Thanks a ton to all past, present, and future reviewers!
I hate to do this again, unfortunately I cannot promise weekly updates. Therefore I will be taking another break in order to finish up the rest of my semester with decent grades (getting lots of A's back, so I'm hoping for Dean's list...). I will try to post something in the first or second week of may, and if I resume posting sooner than that well then I guess I'll make myself a liar. I apologize for doing this, but school comes first. THIS STORY IS NOT BEING ABANDONED!
I am also focusing on my original manuscript because I know someone who published an ebook and she has promised to help me get mine out there but first I have to finish the latest rewrite of it... So, look for chapter six in a few weeks. Until then, reviews would be wonderful...
As always, I don't own.
"Sailor Pluto!" Serena exclaimed.
A single body lie unmoving on the floor of the white room. Serena rushed forward, Darien right behind her as they knelt down to try to revive the fallen time guardian.
"She won't wake up."
Serena gasped as she looked up. Instantly the princess rose, facing the majestic Queen Serenity. "Mother."
"What's going on?" Darien asked. "Why is the time gate messed up? Why won't Trista respond?"
"So many questions, Endymion."
Just as before, the white room around them slowly melted away, leaving them in the throne room of the Moon Palace. The body of Sailor Pluto vanished as well.
"I'm afraid Pluto broke one of the taboos of the time gate. It worked for the moment, however the enemy was stronger than the expected."
"There are taboos of the time gate?" Serena asked.
Queen Serenity nodded. "Yes. The first is that she cannot move time in any way. The second is that she is not allowed to leave the time gate, under any circumstance. And the last is that she may not stop time."
"But she…"
"Sailor Pluto has broken all of these rules. While her actions were to warn the Outer Scouts of the new enemy, so that they might be ready. The payment for breaking any of these taboos is her life."
"No!" Serena shouted. "There has to be something! We need Pluto's help!"
"What's done is done. It cannot be changed."
"The darkness that is taking over the time gate…" Darien began. "What is it?"
"The future. A future that must be avoided at all costs."
"But we don't know anything about this enemy," Serena said. "That's why we came to Pluto."
Queen Serenity gestured to a small table that had appeared when the room changed. On the surface was a map of modern Tokyo. Three points glowed, forming a triangle in the center of the city.
"As I believed you've already figured out, your new enemy, known as the Death Busters, is set on destroying the world. I'm afraid you will have to figure out most of the additional information on your own."
"Why are they taking pure hearts?"
"Do you remember some of the stories I told you, when you a little girl?"
"There were too many to remember just one."
"Well, when your memory is jogged I know you will recall every detail you need to know."
"The enemy is in the center of this triangle," Darien said, having been studying the map.
Queen Serenity smiled. "You always did have a quick mind. You will make a great king someday."
"Only if we're able to defeat this new enemy."
"Which won't be easy."
"Mother, what about the silver crystal?" Serena asked. "The daimon destroyed it and…"
"The silver crystal would not have been of any help to you."
"But-"
"At least not in the form it was in before."
"I don't understand."
"You and Darien had the power the entire time to revive the crystal. Not only that but to strengthen it as well. What you held before was barely a sliver of the true power it contains."
Serena and Darien exchanged a glance, both trying to figure out what they could have done to fix the crystal.
"How could she make it powerful again?" Darien finally asked.
"Your bond. Don't tell me you're living together without knowing the full strength of your bond. Are you two even married?"
"Almost," Serena answered.
"And I suppose you would have an earth ceremony for that."
"Why wouldn't we?"
"Perhaps it's a good thing you ended up here. Come with me."
"Where are we going?"
Queen Serenity smiled sweetly. "You two are going to be married."
"There have been several sparks of energy from this area," Artemis said.
Amy was typing on the compact computer, getting readings that only she understood. Meanwhile Raye looked around, sensing the enemy nearby though she was unable to tell from where. Mina looked down at Luna and Artemis, who she carried in her arms.
"There's nothing here," she said.
"Hey everyone!" Hotaru called, running up to the inner scouts.
"What are you doing here?" Mina asked.
"Looks like we had the same leads," Amara said, as she and Michelle stepped up behind the younger scout.
"Wouldn't it just be easier to work together?"
"The Outer Scouts and Inner Scouts never worked together."
"You did before."
"Only under order of the princess," Michelle said.
"So when Serena gets back and orders you to help-"
"We'll share what we've found. Until then, we have things to do. We'll be seeing you soon."
With her arm wrapped around Amara's, they motioned to Hotaru who waved before following them away.
"How much do you think they actually have figured out?" Hotaru wondered.
"It's hard to say," Amara replied. "Luna and Artemis have their computers. All we're going on is the little knowledge Pluto was able to share with us."
"How did you do on your entrance exam, Hotaru?" Michelle asked.
"I'm not sure. It wasn't difficult. If I do manage to get in though I'll need Darien's permission."
"Which means the prince will have to approve of us infiltrating Mugen Academy."
"I have a terrible feeling about that place," Michelle stated. "Hopefully we can stop this group before they cause too much harm."
"Hey, do you think my brother and Serena found Trista yet?"
Michelle looked up at Amara who stared straight ahead as if she hadn't heard the question. Several days had passed since the prince and princess left, and no matter how hard the young woman tried she was unable to reach them through the communicator.
"Don't worry, Hotaru. Maybe Serena will come to Mugen with us. It is closer to your apartment."
"Will you go home already?" Ken said for what had to be the tenth time in the past hour.
He didn't normally ask his girlfriend to leave, however Lita had fallen asleep twice in the hard chair beside his bed in the past hour alone.
"I'm fine, really."
"Lita, visiting hours ended three hours ago. You're lucky the nurse thinks we're cute together, otherwise she might have called security. Go home and get some rest."
