A/N: Coming at ya with the follow-up from the previous chapter. The conclusion of Hina's story begins with the birth of a friendship with the child of the Kuiper Senshi leader and Ascendant time traveler.
Enjoy!
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Hina Inuki: A White Wolf's Tale, Part II
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Shibuya District/Martial Arts Arena/May 23, 2010/9:30 AM
Today was a big day for Hina Inuki. It was her first local martial arts tournament, albeit a junior one, and she had managed to snag the top seed in the Girls 7-9 Years Division.
Needless to say, Hina was overly enthused with taking part in an event that her brother, Aoshi, once took part in. Okami saw this as an opportunity to show the fruits of her training.
(Cue Wolf Children - Ne ne)
"Hina," Okami called over his daughter, who wore a black martial arts gi.
"Yes, poppa?" Hina asked, carrying a backpack.
"We're just about ready to go. Are you ready for this?"
"Of course, poppa! I'm very excited!"
Joined by her father, her mother, and Aoshi, Hina walked down a hall bypassing other child competitors of both genders, from all three divisions: 4-6 Years, 7-9 Years, and 10-12 Years. 7-year-old Hina sized up each competitor along the way, wondering if any could give her competition.
Just then, Hina paused as she and her family crossed paths with another family. On the Inuki family's opposite way: Karin Osaka, Dimitri Ishida, Faith the Patamon, Athena Osaka-Ishida, and PinkPatamon. Athena, dressed in a rose karate gi, faced Hina's direction. Hina sensed an unique vibe from Athena that set her apart from the other children.
"Good day, you two," Okami addressed the couple. "I see young Athena is competing, as well?"
"Yeah, she was trained by our future selves, and she's been practicing hard ever since she got to this time, so we decided to let her compete as a reward," Karin said, patting Athena's back.
The families pivoted to the tournament brackets. They saw the placements of Hina and Athena.
"So, Athena is the second seed?" Suzuno asked.
Dimitri answered. "Yeah, we're also using this as a lesson in restraint. Since the kids here are relatively normal humans, we asked Athena here to hold back her full strength." He patted Athena's head and smiled over her. "The last thing we want are injured kids and parents hounding us with medical bills."
Okami nodded. "A wise choice. We made Hina promise to forfeit if she injures her opponent."
Hina and Athena walked up and greeted each other.
"Hi!" Athena beamed, grabbing Hina's hands. "I'm Athena! You're competing, too?"
"Yeah," Hina replied, a bit taken aback by Athena's cheerful disposition. "I'm Hina Inuki. Nice to meet you."
"Let's do our best and meet in the finals!"
"Yeah, same here," Hina said. Noting the height difference between them, she assumed Athena was at the other end of the 7-9 Years Division, which is exactly what she was. She's supposed to be older than me? Hmm, but she has an interesting aura about her.
"Looks like they're about to start," Dimitri overheard the announcement. "Athena, do your best!"
Karin crouched to Athena's eye level and hugged her. "Try not to go crazy out there, got it?"
Athena hugged Karin back. "I know! I'll be careful!"
"Go get 'em, girl!" PinkPatamon cheered her partner on.
Hina politely bowed to her family. "I will do my best to win."
"We'll be with you all the way, honey!" Suzuno said.
"Go all out, sis!" Aoshi encouraged her.
Watching Hina leave, Okami nodded and genuinely smiled. "This will be interesting." And as far as I'm concerned, these two will steal the show.
(End theme)
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"We have this tournament whittled down to our two finalists! Rookie sensation Athena Osaka-Ishida has opened up many eyes advancing this far! But her opponent Hina Inuki, daughter prodigy of former national champion Okami Inuki, is all that stands in her way of winning this event! This final will be decided by two out of three falls! Competitors, take your places!"
Hina and Athena met in the circle as their families cheered them on.
"You're almost there, Hina! Just one more win!" Aoshi hollered to his sibling.
"I'm so proud our precious little one has made it this far," Suzuno said, clenching her hands.
Okami quietly observed Hina and Athena standing face to face.
