Shadows Of The Past : Royal Secret Revealed --by Ravyn Knyght
*Flashback 1000 years*
An exhausted woman lay in bed holding her new born child. Brimming with pride as all new mothers do, she gazed lovingly at her baby. "She's so beautiful. Say hello to your father small one." as she gently handed the baby over to her husband. "Yes she is beautiful. Our beautiful baby girl." He smiled as a tiny hand gripped his finger. "She will have many health problems though I'm afraid." said a concerned doctor. "Because of the mother's positve energy and your negative energy the child's body is in conflict with itself. You will have to becareful with her." But not even that news could bring down the happy couple "She may look weak but she'll be stronger as she gets older and learns to control her power and she'll have two loving parents there with her at every step of the way." said the proud father as he kissed the baby's forehead. "Could we at least decide on a name first." giggled the light biege haired mother said as he returned the child to her loving embrace "Of course Azura. Now what would be the perfect name?" he wondered out loud. He couldn't help but think that this was the happiest time in his life. 'A beautiful wife, an adorable daughter. What more could I want?'
*End Flashback*
"Oh Serena! Your other boyfriend's here!" called Sammy as he let Darien in. "Other boyfriend?" Darien raised his eyebrow and gave a puzzled look. Serena let out an angry growl and swatted her brother across the back of his head as her and Reeny came to the door. "Ow!" he shouted, "Keep your mouth shut!" said Reeny as she kicked him in his shin. "Double Ow! Mom! Serena an' Reeny are beatin' the crap outta me!" he cried as limped off. "Other boyfriend?" Darien asked again. The two fumbled over the explaination of what happened. "Anyway..." he said, "Who's up for a birthday celebration?" he knew not to press any further or she'd throw a fit. The two girls squealed in delight as it was the pairs birthday. Serena turned 18 and Reeny turned 12. He listed off some of the things he had planned. "Just have them back in time for dinner, okay Darien?" said Serena's mother smiling at the happy trio. "Yes ma'am!" he said as they headed down the front walk Her mother watched as he handed the two a pair of small jewelery boxes and the two squealed even louder when they opened them. 'They make such a nice couple!' she thought as they left.
Even though she didn't want to, Serena let her have first pick at what to do. "Um...if it's not too much trouble...could we visit Hotaru, Amara and Michelle?" asked Reeny. Serena was in favor of the idea and quickly agreed. After her father died Amara and Michelle took care of Hotaru. The two moved into the huge mansion which was maintained by a large trust fund from a mysterious and never seen relative. After waiting a few minutes, Reeny rang the door bell again. After some more waiting, the door finally opened and an exhausted Michelle appeared. "This place is too big!" she said slightly out of breath. "Hi Michelle can we visit Hotaru today?" asked the adolescent. "Of course you can sweetie! She loves it when you come over!" said Michelle as she invited them in. "She's in the dining room having breakfast with Amara and I. Follow me, becareful not to get lost!" she joked as she led them to the huge dining area. Hotaru's face lit up when she saw Reeny. "Reeny!" she squealed and jumped down off of her chair and ran to her friend. She firmly hugged Reeny around her neck as she bent down to the small child. Serena and Darien couldn't help but smile at the happy child. "I drew you a picture for your birthday Reeny!" exclaimed Hotaru as she lead Reeny through the house to her bedroom to get it.
While the two were away the others talked. "She's a real handful I tell you." said Michelle. "Just the other day during art class in the park she scurried off and I found her with two large black German Shepards! I was never so scared in all my life." she said. "It struck me as strange because she usually shies away from large animals." said Amara. A look of shock came over Serena's face. "Amara, Michelle. Were those dogs with any one? Do you know their names?" she asked. "No. Just some strays looking for some cookies. I don't know their..." she stopped, "Hotaru called one of them Mal--", "ice" finished Serena. The older women looked at her strangely "How'd you know that?!" they asked. "The other one's name was Dischord. The two belong to Millennium." They all sat and stared wide eyed at each other. What was going on? Why would those dogs be watching Hotaru? "We should keep a closer eye on her from now on. Who knows what he might be planning." said Amara. "Yes I agree. He probably sent those dogs to find her. And now they have." said Michelle who was now growing worried. "We have to becareful, eventhough she's small child, she's still the Sailor of Destruction. He may be planning to use her." said Darien. Serena sat in silence 'Is there a connection between the two?' she wondered to herself as some ancient secret began to slowly rise in her mind. Just then Reeny and a giggling Hotaru came back to the table. "Darien look at the picture Hotaru drew for me!" "Wow! That's a good one!" he said as they pushed their conversation to the back of their minds and praised the little artist.
After a fun filled day with Darien and a wonderful dinner with her family, Serena tucked Reeny in. Reeny, sweetie." she softly said. "Would you know why Dischord and Malice would take an interest in Hotaru?" Reeny stared at her not knowing if she should answer or not. Serena saw the look on her face, "Come on Reeny! If you know something tell me! Hotaru might be in danger!" Serena pleaded with the twelve year old to talk. "I...I can't. My future mom and Pluto told me not to." Fighting with her wouldn't make her talk so Serena kissed her future daughter good night and left the room. While in bed Renny tossed and turned not able to sleep. She got out of bed and walked to the window and looked at the stars. 'I have do do something....I can't let him go through with it.' she said to herself. She saw a shooting star "Shooting star, star so bright. Might you grant my wish tonight?" as she silently prayed for everything to work out so everyone would be happy.
It was a sleepless night for Serena as well. Ever since Millennium showed up a little voice kept trying to tell her something but she couldn't quite hear it. After tossing around a few times and almost crushing Luna she finally drifted off to sleep. Instead of having her usual dreams of Darien, tonight's dreams were different. She dreamt she was a child again back in the Moon Kingdom. It was a sunny day and she was in the garden picking flowers. She reached for a beautiful red rose but pricked her fingers badly on the thorns. The stinging pain made her cry, as a comforting voice said "There, there. You'll be alright, I'll make it stop." She turned to face a woman who had light biege hair tied back in a long braid and pale lavender eyes. The woman took hold of Serena's hand in hers and a pale white glow enveloped Serena's bleeding fingers. When the woman let go of the child's hand the cuts were healed. "Thank you Saturn!" she squealed, "You're the bestest!" as she hugged the woman. Serena woke up in shock. 'That wasn't Saturn?!' she thought to herself as she flicked on a lamp light. She grabbed hold of the sleeping cat and shook her awake. "Stop shaking me already!" cried the bewildered cat. "Luna I had a dream!" Serena said excitedly. "Good for you! Now let me have one!" as Luna tried to go back to sleep. "Lu--na! Wake up! I want you to tell me who Sailor Saturn is!" The cats eyes flew open in shock. "Ho-, Hotaru of course!" Serena rolled her eyes "I know! But there was another before her, I'm sure of it." she said trying to recall the dream. "Well what did she look like?" asked Luna. Serena flopped back onto her bed "I can't remember! In my dream she was so clear but now...." "Go to sleep and you'll be able to think more clearly tomorrow." yawned Luna and went to sleep. Serena turned the light off and went back to sleep too. Reeny was outside with her ear against the door listening to the two talk. 'Alright Meatball Head!' she said to herself, 'Don't quit now! You're starting to get it!'
"So, Meatball Head! Did you have a good night?" Reeny said as Serena sat down to eat her breakfast. "I told you not to call me that you little---" "Girls! Stop fighting!" scolded Serena's mother. Reeny knew Serena was starting to catch on, she just needed a little help. Reeny was sleeping over at Hotaru's tonight so Serena was helping her pack. "Reeny." "Um- hm", "Would you know if there was another Sailor Saturn before Hotaru?" Serena slowly asked as she folded a pair of pyjamas and carefully placed them in the over night bag. Reeny was going through the drawers then stopped. "Before Hotaru?" she dragged it out. "Um....I'm not sure. That would be in the past right? Luna and Artemis would know more I'd think." "I'll have to ask them then." Serena simply said. Serena knew Reeny was holding back something important, but she didn't know what just yet. 'That's it! Put it together! Use that space between your ears!' Reeny said to herself and smiled
Today was Hotaru's birthday and Amara took her shopping for some new clothes. They went to several clothes shops, " The blue one, or the wine one?" Amara held up two shirts Hotaru was trying to choose between but couldn't decide. "Blue!" Hotaru said happily. "Okay!" smiled Amara, "So you want the blue shirt, white skirt, and black dress shoes?" she confirmed in case Hotaru changed her mind. "And one Dalmation jacket!" cheered Hotaru as she hugged the garment. "Okay, kiddo let's pay for them!" Amara laughed as she watched Hotaru skip to the cashier counter. As they left the store Amara glanced over her left shoulder. Further back Dischord and Malice were still following them. 'This is ridiculous!' thought Amara, 'Well lil' pups I'll fix you two good!' "Come on in this store Hotaru!" as the blonde haired woman held the door open for the child. "Cakes!" Hotaru gasped in delight as she ran over to the display case. Amara watched out the window as the two dogs walked past and stopped a few stores down. 'She's on to us.' said Dischord. 'Let's back off for now.' said Malice. 'No we're staying. We just have to keep our distance.' she said as she glanced around. In the bakery Amara pulled out her cell phone and dialed a number. "Hello, Animal Control? Could you come to Sweets N' Treats? There's a pair of large, black German Shepards in the area with no collars and I'm worried they might hurt someone." A voice on the other end confirmed the address, "A truck will be there shortly." "Thank you." said Amara as she hung up and joined Hotaru at the display cases. "I know you have a big cake at home but seeing it's you're birthday..." she smiled as Hotaru's face lit up. Amara stood up and walked to the counter "Two pieces of chocolate cake please!", Hotaru hugged her aunt around her legs, "Thank you Auntie Amara!"
