(no subject)
It Is done!!!!!! The end is written!!!!! Hurray!!!!!!
Title: Reunions
Author: Ree
Theme: Stars - Mother
Genre: general/Drama/scifi
Version: Manga/Anime - way in the future (Troubleshooters series)
Rating: G
Nope, none belong to me... well one is my creation, but she still is in Takeuchi Naoko universe.
Reunions
To be forgiven
Pluto and Lethe had caught up with Moon and Mnemosyne at the entrance of the judgment chamber. No one could enter without the two sisters escorting them. Lethe reached over and picked up a goblet from a stand on the right hand side of the entrance as her sister did the same form one on the left. Holding that goblet calmed her down. It reminded her of her purpose here. One she and her sister were eager to accept. It was here, in Hades, that had they originated before time had granted them their own little planets off in the cosmos. It was here that they were glad to return to once they had been reborn from the cauldron.
Walking forward, holding the Goblet of Oblivion, Lethe approached the throne and the three judges that were arrayed before the Queen. Mnemosyne was beside her holding the Goblet of Memory. Bowing, they introduced the visitors. "Queen Persephone, Sailor Moon and Sailor Pluto are here to see you."
Pluto used that moment to study her mother, to see if she had changed. The Queen of Hades was the same terrible beauty that she had been the last time Setsuna had seen her over a millennium ago, before she had become Sailor Pluto. Her dark brown hair, the color of wet rich soil, blended with the gloom that hovered about the throne. Not much could be seen of her body, it was covered in a flowing gown that pooled about her feet. But when Pluto saw her eyes, she found the change. Instead of the warm sherry color, they were burning garnets.
The fury in The Queen's eyes bit into Pluto's bones. Moving quickly, she made sure that she was in front of Moon as they entered. She was not going to let her mother's fury reach the Princess that she was meant to protect. "Your Majesty," she sketched a slight bow. "I am here to find out why you are attacking the colony of the surface."
Persephone's gaze burned as she looked at the person before her. Lethe was sure that Sailor Pluto would go up in smoke any moment. But the senshi was obviously made of sterner stuff, since she gazed back at the queen impassively.
"You claim to be the senshi for this world?" Her question ended with a slight mocking laugh. "There is no senshi for Pluto. There has never been one."
Pluto waited for an answer to her question, refusing to restate the obvious.
Lethe could tell that the queen was about to go off into her mad rant about the lost princess of Pluto. She had heard it so many times, she wished that they Queen would accept a draught from her cup so that her pain would vanish in the soft waves of forgetfulness.
Persephone noticed that she got no rise out of either of the senshi before her. "How can you claim to be the senshi of this world? Queen Selenity called all the princess to her kingdom and the all but the Princess of Saturn and of Pluto became senshi. There were no senshi for either of the those planets."
Lethe noticed that Pluto paled slightly at the mention of Saturn's princess.
"Saturn's princess returned home. But not my daughter... no my daughter vanished. No one knew what happened to her. No one could tell me where she was. Not ever Serenity herself!" Persephone's eyes smoldered hotter than before as her fingers clenched about the arms of her throne. Fury and pained laced its way through her words. "She stole my daughter!"
Pluto tightened her hand about her staff as she fought with herself. 'I can't tell her... that was what Selenity said. But Neo-Queen Serenity would be the first to comfort her. To tell her where I was, and what I was doing. What should I do? Who's guidance should I follow?' She glanced over at Lena, Sailor Moon, who was so much like Neo-Queen Serenity the First, like Usagi. Sympathy was covering her face. 'She must be remembering what it is like to be lost. To be taken away from home.' Another thought leaked into her mind, making her look back at the Queen.
Keeping her voice bland, she asked her question. "So, you believe that Queen Selenity stole your daughter... did you steal Neo-Queen Serenity the Sixth's daughter in retaliation?"
Lethe stared from Sailor Pluto to Queen Persephone. Her eyes then grazed over the Judges, trying to gauge their reaction to the question. 'Stunned... that is what they are. The queen almost seems nonplussed. She doesn't know what to say.'
'The queen's own daughter was stolen? When... why didn't I hear about this? She... she needs someone... every mother needs someone when their child is taken...even if they have done the same thing to someone else.' Even as her thoughts ran about, something about the name of the queen tugged at her mind. There was something wrong here. "Neo-Queen Serenity the Sixth? Her daughter was stolen?" The words torn out of the Plutonian Queen sounded like a worried mother, not a belligerent enemy.
