As I sit here writing the author's notes, and this, the fourth chapter of the DYR rewrite, I'm listening to some of my sailor moon midis, including the star locket theme and the background music they play with the scenes of the moon kingdom, as well as this one called love, which is really awesome cause it has scenes Usagi and Mamoru's American dub voices talking in it from the scenes when Endymion tells Serenity he has to leave and their last dance, and the scenes at the end of the first half of R season with Ann and Ali...anyway, enough of my babbling. Let's just say the music is fueling my writing.
This chapter seems to be turning into the first of the real emotional ones. Part of that is because in my personal opinion, the anime screwed up Diamond's character. I'm not entirely sure about the whole being obsessed with Usagi and then turning around and saving her life thing...something about that always irritated me. That, and the scenes when he kidnaps her and takes her his citadel. I always thought there might have been more to those scenes then the innocent portrayal that we saw.
Anyway, you're gonna see some more unveiling of the separate storylines that are bunched in this story - the whole Sailor Sol thing, the whole love triangle with Diamond, Usagi and Mamoru, and you're gonna catch a glimpse of some tiny peeps that don't really show up much until the next story, What Really Happened. And you'll notice, when I'm talking about Chibi-Usa time traveling, it's from the anime, cause in the manga she's present for the final battle of the series.
Please visit my website www.usagi-carter.org aka A Haven For Lovers, my friend's website - www.dawn-mist.org aka Archive Of The Mists and don't forget to email me! webmistress@usagi-carter.org !!!
P.S. A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY ONEE-CHAN, TSUKI DORIIMAA!!!
My current favorite quote: "To always remind you, that it always was, and always will be" - Jendra, Sailor Moon Universal
Do You Remember
Chapter 4
By Usagi Carter
Re-written: September 4, 2003
Time Frame: Roughly 1994
Juuban Park
Juuban District
Tokyo, Japan
The silence was disturbed as a time portal opened up just above the well-trodden path in the middle of the park, allowing a pink haired, cinnamon-eyed girl to tumble out onto her butt. "OW!" the young girl screeched. Carefully opening her eyes, she scouted the area around her. It didn't look like home, but then again, the girl reasoned, if Aunt Setsuna had sent her through, then more than likely, she was no where near the time she considered home.
"DIANA!" the pink haired girl nearly screeched, searching high and low for the gray kitten that had been with her when she'd left Crystal Tokyo.
"Small Lady, there is no need to shout at me, I'm right here," the small feline snapped uncharacteristically at her mistress.
"Gomen. Diana, where are we?" the girl known as Small Lady questioned as the kitten shook her head. The last time she'd time traveled, well, she wasn't about to think about that; It had been an experience she didn't want to repeat...watching Mamo-chan be sick, and the whole incident with the Dead Moon Circus...and Helios...
"I don't know, Sailor Pluto only said we were needed here. I'm not even sure where HERE is. Did Mama say anything to you?"
"Luna only said that I'd need this, whatever this is," Small Lady spoke as she held up the pink and white object, which to Diana looked suspiciously like one of the old Senshi communicators. If memory served correct, the Senshi in Crystal Tokyo didn't use those, as they were able to speak telepathically to one another.
"That looks like a communicator, one that your mother and the senshi used the last time we saw them in the past. And it looks to be just your color and size," Diana raised her eyebrows at her Princess, who smiled and nodded.
"It does, doesn't it?" Small Lady asked, as she fastened the band around her wrist and picked up Diana, before placing her on her shoulder. "So what now?"
"I assume you remember your way to her majesty's house?"
"It's been a while, but I could probably find my way, assuming we're even still in the time where Usagi-baka was living at home."
"Either way, her majesty's parents should still live in the same house."
"That's true," Small Lady said as they began walking through the park. Not even ten minutes later, they came face to face with trouble.
"AHHHH!" a girl screamed as someone assaulted her. Small Lady sprinted toward her to investigate. What she found sent shivers running down her spine. Towering over the helpless girl was a man, and on his forehead was the symbol of the Dark Moon.
"It can't be! Usagi and I defeated Wiseman and all the others were killed!" Small Lady exclaimed in shock.
"It doesn't matter what happened, Princess, you need to transform!" Diana squeaked as Small Lady swallowed and nodded, pulling the compact off her shirtfront and thrusting it high into the air.
"MOON CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!" Small Lady called as Diana jumped down from her shoulder and hid in the bushes. The young princess was lifted from the ground, and surrounded by the power of her birthright as the daughter of the royal family of the moon. In a brilliant array of lights, she was transformed from an ordinary girl to Sailor Chibi Moon.
~~
"We have a problem," Setsuna spoke as Haruka, Michiru, and Hotaru looked up from their individual projects. The four of them had been enjoying a quiet evening at home, and now things weren't so quiet.
"What's wrong?" Michiru questioned.
"Someone has been allowed to pass through the Gate." The look on Setsuna's face said all her voice couldn't.
"How much you wanna bet that person is a bratty, pink-haired, rabbit shaped odango atama?" Haruka asked as she, Hotaru and Michiru reached for their transformation wands.
"I wouldn't bet against Haruka-papa," Hotaru said as Michiru nodded. Setsuna merely allowed her powers to flare around her as the three other women transformed.
"I'll alert the others," Neptune spoke as the quartet made their way out of the house and down the streets of Tokyo, following whatever force was guiding Pluto.
~~
"Usagi!" Ikuko called as she knocked on her daughter's door. For weeks now, all Usagi seemed to do was mope about and hide in her room. She rarely saw her friends, and from what Ikuko knew, the girls were near inseparable. Ikuko looked over at Seiya, who was standing in the hallway with Mayo, Usagi's new friend, and Mamoru.
"GO AWAY!" Usagi nearly screamed.
"Usagi-chan!" Mayo called softly, hoping her voice would shake Usagi from the depression she was in. A few moments of silence passed before the door opened and the four people in the hallway were admitted entrance to Usagi's room.
"What do you want?" Usagi asked softly, as she caught sight of Mamoru and Seiya.
"Odango, we have a problem," Seiya started as the blonde merely glared at him. "Gomen."
"Usako, I just received a message from Amy-chan, she said she couldn't get in touch with you," Mamoru started as Usagi non-chalantly flicked her wrist at the communicator sitting on her desk. "Usako, the girls are headed to the park right now, at the urging of Setsuna-chan. Apparently, we have a pink haired visitor who's up to her odangos in trouble." At the mere mention of said visitor, Usagi's eyes shot up to meet Mamoru's.
"Oh gods, not again," Usagi whispered before she wrenched her broach off her blouse, gripping it tightly in the palm of her hand. Her worst fears were coming true - not only was the Dark Moon back, but now Chibi-Usa was here and possibly about to be in the middle of the conflict, again.
"Shall we go give her a hand?" Mamoru asked, proffering his hand to his beloved, who hesitantly placed hers in his grasp. Usagi's eyes flew from their joined hands to meet his gaze the instant she felt the punch of power from him. It wasn't like it hurt, but she knew he was trying to give her his strength for the coming fights - both the physical fight and the mental and emotional ones she was waging with herself.
