Chapter 6 "Empty Eden"
Chibi Usa sighed in relief as she let herself drop with spread arms onto her comfy bed. Grinning at the pastel pink canopy, she breathed in the familiar and comforting scent of her room, her safe haven in Crystal Tokyo, much like her attic bedroom in the 20th century only much, much bigger. A full week had gone by since the incident in the crystal palace museum and the media frenzy was finally dying down. During that week's time Chibi Usa has helped Ken get a pair of prescription contact glasses and a new hair cut. Now he's not only a new man, but also more popular amongst the other students at school.
Opening her ruby colored eyes, the princess stared at the ceiling of her room. It's so nice to finally be able to relax... She thought to herself. Pushing herself up, Chibi Usa picked up one of the large pillows on her bed and wrapped her arm around it while she reached for the picture frame by her bedside. Smiling absently to herself, she didn't notice as the Amazones Quartet silently stuck their heads through her bedroom door.
Cere-Cere's eyebrows were pointed towards her forehead, the corner of her mouth curved thoughtfully. "Eh, don't you think it's strange that she's always looking at that picture like that? I mean, it's a picture of all her friends but the way she's smiling...it's too suspicious!"
Palla-Palla looked up from her hunched up position and asked "Suspicious? Palla-Palla thinks it's a nice picture, why is it suspicious?"
Jun-Jun raised her index finger and explained "Cere-Cere means to say that there is some hidden meaning behind that picture, it's more than it seems."
"Well, what's it hiding then? Chocolate? But it looks too thin to hide a bar of chocolate or any goodies for that matter." Palla-Palla asked innocently
Ves-Ves groaned and ran her hand down her face "No you baka! She means that it might be from her boyfriend or something!"
"Err, what are you guys doing here?" Chibi Usa's voice made the Quartet jump back into the hallways, causing them to collapse into a giant heap after they each let out a high pitched squeal.
After the Quartet untangled themselves, Chibi Usa let them into her room with her sitting on her bed while the four Amazones were spread out amongst the chairs and the floor. "So what were you guys doing with your head through my door and acting very suspicious?" Chibi Usa said with a raised eyebrow, her arms crossed over her chest as she looked warily towards her senshis.
"Oh, uh-nothing, just seeing if you had gone to bed that's all..." Cere-Cere said with raised hands, a conspicuous drop of sweat was hanging by the side of her face.
Chibi Usa looked unconvinced and Cere-Cere only laughed weakly, trying to put on a truthful face. Jun-Jun spouted, her eyes closed when she suddenly said "We were wondering what's the deal with that picture of yours."
Hearing this Chibi Usa began to blush "Huh...!"
"Jun-Jun!" Cere-Cere shot an angry look to her sister but then Ves-Ves spoke up.
"She's right, it's just the way you look at the picture seemed awfully suspicious to us. So what are you hiding?"
Chibi Usa gulped; now she was feeling like the one being interrogated. "Wha-?"
"Does it have something to do with a boyfriend?" Palla-Palla asked, causing the shade of pink on Chibi Usa's face to flush to a shade of deep red.
"I-well...!" Chibi Usa looked away and after a moment's hesitation, nodded slowly much to the delight of the Quartet.
"So what's he like?" Cere-Cere suddenly became animated again, and she rushed forwards and comically pushed Jun-Jun to the ground in her dash to get closer to Chibi Usa. "Is he the really handsome and soft spoken and-and rich and...!" At this point Jun-Jun straightened herself, shoving Cere-Cere back and posed her own question.
"He's tall and athletic right?" she grinned, her tanned face lit with a light shade of pink.
Ves-Ves nudged her sister aside and said confidently "You're both wrong, opposites attract, it has to be someone who's rebellious and cool!"
"What are you talking about? That's not romantic!" Cere-Cere shoved her face against Ves-Ves' as she tried to push her out of the way.
"No, I'm right and you're wrong!"
"Who are you kidding!"
"You're the one who's talking nonsense!"
Chibi Usa sweat dropped as the three older Quartet shouted and argued. She let out a deep sigh and dropped her head down in defeat.
"Small Lady-sama, the person you like is Helios-kun, isn't it?"