"Inuki-sensei, I take it you're not surprised these two are the finalists?" Dimitri asked the karate veteran.
"No, and both were holding back. As skilled as the other children were, they hadn't the faintest clue our children possess beyond normal human strengths," Okami assessed. "Your daughter has incredible power. I understand she's half or was it a quarter whatever you are, Dimitri."
"Ascendant. She's one-quarter Ascendant."
"Judging from her fighting, I can see where she's inherited her strengths."
"Okami-sensei, whoever wins, we win as an audience," Karin said.
"Indeed."
"Kick some butt, Athena!" PinkPatamon loudly cheered her on, prompting Faith to clamp her mouth shut.
(Cue The Karate Kid OST - Daniel's Moment of Truth)
As the referee signaled to start, Athena and Hina circled and sized each other up. Athena, being the older and taller of the two, tried psyching Hina out by pressing her foot forward. Hina stepped back a few. Athena backed off giving Hina more space to get forward. Athena moved around the ring quickly, which from Hina's view.
Hina's eyes shifted back and forth, trying to keep up with her seemingly quicker opponent. Athena dashed at Hina, unleashing a flurry of kicks. Hina tried to dodge and parry as many as she could. In the end, Athena surprised Hina with side kick and knocked her flat on her side. The blow came faster than the wind and left Hina cringing from the Ascendant's kick.
"First point goes to Athena!" The referee declared.
(End theme)
Watching Athena, Hina was left in a state of shock. She couldn't believe the first fall went by so quickly. She didn't have time to even rebound or gather her bearings. Hina stood facing Athena's way. Athena waved to her family, who cheered her on. She shifted to her family's side and saw her father with a determined look.
"Poppa, she was so fast…" Hina shook her head and turned around to meet Athena. No, Poppa knows Athena won't be easy to beat! She's fast, but I can keep up! She then decided she didn't have to hold back as much against Athena. She eyed her father from the corner of her eye and noted him giving her an approving nod. "Ok, poppa, I will."
(Cue Dragon Ball OST - Son Goku no Gyakushuu (3:41 - 5:13))
The children returned to the circle with the referee. As the ref signaled for the second match, Hina and Athena meticulously studied one another's movements. This time Hina was able to keep up, swiftly matching Athena's punches and kicks blow-for-blow. When Athena went to kick her, Hina dodged. Athena unloaded some punches, which the Inuki child parried. Athena and Hina had the same idea; both landed fast kicks. Their feet clashed. The children gritted and jerked their legs away.
The families were on the edges of their seats. Likewise, the audience became invested in the girls' match.
Athena wore a satisfied grin, realizing her opponent wouldn't be another cake walk. She never felt happier to apply effort. She lunged at Athena as they exchanged fisticuffs. Hina clenched her fist determined to win. As Athena rushed her, Hina parried a punch and shoved a knee into the Ascendant child's gut. The 9-year-old doubled over, giving Hina room to rebound. Hina kicked Athena and grabbed her wrist. She went for a takedown, but Athena landed on her feet.
"Whoa!" Hina was taken aback by Athena's agility.
"My turn!" Athena cried out, grabbing Hina's wrist. She tried the same tactic, but to her surprise Hina landed on her feet.
"Darn! So close!" Dimitri and Okami yelled out together.
Both Karin and Suzuno clapped hard for their daughters.
Hina scrambled away from Athena as the Ascendant came to. As Athena scanned the circle, she sensed Hina's Ki and turned to her right. She threw a punch. Hina narrowly dodged, finding an opening on Athena's chest. She landed a palm strike, which stunned the quarter-Ascendant. Hina then kicked Athena, but not enough to take her down. Having analyzed Athena's fighting style, she found she could predict Athena's moves before she can make them. She charged and went for a kick. Athena blocked with a hand. Hina kicked again. Athena countered. Hina started toward Athena and spun around, landing a kick to Athena's chest. Athena stumbled back. Hina charged Athena and went for a kick. Athena barely tucked her head and dropped down, sweeping Hina's feet. As Hina fell, she landed on one hand and spin kicked Athena, taking her off her feet.
