A Dark Moon Rising Chapter 4
Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:55 pmOk, had this done for a while but, now I'm going to lunch so posting.
Oh and my muse went nuts here.
AN1: Yay! A new Chapter! And with all new content too! After how long though? Uh, please don’t answer that, I really don’t even want to think about it.
AN2: The previous chapters have been revised. I know, I know, revising a rewrite, but, damn it, it’s been a long ass time.
AN3: If you wish to see just how sucky my life is right now, and just why it’s been so long since I last posted anything, read my Author’s Profile Page.
A DARK MOON RISING
CHAPTER FOUR
HIDDEN IN THE SHADOWS OF THE MOON
In dimension Luna Empire Prime: Empress Serenity Luna’s Castle: in the Empress’s private quarters: two days ago
The Empress Serenity Luna the First was currently staring at the now kneeling forms of Princesses Setsuna and Hotaru and said “You may rise and be seated.”
“Thank you your Majesty.” The two Princesses said as one, and then they stood and then quickly sat in the offered chairs.
The Empress then looked over at Princess Setsuna and said “I have a vexing situation Princess Setsuna, and I was told that you would be the best one to help me solve it.” Princess Setsuna just nodded in response, letting her Empress speak. “It seems that my daughter is defying me, and protecting the reality she has been trapped in. Now, at first, I had wondered just why she would do that, but after I watched the returning soldier’s video, I came to a stunning revelation. You see, all of those pitiful Senshi that protect that reality are only pale imitations of their old, true selves, due to a reincarnation spell that my counterpart did in that reality. And while the energy that she is releasing definitely identifies her as my lost child, she looks nothing like she did before she fell through the Bridge of Reality, and she is not acting like her old self. All these things together lead me to believe that this is NOT if fact my daughter, and is in fact her reincarnation. I now sadly believe that my darling daughter died in after her trip through the Bridge of Reality, however that happened I do not know, nor do I care at this moment, and I now believe that we are dealing with her reincarnation. Now while I do have hopes of her regaining her old memories, and thus regaining my daughter herself, it is just that it this moment, a hope. A hope that I am told that you have the best chance at succeeding in for me. So, I am temporarily putting the acquisition of that reality of hold while I send you along with Princess Hotaru here for back-up to see if you can restore my daughter to her old self, if you cannot, I will sadly have to eliminate her along with that realities Senshi, and anyone else foolish enough to stand in my way. Now, I will give you a few months to accomplish your mission, but if by the time my patience runs out, if you have not succeeded, I will start the invasion. And if you decide before that that it is an impossibility, contact me and I will do likewise. Now, you have your orders, prepare for your mission, for you move out in a week’s time. Dismissed.”
The two Princesses stood and then curtsied while saying “As you wish, your Majesty.”
Princess Setsuna’s Private Chambers: late that night
“So, what are you going to do now Setsuna?” Hotaru asked of her off again on again lover from Setsuna’s bed. And it was on again, well, until the news about the return of Serenity Luna the Second that is. While it was still on, it had been getting a might, awkward for them lately, due to that news. “It sounds like the Princess is truly gone now, and you might never get her back.”
Setsuna, whom was sitting at her vanity while preparing for bed sighed and said “I have to try Hotaru, you know that, you know what she meant to me.”
Hotaru sighed and then said “Yes, yes I know what she meant to you, and I don’t begrudge you for having to try. I would also like her back as well, but…, I don’t want to lose you to her either.”
Setsuna smirked and asked “Can’t I have you both?”
Hotaru just giggled and said “Oh just come to bed oh insatiable one.”
Setsuna smirked and replied with “Yes Mam!”
At The Bridge of Reality’s chamber: the next morning
Setsuna sighed as she was training a scientist to work The Bridge of Reality in her absence. As the Senshi of Time and Space, operating the Bridge of Reality was one of her primary duties. Usually Princess Ami would fill in for her, because as she was the Senshi of Ice and Knowledge, it was something she was quite adapt at. Unfortunately for Setsuna, since Empress Serenity Luna the First had decided that Luna Empire prospect number 472956 was currently off limits for acquisition, Princess Ami and a few of the other Senshi had been called in to finish up with the occupation of Luna Empire prospect number 472955, and to formally make it Luna Empire Reality number 472955, so that they could then fully focus on Luna Empire prospect number 472956. She sighed again as the scantest made yet another, thankfully though common, mistake and told him “No, no, like this.”