All the noise in the room suddenly came to a stop. The three Quartet members were frozen in the middle of their grappling and Chibi Usa was looking at the blue haired Amazones with wide eyes.
"What...?" asked Jun-Jun
Palla-Palla looked thoughtful, thinking that her sister was asking her to explain herself. "Well, after the senshis defeated Nephrenia-sama, Palla-Palla saw Small Lady-sama at the park. Helios-kun was there too, to say goodbye to everyone." She tilted her head to one side and turned her eyes towards Chibi Usa "Everyone says that a boyfriend is a boy a girl really likes, someone she wants to always be with. Small Lady-sama looked so sad when Helios-kun left so I thought..." at this point Palla-Palla trailed off once she finally realized that everyone was looking at her in astonishment.
"...did Palla-Palla do something wrong?" she whimpered
"No...you're right Palla-Palla." Chibi Usa unexpectedly smiled. She moved closer to the edge of the bed and started swinging her legs slightly, her eyes following her feet as they moved up and down. After a small sigh she said, "...I guess you could kind of say he's my boyfriend, but I haven't seen him since I came back from the 21st century but that's a long story. I was hoping to go see him immediately after I come home but with all that's happened I never got the chance..." finally she looked up and smiled "Still, I'm happy because..." she stopped moving her leg and looked to the frame sitting by her nightstand "when I see him I have something to give him..."
Smiling happily to herself, Chibi Usa became aware that the room was strangely silent. She looked towards Cere-Cere and saw a look of worry on her face.
"What's wrong?"
Jun-Jun sighed and gazed down at floor "It's nothing...I mean, we're happy for you but..."
"...if we were ever to see him and he finds out that the people who had caused him so much pain has become the senshi of a person very important to him...how will he react to us?" Ves-Ves finished solemnly.
Chibi Usa was stunned. She had never considered the matter of how she will introduce the Quartet to Helios should they ever meet. From her understanding the Quartet was not initially involved in the decimation of Elysian but it was widely known to all those involved with the Dead Moon Circus matter that the princess and her senshis had been on opposite sides at one time. Helios of course, would know as well, as he had been present during the many battled with the Amazones Quartet when they were still under Nephrenia's influence.
Just then Chibi Usa's thoughts were interrupted by a light knock on the door. She slipped off of bed and went to open the door to find her mother's sparkling blue eyes looking back at her, her father standing behind his angelic queen.
"Good evening everyone, I need to talk to Small Lady for a bit. Could you excuse us for a while please?" The queen said softly. The Quartet nodded one by one and proceeded to file out of the room, each bidding the royal couple good night as they passed them by.
Once the room was empty again, Neo Queen Serenity and King Endymion walked into their daughter's room. The queen looked mysteriously at her daughter as she took a seat beside her on the bed.
"I take it the Quartet is doing well, they seem quite happy here." The queen said absently.
"Uh, yeah, they're doing well in school; everyone likes them a lot, especially after the whole KaitouKun thing." Chibi Usa said inattentively, her thoughts still a little heavy from the conversation she just had with the Quartet. She decided to drop the matter for now and said more cheerfully "I'm just glad everything's settled and I don't have to go around chasing a thief in the middle of the night, although I have to admit it was kind of fun in a way..."
Chibi Usa stopped when she noticed her mother giggling and a strange look in her father's eyes. "What is it...? What are you two hiding?" She said quickly, knowing that the combination of looks her parents were giving her meant they were trying to pull something.
The queen stopped her giggling and looked to her husband. King Endymion cleared his throat and said "It has been more than a month since you came back to us Small Lady. And since you had been so wrapped up with the Sailor Quartet, there had been no time for you to go. But now..." he looked at his wife and pronounced the unexpected words "I think it would be alright for you to visit Elysian."
Chibi Usa blinked for a few seconds before the thought registered and she sprang up from where she sat and clasped her father in a giant hug "Oh thank you! Thank you so much!" She pulled away and asked hopefully "Does that mean I can go tomorrow morning? Please!"
Unable to contain herself, the queen laughed and nodded "Yes, you may! In fact that's just what your father and I have planned to do. But you were a step ahead of us!"
Letting go of the king, the eager princess went to her mother, smiling with the radiance of a summer's day. "I'll get ready tonight and leave right after breakfast!" so saying she bounced away and took out the bunny/doggy backpack her mother had made for her as a farewell present in another life time.
