Chapter 4:
“Serena, you’re early today.” Ms. Haruna said as she arrived to see Serena, first one at her desk. That was odd. “Are you feeling better?”
Serena nodded, “Yes, Ms. Haruna, I am feeling much better.” Her voice was filled with a cheery undertone. “And I’m ready for that math test. That’s why I came so early.”
Ms. Haruna nodded, stupefied at Serena’s so-called confidence concerning the exam she missed the day before. Was it possible she was still feverish? But, willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, she went ahead and put the paper on her desk.
Serena struggled with the test, but luckily, with help from a very unlikely source the night before, she managed to finish just in time for the first bell to ring. She breathed a sigh of relief as she handed it to Ms. Haruna. The other students, including Ami and Lita, were surprised to see her there so early.
“Serena,” Molly began, “Are you okay? I mean, yesterday you were out with a fever, and today you’re here early. What gives?”
Serena shook her head, “Nothing Molly, I just think it’s time I got my act together, that’s all. I had a bit of rude wakeup-call the other day.” She fixed a glare on Ami and Lita both. “But from now on, I’m gonna do my homework, and study, and at least TRY to pay attention in class.” Okay, so maybe the changes wouldn’t happen overnight, but for the Earth’s sake, she had to live up to her side of the bargain. She’d nearly lost everything because of her flaky ways. It was time to grow up.
Meanwhile, Luna was struggling inside. Serena had confirmed that yes, she had given Beryl the crystal. And yes, she was going to work for them. But, it was all for the safety of the Earth and she was even going to be allowed to finish her teen years with her family. It was the most logical course of action, and Luna was surprised that Serena had come up with it all on her own. But, that it had been necessary was horrible. What Serena had lost in the bargain was a terrible cost for peace. She hung her head as she stared at the empty wand, which Beryl had returned after removing the crystal, stating (according to Serena) that she had no need for it. A tear hit the wand as she mourned for what was and would never be again.
A sudden and fierce light filled the bedroom. Luna was forced to shield her eyes from the intense brightness. When she could see again, she was astonished to find that the room held an extra occupant. A tall, slender young woman dressed as a scout, with a long staff, a garnet jewel adorning the top. Long green hair cascaded gracefully down her back and her eyes were filled with distress.
“Who are you?” Luna asked, struggling to keep some sense of dignity.
“I am Sailor Pluto, guardian of time. Luna, please, tell me what has happened?”
Luna was momentarily stunned. She vaguely remembered Sailor Pluto. She never was sent to the future like the rest. “What?”
Sailor Pluto kneeled down to see into the cat’s eyes. “The future has changed, something’s gone wrong. What has happened here?”
Luna sighed and told Pluto the entire story. “It was simply awful. I can’t believe I never saw that in them before. Completely betraying Serena and me. It’s all my fault, I clearly didn’t train them properly. Please, tell me that the future has been ruined for Serena. Tell me she still has a future.”
Pluto nodded. “I guess, the changes aren’t exactly bad, but, they’re different. The future is not supposed to be altered. Things, small things, are different. But, that I never foresaw them, I’m the guardian of time. It was slowly changing this entire time, and I only just now noticed. I should have seen before and done what was necessary to stop them.”
“Are they irreversible?”
Pluto nodded, “Changing the future can be dangerous, Luna. It’s been changed enough. Perhaps, if I had caught it sooner, it could have been, but now. I’m afraid it’s too late.”
Luna was at least grateful that none of the changes were awful. “Can you tell me, exactly what HAS been changed?”
She shook her head. “But we have to stop the changes now. I fear if we don’t things could get worse. I think I know what might have caused this, but I need time to stop it.” She looked at Luna. “Luna, you will need to do everything in your power to fix the rift between the Sailor Scouts and Sailor Moon. It must be repaired. And beware, the Negaverse may now be neutralized, but there are more dangerous forces at work Luna. Perhaps, with peace established, the Negaverse could be a valuable ally.”
Luna gasped, “You mean there is a new enemy coming.”
Again, Pluto shook her head. “No, I’m sorry to say, I mean that it is already here. You must beware, protect the princess with all your might.”
Luna bowed her head, “You have my word, Sailor Pluto.”
Pluto stood, “Good, I will do what I need to do, to help stop this new enemy, and I will send more help soon. But now, I must return to the Gates of Time, farewell Luna. And tell the princess I will be to see her soon.”
AN: Another chapter and another twist. What will happen next?
Next Chapter: Malachite becomes Serena’s teacher.