As the two sat down to eat their cake an animal control van slowed down and parked in front of the store. "Tell me she did 'not' just do that!" said a shocked Dischord. "She did. So is it your turn or mine?" Malice said with a sigh. They watched a pudgey man get out of the van and head towards them with some rope in his hand. 'Sayonara, mongrels!' Amara said as she took a big bite of cake and smiled. "This tastes sooo good auntie!" exclaimed Hotaru not knowing what was about to happen. The two dogs walked around the corner into an empty dead-end alley. "Stupid dogs. This will be easy." as he turned the corner after them. "Oh no!" sighed Malice, "A dead end! I'll never see my wife and kids again!" "I'm too young and pretty to spend the rest of my life in jaaaiill!" groaned Dischord as the officer closed in on them. 'On three.' 'Three!' The pair lunged at the man and knocked him down. Dischord sat on his chest growling. "Look Dumbass! We don't have time to play your little tie up game! So just waddle back into your little van and go away!" The man screamed as he pushed the talking dog off of him and ran out of the alley. As he ran away Malice tore a large section out of the seat of his pants.
Amara and Hotaru looked out the window when they heard the screaming and saw a fat man covering the seat of his pants as he got into the van and sped off. Amara let out an exasperated sigh as Malice jumped up and put his paws on the window at looked at Amara and snickered as he waved the piece of material at her. "They're back!" squealed Hotaru as she looked at the pair and moved closer to the window. Dischord gave her a kiss through the glass then the pair tore down the street out of sight. "Aw! They left!" said Hotaru disappointedly. "Don't worry, hon." Amara let out a heavy sigh and rested her head on her hand, "They'll be back." The two finished their cake and headed back home.
Hotaru was turning four today. As Michelle went about setting up for the party, she thought about what would happen to Hotaru. 'She doesn't know how to control her power yet.' Both her and Amara were going to have a trying time ahead of them training her. "Don't worry." said Trista, "It will all work out, you'll see." bringing in a tray of cookies and and juice. "I hope so." sighed Michelle. "Her latest outburst almost put Amara in the hospital. And all over a 101 Dalmations jacket. I can't bear to imagine what will set her off when she gets older. Homework? Make-up? Dating?" she walked over to a small table and picked up a picture of the little girl. "She'll be fine. The two of you are doing a good job of raising her." said Trista. Just then Amara and Hotaru came in with Reeny. "Auntie Michelle, Auntie Trista! Look what Auntie Amara bought me!" holding up the Dalmation jacket smiling from ear to ear. "Gave in, huh?" said Trista. "You blame me?" said Amara rubbing the back of her head.
As the other children started showing up for the party, two black shadows stealthily made their way on to the grounds of the Tomoe mansion. 'I think we better explain ourselves to them' said Dischord as they came through the opened terrace doors. The two immediately drew attention from everyone as they entered the dining room. "Servant girl!" Malice sang in a whisper as he passed Mina, she instantly clenched her fists. Mina, Amara, and Michelle followed the dogs to a side room and closed the doors so the excited children couldn't hear them. Raye and Lita lead them away and started the party games. "We're not here to hurt anyone." started Dischord. "While our boss Millennium is tracking down the remaining shards our job is to train Hotaru to control her powers. They've already started to surface, haven't they?" added Malice. "Yes, they have. Amara was badly hurt and all over a jacket!" sighed Michelle. "It'll get worse." said Dischord, "We'll start training after the party." "You sure you can handle her?" asked Amara doubtfully. "It's what we were trained for." said Malice, "While we're around we'll keep her in check so there won't be anymore incidents. Just don't interfere, alright?" They all agreed and went back to the party. Reeny was helping Trista get Hotaru ready for the party. "I'm a big girl now!" Hotaru stated. "Yes you are! And a pretty one too!" Reeny said and laughed as Hotaru blushed "Am I really?" she turned to Trista who agreed, "Very pretty!" she said smiling. Just then they heard a whistling at the door. "Somebody call Heaven an' tell 'em their missin' an angel!" said Malice as he came into the room with Dischord. Hotaru ran to the dogs and hugged them. "Hey beautiful!" said Dischord as she licked Hotaru's cheek. "Guess what kiddo?" said Malice, "What?" Hotaru asked, her voice full of glee, "We're gonna be stayin' here with ya for a while!" Hotaru squealed in delight as she hugged Malice so tight he coughed.
Through out the party the two dogs worked over the crowd doing different tricks that thrilled the children to no end and getting all kinds of snacks and cuddles in return. While Mina and the others cleaned up, Malice and Dischord lead Hotaru outside. "Hotaru you're a very special girl with special powers. The two of us are going to help you control them. Alright?" Hotaru nodded, "I don't want to hurt Auntie Amara again." she said sadly as she remembered the other day, "I didn't mean too!" she was almost in tears. "Shhh, shhh angel!" Malice comforted the child "We know that, you know that and Auntie Amara knows that. With our help that won't ever happen again." he said as the child wrapped her arms around his neck. "Okay! Let's start!" said Dischord, as Malice moved away from them. "Now you see Malice way over there?" Hotaru nodded, and waved as he waved a paw to her. "See those open doors over there?" she drew her attention to the open patio doors. "I want you to concentrate hard sweetie and picture Malice floating over to those doors." Hotaru did so, and as she did Malice began to rise off the ground. "Whoa! Hello!" said Malice as he started moving across the the yard to the doors. "This is nice. Saves wear 'n tear on the paws! ~Fly me to the kitchen and and let me dine on some chicken!~" sang Malice as he reached the doors and was gently lowered to the ground. "Good Girl!" cheered Dischord. "I did good?" asked Hotaru. "Yes baby you did! Now bring him over to you!" She complied. The scouts watched her progress from a window with amazement and wonder. They watched as she went from moving one object to controlling several and making each one do something different at the same time. This wore her out so they stopped her training and let her rest for the rest of the day.
Amara tucked her in that night. "Did you see me?" she asked. "Yes I saw you. You did very well and we're all very proud of you!" as she kissed the child good night. "I love you sweetie." "Aw, no kiss for us?" said Malice. "Keep it up and you'll sleep outside!" Amara snapped back. "Can they sleep with me, Auntie?" asked Hotaru flashing her big innocent eyes routine. "Just one and they have to stay on the floor." said Amara. Dischord and Malice started showing off. "Um...., Dischord!" said Hotaru as Malice groaned. "Well I guess I'll be snoopin' around on patrol." said Malice, walking out with Amara. "Unless one of you kind, wonderful, beautiful ladies will let me bunk with you!" he said giving Michelle, Amara and Trista a sly wink. "Not if my life depended on it!" Amara said coldly. "And no, we are not putting you in the kitchen either." said Michelle wagging a finger at him. "He can stay with me!" said Reeny. "Great!" said Malice as he followed her the one of the guest rooms.
As soon as they closed the door Dischord jumped up on the bed. "Dischord." said a sleepy Hotaru, "Hm." the dog replied. "Will I have these powers for the rest of my life?" she asked. "Yes honey, but don't be afraid of them okay? You're doing very well." Dischord comforted the worried child. "Will people be afraid of me?" Hotaru asked, "Not if their your friends, sweetie." She crawled up to the top of the bed and Hotaru put her arm around her and went to sleep.