Athena landed on her hands and kicked back up. Hina hit her with another palm strike and judo flipped her down. Hina mounted Athena as the referee stopped her.
"Break!" The referee called out as Hina did exactly so. "Second point goes to Hina!"
(End theme)
The Inuki and Osaka-Ishida families relaxed after a hard fought second fall match. Karin and Suzuno were relieved their daughters didn't rough up each other. The fathers, on the other hand, were becoming deeply invested in the match.
"Yes, it's one a piece for our daughters," Okami stated.
"Yeah, and one more to decide it all," Dimitri acknowledged. "Don't worry about that fall, Athena! You've got one more round!"
Athena stood, grinning excitedly. "Wow, you're pretty good, Hina!" She praised her with a beaming smile.
"Thanks, you're strong, too," Hina replied, sneaking a smile.
She's a lot quicker than I thought! I've gotta beat her fast! Athena thought, painstakingly eyeing Hina, who waited for her.
"We're down to the final fall to determine the tournament winner!" The announcer blared out over the speakers. "Young ladies, take your places!"
The referee beckoned Athena and Hina to meet. The girls centered themselves in the circle. Once the referee signaled them to start, Hina and Athena cautiously moved around wondering and anticipating their next moves.
(Cue Ranma ½ OST - Ranma vs. Ryoga Battle)
"Ready or not, here I come!" Athena started toward Hina. She then broke into a mad dash and jumped her with a kick.
Hina instinctively parried Athena's kicks and sidestepped her. The Lycan child seized Athena's left arm, applying a vice grip and stubbornly refusing to let go. The referee stepped in breaking them up. As Hina backed off, Athena bolted at her again. Then as the Ascendant went on the offensive, Hina did the exact opposite. Athena was on fire unleashing fisticuffs and kicks on the Lycan child. Hina parried and dodged, utilizing defensive moves.
"Hey, you're going to keep blocking?!" Athena attacked fiercely.
As Athena went for a straight punch, Hina immediately dropped on all fours and pounced up kicking the 11-year-old's chin. After kicking Athena up, Hina pounced on her and knocked her down. Hina rushed over to Athena. Going for a kick, Athena dodged Hina's reach. As Hina turned, Athena side kicked her. Hina barely blocked. Athena once again attacked her with fast punches and kicks. Hina relied on her keen senses to try keeping up with the Ascendant's beyond lightning fast attacks.
No, she's too fast! Hina thought worryingly. However, the encouraging pleas from her parents snapped her out of her mental dilemma. She raised both hands, catching Athena's foot. She pushed Athena's foot up, causing her to flip around. Athena landed on her feet. Hina went for a flying kick. Athena sidestepped Hina. Hina and Athena both had the same idea and kicked each other at the same time!
"C'mon, Hina! C'mon, Athena!" The mothers passionately cheered them on.
Athena and Hina went straight into fighting. Hina, albeit briefly, unleashed rapid punches on Athena. Then, Hina's downfall came when she went for a kick, which Athena ducked under. Athena seized her chance and landed a knee into Hina's side. Then, she leg swept Hina, causing her to fall out of bounds.
"Hina has fallen out of bounds! The heavily favored prodigy has been beaten! In a stunning upset, the wondergirl rookie Athena wins the tournament!"
Having heard her name announced as the winner, Athena jumped up cheering.
"Yay, I did it!"
The Osaka-Ishida family proudly watched their daughter take the spotlight. The Okami family, though briefly disappointed in the outcome, also smiled in admiration. Suzuno and Aoshi clapped their hands. Okami nodded his head proud of his daughter's efforts.
(End theme)
"Well done, Hina. Victory isn't always assured, but you've shown me you've had plenty of growth. And this was a hard fought match, well done," Okami said, clapping for Hina.
"Way to go, Athena!" Karin cheered for her.
Athena bowed over to her family. Then, she approached Hina and offered her a helping hand. Hina raised her eyes to Athena's.
"That was a good match, Hina! We should be friends! Maybe we can spar, sometime?" Athena asked with a beaming smile.