"Remember to bring Diana with you Small Lady, and come back before the sunsets." However Chibi Usa didn't seem to have heard her, she was busy burying her head in her closet, trying to pick out something to wear.
The queen sighed with a small smile "She's just like you when you were her age." The king said with a playful wink. Neo Queen Serenity looked back to her husband and winked back "Yes, but now she won't be stealing my Mamo-chan any more." She took her husband's hand.
"I heard that!" Chibi Usa shouted and purred, wrapping her arms around her father's arm. The queen chuckled and shook her head at the sight. She hugged her daughter as Chibi Usa laughed with her parents.
A bright brilliant sun was hanging in the sky above Crystal Tokyo the next day. In the distance stacking clouds floated in from the sea. Chibi Usa gave her pigtail one last brush with the comb and looked at herself in the floor length mirror. She smiled blissfully to herself. Her pastel-orange colored long sleeve shirt and ruffled ivory colored skirt with tiny red flowers sown on the bottom gave her an innocent flare that coincided well with her rose-pink hair.
"Are you ready Small Lady-sama?" Diana asked, lying on her mistress' bed, twitching her furry tail in the air like the fuzzy plant that was named after her species.
Chibi Usa nodded, her pigtails bounced with the movement of her head. "Almost, go ahead and wait for me in the terrace Diana. I'll be done in just a few more seconds."
"Okie" Diana answered in a kittenish voice and hopped off the bed, her bell jingling all the way.
Once Diana was gone, Chibi Usa put the comb down on her dresser and went over to her nightstand. Picking up the precious picture frame in her hand she gently placed it in her backpack before looking out the window at the shinning sun.
"I'm coming..." she grinned, turned and left the room.
After a short walk through the palace Chibi Usa arrived at the terrace, which was just adjacent to the palace itself. Only the queen and king were there, along with Sailor Pluto since the senshi of time and space will be conducting the princess to her destination.
"Good morning Puu!" Chibi Usa ran to Pluto and the tall woman gave her a loving look and a nod.
"Remember to come back before dinner time," King Endymion reminded his daughter, who rolled her eyes like any teenage girl would at her father's nagging reminders "And don't go anywhere without Diana, you might get lost."
The queen gave her husband a rare purposeful look "It's not getting lost that you're worried about, honey."
The king coughed discreetly and said hurriedly "Anyhow, just...behave yourself..." He said finally after seriously considering his choice of words.
"I know Papa, don't worry about me." Chibi Usa winked at her father before Pluto stepped forward.
"Shall we be going now?" she said courteously
The princess gave a big nod and waved as she stepped away with Pluto to the far end of the terrace "Bye!" Her voice faded as Pluto raised her Garnet Orb wand and a column of cloud appeared, engulfed them, and faded into the wind.
By the time Chibi Usa opened her eyes she was standing beside the Time Gate, a pair of doors that allowed those who passed through them to reach any time and dimension one wished. Pluto lowered her staff and pointed it at the Gate. Slowly the doors creaked open, groaning as if from the millennia it has seen since its construction. A pale fog crept from the opened doorway, disallowing anyone to see anything beyond its giant frame.
"You know firmly where it is you wish to go Small Lady, and I do not doubt you will find it. However, always remain alert and make sure you keep the Time Key close to you at all times." Pluto cautioned as she always does when the princess has to use the Time Gate.
Chibi Usa nodded and walked towards the opened doors "I know Puu, see you later!"
"Bye Pluto-sama!" Diana shouted as she followed the princess into the misty entry way.
Pushing against the formless cloud, Chibi Usa gasped in amazement as she stepped into the Land of Dreams: Elysian. She had almost forgotten how incredibly amazing this place was since her last visit here, for she had been too emotionally preoccupied at the time to have noticed. Now the full scoop of Elysian was flooding her eyes like a deluge. She saw the tall majestic trees and the pristine woodland, where little animals popped their heads out from their burrows to gaze at the unfamiliar guests. In the distance the tops of crystalline trees could be seen. A sun, possibly even more brilliant than the one on the surface, was beaming as it looked down on the Land of Dreams.