"Mamo-chan, our..." she started, until she realized her mother was standing in the room still. Even though Ikuko, Kenji, and Shingo had been told some months before about the Senshi and their pasts and future, Usagi still felt weird bringing up Chibi-Usa with any of them present.
"Get going Usagi, she needs you," Ikuko motioned toward the door.
"Mama..."
"Go save your baby, because you're the only one who can," Ikuko told her as both women's eyes welled with tears. Usagi mutely nodded before turning to the others and making her way out of the room.
"Let's go," Usagi urged as the four of them thundered down the stairs, leaving Ikuko behind.
"Good luck," Ikuko whispered as she sent up a prayer for their safety to whoever was listening.
~~
"What the hell does he want?" Mars barked out in question as the Inners, Outers, and Stars regrouped. They were facing the same man they'd been facing on a regular basis for the last few weeks, and so far they knew nothing more than he was working with the Dark Moon, that he had been one of the deciding factors in the end of the Silver Millennium, and that he was someone high on Usagi's dislike list. As soon as the group was ready to start another round of attacks, everyone's attention was shifted to the group of four that had just arrived.
"Allow me to deliver a message from my master," the man spoke as the senshi focused their attention on him, including the four new arrivals. "His majesty, Prince Diamond, sends his regards, your serene highness, and his apologies. He also said to tell you he looks forward to meeting with you again."
Usagi froze in place, her face going pale while she was staring at the man in disbelief. Someway, somehow, this man that had survived the destruction of the Silver Millennium, had survived the destruction of the Dark Kingdom, and had made his way to this time and this place was standing in front of her taunting her like she were a mere powerless person. The only other person affected by Berdon's taunts was Mamoru, who stood just to the left of his beloved, his fists clenching and unclenching and his blood boiling.
While Diamond had given his life during the last battle with the Dark Moon for Sailor Moon, Mamoru still hated the fact that this man before him was taunting a still hurt Usagi about the Dark Moon Prince's return; he himself still had unresolved issues with Diamond about what had been done to Chibi-Usa, and about what had happened when Diamond had kidnapped Usagi. No one but Usagi really knew what had gone on inside the Dark Moon Palace in the future, especially since Usagi refused to speak of it.
"MONSTER!" Eternal Moon screamed as tears welled in her eyes. Her outburst only served to delight the man before her and scare the hell out of all of the senshi.
"It can't be, can it?" Uranus questioned as Eternal Moon strode forward. The thought that the Dark Moon, and its Prince, having returned from the dead had been something all of the senshi had been trying to grasp and understand for weeks now. To have the truth revealed to them was almost beyond imagine.
"YOU TRAITOR! You, the reason Beryl was able to gain access to the moon, you, the reason the Silver Millennium was destroyed! You have joined another enemy of the Silver Millennium!"
"No, I merely gave Beryl the opportunity to do what was needed to be done, Princess, as I told you the first time we met," the man sneered. "Your mother was nothing but a peace loving idiot, who didn't appreciate the power she possessed. I have joined someone who understands power, who knows how to use it. You, like your mother before, have no comprehension of the power that you hold at your fingertips."
"You may have escaped my mother's wrath, but you will not escape mine. I am far more aware of my so-called powers then you may have been led to believe," Moon growled, causing the others to start back peddling when her body began to light up like a firecracker.
Berdon watched on in interest. From what Diamond had told him, Sailor Moon had just started coming into her powers the last time they'd met, some years before. There was no way, in his opinion, that the child before him could have advanced since, to the stage of awareness Diamond spoke of the Neo Queen having. Of course, one thing Berdon knew was truth - Usagi still doubted herself, as her admission of her so-called powers proved. That would be interesting news for the Dark Moon Prince, who, conveniently, was listening in on the fight.
"Um, guys, don't you think with all that power flowing through her, she's gonna hurt herself?" Venus commented as the others simply watched Moon turn into a human torch.
"Her power levels, believe it or not, are pretty normal," Mercury, informed them, all the while typing away at her computer and reading her scanner's results, making a mental note about Sailor Moon's power levels. The lines that showed the power Usagi was channeling on the mini computer stayed completely steady, as if she were merely asleep.
Mercury blinked several times, knowing that she should be surprised by that but also realizing the senshi still knew next to nothing of the extents of Sailor Moon's powers or that of the Silver Crystal, let alone any power Usagi held as a normal person. All that information had died along with Queen Serenity.
"It's just another stage of her maturity," Pluto whispered. Before any of the group had time to react, they watched the power from Moon slam into Berdon. As Sailor Moon's power ripped him apart, Berdon reassessed his previous thoughts. This slip of a girl was nothing that Diamond thought she was; in fact, she was far beyond anything Diamond could have imagined.
While her powers unleashed her wrath on Berdon, Sailor Moon spoke with a clear and unwavering voice. "You tell Prince Diamond, I await our meeting." With that said, the senshi watched on in shock as the man before them screamed in pain and then disappeared. Noting that all that was left of the Dark Moon General was a pile of ash, Sailor Moon turned and grasped tightly to Tuxedo Kamen's hand. He had made his way to her side once he knew it was safe to, and let their silent communication comfort one another. Usagi finally let go and turned to face the small pink haired senshi in front of her.
"MAMA!" Chibi Moon called seconds later, throwing herself into Eternal Moon's outstretched arms.
"Small Lady," Usagi whispered, allowing herself to power down. "Oh gods, what are you doing here?"
"I don't know. Aunt Setsuna just said that I was needed through a portal and she shoved me through." At the mention of Setsuna, all of the senshi turned to face the Sailor Pluto standing in front of them.
"Contrary to popular belief, even I have problems with my future self. I have no clue as to why Small Lady is here, but I'm going to go find out," Pluto spoke before she turned and disappeared into a Time Portal. Some of the senshi, particularly the Sailor Stars, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune, highly doubted the retreat was due to Pluto being clueless. Something major was going on, something that they had somehow found themselves in the middle of unknowingly.
"Now that that's settled, how about we take you home and get you something to eat. I'm sure you're starving by now," Usagi suggested as Chibi-Usa clung to her.
"Usagi, meeting at the temple tomorrow. Chibi-Usa is expected to come," Raye spoke as Usagi turned an expressionless face to the Senshi of Fire, nodded, and then walked off without so much as two words to anyone.
~~
On the walk home, Chibi-Usa seemed to realize that the others didn't quite know what was going on with Usagi. The young senshi surprisingly caught several things; one - Mayo was among the others and no one knew who she really was, something that Chibi-Usa deducted was truth by the glares the elder senshi were shooting the black haired silver eyed woman, two - something was upsetting Usagi beyond all belief, a fact Chibi-Usa assumed was due to the man they had just faced and the possibility that the Dark Moon had returned some years after it's ruling family had been destroyed.