Hina scanned Athena's hand and nodded. She took Athena's hand and allowed her to pull herself up. Not one to bask in her own glory, Athena raised Hina's hand to share the spotlight. The audience cheered both girls for giving them a hotly competitive tournament final.
"Look, I'd say winning a new friend means more to Athena than winning the match," Karin smiled as the girls bowed meeting the audience.
Dimitri nodded, watching Athena and Hina bow to each other. "You're right, Karin. This is looking like the start of a wonderful friendship."
"Yes, they've earned each other's respect," Okami added, his face conveying genuine happiness.
As the families entered the ring to join the kids, Hina and Athena exchanged smiles.
"That Ki I sensed from you isn't human," Athena whispered to Hina. "So, what are you?"
"I'm a Lycan just like my father and brother."
"Lycan?"
"Werewolf. Except for my mom, we're a family of werewolves."
Athena processed this and smiled. "Wow, that's so cool. I'm now friends with a werewolf."
"Is that ok?" Hina inquired.
"Yep, I don't care either way. We're friends now."
The Lycan child couldn't help but smile hearing this. "Then, let's stay friends!" She forged her new friendship with a hug.
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Shibuya District/Road Near Inuki Dojo/September 3, 2010/4:30 PM
After the tournament, Karin and Dimitri decided to enroll Athena, who had basically been homeschooled by them up until that point, in the same elementary school that Hina went to. They were still two grades apart, but they often walked home together, along with PinkPatamon, who (usually) stayed out of trouble while waiting for school to end.
Besides becoming fast friends, the two girls, true to their word, were also frequent sparring partners. Athena still won most of the time, but Hina still managed to edge out a victory here and there.
(Cue Dragon Ball Super OST - Under the Blue Sky)
On their way from school, the two girls chatted over Athena's brief visit to her father's alternate timeline and the main DF-616 dimension. Hina listened with intrigue.
"Wow, you, your parents, and your uncle Ken actually met some gods there?" Hina asked.
"Yep! One of them is some Digital God of Destruction. He looked like some dog and cat god you'd see in those Egyptian tales."
"Anubis?"
"Yeah, that's the one! But he was purple and not black. His name was Beerusmon. He had a big fight with my great uncle Tai, but too bad I missed it! But I did see him and uncle Ken almost fight!" Athena went on as Hina smiled and nodded along the way.
"Digital God of Destruction, Ascendant God, a fight over pudding… gee, all that happened just over your aunt Mimi's birthday?" Hina sweatdropped.
"Yeah, crazy huh?"
"Very crazy." Hina chuckled.
(End theme)
Just then, the girls stopped to hear a commotion a few streets down. They heard some gunshots go off.
"Guns?" Hina gasped.
Athena's gentle expression faded. "Sounds like trouble."
"Well, we should check it out!" PinkPatamon chimed in.
"I think we should stay away and let the cops handle this," Athena stated, hesitant to meddle with police affairs and reveal her strength.
"Maybe we should go get someone to help? Maybe your mom, Pluto, or someone," suggested Hina.
"If you two are done chatting, I'm gonna check this out!" PinkPatamon said as she took off toward the disturbance.
"PinkPatamon, hold on!" Athena called and chased after her.
"Athena, PinkPatamon! Wait!" Hina shouted as she sprinted for them.
(Cue The Flash (2014) OST - Metahumans)
As they arrived at the source of the gunshots, they saw cops pursuing a criminal. This criminal fired back not with bullets but with streams of fire. The criminal they were fighting was a notorious Metacriminal by the name of Inferno.
The girls happened to stumble right in the middle of the urban battle.
"Whoa, look at that!" PinkPatamon cried out, pointing to Inferno throwing fire blasts at the cops. "It's that guy from the news!"
"He's gonna burn those cops!" Hina shouted.
"We shouldn't even be here!" Athena added, grabbing Hina's arm.
After knocking away the police, the Meta noticed the girls and launched fire at their direction. Taken by surprise, they backed off from the flames. This, however, allowed the Meta to slip through the flames to grab the girls.
