Timelines Are Not Meant To Be Joined Together (SAMTBK Vol. 5)

Act 2: Silver Braids and Attacks On Destiny

Claire's P.O.V.

"So you all live here?" I asked as Max gave me the grand tour of the group home.

"Almost all of us. The children don't have anywhere to stay just yet, so Serenity is entertaining them with a pillow fight of them against Aera, X, and Chrysta while Larry works on the walls with Jersey and Itsuki."

"Where's my room?" I meant it as just a joke, but I somehow made him really uneasy because of that.

"We uh... don't have a room... fit for a queen such as yourself... ready just yet... it may take us maybe... eighteen months?"

"Max, I may be a queen, but I am also Sailor Neol, and I will punish you... if you continue to treat me so highly. YOU ARE MY BEST FRIEND FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!"

And for some strange reason, right as I said that, he burst into tears.

"Now what's this all about?" I asked.

"You should probably head to your old apartment and stay there for a while," Ahsoka told me. I guess I'd understand something if I went there, I guess.

I headed back to the apartment building and went into my room.

What I saw brought both tears and I think what Earthians call a blush to my face.

"Such kind words..." I couldn't help but say out loud after reading the notes. "And such wonderful gifts." I soon found myself picking up a lotus from the assorted bouquet. "Just like back on Neol..."

I found a most wonderful painting posted on the wall... and there was writing on it as well.

'They say some people are different. These individuals aren't always considered special. But all of us know that you truly are a wonderful and special girl, Claire. It doesn't matter if you are of royal blood or not, you will always have a special place in all of our hearts... in my heart.'

That's funny. It isn't signed...

But whoever made this is an incredible artist...

They painted me...

The real me...

I felt the strength in my knees give out as I fell to the floor. I don't deserve them. These wonderful people in my life...

I laid down on my bed so that I can sleep or something... but something was under the blankets.

I got back up and searched through the bed. I was quite shocked to find some sort of box.

After fumbling around with the box for a while, I finally opened it.

It was... some sort of pen... and with it was a note...

'To our wonderful princess and queen.'

Again. NOT SIGNED!

I picked up the pen and laid down on the bed.

Next thing I knew, it was morning.

I woke up to the knocking sound on my door.

"Hold on a minute! Let me get dressed!"

I walked over to the closet to see if I left anything to wear during my days here.

I noticed something new among my selection.

A blue and white kimono-like short dress.

'Made this for you... with a lot of help. -Serenity'

Thanks, Serenity.

I put it on, styled my hair, grabbed my staff and bag, and opened the door.

I saw one of the girls from yesterday. The one with the silver braids.

"Good morning, Your Highness. I have come to escort you to the residence."

"...Did Max put you up to this?"

"No, but Master Maxwell calls you a queen, so I do as well."

 I nodded and, even though I was still confused, just let it slide.

"So... what's your name anyway?"

"My name's Destiny."

"I'm Claire... Claire Nova."

"Claire Nova? You're... Neol?"

"WHAT?! No no no! I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Sorry. My apologies for asking."

So polite... yet so bold and terrifyingly brilliant...

Also, why are her eyes of a two-color palette?

I may never know.

We arrived and then I noticed that some people had left.

"Where is everyone?" I asked Destiny.

"Master Maxwell, Serenity, Larry, Jersey, Itsuki, Aera, and Carol all went off to their classes."

"So I guess I should probably look after you and that other girl for a while then."

"Yes, but first..." She dragged me into the kitchen. "Breakfast."

I got a plate and served myself... whatever was on the stove. As I ate, I decided to find out some more about Destiny.

"So uh... how old are you?"

"About 14-ish..." She's confused about her age? Maybe she's not from around here...

"I remember when I was a teenager. I was quite the depressed one... so where do you come from?"

"Here."

"Ha ha very funny... where were you BORN?"

"In a hospital that I don't know the name of... I think."

HOW IS IT THAT SHE'S EVADING ALL MY QUESTIONS AND YET IS ANSWERING EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM?!

I finished breakfast and went outside for a walk.

"I'm coming with you!" she exclaimed, following me.

"Me too!" Next thing I knew, both of the silver-haired girls were following me.

During our nature walk, a blast came out of nowhere, knocking a tree over.

"Get down!" I said, pulling them to the ground and rolling us out of the way before the tree could crush us.

"I missed this time, but I won't repeat such a mistake!" a voice said. And then, a man with grass green hair appeared.

"Run!" The girls didn't need to be told twice. They ran fast.

Once the girls and the enemy were far enough away from me, I pulled out my brooch.

"NEOL DESTINY POWER, MAKE UP!"

I ran to catch up and found both of them still running. They're good at... what's the name of this kind of game? Oh yeah! Tag.

"HALT!" They all looked in my direction.

"Who's there?!" The man yelled. "Show yourself!"

"I AM THE PRETTY GUARDIAN OF SECRETS! FOR THE SAKE OF DESTINY I WILL PROTECT! I AM SAILOR NEOL! AND IN THE NAME OF NEOL, YOU WILL FALL BY MY HAND!"

The attack was pretty routine. I finished him off with a blast from my staff.

"Now, let me go find that last member of your group, okay?" I said to the girls before leaving. When I returned, they both hugged me.

"What's this for?"

"We just missed you," Destiny said. "That's all."

~~~~~~~~~~

Destiny is the name of the teen girl!

Now we just need to know the other one's name!

Will Claire and the others ever get to know more about the two?

Find out soon!

Bye!