Wow, I am so happy that you all are still reading and reviewing. In regards to what is happening with the inners I am still ironing that out and am not sure how I will go with that, I have some ideas; however, if you want you can let me know in a review what you want to happen. The council, sun childrens relationships, and Serenity's change in hair color will all be explained in the next few chapters. Shingo, well with that part of the story you will have to wait and see.(muahaha I am evil). Serenity and Darien's relationship? well I will see what I can do.
In the case if you missed it or are unsure in chapter 3 it mentioned that Darien proposed when they landed in America.
hopefully that answers all the questions.
now on with the story.
chapter 6: Saturn and Pluto's Tests
>>>>>Avalon, council chambers
The council had been gathered for it was time for the Senshi to be tested. Made up of all Royalty of the Silver Allience from the Silver Millenium and those that continued the line into the Crystal Millenium. Currently the only members from the Crystal millenium were Neo-Queen Serenity and Neo-King Endymion, their daughter was a steward of the council until she came of age. As all were present Selene, Goddess of the Moon and founder of the Silver Alliance, brought the council to order.
"Order! The time has come when the royal guard has turned on those of the moon. We saw a start of this at the end of the Silver Millenium. Now we must test loyalties."
"Why do they need to tested? You already tested them!" Came a voice from the back.
" That test was to test done magically, this test will be done by my descendent. Neo-Princess Serenity," Selene summoned.
"Yes, Grand Council." Usagi appeared before her ancestors and parents in her full Princess form.
"Did you get the tools from the senshi?" With a wave of her hand all the gadgets appeared before Selene. "What of the time key?"
"That is Princess Setsuna's birth right, I have no right in removing it from her. It would be like someone taking the imperium crystal from mother or me." Usagi said, remaining in a bowed position.
Selene turned to Serenity and Endymion, "You have raised a wise and just daugher, you should be proud." The couple nodded. Selene turned back to Usagi, "Are you ready to begin the tests?"
"I have already begun. Saturn's test of trust is already in motion." Usagi crindged inward, she hated doing this to her best friend. Even in the future where Hotaru is a mother and her aunt they are still more like best friends than neice and aunt.
"Very well. Saturn and Pluto shall be the first to be tested. Adjourned!"
As the hall began to empty out Usagi approached her parents. "It is good to see you are well, how are things going?"
"In Tokyo, not bad. I hate the council for doing this though. The outers have been nothing but loyal."
"Usagi, the council is made up of mostly family. All the rulers of the Silver Millenium, every senshi past and present. You may not see the reasons now but one day you will." Endymion told his daughter.
The council rulers behind the rulers. The keepers of balance in the universe. Her father was correct the council was made up of all the lunar line right back to Selene; atleast ten generations from the sun; and every ruler and scout for the planets starting with the origional signatures on the treaty.
>>>>>Hotaru's bedroom
Hotaru lay in bed staring at the ceiling thinking about what Usagi told her at the mall. She should tell the others so that they are prepared but at the same point that would be betraying her friend's trust. She was just about to drift off to sleep when another thought hit her, what if it was part of her test?
"I will just keep it to myself that way I don't betray Usa and if it is part of the test hopefully I will pass." With that Hotaru drifted off to sleep.Once her bereathing steadied her planetary symbol appeared on her forhead.
That night her dreams took her to visit her father. "Dad ? Oh Daddy," Hotaru cried as she ran into his waiting arms. "Hotaru, I have missed you. But I cannot stay long, for you must make the choice." He paused. Hotaru saw Sailor Moon in danger about to be killed by shadow creature. She faced her father, "What do you mean choice?"
"Hotaru. My dearest Hotaru, if you stay here with me I will be able to return to you; however if you go to save Sailor Moon...I will be returned to heaven. The choice is yours. No matter what I will always love you." Hotaru looked sadly from her father to Sailor Moon. She loved her father and wanted him back; however if she let Sailor Moon die then Usagi wouldn't be born.
