A/N: Alright guys, it's been a long time since I uploaded a chapter, I know, bad me bad me. In my epic defense at least my computer doesn't have its head up its rear end anymore, however that doesn't stop that fact I have to remember all my old passwords to things and what not (my dumb ass forgot to keep things written down.) Anyway the chapter isn't one of the normal 20+ page monsters that I'm used to by now, but sorry, not much I can do about that atm while I get things back into some type of order. My poor compy… anyway on with the fiction!
I don't own Sailor Moon…
I swear to god sometimes I think that disclaimer would have better use if it were plastered to my head with flashing strobe lights rather than this page.
Chapter 6: Paradox at Sea!
As Haruka followed where her deity called her most, the others followed behind. Mari was at her side almost as if she was trying to outrun her fatherly figure. Those not of Wind rode on birds or with Cade on the shuttle. They could see smoke on the horizon as many clouds began to form. "Who's causing this?" Haruka shouted as she continued to run as fast as her legs could take her.
"I don't know" This came from Xen who now flanked Haruka. "We better hurry though. The clouds are restless. I'm sure Makoto can feel it as well, those of thunder are gathering." As Xen picked up her pace she allowed herself a momentary fear for her father, this hadn't gone unnoticed as they continued on.
Meanwhile on the birds Yumi and Yasu could tell there was a high amount of disturbance in the air. It seemed as if an aura they had encountered before had made an appearance, the only issue was that it wasn't identifiable. The deep smog in the air noted that there were fires being lit, this gave way to the thought that people of Flame could be held responsible. This in effect wasn't the only truth, there were other deities' as well, and not all of them were of friendly merit. "Do you think this has to do with a conflict within the White Moon?"
"I don't know Yasu. Seems to be more than just a few auras there, who they are I'm not exactly sure. I can sense Michiru though." Yumi responded as she opened up her communicator and contacted the others on the shuttle who were much further behind. "I'm calling for a state of emergency, I can sense Michiru out there and I can tell that a large scale battle is either taking place or has already passed. I'm calling for the shuttle to continue to keep its slow passage however I request every able bodied Senshi to come armed for combat in the fastest measure possible."
"You're sure it's Michiru?" Minako cut in before any rash choices were carried out. "Energy patters have fooled us in the past, I'd rather not run headlong into a trap."
"Little late there. If you haven't noticed the speed demons are doing just that." The snide remark along with a glair that dared to face down her parental unit only added to the harsh attitude that currently plagued Yumi. "Now get your asses in gear. Move it!"
"You hear that?" Rei said as she rode on a bird further behind the others still not fully sure how to control it. "I know I would normally side with you, but I hate to admit it. We already have two of the most reckless people charging in without bounds we-"
"Better make that three; Makoto just took off ahead on the radar." Ami cut in exasperated.
"Correction make that four. I'm not alone; I apparently have a tag along." Makoto said as Saeko came into view on Makoto's watch.
"Oh for god's sake." Minako said rolling her eyes as Zori jumped off of the platform with Ami following. "Does anyone think this could be a bad idea?" she looked too her son in her arms as Cade stood with his calm demeanor.
"Give the lad to me and fight with our comrades. You're no enemy of mine and your friends need you. The little ones are safe with us here on this shuttle." His voice was raspy as he offered a place of protection for the babies. "Everyone else has done the same," Once her son was safely in Cade's care she jumped off the platform to join in the rush. "Return back safely." He called, "That's all I ask."
Haruka was the first to reach the shoreline and the battle before her was astounding. Water flared as electricity rained from the skies. Flames covered parts of the land and many had been badly injured from burns. These deities were not ones she had seen before, however they were wielding powers often used by either herself or the other Senshi. Then she saw a small figure in the distance, one that she knew all too well. Hotaru, glaive in hand, alongside her were forces thought to have been disposed of.
Michiru was in good hands, she was safe considering the fact that she and the twins were next to Hotaru being protected. It made no sense, what had at one point looked like an enemy raid now appeared to be a confusing battle front. The aggressing factions were unknown. Hotaru wouldn't kill her own mother, and as a human she would have been easily hurt or worse by now. What was going on?
The cloaked figure of her daughter caught sight of the Senshi up on the ridge, and her father who was more than a little confused. At a raise of her hand the battle stopped as the fighters she commanded discontinued their tirade. Those of Sea did the same as Ide; the woman who had sought Michiru before earth had changed also commanded a halt. Michiru looked less than pleased.
