Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ No Time Like the Past ❯ Back to Basics ( Chapter 2 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Tempestor 
Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.29.2001 | Pages: 1 | Words: 3.7K | Visits: 186 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.29.2001 | Pages: 1 | Words: 3.7K | Visits: 186 | Status: Work In Progress
NO TIME LIKE THE PAST
CHAPTER 2 (Back to basics)
CONFUSED? Read chapter 1
"What you must understand is that it does not matter when, or who, or even what. The slightest change in the past or the present creates a ripple. However insignificant that ripple may seem, if left unobserved it could build into a surging tidal wave. Pity those that understand completely this terrible secret... theirs is a burden unbearable by most."
Sailor Pluto watched the gate of time intently, searching for any trace of the strange energy signature she had encountered exactly three Earth days ago. She knew that Tempest would show himself again but it could be anywhere in any moment in time. He filled her dreams as he filled every waking hour of her thoughts. "I like to observe beautiful things... and I do mean beautiful things Setsuna."
She looked down at her battered body and the mists of time curling around the injuries slowly healing them and winced. She reached down to feel of the painful laceration on her leg and returned her hand to the front of her face, noticing the small bit of blood. The color of his hair, the color of his cape, the blood was warm with the passion flowing from her heart for him. She clenched her fist and shouted aloud, "NO! This cant be happening." It was happening; the more she resisted... the further that Cupid's evil arrow was driven into her heart. Setsuna long ago abandoned her heart, leaving it behind as excess baggage in order to perform the duty that was required of her. She felt a different kind of pain than the one in her leg... her heart was revitalized by the memory of their kiss; she longed to see him again. The tears that she cried now were in vain, for the ice that had entombed her longing for love had melted and nothing could hold the floodgates back up again.
She stared at the tears floating away from her into the air and she reached for them in shock, then she dropped her arm to the side in utter disdain of her action and the tears were carried away in the storm of swirling ethereal mist. She said to herself, "This longing runs deep but it will NOT affect my duty to the Moon Kingdom... I swear it now upon the honor of Queen Serenity." As if on cue, she suddenly felt a disturbance in the flow of time.
Sailor Pluto smiled and said, "I can feel you now, it is time for us to continue what we started Tempest." Sailor Pluto gestured and with a blinding flash of light the staff of the garnet orb appeared in her hand. She pointed the key towards the gate and in the direction of the now shimmering rip in the fabric of her plane and closed her ruby eyes. Her verdant hair whipped about her shoulders as the mists began to blow furiously and she channeled her energy through the garnet orb.
There were horns blowing and the heat was staggering. Men and women passed her on the street, one man reading the paper and a group of young girls giggling at the young man across the street. She had assumed the civilian form that she was accustomed to; she brushed her lavender skirt and adjusted her bow to step out onto the street. Her heels let out a sharp clack as she walked up the sidewalk in the direction of a power source that she could sense. Setsuna trembled at the thought of seeing Tempest again and suddenly she something that made her heart drop. She said aloud, "Oh by the great gate no... he wouldn't dare." There was a shout, "Hey stay away from the kitty you little brats!" The boys scattered from the poor animal and a girl stepped out from behind the building into Setsuna's view to comfort it. The glint of her blond hair in the sun and the innocent face caused Setsuna to mutter and nearly fall to her knees, "Your majesty... I do not deserve to see your creation." Serena purred to the black cat in her arms, "You're a pretty kitty, who do you belong to? Oh no collar oh dear... and what's this on your forehead. Oh, a crescent moon! I think I'll call you Luna." The merciful girl laughed and carried the cat off into the distance against the setting sun.
"Beautiful isn't she... she could never be as beautiful as you my dear Setsuna," said a voice that she recognized instantly. "Tempest..." she said as she turned to meet the source of the voice. He was dressed as a typical male of the time, his brown slacks giving way to a white shirt with a standard black tie, over his shoulder he had flung a brown overcoat. He ran a hand through his crimson hair and looked directly into her eyes. Setsuna's eyes wandered over his body and noticed that he had been sweating form being out in the sun, he had watched Serena for a long time. She longed for his dark embrace and for the feel of his body close to hers. "I know Setsuna, our love and desire for one another always seems to interfere with our work... my appearing to you in the open is foolish of me. Make no mistake I plan on carrying through with this mission but I wanted to tell you first... if I see you again I will consider it a threat and deploy all my power against you," said Tempest. He took a few steps towards her and she felt herself being pulled towards him by her feet. Tempest wrapped his arms around Setsuna and began to move in for what they both wanted so much... their lips parting to profess their love. Setsuna whispered, "I don't understand." Tempest replied only with silence and a smile as he was millimeters from her lips... and he vanished.