"Usagi, do the others know about Mayo-chan?" Chibi-Usa questioned just loud enough to avoid Mamoru's hearing. He'd been walking silently with them, as had Mayo, and Chibi-Usa knew she should wait till she got home to find out, but the question just seemed to tumble from her lips.
"No, they don't. And if you know who she is, don't say anything. I don't think they're ready to accept her just yet. And don't mention whatever role she plays in the future to her or the others, otherwise I think you know how Sailor Pluto will react."
"I won't, I was just wondering. Does she know about me?" Cinnamon eyes turned up to look into Cerulean with a questioning and somewhat fearful glance.
"She does." Usagi watched all the color drain back into Chibi-Usa's face as she sighed in relief. "Home sweet home." Chibi-Usa's thoughts were consumed by the vision of the Tsukino household towering before her, the love and warmth of memories past coming back and flooding the small princess with happy thoughts.
"Mayo, will you please take Chibi-Usa inside, I'd like to have a few moments with Usagi," Mamoru spoke, receiving a glare from the blonde next to him, a lopsided smile from the pink haired child and a nod from the black haired woman, as said woman shooed the pink haired child into the house.
The couple sat down on the porch swing, rocking to and fro for a few moments. Usagi wasn't sure she wanted to know what he had to say, while Mamoru wasn't sure how to say what he wanted to. He'd never been good at speaking about his feelings, especially where Usagi was concerned. How many times in the past had he hurt her because he was emotionally messed up? Shaking the depressing thoughts from his mind, Mamoru reached over and grabbed Usagi's clenched fist, flattening it out against his thigh, palm up, laying his own on top and lacing their fingers together. The intimate and physical contact was something they both needed, as it instantly calmed their nerves. Words had never been their forte, but actions, actions always had been.
"Mamo-chan..." Usagi started, squeaking when Mamoru shushed her with a finger to her lips. She turned frightened bright blue eyes to his serious dark blues.
"Usako, a lot has happened to us these last few years; some good, some bad," he started as he moved his finger from her lips to her jaw, caressing the skin there lightly. "A lot of it has been my fault." When she made to protest, he leaned in and lightly kissed her, silencing her protest.
"I want you to remember something always. No matter what happens, no matter what we have to go through, I will always be there to protect you, always," Mamoru whispered as Usagi's eyes filled with tears. "I couldn't protect you last time because I wasn't prepared, I wasn't exactly in the right frame of mind to stop what happened, and I was still sorting out a lot of my problems, but I promise you, this time, no matter what the cost, I will keep you safe."
When Usagi realized what he was talking about, the tears welling in her eyes slid down her cheeks. They had never talked about the incident with Diamond, any of it, except the fact that that's when they'd found out Chibi-Usa was in reality their daughter and that they were going to rule Earth one day. Any mention of Mamoru's nightmares, or of Usagi's kidnapping, had been left for the debriefing Luna and Artemis had given at the senshi meeting a week after it had happened. Since then, the only time Usagi had spoken of it was in passing to the girls, and Mamoru never spoke of it.
"Mamo-chan, we've grown up a lot since then," Usagi pointed out as he smiled.
"Yes we have," he chuckled, gasping when her free hand settled on top of their joined hands, caressing the top of his lightly. "I swear to whoever's listening, he won't lay a hand on you this time."
"He didn't last time, as I recall a certain dashing, tuxedo clad figure saving me at the last minute," Usagi recalled, her eyes staring to where her fingertips glided over Mamoru's hand. She giggled slightly when she felt him shiver and squeeze her captured hand tighter. When Usagi looked up into his face, she saw something that scared her. She saw regret, she saw fear, but most of all she saw blame towards himself shining from his eyes. "Mamo-chan..."
He didn't speak, couldn't speak. He knew more had gone on before he'd been able to get to her, so much more, but he'd let her tell him in her own time, in her own way; right now all he wanted was to feel her rose petal lips against his own, to feel reassured that she was, indeed, safe and secure in his arms, and that after all that had happened, she was still his.
Bringing his free hand up, Mamoru placed it just under her jaw, nudging her close to him. Usagi didn't need much incentive, as she saw his intent in his eyes before she instinctively closed hers, sighing when his lips settled familiarly over her own. Her heart soared to the heavens at the welcome feelings that raced through her. She never knew, not before Mamoru, what it was like to know that no matter what, you'd always have someone who cherished you, who loved you, and who you could love and cherish just as much in return. Every time they kissed it was like coming home to a familiar place.
Of course, no matter how warm their feelings toward one another were, there was always an underlying passion between them, one that hinted at what could be between them now and would be between them in the future, as Chibi-Usa was obviously a testament to that passion and warmth.
It was Mamoru who pulled away first, his desire to see her love clouded eyes almost as big an urge as kissing her had been. When she looked up at him, he merely smiled lovingly. "Papa's watching from the window, isn't he?" Usagi asked, the routine settling into familiar territory.
"Yes, but that's not why I pulled away," he whispered as she nodded. They'd let passion nearly take over once, before both of them had realized they weren't ready for that stage of their relationship, or the consequences that could come with it. Besides, when you had an entire lifetime together, what was the point in rushing it?
"Is it safe to come out here now?" a husky voice inquired as the pair on the swing laughed.
"Yes."
"Good. Mamoru, might I ask if you'd give me a lift to the hospital? I have a shift in twenty minutes," Mayo questioned as Mamoru nodded. Unlike the senshi, in the time he'd gotten to know Mayo both in and out of the hospital, he found himself liking her even more.
"Not a problem," Mamoru spoke, pulling Usagi to her feet as he stood up. He wrapped his arms around her, effectively pulling the blonde flush against him, as he whispered in her ear. "We'll continue this later, when we don't have to worry about prying eyes and being interrupted."
Usagi giggled and nodded, letting him know she understood. It was so nice to see her smile after so long, he thought lovingly, and was happier still to know he was somewhat responsible for making her smile again. Laying a butterfly kiss on her lips, Mamoru pulled away and walked down the front steps with Mayo, both of them waving their goodbye's to her.
Usagi watched them until they were out of sight, before starting for the front door. She jumped in surprise when she found Chibi-Usa standing in the doorway, a huge smile on her face. "Alright Spore, what do you want?" The endearment only seemed to enlarge the pink haired child's smile.
"She fits so perfectly into the group, I'm surprised none of them have noticed."
"Oh, they've noticed alright, but they don't have all the details just yet, as I've neglected to share what I know, and Setsuna hasn't told me much more then the most important facts. Now, how long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough to see you and Mamo-chan lip-locking like two horny teenagers," Chibi-Usa replied, her words shocking Usagi to the core.
"Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?" Usagi asked as Chibi-Usa laughed and nodded. "Do your parents let you speak like that at home?" When Chibi-Usa nodded no, Usagi gave her the best 'I-thought-so' look she could muster.