"Malice?" Reeny said. "Yeah kiddo." he replied. "Why does Millennium want to go through with it?" she stared up at the ceiling as Malice jumped up onto the foot of the bed. "I guess he wants to make up for all the bad things his people have done." answered the dog. "It's not right! He's a good person! He didn't do anything wrong, it wasn't his fault!" she said. "He's got a lot on his mind kiddo. Azura's death hit him hard and he blamed himself. Your grandma didn't like him from the start but trusted him and he feels he let her down big time." Malice went to sleep leaving the child thinking to herself. 'Oh God, Serena! Hurry up and figure it out!' was her last thought before she fell asleep.
Serena had another bad night. She tossed and turned while a dream took her over. Once again she was in the Moon Kingdom. She crept to the side of the open terrace doors to hear her mother and Saturn talking, no, arguing. "He's a good man with an honest heart! You'd see that if you gave him a chance!" Saturn said to Serenity trying to convince her. "His people are currently attacking us hand right and left and we're barely holding them off. If you marry him, people will see it as the Negaverse gaining a foothold." Serenity answered back. "But he's nothing like them. He's kind, gentle, and is trying to convince his people to put an end to their war with us. The two of us getting married could be a step in the right direction. It could give hope to both sides that a peaceful solution can be reached!" pleaded Saturn. "But nothing! Azura I forbid it and you will end your relationship with him now!" The cold harshness of Serenity's words cut her like a sword. Serena listened in silence as outside Azura pressed it further, "How dare you!" she angrily screamed at her queen. "You can't tell me who I can fall in love with or who I can marry!" Saturn's anger was growing. "As long as you serve in my court---" Serenity said glaring at Azura. Saturn quickly stood up and pounded her fist on the table. "Is that a threat! Well here's one for you! Find yourself another Sailor Saturn that's willing to let you dance them like a puppet on a string. I resign my post immediately!" She stormed through the doors not seeing the small, now upset, child. Serenity followed but stopped just inside the door to see her daughter crying. She knealt down put her arms around the child trying to comfort her. She picked up the child and walked back to the tearrace to watch an enraged Azura leave for good.
Serena snapped up in bed with the dream still vivid in her mind and turned her light on and rushed to her study desk. She wrote down every detail of the dream. Luna was woke up by the bright like and looked at what she was writing. 'It's starting to come out. Maybe I should tell her.' "Serena...." "Can't talk now Luna I've gotta ask Reeny something!" She quickly got dressed and snuck out of the house. '2:34 AM...Michelle and Amara are gonna kill me!' Serena thought glancing at her watch as she raced through the streets to the Tomoe mansion. She pounded on the door nonstop until it opened. A hand came out and grabbed Serena by her coat collar and pulled her close to a half sleeping, half angry Amara. "I've had it with these pranks!" snapped a raging Amara who only had her eyes half open and not focused on the person she was holding. "I'm putting an end to it right now!" said Amara drawing back her fist. "Whoa! Amara wake up! It's me Serena!" wailed the panicked blonde. Amara opened her eyes wider and let them focus. "Oh...sorry. It's just that we've had some joker pound on the front door from time to time at three in the morning waking us up. I thought it was you." she said letting go of Serena. "So what gets you up this hour?" Amara said leading her in to the main hallway. "I've got to talk to Reeny, it's real important." Serena said as she raced up the stairs, Amara would have followed but her friend at the door came back. As Serena got to the top of the stairs there could be heard a young voice scream and Amara shouting "There's more where that came from!" and slammed the door.
The door to Reeny's room flew open with a bang that woke up her and Malice and nearly scared them half to death. Serena quickly sat down on the bed and started talking as Trista came in. "Reeny don't say anything just listen. There was a Sailor Saturn before Hotaru and her name was Azura..." Reeny's eyes lit up and started nodding her head in agreement to everything Serena was saying. "...I remember her and my mother had a huge fight over Azura wanting to marry someone from the Negaverse but Queen Serenity wouldn't allow it..." 'She's remembered alot in a short time! I guess I'm not adopted after all!' thought Reeny, "Yeah, and..." she started but got cut off by Trista "Reeny! You know you're not supposed to say anything to help her remember!" the green haired woman sternly warned the adolescent. Reeny let out a huff of anger and turned her attention back to Serena. "...but Azura was not the sailor of destruction, she only had the power to heal, right?", "Right!" cheered Reeny as Trista warned her again and Reeny rolled her eyes at her. "Hotaru has both the power to destroy and heal right?" Serena continued as Reeny nodded, "The sailor positions are handed down from mother to daughter right? So that means Azura aka Sailor Saturn past her power of healing on to her daughter right?" 'Almost there, mom!' the pink haired girl listened intently as Serena put it together slowly, piece by piece. "So if Hotaru has the power to heal then that means that she's.....Azura's daughter! Right?!" Reeny hugged her "You're sooo close! Keep going Serena!" Serena froze 'There's more?' Serena thought as Reeny let go. "Um...there's more?" Serena's face and mind went blank as she watched all the hope drain out of Reeny's eyes and get replaced with fear and anger.
She let out a heavy sigh and thought for a moment. She put her hands on Serena's shoulders, drew in a breath and started talking. "Okay let's go over what you know! Azura was the first Sailor Saturn, who left because she couldn't marry someone from the Negaverse, right?" "Um-hm!" Serena replied. "And the sailor duties fall from mother to daughter, right?" "Right." Serena nodded her head while thinking. "Hotaru has the power to heal like Azura which makes Hotaru Azura's daughter which makes Hotaru Sailor Saturn, still with me?" she asked the thinking blonde who replied "Uh-huh." "Good! Now Hotaru has the added power to destroy everything right? Where did she get that power from?" Reeny stared deep into Serena's eyes searching for that twinkle they get when she figures something out. Serena stared back at her 'Both Azura and Hotaru can heal, but the power to destroy comes from....', Reeny's eyes lit up again as she saw Serena's eyes widen, '...her father', "She gets the power to destroy from her father!" Both Serena and Reeny hugged each other and squealed. "Yes! And the father is...." Reeny fell silent when she saw Trista flash a warning glance at her. "Some Negaverse guy?" Reeny grabbed Serena's coat collar tightly and stared her in the eye "What's his name?" she growled as that blank expression came over Serena's face again. Reeny was about to go ballistic, she couldn't believe Serena came all this way just to blank out now.
Her anger began to boil over, and she started shaking Serena causing the ditzy blonde's head to wobble around like a jack-in-the-box. As Reeny shook her she screamed for the entire house to hear. This scream brought Amara and Michelle rushing to the room to see a worried Malice and a silent Trista watching the drama unfold. "Add two, subtract one and you get the father!" she screeched as Amara and Michelle tried to separate them "You're going to wake Hotaru!" they said but were ignored. "Stop shaking me you BRAT!" Serena wailed trying to break Reeny's grip. As soon as the two were seperated, Reeny broke down and started crying. "You've got to remember...you've just got to...If you don't..." Reeny collapsed into Serena's arms and sobbed uncontrollably. Serena tried to comfort the child as best she could. 'Why is this upsetting her so much? Why is she pressing me so hard?' she thought after Reeny went back to sleep. She walked back home with those questions and more on her mind.
The next morning Serena headed to the Cherry Hill Temple to talk to Raye to see if she could help her remember. Elsewhere Amy, Lita and Mina were going dress shop to dress shop trying to pick out dresses for the upcoming prom. "Hey Amy! How 'bout that outfit? You'd be a hit if you showed up in that! Greg won't be able to keep his eyes off of you!" said Lita pointing to a display in a lingere shop window. "Neither will any other guy!" Amy said while blushing as she imagined herself wearing it. "Oh Lita! Amy's not as forward and bold like that!" Mina tried to defend Amy, "How do you know! Maybe I am like that! I'm tired of everyone thinking I'm Miss Prim and Proper! I just might wear it to the prom after all!" With that she walked into the shop as Mina covered her mouth with her hands, "Me and my big mouth!" she exclaimed. After a few minutes Amy came out with a very small shopping bag, "You didn't?" pleaded Mina. Amy nodded as she pulled the almost non-exsistent garment out of the bag and flashed a conceited look at Mina's blushing face. "Oh you go girl!" cheered Lita, "After the prom Greg's gonna be my bitch!" said Amy with an evil grin. "Oh yeah! Make him beg for it!" Lita said laughing and giving Amy a sly wink
"You're a bad influence on her Lita!" Mina scolded. "At least we got men to make our bitch!" Lita said smugly as they walked down the street. Once again Amy had to get between the two of them before a fight broke out. For the rest of the morning the three shopped in silence.