She could feel the tears welling up into her eyes, she clenched her teeth and wiped away the moisture with her wrist. She thought, "What is happening to me? Why can't I resist him?" Her thoughts again turned to his evil and she pondered, "He is evil by nature, it could be another trick to keep me occupied but it feels so real. I must do my duty and protect history... the next place he would attack would be the NeoQueen's home." By this time, night had fallen and she walked into the nearest alleyway.
Setsuna raised her transformation stick into the air above her head and like she had so many times before shouted, "PLUTO PLANET POWER!" She spun the transformation stick around her in a circle and she was engulfed in an explosion of the mists of the gate. The wraiths screamed and she stepped out of the vortex as Sailor Pluto, defender of time, and wielder of the Garnet Orb. Sailor Pluto took to the rooftops and with unearthly speed proceeded to the home of Serena. "It's not that bad of a grade really mom... I can make it up, no not my comic books... MOOOOOOM noooo!" She heard the shouts from inside the house and then stomping up the stairwell. Muttering and pouting, Serena entered her room in the very familiar bunny rabbit pajamas and flopped down upon her bed. Sailor Pluto was perched on a branch outside of Serena's upstairs window and she was no more than a few feet away from her face. Sailor Pluto said to herself, "My liege, this is truly an honor... to see you as you were." Serena stared at pictures of boys, ate countless sweets, doodled, and secretly read her comic books that were concealed behind her textbook before she finally climbed under the covers and went to sleep. Moments later, Pluto knew exactly what was happening so she crouched down and remained as a quiet as the very statues that she resembled.
A black cat scampered up the gutter system of the house and neared the window that Serena lay behind, at once Pluto knew it was Luna. Luna's crescent moon glowed on her forehead with a mysterious power and the window opened as if by magic. The next morning, the first sound that was heard was... "AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Luna's hushed tones were heard, accompanied by Serena's gasps that she had somehow gone insane or eaten too much candy before bed. Luna said, "You are Sailor Moon, champion of justice and defender of the Moon Kingdom. You're mission here on Earth is to find and protect the moon princess from the upcoming resurgence of our enemies the Negaverse." Serena was laughing so hard that she was crying, "So let me get this straight, I'm a real super hero like Sailor V and I am here to protect some Princess from the Nega... Nega... ummm Negaverse, yeah that's it." Luna clawed her a little in frustration and said, "Serena, watch." Luna performed a flip in the air, a brooch materialized on the bed covers in front of Serena.
Serena stroked it lovingly and affixed it to her school uniform. Pluto thought to herself, "Such innocence, she has no idea the horror that comes with taking on this power." Luna instructed her to hold the brooch high and shout the words that are known so well to most of those that know the story of Sailor Moon. Serena shouted, "MOON PRISM POWER!" A brilliant aura surrounded Serena and Pluto saw one of the most important occurrences in Sailor Senshi history, the first transformation of Sailor Moon.
A flash of ill intentions flashed through Sailor Pluto's mind and she heard a rustling in the forestry behind her. A red blast of energy screamed through the air and severed the limb on which she was standing. Pluto somersaulted and landed square on both feet, ready for battle. A spark of red energy from the blast fell to the ground and revealed to her surprise a letter. It read, "Keep your nose out of this... I am through with your meddling and you have used up my last ounce of tolerance. Do not interfere in what I am about to do. -With Love, Tempest."
Serena suddenly ran out of the house towards the street and took off towards town. According to chronological logs at the gate, this is the time and place of Sailor Moon's first mission against the Negaverse. Pluto remembered, "Of course, she is heading to that jewelry store owned by Molly's mother... I must make haste." Pluto observed Serena transform in the alleyway and enter the jewelry store. She recalled the tactical situation that was occurring. Civilians drained of energy by evil jewelry placed there by the monster that has possessed Molly's mother will confront Serena. According to history, the amateur Sailor Moon with Luna's help will save Molly and her mother. Sailor Pluto thought aloud, "I'm sure Tempest will see to that, I must enter in the back to make certain I do not directly affect the battle."