That question put Pluto's heart at rest. Her mother hadn't stooped that low. "Yes. When the new princess was but two she was stolen from Crystal Tokyo. Her mother has searched for her ever since."
"As I have searched for my daughter. I have looked for her ever since she failed to return from the Moon Kingdom." For a moment she felt that the Moon Queen was getting her just dues. But those thoughts leaked away under the weight of the idea that something wasn't fitting right.
Lethe frowned slightly. Pluto had said Crystal Tokyo, not the Moon Kingdom. And she had called the Queen Neo-Queen. They might be slight, but they were important differences. Her eyes caught the Judges. They had noticed the differences as well. She watched as the three men conversed softly for a moment. Then she watched as the Minos sighed and nodded to the others.
Stepping forward, the dark haired judge bowed to the Queen before interrupting. "You call your Queen Neo-Queen Serenity. Is she not Queen Selenity of the Moon Kingdom?" His eyes flickered over both of the senshi before him as he felt Persephone's eyes boring into his back.
'That is what is wrong... the name is slightly different.' Persephone waited to hear her reply.
Pluto looked at the Judge. He had not changed either. His dark hair still curled to his shoulders and he still wore the long robes that had alerted her to him coming when she was a child playing in the court. His dark eyes still looked like iron wrapped in velvet. And still radiating from him was his demand to be told the truth. "No, that Selenity died with the fall of the Silver Millennium. Her daughter was sent forward in time, and through many trials, she eventually became Neo-Queen Serenity the First. She, along with King Endymion, became the first rulers of Crystal Tokyo. Our current ruler is Neo-Queen Serenity the Sixth and King Thantos, who is of Saturn. They rule from a city that resides on the third planet of this system, Earth."
Lethe's eyes widened. She knew who she was talking about. Sailor Moon. She became Neo-Queen Serenity the First.
Persephone noticed Lethe's reaction. "Do you know something of this, Lethe?"
Lethe glance over at Mnemosyne and then back to Sailor Moon. Finally her eyes rested on her queen. "Yes, Your Majesty. I know that if it weren't for Neo-Queen Serenity the First, then none of these worlds would exist. We would all be gone. Destroyed at the whim of one called Chaos and his pawn Galaxia. We owe our lives to her, at least I know I do."
Persephone settled back into her throne, contemplating this change. She had thought for sure she was dealing with the same queen that had stolen her daughter. But it seemed her enemy was long gone, and her descendant was facing the same gut wrenching worry that she was. And that also meant she would never find her daughter. For her daughter was lost to her long ago.
Pluto watched as her mother's anger slowly bleed away and turn into a heart wrenching sorrow.
Lethe almost held up her cup to her queen. She could tell her hope was gone, fading into the dust of despair as the senshi's words sunk in.
"So, in this time, this world has a senshi." Persephone's looked down at the green haired woman below her. "But, we have no princess. Why can we not have both?" A tear tracked its way down Persephone's check as her heart lost the last of its hope.
Pluto stared up into the despair that covered her mother's face. Tightening her fingers about her staff, she cast a look at Sailor Moon, seeking the permission to tell. To let her mother know.
Moon caught her questioning glance. 'She is asking my permission for something. I wonder why she needs my permission. But what ever it is, it is important. That is clear... it is written on her face, in her stance.' Catching Pluto's eyes, Moon nodded yes.
Pluto caught the gesture and knew that her princess had given her permission to follow her heart. Her eyes traced about the room, wishing for some sort of barrier that would prevent this knowledge from escaping. Finally, her eyes landed on Lethe. The River of Oblivion could stop the knowledge. Even the walls could be made to forget when covered in the water from that source. "Lethe... I am going to need your aid. Yours and Mnemosyne's." There were two people who needed to remember what she was about to say.
Lethe stepped towards her. Something in her voice drew her. Mnemosyne was not far behind her.
Closing her eyes, Pluto transformed. She allowed herself to become Princess Setsuna of Pluto. A gasp rose from the throne and others were stifled about the room. Pluto opened her eyes. "Mother... Selenity never intended to have me vanish from you. She couldn't tell you. She couldn't tell anyone." She spread her hand open. "I am a senshi. Pluto has always had one. It is just that my duty, as that of Saturn's Senshi, is one that is cloaked in darkness. Hidden from sight."
"Set....Setsuna? Is that really you?" Persephone clambered down from her throne and rushed across the room.