"Then I don't think you should be speaking like that here, either. Contrary to what you think, a proper lady and young woman doesn't talk like that, in any time or place." Even though Usagi's voice was somewhat sprinkled with amusement, Chibi-Usa instantly recognized the familiar disapproving tone that her mother often gave her when she got caught being bad or doing something she wasn't supposed. It wasn't an insulting tone, like most parents gave, but one that told Chibi-Usa she'd more than tested her mother's limits.
"Yes ma'am." Usagi blinked in surprise at the younger girl and then nodded before opening the screen door and walking through, Chibi-Usa following her up the stairs to the older girl's room.
~~
"So, the rabbit has returned from the future, and Serenity's powers have increased?" the white haired man thought out loud as he sat in the darkened room, upon a throne of midnight black stone.
"Yessss," another voice, this one more sinister, answered in reply.
"And just what do you want, my lord, if I help you?" the white haired man on the throne questioned the large thing, whose tentacles seemed to wave to and fro around it's body as it stood in the throne room. The thing, which was the best description the white haired man could come up with, had told him an extraordinary tale, one that involved Neo Queen Serenity's mother, Queen Serenity of the White Moon, and the mothers of the other senshi, that took place during the Silver Millennium, as well as a rumored evil, the Dark Kingdom and Metallia, that the white haired man had only thought was a myth.
"I want the crystal, you want Serenity, and we both want the senshi out of the way. In order to do so, we must work together, now, while they are still powerless," the thing hissed in explanation. It watched the white haired man raise an eyebrow at that, then threw out bait to him, knowing he wouldn't be able to resist. "Should Endymion and Serenity be allowed to wed, then they will be even stronger and it will take us longer to defeat them. It will take longer for you to have your prize."
"Then I will begin plans for the destruction of the senshi, and Endymion."
"Very well, Prince Diamond."
~~
"I don't understand Setsuna," Mayo spoke as she and Usagi sat in a booth at Crown with the Senshi of Time.
"Unlike the other senshi, the transformation wand of Sailor Sol was lost during the upheaval the last few days of the Silver Millennium. The Princess of Sol was still able to transform even though she didn't have it, because she was so experienced in her powers," Setsuna explained again.
"Meaning she could just will her transformation to her, like you do, and like Luna said the senshi and I would someday be able to," Usagi pondered softly.
"Yes. I do not know for certain, where the wand is, but I do know this, it's more than likely somewhere on the sun, in the remains of Sun City."
"So I have to go there and look for it? How is that going to be possible?" Mayo questioned as she leaned away from the table and looked up at the ceiling.
"I will take you, and I will be able to protect you, but it's up to you to find the wand," Setsuna spoke. "Once that's done, you'll be able to transform, and the senshi will have little doubt that you are Sailor Sol."
"And if I can't find it?"
"Then we keep training you, and we keep searching," Usagi spoke as Setsuna nodded. "There's also the possibility that if the wand truly was lost, and you don't find it on Sol, it could be on the Moon. We've never explored the ruins, as our visits have always been limited because of time and our powers. If the Princess of Sol was on the Moon during the last battle, she may have lost it during that fight."
"The problem is, from what I remember, she didn't have it with her. It was something your mother was rather upset about when the Outers and I met with her just before the ball that night. If I recall correctly, I overheard the Princess tell your mother that she had hidden it on Sol, for safe keeping, because she didn't want to risk the Dark Kingdom finding it." Both girls looked at the magenta-eyed woman in shock.
"It would have been a safe guard for her, incase the Dark Kingdom had somehow managed to turn the Senshi against their planets," Setsuna explained. "It would have meant that at least one of the senshi, other then myself, would have been still allied with the Moon Kingdom and able to protect the queen and Princess, as well as the Silver Millennium."
"What's one senshi against seven?" Mayo asked as Setsuna gave her an imploring look. Even Mayo, Setsuna knew, understood the odds to that were ridiculous, but it had been a deciding factor in the Princess of Sol's decision during those last days.
"Setsuna-chan, some of the events from that final day are fuzzy for you, aren't they?" Usagi questioned, realizing just how much the final moments of the Silver Millennium would have affected the senshi of time, especially after a thousand years of being able to replay those scenes at the Time Gate.
"Yes, because I blocked out a lot of what happened. It hurt to lose my family, and my friends, and to watch the death and destruction that was brought upon the system. As guardian of time, I will always know what happened, but as a person, even I have my limits when it comes to things like that."
"Understandable," Mayo sighed as she looked between Usagi and Setsuna. "When do you want to try this?"
"As soon as possible."
"How about tomorrow? Amy-chan is about the only one that hasn't freaked out about you possibly being Sailor Sol, she'll be able to monitor you two while you're there, and keep you in contact with me incase something goes wrong," Usagi suggested.
"What would you be able to do, Usagi-chan?" Mayo asked.
"I have the Silver Crystal, if something happens, I'll be able to help you," Usagi left it at that.
"Tomorrow morning we'll meet at the park at nine o'clock. This could take all day," Setsuna spoke, watching the two girls nod in agreement.
"Tomorrow morning it is."
~~
"Amy-chan, all I'm asking is for a morning of your time," Usagi explained.
"Without letting the others know what's going on. Usagi-chan, I don't want to lie to them."
"Then don't, but you also don't have to tell them the whole truth, just that your spending the day with me, alone."
"Usagi-chan..."
"Amy."
The blue haired girl sighed as she cradled the wireless phone between her ear and shoulder, typing away at her computer. Usagi had called her a half-hour before, and began begging for her help. Amy mentally went over her options. She really didn't want to do this without consulting with the others, but she also understood Usagi's need for privacy and secrecy in this endeavor. Her loyalty to her Princess waged war with her loyalty to her fellow senshi.
"Amy, if this turns out to be just what we need, this time tomorrow, we'll be introducing the newest member of the team to the others, if not, they'll be none the wiser," Usagi pleaded. "Besides, they'd never consent to letting me be Setsuna's back up in case something goes wrong, especially Raye, Haruka, Minako, Michiru and Mamo-chan."
"Fine. I will meet you at the entrance to the park at eight thirty tomorrow morning, so that we can set up my computer and what not," Amy resigned her fate to helping her princess.
"ARIGATO!" Usagi squealed before she hung up. Amy simply stared at the phone as she replaced it on the base. If things went wrong, the others were going to surely let her and Usagi have it, big time.
~~
"I can't believe I'm going against my better judgment and letting you do this," a certain black cat complained as she sat in Usagi's lap, glancing back and forth from Artemis, who was perched on Amy's shoulder, Amy, and Usagi. Her gaze then turned to Mayo and Setsuna, whom she glared at. "I can't believe you'd ask this sort of thing of them."
"Luna, the others jump to too many conclusions and decisions, especially in matters like this. This is a delicate situation, one that could upset the timeline." Setsuna's answer seemed to pacify Luna.
"My only comment to you at this point is," Artemis started as the others looked at him. "Good luck."