Pluto nimbly dropped off of the roof of the store and ran past the window, taking time to glance in and see Sailor Moon managing to barely dodge both the blows of the monster's arms and the possessed civilians. Sailor Moon screamed, "I don't like this dream anymore Luna... wake up Serena! AAAAAAH!" Sailor Pluto thought to herself, "She has no idea of the things she will accomplish, this is not a dream dear sweet majesty... this is a destiny." Pluto found the backdoor slightly ajar and kicked it open... she quickly glanced around noting that the room was very dark. Suddenly she saw a rapid movement and a flash of crimson on black and the inner door to the jewelry store opened. Sailor Pluto bolted for the door and reached out for the doorknob, pain coursed through her hand as she realized that he had super heated the door, so he did know that she was coming. She withdrew her glove with a cry and some of the material stuck to the knob... her hand was burned severely and she could barely hold the staff, yet she grimaced and held it steady. A small channeling of her spirit into the garnet orb later was all that was required to explode the doors off of its hinges with a loud bang... and Tempest turned from his vantage point on the rafters to face her.
Serena was shouting, "Moon Tiara... what, Luna what do I doooooooo?!" Tempest smiled and said with pure malice in his voice, "She is a fool as you are for following me here... now I must kill you." Pluto lowered the staff in front of her face in a battle ready position, "Tempest, your crimes against time itself are not unnoticed by the all seeing eye of the gate... prepare to atone." There was a loud crash that erupted from the window across the store and a well-dressed gentleman wielding a rose appeared in its frame. Tempest smirked; "Enter the hopeless idiot that will enable that bitch down there to ruin the very fabric of the universe." The man known as Tuxedo Mask hurled a rose at the evil beast that had drawn too close to Serena and it impaled itself in its arm, blood issued forth in a torrent... a horrifying roar issued from its maw.
"DEADLY SCREAM," the garnet orb screamed with the spirits of time and a ball of power silently soared across the rafters to connect with Tempest's left shoulder and explode out of the nearby window. Tempest screamed in agony and gripped the remnants of his shoulder in his hand; covering the wound with his cape quickly... he stood up and floated over to face Sailor Pluto. Tempest scowled, "So we dance once again my love?" Pluto noticed that he still could heal himself as before and replied, "Time has decreed your fate you impostor." He smiled and suddenly thrust his hands out to both sides, he strained incredibly and his hands pulsed with a red energy. His cloak shimmered and folded itself in knots around certain places on the rafters and disconnected from the main body.
Clones of Tempest sprung from the knots of the living cloak and began to circle Sailor Pluto laughing. They all said in unison, "How do you like this dance, guardian of time?" They descended upon her like a pack of vultures and lashed out with their fists. She felt a wet snap in both of her sides and realized that they were ribs breaking, as it soon hurt to breathe. Sailor Pluto screamed, "You coward!' The clones merely laughed and concealed her view of the real Tempest's actions. Two clones held her arms behind her and the last clone began to further inflict pain upon Sailor Pluto's body. Every punch and every kick worsened the pains in her chest until she could no longer feel it anymore. Sailor Pluto, with a defiant scream called the staff to her hand and drove it upward threw the nearest clones sternum. She pulled over and upward over her head, slinging the clone onto the other two and knocking them to the ground. Sailor Pluto steadied herself and shouted, "DEADLY SCREAM." The mists swirled around her and channeled into the staff, the resulting blast left piles of smoldering rubble of the clones.
Tempest fired a precision shot at the rafter above Serena's head and it began to fall. Pluto let out a desperate yell and hurled the Staff of the Garnet Orb above Serena's head to deflect the debris. It fell harmlessly on the ground behind Serena as she removed the Tiara on her head and began to spin rapidly. The Tempest before her exploded into a pile of ash and vapor and she finally realized his true intentions. The real Tempest burst through the front door of the jewelry store holding a form in his hands. She called the staff to her and crashed out after him through the top window, ignoring the pain telling her to stop in her chest. She landed directly on top of his shoulders before he got far one leg over each shoulder and around his neck... she flung him to the ground. She approached and couldn't bear to look at the angels terrified face as she drove the key into his stomach with all her might. Tempest writhed in agony and grew still... blood poured out of him onto the pavement in a large puddle. She grabbed the unconscious Luna and with one wave of the garnet orb and the last exertion of her power... she revived her and tossed her back beside of Serena inside of the jewelry store. Luna acted as if she did not know what jut happened.
