Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Rivers Run Dry ❯ chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Wow, it's been three months since I have updated this one. I just finished my first fanfic, Butterfly Kisses, and now I feel I better update this one, since it has been so neglected... Anyway, let's see what happens to our senshi next!

Rivers Run Dry

By: Hotaru

Rating: Older Teens (16+) for some mature themes, language, etc.

Chapter 4

3-17-06

My my, what have we got here? It's the disclaimer damnit! You see, fan fiction authors are required to specify that they don't own any characters involved in their story, that were not made up on their own. SOOO therefore, I say, “I do so solemnly swear that I do not own any characters created by Takeuchi Naoko. I only own my own and my plot.” And, would you please do that same courtesy of stating that you don't own my characters should you ever for some reason decide to use them, as well as the plot. Thank you.

Japanese phrases/names/items used: (I only use them when the English translation would sound unusual)

Okaeri nasai - (more formal speach) Welcome home, etc

Edamame - Baby soy beans (very good with salt. XD)

Futon - A thin mattress of sorts used for sleeping.

Michiru sweetly replied, "Okaeri nasai, Setsuna-san." The Neptunian's eyes held a look of worry, compared to the cheer in her voice. Haruka came up behind Michiru, and nodded, "It's been a long time. What brings you away from your post at the Gates of Time?" Hotaru felt the tense atmosphere circling around the room and tried to break it, "I'll go make something to eat. Why don't the three of you go to the living room and catch up on things." The teenager swiftly left the area, headed towards the kitchen. The older women all stared at each other, and then acquiested to Hotaru's suggestion.

When they were all settled in the living room, Haruka's eyes narrowed, "Well, Setsuna?"

The ruby red orbs of the gatekeeper aligned with the opposite's, "Well, Haruka-san, things are amiss. You need not worry about your powers. Keep training, and you shall see." She leaned back into the soft cushion of the couch, "You three, including myself, will need to go back to Tokyo, or the other Sailor Senshi will need to come to us. Either way, you all must contact each other."

"Can you tell us anything as to the cause of the weather?" Michiru asked.

Setsuna moved her gaze to the green haired girl, "The Inner Senshi have figured a few things out, even though they may not realize it." Haruka smirked, "It's nice to know they've got some more brains than before." Michiru's elbow dug into her side, quickly putting a stop to silent laughter. The Plutonian patiently waited for the little mishap to resolve itself, and then continued, "And, be wary of what other things will happen."

Hotaru stepped into the room with a tray ladden with a plate of edamame and tea, "You three aren't going to keep everything you've said secret from me are you?" Setting the tray down, Hotaru sat in a chair to the right of Setsuna. It was obvious that the younger girl was trying to keep the sulky attitudes from becoming overbearing, "I am a Sailor Senshi just as much as you are."

"Don't worry, Hotaru-chan, I will explain everything I have told them tonight." Setsuna smiled, and then looked at the other two, "Keep what I said in mind." She then reached a hand down and grabbed an edamame bean. After placing the bean shell aside, she said, "If you will excuse me for a little while, I need to take care of something elsewhere. I will be back by dinner time."

Deep red eyes stared up at a floating figure. A glow emenated from the naked body, dimly lighting the room. Long black hair billowed around the woman's unconscious form, "When will you awaken, my lady?" The wise voice that spoke held a hint of worry, "We need your guidance now, before anything more happens." The one speaking was covered by a dark cloak. The girl continued to speak to the non responsive one, "I fear you are being coerced. It looks like you are here, but how do I know that your real self hasn't been taken from us without our knowledge? We wait here, guarding, as we have done for centuries, the entrance, so we have not been able to watch you at all times."

"You're time in this place has made you far wiser than you know, Phlegethon." The red eyed one looked up, to meet another pair of red ones. The one addressed as Phlegethon stood up from her knees, and walked towards the one whom had entered, "Thank you, Sailor Pluto. I do my best to keep my wits about me." The two stared at each other a moment, and then she continued, "I fear the worst has happened. No matter what I say to her, she does not awaken."

The Plutonian gave a sad smile to the other, "Indeed, you are correct in your assumption. When you and your fellow guardians were finishing off the Chaos issue, she was assaulted." Phlegethon's eyes widened, "No, not in that way. But, her spirit was. She awoke to be greeted by none other than Gaia's son. Before she could do anything, he had already taken over her, and left you with a very powerful illusion." The tall, dark woman walked over to stand several inches away from the floating form. Pluto turned her head to make sure the cloaked girl was watching, and then moved one hand through the glowing body.

"How could I have been so easily tricked?"

"No one is perfect, old friend." Pluto closed her eyes, "No matter how wise you get, or how much knowledge you gather, there is always room for imperfection, and mistakes. She will forgive you, for how could you know?"

The other lowered her face, "I should have been here..."

Pluto walked back to her and grasped her shoulders comfortingly, "Don't beat yourself up over it. What is done, is done. You do need to know, however, that the man has started it. It is time that the four of you come join us in the living world. If you do not, then I fear that her powers will be abused far worse than they already are, and that the Sailor Senshi of the Living will fall. We need your help." Phlegethon looked up at the illusion of the one she followed, and then moved to stare at the Senshi of Time, "This is the closest I can get to a message from her. I shall tell the others, and we shall come."