Setsuna readily transformed into Sailor Pluto. She held her staff in her hand, taking a deep breath as she built the power it would take to transport them from Earth to Sol; simply opening a portal wouldn't work this time. "Mayo, hold onto Pluto's staff, please," Amy commented as the black haired woman did as she was told.
"SAILOR TELEPORT!" in a flash of light, the two women disappeared.
This chapter seems to be turning into the first of the real emotional ones. Part of that is because in my personal opinion, the anime screwed up Diamond's character. I'm not entirely sure about the whole being obsessed with Usagi and then turning around and saving her life thing...something about that always irritated me. That, and the scenes when he kidnaps her and takes her his citadel. I always thought there might have been more to those scenes then the innocent portrayal that we saw.
Anyway, you're gonna see some more unveiling of the separate storylines that are bunched in this story - the whole Sailor Sol thing, the whole love triangle with Diamond, Usagi and Mamoru, and you're gonna catch a glimpse of some tiny peeps that don't really show up much until the next story, What Really Happened. And you'll notice, when I'm talking about Chibi-Usa time traveling, it's from the anime, cause in the manga she's present for the final battle of the series.
Please visit my website www.usagi-carter.org aka A Haven For Lovers, my friend's website - www.dawn-mist.org aka Archive Of The Mists and don't forget to email me! webmistress@usagi-carter.org !!!
P.S. A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY ONEE-CHAN, TSUKI DORIIMAA!!!
My current favorite quote: "To always remind you, that it always was, and always will be" - Jendra, Sailor Moon Universal
Do You Remember
Chapter 4
By Usagi Carter
Re-written: September 4, 2003
Time Frame: Roughly 1994
Juuban Park
Juuban District
Tokyo, Japan
The silence was disturbed as a time portal opened up just above the well-trodden path in the middle of the park, allowing a pink haired, cinnamon-eyed girl to tumble out onto her butt. "OW!" the young girl screeched. Carefully opening her eyes, she scouted the area around her. It didn't look like home, but then again, the girl reasoned, if Aunt Setsuna had sent her through, then more than likely, she was no where near the time she considered home.
"DIANA!" the pink haired girl nearly screeched, searching high and low for the gray kitten that had been with her when she'd left Crystal Tokyo.
"Small Lady, there is no need to shout at me, I'm right here," the small feline snapped uncharacteristically at her mistress.
"Gomen. Diana, where are we?" the girl known as Small Lady questioned as the kitten shook her head. The last time she'd time traveled, well, she wasn't about to think about that; It had been an experience she didn't want to repeat...watching Mamo-chan be sick, and the whole incident with the Dead Moon Circus...and Helios...
"I don't know, Sailor Pluto only said we were needed here. I'm not even sure where HERE is. Did Mama say anything to you?"
"Luna only said that I'd need this, whatever this is," Small Lady spoke as she held up the pink and white object, which to Diana looked suspiciously like one of the old Senshi communicators. If memory served correct, the Senshi in Crystal Tokyo didn't use those, as they were able to speak telepathically to one another.
"That looks like a communicator, one that your mother and the senshi used the last time we saw them in the past. And it looks to be just your color and size," Diana raised her eyebrows at her Princess, who smiled and nodded.
"It does, doesn't it?" Small Lady asked, as she fastened the band around her wrist and picked up Diana, before placing her on her shoulder. "So what now?"
"I assume you remember your way to her majesty's house?"
"It's been a while, but I could probably find my way, assuming we're even still in the time where Usagi-baka was living at home."
"Either way, her majesty's parents should still live in the same house."
"That's true," Small Lady said as they began walking through the park. Not even ten minutes later, they came face to face with trouble.
"AHHHH!" a girl screamed as someone assaulted her. Small Lady sprinted toward her to investigate. What she found sent shivers running down her spine. Towering over the helpless girl was a man, and on his forehead was the symbol of the Dark Moon.
"It can't be! Usagi and I defeated Wiseman and all the others were killed!" Small Lady exclaimed in shock.
"It doesn't matter what happened, Princess, you need to transform!" Diana squeaked as Small Lady swallowed and nodded, pulling the compact off her shirtfront and thrusting it high into the air.
"MOON CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!" Small Lady called as Diana jumped down from her shoulder and hid in the bushes. The young princess was lifted from the ground, and surrounded by the power of her birthright as the daughter of the royal family of the moon. In a brilliant array of lights, she was transformed from an ordinary girl to Sailor Chibi Moon.
~~
"We have a problem," Setsuna spoke as Haruka, Michiru, and Hotaru looked up from their individual projects. The four of them had been enjoying a quiet evening at home, and now things weren't so quiet.
"What's wrong?" Michiru questioned.
"Someone has been allowed to pass through the Gate." The look on Setsuna's face said all her voice couldn't.
"How much you wanna bet that person is a bratty, pink-haired, rabbit shaped odango atama?" Haruka asked as she, Hotaru and Michiru reached for their transformation wands.
"I wouldn't bet against Haruka-papa," Hotaru said as Michiru nodded. Setsuna merely allowed her powers to flare around her as the three other women transformed.
"I'll alert the others," Neptune spoke as the quartet made their way out of the house and down the streets of Tokyo, following whatever force was guiding Pluto.
~~
"Usagi!" Ikuko called as she knocked on her daughter's door. For weeks now, all Usagi seemed to do was mope about and hide in her room. She rarely saw her friends, and from what Ikuko knew, the girls were near inseparable. Ikuko looked over at Seiya, who was standing in the hallway with Mayo, Usagi's new friend, and Mamoru.
"GO AWAY!" Usagi nearly screamed.
"Usagi-chan!" Mayo called softly, hoping her voice would shake Usagi from the depression she was in. A few moments of silence passed before the door opened and the four people in the hallway were admitted entrance to Usagi's room.
"What do you want?" Usagi asked softly, as she caught sight of Mamoru and Seiya.
"Odango, we have a problem," Seiya started as the blonde merely glared at him. "Gomen."
"Usako, I just received a message from Amy-chan, she said she couldn't get in touch with you," Mamoru started as Usagi non-chalantly flicked her wrist at the communicator sitting on her desk. "Usako, the girls are headed to the park right now, at the urging of Setsuna-chan. Apparently, we have a pink haired visitor who's up to her odangos in trouble." At the mere mention of said visitor, Usagi's eyes shot up to meet Mamoru's.
"Oh gods, not again," Usagi whispered before she wrenched her broach off her blouse, gripping it tightly in the palm of her hand. Her worst fears were coming true - not only was the Dark Moon back, but now Chibi-Usa was here and possibly about to be in the middle of the conflict, again.
"Shall we go give her a hand?" Mamoru asked, proffering his hand to his beloved, who hesitantly placed hers in his grasp. Usagi's eyes flew from their joined hands to meet his gaze the instant she felt the punch of power from him. It wasn't like it hurt, but she knew he was trying to give her his strength for the coming fights - both the physical fight and the mental and emotional ones she was waging with herself.