Serena shouted, "MOON TIARA... MAGIC!" Her tiara glowed and formed into a ball of intense swirling light and it hurled through the air to connect with the monster's chest. The monster was vaporized instantly upon impact and all of the afflicted civilians fell unconscious to the floor. Minutes later, Pluto smiled and breathed a sigh of relief as she saw Sailor Moon walking home with Luna slowly up the dark streets of Tokyo. Pluto overheard her say something about Tuxedo Mask to Luna and pause briefly as if sensing something. She stood at the top of a hill... the moonlight glinting off of her blue eyes and blond hair... and she looked directly towards the alleyway in which Sailor Pluto stood.
Pluto stood silently, knowing that if she were seen the course of history would be altered. Luna called from ahead and said, "Serena come its getting late and you must rest for school tomorrow." Serena reluctantly walked onward complaining about Miss Haruna's class being so early.
Pluto raised the Staff of the Garnet Orb to create a portal to return to the Gate of Time and suddenly the pain of her body hit her like a brick wall. Her ribs sent sharp pains reverberating up her spine and she fell to the ground in pure agony... her body had simply shut down and she swooned.
Footsteps echoed down the alleyway... two black clad arms wrapped around the form of Sailor Pluto and pulled them close to their owner. He held his fist high into the air and power began to pulse through it. His teeth were clenched tightly and his eyes narrowed... then he slowly brought his fist to the ground. Tempest said aloud, "Dammit, I cant stop loving you" and bent his head to Setsuna's lips. He felt the smoothness of her thigh and savored the taste of her lips. Tempest held her close to his body, enfolding her within his cape and allowing his healing power to wash over her. They floated into the air in an eternal embrace... she looked up into his eyes and said, "I... I ... I'm sorry... tell me why..." and she lost consciousness again. Tempest said in a hushed and sad tone, "My love... I can never tell you why."
The next morning Sailor Pluto awoke on the rooftop of the jewelry store and looked about her. She could still smell him on her... the unmistakable smell of someone who has ridden on the river of time itself. She felt her ribs and found them to be completely healed. Suddenly she heard a noise in the alleyway below her. Sailor Pluto peered over the side of the building and saw Tempest laying there... he had become pale and every movement seemed to cause him pain. She leaped off of the building and rushed to his side... taking both of his hands in hers. He said in a low voice, "Setsuna, I have stayed in this plane for too long... if you cannot provide me with the necessary energy to return to my home... I will die." She found herself saying uncontrollably between sobs, "Take me with you my love... I know there is good in you, open your heart to me and don't die... please don't die... I've waited ages for a man as beautiful as you to come... my fallen angel... take whatever you must to live...." He smiled at Setsuna and pulled her close to him... she felt a faint tingle as their lips met and she knew that he was draining her power out of her, she let him. His face grew emotionless and then he pushed her away. He said, "This is why you can't beat me, you haven't learned to kill that which no longer serves you... your heart, when next we meet it will once again be as enemies." Tempest them gestured, and using the power from Sailor Pluto, he vanished as quickly as he had appeared.
Sailor Pluto put her face in her hands and collapsed into a heap. His love and his words from the night before echoed through her mind. His true feelings for her had been proven... but he no longer serves his heart, he serves whatever force commands him. He seemed an unwilling participant in the situation that was occurring and his soul seemed to say, "Save me." He risked his life by staying to insure that her convalescence went well and she knew that she was too weak to finish him off... as he had been with her. What would she do now? Sailor Pluto said aloud, "It is simple, I must track him down again and one way or another find a way to end this."
Setsuna stepped out onto the street and brushed down her lavender dress. A man walked by reading a paper and a group of young girls giggled at the young man across the street. She sighed and longed just for a brief moment... to remember what it was like to be one of them.