On her way home Mina wanted to cry. 'At least we got men....' Lita's words still burning in her mind. 'God damn tramp! Who cares about her and Ken! I'll show her! I'll get me...Who am I kidding? I can't get anyone....' Mina slouched looking down at the bag that held her prom dress. "What's the point in going?" she sighed and went to throw the bags in a nearby trash can but someone was in her way. "I was wondering if I could pick up where I left off?" She glanced up at Millennium as she pushed him out of her way. "I'm not in the mood for you right now." she said depressed as she flung the bags into the trash can. He walked down the street with her and said nothing at first. "I just wanted to apologize for my behavior the other day. Some of the things you said brought back some memories that I didn't want to remember.". "Yeah, whatever." Mina said still down over the fact that she wasn't going to her high school prom. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry, and if there's anything I can do..." he went on, 'Do? Go away. That's what you can....' she stopped in mid thought and looked at him. The two stood and stared at each other. 'I'm such an idiot! Here's this "total fox" of a poor guy trying to apologize, and I'm just blowing him off!' she thought to herself looking at him. "Well I have to be going. I have a lot of things to do...." Millennium said, the silence between them and the way Mina was looking at him was making him feel akward. Just then what he said to her sank in 'You're gonna regret those words, Mister!' a huge smile emerged on her lips and an evil glint flashed in her eyes. "Now that you mention it...there is something you can do for me!" as she ran back to the trash can relieved to see her shopping bags with their contents still intact, she snatched them up and quickly sprinted back to where she left him. "Show up at my house on the 29th at 7:30 PM sharp! You can make it up to me then!" she said giggling then ran off into her house leaving him wondering what she was planning.
"Hey, Raye! Ya here?" Serena called but was answered by Chad. "Hey studly! You seen Raye around?" she asked him. "Yeah she's doing a fire reading. Becareful though. She's in a bad mood this morning." he warned her. "Why's that?" she asked him. "Well...I kinda knocked a big hole in a wall trying to hang some flower baskets for her..." he said sadly. "Aw cheer up Chad! It could happen to anyone!" she consoled him then went to find Raye.
Apparently, Raye had the same idea as Serena and was doing a fire reading on Millennium when she came in, she noticed there was a picture of him next to a tree on the stand in front of the fire. Serena knew not to disturb her so she sat quietly waiting for Raye to finish the reading. Raye was knealing in front of the fire whispering a chant, her eyes were closed so she didn't see Serena. When she opened them and stared into the fire to see what would be revealed. Several images flashed across the flickering flames. Some were of Millennium fighting a grotesque creature and some were of him with a woman. One of the last images of him and the woman was holding her in his arms and he was crying. Before the flames died out a clouded image of Millennium passing a small baby to Queen Serenity was revealed. "What does it mean?" Raye said aloud to herself. "I think I know..." replied Serena whose sudden answer startled Raye as she turned to see Serena behind her. She paused a few seconds getting everything straight in her head then started. "It's like this...".
"Okay, today we're gonna try something different. It won't be as fun as yesterday, but very important none the less." Malice said as he, Dischord, Michelle and Hotaru walked out to the garden. 'You call making a four thousand dollar crystal vase implode, fun?' Michelle thought to herself remembering how the vase was crushed. "My favorite vase ruined, and you call that fun?" she looked at the snickering animal, "Don't worry! With what we'll teach Hotaru today that vase will be as good as new!" Malice reassured her. They stopped at a white rose bush in full bloom. "And now for the part Malice loooves soo much..." Dischord said as Malice charged forward and brutally attacked the rose bush. Michelle stood in complete utter rage as she watched her prized rose bush get shreded. "Stupid, ugly bush! Diiiiiieeee!" shreiked Malice as as he trampled the defenseless plant. Michelle rushed forward but was stopped by Dischord. "No interference, remember?" she reminded the angry woman. "Why? Why me? Why do you two destroy everything of mine? Why don't you trash something of Amara's? Her car? Her motorcycle? Anything of hers!" cried Michelle.
Malice walked over to her and said "Because I like her!". "That was mean!" said Hotaru as she tried to comfort her aunt. Dischord nuzzled the child, "Yes it was sweetie. Do you want to help your aunt fix the plant?", Hotaru nodded. "Okay then. Just like before, imagine the rose bush as it was before.", Hotaru thought of how pretty the bush was, "Now see the mess in front of you? Hold your hands out in front of you, and imagine all the branches, leaves and flowers coming back together. Now close your eyes, relax and concentrate real hard." As Hotaru did Michelle watched in amazement as a silver-white glow enveloped the broken plant and in a few seconds the plant was back the way it was. Hotaru opened her eyes and saw the reassembled plant bfore her and gasped with awe. "I did that!" she stared in amazement. "Very good sweetie!" Dischord licked her cheek, "Now let's stay on this roll! Remember the vase in the den? Do the same for it.". Hotaru started for the den but Dischord grabbed her hand gently, "No, no you can do it from here.", "But I can't see it from here, how can I?" Hotaru asked the dog. "Just remember the way it looked before and the way it looks now."
Amara was in the den and was about to pick up the distorted, crushed hunk of crystal and throw it away. 'Better those dogs take the blame for breaking it now instead of me later.' Amara said to herself thinking of all the times she bumped the table and almost sending the vase to the floor. She reached for it but sensed something and quickly pulled her hand back. She stood and stared in shock as a silver glow surrounded the vase and in a flash the vase was repaired. Amara picked up the vase to inspect it. 'Incredible!' she thought but was startled by the door opening and dropped the vase. Michelle watched in horror as her vase was about to be shattered again. "I'll get it Auntie Michelle!" as Hotaru used her powers to prevent the vase from hitting the floor. As she levitated it back onto the table Michelle gave a sigh of relief and a cool glare at Amara for almost breaking it again.
A solitary figure sat on a park bench staring at an old faded picture. The picture was of a beautiful woman with angelic biege hair and soft, soul piercing lavendar eyes. He paid little notice to the pink-haired girl who silently slipped onto the bench. "She sure was pretty." Reeny said as she slid herself closer to him and looked at the picture. "I haven't thought about her for a while, now I have all kinds of time. I don't like all this free time. Too much time to think, to remember." Millennium said staring into the picture. "Don't interfere. Pluto told me what's going on." Reeny flashed an innocent look at him, "Hey! Meatball head is doing this on her own! I hope she figures it out soon because I don't want you to do it! She finds out after you're gone you know. It really breaks her up." Millennium said nothing as the two sat in silence staring at the picture. "At this rate it'll come out eventually, so you might as well forget about your previous plans." Reeny said trying to convince him. Millennium said nothing, he just stared at the picture. "Then I'll convince Pluto to cause a time distortion and wipeout everyone's memory of all that's happened." "I'll tell her not to! She'll listen to me because I'll be her future queen and if she knows what's good for her, she won't listen to you!" Reeny said arrogantly. She got up and stood in front of him, grabbed him by his coat lappels and brought her face up close to his. "She's my best friend and I won't stand by and watch her suffer the way she did when she finds out she killed her father! So believe me when I say I'll do whatever it takes to keep that from happening!" With that she let go and stormed off leaving him to think.
"Oooouu! Where is that brat!?" Serena impatiently growled as she made her seventh trip up the walkway of her house to see if Reeny was coming. Just as she was about to walk back she caught a glimpse of her rounding the corner. Reeny quickly walked past Serena still boiling from the park encounter. "Reeny! I...", but Reeny cut her off. "Not now! I've got some planning to do." she agrily said as she stomped past Serena. "Reeny! Wait! I figured it out!" Serena said stopping her future daughter from going into the house. Reeny was lost in thought and didn't quite hear what Serena said. "What? That a quarterback isn't a refund! Leave me---" she stopped and did a quick 180. "You mean?...You?...." her jawed slightly dropped and she stared at her future mother with astonishment. 'Yeeess! I'd better make sure though. If she's jerkin' me around I'm gonna seperate her!' "Alright let's here it." she tried to sound uninterested. "Millennium was the guy Azura married. Something happened to her and she died. They also had a child. Reeny, was that child Hotaru?" Serena watched as Reeny tried to hide her expression by looking at the ground. Serena knealt down to Reeny's level. "She's Millennium's daughter, isn't she?". Serena lifted the childs' head to see tears streaming down her face, she threw her arms around Serena's neck, "Oh God! Please don't let him do it!" she cried. Serena didn't know what Reeny meant. "Don't let him do what?" she said as she kissed the child's cheek. Serena was shocked at what Reeny said next, "He made a request of you in the future that when he destroys the Shadows he wants to be tried and executed as atonement for everything the Negaverse has done. You order Hotaru to carry it out but she finds out later who he was and...and..." Reeny burst into tears again. Serena guessed that in the future she didn't figure it out by then, but this time it will be different.
