Ch 17: A Bright Future
Pearl returned with the others to Darien's and Bunny's apartment. There was a lot of caching up to do, and they were all up talking most of the night. Bunny and Pearl were so happy to be together again. And the scouts were all relieved to see Bunny untroubled again.
"I'm glad to have finally meet you, Pearl," Darien said.
"And I you. Bunny used to talk about you so much, back on the Moon," Pearl responded.
"Ummm... Pearl?" Hotaru asked. "It's great that your not under Metallia's control anymore, and all. But… could I have my power's back?" With all the excitement, and chatting they had all forgotten that Pearl still had Hotaru's power.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I completely forgot," and Pearl returned Hotaru's power.
"Hey, Puu do you think the timeline has been restored?" Rini asked, she didn't want to be the only scout without powers.
"I'm sure it has, Small Lady," Trista replied with a smile.
Just to make sure, Hotaru and Rini stood up and shouted, "Moon Crises Make up!" "Saturn Crystal Power Make Up!" And Sailor Chibi Moon and Sailor Saturn stood before them all. "Well, I guess we can use our powers again Chibi Moon," Saturn said.
"Yup, but I hope we don't need to for a long time," Chibi Moon answered. All the scouts agreed and Saturn and Chibi Moon unmorphed.
"So what's going to happen now?" Amara asked.
"I think we should try to go back to the way it was, before all this started," Bunny said.
"Yeah, Rini has agreed to return to Bunny's parents, and Hotaru will go home with you again," Darien added.
"But what about Pearl?" Raye asked. "You going to just ditch her, Bunny?"
"Of course not Raye! Pearl is to stay here, with Darien and me. We discussed that a while ago," Bunny retorted.
"Really Bunny? I can stay with you?" Pearl asked, full of hope.
"Of course Pearl. We will never be parted again," Bunny answered with a loving smile.
"And you'll have lots of friends now Pearl. You just wait and see," Hotaru added, with a smile.
"I'm glad. That's all I've ever really wanted, to have a loving family, and lots of friends," Pearl said, seriously.
"So Rini, your really going back to Bunny's parent's place?" Amy asked.
"Yup, but not right away," Rini responded with a secretive smile.
"What! What are you doing first then?" Mina asked.
"I'm going to visit my parents. They told me that they would like it if I visited more. And this way, I wont get so home sick," Rini replied.
"Rini," Hotaru said, somewhat hesitantly, "If your going back to the future, you should bring Apollo with you." Apollo looked up at Hotaru, who had been petting him, like he understood.
"What do you mean Hotaru? I though you had always wanted a kitten," Amara asked.
"And we'd love to have Apollo with us," Michelle answered.
"It's not that. I have always wanted a cat. And now I know I will have one. But not until the future. It's the future Hotaru who Apollo belongs to, and he should return to her," Hotaru explained.
"You're really mature Hotaru. But your right, Apollo really should be in the future," Trista replied.
"We should also return to the future," Pallas said.
"Yes, Hotaru and Small Lady have their powers back," added Ceres.
"Our mission is done," Juna continued.
"We are no longer needed here," Vesta finished.
"Well then. If this is going to be the last time, for a while, that we are all here. I think we should make this an official sleep-over. Rini, if you please..." Darien said. Rini then made sleeping bags and pillows for all 20 of them, pulse a pillow for the four cats.
"You know, this sleep over has gotten a lot bigger since this whole thing started," Bunny remarked.
"Your right. One good thing about being Sailor Scouts, and fighting evil, is that we've made a lot of friends along the way," Lita said.
"Even if we didn't always like each other at first," Amy said. "Remember how much Bunny and Darien hated each other when they first meet?"
"Ya, and Bunny was always hitting him with crumpled up tests," Raye remembered. They all started laughing at the memory. They could hardly believe there had ever been a time when Bunny and Darien hadn't been in love.
"Well, then." Bunny said, sitting up by her pillow, "If this is an official sleep-over, there is only one thing missing."
"And what's tha...?" But, before Darien could finish the question he was hit in the face with Bunny's pillow. "Why you!" And Darien through the pillow back at Bunny. Only Bunny ducked and it hit Mina instead. Then she through it at Kunzite, 'cause he was laughing at her. And then it was an all out pillow fight.
When they were exhausted from the fight they all flung themselves on to the floor, and fell asleep. They all had wonderful dreams. Dreams of the happy times in the past, and dreams of what they hoped the future would bring.
Bunny and Darien both had the same dream though. It started with them on the Moon, and Queen Serenity calling to them. Then they would be in Elysion with Helios. They both woke up, and looked at each other with a nod. They knew what they were being asked.