"Long time no see Ide." Katan said as she and her siblings gave Hotaru backup. "Finally decided to give up you're little ruse did you? About damn time, I swear you're one hard bitch to track down." The woman spat as if this was a common occurrence.
"Please, think no ill will of me. I cannot help what Pluto preordained; she thought it would help so I did as she wished of me. It was the least I could do seeing as she gave us our lives." Ide said as she stepped forth only slightly "If you must place blame, do it on me, it's my fault she's gone. Pluto couldn't have saved her."
"Don't. Ide just don't." Katan barely whispered. "If you want to make amends I'm already past that stage, if you want to seek forgiveness you'll find none from me. We were preserved because of her sacrifice."
The other Senshi who had witnessed the conversation stepped forward confused of what had just been said."What do you mean 'preserved'. That shout was made by Xen who jumped down from where she stood. "It's you assholes that allowed my damned creation to be what it is!" She scoffed as she continued. "Your technologies would have died out along with both bloodlines had it not have been brought to the outer realm so very long ago. That technology we thought could only be used for war also created beings like myself. We are outcasts now, and all because of what you knew that we didn't. All it took was for one of your Ice deities to show others that caused people like me to exist today!"
"Wait a minute," Cut in Hotaru "Xen what did you just say?"
"Don't play dumb! You know damn well if you stand alongside them. Light Moon have powers granted by deities, Fire, Water, Ice, you get the picture, the Dark Moon is a kingdom governed by those same deities. It's a balance, good and evil don't play a role, however let's just say that values for each side vary differently and not just by the deities, but the Kingdome governed by them. You should know this."
"Furthermore" Zori said softly as he also claimed a voice to speak "That is the very reason they are hunted down, it was the technology of the Dark Moon that allowed the creation of merging deities, however the effects can cause harm to the user of those deities in many ways, some even affect the people around them. It is dangerous to allow a being like that to exist; many times the soul can become corrupt."
"You speak as if you know everything. If I were you I'd shut your damned mouth before I show you the wrath of my fist." Katan replied coldly "If that were the only issue between kingdoms there wouldn't have been a full scale warzone. You know only the world on the outer realm. I know what our lives were on the inside. This is a cake walk in comparison, so stop your bitching."
"Stand down Katan." Hotaru commanded a deadly tone in her voice. "The past doesn't matter, we fight for the future. We all know what needs to be done. A Neo kingdom must be built, however Light and Dark aside it makes little difference. What does make the difference is how the Neo Moon will be brought about. Both sides are powerful, however being that different values apply we must agree to disagree. I am here to see that it happens properly, and needless bloodshed is not the way about it."
"Oh? And what is? Acting like all is fine and dandy? Forget we were slaughtered in a past life? I for one refuse to play nice about any of this." Katan shot back and was met with the sharp end of the glaive resting at the base of her neck.
"That is not a request Katan." Hotaru said as she gained a murderous tone. "Keep in mind, I do remember my time as Sailor Saturn and the time before that, as such I remember being hunted down by the very White Moon you hate. I have every reason to want revenge as you do, however I am smart enough to place such a hated past behind me in search of what good could possibly come out of a negative effect. My wish has been granted, what about yours?" When the question remained unanswered Hotaru removed her weapon and looked too the others around her. Many of the Senshi she had spent her life with were now standing in the circle. "It is clear that what is sought is a place to make a living, not a utopia. If that is what we wish shouldn't we break the hateful past that seems to completely entangle us?"
"That request is impossible." Ide allowed her voice to once again take hold of the banter. "The Dark Moon and Light Moon have values that are unbecoming of each other. Even things like simply feeding our families are far different. It would be a disaster to try to rebuild as a large unity. I am of the Dark Moon, even if I am of the Sea like Michiru it is very hard for me to survive in her conditions. Food is sparse, and over all our kind would eventually die out."
"Michi… You knew didn't you? That's why you didn't trust her." Haruka began baffled. "You knew she was of the Dark Moon, yet you still followed her." She gasped, "Why?"
"I had to do it, not only for myself. I had to understand something on my own. Setsuna trusted her for some reason, and Ide told me from the start that she wasn't of our bloodline. I did this only because I trusted Setsuna and her judgment. I am alright, and for what it's worth I understand now why exactly it was so hard before." Michiru voiced calmly as Hotaru stood in front of her fatherly figure knowing emotions were about to shoot through the roof.
