Iris and Nanurta: Final Tests
Makoto found herself standing in a forested area. Suddenly she heard something. Something was moving about the trees. Getting into a fighting stance Makoto debated transforming. A voice called out from all around her, "Who are you?"
"I am Makoto Kino. Who are you?"
"Who am I doesn't matter. Who are you is all that matters?"
Makoto thought for a while before answering, "I am Sailor Jupiter of the inner senshi of Serenity."
"But who is she?"
Makoto was getting tired of this but she knew that this should be the last one and obliged the faceless voice, " I am Makoto Kino , reincarnation of Princess Iris of Jupiter and guardian of the Serenity line, Sailor Jupiter."
"Very good, my Princess. Now it is time for your test, some of my colleagues give choice in the order of the test. I, however will put you in the situation and you inevitably will decide what will be tested. Good luck." Makoto's surroundings began spinning and soon she found herself in Tokyo again but something was different.
"My Queen, what are you doing out here? It is almost time for the coronation." A young maid said rushing up to her.
"What coronation?"
"Since Serenity's passing you were chosen among her guards to succeed her."
"What of her daughter? Why is she not taking the throne?"
At this the maid looked confused, "Majesty, did you hit your head? The child was sent to the ice fields to work after an attempt on your life."
"Iris, there you are. She is over here." Iris turned to see Harmonia and Ishtar coming towards her. "Iris what is going on?"
"Serenity's error should be taking the throne in Serenity's stead not me."
Ishtar looked to her friend with passion in her eyes. "Iris, we have been over this. As much as we all loved Usagi, she was to unstable after loosing her parents for her to take the throne."
"The coronation is canceled! Bring the child princess to me."
The two royal senshi sighed but nodded and within the week the child princess, Usagi, had been returned to the place of her birth. Iris sat across the desk from Usagi. Usagi now dressed in the traditional dress of her ancestors, her hands covered with white gloves to cover the frost bite from the northern climate.
"Princess Serenity Usagi Chiba, I wish to know your wish for the future."
"Why? No one cared when I tried to tell them before I was sent away. Why now?"
"Because I have had my eyes opened. Please enlighten me." Iris said with a smile.
"I wish to rule in my parents place. I know I am young and that you and the other senshi have more experience and are older but I will take my proper place on the throne by any means necessary."
"Serenity, your passion is true but currently we need to work on some things. So this is what I purpose, while you take training and become more like your parents I will rule. Once you are ready I will step down and allow the rule of Serenity to once again rise."
"But that could take years," the young girl whinned.
"Serenity, you are your parents child however you are still a child. Between the senshi and
I, we will have you ready by your coming of age to take the throne."
"That is acceptable. May I visit my parents now?"
Iris had forgotten she had commanded that the child be brought to her as soon as she was rested and presentable. Iris smiled, "Of course, would you mind if I joined you to pay my respects? Princess?"
Serenity looked up at Iris with happiness in her eyes for the first time since her parents passing. The two walked hand in hand to the shrine that was constructed for those of the millennium. As they entered the surroundings changed again, only the princess stayed with her.
"Iris' loyalty to Serenity has been confirmed. May your other test show true as well." With that Serenity disappeared and the surrounds changed yet again.
Meanwhile...
Hotaru found her self in a dark cave. "Who dares come to my realm?"
Taking a deep breath Hotaru spoke, " I am Hotaru Tomoe, reincarnation of Nanurta, Princess of Saturn. Guardian of the milky-way and solider of death and rebirth, Sailor Saturn." Being that this was a test from Serenity Hotaru was fairly certain that it would test all three entities that made up Hotaru Tomoe.
"Welcome, daughter of Cronos. I see Serenity has allowed you out of your eternal sleep. However, whether or not that is a gift or a curse that is yet to be seen. Your test begins, Now!"
Hotaru found herself in her Sailor form before Serenity. Serenity spoke, "Saturn, although you have always been loyal and a dear friend... I must ask you to return to your eternal slumber."
"My Queen, my life has never been my own. It has always been yours to command. If my destiny is to sleep for the rest of my days until another is called to replace me then by my Queens command so shall it be." Saturn rose from her spot and closed her eyes calling forth her planet to summon her home and to her bed from a millennium ago.
However she did not arrive at her intended location, instead she found herself in Tokyo with Usagi. Looking about her surroundings Hotaru noticed Serenity coming towards them waving. Then out of the blue an attack came from the sky at both Usagi and Serenity and not enough time to think let alone save both. Hotaru whispered an apology as she took the hit for Serenity leaving her best friend to die from the attack. As the attacks kept coming using the last of her strength she summoned forth the power of Nanurta and teleported away.
Once in the safety of Endymion's apartment Hotaru looked to her Princess and Prince, "I am and have always been yours to command as Hotaru, Nanurta and Sailor Saturn. When I am reborn I hope to have the privilege of being under your command again. Be safe my friends." And with that Hotaru closed her eyes in death.
Makoto stood in the park near the rose garden. Hearing a familiar voice she approached to find Haruka and Michelle talking to Ami, "Come on, Ami. It isn't like she would notice or care if you weren't there."
"That makes no difference. Serenity is my friend and I am not going to do that to her." Ami said as she stormed off.
No one had noticed Makoto yet, so she continued to watch and listen, "Well it doesn't matter, Serenity already agreed to meet us and that will be the last thing she does."
Makoto was shocked and appalled. She waited for the others leave before revealing herself. Quickly thinking the best chance of catching Serenity was at Endymion's place. Taking off at a run she arrived out of breath at Endymion's door and knocked. She waited. Knocked again and again. Still no answer. "Shit! How can I warn her now?" Calming her mind Makoto came to an idea. Closing her eyes she focused on Serenity and any link that may be associated with them and then took off running she knew where to go. Makoto arrived in time to see Serenity fall to the ground bleeding. Uranus and Neptune walked away uncaring.
Slowly Makoto approached, "Serenity, I will not let you die like this." Again closing her eyes Makoto reached out to each of the inner senshi and to Saturn as she released her life force into Serenity.
All around Tokyo five heads popped up, "Makoto! Serenity!"
The five all found secure places and teleported to their friends and each released some of their life into their friend and Princess to save her from death. However it was when Endymion showed up that everything was revealed.
Serenity stood and took Endymion's hand, "All present have either passed or so far appear to be passing their tests. Many things have happened in the background since I offered the tests. First off Endymion and I are living new lives with our children and at this point I don't know if we shall return to our previous lives. Two senshi have failed my test and may be plotting my death. Two senshi are currently going to attempt to restore my honor. No matter what this new life changed if we do return to our old lives know that we will not be alone, an heir will be with us. Two of you only have one test left to go pass that and rejoin the ranks of senshi with the new powers and abilities that I have bestowed." With that Serenity and Endymion disappeared.
Ami, Hotaru and Makoto each looked to each other. "We sware upon our lives that we will and have always been loyal to the throne of Serenity as..."
"Hotaru, Nanurta, and Sailor Saturn."
"Makoto, Iris, and Sailor Jupiter."
"Ami, Maia, and Sailor Mercury."
"Rei, Harmonia, and Sailor Mars."
"Minako, Ishtar, and Sailor Venus."
"If we ever break our vow that we just made may our lives be forfeit for we would not be worthy of life."
Selene, Goddess of the moon and first of the line of Serenity appeared before them. "My descendant initiated the test, I have the right to intervene. I will hold you all to that vow in this life and give you all a passing grade. Now the future is in your hands..."