Lethe watched as tears of sorrow turned to tears of joy as they flowed down the Queen's face, washing clean the anger and pain that had filled her. Her daughter had returned. Lethe looked down into her cup. She hoped she was not going to be called on to erase this memory from the Queen.
Persephone wrapped her daughter tight into her embrace. Setsuna returned her hug. She felt as is she was truly home. A moment later, Persephone released her far enough to look into the garnet eyes that were the mirror of hers. "What is this duty that took you away from me? And will you have to leave again?"
Pluto glanced over at Lethe before she answered. Lethe caught and understood. This was the part that was to be forgotten.
"I guard our system from attacks by standing at the Gates of Time. As the daughter of the Underworld, I can sense changes in Time and Space. It is my job to make sure that nothing attacks us through those Doors."
Persephone became thoughtful. "Has this ever happened before?"
As Setsuna nodded yes, Lethe remembered what she said about being a failure. She now understood what she meant. Pluto had failed at guarding her post.
"I must go back to the Doors. As you left here for Earth during its Spring and Summer, and had to return here for the remainder of the year, I get to leave the Doors for a short while before I must return."
Persephone nodded, understanding dawning across her face. "So, at this time, you aren't supposed to be a senshi? As I am not the Queen and Judge when I was on the Earth?"
Pluto nodded.
"Then, my daughter, please return to your Spring. I will disturb it no longer." Her face shuttered as she thought of being left behind in the underworld as her daughter was playing in the sunlight. It must have been what Setsuna had felt like so long ago when she had left for Earth.
"Mother, please come up to the surface of Pluto with us. Please, join the society that is thriving on our world." Pluto cast a look over at Sailor Moon as an idea formed in her mind.
"I should remain here. This is my place." Persephone gestured to the three Judges and Mnemosyne and Lethe. Longing to go was evident in her face, but duty was also there. Her duty to the Underworld.
Setsuna looked about, accepting her decision, but still had one more request. "Then please, come to the surface for your Spring. Just for a short while. Long enough to meet Serenity the Sixth."
Persephone nodded in agreement, happy that her daughter had found away. It was about time for Spring to come and it made sense to meet a visiting queen.
Pluto turned to Lethe and Mnemosyne. "Guardians of the Rivers, I request that you wash the memory of what was said off these walls and from the minds of the three judges. The only ones to remember besides me are Mother and Sailor Moon."
Lethe caught the Princess' eye. Surely she knew that she, as the Guardian of that river, was not affected by the River's powers. The assurance in the Princess' gaze told her that she trusted her to keep the secret, the same as she kept the secret of her sister's and her service to Galaxia.
Holding up the never emptying Goblet of Oblivion, she did as she was asked.
"Mnemosyne, I need you to use your Goblet over here." Setsuna gestured for her to come over. "Please, let Sailor Moon have a small draught from your Goblet."
Mnemosyne glanced at the Queen for permission. Persephone looked at her daughter before agreeing.
Moon looked at Setsuna as well before taking a sip. Memories flooded her mind. Gaps from her childhood, from her infancy filled in. Her eyes filled with wonder. She could finally remember her mother's face.
While Lena was reveling in her new found memories, Setsuna pulled her mother aside. "Mother, will you please return Sailor Moon, Lena, to her mother? I can't do it with out giving away my identity, but you can. You can call upon the Judges of the Underworld as well as state the power of Mnemosyne's Goblet as to why you know who she is."
Persephone frowned slightly. "And who is her mother?"
Setsuna glanced over at the senshi lost in her own world. "She is Serenity the Sixth's lost daughter. She is Sailor Moon, the lost Princess. But Lena doesn't know it yet."
Persephone gazed at the girl. "I shall come to the surface and make her acquaintance. Then we shall see what happens."
Setsuna smiled.
******
Lena looked out over the balcony. She had finally made it to the last planet in the solar system that she had not been on. Crystal Tokyo sprawled before in a never ending pattern. It glinted in the sun's light, reflecting all the colors of stones that could be imagined in the universe. Her searching eyes settled on the space port. Today, her court was to arrive from the other four inner planets. Today she would meet the senshi who would do their best to protect her and guard her. Of course she was worried about who they were, if they would really like her for her, but she tried to bury that worry deep, so that they would not sense it.
The air shimmered in the corner of her room. Glancing into it, she clasped her brooch, ready to do battle for herself if an enemy came out. Her eyes widened as Sailor Pluto entered.
