ALL THAT GLITTERS

Chapter 2: "The Plan"
A Neo-Sailor Moon fanfic

By Bill K.

Yutaka and Hotaru walked along the bustling streets of the Promenade, the commercial district of Crystal Tokyo set in the looming shadow of the crystal palace. The two teens grasped hands as they walked, Hotaru's left in Yutaka's right. However, Yutaka sensed by Hotaru's distant manner that he was not front and center in her thoughts as she was in his. He had been with her earlier at the commemorative service for the fallen Sailor Pluto and remembered how much of an emotional experience it had been. He could tell it still hurt her, still ate at her and made her tiny heart ache. Seeing her in distress made him feel distress and it frustrated his sixteen year old male ego that he couldn't make a face or do a trick and make it all better. He didn't know what to do and that made him feel even more helpless and distressed.

"You're still thinking about your mom, huh?" Yutaka ventured. "Your other mom, I mean. The one from today?"

"Setsuna-Mama," Hotaru whispered, prompting him on her name. It suddenly seemed desperately important to her that everyone remember her Setsuna-Mama's name.

"Yeah," Yutaka replied awkwardly. "I wouldn't know what to do if I lost my mom and you've lost two. Your real one and . . ." Realizing this wasn't making her feel better,Yutaka quickly switched tactics. "What was she like, if you don't mind talking about her."

"Why do you want to know?" Hotaru asked, mildly surprised by the question.

"I thought you might want to talk about her," Yutaka shrugged. "It might help but if you don't want to, you don't have to."

"She was so nice to me," Hotaru sighed. "Haruka-Papa and Michiru-Mama are great to me and I know they love me almost as if I was their own. But I always know in the back of their minds that they remember Mistress 9 and how terrible she was. And they remember how they tried to kill me and how I tried to kill them and you don't forget things like that. It's like we all pretend it never happened but it did."

Yutaka looked at her sympathetically. He knew all about her past and, though he couldn't really understand just what it was like to be possessed by an alien invader and turned into a killing machine, he chose to sympathize with her because of what she meant to him.

"But Setsuna-Mama never thought of me that way," Hotaru continued. "It was like I was a new person without a past to her, even though she knew as much about me as everyone. I remember how she used to read to me when I was little. And she played with me whenever I needed someone. The others did, too, but Haruka-Papa had her racing and Michiru-Mama had her music career and her art career and they didn't always have time for me. But Setsuna-Mama did. Even though she was a teaching assistant at the university at the time, she always seemed to have time to spend with me whenever I needed it like she knew somehow. I'll never forget that." Hotaru felt herself choking up. "I miss her."

Suddenly Hotaru felt herself being surrounded by arms and a wiry male body enveloped her in a protective cocoon. Startled at first, Hotaru quickly sensed the security the body was offering and nestled against it.

"I'm sorry," Yutaka murmured. "I shouldn't have made you talk about her."

"It's all right," Hotaru replied. "I'd rather talk about her and feel this way than forget her."

"You know that if you ever need me for anything, I'll be there for you," Yutaka proclaimed in an intimate voice. His hand gently came to rest on the back of her head. It suddenly made Hotaru feel like nothing could hurt her. "Anything."

"Thank you, Yutaka," Hotaru whispered, nuzzling in closer.

The shoppers on the promenade glanced at the young couple as they passed by, while the two teens ignored them. More than one smiled in sympathy or admiration.

Oh, to be young and in love.


"You're going to WHAT?" gasped Jun-Jun.

"She's going to go back into before and save Miss Pluto Ma'am," Palla-Palla explained earnestly, thinking Jun-Jun didn't understand.

"She wasn't," Ves-Ves began, then shook her head. "Never mind."

"Princess!" Jun-Jun continued impatiently. She barely remembered her station before continuing. "Pardon me for disagreeing with you, but are you crazy?"

"What's so wrong with it?" protested Usa.

"Because you're changing history! Sailor Pluto died in the helicopter explosion in 1995! If you go back in time and snatch her away at the last minute, you'll change history! There's no telling what that will do to our history after that, not to mention our present!"

"No! I thought about that!" Usa argued. "They never found a body, did they?"

"Because it was incinerated in the helicopter explosion."

"Or was it?" Usa continued in highly animated fashion. "What if there wasn't a body because she wasn't there at the moment she was supposed to die? What if I go back to the exact moment before the helicopter blows up, grab Puu and wink back to now?"

"Who's 'Pooh'?" Ves-Ves asked.

"Sailor Pluto," Usa replied impatiently.

"You called one of the senshi 'Pooh'?"

"I WAS A KID, OK!" Usa snapped.

"I thought you liked her," Ves-Ves scowled. Palla-Palla cackled.

"But won't that change history?" Jun-Jun asked.