TO BE CONTINUED
(Expect the next installment within two weeks and please tell me what you guys think of it so far. Thanks! - Tempestor)
CHAPTER 2 (Back to basics)
CONFUSED? Read chapter 1
"What you must understand is that it does not matter when, or who, or even what. The slightest change in the past or the present creates a ripple. However insignificant that ripple may seem, if left unobserved it could build into a surging tidal wave. Pity those that understand completely this terrible secret... theirs is a burden unbearable by most."
Sailor Pluto watched the gate of time intently, searching for any trace of the strange energy signature she had encountered exactly three Earth days ago. She knew that Tempest would show himself again but it could be anywhere in any moment in time. He filled her dreams as he filled every waking hour of her thoughts. "I like to observe beautiful things... and I do mean beautiful things Setsuna."
She looked down at her battered body and the mists of time curling around the injuries slowly healing them and winced. She reached down to feel of the painful laceration on her leg and returned her hand to the front of her face, noticing the small bit of blood. The color of his hair, the color of his cape, the blood was warm with the passion flowing from her heart for him. She clenched her fist and shouted aloud, "NO! This cant be happening." It was happening; the more she resisted... the further that Cupid's evil arrow was driven into her heart. Setsuna long ago abandoned her heart, leaving it behind as excess baggage in order to perform the duty that was required of her. She felt a different kind of pain than the one in her leg... her heart was revitalized by the memory of their kiss; she longed to see him again. The tears that she cried now were in vain, for the ice that had entombed her longing for love had melted and nothing could hold the floodgates back up again.
She stared at the tears floating away from her into the air and she reached for them in shock, then she dropped her arm to the side in utter disdain of her action and the tears were carried away in the storm of swirling ethereal mist. She said to herself, "This longing runs deep but it will NOT affect my duty to the Moon Kingdom... I swear it now upon the honor of Queen Serenity." As if on cue, she suddenly felt a disturbance in the flow of time.
Sailor Pluto smiled and said, "I can feel you now, it is time for us to continue what we started Tempest." Sailor Pluto gestured and with a blinding flash of light the staff of the garnet orb appeared in her hand. She pointed the key towards the gate and in the direction of the now shimmering rip in the fabric of her plane and closed her ruby eyes. Her verdant hair whipped about her shoulders as the mists began to blow furiously and she channeled her energy through the garnet orb.
There were horns blowing and the heat was staggering. Men and women passed her on the street, one man reading the paper and a group of young girls giggling at the young man across the street. She had assumed the civilian form that she was accustomed to; she brushed her lavender skirt and adjusted her bow to step out onto the street. Her heels let out a sharp clack as she walked up the sidewalk in the direction of a power source that she could sense. Setsuna trembled at the thought of seeing Tempest again and suddenly she something that made her heart drop. She said aloud, "Oh by the great gate no... he wouldn't dare." There was a shout, "Hey stay away from the kitty you little brats!" The boys scattered from the poor animal and a girl stepped out from behind the building into Setsuna's view to comfort it. The glint of her blond hair in the sun and the innocent face caused Setsuna to mutter and nearly fall to her knees, "Your majesty... I do not deserve to see your creation." Serena purred to the black cat in her arms, "You're a pretty kitty, who do you belong to? Oh no collar oh dear... and what's this on your forehead. Oh, a crescent moon! I think I'll call you Luna." The merciful girl laughed and carried the cat off into the distance against the setting sun.
"Beautiful isn't she... she could never be as beautiful as you my dear Setsuna," said a voice that she recognized instantly. "Tempest..." she said as she turned to meet the source of the voice. He was dressed as a typical male of the time, his brown slacks giving way to a white shirt with a standard black tie, over his shoulder he had flung a brown overcoat. He ran a hand through his crimson hair and looked directly into her eyes. Setsuna's eyes wandered over his body and noticed that he had been sweating form being out in the sun, he had watched Serena for a long time. She longed for his dark embrace and for the feel of his body close to hers. "I know Setsuna, our love and desire for one another always seems to interfere with our work... my appearing to you in the open is foolish of me. Make no mistake I plan on carrying through with this mission but I wanted to tell you first... if I see you again I will consider it a threat and deploy all my power against you," said Tempest. He took a few steps towards her and she felt herself being pulled towards him by her feet. Tempest wrapped his arms around Setsuna and began to move in for what they both wanted so much... their lips parting to profess their love. Setsuna whispered, "I don't understand." Tempest replied only with silence and a smile as he was millimeters from her lips... and he vanished.