"Setsuna!" She stepped forward, heading to one of her best friends only to stop when she saw Lethe and Mnemosyne step out from behind the green haired troubleshooter.
"Greetings Princess Lena. I trust you have settled in well?" Pluto watched her face as it reflected all the adjustments she had to go through to be where she was today.
"Well enough. The last part is coming today. They have sent out the call for my court. They are looking for the senshi who will guard me, one from each of the inner planets. Except Earth." Confusion covered her last words.
"That is because Earth is represented by you, Sailor Moon. For once, a long time ago, the Moon was part of the Earth. So, the Guardian senshi are gathered and you will meet them today. You shall be safe now." Pluto smiled contently, her princess was going to be surprised when the shuttle landed. Happily surprised at who the four young ladies were.
"Safe... yes I suppose so. But..." Lena's eyes trailed over Lethe and Mnemosyne and back to Pluto. "But ..."
Pluto smile faded slightly as she spoke earnestly. "Remember all that you went through. Remembering it makes you stronger and will allow you to face the trials yet to come. But also know that if the trials create a pain too much to bear, a pain that is destroying your mind, you are allowed to forget them once you are done. At least the parts that are eating your soul."
With a slight gesture of Pluto's hand, Mnemosyne and Lethe walked forward and placed smaller versions of their goblets on a small table by Lena's window. "These are gifts from Queen Persephone."
Lethe looked at her. "The one with green stones will grant you the healing of forgetfulness. But you shall remember that you forgot something."
Mnemosyne smiled as she nodded to the other one. "And the one with pink stones will grant you those memories back when you are strong enough to face them and learn from them."
The two Guardians sank to their knees and lowed their heads. "Our allegiance is pledged to you, Princess. Call us when ever you need us."
Pluto sank to one knee. "I also pledge my allegiance to you, Princess Lena. If you ever have need, please call upon me."
Lena looked at her friend and then reached out her hand towards her. "Rise, and do not kneel before me again. You are my friend not my servant. May I call upon you as a friend even if there is no real need?"
Pluto's eyes lit up with hope. "As long as it is not too often and does not distract from my duty."
Lena smiled. "Then, till later, my friend."
The three ladies left their princess to await her new court's entrance.
Title: Reunions
Author: Ree
Theme: Stars - Mother
Genre: general/Drama/scifi
Version: Manga/Anime - way in the future (Troubleshooters series)
Rating: G
Nope, none belong to me... well one is my creation, but she still is in Takeuchi Naoko universe.
Reunions
To be forgiven
Pluto and Lethe had caught up with Moon and Mnemosyne at the entrance of the judgment chamber. No one could enter without the two sisters escorting them. Lethe reached over and picked up a goblet from a stand on the right hand side of the entrance as her sister did the same form one on the left. Holding that goblet calmed her down. It reminded her of her purpose here. One she and her sister were eager to accept. It was here, in Hades, that had they originated before time had granted them their own little planets off in the cosmos. It was here that they were glad to return to once they had been reborn from the cauldron.
Walking forward, holding the Goblet of Oblivion, Lethe approached the throne and the three judges that were arrayed before the Queen. Mnemosyne was beside her holding the Goblet of Memory. Bowing, they introduced the visitors. "Queen Persephone, Sailor Moon and Sailor Pluto are here to see you."
Pluto used that moment to study her mother, to see if she had changed. The Queen of Hades was the same terrible beauty that she had been the last time Setsuna had seen her over a millennium ago, before she had become Sailor Pluto. Her dark brown hair, the color of wet rich soil, blended with the gloom that hovered about the throne. Not much could be seen of her body, it was covered in a flowing gown that pooled about her feet. But when Pluto saw her eyes, she found the change. Instead of the warm sherry color, they were burning garnets.
The fury in The Queen's eyes bit into Pluto's bones. Moving quickly, she made sure that she was in front of Moon as they entered. She was not going to let her mother's fury reach the Princess that she was meant to protect. "Your Majesty," she sketched a slight bow. "I am here to find out why you are attacking the colony of the surface."
Persephone's gaze burned as she looked at the person before her. Lethe was sure that Sailor Pluto would go up in smoke any moment. But the senshi was obviously made of sterner stuff, since she gazed back at the queen impassively.
"You claim to be the senshi for this world?" Her question ended with a slight mocking laugh. "There is no senshi for Pluto. There has never been one."