--End of Part 2--
--Coming soon, Part 3: Endless Waltz--
Questions, comments? Mail to:
ravyn_knyght@yahoo.com
*Flashback 1000 years*
An exhausted woman lay in bed holding her new born child. Brimming with pride as all new mothers do, she gazed lovingly at her baby. "She's so beautiful. Say hello to your father small one." as she gently handed the baby over to her husband. "Yes she is beautiful. Our beautiful baby girl." He smiled as a tiny hand gripped his finger. "She will have many health problems though I'm afraid." said a concerned doctor. "Because of the mother's positve energy and your negative energy the child's body is in conflict with itself. You will have to becareful with her." But not even that news could bring down the happy couple "She may look weak but she'll be stronger as she gets older and learns to control her power and she'll have two loving parents there with her at every step of the way." said the proud father as he kissed the baby's forehead. "Could we at least decide on a name first." giggled the light biege haired mother said as he returned the child to her loving embrace "Of course Azura. Now what would be the perfect name?" he wondered out loud. He couldn't help but think that this was the happiest time in his life. 'A beautiful wife, an adorable daughter. What more could I want?'
*End Flashback*
"Oh Serena! Your other boyfriend's here!" called Sammy as he let Darien in. "Other boyfriend?" Darien raised his eyebrow and gave a puzzled look. Serena let out an angry growl and swatted her brother across the back of his head as her and Reeny came to the door. "Ow!" he shouted, "Keep your mouth shut!" said Reeny as she kicked him in his shin. "Double Ow! Mom! Serena an' Reeny are beatin' the crap outta me!" he cried as limped off. "Other boyfriend?" Darien asked again. The two fumbled over the explaination of what happened. "Anyway..." he said, "Who's up for a birthday celebration?" he knew not to press any further or she'd throw a fit. The two girls squealed in delight as it was the pairs birthday. Serena turned 18 and Reeny turned 12. He listed off some of the things he had planned. "Just have them back in time for dinner, okay Darien?" said Serena's mother smiling at the happy trio. "Yes ma'am!" he said as they headed down the front walk Her mother watched as he handed the two a pair of small jewelery boxes and the two squealed even louder when they opened them. 'They make such a nice couple!' she thought as they left.
Even though she didn't want to, Serena let her have first pick at what to do. "Um...if it's not too much trouble...could we visit Hotaru, Amara and Michelle?" asked Reeny. Serena was in favor of the idea and quickly agreed. After her father died Amara and Michelle took care of Hotaru. The two moved into the huge mansion which was maintained by a large trust fund from a mysterious and never seen relative. After waiting a few minutes, Reeny rang the door bell again. After some more waiting, the door finally opened and an exhausted Michelle appeared. "This place is too big!" she said slightly out of breath. "Hi Michelle can we visit Hotaru today?" asked the adolescent. "Of course you can sweetie! She loves it when you come over!" said Michelle as she invited them in. "She's in the dining room having breakfast with Amara and I. Follow me, becareful not to get lost!" she joked as she led them to the huge dining area. Hotaru's face lit up when she saw Reeny. "Reeny!" she squealed and jumped down off of her chair and ran to her friend. She firmly hugged Reeny around her neck as she bent down to the small child. Serena and Darien couldn't help but smile at the happy child. "I drew you a picture for your birthday Reeny!" exclaimed Hotaru as she lead Reeny through the house to her bedroom to get it.
While the two were away the others talked. "She's a real handful I tell you." said Michelle. "Just the other day during art class in the park she scurried off and I found her with two large black German Shepards! I was never so scared in all my life." she said. "It struck me as strange because she usually shies away from large animals." said Amara. A look of shock came over Serena's face. "Amara, Michelle. Were those dogs with any one? Do you know their names?" she asked. "No. Just some strays looking for some cookies. I don't know their..." she stopped, "Hotaru called one of them Mal--", "ice" finished Serena. The older women looked at her strangely "How'd you know that?!" they asked. "The other one's name was Dischord. The two belong to Millennium." They all sat and stared wide eyed at each other. What was going on? Why would those dogs be watching Hotaru? "We should keep a closer eye on her from now on. Who knows what he might be planning." said Amara. "Yes I agree. He probably sent those dogs to find her. And now they have." said Michelle who was now growing worried. "We have to becareful, eventhough she's small child, she's still the Sailor of Destruction. He may be planning to use her." said Darien. Serena sat in silence 'Is there a connection between the two?' she wondered to herself as some ancient secret began to slowly rise in her mind. Just then Reeny and a giggling Hotaru came back to the table. "Darien look at the picture Hotaru drew for me!" "Wow! That's a good one!" he said as they pushed their conversation to the back of their minds and praised the little artist.
After a fun filled day with Darien and a wonderful dinner with her family, Serena tucked Reeny in. Reeny, sweetie." she softly said. "Would you know why Dischord and Malice would take an interest in Hotaru?" Reeny stared at her not knowing if she should answer or not. Serena saw the look on her face, "Come on Reeny! If you know something tell me! Hotaru might be in danger!" Serena pleaded with the twelve year old to talk. "I...I can't. My future mom and Pluto told me not to." Fighting with her wouldn't make her talk so Serena kissed her future daughter good night and left the room. While in bed Renny tossed and turned not able to sleep. She got out of bed and walked to the window and looked at the stars. 'I have do do something....I can't let him go through with it.' she said to herself. She saw a shooting star "Shooting star, star so bright. Might you grant my wish tonight?" as she silently prayed for everything to work out so everyone would be happy.
It was a sleepless night for Serena as well. Ever since Millennium showed up a little voice kept trying to tell her something but she couldn't quite hear it. After tossing around a few times and almost crushing Luna she finally drifted off to sleep. Instead of having her usual dreams of Darien, tonight's dreams were different. She dreamt she was a child again back in the Moon Kingdom. It was a sunny day and she was in the garden picking flowers. She reached for a beautiful red rose but pricked her fingers badly on the thorns. The stinging pain made her cry, as a comforting voice said "There, there. You'll be alright, I'll make it stop." She turned to face a woman who had light biege hair tied back in a long braid and pale lavender eyes. The woman took hold of Serena's hand in hers and a pale white glow enveloped Serena's bleeding fingers. When the woman let go of the child's hand the cuts were healed. "Thank you Saturn!" she squealed, "You're the bestest!" as she hugged the woman. Serena woke up in shock. 'That wasn't Saturn?!' she thought to herself as she flicked on a lamp light. She grabbed hold of the sleeping cat and shook her awake. "Stop shaking me already!" cried the bewildered cat. "Luna I had a dream!" Serena said excitedly. "Good for you! Now let me have one!" as Luna tried to go back to sleep. "Lu--na! Wake up! I want you to tell me who Sailor Saturn is!" The cats eyes flew open in shock. "Ho-, Hotaru of course!" Serena rolled her eyes "I know! But there was another before her, I'm sure of it." she said trying to recall the dream. "Well what did she look like?" asked Luna. Serena flopped back onto her bed "I can't remember! In my dream she was so clear but now...." "Go to sleep and you'll be able to think more clearly tomorrow." yawned Luna and went to sleep. Serena turned the light off and went back to sleep too. Reeny was outside with her ear against the door listening to the two talk. 'Alright Meatball Head!' she said to herself, 'Don't quit now! You're starting to get it!'
"So, Meatball Head! Did you have a good night?" Reeny said as Serena sat down to eat her breakfast. "I told you not to call me that you little---" "Girls! Stop fighting!" scolded Serena's mother. Reeny knew Serena was starting to catch on, she just needed a little help. Reeny was sleeping over at Hotaru's tonight so Serena was helping her pack. "Reeny." "Um- hm", "Would you know if there was another Sailor Saturn before Hotaru?" Serena slowly asked as she folded a pair of pyjamas and carefully placed them in the over night bag. Reeny was going through the drawers then stopped. "Before Hotaru?" she dragged it out. "Um....I'm not sure. That would be in the past right? Luna and Artemis would know more I'd think." "I'll have to ask them then." Serena simply said. Serena knew Reeny was holding back something important, but she didn't know what just yet. 'That's it! Put it together! Use that space between your ears!' Reeny said to herself and smiled
Today was Hotaru's birthday and Amara took her shopping for some new clothes. They went to several clothes shops, " The blue one, or the wine one?" Amara held up two shirts Hotaru was trying to choose between but couldn't decide. "Blue!" Hotaru said happily. "Okay!" smiled Amara, "So you want the blue shirt, white skirt, and black dress shoes?" she confirmed in case Hotaru changed her mind. "And one Dalmation jacket!" cheered Hotaru as she hugged the garment. "Okay, kiddo let's pay for them!" Amara laughed as she watched Hotaru skip to the cashier counter. As they left the store Amara glanced over her left shoulder. Further back Dischord and Malice were still following them. 'This is ridiculous!' thought Amara, 'Well lil' pups I'll fix you two good!' "Come on in this store Hotaru!" as the blonde haired woman held the door open for the child. "Cakes!" Hotaru gasped in delight as she ran over to the display case. Amara watched out the window as the two dogs walked past and stopped a few stores down. 'She's on to us.' said Dischord. 'Let's back off for now.' said Malice. 'No we're staying. We just have to keep our distance.' she said as she glanced around. In the bakery Amara pulled out her cell phone and dialed a number. "Hello, Animal Control? Could you come to Sweets N' Treats? There's a pair of large, black German Shepards in the area with no collars and I'm worried they might hurt someone." A voice on the other end confirmed the address, "A truck will be there shortly." "Thank you." said Amara as she hung up and joined Hotaru at the display cases. "I know you have a big cake at home but seeing it's you're birthday..." she smiled as Hotaru's face lit up. Amara stood up and walked to the counter "Two pieces of chocolate cake please!", Hotaru hugged her aunt around her legs, "Thank you Auntie Amara!"