She could feel the tears welling up into her eyes, she clenched her teeth and wiped away the moisture with her wrist. She thought, "What is happening to me? Why can't I resist him?" Her thoughts again turned to his evil and she pondered, "He is evil by nature, it could be another trick to keep me occupied but it feels so real. I must do my duty and protect history... the next place he would attack would be the NeoQueen's home." By this time, night had fallen and she walked into the nearest alleyway.
Setsuna raised her transformation stick into the air above her head and like she had so many times before shouted, "PLUTO PLANET POWER!" She spun the transformation stick around her in a circle and she was engulfed in an explosion of the mists of the gate. The wraiths screamed and she stepped out of the vortex as Sailor Pluto, defender of time, and wielder of the Garnet Orb. Sailor Pluto took to the rooftops and with unearthly speed proceeded to the home of Serena. "It's not that bad of a grade really mom... I can make it up, no not my comic books... MOOOOOOM noooo!" She heard the shouts from inside the house and then stomping up the stairwell. Muttering and pouting, Serena entered her room in the very familiar bunny rabbit pajamas and flopped down upon her bed. Sailor Pluto was perched on a branch outside of Serena's upstairs window and she was no more than a few feet away from her face. Sailor Pluto said to herself, "My liege, this is truly an honor... to see you as you were." Serena stared at pictures of boys, ate countless sweets, doodled, and secretly read her comic books that were concealed behind her textbook before she finally climbed under the covers and went to sleep. Moments later, Pluto knew exactly what was happening so she crouched down and remained as a quiet as the very statues that she resembled.
A black cat scampered up the gutter system of the house and neared the window that Serena lay behind, at once Pluto knew it was Luna. Luna's crescent moon glowed on her forehead with a mysterious power and the window opened as if by magic. The next morning, the first sound that was heard was... "AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Luna's hushed tones were heard, accompanied by Serena's gasps that she had somehow gone insane or eaten too much candy before bed. Luna said, "You are Sailor Moon, champion of justice and defender of the Moon Kingdom. You're mission here on Earth is to find and protect the moon princess from the upcoming resurgence of our enemies the Negaverse." Serena was laughing so hard that she was crying, "So let me get this straight, I'm a real super hero like Sailor V and I am here to protect some Princess from the Nega... Nega... ummm Negaverse, yeah that's it." Luna clawed her a little in frustration and said, "Serena, watch." Luna performed a flip in the air, a brooch materialized on the bed covers in front of Serena.
Serena stroked it lovingly and affixed it to her school uniform. Pluto thought to herself, "Such innocence, she has no idea the horror that comes with taking on this power." Luna instructed her to hold the brooch high and shout the words that are known so well to most of those that know the story of Sailor Moon. Serena shouted, "MOON PRISM POWER!" A brilliant aura surrounded Serena and Pluto saw one of the most important occurrences in Sailor Senshi history, the first transformation of Sailor Moon.
A flash of ill intentions flashed through Sailor Pluto's mind and she heard a rustling in the forestry behind her. A red blast of energy screamed through the air and severed the limb on which she was standing. Pluto somersaulted and landed square on both feet, ready for battle. A spark of red energy from the blast fell to the ground and revealed to her surprise a letter. It read, "Keep your nose out of this... I am through with your meddling and you have used up my last ounce of tolerance. Do not interfere in what I am about to do. -With Love, Tempest."
Serena suddenly ran out of the house towards the street and took off towards town. According to chronological logs at the gate, this is the time and place of Sailor Moon's first mission against the Negaverse. Pluto remembered, "Of course, she is heading to that jewelry store owned by Molly's mother... I must make haste." Pluto observed Serena transform in the alleyway and enter the jewelry store. She recalled the tactical situation that was occurring. Civilians drained of energy by evil jewelry placed there by the monster that has possessed Molly's mother will confront Serena. According to history, the amateur Sailor Moon with Luna's help will save Molly and her mother. Sailor Pluto thought aloud, "I'm sure Tempest will see to that, I must enter in the back to make certain I do not directly affect the battle."
