Hello everyone! Well, this *was* my first fanfic, and now gets the honor of being my first revision, as it was riddled with mistakes when it first came out. ^_^ I'm also redoing the authors' notes, as the first ones were exceedingly dorky. *sheepish grin* What can I say? I was a newbie. Well, let's put in some notes that are actually somewhat relevant to the fanfic, shall we? First, some vocabulary. There is not a whole lot, except for the fact that I am letting daijuusan=thirteenth birthday. It actually only means 13th, but hey, I don't know Japanese that well, OK? Also, if you do happen to know Japanese, you might be slightly amused at the names I chose, because I just went through a dictionary and chose names at random. *grin* As for time line information, it is set in the Silver Millenium, and is a bit of an alt fic. Finally, my "name" is Setsuna M, and my e-mail address is meiou_setsuna@hotmail.com. I'd love some feedback! Ja ne! P.S. Oh yeah...rated G. A Time for Everything A silvery mist floated among the unearthly region. Its fractal tendrils curled around a large, ancient floating door frame. A tall, proud soldier stood silently beside this doorway between time, space and reality. She had stood by this gate for as long as she had known...well, almost as long as she had known. But it was almost time. Almost time to leave it again. Oh, not for long. It was too important to be left for long. But as guardian of the immortal gate of time, she of all people knew that there is a time for everything. And it was almost *her* time. In the beginning she would have never imagined this destiny. But she would not have chosen any other way. She would give her life to protect this gate. For it was not actually the gate that she was protecting, but her princess. She would save her from any harm that should pass through it, and ensure that her future was as it should. It was her duty for her princess and Queen. She still remembered when she had first accepted this responsibility...she had been commissioned by none other than Queen Serenity herself, during the Silver Millennium. Dear Serenity. Over time Pluto had grown to be dear friends with her. She treasured her as a mother. But she remembered back to a time when she revered her so much that she was almost frightened at the Queen’s presence. Pluto chuckled at this. Oh, she had been so young then. But one day it all changed... ****************** "Setsuna." "Yes, m’lady?" The young girl bowed before the Queen. As the apprentice to the Queen’s designer she was used to appearing before her highness. But she always maintained great respect whenever she appeared, and treated her with the dignity her presence commanded. Other attendants, Setsuna felt, had become indifferent to the Queen’s majesty by their frequent appearances before the Queen. But not Setsuna. She always maintained the humble but proud loyalty of a servant to the woman she would be forever indebted to. "I need to speak with you on a matter of great importance to me. As you know, the Coming Out Ball is upon us." Queen Serenity spoke as she walked slowly over to her throne. She sat down and smiled at the still kneeling Setsuna. "Yes, m’lady, I have heard." Who hadn’t? The Coming Out ball was the greatest event of this millennium, to be sure! Well, maybe Setsuna was exaggerating. But still...this was the ball at which the Guardians were to be named. The Sailor Senshi of the moon princess. Traditionally they were chosen at an early age from among the most promising of the children of the moon kingdom, and trained secretly as warriors until the princess’ thirteenth birthday, her daijuusan, when they were presented to the moon kingdom. But rumor among the society circles of the kingdom was that something different was happening this year. Setsuna made herself break with this train of thought though...the Queen was speaking again. "Setsuna, did you know that you are my most trusted attendants?" Her? Setsuna couldn’t believe it. "Truly, your highness, I am honored but unworthy of your praise." She was just a lowly orphan whom the Queen had taken in out of the goodness of her heart. Maybe the Queen was just trying to make her feel better again; she had that compassionate nature about her. "No, I have been greatly pleased with your service to me, Setsuna. Because of this, I need to make a request of you." Setsuna was puzzled. What could the Queen want from *her*? It dawned on her. "Of course, your majesty! You need a dress for the ball. Akiyama-san has the perfect thing for you. Sankakukei just brought back the most magnificent fabric, imported from Neptune. It will be make a stunning..." Setsuna was stopped