"Don't move." Hotaru ordered. "I am a guard of both the Dark Moon and that of Usagi the Light Moon, you will follow my command like it or not." Hotaru raised her glaive and stood in the center of the circle. "I personally don't want to see another galactic war break out, however a flawed action by anyone here could cause just that. I don't know about you, but I sure as hell don't want innocent blood on my hands. I stand here before you as a human without Senshi powers and because of that I don't follow a deity I follow my wish. Does anyone here know what that could possibly be?"
No one made a move. All stood silently as this human before them stood demanding undivided attention. She put her glaive on the ground as she looked at the circle of people she had amassed before her. "I wish for the people I love to be happy. That's all I want. Take away your powers and what do you have? Humans just like me, place your powers back on and you have reason for war. My deity of Saturn removed my ability to kill unless I also sought my own suicide. Because of this fact, even as a Senshi I remained the most in tune with what being a human really is. That is also why the people of Saturn are also the ones nearest to extinction. We cannot fight with our powers, and we have none to use as an aide in life. Because of that the Deity of Saturn is that of mortality. We must understand the cycle of life and accept that we are not gods; we are merely a different race of mankind, nothing more. That is what other deities never wish to understand. They believe they are correct; however they also follow their deity and nothing more, that of Saturn is different. We are neither good nor evil; we all have morals and follow what we wish to believe. Yes, mankind has war, this will never change and we as Senshi must understand that no utopia, Light or Dark will fully bring about peace. That is why Saturn could end a planet should such a value fail."
"Then what do suggest we do. As you've said it's either a gigantic battle ground, or a large scale assault that leaves people outcast from an uprising. Innocents are always killed." Katan sighed at the memories this discussion was vividly bringing back.
"We control the place and the battles." Hotaru said. "Look, war is a powerful tool, no doubts there. However we can all agree needless bloodshed is of uselessness for us currently. This is what I suggest. This is the only planet cultivated into a livable environment within the borders of the White Moons planets. All of the others are in a hibernation, this means time doesn't move forward or backward. They are still in the same shambles they were in when the coins were collected. The white moon has a quest, but those of the Dark Moon do as well. Ironically it is the same quest. Each side has coins that have a task given to them. Now here's the funny little thing. Both possible rulers have the same issue now that the Dark Moon and its protectors have been awakened. You want to fight? Fine, but do it in an area that doesn't cause needless casualties. You'll fight for the other sides' coins while continuing to do right by your coin. You all know how to bring your leader into power, but here's the catch. You will lose your coin if you lose the fight. If battling is what you want fine, but these are the rules."
"How will killing of a deity leader be of any value? Plus you can't possibly wish to do this?" Yumi voiced as she walked up to Hotaru and out of the mass of people.
"That's the beauty of it. Theses coins are also a life force. A gift given to you by your deity, it is a rebirth. Should you die you will be granted a rebirth by your coin, however in doing this you will shatter your coin and thus the ability to nullify the effects to your ruler will also be sacrificed. Thus each time a side looses a coin that deity will be sacrificed, the shade of color on your intended rulers' hair will revert to normal should you lose giving the others' of your faction a chance to still win their side of the fight."
"And just what the bloody hell does that mean?" Mari growled while the others tried to grasp the curveball thrown at them.
"It means that the losing deity will become that of mortality, it will fall and become that of what earth once was. The souls will be reborn along with the coin, however that rebirth will be granted on the grounds of a power sap. All of the deity will become of a mortal shell, and like Hotaru unable to retaliate with Senshi powers unless they seek their own demise. Furthermore, because of Saturn's hibernation I cannot bring about the end like Hotaru once could. This means that no one, not even I can end an entire planets being. You are in charge of your fate. The arena is where time cannot pass and those of the living may not enter freely. With the Time Gates now fully merged with the Shadow Realm only Galaxia and those lights of hope she governs can remove a living being from the now sealed world." Saria stood before them weapon in hand. "I can slice a hole in, but only with her help can anyone escape. The challenge placed before you offered by Setsuna will give each side an equal chance, the Neo Moon will rise, however who will be victorious remains to be decided. Do you accept the gift Setsuna has offered?"
Those in the circle quietly contemplated the offer handed to them. This kingdom would be granted upon equal terms. The battlegrounds were in a place that would keep Senshi battles away from innocents. The losses wouldn't only be of a deity, but also of protection. This was more than simply fighting for a ruler and Xen made that known. "Every moral of the outer realm will be sacrificed as a result. We don't fight with powers. We are that of humanity, You are nothing but a moon scorn from a ruler!"