"Mamo-chan, our..." she started, until she realized her mother was standing in the room still. Even though Ikuko, Kenji, and Shingo had been told some months before about the Senshi and their pasts and future, Usagi still felt weird bringing up Chibi-Usa with any of them present.
"Get going Usagi, she needs you," Ikuko motioned toward the door.
"Mama..."
"Go save your baby, because you're the only one who can," Ikuko told her as both women's eyes welled with tears. Usagi mutely nodded before turning to the others and making her way out of the room.
"Let's go," Usagi urged as the four of them thundered down the stairs, leaving Ikuko behind.
"Good luck," Ikuko whispered as she sent up a prayer for their safety to whoever was listening.
~~
"What the hell does he want?" Mars barked out in question as the Inners, Outers, and Stars regrouped. They were facing the same man they'd been facing on a regular basis for the last few weeks, and so far they knew nothing more than he was working with the Dark Moon, that he had been one of the deciding factors in the end of the Silver Millennium, and that he was someone high on Usagi's dislike list. As soon as the group was ready to start another round of attacks, everyone's attention was shifted to the group of four that had just arrived.
"Allow me to deliver a message from my master," the man spoke as the senshi focused their attention on him, including the four new arrivals. "His majesty, Prince Diamond, sends his regards, your serene highness, and his apologies. He also said to tell you he looks forward to meeting with you again."
Usagi froze in place, her face going pale while she was staring at the man in disbelief. Someway, somehow, this man that had survived the destruction of the Silver Millennium, had survived the destruction of the Dark Kingdom, and had made his way to this time and this place was standing in front of her taunting her like she were a mere powerless person. The only other person affected by Berdon's taunts was Mamoru, who stood just to the left of his beloved, his fists clenching and unclenching and his blood boiling.
While Diamond had given his life during the last battle with the Dark Moon for Sailor Moon, Mamoru still hated the fact that this man before him was taunting a still hurt Usagi about the Dark Moon Prince's return; he himself still had unresolved issues with Diamond about what had been done to Chibi-Usa, and about what had happened when Diamond had kidnapped Usagi. No one but Usagi really knew what had gone on inside the Dark Moon Palace in the future, especially since Usagi refused to speak of it.
"MONSTER!" Eternal Moon screamed as tears welled in her eyes. Her outburst only served to delight the man before her and scare the hell out of all of the senshi.
"It can't be, can it?" Uranus questioned as Eternal Moon strode forward. The thought that the Dark Moon, and its Prince, having returned from the dead had been something all of the senshi had been trying to grasp and understand for weeks now. To have the truth revealed to them was almost beyond imagine.
"YOU TRAITOR! You, the reason Beryl was able to gain access to the moon, you, the reason the Silver Millennium was destroyed! You have joined another enemy of the Silver Millennium!"
"No, I merely gave Beryl the opportunity to do what was needed to be done, Princess, as I told you the first time we met," the man sneered. "Your mother was nothing but a peace loving idiot, who didn't appreciate the power she possessed. I have joined someone who understands power, who knows how to use it. You, like your mother before, have no comprehension of the power that you hold at your fingertips."
"You may have escaped my mother's wrath, but you will not escape mine. I am far more aware of my so-called powers then you may have been led to believe," Moon growled, causing the others to start back peddling when her body began to light up like a firecracker.
Berdon watched on in interest. From what Diamond had told him, Sailor Moon had just started coming into her powers the last time they'd met, some years before. There was no way, in his opinion, that the child before him could have advanced since, to the stage of awareness Diamond spoke of the Neo Queen having. Of course, one thing Berdon knew was truth - Usagi still doubted herself, as her admission of her so-called powers proved. That would be interesting news for the Dark Moon Prince, who, conveniently, was listening in on the fight.
"Um, guys, don't you think with all that power flowing through her, she's gonna hurt herself?" Venus commented as the others simply watched Moon turn into a human torch.
"Her power levels, believe it or not, are pretty normal," Mercury, informed them, all the while typing away at her computer and reading her scanner's results, making a mental note about Sailor Moon's power levels. The lines that showed the power Usagi was channeling on the mini computer stayed completely steady, as if she were merely asleep.
Mercury blinked several times, knowing that she should be surprised by that but also realizing the senshi still knew next to nothing of the extents of Sailor Moon's powers or that of the Silver Crystal, let alone any power Usagi held as a normal person. All that information had died along with Queen Serenity.
"It's just another stage of her maturity," Pluto whispered. Before any of the group had time to react, they watched the power from Moon slam into Berdon. As Sailor Moon's power ripped him apart, Berdon reassessed his previous thoughts. This slip of a girl was nothing that Diamond thought she was; in fact, she was far beyond anything Diamond could have imagined.
While her powers unleashed her wrath on Berdon, Sailor Moon spoke with a clear and unwavering voice. "You tell Prince Diamond, I await our meeting." With that said, the senshi watched on in shock as the man before them screamed in pain and then disappeared. Noting that all that was left of the Dark Moon General was a pile of ash, Sailor Moon turned and grasped tightly to Tuxedo Kamen's hand. He had made his way to her side once he knew it was safe to, and let their silent communication comfort one another. Usagi finally let go and turned to face the small pink haired senshi in front of her.
"MAMA!" Chibi Moon called seconds later, throwing herself into Eternal Moon's outstretched arms.
"Small Lady," Usagi whispered, allowing herself to power down. "Oh gods, what are you doing here?"
"I don't know. Aunt Setsuna just said that I was needed through a portal and she shoved me through." At the mention of Setsuna, all of the senshi turned to face the Sailor Pluto standing in front of them.
"Contrary to popular belief, even I have problems with my future self. I have no clue as to why Small Lady is here, but I'm going to go find out," Pluto spoke before she turned and disappeared into a Time Portal. Some of the senshi, particularly the Sailor Stars, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune, highly doubted the retreat was due to Pluto being clueless. Something major was going on, something that they had somehow found themselves in the middle of unknowingly.
"Now that that's settled, how about we take you home and get you something to eat. I'm sure you're starving by now," Usagi suggested as Chibi-Usa clung to her.
"Usagi, meeting at the temple tomorrow. Chibi-Usa is expected to come," Raye spoke as Usagi turned an expressionless face to the Senshi of Fire, nodded, and then walked off without so much as two words to anyone.
~~
On the walk home, Chibi-Usa seemed to realize that the others didn't quite know what was going on with Usagi. The young senshi surprisingly caught several things; one - Mayo was among the others and no one knew who she really was, something that Chibi-Usa deducted was truth by the glares the elder senshi were shooting the black haired silver eyed woman, two - something was upsetting Usagi beyond all belief, a fact Chibi-Usa assumed was due to the man they had just faced and the possibility that the Dark Moon had returned some years after it's ruling family had been destroyed.
"Usagi, do the others know about Mayo-chan?" Chibi-Usa questioned just loud enough to avoid Mamoru's hearing. He'd been walking silently with them, as had Mayo, and Chibi-Usa knew she should wait till she got home to find out, but the question just seemed to tumble from her lips.
