Chapter 2: Have Cat Will Travel
In the 26th Century, Crystal Tokyo…
Author: Gee, do you think they’ll over react? Rini has only been taken a billion times before and how many times have they been on the balcony doing nothing? And why doesn’t Darien get a neat little Neo- in front of his title? It makes sense for Serena get a Neo- so her and her mother won’t get confused since she was called Queen Serenity.
Endymion and Serenity split up to find her as they search the entire palace. Neo-Queen Serenity rushes into Rini’s room with unshed tears in her eyes, but to no avail. She was too late all there was in the room was the crystal orb still floating but fainter than before. She senses the presence of the thing that took her darling daughter away. “Who are you? What do you want with Rini?”
“Diana? Diana? Where are you?” Rini yelled in the palace. She goes into her room and checks for the tiny grey cat. No one there, she’s almost out the door when...
“Small Lady,” whispered a mysterious sweet voice, “Small Lady.”
“He-hello? Is anyone there? *more determined* By the order of the princess, I command you to reveal yourself!”
“Forgive me, Small Lady. I cannot fulfill your wish, future queen. I do not have the power to show myself yet. I am in need of your help.”
“What can I do? But who are you and what do you mean by future queen? Mama is never going to die.”
“But she will, Small Lady. For all things must come to an end. She fulfilled her destiny, you were ready, and it was her time. All grieved her departure for she was and is deeply loved, but also celebrated her life and her accomplishments. She didn’t want everyone to be sad that she was gone, but to remember her so she would live in their hearts. The king died with his love. They were given feasts and celebrations for their deeds in life.”
“Oh, I see…I need to know one thing though. What’s your name?”
Silence.
“I wasn’t meant to exist, I do not deserve a name.”
“But everyone has a name. How about—”
“No! Do not waste your time giving something to me that I don’t deserve, future queen. I am not worthy. Giving me a name would give me significance, greater than I am meant to have.”
“If that’s the way you feel…”
“Yes it is.”
“What can I do?”
“ I need to go into the past. You can transport me, but you will be dragged with me.”
“All right, I’ll go tell Mama and Papa. Then we’ll go.”
“No! There isn’t time! I don’t know how much longer I can stay here.”
“Alright. Can I leave a note?” Rini pulls out her extremely cute “please” face combined with the deadly sad puppy dog eyes.
“Yes, you MAY.”
“Sorry. (writes a note and puts it on the bed) I’m ready. What do I do now?”
A clear crystal sphere appears in front of the small princess. Its radiance danced around it and on the walls, creating rainbows and star-like bursts of light.
“This orb shall transport my physical body and you into the past. My spirit can get there by itself. Do you know any places that will be safe for people appear out of no where?”
“Uh, huh. There are lots of places we can go.”
“Picture that place in your mind, focus your power there, and reach out your arms toward the crystal. I shall do the rest.”
Rini closes her eyes and focuses, then the light fills the room, engulfing her in its brilliance. A tiny grey cat with a crescent moon on her forehead walks into the room.
“Small Lady? SMALL LADY!” Diana screeches. She springs toward her and is swallowed by the light. Within the palace, beyond the forbidden door, Sailor Pluto senses something.
“What can this be? Who can possibly travel through time without going through the Time Door or have a key? Small Lady! She’s being taken away. I must inform the others, but I can’t leave my post.” Hot tears run down the guardian’s timeless face. “What am I to do?”
Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion enjoy the view from their balcony when the couple senses Rini being taken to the past by some unknown force.
“It is not important who I am. If everything works to my liking, we will never have this conversation. I needed Rini to transport my body to the past unfortunately so was she, but she was aware of the risks. Small Lady volunteered to help me, she is very kind-hearted.”
“I know, but who are you? Where did you come from?”
Silence.
“Answer me!”
“I cannot tell you, yet most likely it won’t stop it from coming. Nothing will stop it in Crystal Tokyo, not you, not Neo-Queen Lady Serenity, or any of your Eternal Sailor Senshi, Your Majesty.”
“So you work for this evil? Why do you need Rini if you’re so powerful?!” Her eyes were filled with unshed tears and her own ferocity that only her enemies ever see usually ever again.
“Your Majesty! Surely you jest! How can you assume such terrible and implausible things? With all due respect, I am trying to prevent it from coming!” As the spirit spoke, its voice rose not only in volume, but in assertion and grandeur.
A tear rolled down her face as she went down on her knees, “I’m sorry, please forgive me.”
“Forgiveness for you is unnecessary. I forgot about your battles in the past. I should be forgiven. Your experiences makes your assumption understandable. The memories haven’t set in yet.”
“I’m, I’m just worried about Rini. But please, I beg you, protect Rini, please.”
“…I won’t let anything happen to her. I give you my word as a Sailor Senshi,” the voice was warmer than it was before. “I must leave,” with that the orb disappeared as the mother cries for her child to come home.
Rini opened her eyes and looked around and panicked. Graves surrounded the pink-haired princess, mists curled at her ankles. There was a bloodcurdling, and eerie chill in the air. Her thoughts were almost as grim and dismal as the setting. I’m alone. This isn’t Crystal Tokyo and this is definitely NOT the palace. Now I remember, the orb. She sent me back in time, and I made it! I’m in the Cherry Hill Temple’s cemetery, but it’s a lot scarier than I remember. Rini notices someone else is in the graveyard with her. She turns behind her then gasps.