"No" Rei said finally understanding what Hotaru really meant. "You are of humanity Xen. You of the outer realm don't fight as we have in the past. We used powers to defend those without an ability to do the same. In this day and age those facts are no longer true. We have powers and we could use them for war, in the past both white moon and Dark Moon had done that freely. Everyone alive on this earth today is a Senshi, however most here cannot wield a deity's power because every value in their lives would be freely tossed away as if it meant nothing."
"Will you accept to the terms?" Hotaru asked again addressing both sides.
"We of the Dark Moon, agree to the offer. I, Katan will stand as the ambassador to the Dark Moon. If you have anything to say to anyone on our side it shall be done through me." Hotaru nodded to the woman next to her and then studied those she sill wished to call family.
"I, Hotaru will stand as a neutral to both sides. As such, I will sand in as a royal representative of both the Light and Dark Moon just as Setsuna had done long ago, However let it be known, my allegiance to either side remains to be seen. Instead I choose to signify those that will inevitably take the stage as the new equivalent mortals for this world ensuring their needs be met. This will no doubt include some deities of both Light and Dark Moon in the future." Hotaru said as she looked at Yumi "You all will need to choose a representative from the White Moon. Please do so by night fall. Until you do we cannot discuss terms with which to agree upon."
"Sure thing," Yumi replied, "You heard her any and all deities following the White Moon will follow under only one ambassador regardless of what deity you are! Please trust that your future leader has chosen the correct one when that person has finally been decided." Yumi turned to Hotaru momentarily. "We need some privacy to discuss this, please look out for those that will be entering here while we lay out a plan." After receiving a nod she turned back to the others, "Alright! Those with coins and those chosen by them please follow me."
With all the Senshi reunited things had calmed down knowing everyone was safe, at least currently. Hotaru had ensured survival of everyone for the time being. How the actual battle started had gone unexplained since Michiru had been removed from the fight beforehand. The only thing she had an answer for was that she had seen Mamoru in the mix, although why he was there was an unknown factor. As the future leaders all now sat before each other many unanswered variables continued to arise. The thought of losing in combat and becoming a Senshi unable to fight was something that was to be feared. Also, one still had to take into account that even the White Moon had fighting amongst each other. It only stood to reason that this idea of combat would only cause more of a stir. Nothing was ever simple when dealing with Senshi matters and this seemed no different.
"Well, what if we just all destroy our coins? Then we would all be human correct? Also wouldn't Usagi's hair go back to normal causing her to become the supposed queen?" Saeko threw in missing one of the more explanatory dangers that should have been logical.
"Oh sure, and let's just offer our unprotected lives to the Dark Moon. Grand idea there, then what? Pray that they don't wipe us out for good? If we can't defend ourselves we are as good as dead." Mari complained as she poked fun at the poor excuse of an idea.
"Agreed." Ami piped in "Plus I'm not sure I fully trust that it would be a worthwhile way for things to happen. Setsuna had this planned, and now that I think about it, well something about those coins doesn't add up. I'm starting to wonder just what 'do right by your coin' actually means."
"Now that you mention that, I have a theory." Minako said dryly remembering Usagi's little issue. "I think doing right by them, well whatever your coin is, we have failed to abide by it somehow. What I'm wondering is if the other coins have our effective answers and vice versa. For example mine says 'Sister'. What I don't know is how exactly I could do wrong by that or how the other side did wrong by theirs. What I do know is that Usagi's hair was missing the green band when I had met up with her, yet in talking with her more the green strip came back. How or why we don't actually know."
"Green as in Jupiter?" Makoto asked still slightly perplexed. "I never knew it went away. But, if it came back then what did I do to upset the coin? All it says is Trust, and how the bloody hell could I trust her at this point. It seems like everything we fought for we lost."
"Well, that's just it. You must have not trusted something in the past. But what or who, I'm not exactly sure I get any of this. It could have been the old leader who brought about the bloodline in the first place, or perhaps an opposing deity. Who you don't trust could fall right down to the Dark Moon bloodline its self." Minako said as she looked at her own coin. "Mine is the same, whatever I did must have made someone angry. Only question is what exactly did I do?"
"Well, it would seem the Dark Moon seeks controlled conflict. I don't see any way to find out more about our coins without some way to get close enough to actually see them. This could be that chance. Also, if we could pick an ambassador perhaps we would have more information. Then again, anyone we choose will effectively piss someone off somehow. Who wants to do it?" Haruka asked as she inadvertently made it clear she didn't want to have to do it.