"No, they don't. And if you know who she is, don't say anything. I don't think they're ready to accept her just yet. And don't mention whatever role she plays in the future to her or the others, otherwise I think you know how Sailor Pluto will react."
"I won't, I was just wondering. Does she know about me?" Cinnamon eyes turned up to look into Cerulean with a questioning and somewhat fearful glance.
"She does." Usagi watched all the color drain back into Chibi-Usa's face as she sighed in relief. "Home sweet home." Chibi-Usa's thoughts were consumed by the vision of the Tsukino household towering before her, the love and warmth of memories past coming back and flooding the small princess with happy thoughts.
"Mayo, will you please take Chibi-Usa inside, I'd like to have a few moments with Usagi," Mamoru spoke, receiving a glare from the blonde next to him, a lopsided smile from the pink haired child and a nod from the black haired woman, as said woman shooed the pink haired child into the house.
The couple sat down on the porch swing, rocking to and fro for a few moments. Usagi wasn't sure she wanted to know what he had to say, while Mamoru wasn't sure how to say what he wanted to. He'd never been good at speaking about his feelings, especially where Usagi was concerned. How many times in the past had he hurt her because he was emotionally messed up? Shaking the depressing thoughts from his mind, Mamoru reached over and grabbed Usagi's clenched fist, flattening it out against his thigh, palm up, laying his own on top and lacing their fingers together. The intimate and physical contact was something they both needed, as it instantly calmed their nerves. Words had never been their forte, but actions, actions always had been.
"Mamo-chan..." Usagi started, squeaking when Mamoru shushed her with a finger to her lips. She turned frightened bright blue eyes to his serious dark blues.
"Usako, a lot has happened to us these last few years; some good, some bad," he started as he moved his finger from her lips to her jaw, caressing the skin there lightly. "A lot of it has been my fault." When she made to protest, he leaned in and lightly kissed her, silencing her protest.
"I want you to remember something always. No matter what happens, no matter what we have to go through, I will always be there to protect you, always," Mamoru whispered as Usagi's eyes filled with tears. "I couldn't protect you last time because I wasn't prepared, I wasn't exactly in the right frame of mind to stop what happened, and I was still sorting out a lot of my problems, but I promise you, this time, no matter what the cost, I will keep you safe."
When Usagi realized what he was talking about, the tears welling in her eyes slid down her cheeks. They had never talked about the incident with Diamond, any of it, except the fact that that's when they'd found out Chibi-Usa was in reality their daughter and that they were going to rule Earth one day. Any mention of Mamoru's nightmares, or of Usagi's kidnapping, had been left for the debriefing Luna and Artemis had given at the senshi meeting a week after it had happened. Since then, the only time Usagi had spoken of it was in passing to the girls, and Mamoru never spoke of it.
"Mamo-chan, we've grown up a lot since then," Usagi pointed out as he smiled.
"Yes we have," he chuckled, gasping when her free hand settled on top of their joined hands, caressing the top of his lightly. "I swear to whoever's listening, he won't lay a hand on you this time."
"He didn't last time, as I recall a certain dashing, tuxedo clad figure saving me at the last minute," Usagi recalled, her eyes staring to where her fingertips glided over Mamoru's hand. She giggled slightly when she felt him shiver and squeeze her captured hand tighter. When Usagi looked up into his face, she saw something that scared her. She saw regret, she saw fear, but most of all she saw blame towards himself shining from his eyes. "Mamo-chan..."
He didn't speak, couldn't speak. He knew more had gone on before he'd been able to get to her, so much more, but he'd let her tell him in her own time, in her own way; right now all he wanted was to feel her rose petal lips against his own, to feel reassured that she was, indeed, safe and secure in his arms, and that after all that had happened, she was still his.
Bringing his free hand up, Mamoru placed it just under her jaw, nudging her close to him. Usagi didn't need much incentive, as she saw his intent in his eyes before she instinctively closed hers, sighing when his lips settled familiarly over her own. Her heart soared to the heavens at the welcome feelings that raced through her. She never knew, not before Mamoru, what it was like to know that no matter what, you'd always have someone who cherished you, who loved you, and who you could love and cherish just as much in return. Every time they kissed it was like coming home to a familiar place.
Of course, no matter how warm their feelings toward one another were, there was always an underlying passion between them, one that hinted at what could be between them now and would be between them in the future, as Chibi-Usa was obviously a testament to that passion and warmth.
It was Mamoru who pulled away first, his desire to see her love clouded eyes almost as big an urge as kissing her had been. When she looked up at him, he merely smiled lovingly. "Papa's watching from the window, isn't he?" Usagi asked, the routine settling into familiar territory.
"Yes, but that's not why I pulled away," he whispered as she nodded. They'd let passion nearly take over once, before both of them had realized they weren't ready for that stage of their relationship, or the consequences that could come with it. Besides, when you had an entire lifetime together, what was the point in rushing it?
"Is it safe to come out here now?" a husky voice inquired as the pair on the swing laughed.
"Yes."
"Good. Mamoru, might I ask if you'd give me a lift to the hospital? I have a shift in twenty minutes," Mayo questioned as Mamoru nodded. Unlike the senshi, in the time he'd gotten to know Mayo both in and out of the hospital, he found himself liking her even more.
"Not a problem," Mamoru spoke, pulling Usagi to her feet as he stood up. He wrapped his arms around her, effectively pulling the blonde flush against him, as he whispered in her ear. "We'll continue this later, when we don't have to worry about prying eyes and being interrupted."
Usagi giggled and nodded, letting him know she understood. It was so nice to see her smile after so long, he thought lovingly, and was happier still to know he was somewhat responsible for making her smile again. Laying a butterfly kiss on her lips, Mamoru pulled away and walked down the front steps with Mayo, both of them waving their goodbye's to her.
Usagi watched them until they were out of sight, before starting for the front door. She jumped in surprise when she found Chibi-Usa standing in the doorway, a huge smile on her face. "Alright Spore, what do you want?" The endearment only seemed to enlarge the pink haired child's smile.
"She fits so perfectly into the group, I'm surprised none of them have noticed."
"Oh, they've noticed alright, but they don't have all the details just yet, as I've neglected to share what I know, and Setsuna hasn't told me much more then the most important facts. Now, how long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough to see you and Mamo-chan lip-locking like two horny teenagers," Chibi-Usa replied, her words shocking Usagi to the core.
"Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?" Usagi asked as Chibi-Usa laughed and nodded. "Do your parents let you speak like that at home?" When Chibi-Usa nodded no, Usagi gave her the best 'I-thought-so' look she could muster.
"Then I don't think you should be speaking like that here, either. Contrary to what you think, a proper lady and young woman doesn't talk like that, in any time or place." Even though Usagi's voice was somewhat sprinkled with amusement, Chibi-Usa instantly recognized the familiar disapproving tone that her mother often gave her when she got caught being bad or doing something she wasn't supposed. It wasn't an insulting tone, like most parents gave, but one that told Chibi-Usa she'd more than tested her mother's limits.