by the Queens melodic laughter. "No, Setsuna that is not it. I will be wearing the traditional moon kingdom dress for this ball." "Of course." Setsuna mumbled. Dumb dumb, dumb, she chastised herself. I always act before I talk. I should have known that. She probably thinks I am stupid for even mentioning it. If she needed a new dress designed she would probably call Akiyama himself, instead of telling her, mere apprentice to the senior designer. She was struck with a horrible thought. You don’t suppose...she was suddenly afraid the Queen thought that she might be suggesting she make the dress. She gasped inwardly. How ludicrous--a thirteen-year old designing the Queen’s ball gown for the biggest event of the century? The Queen would surely be furious! Wasn’t that Hubris? But Serenity was still smiling at Setsuna, she must not be mad. "No dear child, I need you for a much more important position." Setsuna looked at her wondering. What important task could she have for *her*? The Queen looked at her tenderly. "Setsuna, did you know you are of Plutonian descent?" What? Setsuna was shocked. She had been orphaned at a young age. She didn’t even remember her parents. All she knew of life was growing up on the moon kingdom, serving the Queen. News of anything different was as foreign to her as if it had been a past life. "No ma’am, I was not aware of this." Setsuna’s voice quivered a little, betraying her surprise. The Queen reached down to Setsuna, stroking her hair. Setsuna sat still, not daring to move a muscle. How lucky she was...the Queen was touching her! She was always so nice to her. "Yes, my dear," Serenity spoke cautiously in order not to shock the young girl. "In fact, your parents were the King and Queen of Pluto." Setsuna gasped as the Queen continued. "They tragically perished in a war, shortly after you were born. But before the planet was destroyed by the dark forces, my soldiers rescued you from the conflict." Setsuna felt weak. Her parents...King and Queen? Of Pluto? Pluto had been uninhabited for at least ten years. She had been told that the population had been destroyed in a conflict between good and evil. ‘And my parents among them.’ she thought to herself. She had never known anything about her parents. The sudden information caused her to feel the loss keenly. "What...what does this mean?" Setsuna dared to voice a question. Serenity smiled. She tried to tell her gently. "It means, my dear, that you are the only surviving Plutonian right now. Not only that, but you are the Plutonian Princess. And that is where my favor lies." Pluto sank from her kneeling position into a sitting position. She slowly answered the Queen. "Anything, m’lady." Pluto sounded very dazed and confused. Serenity looked at the girl concerned. This was a lot of information for a thirteen-year old girl to absorb. She didn’t want to tell her too much at once. She was afraid for a moment that she already had. "My goodness, I am sorry. This must be hard for you to comprehend. Why don’t you go lie down for a while, and come back later and I will make my request." The Queen soothed. She stood up. "I will call Saru to come take you to your room." Setsuna lay down. But she couldn’t sleep immediately. Her, a princess? Granted, the princess of a desolate, barren planet, but still...her mind drifted to her parents. She had often wondered what they were like. Now she finally had an answer. With it came more questions. They were King and Queen! What were there names? What did they look like? What was their kingdom like? Where did they live? When...how...did they die? The last question was painful. She could not dwell on it long. Instead, she brought her thoughts to the present. What could the request be, and why was it so important? Why did the Queen find it necessary to tell Setsuna of her past to ask it of her? All at once the events of the past hour caught up to her. The emotions Setsuna had been holding in for almost thirteen years struck her at once and she began sobbing into her pillow. Her body shaking, she suddenly realized she was exhausted. With tears streaming down her cheeks she drifted off into a fitful sleep. Two hours later she awoke. She got up and looked blurrily at her reflection in the mirror. She ran a brush through her dark black hair, the forest green highlights reflecting in the light. She careful studied her face. Thankfully her eyes were not puffy because of her uncharacteristic display of emotion. Her emotions had not betrayed her, she decided; she looked presentable enough. She went to find one of the Queen’s attendants, in order to find an acceptable time to meet with the Queen. She walked out