Ch 14: Returning to the Future
In the morning Trista, Amara, and Michelle came to Darien's. They were surprised that the inner scouts where already there, and even more surprised that Darien's guardians had been reborn. After assuring them that the four generals where now on their side Trista and Rini prepared to leave.
"Now remember Rini, you have to find out if your mother knows where Pearl is," Darien reminded her.
"And don't forget that your safety is more important then getting to the future," Mina added.
"Make sure you say Hi to everyone in the future for us," Amara smiled.
"Wait! I'm coming too, Princess," Diana said, as she jumped onto Rini's head.
"Yes, yes I know. And Pu will take good care of me," Rini said, smiling up at Trista.
Bunny stepped forward now, and leaned over to give Rini a hug, "And remember that we will all be waiting for you to come back." Bunny was trying not to cry. Of course Rini would return, but what if she didn't?
With all the good-byes, and reminders said, Pluto opened the passage of time. They all watched as Rini and Pluto rose into the air, and into the fourth dimension. "Well, they're on there way," Michelle said.
"I hope they'll be all right," Amy added.
Rini and Pluto arrived in the fourth demotion. The clouds where darker then normal, and there was a storm. Rini was nervous, "Puu, are you sure we should continue on, this storm looks nasty?" Rini asked anxiously.
"Don't worry, Small Lady, I can get us through," Pluto responded. So, Pluto and Rini walked through the storm. Rini had never liked storms, something she had gotten from her mother, but with Sailor Pluto there she didn't feel that scared.
When they got to the door that lead to the 30th century, and Crystal Tokyo, Rini could hardly keep herself from running to it. Pluto opened the door and the two of them walked through. It was the same Crystal Tokyo Rini remembered, Metallia's powers hadn't touched it yet.
Rini, Diana, and Sailor Pluto made their way to the Crystal Palace, where they knew the King and Queen would be waiting. When Rini approached the palace it's doors opened for her. Inside stood, not only King Endymion and Neo-Queen Serenity, but all the scouts, except of course for Sailor Pluto, Chibi Moon, and the Astro scouts. Rini could hardly believe it. She had never received a welcome like this before.
As Rini approached her parents she had to reminder herself that she was now the crowned princess. She dropped a curtesy, "Hello, Mother and Father. I'm glad to be home."
Hardly before the words had left her mouth, her mother had her in a loving hug. "It's good to have you home. I'm so glad your safe."
"Of course I'm safe, the scouts are taking good care of me," Rini assured them all. It felt weird to be telling them what there younger selves were doing.
"Hello Sailor Pluto. Thank you for bringing Small Lady back to us," King Endymion said. "But now that I look at you, your not such a small lady anymore, are you?" he continued, turning to Rini.
"You're right. She's finally growing up," the future Luna stated as she greeted Diana.
"Really? Have I really started to grow up. I had thought it might be so, but no one said," Rini said hopefully.
"Well, it would be harder for them to notice. Since they get to see you all the time. But you have defiantly grown sense you last were here," Amy assured her.
They all went into the parlor, were they could sit and talk. They all knew why Rini and Sailor Pluto were there. "You have come to get some information about Queen Metallia, have you not?" questioned Michelle.
"Yes, and to see if Luna was right. Mother, are you somehow sending Bunny dreams, that are also memories?" Rini asked.
"Yes, I am. Seeing as I can't directly communicate with my past self, I found I can reawaken memories, in the form of dreams, in Bunny. I was trying to give her some clues to what was happening. Did it work?" Neo-Queen Serenity answered.
"It did. Though it took us a while to discover what the dreams were telling us. Our problem now is finding Pearl," Rini continued. As she looked around, she noticed that there was another kitten with Luna, Artemis and Diana. It was white and looked just about Diana's age. "Umm… Who is that new kitten?"
"I am Apollo. Luna's and Artemis' son," the kitten replied. "I am Sailor Saturn's partner."
Rini gasped. She couldn't believe it, Hotaru would have a kitten in the future. As she looked at the future Hotaru she realized that she was watching her. "Yes, Apollo is my partner now. And I was thinking that my past self might need his help. So if you would allow him to return with you I'd be most grateful."
"Oh, Hotaru will be so happy. She was just saying that she wished she had a kitten of her own. Although, I guess you would already know that," Rini replied, giggling.
"Back to the problem at hand," Raye said, somewhat sternly. "We know why Hotaru, in the past, can't transform."
"Yes, and it's very important that you tell them. The reason she can't transform is that her powers have been taken by another," Lita said.
"Another? Who has taken them?" Trista asks.
