Indeed, Emily was outside on the training grounds, Yet she'd got into an unexpected predicament. If training her capabilities meant perfecting each ability, what would she do with the one attack she should NEVER use? Yes, the ebony-haired girl continuously agonized about utilizing "Death Reborn Purge" again. Thankfully, Chibiusa had saved her life last time. Nevertheless, Emily didn't desire that to become a habit. Sitting down, she gazed at her Silence Glaive. She witnessed her fearful expression reflected on the blade, which shocked her.
"Sailor Saturn...a skittish, quiet, spineless introvert," Emily thought sadly as she felt she had disgraced Saturn's name by harboring these characteristics. To Emily, Hotaru could be cold and analytical. On the other hand, she remained loyal, cheerful, gifted, protective, intellectual, and even sarcastic sometimes! Even in advanced-level classes, Emily never felt like that, and her companions thought she was courageous.
"I don't blame you. Your weapon is captivating," a cold, mature woman voiced behind the dark-skinned girl.
Emily turned and fell over, almost having a heart attack as she saw who she assumed to be, Mistress 9 standing there! Shaking up, the brown-eyed senshi pointed her Silence Glaive at the woman's face. Then 'Mistress 9' used a hand to lift her dark bangs, and Emily was bewildered to witness no black star on her forehead.
"So...you're not Mistress 9?" Emily lowered her weapon slightly.
"No. Sorry to disappoint you," the sinister female answered coldly.
"You almost gave me a heart attack!" Emily yelled in outrage.
Oh, I didn't mean to do that. Please, don't have a heart attack...just yet," Alternate Emily spoke in a falsetto tone.
"I don't plan on having one any time soon," Emily growled in irritation at Alternate Emily's teasing threat.
"Let's get to know each other a little better then. For example, how is your relationship with your mother?" Alternate Emily kicked back.
"My relationship with my mom? It's OK." Emily attempted to communicate. Except she'd never been good at describing such things.
"You don't sound so convinced." Alternate Emily smirked.
"I love her, and she loves me! She's kind to me, protects me, and understands me!" Emily screamed, getting a bit frustrated.
"OK, OK, no need to get so defensive about it. It was just a question and didn't matter much." Alternate Emily waved away Emily's outburst.
"Why did you ask if it doesn't matter?" Emily questioned irritably.
"I was curious if your relationship with your mother was indeed strong. After all, you only inherited her qualities from her second past life," the counterpart pointed out.
"What qualities are those?" Emily asked, confused.
"Timid, quiet, frail, and keeps to herself," her dark counterpart shrugged.
Emily gripped her Silence Glaive so tightly that her hand bled slightly. She brought it back to the woman's smugly smiling face and threatened, "Insult my mom or me again, and I'll show you how timid and frail I am!" the dark-skinned girl hissed.
"You even act as cold as Sailor Saturn."
"Despite what happened to Hotaru, she endured, and I admire her for that. She changed her life around completely. If she could do it, so can I!" Emily stated proudly.
Alternate Emily snickered, "Introverts don't change!" she spat in Emily's face.
Hot under the collar, Emily wanted to bring her Glaive down and end this woman badly, but she knew that was not the right decision. Glancing at her Glaive, she had to do a double-take. For it wasn't her reflection she saw, but her friends! Her friends, who she tried to conceal, her introverted qualities. Except these were the same friends who always felt blessed to be around her! Emily did feel ashamed she had been avoiding telling them how she felt at times. Suddenly, Emily realized she did not feel angry anymore, yet...she did feel other things...
"When I'm alone, I may act timid and frail. However, being quiet and keeping to myself are my own decisions. As Sailor Saturn, I can be aloof and reliable. No matter what, I'll do whatever needs to be done! However, with my friends? I feel upbeat, fortunate, valued, and protective! I've formed enjoyable memories to last me a lifetime! SILENCE, GLAIVE SNEAK SURPRISE!" Emily produced a massive energy discharge from her talisman!
Pleased she didn't feel drained by using that attack anymore as she had just spent a load of time perfecting it, Emily watched her duplicate explode! While Emily was glad she did not have to swing her Silence Glaive down for this, she did have something else she needed to do. Tell her friends how sorry she was. Uncomfortable as it was to her, Emily's friends could not help glomping her when she walked through the doors. Showing the young Senshi, they'd been worried about her. After the hugging died, Emily explained why she had been gone so long.
"Emily, you can talk to us if you feel small or helpless. As Sailor Saturn, it's not safe to bottle up your emotions. Consequently, it is not healthy as a person overall." Jewel put a comforting hand on the dark girl's shoulder.
"I know. It's just...I understand Hotaru because I feel how she used to periodically. Except, unlike her, I'm a wallflower." Emily tried to describe her feelings. However, it needed to come out better.
"Who declared that I'm not an introvert?" A new, familiar voice spoke from one of the other doorways. Everyone looked up to see Emily's mother!
"Miss Tomoe!" everyone exclaimed admiringly as they all liked something about Hotaru.
"Girls, can you give me a few minutes with Emily?" Hotaru requested. The girls curtsy once before they begin to clear out. Chibiusa gave Emily one last sympathetic smile and left. Once mother and daughter were alone, the conversation resumed.
"Mom, you're not an introvert," Emily argued. It left her bewildered her mother would think she was an introvert.
"Em, I felt like a prisoner in the house, even my own body! How much more of an introvert can that make someone?" challenged her mother.
"You aren't like that now!" sputtered Emily.
"No, but that doesn't mean I don't still retain introverted qualities. If I learned anything in my life? It's don't ever be afraid to be yourself. I'll love you, no matter what, my precious treasure," Hotaru hugged Emily tightly. She is one person Emily does not mind being hugged by.
"I felt it again today..." Emily expressed gravelly, referring to the urge to swing her Glaive down during her fight with her double.
"I could sense you were stressed. However, I knew you wouldn't irresponsibly abuse your power. You've better self-control then that. You should be able to see that in yourself. So please, darling, don't be too hard on yourself."
"Thanks to my friends, I'll never have to utilize my abilities carelessly. They mean too much to me..."