Pluto nimbly dropped off of the roof of the store and ran past the window, taking time to glance in and see Sailor Moon managing to barely dodge both the blows of the monster's arms and the possessed civilians. Sailor Moon screamed, "I don't like this dream anymore Luna... wake up Serena! AAAAAAH!" Sailor Pluto thought to herself, "She has no idea of the things she will accomplish, this is not a dream dear sweet majesty... this is a destiny." Pluto found the backdoor slightly ajar and kicked it open... she quickly glanced around noting that the room was very dark. Suddenly she saw a rapid movement and a flash of crimson on black and the inner door to the jewelry store opened. Sailor Pluto bolted for the door and reached out for the doorknob, pain coursed through her hand as she realized that he had super heated the door, so he did know that she was coming. She withdrew her glove with a cry and some of the material stuck to the knob... her hand was burned severely and she could barely hold the staff, yet she grimaced and held it steady. A small channeling of her spirit into the garnet orb later was all that was required to explode the doors off of its hinges with a loud bang... and Tempest turned from his vantage point on the rafters to face her.
Serena was shouting, "Moon Tiara... what, Luna what do I doooooooo?!" Tempest smiled and said with pure malice in his voice, "She is a fool as you are for following me here... now I must kill you." Pluto lowered the staff in front of her face in a battle ready position, "Tempest, your crimes against time itself are not unnoticed by the all seeing eye of the gate... prepare to atone." There was a loud crash that erupted from the window across the store and a well-dressed gentleman wielding a rose appeared in its frame. Tempest smirked; "Enter the hopeless idiot that will enable that bitch down there to ruin the very fabric of the universe." The man known as Tuxedo Mask hurled a rose at the evil beast that had drawn too close to Serena and it impaled itself in its arm, blood issued forth in a torrent... a horrifying roar issued from its maw.
"DEADLY SCREAM," the garnet orb screamed with the spirits of time and a ball of power silently soared across the rafters to connect with Tempest's left shoulder and explode out of the nearby window. Tempest screamed in agony and gripped the remnants of his shoulder in his hand; covering the wound with his cape quickly... he stood up and floated over to face Sailor Pluto. Tempest scowled, "So we dance once again my love?" Pluto noticed that he still could heal himself as before and replied, "Time has decreed your fate you impostor." He smiled and suddenly thrust his hands out to both sides, he strained incredibly and his hands pulsed with a red energy. His cloak shimmered and folded itself in knots around certain places on the rafters and disconnected from the main body.
Clones of Tempest sprung from the knots of the living cloak and began to circle Sailor Pluto laughing. They all said in unison, "How do you like this dance, guardian of time?" They descended upon her like a pack of vultures and lashed out with their fists. She felt a wet snap in both of her sides and realized that they were ribs breaking, as it soon hurt to breathe. Sailor Pluto screamed, "You coward!' The clones merely laughed and concealed her view of the real Tempest's actions. Two clones held her arms behind her and the last clone began to further inflict pain upon Sailor Pluto's body. Every punch and every kick worsened the pains in her chest until she could no longer feel it anymore. Sailor Pluto, with a defiant scream called the staff to her hand and drove it upward threw the nearest clones sternum. She pulled over and upward over her head, slinging the clone onto the other two and knocking them to the ground. Sailor Pluto steadied herself and shouted, "DEADLY SCREAM." The mists swirled around her and channeled into the staff, the resulting blast left piles of smoldering rubble of the clones.
Tempest fired a precision shot at the rafter above Serena's head and it began to fall. Pluto let out a desperate yell and hurled the Staff of the Garnet Orb above Serena's head to deflect the debris. It fell harmlessly on the ground behind Serena as she removed the Tiara on her head and began to spin rapidly. The Tempest before her exploded into a pile of ash and vapor and she finally realized his true intentions. The real Tempest burst through the front door of the jewelry store holding a form in his hands. She called the staff to her and crashed out after him through the top window, ignoring the pain telling her to stop in her chest. She landed directly on top of his shoulders before he got far one leg over each shoulder and around his neck... she flung him to the ground. She approached and couldn't bear to look at the angels terrified face as she drove the key into his stomach with all her might. Tempest writhed in agony and grew still... blood poured out of him onto the pavement in a large puddle. She grabbed the unconscious Luna and with one wave of the garnet orb and the last exertion of her power... she revived her and tossed her back beside of Serena inside of the jewelry store. Luna acted as if she did not know what jut happened.