The next morning there were a lot of good-byes to be said. For they wouldn't see the Astro Scouts for a long time, nor Apollo.
"Good-bye Pallas. Take care," Bunny was saying.
"Good-bye Bunny. We will always be there to help you, if you need it," Vesta said.
"Bye Apollo. It was wonderful to meet you," Luna said.
"Trista, are you going with Rini to the future?" asked Amara.
"Yes. I really do like to return to my old post now and again," Trista answered.
"See ya Rini. Say Hi to everyone for me," Hotaru said.
"I'll be back soon, and we can have another jump rope competition," Rini responded.
With all the good-byes, and farewells wished it was surprizing that they ever started to the future. But they did, Rini, Trista, Ceres, Pallas, Juna, Vesta, Apollo, and Diana. Some were going to stay, and some for a visit. But all would be missed by those they had to leave behind.
"Well, they are gone," Darien said.
"Yes, I wonder when Rini and Trista will return?" mused Michelle.
"I'm sure they will be back before we know it," Lita said.
"Ya. Well I got to go guys. I have a violin lesson," Bunny said. "See ya."
"Wow Puu, the fourth dimension is back to normal," Rini remarked.
"Yes, the time line has been restored," Trista said.
They approached the gate that lead to the 30th century. Rini was very excited. She loved visiting her home. Pluto opened the gate and they all saw Crystal Tokyo, in all it's glory.
Rini lead the way to the palace. She couldn't help but think about the last time she was there. How different she felt. There was no danger to find out about, she was just there for a visit. Like always the doors appeared, and opened before Rini. Unlike the last time, no one was waiting for them. That was to be expected, since they had sent no warning of there coming.
Rini wanted to surprise her parents, so she asked the others to walk a little behind her. Rini skipped quietly down the hall to the parlor. As she peered around the corner she saw all the scouts assembled.
"I wander how Small Lady, and Hotaru are doing?" the future Raye was wondering.
"I hope they have found Pearl," Amy added.
"Is Rini going to return with news?" Amara asked.
"We don't know," Neo-Queen Serenity answered.
"Yes she is!" giggled Rini as she stepped around the corner. They were all shocked speechless. Rini walked up to her mother and curtseyed. Neo-Queen Serenity took her daughter into a hug.
"Small Lady, it is so good to see you again," King Endymion said. At that time Trista and the others came into the room.
"Is this a sign that everything is all right again?" Mina asked.
"Yes, we have found Pearl, and completely destroyed Metallia. She will never bother anyone again," Trista answered.
"And your powers?" Hotaru inquired.
Rini looked down, sadly. She then continued to say "Moon Crises Make-up" like she expected nothing to happen. Then a laughing Chibi Moon stood before them. "My powers are fine, and so are Hotaru's. Everything is back to the way it was," and Rini unmorphed.
They all sat down to have a chat. Rini, Trista and the Astro Scouts explained what happened. Everyone was relieved that Pearl was already out of Metallia's power. As they were talking Rini noticed four generals walk in. When she looked closer she realized that the generals were Kunzite, Jadeite, Nephrite, and Zoisite. She smiled to herself. It appeared that everyone could be with the ones they loved now.
"And so Pearl is staying with Bunny and Darien," Trista finished. At that moment a lovely girl walked into the room. Trista and Rini gasped. It was Pearl!
"Hello Trista, Rini. I'm glad to see you again," Pearl greeted them.
"Pearl, so your here too. I'm glad everyone is together," Rini said heartfully. However, she couldn't help but think that she and Helios would never really be together.
"Small Lady, what's wrong?" Apollo asked.
"Nothing Apollo. Oh, that reminds me, Hotaru, Apollo has returned to you." Rini declared.
"What? But I thought that he would stay with the younger me for awhile," Hotaru said, questionly.
"Well, your younger self is quit mature. She realizes that Apollo belongs here, in the future," Trista started. "She is content knowing that someday she will have her own kitten."
"You're right. Apollo does belong here," Hotaru agreed.
After about a week in the future, Rini and Trista decided it was time to go. "It was lovely to see you all again," Trista said as they prepared to go.
"Come back soon," Michelle said
"You are always welcomed here," King Endymion stated.
"Say Hi to everyone for us," Amy asked.
"Make sure to have fun," Mina added.
"Visit us often Small Lady," Neo-Queen Serenity whispered as she hugged Rini.
"I'll be back soon. I promise," Rini declared.
"And don't forget about your sister at heart," said Hotaru as Rini and Trista returned to the fourth dimension.
Bunny was at another of her violin lessons. She was really doing quit well. Everyday more of her old talent was being awakened. Darien and Miss Caya were there as well. Miss Caya and Monsurie Backmen were spending a lot of time together lately.
