power to the gods, Ra, God of the Suns, Basset, Matron of Cats and Exodia, Ruler and Creator of the Shadow Games."
"Father, what are Order and Chaos?"
"Order is a force of peace and law, to help men live their lives. Chaos is a force of war and freedom, able to let people have freedom and defend themselves."
The man kneeled down next to his Son. "There must be Order for the peace and Unity of Egypt, but Chaos is needed for war, to defend ourselves from invaders. That is why we strive for a balance."
---
"The Silver Millennium was like THAT?"
Hotaru was slightly disturbed at those revelations at the scenery shifted again. They were once more on the Moon Kingdom, but neither Ranma nor Hotaru knew how much time had past since they saw the duel in the desert and now.
Once more they were in the courtroom when Sailor Pluto arrived.
"Report Sailor Pluto."
"My Queen, after two centuries I have found the source of Chaos that's leaking into our civilization."
"Yes?"
"It's coming from the country Egypt and is generated by the Shadow Games."
"Shadow Games?"
"Yes. They place these... games for fun. But it is connected to a realm and a god of Chaos."
"Are you certain."
"Yes. This 'Exodia' is where most of the Chaos is generated. After he is dealt with we can begin taking the Shadow Cards that the duelist uses."
"Setsuna-Mama!" Hotaru ran to the image as Pluto continued.
"We can use Moon Commandos to steal their decks in secret, so that by the time that they realize what's happened it will too late."
"Setsuna-Mama! Don't! The Games aren't a bad thing!"
"How do we stop this Exodia?"
"Don't bother Hotaru-Chan... We cannot interact with the past."
"I have a plan to trap him in another realm. The spell to seal him will be difficult."
"Excellent."
---
"Your trap is flawed."
Exodia was trying to break down a magic barrier erected by a number of mages. Meanwhile Queen Serenity, the 'Silver Queen' was busy casting a spell. Ranma and Hotaru watched this from a distance.
"Our trap... can seal even you!"
"Your trap can only seal me at the power I am when I am sealed."
So saying Exodia raised his hands and focused his power. Five small items rose from his hands and then vanished.
"Use your foolish trap. My powers are locked away elsewhere. When reunited I can break from your foolish trap, severe your chains and snap your seals. Centuries, or Millennia's, they make no difference. I will return someday with a champion and restore Order and Chaos to a balance."
"Chaos will... never... LIVE!"
With that her spell was cast, and the seal appeared behind Exodia and mystic chains bound his limbs to the seal. As the scene changed Exodia let out a defiant roar.
---
"And so this is it then..."
Once more they were in Egypt. Hotaru was looking at the small group of people and walked towards them, Ranma right behind her.
On the table in front of them was seven items of pure gold, one disassembled in several pieces. Ranma recognized it as his Puzzle.
"Aye. This is it. I still cannot believe the Moon Kingdom would do such an underhanded thing as seal a god away and take our games and decks. All in the name of... freedom."
"They would never know freedom if it was a Scarab Beetle and bit them on their royal cushions."
They gave a short laugh at their own little joke. "True my friend, true. Still, the magics in these items are finished. Now the Pharaoh will seal his soul into one of his choosing and send them to Exodia's lonesome tomb, along with his deck and that of his friend's."
"Yes... it is a shame that within weeks we may never find him again."
"Aye. We cannot free our god, but perhaps someday we would have through our actions today."
"The future is unknown to us. We may only pray for the best."
"Aye. The Chaos magic in these items will grant them great powers, even if will never know what they are."
"To Exodia... and the true freedom!"
---
Once more they were back in the Darkness. Not even Exodia was around. And Hotaru was shaking badly.
"Hotaru-Chan, are you OK?" Ranma placed a hand on her shoulder as she looked up at him.
"No... I don't know what to do." She looked at her gloved hands and her Senshi outfit. "I'm a Senshi, but I'm also a Duelist. I want the world to be at peace, but what if something out there could attack a world with no war."
"And that is why you are here."
Both turned to see Exodia reemerge into the darkness.
"You know what Sailor Pluto has in store. But I must explain to Ranma. The Queen you saw eventually fell, however her daughter and her protectors were sent to be reborn in the future, your present. However, Sailor Pluto survived through the ages with her connection to the Time Gate. Using it she began to force the world towards Order, but found she could not alone do it.
"Chaos is a natural force that rises higher as Order rises. When Order was brought to one land Chaos would arise in another. No matter what she did, Order would never fully be supreme. She had, however, begun a plan to correct that.
"She would awaken the Senshi to a future path she found, Crystal Tokyo. Her world void of all Chaos. But the path... is a bloody one." He looked down toward the girl. "Hotaru... Do you know how Crystal Tokyo is to be formed?"
"N-No..."
"Pluto would interfere with a scientist of cryogenics. As he looked for ways to freeze and preserve bodies for the future... Pluto would kill him and change the parameters of his experiments causing the world to freeze. Half of the world's population... would die.
"As Earth would begin to recover Serena, The Moon Princess of the Kingdom long since dead, in good heart, would begin to help the people. A Messiah of Mercy. I do not fault her. She knew not, and shall know not of the future outside of what she was told.
"But as she helped human kind and led them Pluto would begin solidifying Order on the planet. Soon mankind would ask Serena, Sailor Moon, to lead them. And then she would become the new Queen Serenity. Neo Queen Serenity."
"Setsuna-Mama... no..."
"Exodia... is that the future."
"No. It once was, but the moment I brought you here new paths began to form hidden from Pluto. As Hotaru joined you her pathway to Crystal Tokyo shattered like glass, with millions of possibilities of the future appearing like wildfire. But Crystal Tokyo is still upon the horizon. Pluto is once more pushing her future to the forefront. In a matter of months Crystal Tokyo will be the main timeline again. To assure balance Pluto herself must be stopped.
"There is no alternative. Hotaru. You now stand upon a crossroad to the future. You must make a choice. Shadow Games and the balance, or Crystal Tokyo and a freedom-less world. The future is growing my children from the seeds planted in the past. Help it grow..."
With that the darkness was gone.
---
Groaning both Ranma and Hotaru awoke and looked at each other.
"It wasn't a dream, was it Ranma?"
"No... I don't think so."
"... What will I do now?"
"Whatever you want Hotaru-Chan."
Silence stood for almost a minute.
"Ranma... I don't want to fight Setsuna-Mama, she's been so good to me but... I couldn't just let Crystal Tokyo rise up. Not like this..."
"So, what do you want to do?"
"Well Ranma... we have a god to free first."
And as they started the new day they smiled at each other. And as he watched from his prison Exodia cursed the fact that he couldn't smile with them.
But in his mind's eye he was.
---
Author's Notes: Okay, so maybe I painted the Moon Kingdom and Crystal Tokyo and Sailor Pluto in a bad light, but hey, it's FAN FICTION! I CAN DO THAT! ^_^ V Anyway, we have a bit more info on the past events, and Hotaru looks to be shying away from Crystal Tokyo. Comment, Suggestion and Complements are Welcome. Complaints are also welcome. Flames can roast a Marshmallow for me. Yum.
Next Chapter: Back to work! We gotta find Exodia!
