I said I wouldn't abandon this story and I am keeping my word. Here, for your reading pleasure, or misery, as the case may be, is the true beginning of the story.

Italic text indicates dreaming.

Crystals Shatter: Chapter Four

Enduring mama's sarcastic comments about a ship coming for her, in addition to the usual chores, had made Chikara's day exhausting. Mumbling goodnight to her mother, who was already passed out on the couch, Chikara trudged down the narrow hallway to her closet-sized bedroom. She was glad to finally have some privacy. In her seventeen years of life she had made few friends. This was not uncommon in the remains of Crystal Tokyo. Most people spent their days working any jobs they could find, simply trying to make ends meet. There was little opportunity for socialization. In addition, like mama, most people had forgotten how to laugh and how to be kind to one another. Thus, friendship was something Chikara had never known, and thus, had never missed. Since most of her days were spent caring for the house while mama tended the crops that occasionally fed them and earned them a pittance for their trouble, the two of them had little time to speak casually. Chikara, like most residents of Crystal Tokyo, a solitary person, who found happiness only in those few hours she spent in her dreams. Blowing out the candle on her nightstand, Chikara quickly gave into sleep.

Chikara found herself standing alone under a dark sky. The ground was covered in swirling purple mist which prevented her from seeing what was ahead of her. Suddenly the figure of a woman emerged. She wore a very short dress with a white bodice, flared black skirt, and a large, deep red bow. On her feet she wore black, knee-high boots, and on her face she wore an expression of severity. The staff in her hands had the form of an elaborately decorated key. When she was within five feet of Chikara, she stopped and opened her mouth to speak.

"Tsukino Chikara, you have been given a very important mission. My name is Sailor Pluto and I was once a soldier in this kingdom. I have been sent here because the time has come for you to rebuild Crystal Tokyo."


Chikara's eyes widened and her breath came fast.

"I know this comes as a shock to you. It was a shock to all of us when we learned we were the chosen sailor senshi."

Now Sailor Pluto's words were met with confusion. Her scarlet eyes showed a glimmer of sadness before returning to their previous intensity.

"Chikara, I am the keeper of the gate of time. Thus, I posses knowledge that to the rest of humanity seems incomprehensible and which I must reveal selectively for the purpose of protecting this planet, the last planet in this galaxy that is still able to support life. Therefore, I ask you to trust that what I am going to tell you is true and to respect my decision if I refuse to answer your questions."

Chikara nodded. Sailor Pluto's eyes took on a far-off look as she prepared to tell the painful, old story.