"Personally, I think it needs to be one that won't be in direct combat. Preferably one without a coin incase a deity falls." Michiru noted from her place. "I think it can be agreed that dwindles the number drastically."
"True, but then I can't do it because I own a coin as well." Saeko said as she also though about her coin. "And does my coin directly affect Usagi as well, or does it affect Ami? We can't figure it out. If I'm in allegiance to mercury then wouldn't I be linked to her instead?"
"Not exactly, you are in allegiance to Mercury; however the figurehead was the actual Queen." Yasu explained. "I'm going to be a deity aligned with Jupiter I can feel it's presence in battle. If that's true then you hold no actual allegiance to me as a figurehead for a deity. That doesn't mean you won't try to protect me, along with mom. I think loosely speaking you're coins are inter connected as in we wronged something as a whole. Now to correct it we must also do it as a unity. The term 'doing right' is the act of correcting our part of the coin, however I think in doing right by one part we could wrong others. Hence why the coins have a counterpart, what we need to decide is if we do right by a coin the color actually disappears, or just switches heads."
"That is a point. We've no idea where that band goes after it leaves. It may very well switch over to the supposed other ruler who I assume is Usagi's brother. If that is true we would need to destroy the coins or each side will perpetually cancel each other out. At that point the controlled combat would be our only option." Minako sighed "Anyway, it's clear we need to provide a figurehead. I'm not fully sure who would be right for the task, but we had better figure out something."
"In all honesty, I would prefer Saeko to do it." Yumi announced. "Face it, combat wise she's still too green, plus I assume attacks will be magic based if it's in an area where it's a closed combat zone. This isn't going to be normal outer battle warzone, I assume the way Katan spoke they will take it into a battle the way you're used to fighting, if this is the case, Saeko will surely fall due to no actual magic based attacks and little combat experience. Plus for what it's worth, at least she has a level head, more than I can say for most among us. She's not a figure head destined to lead, so perhaps it'll soften the blow on that front as well."
"Or make matters worse." Xen stated, "I agree, the less she fights the better. One request if I may, someone teach her how to use that damned sword should she one day actually need to fight."
"I'm not a fan of this." Ami retorted her mother involved with Senshi matters to this degree was an unsafe idea. "Plus she's not exactly what I would peg as unbiased. She'll favor situations to guarantee safety of some more than others. I can't agree to this, her experience in actual Senshi battle leaves much to be desired. As you've stated, she doesn't have powers and thus if a battle must include her, it will be as a last resort for the time being, if for no further reason, to help ensure that those of the Ice deity remain preserved. If someone with a coin must be chosen then I shall take her place."
"No need for that." Xen stated, "Clearly this is a Senshi matter, and I agree some people should remain out of it for various reasons, so should those with a coin regardless of deity. Furthermore so should anyone not of actual bloodline to those with a coin to uphold for the same reason as Saeko, it will look bias if someone like Zori stood up since he is only of Flame and I am only of Wind and Thunder. We have no actual nobility and thus no power. That leaves only three possible candidates Yumi, Yasu, and Mari."
"Well we all know I'm sure as hell not going to be it." Mari said as she sat alongside Haruka refusing the position as a figurehead.
"Well, as a combat leader I know I should be the one to go, but figuratively speaking Yasu is far more strategic than I am in mathematical coordination. Plus I think I'll be needed to get Saeko into some type of combative format soon. Since that's Yasu's weakest point without combined attacks it's clear that she's the best choice to work as an ambassador." Yumi said effectively making the choice herself. Yasu reluctantly nodded and complied much too Ami's dismay.
Nightfall was fast approaching when that finality of the choice finished and Yasu went back for the negations. Around the beach people from many deities had gathered from both the Dark and Light Moons seeking warmth from fires. The other's had returned to the shuttle as Yasu made her way to Hotaru and Katan. When she got there it had apparent they hadn't moved from their spot all afternoon.
"So, you'll be the one eh?" Katan yawned as she looked to the sky ahead not really paying much attention to the world around her. "Makes no matter to me, not like you're somebody I actually care about." The three sat around the fire as the Senshi from the hill tried to watch the events play out before them. They noticed that whatever was being talked about Hotaru seemed the most reserved, or at the very least not as outwardly obvious. At that point they knew everything had to be left in Yasu's hands.