"Hey!" Hina cried out, struggling to get out of his hold.
Athena purposefully suppressed her strength, waiting to see where the Meta would take them. As the cops recovered, they saw he had taken the girls hostage.
"Sir, he's got hostages!"
"Yes, two children it seems! Pursue the suspect, but do not engage! He shouldn't get far!"
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Warehouse/4:45 PM
The Meta escaped the pursuit and took his hostages into a nearby warehouse. As he dropped them off, he turned and looked out a broken glass window.
"Yeah, they can't hope to find me here," Inferno said to himself.
"And taking us captive was your last mistake!" Athena shouted, catching the Metacriminal off guard with a kick to his back.
"Ugh!" The Metacriminal stumbled forward, his head nearly cracked against the window. He spun around to see Athena in a martial arts pose. "Oh, you're not some helpless kid! Well, Inferno doesn't have time to play!" He fired a streamlined fire blast at Athena, who effortlessly sidestepped. "What?!"
"I'm not some kid!" Athena shouted as Inferno unleashed more fire blasts, which she dodged. "Hina, I've got this! PinkPatamon, look after Hina!"
"Ok! Be careful!" PinkPatamon said, guarding Hina.
"Athena, watch out for those flames!" Hina called to her.
"I can handle this!" Athena smirked, flying around and evading Inferno's blasts.
"You wanna jerk around with me, kid?! Big mistake!" Inferno snapped, conjuring bigger flames that swept around Athena.
"Uh oh!" Athena coughed as the flames get bigger and thicker. "Take this!" She gathered energy in her hands. She cupped both hands together and launched a Ki blasts through the flames.
"What the hell are you?! Another one of us?!" The Metacriminal spat out, flabbergasted with Athena's Ki conjuring.
Another one of us? The Ascendant thought in confusion. She came to as Inferno tossed a bigger cloak of flames at her. She fired another Ki blast went through the flames, but Inferno formed a flame shield that protected him from her attack.
As Athena's blast was deflected by his shield, Inferno sighed in relief.
"That the best you got, kiddo?!"
"That's not fair!" Athena whined. "Ok! You leave me choice!" She whipped out her Henshin Stick, which had the Sedna astrological symbol.
"You're going to transform…?!" Hina exclaimed.
"I'm fighting fire with ice! Arctic Sedna Power! Make-Up!" Athena announced as she transformed into Sailor Arctic Sedna. She conjured spheres of ice in both hands and tossed them at Inferno's direction.
As the ice spheres cracked open, frozen air came out and clashed with Inferno's flame blasts. A standstill occurred until Inferno decided to summon even stronger flames. Arctic Sedna found herself in midst of a struggle with Inferno. Half of her struggle was worrying for Hina and PinkPatamon's safety.
"Athena!" Hina shouted. She tried to run up to help, but PinkPatamon tugged on her right arm.
"Hina, I can't let you go!"
"But Athena needs us!"
"She can handle it! I bet this guy will run out of fire juice before Athena does!" PinkPatamon yelled out.
(End theme)
Hina sank to her knees and grasped her locket. Hina could only stare in disbelief as Sailor Arctic Sedna struggled against the fiery powers of this meta-human.
Please, she thought, clutching her locket tightly, somebody help!
Hina was surprised as, like that night so many years ago, she was enveloped by a bright white light.
"What the hell is that light…?!" Inferno hissed upon seeing the white light.
Arctic Sedna and PinkPatamon yelled together. "Hina!"
xxxxx
Gates of Time
Hina once again found herself transported to the endless white void of Pluto's realm. Frantic, she searched through the fog until she noticed a familiar silhouette approaching.
"Sailor Pluto! Please, you have to help me! My friend Athena is in danger!"
However, as the figure came into view, she saw that, while it was indeed Sailor Pluto that approached her, it was not quite the same Sailor Pluto that she knew and loved. Her long, dark green hair had turned silver, her face now showed graceful wrinkles around her eyes, cheeks, and forehead, and she was using the Garnet Rod for support as she walked.