"Hotaru's powers have been taken by someone not unlike herself. One who doesn't have her real parents, but has a person she loves, or at least loved, like a sister," Endymion said, somewhat sadly.
"You mean Pearl, don't you? Oh, Bunny will be crushed to find that Pearl has already turned evil. But why take Hotaru's powers?" Rini wondered.
"Small Lady, you truly have matured," Serenity stated. "Yes, it is true, Metallia has already gotten to Pearl, but it's not to late. Pearl has taken Hotaru's powers so that she can release Metallia. However, she has not yet learned how to use them. Bunny has to find Pearl, and get her to remember their life together on the Moon. She must also tell her the truth about Beryl."
They continued to discus what needed to be done. Apparently they knew that Pearl would appear soon. Rini liked being home and talking with her parents. She had forgotten how much she missed Crystal Tokyo. When it came time to leave she hesitated.
"What's wrong Small Lady?" Trista asked.
"I don't know if I want to return to the past," Rini said, undecidedly. "You could tell them all what to do. What do you all need me for?"
"Small Lady. Don't you think they would miss you? Especially since they are all expecting you back," Serenity told her, giving her a hug.
"You can come back whenever you want, but I think that Hotaru needs her best friend. And everyone will be sad if you don't return," Endymion added.
Rini sat in her mothers lap thinking about it all. Suddenly Bunny's farewell words echoed in her mind… "And remember that we will all be waiting for you to come back." Hadn't she looked sad when she said that. Of course she would go back. "You're right. They would miss me. But I will return soon. I want to spend more time at home. Good-bye."
Pluto again opened the door to the fourth dimension and with one last farewell, they were gone. The storm in the fourth dimension was worse then before, but they both knew that they had to get the information back to Bunny and the scouts. When they finally returned to the present they were very relieved.
"We're back!" Rini shouted, running into Darien's and Bunny's apartment. She ran right into Bunny's arms. Bunny looked very relieved. "We have all sorts of information. We have to get the scouts together."
"Welcome back Rini," Hotaru said, coming out of their room. "How was your trip?"
"Hi Hotaru. My trip was fine. Everyone was their to greet us when we got there. Oh, your future self sent you something," Rini replied smiling.
"What? I sent myself something. What is it?"
Rini reached into her bag and pulled out Diana and Apollo. "Hello Hotaru, I am Apollo, your partner from the future," the white kitten said as he jumped to Hotaru's shoulder.
"You're my partner? I can't believe this. It's to cool. Thank you for brining him Rini."
"That's okay." By that time all scouts, and the four generals, had gotten there. After the normal welcome back, and introducing Apollo, whom Luna and Artemis were quite happy to meet, they settled down to business.
"Needless to say, Luna was right. Neo-Queen Serenity was sending the dream memories as signs. She also told us that Pearl will show up soon," Trista started.
"Good, hopefully we can find her before Metallia does," Bunny said, relieved.
"Umm… that's not possible. Um… Mother also told us why Hotaru can't transform," Rini said, some what uneasily. "Well, you see, Pearl has taken Hotaru's powers, so that she can release Metallia. Metallia has already gotten to her."
Bunny gasped and fell into Darien's arms. She couldn't believe it, they had already lost Pearl. "It's okay Buns. We can get her back. I mean you saved me from Beryl's brainwashing. And my generals are finally reborn. We'll save Pearl," Darien was doing everything to cheer up Bunny.
"That's right. Neo-Queen Serenity said that you just have to make her remember, and tell her the truth about Beryl," Rini assured her.
"You're right. I've gotten people free from brainwashing before. Thank you, everyone, for your help. I'm going to go to sleep now," and Bunny went of to her room.
"Oh, poor Bunny," Mina said, sympathetically.
"Yeah, she really did count on finding Pearl first," Lita agreed.
"Bunny seemed really out of it," Michelle added.
"Yeah, well that's nothing, compared to when Darien was brainwashed," Raye added, trying to lighten the mood. It didn't help much. They all knew that Bunny was heartbroken, and all they could do was wait for Pearl to show up.
When they had finished discussing everything all the scout went home. Darien went to see how Bunny was doing, and found her asleep. Luna jumped of the bed to talk to him.
"She's been crying, hasn't she Luna?" he asked.
"Yes, but she's really taking it quite well. I think she really believes we can win this one."
"I just wish I knew what to do for her," Darien said, sitting down next to his love.
"Just be with her Darien. That's all she's ever needed before."
"But it seems so pointless. I want to help her feel better," and he leaned over and kissed Bunny's forehead. A small smile creeped onto Bunny's face. Even in sleep she was comforted by Darien's kiss.