Ami and Makoto held their twins while watching Yasu from afar. Nao found himself cuddled into Ami making it known he was tired as he whimpered for her to continue swaying back and forth continuously. His sister Hitomi remained restless in Makoto's arms refusing sleep and constantly making it known she wasn't about to go to sleep, nope not at all. Pacing back and forth was her favorite thing to do among the starry night. With the cool night air around them it made it hard to relax fully as what seemed inner demons of a clouded past echoed within the depths unseen under the ocean ahead.
Rei and Minako were no better as Yumi looked after her little brother. Rei saw her children for the first time in a light that she had wished she never would. Her son would be the bringer of Venus's deity when Minako's rein finally ended. Could he possibly be the hope for the brighter tomorrow? Alternatively, Rei saw that her daughter would be that of the Flame. What would it mean in the long run, could she really lead the Senshi even if Minako held that role currently? None of the truth they held in life could be called easy. What else would befall them in striving to attain a kingdom that had been sought for so long, lastly was that fight even worth it anymore.
Michiru found herself standing alone on the rocky outcrop just above the sand dunes. She could note the footprints of those walking softly in the pale terrain as carriers of her deity disappeared into murky depths some deep red fish swam in the shallow waters. These were creatures that weren't part of the earth she had remembered. Nothing she used to know held truth for her anymore. She had learned many things about the Dark Moon and the conflicts of a past muddled by lies that mattered very little in the grand scheme. Haruka had been angered greatly by what she had been told in the recent hours and for not the first time Michiru felt lost by the actions of her lover. Ide, for her part was now among the clans of the Dark Moon once again. Things were now left in Michiru's hands until further notice. Ide had trusted her completely.
Haruka had found herself standing on an opposite ledge overlooking the dry plains of grass and the smog covered sky that she would call her homelands. The smell of fire angered her and Michiru refused to say a word of apology for what Haruka viewed as a betrayal. This rift wasn't a first for the two of them, however to mend would take time. To understand would be difficult and hidden within that Sea held secrets that Haruka already knew she could never comprehend. The sea had no place for her, and the sky held no place for Michiru. If that were true then why, why had that coin called her, what was her answer. The wind wasn't telling her no matter how hard she was listening.
That night was filled with tension and as a result very few found sleep. In the distance Setsuna stood back on the earth, her promises had been fulfilled and a new era would show its face. Her job remained not as the protector of an actual fate as much as it was to keep order where it belongs, past angst had no home in the new future and war wouldn't be a thing hidden within a paradox. In the end all she could do now was wait and see what reality played out bringing aid to those without a voice. She was still the mage of time and her place was only an observer. Back in the past she would have given everything she had away for people she wouldn't have to lose including her own life in the cost she would willingly pay, however someone had to remain eternal, someone had to remember what the rest of the world couldn't accept to remember.
Hotaru the last of the original outer household was now a human and stood as the last link between the world as it stood and the memory of a tainted past. She had known from the start that to place all of the planets into hibernation would cause the war of old to also freeze into a state that never moved forward and never moved backwards. She knew the answers for both sides of the Moon and sadly even if she wished to poor her heart out she would remain unable. This answer had to be found within both sides of the coin. This night would be the start of it all, a new battle that would be costly for all involved, although just like everything with a price tag the value involved would be different for each individual.
Why Setsuna had returned wasn't something Hotaru had expected and thus after the meeting concluded she sought out the woman standing as far away from view as possible. "You have returned I see." She whispered barely audible to the rest of the world. "You would give everything away; you have given everything away, but why?"
Crimson eyes turned away from sight as midnight green tresses lightly wafted in the breeze. "Saturn… no Hotaru, I'm glad you're free from the life of a Senshi. You got your wish." One step. Then another followed. She wasn't needed and the last thing Setsuna needed to be was another pawn in a game, she could watch now, free of having to meddle.
She began her stride even, sure of herself. She had always been assured of her path that it frightened her when a pale hand stopped Setsuna from moving forward into the darkness of night. This hand was soft and pure, seemingly untainted and for only a moment Setsuna had to question where that purity had come from. Her eyes bore the question, even if her mouth couldn't voice it she was met with a reply. "My wish has not been attained fully and you know it. There is more left to do and I refuse to let you walk away as if all you can do is merely watch."
"And what am I to do?" she scoffed "Be that of mortality like yourself? That is your wish, mine is different." Setsuna's voice became weak as she met violet eyes with her own deep crimson. "I would give everything I have for some type of answer, but she was correct, she had always been correct. I cannot be you and the rest of the Senshi cannot be me. I would give everything I have in my possession to find a way out of the present; and I grow tired of the future."