"Miss… Setsuna? Wh- when am I?"
The elderly Pluto smiled knowingly. "I see I have taught you well. As you have surmised, we are many, many years into your future, though not as far as you might think. The powers of a Time Guardian do tend to slow the aging process, but as they begin to wane, my true age is catching up to me."
"You're losing your powers?!"
"Indeed. It is a sign that my Sailor Star Seed is ready to be passed to the next generation. To you."
"Me? But I'm not ready to be the Time Guardian! I'm only 8 years old!"
Pluto held her hand out in a calming gesture. "I know, child. Though your lycan nature has caused your mind to mature much faster than a normal human's, there is still much you need to learn, things my past self cannot teach you without her powers. But the Cosmos sensed your need, which is why, I suspect, she brought you here, to this time, to receive my Star Seed. So tell me, Hina Inuki, are you ready to achieve your destiny?"
Hina steeled her determination and nodded. "I am."
"Then stand ready," Pluto instructed. As the two of them stood facing each other, Sailor Pluto closed her eyes in concentration as she placed one hand over her heart. She drew forth her hand, and behind it, emerging from her chest, was a small glowing sphere encased in a crystal hexagonal bipyramid. With the Star Seed now free of her body, Sailor Pluto's uniform faded away, being replaced by a long, white gown.
The Star Seed now floated in the air between Setsuna Meioh and Hina Inuki, the latter with her hands outstretched in front of her to receive it. The Star Seed drifted to the young girl, who embraced it to her chest and absorbed it into her body. An indigo henshin stick, with Pluto's symbol emblazoned upon it, appeared in her hand. Instinctively, she raised it above her head and called out her transformation phrase.
(Cue Sailor Moon Crystal OST - Star Power! Make-Up!)
"Gao Pluto Power… MAKE-UP!"
Like Sailor Pluto, she had a black skirt with a white waistband, dark red bows on her back and chest, a black choker with a crimson sphere hanging from it, a golden tiara with a crimson jewel, and a crimson broach. However, that was where the similarities ended. Instead of the usual white, her bodice was also black, and cut off below the chest, baring her midriff. Her knee-high boots were white, with black toes, short black heels, and a black cuff around the top with a small crimson jewel in front. The gloves were still white with a black band, but instead of being elbow-length, they only went to her wrists. Instead of a sailor collar, she wore a black mantle that came down to her elbows, trimmed with white lace. Her earrings were simple golden studs, and her side-ponytail was now held up by a rubber band with two more crimson spheres.
(End theme)
(Cue Doctor Who - Amy in the TARDIS)
Sailor Gao Pluto looked up at Setsuna and beamed, excited that she had finally become a Sailor Senshi. It was only then that she noticed that Setsuna was still holding on to the Garnet Rod.
Sensing the unspoken question, Setsuna replied, "The Garnet Rod is the master key to the Space-Time Door, the symbol of the Guardian of Time's power. When it is time for you to take on that responsibility, it will be here for you."
"But when will that be?"
"Why, today, of course," a third voice answered.
Gao Pluto turned to the new speaker and was surprised to see a woman who appeared to be in her late-twenties to early-thirties, with dark blue hair falling past her knees, and a shoulder-length side ponytail. She was dressed identically to herself, though, Hina had to admit, the outfit did more to accentuate the woman's curves than it did on her young body.
"You're… me?"
"Of course I am. Are you really so surprised?" The older Gao Pluto responded.
"The Space-Time Door cannot be left without a Guardian," Setsuna said. "You were summoned here so I could give you the Star Seed of Pluto, at the time when I could pass the Garnet Rod and the title of Guardian to the future you who is ready for it." With that, Setsuna took the Garnet Rod with both hands and held it horizontally in front of her.
The older Gao Pluto, kneeling in front of her, extended both of her hands upwards to receive it. "Thank you, Miss Setsuna. I, Hina Inuki, swear by my life and power as Sailor Gao Pluto to defend the Space-Time Door with all of my ability."
The younger Gao Pluto stood in awe, realizing that she was witnessing a momentous occasion, and wondering, with anticipation, just how far into the future she really was.
