Chapter 4
Something giggled, and Setsuna looked around. She was alone on the porch. "You told them," came a voice. "You told them of the goddess." Setsuna was strong, and she remained calm.
"Yes, I did," she said. She flexed her fingers in the darkness, and looked up towards the stars. They held no answers.
"You are afraid, Setsuna."
"I don't know what you mean."
"You are afraid because of what you know."
"What?"
"Destiny did not raise one goddess. She raised two."
"No!" she cried, suddenly. "There was only ever Selene!"
"Oh, Setsuna. You're really rather quaint, despite whatever sophistication you may feign. You are scared of what you know, and of what I know."
"You know nothing," said Setsuna.
The giggling came back, from all directions.
"Setsu?" another, more real voice came. Setsuna sighed with relief; the other presence left as soon as Haruka opened the door.
"Yes?"
"Michi and I are gonna go get some food. You wanna come?"
"It's late," said Setsuna softly.
"Is that a no?"
"No, I'd like to come," said Setsuna, standing shakily. "If I won't be – "
"Of course you wont be intruding," said Michiru, "We were actually hoping you'd come, because the Inners are gathering at Makoto's, and we'd like to go there after… We have to pick up Hotaru any way."
Setsuna nodded.
"You only have to tell them what you want," said Haruka.
Setsuna's eyes were wide. "I can't tell them. Not yet. It's not fair to my Queen, and it's not fair to any of us."
Haruka and Michiru nodded, understanding.
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"But I don't understand," said Selene. "Why does Puu have to go away?" Her eyes were filled with tears. She had always looked up to the older girl.
"It is dangerous," said Destiny. Normally her face was energetic and happy, but now the wrinkles were dramatic and deep, and her eyes were dark and watery.
"Why?" said Selene. She was fifteen; Puu could only be five years older, at most. Why was she so dangerous?
They watched as Pluto was led away by a cloaked figure, who, though they had not seen her face, was a woman by her voice and mannerisms. Pluto looked back at Selene with large, sad eyes. "Muu," she murmured.
"Puu," whispered Selene. Destiny pulled Selene back, and shut the door loudly. "She was my only friend!" said Selene.
Destiny sighed. Selene's hair was long, and a pale shimmering yellow. Her eyes were clear blue. "Why is Pluto dangerous?"
"Because…" said Destiny softly, "Because you are." Selene didn't understand. "You are a great Senshi," said Destiny, "And so is young Pluto."
"So?"
"Child, I am wearing," said Destiny. "Do you think that it does not hurt me to see my great granddaughter go? Do you think that I am not saddened as she walks off with the same woman who brought you here?"
"What?"
Destiny wished she had choked on her words rather than let them come over her lips.
"Where do I come from, Destiny?"
"It is late, child. Perhaps tomorrow, after morning training, we will talk." Selene nodded, suddenly embracing the woman who had raised her.
"It must be hard for you, Destiny. Was she your only family?"
"You are my family, Selene. I love you."
Selene kissed her guardian on the cheek. "I love you too."
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Mamoru groaned and turned the headlights off. His car sat in the shadows outside Usagi's home. He felt dirty, like a criminal, and not just because he was slinking around Usagi's neighborhood at night. He turned on the radio, and tried to hum. He couldn't go in. He didn't have the courage.
And he was confused. Mamoru didn't like what he was feeling. He tried to put it out of his mind, he tried not to think about it – but that couldn't change what was true. That kiss – it had exhilarated him, made his heart beat and head whirl. He tried to recall her face, that brave soldier, battling that monster fiercely. Perhaps no one had noticed, because no one had gotten close enough, but her eyes were green, and she was a little taller than Usagi. Not identical. When she had kissed him, she had become human to him, and now he wondered.
Where could this strange girl have come from? Another system? Or perhaps, within the Sol system? Astrologers had spoken of strange planets out beyond Pluto… but it just couldn't be. Some strange Senshi from within their own planetary system, masquerading as Sailor Moon, but for what? He shook his head. That was silly. She was an intruder, and they would have to stop her. But what power! Fighting beside her had made him feel four times as powerful, had made him feel –
"Stop it, Mamoru!" he said sharply to himself, and
How could he be thinking this way about a person who was tearing Usagi up the way this Sailor Moon was? How could he sympathize, think her human in any way? He started his car, and the engine roared. His tires spun out and left patches of rubber that could not be seen in the blackness of the night.