The scientist nervously wiped his brow, thankful that he was dealing with Princess Setsuna instead of one of the other Senshi. Out of all the Senshi, it was silently acknowledged by the castle’s staff that only Princess’s Setsuna and Ami had any form of mercy in their hearts, and they heard from the armed forces that only Princess Hotaru had any shed of compassion for her troops. That thus made those three Princesses very popular. Of course, just because they did have some form of mercy and compassion in them, didn’t mean that they wouldn’t execute you without a second thought if it stuck their fancy, it was just that they usually had more of a reason to so then the other Senshi and their Empress, whom would do it just for amusement it seems at times.
“I am sorry Princess Setsuna. So, it is done like this?” He asked, while performing the action correctly.
“Yes.” Princess Setsuna absently mindedly replied. Shaking her head, and causing the scientist to wonder just what it was that she was currently thinking, she said “I think that if you progress at the rate you’ve been doing so far, you’ll be ready for some supervised operations of the system tomorrow. And now to make sure that you prove me right…” She said as she cleared the screen “We’re starting all over from scratch again.”
The Scientist then bit back a frustrated sigh and replied with “As you wish, Princess Setsuna.”
In Princess Setsuna’s private lab: the next day
Setsuna was currently watching two videos, showing two very different looking young women in them, and she was currently musing to herself over some of the facts that they showed her.
‘I’ve always found it odd how, until we link up another reality to ours through the Bridge that time will always pass at a different rate. And this is probably the best example of that.’ She thought while she was looking at the last video recording ever taken of the long lost princess, which was the recording of the debut of The Bridge of Reality, which happened somewhat over twenty five thousand years ago. And then looking over towards the only known recording of the new version of the Princess, she sighed, as it had only been just over fifteen hundred years for that reality. “What has happened to you my princess, and, will you even remember me?” She sadly asked of herself.
In dimension Luna Empire prospect number 472956: inside the sub dimension holding The Gates of Time: very early the next morning
Time is a fickle thing, and the future is definitely not set in stone, as Setsuna Meiou well knew. Even though she has been for the past eighteen thousand years and some change been trying to make a very certain future happen, she knew that it was always only a probability, a probability that she pushed forward greatly, that it would happen. But there were always other futures. And this morning she was woken up from her nightly slumber by the Time Gates because one of those other futures had sent back a message. Not a visitation from her future self, but a recording. That in its self was odd enough that she immediately donned her Sailor Pluto Guise and teleported to the Gates of Time receive the message.
After she reached the Gates, she found a small metal cube with a button on one side and a clear panel on an adjacent one. Positioning the cube so that the button was on the top and the clear panel facing away from her, she pressed the button to see a holographic image of herself. Her future self that is. Well, one of them at least.
“Setsuna, due to the way that the Dark Moon Empire has anchored its self to our reality, time travel is almost an impossibility, and it is definitely too dangerous to send a living being through it, including ourselves. I have risked much to send you this cube to deliver a simple but important message. When your counterpart from the Dark Moon Empire arrives, do not attack her and listen to her instead. She may be the key to yours and our survival. That is all, good bye and good luck.”
“Well, at least this version of myself is not as cryptic as my standard future self.” Was all Setsuna said with a raised eyebrow as she contemplated just what the message had told her and the validity of it.
The Hikawa shrine: Juban, Japan: four days later
It was Senshi meeting time. And this was the first Senshi meeting that included the Senshi’s new allies, Ranma, Cologne and Shampoo. Unfortunately for him, Ryoga was lost somewhere in the multiverse, yet again, so of course, he was absent from this little and important gathering.
Ami was reviewing some homework with Ranma, and she had been pleasantly surprised upon how quickly she picked up on things. Now, while she was no rocket scientist, Ranma seemed to be fairly quick on the uptake, especially when things were explained to her in a certain light.
Rei and Usagi were, as usual, fighting over some manga, while Makoto, and Shampoo were discussing various merits of Raman toppings, Cologne was planning out the next day’s exercise routine for the group since she had become the Senshi’s new, and brutal, taskmistress, Minako was writing something in a little notebook, Hotaru was doing her homework and Michiru and Haruka were snuggling.
Everyone was there, except for of course Setsuna. But as she was always the last to arrive that wasn’t news. T hat she had been spending every free moment she had at The Gates of Time for the past four days was though.
Eventually Setsuna teleported in and things calmed down enough that the meeting could start.
After a moments silence, Rei softly nudged Usagi, and she got the idea to asked Setsuna “Um, Setsuna, you’ve been spending a lot of time at the Gates recently, uh, what for?”