"Here, catch!" The reverent mood was broken as the older Gao Pluto tossed an object to her younger self, who fumbled a bit before catching it. It was an ornate white rod about a foot long, with a spherical garnet, about half the size of the one in the Garnet Rod, set into the top of it. "That is the Garnet Wand. It was passed down to me by my future self when I was you, and eventually you will pass it down to your past self when you become me."
"Wait, what? Isn't that..."
"A paradox? Of course it is! That's where it gets it's power. Specifically, it's a bootstrap paradox. From the perspective of your timeline, the Garnet Wand has just come into existence, but from my point-of-view, once you take it back in time with you, it will no longer exist, and yet, it's always been the same object. It's essentially stuck in a continuous time loop with itself. But don't worry, as a Time Guardian-in-Training, you should be able to handle a stable paradox like this. Well... mostly stable. Well… just make sure it's pointed at the bad guys. Well… I mean, there was that one time, but don't worry, it totally grows back."
Setsuna placed a hand on the elder Gao Pluto's shoulder. "Hina, dear, you're scaring her."
"Oh, she'll be fine," the new Time Guardian winked. "After all, I was. Besides, I've been waiting to do this since I was her." She slammed the end of the Garnet Rod on the ground, and patches of fog rolled away to reveal the Space-Time Door. She then twirled the Rod around her body before pointing it at the Door, and colorful spheres shot out of the Garnet Orb and entered the lock. There was a clicking like the tick-tock of a clock as the Door swung wide open, revealing a shimmering blue portal.
"So cool…" the young Sailor Gao Pluto whispered.
"I know, right? Now go, help Athena. If I got the timing right, and, as I recall, I did, you should return back to right where you left, with hardly a second having passed."
Young Gao Pluto ran up to her older self and threw her arms around her waist. "Will I ever see you again?"
Elder Gao Pluto lifted her younger self's chin to look her in the eyes. "Of course you will. Every time you look in a mirror."
With that, the newest Sailor Senshi ran through the Space-Time Door as it closed itself behind her.
Gao Pluto held out her arm to Setsuna, who held onto it for support as they walked. "'Every time you look in a mirror.'" Setsuna quoted, smirking. "You are so corny."
"Hey, those words meant a lot to me!" Gao Pluto replied. "I couldn't let her leave without telling her. Literally. I literally had to tell her those words. This whole encounter was a predestination paradox, and you know it!"
"Congratulations. Your first paradox as Time Guardian. I guarantee it will not be your last."
Gao Pluto raised an eyebrow. "Retirement's made you snarky, Godmother."
"No, my dear godchild. I learned this from you."
(End theme)
xxxxx
Warehouse/4:57 PM
The white light returned soon as it faded, which, from the perspective of everyone else, had lasted but a few seconds. From this white light, Hina returned in the form of Sailor Gao Pluto. All spectators paused to see Gao Pluto, who made a fierce glance toward the Metacriminal.
(Cue Sailor Moon Crystal OST - Tsuki ni Kawatte Oshioki Yo!)
Arctic Sedna gasped seeing her friend. "Whoa, is that really you, Hina?!"
"It's me, but call me Sailor Gao Pluto!"
"The hell?! You're another of those Sailor Senshi like this one?!" Inferno asked, who turned and shot another fireball at Arctic Sedna.
"Paradox Sphere!"
However, Gao Pluto reacted in time using her Garnet Wand, as it shot out a deep red sphere to intercept the fiery blast. As the two attacks collided, the fireball seemed to wink out of existence, as if it never existed.
Without missing a beat, Gao Pluto used her Garnet Wand to shoot out an energy ribbon about 2-3 inches wide, emitting a soft, lavender light. This was her secondary attack: Möbius Whip.
"Hey! What the hell is this?!" Inferno spat out as the ribbon wrapped around him several times before the two ends connected, binding him up. "Let me go!" He struggled to break loose.
"Now, my turn!" Arctic Sedna announced as she punched Inferno.
"PinkPatamon, go!" Gao Pluto commanded the Digimon.