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Usagi took a long shower. Her hair felt happy to be out of the taut odangos. She massaged her scalp, and tried to reflect. She'd never felt this way. What did this Sailor Moon want? To be Usagi? She made a thick lather, and tried to cleanse her body, but what could make her feel clean after Mamoru do that to her?
"I am MUCH prettier than her!" thought Usagi. If only she could confront Sailor Moon, but she was always so condescending and patronizing, talking to Usagi as though she were no real soldier at all, as if she were undeserving. "I am worthy!" whispered Usagi. "I am strong!"
She stepped out of the shower, her long blonde hair damp and shimmering in a sheet across her back. She towel dried her tiny body and put on pink pajamas. She brushed her hair, trying to sing a melody to herself, but failing. Her voice cracked and her lips were tired. Earlier tonight it seemed so certain, she and Mamoru were in love, they'd have their crystal Tokyo, they'd have their baby… but he kissed Sailor Moon the way he kissed Usagi. How could he feel like that about someone who wasn't her?
She slipped between her sheets, and felt her limbs relaxing. The bed felt large and empty this night as she clung to one of her last thoughts… their baby. Chibiusa, princess of their future paradise. She remembered sleeping the nights with her future daughter, holding her close and feeling her warmth. Had Usa known she loved her? She thought to afternoon naps at Mamoru's, or secret nighttime sleepovers. She thought to Chibichibi, her tiny companion who had left months before. She choked a little in the darkness on her loneliness, her fears.
"I am Sailor Moon, champion of love and justice!" she cried to the darkness. She felt foolish, and cursed Sailor Moon for making her feel this way. Who was she to exile her? Who was she to hate her so? Who?
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"She must be killed!"
Selene lay on the grass, dozing. Moments later she had been in her Mercurian's arms, but now he stood, facing the strong Princess Uranus, and trembling a little in his insides.
"No!" he hissed strongly. "And you'll do well to speak softer so that you do not wake her!"
"Mercurian, you don't live up to your planet's standards."
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean!"
"If only Mercury were here, Hermes. If she could see her brother's disdain for our people!"
"You mustn't kill her!"
"Do you know what Pluto said? Do you?"
"No," said Hermes truthfully.
"Pluto said that it is this girl, this very one, who will be the end of our paradise!"
"It cannot be!" he exclaimed. "Pluto is wrong!"
"You would argue with Pluto herself, guardian of Time?"
"I – I – I must. My loyalty to Selene demands it. Maybe there's something you don't understand, Uranus. She – she is not normal!"
"I realize this! She will ruin the Sol System!"
"No! She is a goddess!"
"Wh – what?"
"Look at her, and tell me she is not. Do you not see her aura, or feel the power that the earth trembles with? You, Earth Keeper, above all should feel the quaking."
Uranus looked at the serene face, with long, pale blonde hair, nearly white. Her green dress spread around her, but pale legs and arms were visible tossed about helter-skelter. Her mouth was partly open, and Uranus heard soft snoring. The girl was bathed in a soft light, and as Uranus concentrated, she could indeed see an aura. In golden light around her, Uranus could swear she saw faint wings and a halo around her beautiful head.
"She must be killed," she said softly, even as she reached her mind into the earth and felt the shivers. "She must be."
"I will not allow it." Uranus opened her mouth, about to fight, but as she looked at Selene, her mouth closed, and she shook her head.
"Fine, Hermes," she said softly and dejectedly, surprising Hermes. She backed away from Selene, afraid. "Have it your way. It is you who chooses the downfall of our people. Only you."
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Usagi sat straight up in bed, confused. She was startled and disturbed by the images she saw. Could that girl have been the real cause of the kingdom collapse? But how? She did not look like she was of the Dark Moon at all. She looked so serene and beautiful, and try as she might, Usagi couldn't shake the aura of pure good that surrounded the girl.
"Usagi, are you alright?" came her mother's voice. Usagi looked up.
"Yes, Mom, why?"
Mrs. Tsukino frowned. "You were shouting names, I think. Uranus, Hermes!" Usagi shrugged and turned her head to her rumpled bedclothes. She was sticky with sweat, though somehow the window had come open and now a cool breeze chilled her. Her mother closed the window, and Usagi got out of bed.
"Let me help you tidy that up," said her mother. Usagi nodded slowly.
"Okay."