"How? Puu Pluto her future self was never seen or heard from again after that so she didn't affect history in any way," Usa explained. "Her past self won't be affected by this at all because I'll be saving the future Pluto in the past. The only thing I'd be changing is eliminating a body that would be vaporized by the explosion anyway assuming it ever was in the first place. Get it?"

Confused, Jun-Jun glanced at Ves-Ves.

"Don't look at me!" Ves-Ves howled. "Just thinking the words 'quantum physics' gives me a headache!" Palla-Palla cackled again. "Shut up, Stupid!"

"I think I understand," Jun-Jun ventured. "But what if you make a mistake?"

"I think she ought to try."

Everyone turned to Cere-Cere, who had been sitting in a corner of the room with the seed Gallen had given her. It was protected in a vial and she had been morosely studying it like she could divine its future.

"I mean she's trying to save someone's life," Cere-Cere continued, almost zombie-like. "Sure it's a risk. But isn't that what Gallan and Palla-Palla did for me? What if they'd stopped and worried about it maybe being a mistake? I'd still be stuck in that tree." She looked up from the seed and focused on her sisters for the first time in a while. "She's trying to save someone. I think it justifies the risk."

"But they were just risking themselves," Jun-Jun countered. "If Usa goes back in time and messes something up, that's going to affect a whole lot of people."

"Hey, thanks for the confidence," Usa scowled. She got up and headed for the door.

"Princess, I didn't mean it that way," Jun-Jun called to the retreating figure.

"You're just like everybody else!" Usa fumed. "Nobody ever thinks I can accomplish anything without messing it up! What am I, an idiot? Am I that incompetent? Just because I'm not Mama doesn't mean I can't do anything!" And out she stormed. Jun-Jun started to go after her, but Ves-Ves pulled her back.

"Let her royal snittiness go," scowled Ves-Ves.

"But she's going to try it, Ves, just to prove she can!" Jun-Jun argued. "Someone should tell the King and Queen!"

"Oh, yeah, rat her out to her parents. That'll get her back on your side."

"But Ves!"

"Look, how's she even going to do it without a time key? I mean, they keep those locked up, don't they? Relax she'll beat her head against a wall for a few hours, then pout for a few more and then everything will be forgotten. Don't sweat it."

Jun-Jun sat back down. Still, she couldn't help but believe that she was making a huge mistake.

Elsewhere, the princess of Crystal Tokyo marched down the corridor to her quarters still fuming.

"I thought at least they'd understand!" Usa muttered to herself, oblivious to anyone and anything around her, oblivious to everything but her rage. "They know what it's like! It took them almost forever to be trusted by everyone because of their past! Some people still don't trust them!"

She turned a corner and approached her door.

"And of course they're teenagers, so naturally most grown-ups think they're idiots who can't do anything! I thought they'd at least understand!" She paused at the door long enough for the sensor to recognize her. "I'm talking about saving Puu's life! That's worth any risk there might be, isn't it? Maybe if they were as close to her as I was, they'd get it."

Usa sped into her room, seeking the sanctuary it provided. But there was no sanctuary to be had there that day. For she was not alone.

"Mom?" the pink-tressed teen gasped. Queen Serenity was sitting placidly on the foot of her bed. "What are you doing in my room?"

"I know," Serenity smiled shyly, getting up and crossing over to her daughter. "I've invaded the 'forbidden place'. I was just worried about you."

"I'm fine," Usa replied sullenly, easing out of her mother's grip.

"Are you?" Serenity asked, drawing a glare from her daughter. "I would have imagined you'd be just a little upset, given what anniversary this is. Everyone knows how close you were to Setsuna. Being reminded that she's gone would naturally be upsetting."

Serenity gently glided over to her daughter and closed her hands around the girl's upper arms. Usa looked away.

"I know I'm upset," Serenity continued. "I admit I didn't have as intense a relationship with Setsuna as you did, but Setsuna was my friend and I cared a great deal about her. And losing friends is upsetting. I don't like losing friends."

Unseen, Usa's features softened into a guilty scowl.

"Don't feel you can't be seen being upset," Serenity told her. "Setsuna meant a great deal to you. She was all you had sometimes. I'm sorry about that; I'm only grateful that a special person like Setsuna was there for you when your father and I couldn't be. Usa, it's OK to miss her. I miss her every moment of every day. Don't be ashamed of it."

"OK, I get it," Usa grumbled. "I'm not completely stupid."

"Usa honey, I've never said you were stupid."

But her daughter had erected her wall and retreated behind it. Scowling in frustration, Queen Serenity leaned in and kissed the girl on the shoulder, then glided out. Once her mother was gone, Usa relaxed and flopped on her bed. Staring up at the ceiling, hugging a pillow to her chest, Princess Usagi mulled over her plans. All counter-arguments meant nothing to her. She was convinced of the rightness of her actions.

She just wasn't convinced she had the courage to carry them out. It was a lot to venture. Not only would she be risking her life if she miscalculated, but she'd be risking the wrath of her parents.

Oh, but wasn't what she stood to gain worth the risk?