"Excellent Bunny!" Monsurie Backmen congratulated Bunny on playing a beautiful serenade.
"Thank you Monsurie Backmen. I'll see you on Friday," Bunny smiled and waved as she and Darien left.
"Bunny you really are improving," Darien said as they walked back to their apartment.
"Do you really think so? Sometimes I feel like it's not really me playing," Bunny questioned.
"Of course it's you. You are playing wonderful pieces that you did not compose. It's Bunny playing, not Princess Serenity." Bunny smiled up at him. Darien always knew what to say to make her believe in herself.
When they got to their apartment Pearl was there to great them. "Hi. How'd your lesson go today Bunny?"
"It was fine. Monsurie Backmen seems to think I'm really improving." responded Bunny.
"Well, he should know. He is a famous musician," Pearl said smiling.
Bunny loved having Pearl there. She could hardly imagine her life without her. Still, she missed Rini. They had grown so close the past few months. Bunny knew that Hotaru missed Rini too. Hotaru had been coming over quite often. She and Pearl were become good friends, and she seemed to like having Darien and Bunny there for her.
While Bunny was lost in these thoughts the doorbell rang. Darien answered it, and it was Hotaru. "Hello Hotaru. It's nice to see you today," Darien said.
"Hi Darien, Bunny, Pearl. This may sound weird but… is Rini here?" Hotaru asked.
"No. She still hasn't returned from the future. Why do you ask?" replied Bunny.
"I don't really know. Just something tells me that Rini will be back soon." Hotaru responded.
They just kind of looked at each other. Hotaru and Rini had a close connection so this had to mean something. Moments later there was a knock at the door. Then, before waiting for an answer Rini ran in.
"Hi Bunny! Hi Darien! Hi Hotaru and Pearl!" Rini exclaimed.
"Rini your back! How was your visit?" Bunny asked giving Rini a hug.
"It was great. Everyone says Hi. Guess what?" Rini asked.
"Hold on Small Lady," Trista interrupted. "You know not to tell them about the future."
"Hello Trista. Enjoy seeing the fourth dimension again?" Darien inquired.
"Always. Thank you." she replied.
"Oh Pu can't I just tell them? I mean they know so much already," Rini pleaded.
"All right, but only about the five of them. NOTHING more," Trista agreed.
"Goody!" Rini said clapping her hands. But before she could continue the Inner scouts and Artemis arrived, with the generals at there sides.
"Rini! Your back. Have a good trip?" Raye asked.
"Wonderful. It was great to see everyone again," Rini responded with a mischiefish smile.
"Well, since so many are here why don't we just call Amara and Michelle to tell them..." but Luna go cut off by the door opening.
"And tell us what?" Michelle asked.
"Hi Michelle. Hi Amara," Lita greeted them.
"Hi everyone. So why are you all here?" Amara questioned.
"That's a good question. Why are you all here?" Bunny asked.
They all looked at each other. "Well, we all just kinda meet up on the street and decided to come over here," Artemis started.
"And we just stopped by to say Hi, after a walk in the park," Michelle added.
"Well this is just cosmic. Seeing as Rini has just returned and all," Raye finished.
"Yes. So can I tell you my news from the future?" Rini asked, full of excitement.
"Of course. Go ahead," Hotaru said.
"Okay. I just wanted to tell you that I saw Pearl there," Rini started happily. "And the generals. I thought you all might like to know that we are all still together in the future."
They all smiled. It was nice to hear that they wouldn't be parted. Pearl looked at Bunny with joy in her eyes. Pearl never wanted to leave Bunny again.
They all sat down and chatted for a while. It was great being all together again. Life was starting to be normal again. Normal wasn't something they got that often.
After a nice long chat everyone sort of drifted home. Rini was happy to be back with Bunny's parents again. She was close to everyone who cared about her.
Bunny went to bed perfectly happy. Rini was back, and Pearl was asleep in the other room. It seemed so long ago that she had had those terrible memory dreams. And she drifted to sleep…
"Serenity… Princess Serenity. Come and visit me. I want to know what happened," a faint voice called out.
"Who's there! I can't see you," Bunny called out in her dream. She could only faintly make out the outline of a women with long hair…
"Endymion… Prince Endymion. What has happened? Please tell me," someone whispered.
"Who is that? Show yourself!" Darien demanded in his mind. There was a man standing in front of him, but he couldn't see who it was.
"Come and see us… Prince and Princess. Visit us once more..." And the two figures faded away.
Bunny and Darien both woke with a start. "I just dreamed..." they both started. They looked at each other and knew what the dream was telling them.