chapter 8: Tests and the relevance of time
>>>>>Council chambers
"So the first two have passed their tests. The inner senshi will be met by your Grandmother before you test them, there are things that must be discussed. Now it is time for the next set of tests."
"Hai, Mistress Selene." with that said Usagi teleported out in a flash of pink light.
"Is she gone?"
"Hai, Tranquility. You may come in. I summoned you from the sun because I have a task for you."
"Your will is my command, Grandmother Selene."
"It will not be easy but before your sister can join the sun kingdom against the Nagagene. She must first provide and heir."
"Woh, wait one minute. You want me to ensure that she gets pregnant!"
"Tranquility, I wouldn't ask you if it were not important but a child must be concieved from them before they can be of any help to the sun."
"I will do my best, Grandmother Selene." With that Tranquility teleported back to the sun.
"Zeus, protect my family. I fear for what is yet to come."
>>>>>>Haruka's Dream
Sailor Uranus was hacking her way through a wooded area, in the clearing she found her Princess and Sailor Neptune. "Neptune, what are you doing?"
"I am doing what must be done. The Princess will concieve a child that will kill us all." Neptune said moving the knife closer to Princess Serenity's neck.
"Neptune, forgive me. Princess, I have done my best." Uranus closed her eyes. "World Shaking!"
Princess Serenity turned into Sailor moon in the brief moment that Neptune faltered in disbelief that Uranus could attack her. Her transformation protecting her from the attack, Neptune however was not so lucky. Uranus approached Sailor moon as the attack died out, "Princess," Uranus kneeled before Sailor moon."Are you alright?"
"I am fine, thanks to you, loyal Uranus."
Uranus then stood and moved to where Neptune lay, "Forgive me, Neptune. My duty to my Princess must always come first." Neptune nodded as she turned to dust and in a flash of light the scene changed.
>>>>>Michelle's dream
Neptune was running towards the bay, something was definitely wrong. Uranus was gone and the Princess was in danger. As she reached her destination she found both her Princess and Uranus. "Uranus! What are you doing?
Uranus stood behind Princess Serenity with the Space Sword at her throat. "I am doing what must be done. The Princess will concieve a child that will kill us all." Uranus said moving the sword closer to Princess Serenity's neck.
"Uranus, the future isn't set in stone. That is a possibility but doesn't mean that it will happen."
"Neptune, do not get in my way, so help me."
"Uranus, forgive me . Submarine Reflection!" In the blinding light of her attack Neptune traded places with Princess Serenity. In rage from being blinded by the attack, Uranus pulled the sword across Neptune's neck. As Neptune fell to the ground she felt herself getting lighter, she closed her eyes. However the ground never came...
>>>>>Haruka and Michelle's dream
Neptune opened her eyes. She stood beside Uranus before a throne of silver light, "Uranus, what happend?"
"What has happend Neptune is that the two of you have put my family in danger. If I allow you to remain as senshi my line will end. So I am asking you to voluntarily give up your powers." Queen Serenity announced.
Uranus looked to Neptune who was looking at her, both nodded and kneeled, "Our duty is to protect those of the moon line."
Neptune continued, "If that means giving up our powers for the greater good then that is what we do."
Queen Serenity smiled as a ball of turquoise light and a ball of orange light left the two senshi and they reverted to that of Haruka and Michelle. "You have done well, may Selene watch over you."
Just then Serena came running up "You guys coming to the picnic?"
"We are sorry, Princess. For the good of your family we must stay away."
"Believe us, if there was anything that we could do to change it we would. Forgive us." Michelle said with a sad smile as she and Haruka turned and walked away. But they didn't end up where they thought they would...
>>>>>Moon kingdom
"You two were doing so well, until the final test." The two senshi turned to see a ball of light take the form of a woman, "I am Selene, Goddess of the Moon. Two out of three that means that your fate is now in the hands of the Council."
For the second time that night the two looked at each other before looking back at the Lunar Royalty, "What do you mean?"
"You have completed however not fully passed your tests." The two stared at her dumb founded. "The first test of sacrafice you were both able to sacrafice either your lover or yourself for your Princess. That means a pass for both of you. The second test of trust, you both trusted Queen Serenity when she told you keeping your powers would kill the princess and so relinquished your powers to her. The third test of friendship is the one that is ify. Serenity nerver said that you would be a danger to her, she said that if you had your powers you would be a danger. So you will be summoned to the Council in the next few days to determine what is to happen."
"If I may, Selene." Selene nodded Michelle. "She never said we wouldn't be either so in a sense either choice would be correct depending on how you look at it."
"Princess Michiru, you have always been smart but I pray that you will be able to convince the council of the truth you speak." With that Selene began to disappear, "One last thing speak of this to no one or you may end up with more to explain to the council. No one can know that you have been tested or how you did until the council releases its verdict." With that the two senshi were returned to their beds.
>>>>> With Serenity and Darien
Taking their time on the way back from the cottage it was dark when they arrived back at the house. Serenity went to check messages while Darien brought in the luggage. As Darien came into the living room Serenity turned to him, " That is strange we were gone for a week but there are no messages. Not even from the school or work."
"That is unusual. Here let me check something." Darien took the phone and called the local radio station. After several rings the radio personality picked up, "hi, I was just wondering what day and time it is?...ah ok thank you."
"Well, what did he say?"
"That it is Saturday night at 7 pm."
"Darien, where did that cottage come from? And don't you dare avoid or lie about it, so help Selene." Darien was taken back by the anger that Serenity was showing.
"Alright, I wanted to do something special for you. So with the help of the sun children and the golden crystal we created the cottage. Special barriers protect it from being detected and the land is owned by Travis and the girls. There is a house past the clearing and through the woods from our cottage, but I wanted a place just for us and they agreed.
"So, you inadvertantly tapped in to powers that no one has used before you to create a getaway that is on the edge of time. Where a week passed at the cottage while only 31 hours passed here in the city." Serenity was fuming. "You get the couch tonight, tuxie!" with that she stormed up the stairs.
Darien followed her with his eyes. "Well, I guess I may as well make up the couch then go check on her give her some time to cool off." he shrugged as he went and got the blankets and made the couch. Once the couch was made he put the laundry in the washing machine and made some won ton soup and curry for supper.
Serenity was pacing in the bedroom she couldn't believe that Darien AND the sun children would do something so stupid. After an hour of pacing she finally started to calm down. Finally sitting on the bed she was taken from her thoughts by a knock on the door. "You can come in, Darien."
Darien cautiously opened the door, "I came to apologize for not thinking of the consequences. I just wanted a nice private place to take you. Oh and I also brought supper up."
"It's alright. I guess I should have realized that you all don't have full memories of what the magicks can do." She sighed. "Well, let's eat and enjoy a movie before bed." Serenity said with a smile
Darien leaned over and kissed her, content to know that she understood and was not mad at him. So they sat on the bed eating and talking about what else the cottage could be used for. After supper they changed into their night clothing and went down to the couch to watch "The Prince and Me"; however, Darien ended up carrying his princess up to bed not even half way through the movie.
After placing Serenity gently under the blankets he climbed in next to her and fell asleep holding his lover for two life times. Both had smiles on their faces as they entered the world of Elysian.
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Well, there you have it, Chapter 8. The next chapter will focus more on the sun children and Usagi. With some cameo from Serenity and Darien. Thanks to all you who reviewed.
ja ne
Tsukia