"I've got to do it," she whispered to herself, rising from her bed and marching toward the door. "I've got to do it for Puu."


Serenity and Endymion sat on their thrones the ones Serenity always maintained were stuffy and boring and ostentatious, not to mention uncomfortable to sit on as they entertained the holographic image of the President of the United States of North America. The country, which by 2996 encompassed what remained of the entire North American continent, was trying once again to entice Serenity to allow some of its scientists to study her. For centuries the world had been envious of the miraculous power given to Serenity by the Silver Crystal. The Americans were just more open about it. Several past administrations had tried to guilt, bribe or trick the secret out of her, while a few others had tried more nefarious attempts. Some would call a halt to inquiries and leave Crystal Tokyo in peace. That would last no more than a decade or two, then the cycle would come around again. Ever patient, Serenity dealt with it while Endymion kept a wary eye on his security computers.

"Madame President," Serenity sighed indulgently.

"Please," the woman, a handsome woman of fifty-six with short black hair and a forceful, yet sensitive demeanor, interrupted, "we're not among other dignitaries. Connie's good enough between the two of us, Serenity."

"I'm glad for that," Serenity smiled.

"I have a feeling you know what I'm about to ask," the President said. "You know, it's really not fair to use your immense power to read my mind. We 'mere mortals' just can't compete."

"I've never been able to read minds, Connie," the queen smirked knowingly. "But even I'm not dense enough to not recognize that look on your face. It's your 'please let our doctors and scientists probe and scan you so we can build our own Silver Crystal' look. I am, as usual, flattered, but . . ."

"I'm just saying that humanity can be the beneficiary of such power being harnessed and replicated. Look at the paradise you've carved out there in Japan. The world envies your people, Serenity."

"They don't have to," Serenity replied gently. "Crystal Tokyo isn't a better place because I made it better. Crystal Tokyo is the product of its people. The same can be had by anyone around the world. The key has always been there if they'd just see: Love your fellow person and help them whenever you can, and you will be the beneficiary."

"It's not 'quick fix' enough and you know that," President Zeaon retorted. "Humans will be humans and they look for the easy path."

"You don't have to tell me. I was the worst of all of them for a long time. So I know what people can be when left to their own devices."

"It sounds like you don't trust them. I prefer to think about how enriched humans could be by the spread of such power amongst them."

"All humans are basically good," Serenity told her with conviction. "But I've seen what power can do even to good people. I've had more bitter lessons on this subject than I care to recall. I don't want to be a temptation."

"I've seen the way your husband looks at you, Serenity," President Zeaon replied with a wicked smirk. "You're failing miserably at that."

The President enjoyed seeing a flush of red color the queen's cheeks.

"The fact of the matter is," Serenity pressed on, knowing her cheeks were burning like a schoolgirl's, "fate and the crystal picked me to be steward of this power and I'm not wise enough to argue. I'll use that power to benefit as many as I'm able. But I must be that steward. It's my burden and I couldn't think of giving it to another."

"As diplomatic a way of saying 'get lost' as I've ever heard," President Zeaon smiled. "Don't think I've given up trying to talk you over to my side but I sincerely hope it won't affect our two nations' ability to work together."

"I wouldn't dream of it," beamed Serenity. Connie Zeaon nodded and her holographic image faded.

"Hmph!" snorted Luna, who was perched on the right armrest of Serenity's throne. "Always envying the other chap's things, those Americans. Lazy, slothful lot, I say."

"Now Luna, be nice," Serenity cautioned the cat. The cat glared at her. "I said be nice," Serenity reiterated and began tickling Luna's chin with her finger.

"STOP THAT!" Luna huffed, swatting at the finger with her paw. Serenity giggled like a happy infant. "Honest, Your Majesty, you're over a thousand years old and you haven't matured YET!"

"Nope!" Serenity replied proudly. "Don't wanna!"

"Appalling," Luna muttered.

Just then Diana frantically bounded into the room. Luna sprang to her feet while Serenity sat up in her chair. The gray cat skidded to a stop on the slick tile floor at Serenity's feet.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!" Diana cried.

"Diana, what's happened?" Luna gasped, concerned both for her now adult baby girl that she loved so much and for the threat to the kingdom her alarm might represent.

"Your Majesty, a time key is missing!" Diana told them.

"Are you certain?" Luna wondered in alarm.

"Yes, yes! I keep a strict inventory! One is missing, I'm certain of it!"

"Usa," Serenity said, her tone dour and disappointed.

"That was my first thought as well, Your Majesty," Diana related. "My Lady has been quite depressed about Sailor Pluto, given the anniversary. I even heard her earlier contemplating going back in time and changing history so Sailor Pluto doesn't die! Oh Your Majesty, I'm afraid she's gone and done it!"

"My word," Luna whispered in shock. Serenity's brow knit with worry and her gaze fell to her lap.

Continued in Chapter 3