of her room. "Setsuna, I see you’ve awakened." Queen Serenity sat calmly across the hall from her room. Setsuna’s eyes widened. The Queen was waiting for her? Setsuna immediately dropped to the floor in a deep bow. "Your highness, I’m sorry, I did not realize..." she began. The Queen did not let her finish her apology. She carefully stood up. "You have nothing to apologize for, my child. I was glad to know you had slept; you have had a hard day." She smiled tenderly down on the meek child. "Yes, m’lady." Setsuna was at a loss for words. What was she doing, again? Oh, now she remembered. "M’lady." Setsuna spoke quietly. "You said I could be of service to you?" "Not down on the ground like that." Queen Serenity’s voice had a trace of amusement. "Why don’t you stand to hear my request?" Setsuna hastily got on her feet. Queen Serenity continued. "Setsuna, I know there are always rumors about who is chosen to be the princess’ guardians. Have you heard any new rumors about the sailor senshi this year?" This was what the Queen called her for? Setsuna wondered. Why would she be asking her? Come to think of it, why would she even be asking? Well, that wass of no matter now, the Queen was expecting an answer. "Your highness, I have heard rumors of something...different being done this year. The entire kingdom is talking about it. However no one knows what or why." The Queen smiled companionly. "Would you like to know?" Was this a trick question? Of course she would! "If it pleases her majesty, I would be happy to be the recipient of such privileged information." The Queen had a bemused expression on her face at her mature words. Setsuna had always acted much wiser than her years, she recalled. Losing her parents had caused her to grow up quickly. Unexpectedly she reached over and gave her a fierce hug. Setsuna caught her breath. What prompted this? Her heart beat nervously, and...leapt for joy? As an orphan she didn’t not often receive such love. She closed her eyes to cherish the too short moment and waited for the Queen to release her. The Queen unwrapped her arms from around Setsuna, but kept her hands on the girl's shoulders. She held her at arms length, gazing at her like a proud parent. "Setsuna, you always amaze me with your maturity. Let me tell you my little secret." Her eyes sparkled, then grew solemn. "As you know, there are often many planetary wars in this universe." Setsuna nodded. "A ruler is always afeared for her kingdom in times of conflict. There is currently a time of peace, but it will not last. So I have been thinking of a way to prolong this peaceful period." Queen Serenity dropped her arms and walked over to the window. Setsuna watched her back as she spoke. "I dwelled on this problem for many years. I consulted my advisors and elders, to no avail. Their suggestions were common...treatises, trade, etc. But treatises can be broken. Trading planets can still fight, and both suffer for the lack of commerce." The Queen began pacing. "I thought long and hard about this problem. I grew more and more frantic as skirmishes began to break out. Then, 13 years ago, when my daughter was born, I cam upon the answer." She stopped and looked at Setsuna. "You gave me the answer." Setsuna blinked. Her? She was just barely born! How can a little baby help the ruler of the moon kingdom? The Queen spoke gently. "Around that time, Setsuna, was the fateful battle that determined your planet’s destiny. You came to live with me then." She studied Setsuna’s face carefully, to see if she understood what she was saying. "I have often thought of you as another daughter to me. I have seen your loyalty to the moon kingdom, me, and most importantly the princess." Setsuna humbled her face downward as the Queen continued speaking. "Yes, you have been the perfect attendant, daughter...friend. This is, of course, due to your natural loving nature. It occurred to me, though, that circumstances might come into play as well. What would happen is, say the Princess of Mars grew up believing in unquestionable loyalty to the Moon Princess? Or Mercury? Or Venus?" Setsuna opened her eyes astonishingly. "Do you mean..." "Yes my dear, at the time of their births, I made a pact with the other kingdoms of this solar system. Their daughters, upon reaching her daijuusan, would become my daughter’s guardians. This would ensure protection of my daughter and ensure peace among the other planets." Setsuna thought in wonder. What a marvelous, brilliant idea. The Queen was so wise. She would never have to worry about attacks again...at least from this solar system. No ruler would be stupid enough to try to attack the kingdom with his daughter