Pluto waited for an answer to her question, refusing to restate the obvious.
Lethe could tell that the queen was about to go off into her mad rant about the lost princess of Pluto. She had heard it so many times, she wished that they Queen would accept a draught from her cup so that her pain would vanish in the soft waves of forgetfulness.
Persephone noticed that she got no rise out of either of the senshi before her. "How can you claim to be the senshi of this world? Queen Selenity called all the princess to her kingdom and the all but the Princess of Saturn and of Pluto became senshi. There were no senshi for either of the those planets."
Lethe noticed that Pluto paled slightly at the mention of Saturn's princess.
"Saturn's princess returned home. But not my daughter... no my daughter vanished. No one knew what happened to her. No one could tell me where she was. Not ever Serenity herself!" Persephone's eyes smoldered hotter than before as her fingers clenched about the arms of her throne. Fury and pained laced its way through her words. "She stole my daughter!"
Pluto tightened her hand about her staff as she fought with herself. 'I can't tell her... that was what Selenity said. But Neo-Queen Serenity would be the first to comfort her. To tell her where I was, and what I was doing. What should I do? Who's guidance should I follow?' She glanced over at Lena, Sailor Moon, who was so much like Neo-Queen Serenity the First, like Usagi. Sympathy was covering her face. 'She must be remembering what it is like to be lost. To be taken away from home.' Another thought leaked into her mind, making her look back at the Queen.
Keeping her voice bland, she asked her question. "So, you believe that Queen Selenity stole your daughter... did you steal Neo-Queen Serenity the Sixth's daughter in retaliation?"
Lethe stared from Sailor Pluto to Queen Persephone. Her eyes then grazed over the Judges, trying to gauge their reaction to the question. 'Stunned... that is what they are. The queen almost seems nonplussed. She doesn't know what to say.'
'The queen's own daughter was stolen? When... why didn't I hear about this? She... she needs someone... every mother needs someone when their child is taken...even if they have done the same thing to someone else.' Even as her thoughts ran about, something about the name of the queen tugged at her mind. There was something wrong here. "Neo-Queen Serenity the Sixth? Her daughter was stolen?" The words torn out of the Plutonian Queen sounded like a worried mother, not a belligerent enemy.
That question put Pluto's heart at rest. Her mother hadn't stooped that low. "Yes. When the new princess was but two she was stolen from Crystal Tokyo. Her mother has searched for her ever since."
"As I have searched for my daughter. I have looked for her ever since she failed to return from the Moon Kingdom." For a moment she felt that the Moon Queen was getting her just dues. But those thoughts leaked away under the weight of the idea that something wasn't fitting right.
Lethe frowned slightly. Pluto had said Crystal Tokyo, not the Moon Kingdom. And she had called the Queen Neo-Queen. They might be slight, but they were important differences. Her eyes caught the Judges. They had noticed the differences as well. She watched as the three men conversed softly for a moment. Then she watched as the Minos sighed and nodded to the others.
Stepping forward, the dark haired judge bowed to the Queen before interrupting. "You call your Queen Neo-Queen Serenity. Is she not Queen Selenity of the Moon Kingdom?" His eyes flickered over both of the senshi before him as he felt Persephone's eyes boring into his back.
'That is what is wrong... the name is slightly different.' Persephone waited to hear her reply.
Pluto looked at the Judge. He had not changed either. His dark hair still curled to his shoulders and he still wore the long robes that had alerted her to him coming when she was a child playing in the court. His dark eyes still looked like iron wrapped in velvet. And still radiating from him was his demand to be told the truth. "No, that Selenity died with the fall of the Silver Millennium. Her daughter was sent forward in time, and through many trials, she eventually became Neo-Queen Serenity the First. She, along with King Endymion, became the first rulers of Crystal Tokyo. Our current ruler is Neo-Queen Serenity the Sixth and King Thantos, who is of Saturn. They rule from a city that resides on the third planet of this system, Earth."
Lethe's eyes widened. She knew who she was talking about. Sailor Moon. She became Neo-Queen Serenity the First.
Persephone noticed Lethe's reaction. "Do you know something of this, Lethe?"
Lethe glance over at Mnemosyne and then back to Sailor Moon. Finally her eyes rested on her queen. "Yes, Your Majesty. I know that if it weren't for Neo-Queen Serenity the First, then none of these worlds would exist. We would all be gone. Destroyed at the whim of one called Chaos and his pawn Galaxia. We owe our lives to her, at least I know I do."