"If I didn't know any better I'd say you were trying to get rid of me."
Ken smiled. "If you don't go home tonight, you won't bring food tomorrow and I'll be forced to stomach what the hospital cafeteria is serving. The guys are all out in the waiting room. Have Andrew walk you home."
"I can handle myself, and those monsters aren't gonna try to attack me again."
"For my peace of mind?"
Lita sighed. "Alright. But only because the convenience stores will all be closed soon and I won't have time in the morning to prepare anything."
"Get some sleep. You don't have to be here every minute of every day."
"Someone has to make sure you don't sneak out. I'll be back tomorrow," Lita said, leaning down to kiss his cheek.
Ken shook his head as he squeezed her hand before letting her go.
"I'm going to take the entrance exam to Mugen Academy," Amy announced. "I set up the appointment, and should probably be leaving soon."
The four inner scouts were once again gathered in Raye's room at the shrine. It was not an official meeting, but that did not stop the scout business from coming up. In the past hour or so they had fallen silent, finding comfort in each others company as they waited to hear from their prince and princess who had yet to return.
"You're enrolling there?" Mina asked.
"Only if I pass the entrance exams."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Lita asked.
"I went back yesterday, after we saw Amara and Michelle there. It turns out the three of them were taking the exams. So I set up my appointment. But only certain people are allowed in, no matter how well they do on entrance exams."
"I wonder if they got in," Mina murmured.
"They probably won't tell us until Serena gets back," Lita growled.
"How was Ken today?"
"He went home. The guys are looking after him."
"I'm sure you'll get in Amy," Raye said. "But are you sure it's a good idea to go alone?"
"I was fine there yesterday. For all we know it's merely coincidence that the Academy is located in the center of the energy field. It would still be best for at least one of us to be nearby in case something happens."
"Just be careful," Mina ordered. "Contact us if anything happens."
Amy nodded as she neared the door. "Let me know if you hear anything from Darien or Serena."
"Amara is going to kill me," Darien murmured.
Serena smiled, her head against his shoulder as she sat contently on his lap. In her hand was a new brooch, this one holding a soft pink, heart-shaped crystal. As Serena ran her fingers over it the crystal flashed, filling her with a power stronger than she had ever felt.
"Mother didn't exactly give you a choice," she finally said.
Darien turned her head to face him, lightly kissing her lips. "Are you going to stop sleeping on the couch now?"
"I didn't always sleep on the couch."
Darien chuckled.
"What are we going to tell everyone? It's bad enough we were keeping the engagement and wedding planning a secret. All that was for nothing now."
"Not necessarily." Darien leaned forward to kiss her softly.
As their lips touched the crystal that was pinned to her shirt shined even brighter, becoming as bright as the full moon on a clear winter's night. As Serena's lips parted and the kiss deepened, a slight weight fell onto Serena's lap, startling the princess into falling from Darien's lap. A small form knelt on the ground before them, seeming more lost and confused than anyone had ever been.
Furious, Serena jumped to her feet. "Who are…Rini?"
The pink-haired girl blinked in slight confusion before smiling in relief and launching herself into her future mother's arms.
"Serena!"
Serena looked over the small girls head to Darien, who was just as surprised as she was. Rini suddenly turned before leaping at Darien.
"Darien!"
"Rini, what are you doing here?" Serena asked.
Rini looked up at her before digging into the pocket of her jacket and producing a small letter.
"Mama sent me," she said.
Serena sat down, this time next to Darien, who read the letter over her shoulder.
Dear Serena and Darien,
I hope this finds everything okay! While I have no right to ask such a thing, I must beg that you take Rini under your care. She is struggling to gain her scout powers, but I believe with the right guidance from you she will become a strong sailor scout.
Best regards,
Serenity
"Train you as a sailor scout?" Serena said. "This can't be serious."
"That's your handwriting," Darien replied.
Serena threw him a glare.
"I don't want to be a burden," Rini said quietly. "But…"
"How did you get here? The time gate has been taken over by darkness."
"I saw a bright light and followed it here. What are you two doing here anyway?"
The two exchanged a glance.
"Rini! I thought I heard your voice."
The trio turned to Queen Serenity, who had just entered the small garden. Rini left Darien's lap.
"Grandmother!"
"I hoped you would turn up before Serena and Darien left," Queen Serenity said. "You three should get back to the twenty-first century. If you don't leave soon, you might never be able to."
Amy finished the final question and flipped to the first page of the test. She had completed it in half the time allowed, and decided she would check her answers. She was only semi-aware of someone entering the room, but she didn't hear the figure approaching until she was attacked. Amy gasped as she was yanked from her seat and held against the wall by long tentacles attached the daimon. It covered her mouth, preventing her from screaming as a black beam shot out from the black star on its forehead to search for her heart crystal.
"Amy!"
Amy barely registered a feeling of relief as the three other scouts ran to her aid. She struggled to open her eyes, but instead let out a scream as the daimon began to rip out the small pink crystal.
"Mars celestial fire-"
Before Sailor Mars could finish her attack, an orangish orb flew at the group. The trio flew back, looking up in surprise at the two older scouts in the shadows above them.
"What are you thinking?!" Mina demanded.
"Did they just attack the inner scouts?" Luna asked, from where she and Artemis watched.
"Finding the heart crystals is the most important part of our current mission," Sailor Uranus said.
"If it takes her heart it will kill her!"
"Sacrifice is necessary if it means earth is saved," Neptune said. "Our mission is to save earth. Don't get in our way."
"They just declared war on the inner scouts," Artemis whispered.
As much as I hate to, yes I will be taking another semi-long break. I will get the next chapter out as soon as possible, but don't expect anything until at least the beginning of May.