As the two sat down to eat their cake an animal control van slowed down and parked in front of the store. "Tell me she did 'not' just do that!" said a shocked Dischord. "She did. So is it your turn or mine?" Malice said with a sigh. They watched a pudgey man get out of the van and head towards them with some rope in his hand. 'Sayonara, mongrels!' Amara said as she took a big bite of cake and smiled. "This tastes sooo good auntie!" exclaimed Hotaru not knowing what was about to happen. The two dogs walked around the corner into an empty dead-end alley. "Stupid dogs. This will be easy." as he turned the corner after them. "Oh no!" sighed Malice, "A dead end! I'll never see my wife and kids again!" "I'm too young and pretty to spend the rest of my life in jaaaiill!" groaned Dischord as the officer closed in on them. 'On three.' 'Three!' The pair lunged at the man and knocked him down. Dischord sat on his chest growling. "Look Dumbass! We don't have time to play your little tie up game! So just waddle back into your little van and go away!" The man screamed as he pushed the talking dog off of him and ran out of the alley. As he ran away Malice tore a large section out of the seat of his pants.
Amara and Hotaru looked out the window when they heard the screaming and saw a fat man covering the seat of his pants as he got into the van and sped off. Amara let out an exasperated sigh as Malice jumped up and put his paws on the window at looked at Amara and snickered as he waved the piece of material at her. "They're back!" squealed Hotaru as she looked at the pair and moved closer to the window. Dischord gave her a kiss through the glass then the pair tore down the street out of sight. "Aw! They left!" said Hotaru disappointedly. "Don't worry, hon." Amara let out a heavy sigh and rested her head on her hand, "They'll be back." The two finished their cake and headed back home.
Hotaru was turning four today. As Michelle went about setting up for the party, she thought about what would happen to Hotaru. 'She doesn't know how to control her power yet.' Both her and Amara were going to have a trying time ahead of them training her. "Don't worry." said Trista, "It will all work out, you'll see." bringing in a tray of cookies and and juice. "I hope so." sighed Michelle. "Her latest outburst almost put Amara in the hospital. And all over a 101 Dalmations jacket. I can't bear to imagine what will set her off when she gets older. Homework? Make-up? Dating?" she walked over to a small table and picked up a picture of the little girl. "She'll be fine. The two of you are doing a good job of raising her." said Trista. Just then Amara and Hotaru came in with Reeny. "Auntie Michelle, Auntie Trista! Look what Auntie Amara bought me!" holding up the Dalmation jacket smiling from ear to ear. "Gave in, huh?" said Trista. "You blame me?" said Amara rubbing the back of her head.
As the other children started showing up for the party, two black shadows stealthily made their way on to the grounds of the Tomoe mansion. 'I think we better explain ourselves to them' said Dischord as they came through the opened terrace doors. The two immediately drew attention from everyone as they entered the dining room. "Servant girl!" Malice sang in a whisper as he passed Mina, she instantly clenched her fists. Mina, Amara, and Michelle followed the dogs to a side room and closed the doors so the excited children couldn't hear them. Raye and Lita lead them away and started the party games. "We're not here to hurt anyone." started Dischord. "While our boss Millennium is tracking down the remaining shards our job is to train Hotaru to control her powers. They've already started to surface, haven't they?" added Malice. "Yes, they have. Amara was badly hurt and all over a jacket!" sighed Michelle. "It'll get worse." said Dischord, "We'll start training after the party." "You sure you can handle her?" asked Amara doubtfully. "It's what we were trained for." said Malice, "While we're around we'll keep her in check so there won't be anymore incidents. Just don't interfere, alright?" They all agreed and went back to the party. Reeny was helping Trista get Hotaru ready for the party. "I'm a big girl now!" Hotaru stated. "Yes you are! And a pretty one too!" Reeny said and laughed as Hotaru blushed "Am I really?" she turned to Trista who agreed, "Very pretty!" she said smiling. Just then they heard a whistling at the door. "Somebody call Heaven an' tell 'em their missin' an angel!" said Malice as he came into the room with Dischord. Hotaru ran to the dogs and hugged them. "Hey beautiful!" said Dischord as she licked Hotaru's cheek. "Guess what kiddo?" said Malice, "What?" Hotaru asked, her voice full of glee, "We're gonna be stayin' here with ya for a while!" Hotaru squealed in delight as she hugged Malice so tight he coughed.
Through out the party the two dogs worked over the crowd doing different tricks that thrilled the children to no end and getting all kinds of snacks and cuddles in return. While Mina and the others cleaned up, Malice and Dischord lead Hotaru outside. "Hotaru you're a very special girl with special powers. The two of us are going to help you control them. Alright?" Hotaru nodded, "I don't want to hurt Auntie Amara again." she said sadly as she remembered the other day, "I didn't mean too!" she was almost in tears. "Shhh, shhh angel!" Malice comforted the child "We know that, you know that and Auntie Amara knows that. With our help that won't ever happen again." he said as the child wrapped her arms around his neck. "Okay! Let's start!" said Dischord, as Malice moved away from them. "Now you see Malice way over there?" Hotaru nodded, and waved as he waved a paw to her. "See those open doors over there?" she drew her attention to the open patio doors. "I want you to concentrate hard sweetie and picture Malice floating over to those doors." Hotaru did so, and as she did Malice began to rise off the ground. "Whoa! Hello!" said Malice as he started moving across the the yard to the doors. "This is nice. Saves wear 'n tear on the paws! ~Fly me to the kitchen and and let me dine on some chicken!~" sang Malice as he reached the doors and was gently lowered to the ground. "Good Girl!" cheered Dischord. "I did good?" asked Hotaru. "Yes baby you did! Now bring him over to you!" She complied. The scouts watched her progress from a window with amazement and wonder. They watched as she went from moving one object to controlling several and making each one do something different at the same time. This wore her out so they stopped her training and let her rest for the rest of the day.
Amara tucked her in that night. "Did you see me?" she asked. "Yes I saw you. You did very well and we're all very proud of you!" as she kissed the child good night. "I love you sweetie." "Aw, no kiss for us?" said Malice. "Keep it up and you'll sleep outside!" Amara snapped back. "Can they sleep with me, Auntie?" asked Hotaru flashing her big innocent eyes routine. "Just one and they have to stay on the floor." said Amara. Dischord and Malice started showing off. "Um...., Dischord!" said Hotaru as Malice groaned. "Well I guess I'll be snoopin' around on patrol." said Malice, walking out with Amara. "Unless one of you kind, wonderful, beautiful ladies will let me bunk with you!" he said giving Michelle, Amara and Trista a sly wink. "Not if my life depended on it!" Amara said coldly. "And no, we are not putting you in the kitchen either." said Michelle wagging a finger at him. "He can stay with me!" said Reeny. "Great!" said Malice as he followed her the one of the guest rooms.
As soon as they closed the door Dischord jumped up on the bed. "Dischord." said a sleepy Hotaru, "Hm." the dog replied. "Will I have these powers for the rest of my life?" she asked. "Yes honey, but don't be afraid of them okay? You're doing very well." Dischord comforted the worried child. "Will people be afraid of me?" Hotaru asked, "Not if their your friends, sweetie." She crawled up to the top of the bed and Hotaru put her arm around her and went to sleep.