Persephone settled back into her throne, contemplating this change. She had thought for sure she was dealing with the same queen that had stolen her daughter. But it seemed her enemy was long gone, and her descendant was facing the same gut wrenching worry that she was. And that also meant she would never find her daughter. For her daughter was lost to her long ago.
Pluto watched as her mother's anger slowly bleed away and turn into a heart wrenching sorrow.
Lethe almost held up her cup to her queen. She could tell her hope was gone, fading into the dust of despair as the senshi's words sunk in.
"So, in this time, this world has a senshi." Persephone's looked down at the green haired woman below her. "But, we have no princess. Why can we not have both?" A tear tracked its way down Persephone's check as her heart lost the last of its hope.
Pluto stared up into the despair that covered her mother's face. Tightening her fingers about her staff, she cast a look at Sailor Moon, seeking the permission to tell. To let her mother know.
Moon caught her questioning glance. 'She is asking my permission for something. I wonder why she needs my permission. But what ever it is, it is important. That is clear... it is written on her face, in her stance.' Catching Pluto's eyes, Moon nodded yes.
Pluto caught the gesture and knew that her princess had given her permission to follow her heart. Her eyes traced about the room, wishing for some sort of barrier that would prevent this knowledge from escaping. Finally, her eyes landed on Lethe. The River of Oblivion could stop the knowledge. Even the walls could be made to forget when covered in the water from that source. "Lethe... I am going to need your aid. Yours and Mnemosyne's." There were two people who needed to remember what she was about to say.
Lethe stepped towards her. Something in her voice drew her. Mnemosyne was not far behind her.
Closing her eyes, Pluto transformed. She allowed herself to become Princess Setsuna of Pluto. A gasp rose from the throne and others were stifled about the room. Pluto opened her eyes. "Mother... Selenity never intended to have me vanish from you. She couldn't tell you. She couldn't tell anyone." She spread her hand open. "I am a senshi. Pluto has always had one. It is just that my duty, as that of Saturn's Senshi, is one that is cloaked in darkness. Hidden from sight."
"Set....Setsuna? Is that really you?" Persephone clambered down from her throne and rushed across the room.
Lethe watched as tears of sorrow turned to tears of joy as they flowed down the Queen's face, washing clean the anger and pain that had filled her. Her daughter had returned. Lethe looked down into her cup. She hoped she was not going to be called on to erase this memory from the Queen.
Persephone wrapped her daughter tight into her embrace. Setsuna returned her hug. She felt as is she was truly home. A moment later, Persephone released her far enough to look into the garnet eyes that were the mirror of hers. "What is this duty that took you away from me? And will you have to leave again?"
Pluto glanced over at Lethe before she answered. Lethe caught and understood. This was the part that was to be forgotten.
"I guard our system from attacks by standing at the Gates of Time. As the daughter of the Underworld, I can sense changes in Time and Space. It is my job to make sure that nothing attacks us through those Doors."
Persephone became thoughtful. "Has this ever happened before?"
As Setsuna nodded yes, Lethe remembered what she said about being a failure. She now understood what she meant. Pluto had failed at guarding her post.
"I must go back to the Doors. As you left here for Earth during its Spring and Summer, and had to return here for the remainder of the year, I get to leave the Doors for a short while before I must return."
Persephone nodded, understanding dawning across her face. "So, at this time, you aren't supposed to be a senshi? As I am not the Queen and Judge when I was on the Earth?"
Pluto nodded.
"Then, my daughter, please return to your Spring. I will disturb it no longer." Her face shuttered as she thought of being left behind in the underworld as her daughter was playing in the sunlight. It must have been what Setsuna had felt like so long ago when she had left for Earth.
"Mother, please come up to the surface of Pluto with us. Please, join the society that is thriving on our world." Pluto cast a look over at Sailor Moon as an idea formed in her mind.
"I should remain here. This is my place." Persephone gestured to the three Judges and Mnemosyne and Lethe. Longing to go was evident in her face, but duty was also there. Her duty to the Underworld.
Setsuna looked about, accepting her decision, but still had one more request. "Then please, come to the surface for your Spring. Just for a short while. Long enough to meet Serenity the Sixth."
Persephone nodded in agreement, happy that her daughter had found away. It was about time for Spring to come and it made sense to meet a visiting queen.