living there. And with the alliance, the Queen was right; any attack on another planet would immediately bring the eight other planets to retaliate. Against those odds no planet would survive. Like Pluto, she thought painfully. "Setsuna, there are nine planets in the solar system." Setsuna looked up at the Queen. "Yes?" "I have procured eight guardians for my daughter," the Queen said. She grinned. "Including one very *special* guardian from the earth." She then waited until Setsuna was looking her in the eye. "The only planet I am missing is Pluto." Setsuna furrowed her brow. "But I thought you said that I was the only surviving Plutonian." Then the realization hit her with the force of a ton of bricks. She gasped. "You don’t mean..." The Queen nodded. "Setsuna, I would be honored if you would serve my kingdom by becoming the Senshi of Pluto, guardian of the Moon Princess." Voices. She heard voices. What were they saying? She tried to concentrate, but she was so tired. If she tried hard enough she could catch random, little pieces of the conversation around her. "...is she doing....why did she... is the doctor..." She picked up on a particular voice, not because of its volume or clarity, but because she recognized it. "...should have known...wasn’t ready...too much at once." The Queen was berating herself on Setsuna’s behalf. "NONSENSE!" A big booming voice filled the room. "SHE’LL BE FINE, WON’T YA, GIRLIE?" Setsuna startled. The doctor’s voice almost brought her fully back. He really could wake the dead, she thought wryly. Why am I sleeping again? I already took a nap today...she suddenly remembered. Oh, no, she groaned. She flashed back to her previous conversation with the Queen. "Setsuna, I would be honored if you would serve my kingdom by becoming the Senshi of Pluto, guardian of the Moon Princess. Would you be willing ....Setsuna? Setsuna? Are you feeling all right? Setsuna!" The last word was a gasp as the Queen caught Setsuna as she fainted. Oh, how embarrassing. She fainted in front of the Queen??? She was not going to wake up, she decided. No way she could face the Queen after that. "Mom, look she’s waking up!" Darn it Princess Serenity, shut up! Setsuna shut her eyes tightly. Leave it to Sere-sere to give her away. "Setsuna?" The Queen’s anxious voice called to her. "Setsuna, can you hear me? Please answer if you can." A command from her majesty. Setsuna had to try to wake up after that. She squinted up at the faces above her. Boy, was it bright in here. She saw two golden-haired women above her. Well, one woman and one...almost a woman. Queen Serenity’s anxious face gazed down at her, while Princess Serenity’s looked at her in delight. "See mom, she sees me!" Queen Serenity smiled in relief. "Thank goodness." She leaned in towards Setsuna. "Setsuna, can you talk yet?" Setsuna tested her mouth. "I think so." It came out a little hoarse. "Yaaaaaaaay!" the princess yelled loudly. Setsuna winced, then smiled. Sere-sere was always so full of energy. A bundle of energy with golden hair. And that energy bundle was walking towards her again. "Mom told me the good news. Are you really going to be my guardian?" Setsuna felt weak again. Was she really ready to take on such a job? "I...I...ummm, well I was just wondering..." she managed to cough out. "Your majesty, I hope I am not being impertinent, but how does an alliance with a lifeless planet help you much?" Queen Serenity smiled. "A very good observation, my dear one. But you see, for the position I have envisioned you for, this makes you the perfect candidate. I am in need of a guardian of the door of time. Since you have no ties to your planet, you will not be neglecting your planetary duties by guarding the door." Setsuna had to think again. She needed a guard of the *what*? Did she say door of time? She knew the royal family had magical powers, but Setsuna had not been witness to them much. This was all so confusing. "Oh, please say yes, Setsuna, please please please," Princess Serenity was begging. "I don’t know any of the other guardians. I won’t meet them until the ball. It would be so great to know that I already had a friend." "But Serenity, it is not that simple." Did I say that? Setsuna wondered. It *was* what she was thinking. But no, it was the Queen speaking to her daughter. "Setsuna still needs to know one more important thing." The Queen turned to face Setsuna. "Setsuna, I need to warn you of one more thing." *Warn* me? "The post of the guardian of time is a very solitary position. For centuries you will be alone. After a millennium you will be allowed to leave periodically, but until then it will be a very lonely time. It