The Pursuit Of Time: Setsuna Revealed - Chapter 1 Angel and Lord Talon (Setsuna, Carlyle, and her mentor Anna are at the Gates of Time talking) Anna said" Now that we are all here we can get started. "How are we going to solve this problem?" Setsuna asked curiously. "Tell me also. I would like to know too." Carlyle stated. "In order to solve this dilemma. I must restore some of Setsuna's memories. I took these memories away to spare you both pain. I also wanted to give Setsuna some peace and a measure of happiness. She really didn't have either as a child. That comes first. Second, You must both put on these necklaces. They are very important for what we are doing!" she said firmly Setsuna held the necklace in her hands. It seemed to glow with a similar sort of energy that coursed through the time corridor. She looked at her mentor and friend as she asked: "Anna, just what is this supposed to do?" Anna looked at her and said: "These necklaces will allow us to view the past, without causing any ripples in the time stream. This is *crucial*, because of the extremely fragile nature of the stream. We will be able to see and hear all that occurs, but, we will leave no trace of our visit." Carlyle's ears perked up at that little exchange, as he and Setsuna slipped on the necklaces. He thought to himself: Anna looked at him through the corner of her eye, and smiled to herself, but, said nothing. Anna then asked, "Are you ready to go my children? "Ready" they said in unison. They closed their eyes and in a flash of light, they were gone. When they opened their eyes, they saw that they were standing in front of a beautiful castle. It was made from gray stone with limestone accents on the doorway arch and the columns. It was very beautiful. Setsuna recognized it immediately. "That is Charon Castle," she said indifferently with just a trace of sadness. "I know child" Anna soothed gently. Carlyle had recognized it too, but he decided not to say anything after hearing Setsuna's reaction to being home. He thought to himself, Carlyle was shocked when Anna responded to his thought. "Young One, that is part of the reason we are here now." she said. Carlyle was shocked, he asked himself in disbelief. Anna looked at him, grinned widely, and nodded, before continuing on. Carlyle figured that the best thing to do would be to let her lead the way and see what unfolded. "Smart boy." Anna muttered quietly to herself. They started to walk toward the castle, but instead of going in the front door, they went around the side to the palace gardens instead. Upon entering the gardens, they came upon a group of five children and their parents. The parents were sitting on several stone benches and smiling at their children. When they decided to take an even closer look, they saw that four of the children were playing, while the fifth child was sitting and staring at the wall. The little girl, who was about five or six years old, looked wistfully at the others, wanting to join in, but knowing that she wasn't welcome in the group. As they watched the group of children, Setsuna gasped. "What is it Setsuna?" Carlyle asked frantically. "I'm all right. I just recognized that girl. That's me," she said in shock and sadness. "Yes child it is" Anna crooned soothingly. "Why is she alone and unhappy? Carlyle asked curiously. "Do you remember now child?" Anna inquired. "Yes I do" Setsuna replied sadly. "Will someone tell me what is going on here?" Carlyle asked firmly. "I will" Setsuna answered. "That child is me. I am alone, because of my visions. The visions that I get of things happening to time are mainly because I'm the time guardian. I never really learned how to handle the visions and I'd just blurt out what I'd seen, not realizing that no one believed me." Setsuna said sadly. Just then a shout from the children startled the group. "Look, you guys. If it isn't Setsuna the weirdo" One child taunted. "Yeah, Weird Setsuna having visions again," another child said nastily. "Yeah look at her with that green hair. Only someone with green hair could be so weird." Another child laughed. The other child, a boy, hadn't said anything at all. "Hey Carlyle, the first one said, " Why haven't you said anything?" another child asked. Both scout and knight *gasped* in surprise at hearing the one child call out Carlyle's name. Setsuna, because she hadn't believed *HOW* long he had been watching her. Carlyle, because apparently, Anna had blocked out some of *his* memories, as well. The young Carlyle still said nothing. He got up and slowly turned and walked away into the castle. The others were confused and wondering why Carlyle hadn't said anything. they wondered thoughtfully for a minute or two. But, soon they forgot and went back to their game of taunting Setsuna. As the group watched a crying Setsuna ran past them. The other children cheered, as the adults looked on smiling. The children had succeeded in making Setsuna cry. The grown-up Setsuna turned to Carlyle. "Why didn't you say anything?" She demanded tearfully. Carlyle replied, "I couldn't. I loved you and I didn't want to hurt your feelings any more, by saying something myself. I left as soon as I could so that I didn't have to hear anymore taunts. I have *always* regretted not being able to say anything in your defense. I know that you probably won't believe me, but I loved you then and I love you now." Setsuna merely turned her head away, at which point Anna then spoke up. "Alright now my children, let's go into the palace and check on Setsuna to see what is happening to her." she said, and off they went in search of the young Setsuna. They came into a large hallway, and were about to leave it, when Setsuna spoke up. "I remember where my room was. Follow me!" Anna and Carlyle followed her to a rather small room on the far side of the palace. When they entered Setsuna's room, they found the younger Setsuna crying alone on her bed. "What kind of parents would let their daughter cry all alone?" Carlyle demanded. "Hush, Young One, You are about to see" Anna said sadly. "Setsuna!" her mother called. "In here mother, the younger one answered. A woman walked in the room. She wore a gown of greens and blues, that flashed with the light. The crown upon her head appeared to have been polished brightly, so that you could see your reflection in the crown. Her black-green her was wound tightly in a bun, and supported the crown. She wore a scowl upon her face, as she addressed the crying child in front of her. "Setsuna, if you'd stop having those silly visions and start acting like a princess, the other children would like you more. " Her mother said. "You are a disappointment to me. I wish you could be more like your sister Rialla." She sighed. "You have embarrassed me beyond belief. You will stay here with no food at all until our guests leave. Is that understood?" her mother demanded. "Yes, mother" Setsuna said sadly. "Good" her mother said cheerfully. "You know, she continued," You have only yourself to blame for having those silly visions that don't exist." her mother commented. After her mother left, the young Setsuna cried herself to sleep. Carlyle shook his head in disbelief at the way Setsuna's own mother had treated her. He wasn't sure *WHICH* had been more cruel, though he was beginning to get an idea of what growing up was like for the youngest member of the royal house of Pluto. Setsuna stared at the child for a short time-reliving the pain of that moment, before turning away from both of her traveling companions. "Is this all you have to show us here?" she asked in a tight voice. Anna nodded. "I think that it's time we left this experience." She said, and in a flash of light they were gone. ---------------------------------------------------------- I give you Freedom! That monster will trouble you no more! Your hero has arrived at last!" Mr Masamichi Fujisawa