Setsuna took a deep breath and began “Four days ago I received a message from a future version of myself. Due to both the nature of the message and the fact that I have never before been contacted by this particular version of myself, I felt the need to validate the message, your majesty.”
“Wait, ‘a future version’?” Cologne then asked of Setsuna.
“Yes. I normally have contact with a future version of myself. Normally it is from the future that holds the greatest probability of being our true future, but, as time is a fluid thing, and the future is never set in stone, my future self does change from time to time. The last version I have been in contact with has been the same one for about the past two hundred and eighty four years, but what with this invasion, whatever they are doing to anchor themselves to this reality has severely limited my contact with the future. In fact, time travel is now all but impossible at the moment, and it is definitely too dangerous for any living being to attempt. The message a revived was in the form of a holographic recording.” Setsuna answered.
“I see.” Cologne replied.
“Now, as to the message, it was that when my counterpart from the Dark Moon Empire approaches us, that we do not attack her and to listen to what she has to say, for she might be the key to our survival.” Setsuna told them.
“Any idea on why that would be?” Cologne then asked of Setsuna.
“No. No clue. While this future self was not as, cryptic, as my last one was, she did not say much at all.” Setsuna admitted with a shake of her head.
“I see.” Cologne responded.
“So, all we gotta do is not attack your counterpart and just listen to her? I think we can do that.” Ranma said while the other all nodded.
“Well, I really hope that it will be that easy.” Cologne said with a sigh.
“Oh come on, when is anything that easy for us?” Ranma then asked. Cologne just sighed, followed by the entire group.
In dimension Luna Empire Prime: Empress Serenity Luna’s Castle: in Princess Setsuna’s Private Chambers: late that night
Setsuna was getting ready for her next day’s trip, while Hotaru, who was already ready, waited while sitting on Setsuna’s bed while talking to her.
“So, any idea on how to do this mission of ours?” Hotaru asked, finally asked, stopping the small talk that they had been engaged in and getting to the truly important matter of the night.
Setsuna stopped her packing of her stuff space, and said with a sigh “Not a damn clue.”
EAN1: Ok, now this was just a short, setup chapter for the next chapter where things get wonky, but I’m happy with it, because it’s the first thing I’ve been able to really work on and write in months! So, please, tell me what you thought of this, thanks for reading it, bye for now.
Oh and my muse went nuts here.
AN1: Yay! A new Chapter! And with all new content too! After how long though? Uh, please don’t answer that, I really don’t even want to think about it.
AN2: The previous chapters have been revised. I know, I know, revising a rewrite, but, damn it, it’s been a long ass time.
AN3: If you wish to see just how sucky my life is right now, and just why it’s been so long since I last posted anything, read my Author’s Profile Page.
A DARK MOON RISING
CHAPTER FOUR
HIDDEN IN THE SHADOWS OF THE MOON
In dimension Luna Empire Prime: Empress Serenity Luna’s Castle: in the Empress’s private quarters: two days ago
The Empress Serenity Luna the First was currently staring at the now kneeling forms of Princesses Setsuna and Hotaru and said “You may rise and be seated.”
“Thank you your Majesty.” The two Princesses said as one, and then they stood and then quickly sat in the offered chairs.
The Empress then looked over at Princess Setsuna and said “I have a vexing situation Princess Setsuna, and I was told that you would be the best one to help me solve it.” Princess Setsuna just nodded in response, letting her Empress speak. “It seems that my daughter is defying me, and protecting the reality she has been trapped in. Now, at first, I had wondered just why she would do that, but after I watched the returning soldier’s video, I came to a stunning revelation. You see, all of those pitiful Senshi that protect that reality are only pale imitations of their old, true selves, due to a reincarnation spell that my counterpart did in that reality. And while the energy that she is releasing definitely identifies her as my lost child, she looks nothing like she did before she fell through the Bridge of Reality, and she is not acting like her old self. All these things together lead me to believe that this is NOT if fact my daughter, and is in fact her reincarnation. I now sadly believe that my darling daughter died in after her trip through the Bridge of Reality, however that happened I do not know, nor do I care at this moment, and I now believe that we are dealing with her reincarnation. Now while I do have hopes of her regaining her old memories, and thus regaining my daughter herself, it is just that it this moment, a hope. A hope that I am told that you have the best chance at succeeding in for me. So, I am temporarily putting the acquisition of that reality of hold while I send you along with Princess Hotaru here for back-up to see if you can restore my daughter to her old self, if you cannot, I will sadly have to eliminate her along with that realities Senshi, and anyone else foolish enough to stand in my way. Now, I will give you a few months to accomplish your mission, but if by the time my patience runs out, if you have not succeeded, I will start the invasion. And if you decide before that that it is an impossibility, contact me and I will do likewise. Now, you have your orders, prepare for your mission, for you move out in a week’s time. Dismissed.”