"Wow..." Chibi Usa whispered in awe. This place is amazing...it's like an Eden here... She walked around a little, hoping to find some recognizable landmark but found none. There were only trees, grass, and the sky around her with no sign of the central temple complex where the princess knew she was most likely to find Helios.
The sky...Chibi Usa looked up and after a few moments was able to make out faint points of light in the blue sky. It was early in the day and the aurora borealis were not to be found. However she quickly found the brightest star in the heavens and said to Diana "Come one, I know where to go now!"
So speaking she hurried toward the direction the star pointed, the direction her dream light illuminated. Jogging past a bush of junipers, passing by a soaring oak tree, and leaping across a tiny stream, Chibi Usa smiled broadly when she saw the white marble building surfacing in front of her.
Quickening her pace, she soon reached the outskirts of the temple where the tree line ends and a field of lush grass led up to the steps of the temple when she stopped in her tracks. What am I going to say to him when I see him? Chibi Usa suddenly realized It's been so long since we last met...should I say how have you been doing? Or maybe just a simple hello would do, but...
As Chibi Usa contemplated, she resumed her walk towards the temple, slowly now as she contemplated nervously to herself, her heart pounding madly, fearing that Helios might suddenly walk out and catch her by surprise. Chibi Usa looked up when she noticed the sun had disappeared and saw she was standing in the shadow of the main building which loomed over her in all its ancient glory.
Walking in further, Chibi Usa looked around but the hallways were empty and the only change was a slightly opened door perpendicular with the path Chibi Usa had walked down. "Helios?" Chibi Usa whispered and pushed open the door which was surprisingly noiseless as it opened. Inside, the room was dark since the candles were unlit and Chibi Usa couldn't see anything that stood out in the room to tell her about its function.
"Helios?" she repeated but still no answer so she tried louder "Helios, are you in here?" No answer; Chibi Usa sighed and walked across the room into a wide open air walkway and after a short stroll came upon another door, this one unlike the earlier one, was closed and much bigger and taller. Looking around, the princess could only see the door was connected to a wall that extended beyond her horizon on both sides. Not knowing what else to do and totally unfamiliar with the temple's planning, Chibi Usa decided to see where the door will lead her and pushed against the handles.
If she thought the Greco-styled temple was impressive, Chibi Usa was in awe at the structure that loomed up in front of her. The prayer tower of Elysian sat on a paved circle of white marble tiles, its six hug pillars reaching high into the sky. The pillars were arranged into a half circle at the top of the shorter tower base which was three floors tall. Thin vines were growing on the pillars and some draped across two separate columns as if the wind had connected them from one post to another.
Chibi Usa slowly made her way towards the tower, lingering at the bottom before she began the ascent. Diana followed her wordlessly; her whiskers twitched whenever a distant bird called. Having never seen this part of Elysian before, Chibi Usa could tell that this was a place that carried immense importance, and she approached it like a pilgrim carefully treading across a holy landmark. Her shoes barely made any noise against the polished marble steps and she wondered for the first time who had crafted this sanctified structure in the middle of paradise.
By the time she had reached the top of the tower and only one final flight of stair separated her from the platform where the pillars were grounded, Chibi Usa felt her heart suddenly thumping harder and harder. She grasped the front of her shirt and swallowed; mystified by this strange uneasiness that has grasped her heart, Chibi Usa reflected I'm here to see Helios, I should be happy...but why am I so nervous...so scared? Shaking her head slightly as she took the last step before the flat platform was to become visible to her, Chibi Usa consoled herself. I'm just being stupid. Once I see Helios on top of the platform and he finds out about this, even he will laugh at me...put on a happy face Chibi Usa, your prince is right around the corner! Surprise him!
Taking a deep breath, Chibi Usa stepped up to the platform, closed her eyes and jumped onto the stage, shouting "I'm here!"
Only the echo of her own voice greeted Chibi Usa as she opened her eyes and saw not a living soul present before her. A sense of panic began to seize the princess as she rushed up the remaining steps and stood on the flat dais. "Helios!" she cupped her hand by her mouth and shouted. Again only an eerie echo followed and no sign of the young priest who presided over this sanctuary.
"Helios! Are you here?" she ran up to the altar, positioned in the center of the pillars, and tried once more without avail.
