@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Childhood by: Super Maggie-chan This is a one part fanfic about Setsuna's childhood. Most of the characters were not created by me, and I do not use them with permission . . . But I'm not making any money off them, and I have no money, so let's not be suing me, mk? ^-^ And, um . . . the rating would be about . . . oh . . . PG (wee bit of violence, like stuff, death, so on and so forth . . . If you have any comments or criticism, you can email me, Super Maggie-chan at maggie@superkawaii.com ! And I guess that's all, so, enjoy! ^-^ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Childhood --------- "Mama!" called the little girl with joy, "Look, mama! I did it!" "Very good, sweet heart," replied the mother. She was a beautiful woman, with pale green hair pinned up in a bun. Her bright violet eyes shone with love for her little girl. She was wearing her Senshi fuku --- she was always on duty --- black skirt and collar, red-brown bows, and tall blacks boots. "Now I look like you, mama!" giggled the excited little girl, and it was true. Today the mother was teaching the daughter how to transform, and though it had taken many tries, the small child had finally succeeded. She was now wearing a smaller version of her mother's uniform. The young girl had long, dark green hair, tied back with a large red ribbon that matched her garnet hued eyes. Her dream was to grow up to be as beautiful and as powerful as her mother. "Why don't you go and show your friends? It is almost time for dinner though, so do not take to long." "All right, mama!" and with that, the child happily skipped away, singing in her naive and innocent childlike manner, "I'm gonna be SailorPlu-to! I'm gonna be SailorPlu- to!" Once she was gone, a tall handsome man with long black hair entered the room. "So, she can transform now?' he asked his wife. "Yes," replied SailorPluto, every trace of joy on her face now vanishing. "How long until she begins training for your position?" "I do not know," replied Pluto with a sigh, "Technically she should start as soon as she is able to easily and effortlessly transform, but . . . " "You think she is still too young to fully understand what your position requires, correct?" asked the man, with a hint of exasperation as his wife nodded in silent admittance. He understood his wife's concerns, for he had them as well, but she had held off living at the time gates anymore then absolutely necessary for so long, he was afraid their daughter would be unable to adjust. She had gotten so accustomed to this social life style, how could she possibly understand complete isolation? He also had a somewhat selfish reason for not liking the delay. Once his daughter was fully trained his wife could retire. It's not that he didn't love his daughter with all his heart, but it was very seldom the position of Time Guardian was passed down. He had been waiting so long for her to have a child who would be able to take on the position, a child who had the pure hart strong enough to carry the talisman SailorPluto possessed. He never regretted falling in love with SailorPluto, but it got so lonely when she had to stay, all alone, guarding the gates, for years on end unable to accept visitors, not even her own husband. They had had six previous children before this one, Setsuna, and none of the others were able to replace their mother. Eventually, a foster family would be found, and Pluto would return to her post, alone. It had been so great having her with him more often then not these past year, ever since Setsuna was born. It was understandable that now she had a child she could keep she wanted to stay with that child for as long as she could, but she knew better then anyone that you cannot prevent the inevitable. She would have to send her daughter to live alone, she would retire, and she would begin to age. She had lived a long life, being a Senshi. Once she reached her peak she had stopped aging, which was ages ago, and she wouldn't age until she retired. Theocratically, he should have been dead long ago -- his first two children had already died of old age, and he was nobody special -- but Queen Serenity had granted him immortality as long as his wife lived. He was ready to grow old and died with the one he loved, he had waited long enough. Ah well, he sighed to himself, everything would happen when it happened, why was he even thinking about this now? He should just let it be and hope for the best. "Dear, what are you thinking about?" asked Pluto of her distracted husband. "Oh, nothing, everything, I don't know," he sighed in reply, giving her a hug, "Why must you be such a complicated woman to love?" Before Pluto could give any kind of response, her communicator beeped. "Yes?" she asked, pressing a button so that the fuzzy screen cleared to show the excitedly happy face of the King, a chunk of tousled blond hair falling into his shining blue eyes. "Pluto! She did it! Serenity gave birth! You are now looking at the father of a beautiful baby girl!" "Ooo!" squealed Pluto with joy, "We'll be right over!" @@@@@@@@@ Everyone was at the palace, celebrating the birth of the adorable princess Serenity. After looking at the baby for awhile, Setsuna decided to go show