Hosted by www.Geocities.ws Yet again, boring legal stuff: All rights go to Naoko Takeuchi. Blah, blah, blah etc., etc. You shouldn't need anything explained in this one either... CHAPTER 2: PREPARATIONS AND APPREHENSIONS ************************** Eyes lit up all about the room as the queen layed out her plan for her closest friends and most devoted defenders. What she avoided mentioning was the fact that, if carried out, they would all have to become their former, much less mature, selves. Even so, ever inquistive Lita, ever intuitous Rei, and ever attentative Ami never missed it. "But, my lady," the blue-haired scout inquired, "What must we do to be able to cross into the other dimension? My computer says it's physically impossible to do it as we are now." Sighing solefully at herself for ever believing that she could put one by them, especially Ami, the brains of the outfit even now, she answered. "I didn't want to tell you this until after you agreed, but, to cross over the physical gap, we must change back into our former selves of the past." Mixed expressions greeted the revealed information. Mina, or Sailor Venus, was openly delighted about the prospect of becoming younger again, for, even though she had matured, she retained every bit of her vanity, as always. Ami's was thoughtful, considering the pros and cons of putting up with all of the others as young, impetuous, arguing girls again, her intelligence always overriding her delight at adventure. Rei's, Sailor Mars, of the potential loss of skill and sensitivity to evil she gained through practice, argumentative, never quite losing the competition between herself and the blonde Sailor Moon. And finally, Lita's, Sailor Jupiter's, by far the most powerful of the four gaurdian scouts, and even farther the most boy crazed of the whole group, was of pure delight at the possibility of battles and boys. After much internal deliberation, all four agreed heartily at the escape from the boring duties of the palace. So happy to not have to force them to go with her, she told them to meet her early the next morning at the gates to the gap between dimensions. ________________________________________ Lita stood before the great stone doors, the chill, early morning air penetrating her scout outfit. She wondered about the journey ahead to keep her thoughts off of past mistakes, and the soon-to-ensue arguments between Rei and Serena as soon as they changed... Mina, the second to arrive, waited diligently, while the idea of an adventure out of the palace after so long danced about her head in leaping, jumping rhytms. She tried hard to remember Hohtaruu, but all she could remember was the girl's physical weakness as a human, and her black wardrobe that matched her black power. She shuddered and wondered why someone as sensible asNoe-Queen Serenity would ever want to go recue that person... Ami was the third to arrive. She was prepared for a journey, with food and drink that would last weeks bouncing around on someone's shoulder as it was carried around. Sometimes though, she got tired of always being the smart, sensible one, and was very spiteful because of it. She wished Serenity would hurry up and get here, so they could begin and end the horrid journey all the faster... Rei the last of the four scouts to arrive, thought about duty, and remembered all of the jealousy and spite she had harbored toward Serena in their younger days. She hoped she wouldn't succumb to her other personality as well... ___________________________________________________ Little did they know, that their queen had risen earlier than any of them, and had gone to meet Trista. She stood in the murky darkness of that drab place, holding the Imperium Silver Crystal at ready, so they could combine powers and find the entrance to the place a lot faster, and call in the scouts when they did. Thrice they had failed, and now they were going to go at it full steam. "Ready?" The queen nodded as a bead of perspiration began to form on her forehead from the strain and the humidity. Without an uttered word, she closed her eyes and looked down into the depths of the beautiful, faceted crystal, sending beams of power in all directions. At some unseen cue, the key's pinkish-red crystal glowed and added it's own soft green light to the spell. Just as they both would have given out, the crystal's suface image changed, to that of a black gash that seemed to lead nowhere, under a dead tree, in the far reaches of this dead place... ______________________________________________ The four women collectively jumped as the huge stone doors slid slowly, soundlessly open. And they all got the same message, it was time to leave.... ************************************************ Questions, Comment, Complaints, Flames? E-mail me at [email protected]. Thanxs for your support, and stay tuned...