Undeterred, Chibi Usa tried again, louder this time. "HELIOS!" she screamed as loud as she could, hoping that he would hear her should he be in some distant part of Elysian.
"Please, save your voice..." responded a feminine voice instead. Chibi Usa drew in a sharp breath and Diana's tail flew up in an alarmed response.
"Who's there?" the heir to Crystal Tokyo demanded authoritatively, her stance defensive and readied.
The Voice seemed to drift closer as it became louder and clearer "I am a guardian, just like the boy you seek, Princess. However I have important information I need to partake to you. Helios, the priest of Elysian has been abducted from this land by the hands of his kinsmen..."
"WHAT! Wait, did you say by his kinsmen!" Disbelief was itched into the lines on Chibi Usa's face as her eyes opened wide.
"I am not surprised by your reaction for only myself and Queen Serenity knows about this. Not even Helios himself knows and belief me, he did not go with them willingly."
"But is he alright? Did they injure him!" Chibi Usa screamed, clutching her hands into fists "Where is he right now, I have to go and find him!"
No reply came at first, and then the Voice continued with a sigh "This matter is complicated and involves things beyond your comprehension right now. However, I will tell you that Helios is currently on the planet of Somnus where he will shortly be crowned the king of the island country of Rhodes."
"King!" both Chibi Usa and Diana gasped at the same time.
"Yes, Helios is the long lost heir to the Rhodian throne, which is why his kinsmen took him back, so that his country might be ruled by its rightful sovereign. But that is not why I have come to tell you all this..."
Chibi Usa stiffened and felt a dreading tingle in her spine.
"A force will arise which will challenge and try to bend his soul. As we speak it may have already began its caustic work. You must be there to preserve him from loosing his heart in the ensuing madness. If he does then his position as the priest of Elysian will be forfeited. Elysian must not loose its guardian, and its guardian must not be without Elysian or else..." at this point the Voice stopped and paused "...or else there will be severe consequences, one of them being that you will loose the person you love ..."
The princess was stunned speechless; her heart felt like someone had tightened a string around it, choking it.
"I know this must be very sudden for you to take in at once but I ask only that you guard his soul, Princess. Please protect him...I beg of you...before it is too late..." the Voice said softly, fading into the wind before it disappeared.
Chibi Usa remained speechless for a long time, her head spinning from the revelation. Helios was gone, on a distant planet called Somnus, and to be crowned a kingship he never knew about. But be it king or priest, earthling or alien she will not allow the person she loves to fall into whatever darkness the Voice was alluding to. She still had the picture to give to him and he still had to return her pendent to her. That was their promise, and she was going to do whatever it took to keep that promise between them.
"Small Lady-sama...?" Diana whimpered, her cat eyes searching for the crimson eyes that were hidden behind a veil of pink bangs.
Suddenly Chibi Usa turned around and quickly wiping her sleeve across her face, then said to Diana in a narrowly controlled voice "We need to go back right away Diana; I have to go and find Helios!"
Neo Queen Serenity looked into the cup of red tea she held in her hand. The transparent ocher colored liquid rippled slightly as her hand moved away from her lips. So peaceful and calm...the queen thought privately to herself. She lifted her noble head to look out the tall window and saw the clouds that had been building all day beginning to cover the city.
"It looks like it will be raining today..." she said absently to herself
"What was that dear?" King Endymion asked, looking up from the book he had been reading.
The queen smiled and shook her head "Nothing, just contemplating the weather."
"Hmm...it sure it peaceful, ever since she's been back..." the king said reflectively, closing the book and placing it on the table. "Our daughter is growing up more and more each day. She's also growing more and more like you each day as well." He grinned at his wife.
The queen grinned back but a wisp of worry suddenly entered her mind. More and more like me...it's almost as if she's following in my very footsteps...like history is repeating itself...
Just then the queen's thoughts were cut short when Chibi Usa came charging into the room, panting and out of breath.
Surprised, her parents snapped their heads around and asked in astonishment "Small Lady you're back so soon-"
"Helios is gone Mama, Papa! He has been abducted!" Chibi Usa cried
"What did you say!" The king said, bewildered and alarmed.
Neo Queen Serenity looked to Diana and began "Diana go and-"
"I got it!" the gray cat replied before the queen could finish and darted out the room to find the other senshis.