Makoto was sipping some tea, as she leaned against the wall, "So... I can still attack, but I loose a lot of energy." She was thinking, "I guess I should start training some more then." The other four were all scattered around the room on their own futon. All of them were thinking.

"Well," Minako started, taking her part as the inner senshi leader, "I think all of us should start some serious training. I hate to say it, but I agree with Ami. If what she said is true, that means Haruka-san is having the same issue as Mako-chan. And, if the remaining planets follow suit, all of us will be dealing with the same problem." All the other girls nodded in agreement, "As strong as we may be, we have been out of action for a month or so, and there is no telling how much strength we will need. And we can't afford to suffer from energy losses in any future battles."

Rei mentioned, "We need to figure out who or what is causing it though. There has to be some purpose as to this 'activation of the planets.'" She stood up, "I am going to try and get another reading from the fire. This is just killing me. Someone get me when it is time to eat ok?" The priestess slid open the door to her room, getting ready to step into the hallway, but was instead greeted by the gentle gaze of Setsuna. A shocked Rei cried out, "Setsuna-san! What are you doing here?"

"You do not need me to answer that question, because you already know." She looked over the firebrand's shoulder to glimpse the others in the bedroom, "Would you mind if I came in for a moment? You should stay here too, Rei-san. The Sacred Fire won't give you too much." The raven haired girl opened her mouth as if the give a protest, but quickly shut it at the sharp glint in Setsuna's eyes, "Alright, come in." Rei stepped back, and allowed the taller woman to come in.

"Setsuna-san, it's good to see you again!" Usagi cheerfully greeted despite the room's atmosphere.

"Thank you, Usagi-san, it's good to see you too." Setsuna smiled, and then sat down at the low table, facing all of them, "I am sure all of you have figured some of what's been going on out. And what all of you have assumed, is quite correct. You five have never failed to let me down. You all get smarter with every day that passes." Makoto was pouring a cup of tea for the elder, whom accepted it gratefully, "However, do you all realize how serious things are going to be in the very near future?"

All five were still, their eyes focused on her, "I see that all of you are taking the present situaiton with all seriousness. That is a very good thing. Things could go very wrong if you aren't." Setsuna focused on Makoto, "Do you feel any different than before?"

The brunette nodded, "When I attack I loose energy. I assume the same will be with Uranus." A nod confirmed it, "All of us have agreed to start some serious training. We need all the strength we can get."

They were rewarded with another of Setsuna's smiles, "I agree. You all should train as much as you can. If your parents won't object, I would say take a leave of abscense from school, and don't waste any more time. The fate of the world is in our hands, once again." She finished off the tea that she had been given, and placed the cup on the table and stood up, "Now, I must return to the north. We will see each other again, very soon. You will also get to see the others when I return."

The Inner Senshi all gave a grateful look to Setsuna, and Usagi said, "Thanks for coming Setsuna-san. You're words have been of great help. See you soon!" She waved bye as Setsuna walked to the door. The other girls gave their little good byes as well, and then the Plutonian was gone.

Phlegethon made her way down a dark corridor. Her red eyes, however, were used to the dark, and it seemed fairly lit to the girl. A brighter light was getting closer, as she neared the end of the hallway. At the exit, she was greeted by the gentle green glow of her sacred river, her namesake, Phlegethon. However, she did not have time to sit at the water's edge, and enjoy the comfort of it, and the spirits that wander its banks. Rather, she walked along the edge of it, and made her way towards what looked like a merging of three other rivers.

A figure was standing in the distance. As Phlegethon got closer, she saw that the person wasn't wearing a cloak, contrary to what she was wearing. A few spirits stopped their aimless walk to look at her hurry past.

Upon reaching the standing girl, she softly said, "Cocytus, it is time. The Gatekeeper of Time has requested our presence in the living world."

"What happened to waiting for the sacred lady being the one to call us, huh?" Blue eyes flashed in annoyance, as the girl with chin length black hair crossed her pale arms in front of her chest. Her simple grey outfit seemed to suit her snappy personality.

"I don't have time for your attitude right now. We must set things in order and go assist them."

Letting out a sigh, Cocytus protested, "Why can't we just do what we always do? Why can't we just wait until their opponent is gone and then seal its soul?"

Phlegethon's temper seemed to flare a bit, "Look, it's Gaia's bastard child who is responsible for everything happening right now. The Senshi of the Living need our help. Only we have ever faced the gods alone, and look where that got us!" A small trace of bitterness could be heard, "If we don't help them, they could be stuck with a fate similar to ours. The guy took her! And, if we finish him off, we can get her back, and maybe we can finally live a normal life."

Cocytus let out a laugh, "Alright, alright! I get the point. Let's make that son of a bitch give our lady and our humanity, back." The cloaked woman sighed in relief, "Thank you Cocytus. Now, where are the other two?"

COME ON GUYS. I WAS NICE AND UPDATED! XD

Alright guys! I did another chapter. The plot is sort of moving now. Next chapter it will move even more. So, I hope you guys liked it. My grandfather passed away yesterday, so I would like to say, R.I.P. He was an awesome grandfather.

Hotaru

3/18/06