off her new skill for her two favourite "aunts." "Aunty Neptune! Aunty Uranus!" cried Setsuna with joy, "Look! I can transform!" "Very impressive," smiled Neptune, repositioning the four-month-old baby in her arms as it reach out towards the six-month-old baby in Uranus' arms. "When will Michiru and Haruka be big enough to play with me?" asked Setsuna, with her natural child's curiosity. "Oh, not for some time yet," laughed Uranus, as she and Neptune placed their squirming babies on the floor. "But, if you wouldn't mind, could you watch them while we go talk with your mother?" "I would love to!" said Setsuna, happily sitting herself down in front of the babies. "Gee, they sure do like each other a lot," she observed. SailorNeptune and SailorUranus laughed and walked off toward SailorPluto, who was talking with Queen Serenity and SailorMars. "What are you guys all huddled up for? This is supposed to be a party!" said Neptune. "Mars has a bad feeling about tonight," replied Pluto, "She thinks something bad might happen." "It might not be anything," said Mars, "Ever since I gave birth to Rei I've gotten lots of off feelings, usually just because my little sweetie is going to wake me up at 3AM." "But it is always better to be safe rather than sorry," decided Serenity, "Would you two mind just going to check in on your posts? Pluto will check the time gates as well." Neptune and Uranus nodded and started towards the doors, but before they got there the doors were blasted open. "How careless of you, Serenity," said an evil looking woman surrounded in black power standing in the doorway, "To have everyone abandon their posts and come celebrate the birth of the princess? Leaving yourself wide open, tsk tsk. I might not have taken advantage of the situation, had you bothered inviting me to this gathering." "Metallia," hissed Serenity with hatred, "What do you want?" "Why, to pay my respects, of course! Though obviously you doubt my intentions," commented Metallia as Neptune and Uranus moved the children into a back room. "Is there going to be a fight?" asked Setsuna with wide-eyed fear. "I hope not, "replied Uranus, smiling as she closed the door. "Go away," commanded the Kin, putting a protective arm around his wife, "Don't you know when you are not welcomed?" Metallia laughed evilly and snapped her fingers. Suddenly thousands of dark minions appeared behind her. Fortunately, the Senshi were always prepared to fight. Metallia had greatly underestimated their powers, thinking they would be less prepared on this of all days. It wasn't long before all that was left of Metallia’s army, which proved to be quite defenseless despite its size, was Metallia. The only loss on Serenity's side was an injured King, which was more due to his carelessness in his efforts to protect his baby daughter then any skill on Metallia's side. "Maybe I should have prepared a little more," mused Metallia, not really caring for her minions, as long as she remained alive to fight again another day, "But is it really fair that I lost all and you lost none?" The Senshi stood protectively around their King and Queen. "How very noble of you all, but which one shall die?" Metallia turned to look at the door behind which the children were hiding. Setsuna had chosen this unfortunate moment to stick her head out. Metallia smiled with unbelievable vileness and cruelty and began to collect her powers in her hands. "NO!!" screamed mother and father in horrified unison. SailorPluto leapt forward just as Metallia let loose a beam of destructive energy towards the child, who was too frightened to move. Pluto managed to block her child, taking the full power of the blow herself. Metallia laughed a high, shrill, devilish laugh of evil triumph. She got a little carried away and perhaps laughed a little too long, for before she could react the King had run his sword through her chest. Metallia screamed, sounding more wretched in pain then she did in triumph. "You can't defeat me!" she yelled, "I will return!" And then she burst into black smoke and dust, which smothered the King. @@@@@@@@@ "Mama!" cried Setsuna, hugging her mother's dying body. "I'm so sorry, Little Setsuna," whispered SailorPluto, "I'm so sorry, I . . . I should have . . . " "Shh, do not speak, save your strength, you will be all right." "You now must become SailorPluto, Guardian of Time . . . I hope . . . hope you can . . . han-handle it . . . my darling . . . ch-child . . . " "Of course I can, mama! You will be there to help me!" "I never . . . told you . . . the loneliness . . . " "Never told me what? Mama? What do you mean "loneliness?" Mama?!" tears formed in the young girl's eyes. She didn't notice all her mother's colleagues around her, or Serenity's hand on her shoulder. All she could see was the body in her arms, and all she could realize was that she would never hear her mother's kind and gentle voice again. "MAMAAAAAAA!!!" "Setsuna . . . ?" whispered an old man with a familiar voice. "Pa . . . papa?" she asked, squinting in concentration to recognize him. "Remember the story of how your mother and I feel in love? About our marriage and the gift Serenity gave me?" said the old man kindly, wiping tears from his daughter's eyes. "Papa . . . ?" Setsuna didn't understand