Hearing this, like Hina had suggested in the first place, PinkPatamon used this to slip away and get help.
"And this one's for me!" Arctic Sedna yelled out, clobbering Inferno like no tomorrow.
While Arctic Sedna wailed on Inferno, Gao Pluto stared at her Garnet Wand and smiled.
"I couldn't have done this without you," muttered Gao Pluto. Thanks Future Me and Future Pluto.
(End theme)
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5:10 PM
Shortly thereafter, PinkPatamon returned with Sailor Sedna and Sailor Pluto. By the time they came to make a difference, the Metacriminal was already defeated. His face was unrecognizable thanks to Arctic Sedna.
"Hey, mom! Pluto! We beat the bad guy already!" Arctic Sedna waved while sitting atop Inferno's back.
"I was worried, but looks like you kids got things settled here," Sedna was genuinely relieved. She then patted Arctic Sedna's head. "Great work."
Sailor Pluto approached Gao Pluto and noticed the Garnet Wand.
"That…"
Gao Pluto vaguely smiled and showed her it. "You won't believe what happened to me. I'm a Sailor Senshi now!"
Hearing this and examining the Garnet Wand, Pluto smiled. "I see. So that's how it came to be." She must've interacted with my future counterpart. This is all the proof I need to verify that.
"Um, hey the police are heading here!" PinkPatamon called out to them.
"Let's take our leave then," Sedna stated as she and the group left Inferno to the authorities.
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As the Metacriminal was being carted away in a stasis pod, the Senshi and PinkPatamon turned away to leave. Arctic Sedna picked up PinkPatamon and watched Gao Pluto speaking with Pluto.
(Cue Naruto: Road to Ninja OST - Thank You)
"What are they going on about?" Curiously wondered Arctic Sedna.
"Let's leave them be, sweetie," Sedna whispered.
Gao Pluto explained everything that happened with her interactions with her future self and Future Pluto.
"I see, then you're the next in line," Pluto smiled, patting Gao Pluto's shoulders. "You've been given a very rare opportunity, Hina. If our future selves know you're set for great things, then you know of the responsibilities you must uphold."
Nodding, Gao Pluto answered obediently. "Yes! I won't let you, the future you, or the future me down! I will do my best!"
Pluto patted Gao Pluto's head and then pulled her into an embrace. "I know you will, my dear godchild."
"Thank you, Godmother."
(End theme)
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A/N: Credit goes to LazerWulf for writing the entire Gates of Time scene where Hina receives her powers. Credit goes to Belletiger for designing her outfit.
Sorry folks for the delay. Between October being hectic (being sick those first two weeks, work and some side job hunting) and the recent Italy vacation, this was majorly sidelined. But thanks to Lazer's assistance, I got this done!
The martial arts match was pretty easy to do. Thanks partly to watching some karate tournaments on YouTube. It was pretty much grounded martial arts action.
Inferno, another Metacriminal like Buzz and the Rogues, was a necessary plot twist to present the danger required for Hina to be summoned by hers and Pluto's future selves. He's probably one of the stronger fire-users in this series. Not quite as strong as Suzakato or Houou Mars, maybe somewhere around Ardhamon's strength. And his flame shield, while easily able to absorb Athena's ki blasts, probably couldn't stand up to Dimitri's.
For the record, the events Athena's referring to happened during my Battle of Digital Gods movie fic for my Digimon Fusion/Kai series. She, Dimitri, Karin, and Kensuke happened to have some small scenes in Dimitri's timeline to visit her grandmother Mimi before heading to the present to confront Beerusmon and learn of Tai's Ascendant God acquirement.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed this two-part tale. We wanted to ensure this gets out at least before Valkyrie Advent chapter 5 since that will heavily involve Hina and Athena bonding with a certain Native American Valkyrie.
As always, send a review and comment. Otherwise, stay cool!
LazerWulf's P.S.: What's up with that stasis pod the cops were using to transport Inferno? Haven't we seen those pods before? Maybe. You'll have to stay tuned for a future Gaiden to find out!