Even without looking, the royal couple knew how upset their daughter must be so they quickly ushered her down on a couch where Neo Queen Serenity wrapped her arm around Chibi Usa's shoulder and asked "What happened? How did you-"
Chibi Usa cut her mother short and blurted out "The Voice! She told me!"
The queen and king looked at each other when Sailor Pluto ran into the room, as out of breath as Chibi Usa, though more composed. "Small Lady!" the tall senshi knelt down beside the princess and looked at her worriedly. "What happened? You suddenly bolted out from the Time Gate and ran back to the palace. What's wrong?"
At this time the Sailor Senshis, the lunar cats, and the Quartet came running into the room, each of them looking considerably alarmed. "What's going on? I heard from Diana that Small Lady ran back from Elysian and that Helios has been kidnapped!"
Even after taking a couple of deep breaths, Chibi Usa found herself unable to find her voice. Frustrated and worried, tears began to pool at the edge of her eyes. King Endymion grasped her hands and held them tightly "It will be alright Small Lady. Helios will be fine. But you have to tell us, just what exactly did the Voice tell you?"
Chibi Usa took a moment longer to compose herself before she managed to force the tears from falling and recounted the things the Voice had transpired to her. By the end of her account the room was completely silent and Chibi Usa sat with her parents holding her, as if afraid their daughter might faint.
Finally Chibi Usa looked up and said softly but firmly "I will go find him and bring him back. That's what the Voice asked me to do, I have to protect him."
The king scowled "I can't believe this. All this happened and I felt nothing, either from Elysian or Helios himself..."
Chibi Usa shook her head and said determinedly "It's not your fault Papa, or anyone else's for that matter. What's important is that I have to find Helios."
Sailor Pluto shook her head "But we have no idea what Somnus is like. From what you've told us it seems like the country Helios is descended from is in political turmoil right now..."
"But I have to go Puu! You understand don't you?" Chibi Usa argued and Pluto nodded grudgingly.
"Pluto, is it possible to travel to a place you have never been to via the Time Gate?" The queen suddenly asked.
Slowly, Pluto nodded, leaning on her tall staff, she answered solemnly. "As long as one knows something about that place, be it a name or a picture, traveling there through the Time Gate is possible though more difficult than to a place one knows."
"Then it has been decided, Small Lady will go to Somnus, as soon as possible."
"But my queen..." Pluto began to protest but Neo Queen Serenity looked straight into the senshi's wine colored eyes with her own startling blue eyes.
"I understand your caution against this Pluto but Small Lady is hurting. The worst kind of suffering is being separated from someone you love and not knowing their condition. I know that feeling well, and as her mother it is not something I want my daughter to experience."
"We want to go as well, your majesty." Jun-Jun suddenly said. She walked away from her sisters and said sincerely "We are the Princess' senshis and our mission is to protect her. We have to go with her."
The queen smiled and nodded "I am glad to hear that. Thank you, all of you."
The Quartet nodded back in unison. King Endymion looked at his wife, his lips draw thin across his face "I think we should send someone else with them. The Quartet have been senshis for only a little while and have yet to master their powers completely. It would be wise to have an additional backup in case there is trouble."
"Yes, I agree." At this Neo Queen Serenity touched her chin thoughtfully "However the other senshis are required for the security of Crystal Tokyo, Pluto has to guard the Time Gate, and Haruka and Michiru are on duty on their own planets..."
"Which leaves Hotaru...I'm sure that Haruka and Michiru can handle the defense of the Outer system. And besides, it would be better if Chibi Usa went with someone she can really talk to." Luna suggested.
"It is agreed then. I will call for Hotaru right away. Sailor Quartet, please be ready to depart in two hours and meet Sailor Pluto by the Time Gate." The queen said and the Quartet nodded before leaving to prepare. Pluto nodded as well and gave the princess one last look before she turned and left.
Chibi Usa got up from the couch and touched her parents' hands "Thank you Mama, Papa. I'll be alright, don't worry."
The king nodded and smiled faintly "We trust you one hundred and ten percent. You are Sailor Moon now, do what you must"
"I know..." Chibi Usa closed her eyes for a second before taking a deep breath. "I'll go get ready now. I'll see you later."