Serena shouted, "MOON TIARA... MAGIC!" Her tiara glowed and formed into a ball of intense swirling light and it hurled through the air to connect with the monster's chest. The monster was vaporized instantly upon impact and all of the afflicted civilians fell unconscious to the floor. Minutes later, Pluto smiled and breathed a sigh of relief as she saw Sailor Moon walking home with Luna slowly up the dark streets of Tokyo. Pluto overheard her say something about Tuxedo Mask to Luna and pause briefly as if sensing something. She stood at the top of a hill... the moonlight glinting off of her blue eyes and blond hair... and she looked directly towards the alleyway in which Sailor Pluto stood.
Pluto stood silently, knowing that if she were seen the course of history would be altered. Luna called from ahead and said, "Serena come its getting late and you must rest for school tomorrow." Serena reluctantly walked onward complaining about Miss Haruna's class being so early.
Pluto raised the Staff of the Garnet Orb to create a portal to return to the Gate of Time and suddenly the pain of her body hit her like a brick wall. Her ribs sent sharp pains reverberating up her spine and she fell to the ground in pure agony... her body had simply shut down and she swooned.
Footsteps echoed down the alleyway... two black clad arms wrapped around the form of Sailor Pluto and pulled them close to their owner. He held his fist high into the air and power began to pulse through it. His teeth were clenched tightly and his eyes narrowed... then he slowly brought his fist to the ground. Tempest said aloud, "Dammit, I cant stop loving you" and bent his head to Setsuna's lips. He felt the smoothness of her thigh and savored the taste of her lips. Tempest held her close to his body, enfolding her within his cape and allowing his healing power to wash over her. They floated into the air in an eternal embrace... she looked up into his eyes and said, "I... I ... I'm sorry... tell me why..." and she lost consciousness again. Tempest said in a hushed and sad tone, "My love... I can never tell you why."
The next morning Sailor Pluto awoke on the rooftop of the jewelry store and looked about her. She could still smell him on her... the unmistakable smell of someone who has ridden on the river of time itself. She felt her ribs and found them to be completely healed. Suddenly she heard a noise in the alleyway below her. Sailor Pluto peered over the side of the building and saw Tempest laying there... he had become pale and every movement seemed to cause him pain. She leaped off of the building and rushed to his side... taking both of his hands in hers. He said in a low voice, "Setsuna, I have stayed in this plane for too long... if you cannot provide me with the necessary energy to return to my home... I will die." She found herself saying uncontrollably between sobs, "Take me with you my love... I know there is good in you, open your heart to me and don't die... please don't die... I've waited ages for a man as beautiful as you to come... my fallen angel... take whatever you must to live...." He smiled at Setsuna and pulled her close to him... she felt a faint tingle as their lips met and she knew that he was draining her power out of her, she let him. His face grew emotionless and then he pushed her away. He said, "This is why you can't beat me, you haven't learned to kill that which no longer serves you... your heart, when next we meet it will once again be as enemies." Tempest them gestured, and using the power from Sailor Pluto, he vanished as quickly as he had appeared.
Sailor Pluto put her face in her hands and collapsed into a heap. His love and his words from the night before echoed through her mind. His true feelings for her had been proven... but he no longer serves his heart, he serves whatever force commands him. He seemed an unwilling participant in the situation that was occurring and his soul seemed to say, "Save me." He risked his life by staying to insure that her convalescence went well and she knew that she was too weak to finish him off... as he had been with her. What would she do now? Sailor Pluto said aloud, "It is simple, I must track him down again and one way or another find a way to end this."
Setsuna stepped out onto the street and brushed down her lavender dress. A man walked by reading a paper and a group of young girls giggled at the young man across the street. She sighed and longed just for a brief moment... to remember what it was like to be one of them.
TO BE CONTINUED
(Expect the next installment within two weeks and please tell me what you guys think of it so far. Thanks! - Tempestor)