"I know." Hotaru released her grasp on the tall woman and turned her back. "You can run if you want. You could leave and I wouldn't be able to chase you down." She heard no movement, steady breathing from the figure behind her let Hotaru know that she wasn't alone. "You're tired in more ways than one, and now you wish to sleep, you wish to be done with all that is around you, but let me ask you this: who are you?"
"You know who I am Hotaru." Her voice rose momentarily as she took her staff in her hands. Her body stiffened as she readied herself for a fight, she could sense the tone in the air and danger was close by, only Hotaru could produce that type of feeling. "I'm the same person, no matter the time or place."
"Bullshit." Hotaru swung around to face down the one woman who she could relate with the most. "I'm not asking you who you are as a person. I'm not asking who you are as a Senshi. I'm asking who you are as a soul." taking a step forth she readied herself for the conflict she had wanted to avoid the most. "Are you Setsuna-mama from my life? Are you Pluto of the past so void of emotion you don't know how to cope? Are you the Pluto from the future, not actually in body, but in mind wishing that all you've done may actually do some good for once?" She pulled her glaive from her back and allowed the blade to come within inches of Setsuna flesh before hastily stopping her attack.
"I do not wish to fight you. Surely you know this." Emotionless Pluto stood where a woman of emotion and deeper feelings could have been standing. "We are trying to prevent a war, not create them." She said sidestepping around the bark of a tree and near a sandy outcrop she could use to her advantage in she must. "Only one task remains of me before I return to my intended tasks given to be since before your births."
"You aren't fighting me." Hotaru swung her glaive again and for the second time Pluto made no move to doge the assault that could have easily killed her otherwise. "If you were fighting me than you would have dodged that easily. You fight better than that, but no. you aren't Setsuna you aren't even Pluto. You're a shadow of her. You fear no death because she has no more life left in her, that's it isn't it. Pluto, I have known for a long time you're not of an actual mortal flesh, not one based on humans anyway. That's why you've done all that you have. But I want to know why. What are you after, what do you want for you and not as a Senshi." She sighed as she looked at her own blade shimmering under the moon as both females cast a reflection on the metal surface. "I thought I had always known, but perhaps I don't."
"I am Pluto, thus I am time itself in a form able to be seen and felt." Pluto put her staff away finally understanding why Hotaru felt threatened. "I am still the same Pluto that you know, however in your human form I should not exist. None of us mages should. The past are memories that have happened, the future is made up of things that will happen. The present is but a fleeting rift to allow passage from one time to another. That is why none of it is set in stone and can always change; when I said that I was time in essence I spoke only real truth. When I die I become instantly reborn in the future someplace and thus like you, I never really know what it's like to know normality. If we want world to exist properly the past cannot interfere and the future must not be controlled in any manner from an outside source. All I can be is an observer and perhaps a possible aid to whomever the new ruler is."
"Is that so." Hotaru took one step forward and put the glaive back on her back. "If this is your truth then I will not stop you. However if you are as ageless as you say and really travel all of time and space then why can't you just go back to where you want to be? Why not erase all that you've come to know as of now and recreate what you wish to happen, you are of blood from the gods of time. Are you not?"
"My answers aren't sought freely nor are they things easily explained." Setsuna whispered before changing her stance. "I can say only one thing. Live. The ultimate gifts received in the end will be worth all you have done. I can promise you that."
The tall figure began slowly walking again away from the Senshi she had called family. Hotaru couldn't explain the feeling in her chest; it was confusing and not one of familiarity. Before the woman left earshot Hotaru had only a moment to make her thoughts clear and did so with a hesitant and shaky voice. "I don't care if you are time you have an ability to live life!" With a shake of her head she turned to return to camp. "Never forget Pluto; never forget the good and the bad because one day you will be back. I know that to be only truth."
As Pluto wandered aimlessly through the forest not really giving a care to the world around her, this new creation based upon destroying the future set in stone and past fairytales. Idly she noticed the greenery and the moonlit night that would soon fade to the gray morning that would call the dawning of the sun. "Queen of the lost past how I wish to return to the days of old, I know I have the power to do just that, but at what cost? Tell me, I know somewhere contains the real answers and I can't live as Hotaru wishes without them. What really happened before the rise of the Kingdom? Spirits of the lost please grant me this knowledge."