"Yes ma'am." Usagi blinked in surprise at the younger girl and then nodded before opening the screen door and walking through, Chibi-Usa following her up the stairs to the older girl's room.
~~
"So, the rabbit has returned from the future, and Serenity's powers have increased?" the white haired man thought out loud as he sat in the darkened room, upon a throne of midnight black stone.
"Yessss," another voice, this one more sinister, answered in reply.
"And just what do you want, my lord, if I help you?" the white haired man on the throne questioned the large thing, whose tentacles seemed to wave to and fro around it's body as it stood in the throne room. The thing, which was the best description the white haired man could come up with, had told him an extraordinary tale, one that involved Neo Queen Serenity's mother, Queen Serenity of the White Moon, and the mothers of the other senshi, that took place during the Silver Millennium, as well as a rumored evil, the Dark Kingdom and Metallia, that the white haired man had only thought was a myth.
"I want the crystal, you want Serenity, and we both want the senshi out of the way. In order to do so, we must work together, now, while they are still powerless," the thing hissed in explanation. It watched the white haired man raise an eyebrow at that, then threw out bait to him, knowing he wouldn't be able to resist. "Should Endymion and Serenity be allowed to wed, then they will be even stronger and it will take us longer to defeat them. It will take longer for you to have your prize."
"Then I will begin plans for the destruction of the senshi, and Endymion."
"Very well, Prince Diamond."
~~
"I don't understand Setsuna," Mayo spoke as she and Usagi sat in a booth at Crown with the Senshi of Time.
"Unlike the other senshi, the transformation wand of Sailor Sol was lost during the upheaval the last few days of the Silver Millennium. The Princess of Sol was still able to transform even though she didn't have it, because she was so experienced in her powers," Setsuna explained again.
"Meaning she could just will her transformation to her, like you do, and like Luna said the senshi and I would someday be able to," Usagi pondered softly.
"Yes. I do not know for certain, where the wand is, but I do know this, it's more than likely somewhere on the sun, in the remains of Sun City."
"So I have to go there and look for it? How is that going to be possible?" Mayo questioned as she leaned away from the table and looked up at the ceiling.
"I will take you, and I will be able to protect you, but it's up to you to find the wand," Setsuna spoke. "Once that's done, you'll be able to transform, and the senshi will have little doubt that you are Sailor Sol."
"And if I can't find it?"
"Then we keep training you, and we keep searching," Usagi spoke as Setsuna nodded. "There's also the possibility that if the wand truly was lost, and you don't find it on Sol, it could be on the Moon. We've never explored the ruins, as our visits have always been limited because of time and our powers. If the Princess of Sol was on the Moon during the last battle, she may have lost it during that fight."
"The problem is, from what I remember, she didn't have it with her. It was something your mother was rather upset about when the Outers and I met with her just before the ball that night. If I recall correctly, I overheard the Princess tell your mother that she had hidden it on Sol, for safe keeping, because she didn't want to risk the Dark Kingdom finding it." Both girls looked at the magenta-eyed woman in shock.
"It would have been a safe guard for her, incase the Dark Kingdom had somehow managed to turn the Senshi against their planets," Setsuna explained. "It would have meant that at least one of the senshi, other then myself, would have been still allied with the Moon Kingdom and able to protect the queen and Princess, as well as the Silver Millennium."
"What's one senshi against seven?" Mayo asked as Setsuna gave her an imploring look. Even Mayo, Setsuna knew, understood the odds to that were ridiculous, but it had been a deciding factor in the Princess of Sol's decision during those last days.
"Setsuna-chan, some of the events from that final day are fuzzy for you, aren't they?" Usagi questioned, realizing just how much the final moments of the Silver Millennium would have affected the senshi of time, especially after a thousand years of being able to replay those scenes at the Time Gate.
"Yes, because I blocked out a lot of what happened. It hurt to lose my family, and my friends, and to watch the death and destruction that was brought upon the system. As guardian of time, I will always know what happened, but as a person, even I have my limits when it comes to things like that."
"Understandable," Mayo sighed as she looked between Usagi and Setsuna. "When do you want to try this?"
"As soon as possible."
"How about tomorrow? Amy-chan is about the only one that hasn't freaked out about you possibly being Sailor Sol, she'll be able to monitor you two while you're there, and keep you in contact with me incase something goes wrong," Usagi suggested.
"What would you be able to do, Usagi-chan?" Mayo asked.
"I have the Silver Crystal, if something happens, I'll be able to help you," Usagi left it at that.
"Tomorrow morning we'll meet at the park at nine o'clock. This could take all day," Setsuna spoke, watching the two girls nod in agreement.
"Tomorrow morning it is."
~~
"Amy-chan, all I'm asking is for a morning of your time," Usagi explained.
"Without letting the others know what's going on. Usagi-chan, I don't want to lie to them."
"Then don't, but you also don't have to tell them the whole truth, just that your spending the day with me, alone."
"Usagi-chan..."
"Amy."
The blue haired girl sighed as she cradled the wireless phone between her ear and shoulder, typing away at her computer. Usagi had called her a half-hour before, and began begging for her help. Amy mentally went over her options. She really didn't want to do this without consulting with the others, but she also understood Usagi's need for privacy and secrecy in this endeavor. Her loyalty to her Princess waged war with her loyalty to her fellow senshi.
"Amy, if this turns out to be just what we need, this time tomorrow, we'll be introducing the newest member of the team to the others, if not, they'll be none the wiser," Usagi pleaded. "Besides, they'd never consent to letting me be Setsuna's back up in case something goes wrong, especially Raye, Haruka, Minako, Michiru and Mamo-chan."
"Fine. I will meet you at the entrance to the park at eight thirty tomorrow morning, so that we can set up my computer and what not," Amy resigned her fate to helping her princess.
"ARIGATO!" Usagi squealed before she hung up. Amy simply stared at the phone as she replaced it on the base. If things went wrong, the others were going to surely let her and Usagi have it, big time.
~~
"I can't believe I'm going against my better judgment and letting you do this," a certain black cat complained as she sat in Usagi's lap, glancing back and forth from Artemis, who was perched on Amy's shoulder, Amy, and Usagi. Her gaze then turned to Mayo and Setsuna, whom she glared at. "I can't believe you'd ask this sort of thing of them."
"Luna, the others jump to too many conclusions and decisions, especially in matters like this. This is a delicate situation, one that could upset the timeline." Setsuna's answer seemed to pacify Luna.
"My only comment to you at this point is," Artemis started as the others looked at him. "Good luck."
Setsuna readily transformed into Sailor Pluto. She held her staff in her hand, taking a deep breath as she built the power it would take to transport them from Earth to Sol; simply opening a portal wouldn't work this time. "Mayo, hold onto Pluto's staff, please," Amy commented as the black haired woman did as she was told.
"SAILOR TELEPORT!" in a flash of light, the two women disappeared.