Pluto turned to Lethe and Mnemosyne. "Guardians of the Rivers, I request that you wash the memory of what was said off these walls and from the minds of the three judges. The only ones to remember besides me are Mother and Sailor Moon."
Lethe caught the Princess' eye. Surely she knew that she, as the Guardian of that river, was not affected by the River's powers. The assurance in the Princess' gaze told her that she trusted her to keep the secret, the same as she kept the secret of her sister's and her service to Galaxia.
Holding up the never emptying Goblet of Oblivion, she did as she was asked.
"Mnemosyne, I need you to use your Goblet over here." Setsuna gestured for her to come over. "Please, let Sailor Moon have a small draught from your Goblet."
Mnemosyne glanced at the Queen for permission. Persephone looked at her daughter before agreeing.
Moon looked at Setsuna as well before taking a sip. Memories flooded her mind. Gaps from her childhood, from her infancy filled in. Her eyes filled with wonder. She could finally remember her mother's face.
While Lena was reveling in her new found memories, Setsuna pulled her mother aside. "Mother, will you please return Sailor Moon, Lena, to her mother? I can't do it with out giving away my identity, but you can. You can call upon the Judges of the Underworld as well as state the power of Mnemosyne's Goblet as to why you know who she is."
Persephone frowned slightly. "And who is her mother?"
Setsuna glanced over at the senshi lost in her own world. "She is Serenity the Sixth's lost daughter. She is Sailor Moon, the lost Princess. But Lena doesn't know it yet."
Persephone gazed at the girl. "I shall come to the surface and make her acquaintance. Then we shall see what happens."
Setsuna smiled.
******
Lena looked out over the balcony. She had finally made it to the last planet in the solar system that she had not been on. Crystal Tokyo sprawled before in a never ending pattern. It glinted in the sun's light, reflecting all the colors of stones that could be imagined in the universe. Her searching eyes settled on the space port. Today, her court was to arrive from the other four inner planets. Today she would meet the senshi who would do their best to protect her and guard her. Of course she was worried about who they were, if they would really like her for her, but she tried to bury that worry deep, so that they would not sense it.
The air shimmered in the corner of her room. Glancing into it, she clasped her brooch, ready to do battle for herself if an enemy came out. Her eyes widened as Sailor Pluto entered.
"Setsuna!" She stepped forward, heading to one of her best friends only to stop when she saw Lethe and Mnemosyne step out from behind the green haired troubleshooter.
"Greetings Princess Lena. I trust you have settled in well?" Pluto watched her face as it reflected all the adjustments she had to go through to be where she was today.
"Well enough. The last part is coming today. They have sent out the call for my court. They are looking for the senshi who will guard me, one from each of the inner planets. Except Earth." Confusion covered her last words.
"That is because Earth is represented by you, Sailor Moon. For once, a long time ago, the Moon was part of the Earth. So, the Guardian senshi are gathered and you will meet them today. You shall be safe now." Pluto smiled contently, her princess was going to be surprised when the shuttle landed. Happily surprised at who the four young ladies were.
"Safe... yes I suppose so. But..." Lena's eyes trailed over Lethe and Mnemosyne and back to Pluto. "But ..."
Pluto smile faded slightly as she spoke earnestly. "Remember all that you went through. Remembering it makes you stronger and will allow you to face the trials yet to come. But also know that if the trials create a pain too much to bear, a pain that is destroying your mind, you are allowed to forget them once you are done. At least the parts that are eating your soul."
With a slight gesture of Pluto's hand, Mnemosyne and Lethe walked forward and placed smaller versions of their goblets on a small table by Lena's window. "These are gifts from Queen Persephone."
Lethe looked at her. "The one with green stones will grant you the healing of forgetfulness. But you shall remember that you forgot something."
Mnemosyne smiled as she nodded to the other one. "And the one with pink stones will grant you those memories back when you are strong enough to face them and learn from them."
The two Guardians sank to their knees and lowed their heads. "Our allegiance is pledged to you, Princess. Call us when ever you need us."
Pluto sank to one knee. "I also pledge my allegiance to you, Princess Lena. If you ever have need, please call upon me."
Lena looked at her friend and then reached out her hand towards her. "Rise, and do not kneel before me again. You are my friend not my servant. May I call upon you as a friend even if there is no real need?"
Pluto's eyes lit up with hope. "As long as it is not too often and does not distract from my duty."
Lena smiled. "Then, till later, my friend."
The three ladies left their princess to await her new court's entrance.