The two Princesses stood and then curtsied while saying “As you wish, your Majesty.”
Princess Setsuna’s Private Chambers: late that night
“So, what are you going to do now Setsuna?” Hotaru asked of her off again on again lover from Setsuna’s bed. And it was on again, well, until the news about the return of Serenity Luna the Second that is. While it was still on, it had been getting a might, awkward for them lately, due to that news. “It sounds like the Princess is truly gone now, and you might never get her back.”
Setsuna, whom was sitting at her vanity while preparing for bed sighed and said “I have to try Hotaru, you know that, you know what she meant to me.”
Hotaru sighed and then said “Yes, yes I know what she meant to you, and I don’t begrudge you for having to try. I would also like her back as well, but…, I don’t want to lose you to her either.”
Setsuna smirked and asked “Can’t I have you both?”
Hotaru just giggled and said “Oh just come to bed oh insatiable one.”
Setsuna smirked and replied with “Yes Mam!”
At The Bridge of Reality’s chamber: the next morning
Setsuna sighed as she was training a scientist to work The Bridge of Reality in her absence. As the Senshi of Time and Space, operating the Bridge of Reality was one of her primary duties. Usually Princess Ami would fill in for her, because as she was the Senshi of Ice and Knowledge, it was something she was quite adapt at. Unfortunately for Setsuna, since Empress Serenity Luna the First had decided that Luna Empire prospect number 472956 was currently off limits for acquisition, Princess Ami and a few of the other Senshi had been called in to finish up with the occupation of Luna Empire prospect number 472955, and to formally make it Luna Empire Reality number 472955, so that they could then fully focus on Luna Empire prospect number 472956. She sighed again as the scantest made yet another, thankfully though common, mistake and told him “No, no, like this.”
The scientist nervously wiped his brow, thankful that he was dealing with Princess Setsuna instead of one of the other Senshi. Out of all the Senshi, it was silently acknowledged by the castle’s staff that only Princess’s Setsuna and Ami had any form of mercy in their hearts, and they heard from the armed forces that only Princess Hotaru had any shed of compassion for her troops. That thus made those three Princesses very popular. Of course, just because they did have some form of mercy and compassion in them, didn’t mean that they wouldn’t execute you without a second thought if it stuck their fancy, it was just that they usually had more of a reason to so then the other Senshi and their Empress, whom would do it just for amusement it seems at times.
“I am sorry Princess Setsuna. So, it is done like this?” He asked, while performing the action correctly.
“Yes.” Princess Setsuna absently mindedly replied. Shaking her head, and causing the scientist to wonder just what it was that she was currently thinking, she said “I think that if you progress at the rate you’ve been doing so far, you’ll be ready for some supervised operations of the system tomorrow. And now to make sure that you prove me right…” She said as she cleared the screen “We’re starting all over from scratch again.”
The Scientist then bit back a frustrated sigh and replied with “As you wish, Princess Setsuna.”
In Princess Setsuna’s private lab: the next day
Setsuna was currently watching two videos, showing two very different looking young women in them, and she was currently musing to herself over some of the facts that they showed her.
‘I’ve always found it odd how, until we link up another reality to ours through the Bridge that time will always pass at a different rate. And this is probably the best example of that.’ She thought while she was looking at the last video recording ever taken of the long lost princess, which was the recording of the debut of The Bridge of Reality, which happened somewhat over twenty five thousand years ago. And then looking over towards the only known recording of the new version of the Princess, she sighed, as it had only been just over fifteen hundred years for that reality. “What has happened to you my princess, and, will you even remember me?” She sadly asked of herself.
In dimension Luna Empire prospect number 472956: inside the sub dimension holding The Gates of Time: very early the next morning
Time is a fickle thing, and the future is definitely not set in stone, as Setsuna Meiou well knew. Even though she has been for the past eighteen thousand years and some change been trying to make a very certain future happen, she knew that it was always only a probability, a probability that she pushed forward greatly, that it would happen. But there were always other futures. And this morning she was woken up from her nightly slumber by the Time Gates because one of those other futures had sent back a message. Not a visitation from her future self, but a recording. That in its self was odd enough that she immediately donned her Sailor Pluto Guise and teleported to the Gates of Time receive the message.