Her mind wandered to the previous night and what she told Usagi. "... No matter what happens Sailor Saturn will be loyal to the moon but I will always be loyal to you first and foremost my friend."
Turning to face her father her mind made up. I am sorry, Daddy. I made a vow to a friend of mine that I have to keep. I love you," She hugged her father tight. "Please understand." She asked as she stood back and concentrated as she transformed into Sailor Saturn and turned, running to where Sailor Moon was fighting.
In a flash of light Hotaru stood in the school yard next to Usagi. "Hey, Hotaru?" called a girl that she recognized from class. Hotaru cautiously approached her and her group, "Why don't you hang out with us? Then you will have lots of friends."
One of the other girls added, "And it will get you away from that pink haired freak." The group laughed.
Hotaru didn't even turn around to know that Usagi had heard , "You take that back! Usagi is the nicest person that you could ever have the PRIVALIGE of knowing, and she is my best friend!" From behind her a blinding pink light shot forward.
Hotaru now found herself in her Princess form in the gardens of the Moon Palace...
>>>>>Trista's bedroom
Trista lay soundly sleeping as she usually did, suddenly her planetary symbol blazed to life. Her dreamlessness turned into a room full of screaming children and several adults. "What? Where am I?" Trista asked herself, as Serenity approached her. "My Queen," Trista greeted falling to one knee.
"Princess Setsuna, I must ask something very difficult of you. For the safety of the Universe I need you to return to and never again return from the gates of time." Serenity's voice fell heavily onto the Senshi of Time. Rising and becoming Sailor Pluto she nodded to the Queen.
"As the Guardian of Time I hear the command of my Queen and heed it. Farewell." As she turned to enter the portal she felt Small Lady as a child run and grab her leg. "I am sorry, Small Lady. I must leave, for now our paths go separate ways mayhaps one day they will cross again." With a hug to the child she handed her back to Serenity and entered the portal.
The portal however didn't take her to the Gates of Time, they took her to the park as Trista. "Hey, Trista. So have you heard if Serena is still alive?"
Trista turned to see Rei and the inners coming towards her. "No, I haven't. When I am living within time I am blocked from the gate."
"Oh, that's to bad." Mina said as the girls turned to leave. "If you want to join us, you can always replace Sailor Moon. You equal her in power."
"That is treason to the crown. I am not going to betray the Princess for any reason." Trista was completely floored with how far the Inners had gone. They laughed as they walked away. Slowly calming breathing Trista turned to be face to face with Uranus, "Where is Serena? We need her! Neptune will die if we can't get her."
"She is dead. We have to wait for her to be reincarnated."
"No!No! You are lying I know you know where she is hiding!"
"Uranus, whether or not you think I am lying is irrelivent. She is dead and we have a job to keep this world intact until she returns to us. Now, let's go save Neptune." And with that she transformed and headed back in the direction that Uranus had come from, only to end up in the gardens of the moon kingdom...
>>>>>>>>Moon Kingdom
"Welcome, Princess Hotaru of Saturn; Welcome, Princess Setsuna of Pluto."
"Greetings, Selene. To what do we owe the honor." Setsuna said with a bow.
"Always so proper, Setsuna, unlike some people." As Selene finished saying that Usagi came running up and hugged Hotaru. "I am just here to tell you that you two have successfully passed the three tests. Test 1: Sacrafice; Test 2: Trust; and finally Test 3: Friendship."
"You passed, Hota-chan! I am so happy."
"Princess Serenity, calm down their tests still have an additional part."
"What? But Grandmother Selene..."
"Don't pout dear. It is simple enough although you passed you cannot tell anyone besides Serenity that you have taken your tests nor what they intail." Selene paused. "If you break this than that shows up as a fail for one of the tests, and thus a punishment will be issued."
"We understand." Trista said for both of them.
Selene nodded and teleported them back to their bedroom.