The spirits of the world were indeed there however Setsuna couldn't hear them. She couldn't feel the embraces and soft words that echoed in the reality around her. There was very little she could do without interfering with fate directly. However, there was something she could do, even if it wasn't something she willingly should do. 'If the souls of the Moons reside among us then perhaps, just maybe the future still doesn't lie within hands of the past. I cannot give you all the aid I would normally like nevertheless there is still something I can do.'
She calling forth her staff she allowed emotion of the millennia to overtake her form as a large hologram overtook her form as she stood at the highest point nearby. Knowing that this would cause trouble she idly wonder where time would send her after this, it would be clear that she wouldn't be allowed to stay, that much was simple fact. Thankfully all she had to do was complete what Usagi had started back at the shrine. Using her staff she called forth the powers needed even if all she said were merely whispers inside of their minds.
"Forgive me for what I'm about to do. Forgive me for what I am unable to complete. Lastly forgive me if any promise I had spoken of remains unfulfilled at this time. The time stream remains my path in life and flows endlessly among rifts in each reality. I know that this concept is something you will never be able to understand and for that I am sorry. There is but one thing I can do, the one reason I have offered you all the opportunity that I have. I know boundaries were crossed that under normality would have had me banished earlier and that punishment must remain true for me. I will be shifting to a different moment in time very shortly, however let it be known that we will meet again, somehow some way, past, present, or future I will be back. That is the line of fate; however before I am taken to the new place I have one last gift for you all. I will advance you to what ages you would have been in the future had the children gone back. I will bestow for you a paradox that while is not one that will last forever will allow you to help mold what it is you wish to become."
Setsuna's explanation ended as auras flared around the Senshi fated to at one time bring about a now unrealistic future. Even the children were affected by the mystic powers given to them as they found a rapid age. The parents found even in the age acceleration they had not changed in appearance. The children however had, greatly. The babies had also aged and as a result their bodies and minds accelerated in rapid succession. Much like Hotaru's many rebirths, memories were implanted where vital and also within the minds of their parents accordingly.
"I have allowed you're ages to accelerate accordingly to when the actual Neo Moon should have happened, however there are a few paradoxes to keep in mind. Firstly, Even if I accelerated everyone's aging, the process of fate for the babies changed drastically when the new world came to be. Thus the destruction of the time gates prevented them to be considered the eldest of the children. As such, they have ages in proper year span as any new infant born of this timeline would. Yasu, Yumi, and Mari, followed the aging pattern in relation to the fact that in this timeline they were already the ages of ten. Also, this paradox is not permanent, just like the ones used to pass through any and all moments in a timeline this one will end when an event for that paradox sets off a trigger. In this case you're trigger is the rise of the Neo Moon, because of these facts please keep in mind that as soon as a new ruler is chosen you will all return to the ages before the paradox took place. I am sorry I was unable to do more for you."
As Setsuna's voice left the depths of their minds it became clear that she wasn't within their current era, at least not at that moment. Where she happened to end up wasn't an answer they could find easily either. No, this entire situation was complex. It did even less for everyone that no one really knew her true intent for the rapid accelerations. Well, perhaps Hotaru knew, but even she wasn't fully sure of the possibilities Setsuna had in mind. The more fearful thoughts were the facts that aging rapidly wasn't something the others were used to dealing with outside of Hotaru's situation, so no one really knew what to expect. It seemed impossible that considering everything Setsuna could do, she chose to mess with acceleration out of a mere whim. Obviously she had a reason for this choice, what didn't seem to add up was what exactly it was. As quickly as she had spoken she was gone, no trace left besides the facts before them, the now older children, if they could even be called that. What were they now? What Senshi could even be called a mere child?
What stood before the adult Senshi was a mix of emotions, partly comical, partly worrisome with other emotions laced throughout. Among all of the other drama to deal with, this one took the cake. As will all Senshi issues they knew this one would prove to be a challenge. After a sort of seeming normality had found them it had been lost in an instant as the ones who were children stood as teens and the babies were now older as well. It seemed Saeko was the first to find her voice among the inward mental battle that had struck a very confusing cord "Looks like puberty is hitting early."
TBC!
Preview summary for the next chapter: Now that the babies and children have aged because of Setsuna's interference new emotions run high as everyone struggles to cope. Among the added weight of dealing with the new occurrence they have to deal with the Dark Moon as Yasu unveils the first team to go into combat. The deities are calling, who will be affected by the ways of war, and what went on by the fire that Yasu hadn't told everyone. Guess you'll need to wait to find out.
A/N: I Will be updating more often now that my computer is back but please accept this small installment as a way to pass the time as I continue to type away at my keyboard.