After she reached the Gates, she found a small metal cube with a button on one side and a clear panel on an adjacent one. Positioning the cube so that the button was on the top and the clear panel facing away from her, she pressed the button to see a holographic image of herself. Her future self that is. Well, one of them at least.
“Setsuna, due to the way that the Dark Moon Empire has anchored its self to our reality, time travel is almost an impossibility, and it is definitely too dangerous to send a living being through it, including ourselves. I have risked much to send you this cube to deliver a simple but important message. When your counterpart from the Dark Moon Empire arrives, do not attack her and listen to her instead. She may be the key to yours and our survival. That is all, good bye and good luck.”
“Well, at least this version of myself is not as cryptic as my standard future self.” Was all Setsuna said with a raised eyebrow as she contemplated just what the message had told her and the validity of it.
The Hikawa shrine: Juban, Japan: four days later
It was Senshi meeting time. And this was the first Senshi meeting that included the Senshi’s new allies, Ranma, Cologne and Shampoo. Unfortunately for him, Ryoga was lost somewhere in the multiverse, yet again, so of course, he was absent from this little and important gathering.
Ami was reviewing some homework with Ranma, and she had been pleasantly surprised upon how quickly she picked up on things. Now, while she was no rocket scientist, Ranma seemed to be fairly quick on the uptake, especially when things were explained to her in a certain light.
Rei and Usagi were, as usual, fighting over some manga, while Makoto, and Shampoo were discussing various merits of Raman toppings, Cologne was planning out the next day’s exercise routine for the group since she had become the Senshi’s new, and brutal, taskmistress, Minako was writing something in a little notebook, Hotaru was doing her homework and Michiru and Haruka were snuggling.
Everyone was there, except for of course Setsuna. But as she was always the last to arrive that wasn’t news. T hat she had been spending every free moment she had at The Gates of Time for the past four days was though.
Eventually Setsuna teleported in and things calmed down enough that the meeting could start.
After a moments silence, Rei softly nudged Usagi, and she got the idea to asked Setsuna “Um, Setsuna, you’ve been spending a lot of time at the Gates recently, uh, what for?”
Setsuna took a deep breath and began “Four days ago I received a message from a future version of myself. Due to both the nature of the message and the fact that I have never before been contacted by this particular version of myself, I felt the need to validate the message, your majesty.”
“Wait, ‘a future version’?” Cologne then asked of Setsuna.
“Yes. I normally have contact with a future version of myself. Normally it is from the future that holds the greatest probability of being our true future, but, as time is a fluid thing, and the future is never set in stone, my future self does change from time to time. The last version I have been in contact with has been the same one for about the past two hundred and eighty four years, but what with this invasion, whatever they are doing to anchor themselves to this reality has severely limited my contact with the future. In fact, time travel is now all but impossible at the moment, and it is definitely too dangerous for any living being to attempt. The message a revived was in the form of a holographic recording.” Setsuna answered.
“I see.” Cologne replied.
“Now, as to the message, it was that when my counterpart from the Dark Moon Empire approaches us, that we do not attack her and to listen to what she has to say, for she might be the key to our survival.” Setsuna told them.
“Any idea on why that would be?” Cologne then asked of Setsuna.
“No. No clue. While this future self was not as, cryptic, as my last one was, she did not say much at all.” Setsuna admitted with a shake of her head.
“I see.” Cologne responded.
“So, all we gotta do is not attack your counterpart and just listen to her? I think we can do that.” Ranma said while the other all nodded.
“Well, I really hope that it will be that easy.” Cologne said with a sigh.
“Oh come on, when is anything that easy for us?” Ranma then asked. Cologne just sighed, followed by the entire group.
In dimension Luna Empire Prime: Empress Serenity Luna’s Castle: in Princess Setsuna’s Private Chambers: late that night
Setsuna was getting ready for her next day’s trip, while Hotaru, who was already ready, waited while sitting on Setsuna’s bed while talking to her.
“So, any idea on how to do this mission of ours?” Hotaru asked, finally asked, stopping the small talk that they had been engaged in and getting to the truly important matter of the night.
Setsuna stopped her packing of her stuff space, and said with a sigh “Not a damn clue.”
EAN1: Ok, now this was just a short, setup chapter for the next chapter where things get wonky, but I’m happy with it, because it’s the first thing I’ve been able to really work on and write in months! So, please, tell me what you thought of this, thanks for reading it, bye for now.