With that the princess reluctantly let go of her parents' hands and walked away. Neo Queen Serenity took a step after her but was held back gently by her husband who shook his head.
The queen sighed "She's growing up so fast...but is she ready for this? Have I made the right decision in letting her go?"
"None of us can answer that right now. We'll just have to trust in her like we always have" replied the king.
Exactly two hours later a small crowd has gathered before the Time Gate. The Sailor Quartet, transformed and ready to go, stood waiting for Neo Sailor Moon to arrive. As the pink haired senshi made her way to join the group with her parents, she saw Sailor Pluto standing by the gate, her usually calm face worried and tense.
"Don't worry about me Puu. I've been through a lot worse than this." The Princess said, trying to lighten the guardian of time's mood.
Pluto closed her eyes and bowed her head "I'm sorry I can't help you Small Lady. Please be careful..."
"Nonsense! You're a big help to me! If you're not here then how am I going to get to Somnus?"
"Chibi Usa-chan is right, Setsuna-mama."
Everyone turned to see Sailor Saturn standing in the dark hallway with them, a small smile on her lips. "Hotaru-chan!" Chibi Usa raced over to her old friend and embraced her.
"You came!" she cried while Saturn nodded and comforted her friend by returning the hug.
"Of course I came. When I heard about what had happened to Helios-kun I left Saturn as fast as I can. I just arrived here via the inter-system portal." She looked to the queen and king and respectfully bowed her head "Your majesties" the royal couple returned her greeting with an acknowledging nod.
Neo Sailor Moon sniffed and released Saturn. Turning away from the princess, Saturn looked to the Time Gate when she saw the Quartet "Oh, I don't believe we've met before..."
"We're Small Lady-sama's senshis!" Pallas said proudly, smiling sweetly at the purple haired senshi "Palla-Palla is Sailor Pallas!"
Saturn looked a little confused when Ceres explained under her breath "Sorry, she meant to say her name is Palla-Palla and she's Sailor Pallas."
"Ah, I see..." Saturn chuckled softly "Well, glad to meet you Palla-Palla, I'm Hotaru Tomoe, also known as Sailor Saturn."
The Quartet quickly introduced themselves, and after the exchange was completed, Pluto motioned that it was time. She first walked to Neo Sailor Moon and handed her the Time Key, pressing the tiny object into the princess' palm. "Be careful Small Lady, and be safe."
Neo Sailor Moon nodded firmly, her gaze even. She turned around and said softly to her parents "I'll be going now, take care while I'm gone."
"You too honey, be strong and be careful." King Endymion whispered back, holding his wife tightly.
The queen gently preyed herself from her husband, leaned forwards and kissed her daughter on her forehead "Good luck..." was all she said.
Neo Sailor Moon nodded. She grinned and flashed a victory sign with her fingers.
Turning to the group, Pluto raised the Garnet Orb "Everyone, remember to concentrate on the word 'Somnus' while you are going through the Gate. If not you will get lost and loss your way in time and space."
Hearing this the Quartet gulped nervously while Neo Sailor Moon walked resolutely to the door of the Gate, a small bag hanging on her back which contained the picture frame she had carried from another time through this very gate. Slowly the groaning doors opened and Neo Sailor Moon stepped into the thick mist followed by Sailor Saturn and the Sailor Quartet. Her gaze steady, Neo Sailor Moon thought about the person she was coming to see as her body passed through the Gate.
I'm coming Helios...wait for me!
End of "Crystal Tokyo Interlude"
To Be Continued in "The Blue Rose Renaissance"
A/N Alright, I've written another fanfic! I'm so happy I'm done with this and I can now work on "The Blue Rose Renaissance"! As you may have noticed my Sailor Moon fan fictions have become serialized and I know I kind of go on and on, but I just have so many new ideas since "Return to The Past" and so much to write about that it's driving this into a series! So please have patience with me and my work!
Just a little clarification, the style of the fanfic will be akin to that of the manga from now on (as this one has been). Also just a note, the name Fames from the previous chapter was not actually based on a Roman god as some readers thought it might be. That was a coincidence. I was trying to find the Latin translation for some names I wanted to use and "fames" turned up on one of the searches. Although the personification of the character Fames is like that of the god Fames, he is actually not based on Roman mythology at all.