Welcome readers to Merry's new literary work, Against the Gods. Hopefully, it is unlike anything you've ever read. Before you begin your exciting adventure, I have a few disclaimers and explanations for you.
First, the title. It was inspired by a book I happened to glimpse on my dad's shelf the other day. It fit the story, and so I used it.Some may have heard of it, some may not have. It matters not.
Secondly, Pluto's life. It has been ages since I watched Sailor Moon, and I can only recall bits and pieces regarding Sailor Pluto. If this story seems to be extraordinarily different from the anime, it's meant to be. The community of Immortals that I have created is supposed to be different. Most likely, it does not fit in with the anime, and well, I can't help that.
Lastly, some of the names here will probably be familiar. They are taken from Greek mythology, something I absolutely adore reading. I know I don't own the gods and goddesses of Greek mythology, but I'm using them for my purposes. Deal with it.
Summary: Sailor Pluto is burdened with the demanding task of guarding the Time Gate, as she has been for hundreds of years. She exists in a bustling community of Immortals like her, where everyone has his/her place. But an unknown foe is intent on disrupting her all-in-all balanced lifestyle. The Time Senshi must join forces with an Immortal that she deems a "careless fool." The two of them are catapulted into an exciting but perilous adventure, caught up in a dangerous game.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the aforementioned subjects. Got that?
Dedication: This story is dedicated to Ocianne, who has helped me and guided me like a true teacher and friend.
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The door was a curious creation, to say the least. It was a portal that led into the unknown, a panel that had never been coaxed open by mortal fingers. To the untrained eye, it was a common, though well-crafted door. It was made from sturdy, glossy wood the color of burnt umber, and was engraved with strange yet lovely images of otherworldly people. The doorknob was of gleaming gold that shimmered and shone in what little light there was.
A dark slim hand grasped the door's shining doorknob and turned it with ease. That same hand pushed lightly on the door to reveal an extraordinary place unlike any dwelling known to man. Any normal being would have gawked for hours at the place. But Sailor Pluto was anything but normal.
For one thing, there appeared to be no floor, walls, or ceiling in the place. The area resembled heliotrope velvet, dotted with small lights and shrouded in mysterious purple hazes as old as time itself. In the center stood a gargantuan doorway, but there was no door inside it. On the whole, it was a decidedly eerie place, but fascinating nonetheless.
Deep vermilion eyes scrutinized the space, not appearing to care much about the place itself, but searching for something. The red orbs locked onto an object floating in midair. Said object was a boy, who looked to be about fifteen years old. He had drooping black hair and a dark complexion. And he was sound asleep, lying on his side in midair.
Sailor Pluto narrowed her unusually colored eyes and stalked over to the snoozing individual, who at the moment lay parallel to her waist.
"Cerberus!"
No movement.
"Cerberus!"
Again, the boy remained motionless.
Sailor Pluto shook his form none too gently, finally waking Cerberus out of his peaceful slumber. He blinked owlishly for a few seconds and then hastily rose into a sitting position.
"Cerberus, this is the fourth time I've caught you sleeping while I'm away. I understand that you're still a Mortal, but I'm never gone that long.By the Gate! Little wonder Hephaestus rid himself of you as an apprentice." Her grip tightened on her Time Key in anger.
"Sailor Pluto, I'm very, very sorry, but I was just—"
"—dozing for a bit," Pluto finished, obviously unimpressed. "How many times have I heard that excuse? I am willing to bet that each time I walk out that door you carry on with your oblivious naps. I'm seriously considering relieving myself of you, Cerberus,and dumping you on—"
"No, don't get rid of me! I like it here. And I wasn't sleeping the whole time. Moiros came by not too long ago and wanted me to tell you that he has some urgent business to speak to you about."
"Moiros?" Pluto frowned. Moiros was the assistant of the Fates, in charge of the organization, monitoring, and placement of the Life Threads. In Pluto's opinion he was a careless fool who did not take his work seriously. "What did he want with me?"
Cerberus shrugged. "He said that he would drop by again soon."
"Very well. Go back to the Immortal Institution and keep in mind what I said about getting rid of you."
Cerberus nodded obediently and vanished with a dull flash.
Sailor Pluto sighed. Despite Cerberus's faults, she hadn't been serious about ridding herself of him. Once he was officially made an Immortal, he could resist sleep and she wouldn't have to worry about that issue again. He's really not such a bad boy. He's loyal and obedient enough. Rather like a dog.
A brilliant red spark burst into her abode, interrupting the Senshi's thoughts.
"Hello, Pluto."
"Moiros." Pluto struggled to be polite.
As far as looks went, Moiros was certainly not bad looking. His hair color was a curious combination of red and gold, and it curled magnificently. His eyes were hazel and lively, framed by dark curling lashes. His complexion was not pale, but not as dark as Pluto's. He was exactly her height, but then, she wore high heels. Altogether, he looked dashing, from his reddish-golden hair down to his polished, flat-heeled, gray boots.
But Sailor Pluto cared nothing for the man's looks. The only thing on her mind was to get to the point and finish the conversation as quickly as possible.
"Well?" she demanded.
"Right, to the point." He stopped to smile charmingly at her and she rolled her eyes. "There have been some disturbing goings-on in our dwelling and it concerns you."
"M-me?" Pluto stammered, caught off-guard.
Moiros smiled at the stricken look on her face. "No, I'm not making accusations, dear Pluto.Atropos advised me to come here about the matter. I think you should come with me to our dwelling and see for yourself."
"All right." In the twinkling of an eye, the two of them disappeared and then reappeared in the Fates' abode.
The place was lit better than Pluto's and unlike her lair, there was a visible ceiling. In one corner sat three Immortal women, the legendary Fates Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. Clotho was a pale maiden, who spun away at her spinning wheel incessantly, creating countless Life Threads. Next to her, Lachesis decided upon the span of each Thread and transferred a mysterious radiance from her hands to the Threads, assigning a destiny to each Mortal. And then there was Atropos the Inexorable, a short, dark maiden who, with the flick of a hand, summoned the Threads that hung on the rafters to her. She was slowly sawing away at the Life Thread she held now with her dreaded shears, and Pluto winced at the thought of the poor soul dying a slow, painful death.
Moiros motioned for Pluto to follow him and they made their way through the infinite Life Threads hanging down over them. After several minutes, Moiros halted in front of two gleaming threads that radiated with power and significance. The peculiar thing was that unlike the other Threads, these two Life Threads were twined together tightly, one glowing silver, the other gold.
"Do you know who they are?" Moiros questioned.
The answer hit Sailor Pluto like a flash. "Usagi and Mamoru," she breathed. On the odd occasion, two Threads bound themselves together, demonstrating the undying love of the Mortals that they represented. Usagi and Mamoru's was such a love. Pluto had seen the two only yesterday. Mamoru had just proposed and she and the other Senshi were preparing for the wedding excitedly.
Moiros nodded seriously. "Yes. Pluto, someone tried to do an unforgivable thing. They tried to cut these Threads."
Sailor Pluto gasped in horror. "But how...who..."
Moiros shook his head helplessly. "We don't have any idea. But look." Moiros pulled a pair of shears exactly like Atropos's out of nowhere. "There is only one place these could have been made."
Pluto widened her eyes in realization. "Hephaestus's forge."
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Believe me there will be romance, but all in good time, my friends. On a sidenote, Moiros's name comes from the Greek term for Fates, Moirai.Stay tuned for the next installment of Against the Gods. I'm Merry Faerie saying REVIEW!
Merry Faerie