"Malice?" Reeny said. "Yeah kiddo." he replied. "Why does Millennium want to go through with it?" she stared up at the ceiling as Malice jumped up onto the foot of the bed. "I guess he wants to make up for all the bad things his people have done." answered the dog. "It's not right! He's a good person! He didn't do anything wrong, it wasn't his fault!" she said. "He's got a lot on his mind kiddo. Azura's death hit him hard and he blamed himself. Your grandma didn't like him from the start but trusted him and he feels he let her down big time." Malice went to sleep leaving the child thinking to herself. 'Oh God, Serena! Hurry up and figure it out!' was her last thought before she fell asleep.
Serena had another bad night. She tossed and turned while a dream took her over. Once again she was in the Moon Kingdom. She crept to the side of the open terrace doors to hear her mother and Saturn talking, no, arguing. "He's a good man with an honest heart! You'd see that if you gave him a chance!" Saturn said to Serenity trying to convince her. "His people are currently attacking us hand right and left and we're barely holding them off. If you marry him, people will see it as the Negaverse gaining a foothold." Serenity answered back. "But he's nothing like them. He's kind, gentle, and is trying to convince his people to put an end to their war with us. The two of us getting married could be a step in the right direction. It could give hope to both sides that a peaceful solution can be reached!" pleaded Saturn. "But nothing! Azura I forbid it and you will end your relationship with him now!" The cold harshness of Serenity's words cut her like a sword. Serena listened in silence as outside Azura pressed it further, "How dare you!" she angrily screamed at her queen. "You can't tell me who I can fall in love with or who I can marry!" Saturn's anger was growing. "As long as you serve in my court---" Serenity said glaring at Azura. Saturn quickly stood up and pounded her fist on the table. "Is that a threat! Well here's one for you! Find yourself another Sailor Saturn that's willing to let you dance them like a puppet on a string. I resign my post immediately!" She stormed through the doors not seeing the small, now upset, child. Serenity followed but stopped just inside the door to see her daughter crying. She knealt down put her arms around the child trying to comfort her. She picked up the child and walked back to the tearrace to watch an enraged Azura leave for good.
Serena snapped up in bed with the dream still vivid in her mind and turned her light on and rushed to her study desk. She wrote down every detail of the dream. Luna was woke up by the bright like and looked at what she was writing. 'It's starting to come out. Maybe I should tell her.' "Serena...." "Can't talk now Luna I've gotta ask Reeny something!" She quickly got dressed and snuck out of the house. '2:34 AM...Michelle and Amara are gonna kill me!' Serena thought glancing at her watch as she raced through the streets to the Tomoe mansion. She pounded on the door nonstop until it opened. A hand came out and grabbed Serena by her coat collar and pulled her close to a half sleeping, half angry Amara. "I've had it with these pranks!" snapped a raging Amara who only had her eyes half open and not focused on the person she was holding. "I'm putting an end to it right now!" said Amara drawing back her fist. "Whoa! Amara wake up! It's me Serena!" wailed the panicked blonde. Amara opened her eyes wider and let them focus. "Oh...sorry. It's just that we've had some joker pound on the front door from time to time at three in the morning waking us up. I thought it was you." she said letting go of Serena. "So what gets you up this hour?" Amara said leading her in to the main hallway. "I've got to talk to Reeny, it's real important." Serena said as she raced up the stairs, Amara would have followed but her friend at the door came back. As Serena got to the top of the stairs there could be heard a young voice scream and Amara shouting "There's more where that came from!" and slammed the door.
The door to Reeny's room flew open with a bang that woke up her and Malice and nearly scared them half to death. Serena quickly sat down on the bed and started talking as Trista came in. "Reeny don't say anything just listen. There was a Sailor Saturn before Hotaru and her name was Azura..." Reeny's eyes lit up and started nodding her head in agreement to everything Serena was saying. "...I remember her and my mother had a huge fight over Azura wanting to marry someone from the Negaverse but Queen Serenity wouldn't allow it..." 'She's remembered alot in a short time! I guess I'm not adopted after all!' thought Reeny, "Yeah, and..." she started but got cut off by Trista "Reeny! You know you're not supposed to say anything to help her remember!" the green haired woman sternly warned the adolescent. Reeny let out a huff of anger and turned her attention back to Serena. "...but Azura was not the sailor of destruction, she only had the power to heal, right?", "Right!" cheered Reeny as Trista warned her again and Reeny rolled her eyes at her. "Hotaru has both the power to destroy and heal right?" Serena continued as Reeny nodded, "The sailor positions are handed down from mother to daughter right? So that means Azura aka Sailor Saturn past her power of healing on to her daughter right?" 'Almost there, mom!' the pink haired girl listened intently as Serena put it together slowly, piece by piece. "So if Hotaru has the power to heal then that means that she's.....Azura's daughter! Right?!" Reeny hugged her "You're sooo close! Keep going Serena!" Serena froze 'There's more?' Serena thought as Reeny let go. "Um...there's more?" Serena's face and mind went blank as she watched all the hope drain out of Reeny's eyes and get replaced with fear and anger.
She let out a heavy sigh and thought for a moment. She put her hands on Serena's shoulders, drew in a breath and started talking. "Okay let's go over what you know! Azura was the first Sailor Saturn, who left because she couldn't marry someone from the Negaverse, right?" "Um-hm!" Serena replied. "And the sailor duties fall from mother to daughter, right?" "Right." Serena nodded her head while thinking. "Hotaru has the power to heal like Azura which makes Hotaru Azura's daughter which makes Hotaru Sailor Saturn, still with me?" she asked the thinking blonde who replied "Uh-huh." "Good! Now Hotaru has the added power to destroy everything right? Where did she get that power from?" Reeny stared deep into Serena's eyes searching for that twinkle they get when she figures something out. Serena stared back at her 'Both Azura and Hotaru can heal, but the power to destroy comes from....', Reeny's eyes lit up again as she saw Serena's eyes widen, '...her father', "She gets the power to destroy from her father!" Both Serena and Reeny hugged each other and squealed. "Yes! And the father is...." Reeny fell silent when she saw Trista flash a warning glance at her. "Some Negaverse guy?" Reeny grabbed Serena's coat collar tightly and stared her in the eye "What's his name?" she growled as that blank expression came over Serena's face again. Reeny was about to go ballistic, she couldn't believe Serena came all this way just to blank out now.
Her anger began to boil over, and she started shaking Serena causing the ditzy blonde's head to wobble around like a jack-in-the-box. As Reeny shook her she screamed for the entire house to hear. This scream brought Amara and Michelle rushing to the room to see a worried Malice and a silent Trista watching the drama unfold. "Add two, subtract one and you get the father!" she screeched as Amara and Michelle tried to separate them "You're going to wake Hotaru!" they said but were ignored. "Stop shaking me you BRAT!" Serena wailed trying to break Reeny's grip. As soon as the two were seperated, Reeny broke down and started crying. "You've got to remember...you've just got to...If you don't..." Reeny collapsed into Serena's arms and sobbed uncontrollably. Serena tried to comfort the child as best she could. 'Why is this upsetting her so much? Why is she pressing me so hard?' she thought after Reeny went back to sleep. She walked back home with those questions and more on her mind.
The next morning Serena headed to the Cherry Hill Temple to talk to Raye to see if she could help her remember. Elsewhere Amy, Lita and Mina were going dress shop to dress shop trying to pick out dresses for the upcoming prom. "Hey Amy! How 'bout that outfit? You'd be a hit if you showed up in that! Greg won't be able to keep his eyes off of you!" said Lita pointing to a display in a lingere shop window. "Neither will any other guy!" Amy said while blushing as she imagined herself wearing it. "Oh Lita! Amy's not as forward and bold like that!" Mina tried to defend Amy, "How do you know! Maybe I am like that! I'm tired of everyone thinking I'm Miss Prim and Proper! I just might wear it to the prom after all!" With that she walked into the shop as Mina covered her mouth with her hands, "Me and my big mouth!" she exclaimed. After a few minutes Amy came out with a very small shopping bag, "You didn't?" pleaded Mina. Amy nodded as she pulled the almost non-exsistent garment out of the bag and flashed a conceited look at Mina's blushing face. "Oh you go girl!" cheered Lita, "After the prom Greg's gonna be my bitch!" said Amy with an evil grin. "Oh yeah! Make him beg for it!" Lita said laughing and giving Amy a sly wink
"You're a bad influence on her Lita!" Mina scolded. "At least we got men to make our bitch!" Lita said smugly as they walked down the street. Once again Amy had to get between the two of them before a fight broke out. For the rest of the morning the three shopped in silence.