is a dangerous post; you will be protecting the princess and her people from any creature from the dark kingdom that might try to breach the gate. It is a tremendous responsibility. One mistake can cause the destruction of civilization as we know it." Queen Serenity paused. "But I know you can do it." Setsuna’s mind was boggled. One mistake...but the Queen believed she could do it. She believed in her. She trusted Setsuna with...the future. Setsuna wouldn’t betray her trust. It was a tremendous decision. Funny she could make it so easily. "Yes, m’lady. I will do it." Queen Serenity smiled. Off to her side came an ear-splitting shriek. That golden-haired bundle of energy ran over and hugged Setsuna. "YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!" ****************** Pluto smiled at the memories. Everything happened in a rush after that. There was the last minute training she underwent; though really she was better prepared than she had expected. The Queen had anticipated that moment and assigned Setsuna to be the princess' training partner during their childhood. Setsuna thought she had only been serving the Queen; she was, just in more ways than she knew. Then there was the Coming Out ball. She would never forget meeting the other Senshi for the first time, nor the incredible applause she received as her name was announced. Evidentially no one realized the Plutonian Princess had survived the terrible attack on her planet. Queen Serenity was praised for her wisdom and Setsuna was cried over with tears of joy. Not to mention the numerous suitors suddenly interested in a new, unattached princess...Pluto grinned. She really did think sometimes that Serenity had kept her identity a secret for so long to ward off potential husbands. "Well, it is true that I couldn’t be attached to anyone before spending a millennium in solitude," she thought aloud. Yes, she talked to herself. Most anyone would if it was the only voice you would hear for a thousand years. A thousand years. Pluto couldn’t believe she had stood here so long. After the horrific attack on the moon kingdom...Pluto had cried for a long while. Even the Queen in all her wisdom could not prevent those from outside the solar system from attacking. Pluto had not been old enough to remember the attack on her own planet, but watching her beloved kingdom fall under the hands of the enemy, she felt she was seeing the death of both worlds. But no, not completely. The moon kingdom could never be completely destroyed. Physically, yes, but as long as the moon family survived, its spirit would never die. And in Queen Serenity’s love and wisdom she had assured that it would not. Even now, during the present time, the princess, in the form of Sailor Moon, was still protecting her people. And for Setsuna, it was time to see her beloved princess once again. It was amazing. When Serenity told her that the she wouldn’t see anyone from the moon kingdom for one thousand years, she cried. By then she had grown accustomed to the fact that she would not age as the others...it had something to do with the magical forces surrounding the door. But she couldn't fathom how could she would be able to live without them for that long. That entire millennium was a dark age for her. But now...after all those years, it was time. It was the twentieth century. Her friends had been reborn, and she could finally rejoin them. Though they probably wouldn’t remember her. And considering her position, she couldn’t let on that she knew them well, either. But it was enough to know that she still remembered. Pluto looked through the door. Through the mist she concentrated until she saw twentieth century Tokyo, Juuban Park. She caught her breath, and smiled with tears glistening on her cheeks. There they were. There was Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, even Endymion, prince of Earth. But where was the princess? Setsuna peered around the perimeter of the image. Oh, there she was, running towards her prince. They looked so happy. Well, did. Their countenance changed, and now they appeared very mad. Did something interrupt them? As a matter of fact, it had. A daimon had invaded their picnic. Her heart leaped as she saw them all transform again. All the colors, the planetary symbols...it was so beautiful. She cheered as they shouted their attacks. But she couldn’t stay there for long. The daimon was powerful. She could see that the senshi were in trouble. They needed help. They needed *her* help. She smiled. "Ready or not, here I come..." She took a deep breath and slipped through shimmering white light of the doorway. She was going to serve her princess. It was time.