A/N: Thank you TiffyAngel for your good advice. I will definitely try to use this format from now on(tell me if I'm doing this right. I'm new to this). If anyone else has any good advice I'm listening.

Also, Thank you Diva , Steven, and CoolCat for reading my 1st Fanfic: "Vegeta & Bulma Go to Marriage Counseling". YOU GUYS RULE!

Chapter 3-Explanation

"Mama! Mama!"

Neo Queen Serenity knelt to meet her worried daughter.

"What's wrong Rini?"

She asked, in the sweet voice all mothers use on frightened children.

"I went to the Time Gate and Pu wasn't there!"

Serenity went pale.

"I didn't want to jump to conclusions so I came right to you. Did Pu go to the past to help you? Did you give her leave?"

Serenity's face hardened. She didn't want to jump to conclusions either.

"Show me the gate Rini."

When they came to the swirling mists known as the end of time, Serenity and Rini looked for clues (Moon Scepter and transformation pen ready). Of course, there were no signs of battle because the mists never change. But there was 1 clue that was a definite sign of Pluto's plight.

"There's no one here." Rini said, amazed.

"Pluto would never leave the gate unguarded," Serenity said, taking a serious tone.

"She's in trouble."

Rini felt a pain in her heart. She didn't want to believe it, she prayed it wasn't true. Pluto, her 1st and special friend, was in trouble, no telling how grave. She instinctively placed her hand on the time key 'round her neck...

"My time key! Mama, couldn't I use it to find Pluto?"

Serenity thought for a moment.

"Give it a try."

Rini slipped the key off, held it up and shouted:

"TIME KEY! TAKE ME TO PLUTO!"

The little orb flickered a moment and then went out.

"What happened?" She asked, truly baffled at the event.

"Why won't it find Pu?"

A hot tear rolled down her face. Serenity held her daughter.

"Its alright Rini. Maybe she's still in our time."

Serenity knew the chances of that were slim.

"Me and the girls will set up a search party. You and Hotaru can watch the gate until we find her ok?"

Rini thought for a moment, then smiled.

"It's the girls and I meatball head!" She said, pulling 1 of Serenity's long ponytails.

"OOOH! I'M GONNA GET YOU YOU LITTLE SQUIRT!"

Serenity hollered, losing her queenly manner. She chased Rini around the mists, her long gown billowing behind her.

***

Satyr looked at his master. He could see he was exhausted, more so than usual. Hoium was using his magic to keep the fire going. Even though it didn't give off heat, its dim light kept the animals at bay.

"Master?" He ventured.

"Yes Satyr?" Asked Hoium with a sigh.

"You're so tired. Why not let me or Cush tend the fire?"

They both looked at Cush, who was sleeping soundly.

"He took a bad hit when the witch blasted him that last time. He needs to recuperate. And your young, to let you use your magic all night would be..."

He took a pause.

"Unwise. I wouldn't be a very good master if I let you now would I?"

He tried to laugh, but he yawned instead.

"Explain it again master. Why are we here?"

For all his natural talent, Satyr preferred to hear everything twice, but his master hated to repeat himself. This quirk had almost cost Satyr his apprenticeship more than once. But he was such a prodigy that Hoium found he couldn't give up such a student easily. With a sigh be began.

"We are magicians. Servants of Tarj, the great god of darkness. 2 things bind magic wielders such as us: Our own strength, and our mortality. Even the strongest magician can deplete their powers. Then they would be defenseless, for it weakens the body as well as mind. With the dragon, we can wish for everlasting power. Then, we can turn our attention to the witch."

"Why do we need her? Couldn't we just ask the dragon for immorality too?"

"Though he would grant it, its better to get it straight from the source. The Garnet Orb that rests upon the witch's staff is it. The Orb is the very essence of time; its power is unequaled. But it's too powerful to be controlled on its own. The staff keeps its power under tight restraint. Even when the orb is separated, the heart-shaped top restricts it. But to have the Orb...And only the Orb...if you know what you're doing, you can get it to do anything, even grant immortality."

"What about the keys?"

"As I said the Orb is too powerful to be controlled on its own. The keys, which are apart of the Orb, will help us maintain its power when released from its constraints."

"And the witch?" Asked Satyr, getting restive.

"Only one from her line can wield it."

"Why?" Asked the apprentice (in that irritating way he has been for the last 10 minutes).

"Long ago, before the elemental witches were called the Sailor Scouts, or even before the planets had rulers. There lived a woman named Eternity. My studies have shown me that Eternity is a Plutonian name meaning: One whose path is hidden. When the gates of time were 1st created, thugs tried to claim them. Eternity fought them off by herself. After, she vowed that her family would always protect the gates. Thus, the staff only yields to one of her line."

"Only the females right?"

Hoium shot his apprentice a look. His incessant questions were annoying.

"No. Any member of her family can. But sometime later, a prince of Pluto married a guardian, thinking it would be a good political marriage. It was then decided that all males would heed matters concerning government and all females would tend to the gates."

Hoium paused. The conversation was dividing his concentration. The fire flickered in and out as he regained his bearings.

"The witch is the last of her line, and is unique in herself. Did you notice the color of her blood?"

"It was deep red, deeper than it should be. And metallic looking."

"She is the longest guardian to ever live, and her time with the Orb has effected her person. The Orb gives off low pulses of its energy. It wouldn't immediately effect a person, but she has been in constant close contact with the Orb. Now her blood has special qualities related to time. If we drink her blood, we'll not only be able to wield the Orb, but we'll temporarily harbor time magic within ourselves."

Hoium slumped against the wall, worn out.

"Master please! Let me tend the fire, or else you'll have no power left." Hoium groaned, over come with weariness.

"O...Okay..." With that, Hoium fell asleep.

A/N: I know, I know annoying right? I mean, all the questions! But it was the only way I could think of to answer all those questions. If you have any more, just put them in your review and I'll have Satyr ask them (in that annoying way he always does). *Author sighs and rolls her eyes* Anyway El Elohe Israel y'all!