On her way home Mina wanted to cry. 'At least we got men....' Lita's words still burning in her mind. 'God damn tramp! Who cares about her and Ken! I'll show her! I'll get me...Who am I kidding? I can't get anyone....' Mina slouched looking down at the bag that held her prom dress. "What's the point in going?" she sighed and went to throw the bags in a nearby trash can but someone was in her way. "I was wondering if I could pick up where I left off?" She glanced up at Millennium as she pushed him out of her way. "I'm not in the mood for you right now." she said depressed as she flung the bags into the trash can. He walked down the street with her and said nothing at first. "I just wanted to apologize for my behavior the other day. Some of the things you said brought back some memories that I didn't want to remember.". "Yeah, whatever." Mina said still down over the fact that she wasn't going to her high school prom. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry, and if there's anything I can do..." he went on, 'Do? Go away. That's what you can....' she stopped in mid thought and looked at him. The two stood and stared at each other. 'I'm such an idiot! Here's this "total fox" of a poor guy trying to apologize, and I'm just blowing him off!' she thought to herself looking at him. "Well I have to be going. I have a lot of things to do...." Millennium said, the silence between them and the way Mina was looking at him was making him feel akward. Just then what he said to her sank in 'You're gonna regret those words, Mister!' a huge smile emerged on her lips and an evil glint flashed in her eyes. "Now that you mention it...there is something you can do for me!" as she ran back to the trash can relieved to see her shopping bags with their contents still intact, she snatched them up and quickly sprinted back to where she left him. "Show up at my house on the 29th at 7:30 PM sharp! You can make it up to me then!" she said giggling then ran off into her house leaving him wondering what she was planning.
"Hey, Raye! Ya here?" Serena called but was answered by Chad. "Hey studly! You seen Raye around?" she asked him. "Yeah she's doing a fire reading. Becareful though. She's in a bad mood this morning." he warned her. "Why's that?" she asked him. "Well...I kinda knocked a big hole in a wall trying to hang some flower baskets for her..." he said sadly. "Aw cheer up Chad! It could happen to anyone!" she consoled him then went to find Raye.
Apparently, Raye had the same idea as Serena and was doing a fire reading on Millennium when she came in, she noticed there was a picture of him next to a tree on the stand in front of the fire. Serena knew not to disturb her so she sat quietly waiting for Raye to finish the reading. Raye was knealing in front of the fire whispering a chant, her eyes were closed so she didn't see Serena. When she opened them and stared into the fire to see what would be revealed. Several images flashed across the flickering flames. Some were of Millennium fighting a grotesque creature and some were of him with a woman. One of the last images of him and the woman was holding her in his arms and he was crying. Before the flames died out a clouded image of Millennium passing a small baby to Queen Serenity was revealed. "What does it mean?" Raye said aloud to herself. "I think I know..." replied Serena whose sudden answer startled Raye as she turned to see Serena behind her. She paused a few seconds getting everything straight in her head then started. "It's like this...".
"Okay, today we're gonna try something different. It won't be as fun as yesterday, but very important none the less." Malice said as he, Dischord, Michelle and Hotaru walked out to the garden. 'You call making a four thousand dollar crystal vase implode, fun?' Michelle thought to herself remembering how the vase was crushed. "My favorite vase ruined, and you call that fun?" she looked at the snickering animal, "Don't worry! With what we'll teach Hotaru today that vase will be as good as new!" Malice reassured her. They stopped at a white rose bush in full bloom. "And now for the part Malice loooves soo much..." Dischord said as Malice charged forward and brutally attacked the rose bush. Michelle stood in complete utter rage as she watched her prized rose bush get shreded. "Stupid, ugly bush! Diiiiiieeee!" shreiked Malice as as he trampled the defenseless plant. Michelle rushed forward but was stopped by Dischord. "No interference, remember?" she reminded the angry woman. "Why? Why me? Why do you two destroy everything of mine? Why don't you trash something of Amara's? Her car? Her motorcycle? Anything of hers!" cried Michelle.
Malice walked over to her and said "Because I like her!". "That was mean!" said Hotaru as she tried to comfort her aunt. Dischord nuzzled the child, "Yes it was sweetie. Do you want to help your aunt fix the plant?", Hotaru nodded. "Okay then. Just like before, imagine the rose bush as it was before.", Hotaru thought of how pretty the bush was, "Now see the mess in front of you? Hold your hands out in front of you, and imagine all the branches, leaves and flowers coming back together. Now close your eyes, relax and concentrate real hard." As Hotaru did Michelle watched in amazement as a silver-white glow enveloped the broken plant and in a few seconds the plant was back the way it was. Hotaru opened her eyes and saw the reassembled plant bfore her and gasped with awe. "I did that!" she stared in amazement. "Very good sweetie!" Dischord licked her cheek, "Now let's stay on this roll! Remember the vase in the den? Do the same for it.". Hotaru started for the den but Dischord grabbed her hand gently, "No, no you can do it from here.", "But I can't see it from here, how can I?" Hotaru asked the dog. "Just remember the way it looked before and the way it looks now."
Amara was in the den and was about to pick up the distorted, crushed hunk of crystal and throw it away. 'Better those dogs take the blame for breaking it now instead of me later.' Amara said to herself thinking of all the times she bumped the table and almost sending the vase to the floor. She reached for it but sensed something and quickly pulled her hand back. She stood and stared in shock as a silver glow surrounded the vase and in a flash the vase was repaired. Amara picked up the vase to inspect it. 'Incredible!' she thought but was startled by the door opening and dropped the vase. Michelle watched in horror as her vase was about to be shattered again. "I'll get it Auntie Michelle!" as Hotaru used her powers to prevent the vase from hitting the floor. As she levitated it back onto the table Michelle gave a sigh of relief and a cool glare at Amara for almost breaking it again.
A solitary figure sat on a park bench staring at an old faded picture. The picture was of a beautiful woman with angelic biege hair and soft, soul piercing lavendar eyes. He paid little notice to the pink-haired girl who silently slipped onto the bench. "She sure was pretty." Reeny said as she slid herself closer to him and looked at the picture. "I haven't thought about her for a while, now I have all kinds of time. I don't like all this free time. Too much time to think, to remember." Millennium said staring into the picture. "Don't interfere. Pluto told me what's going on." Reeny flashed an innocent look at him, "Hey! Meatball head is doing this on her own! I hope she figures it out soon because I don't want you to do it! She finds out after you're gone you know. It really breaks her up." Millennium said nothing as the two sat in silence staring at the picture. "At this rate it'll come out eventually, so you might as well forget about your previous plans." Reeny said trying to convince him. Millennium said nothing, he just stared at the picture. "Then I'll convince Pluto to cause a time distortion and wipeout everyone's memory of all that's happened." "I'll tell her not to! She'll listen to me because I'll be her future queen and if she knows what's good for her, she won't listen to you!" Reeny said arrogantly. She got up and stood in front of him, grabbed him by his coat lappels and brought her face up close to his. "She's my best friend and I won't stand by and watch her suffer the way she did when she finds out she killed her father! So believe me when I say I'll do whatever it takes to keep that from happening!" With that she let go and stormed off leaving him to think.
"Oooouu! Where is that brat!?" Serena impatiently growled as she made her seventh trip up the walkway of her house to see if Reeny was coming. Just as she was about to walk back she caught a glimpse of her rounding the corner. Reeny quickly walked past Serena still boiling from the park encounter. "Reeny! I...", but Reeny cut her off. "Not now! I've got some planning to do." she agrily said as she stomped past Serena. "Reeny! Wait! I figured it out!" Serena said stopping her future daughter from going into the house. Reeny was lost in thought and didn't quite hear what Serena said. "What? That a quarterback isn't a refund! Leave me---" she stopped and did a quick 180. "You mean?...You?...." her jawed slightly dropped and she stared at her future mother with astonishment. 'Yeeess! I'd better make sure though. If she's jerkin' me around I'm gonna seperate her!' "Alright let's here it." she tried to sound uninterested. "Millennium was the guy Azura married. Something happened to her and she died. They also had a child. Reeny, was that child Hotaru?" Serena watched as Reeny tried to hide her expression by looking at the ground. Serena knealt down to Reeny's level. "She's Millennium's daughter, isn't she?". Serena lifted the childs' head to see tears streaming down her face, she threw her arms around Serena's neck, "Oh God! Please don't let him do it!" she cried. Serena didn't know what Reeny meant. "Don't let him do what?" she said as she kissed the child's cheek. Serena was shocked at what Reeny said next, "He made a request of you in the future that when he destroys the Shadows he wants to be tried and executed as atonement for everything the Negaverse has done. You order Hotaru to carry it out but she finds out later who he was and...and..." Reeny burst into tears again. Serena guessed that in the future she didn't figure it out by then, but this time it will be different.
--End of Part 2--
--Coming soon, Part 3: Endless Waltz--
Questions, comments? Mail to:
ravyn_knyght@yahoo.com