at first, but then her eyes widened in horrified comprehension, "No! Papa! Don't leave me! I need you to stay!" She grabbed his hand and held it to her small face, closing her eyes and just letting herself cry. Despite her protests, she knew what had to be. "I'm sorry, my darling. I love you. Goodbye . . . " and with that he gently burst into a silver dust and floated up into the sky. Everyone remained silent. Serenity pulled the young orphaned child into a hug, letting her cry on her shoulder. The King was being taken to his room, for he suddenly felt extremely ill. This was the happiest and saddest day Serenity had ever known, and it wasn't over. She would have to tell this poor child what was now expected of her. @@@@@@@@@ In time, everyone went home. The Senshi said farewell to Setsuna in a way that made her feel as though perhaps she was missing something. She felt as though she would never see any of them again. Serenity only told her they would talk about it in the morning, and that Setsuna should get some rest, sleeping in the princess's room. "Where will I stay after tonight?" asked Setsuna, tears falling down her cheeks. "We'll talk about it tomorrow," said Serenity, picking up Setsuna and placing her in the bed. @@@@@@@@@ Serenity was kneeling before the young SailorPluto, explaining her mother’s life, and what was required of the Senshi of Time. "But why couldn't any of my sisters have been SailorPluto?" asked the small Senshi, understanding but needing more time to accept everything. "SailorPluto, Neptune and Uranus are talisman carriers, they have special pure heart crystals which can hold these talismans. When your mother died the true talisman was absorbed into you. What is on the Time Staff now is only decorative. When the time is right, you will take the Garnet Orb from inside yourself and use it as you should." "But Michiru and Haruka . . . " "The children of Neptune and Uranus always have the right crystals, as that is the only uniqueness of their Senshi qualities. For Pluto it is different. You must retain so much knowledge and live so long and carry so much responsibility. So you . . . " Serenity paused, "I'm sorry, I don't think I'm making much sense, I never really understood any of this. The only ones that truly understood it were SailorPluto, and her mother, and her mother . . . and so on. In time you will understand how it all works." "How will I learn if there's no one to teach me?" "It will all come to you in time," Serenity sighed and stood up. She smiled down at the young warrior holding a large staff twice her height. Her large and innocent eyes looked up at her Queen with sad curiosity. Serenity reached down and pushed a strand of dark green hair behind Pluto's ear. She looked so much older today then she had yesterday, and so much more like her mother. She had half her hair pulled up in a bun like her mothers, was wearing her mother's earrings, and had even put on her mother's lipstick. "Pluto," said Serenity, "You are the Guardian of Time and space, you are the Senshi who must watch over this door. Nevertheless, you must remember these three things . . . " Serenity and Pluto began to walk down the long hidden hallway until they reached a large and beautifully decorated doorway. "First, you must not change the course of time. Second, you must never withdraw from these doors of which you have the responsibility. And third . . . " Serenity paused and looked at the doors, "Pluto . . . " "Yes, my Queen?" "The third precept to respect says that you must never stop time. With your staff, you possess the power to pause time and space. But under NO circumstances must you stop time. If ever you break this law . . . " Serenity put her hand on Pluto's shoulder, "Remember, Pluto, that your action could consequence in your death." A tear slid down Pluto's cheek. This was a lot to take in at such a young age, and just the day after both her parents had died. But this was her destiny, the way it had to be, and she would hold her head up strong. She pressed a small gloved hand on the intimidating doors and they slowly opened. She turned back to Serenity, and said, "I understand." Serenity wiped a tear from her eye and hugged Pluto, whispering, "Goodbye, little one, I'll miss you." "I'll miss you as well, and I hope the King gets better soon." And with that, she stepped through the doors of time, and the doors closed behind her. Serenity stood there a moment, looking silently at the doors that no one knew where there. Poor Pluto, her whole world took a turn for the worse in just 24 hours. Metallia would never be forgiven by any of them. Serenity sighed and began to walk away. She felt a little guilty for not telling Pluto that the King had died that morning from the mysterious infection suspected to be caused by Metallia. But it was better this way, Pluto had enough to grieve over as it was. "Sayonara," Serenity said, for all who were gone now, "Go-meewaku o o-kakeshite, sumimasen . . . sayonara . . . " @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ NOTE: No, I don't know what Serenity is saying at the end there ^-^;; I wrote this about a year ago, someone gave me that to put there, and I have long ago forgotten what it means . . . so I'll just leave it there ^^;;