Hotaru Tomoe (AST)

**Hotaru Tomoe** is the civilian identity and the present-day incarnation of **Sailor Saturn**. When she is first introduced, she was possessed by Mistress 9 and later adopted by Michiru Kaiou, Haruka Tenou, and Setsuna Meiou following Mistress 9's defeat.

## Appearance

Hotaru is a petite girl with short dark purple hair, violet eyes, and pale skin.

On normal days, she wears a black turtleneck sweater, grey skirt, and black stockings. On other days, she will wear a black mini dress and dark blue pantyhose. Her school uniform consists of a red top, green skirt, and blue pantyhose.

## Personality

Hotaru is timid, quiet and always keeps to herself. Never having had any real friends, she was surprised yet happy to have met Chibiusa. She had growing fears of losing herself someday and struggled to keep her Mistress 9 in check, so as not to harm those she held most dear.

## Information

Michiru and Haruka are introduced at a beach side café with Hotaru. They were interrupted from enjoying the good weather and scenery by Setsuna, who invited them a restaurant that night. Michiru and Haruka had bet on how long it would be before whatever Setsuna wanted them here to see happened. Michiru was sure that it would happen soon after their arrival, but after finishing there meal and telling Hotaru she couldn’t order more dessert nothing happened. Haruka subtly slid own half finished dessert over to Hotaru while Michiru's attention was elsewhere when they witnessed an altercation where Shampoo was grabbed and responded by quickly dispatching the parties responsible, then promptly being fired. By this point they figured nothing was going to happen and went home.

On their way home, the trio saw Shampoo and decided to give her a ride, taking her to a nearby tea shop, after learning that she was now homeless Haruka and Michiru agreed to let her stay with them. However on viewing the relationship between the two, Shampoo was given some hope the situation could work out with Kasumi and decided to return to the Tendo home. Hotaru ended up going to the beach with her parents however since she hadn’t gone out to eat with the other Senshi and witnessed Kasumi throwing Haruka out the following day. She was left amazed at everything that happened.

She later joined the others when they raided Hotel La Bac to rescue Usagi. Sadly when by the time they found her she was under their control as Shadow Moon, and short work of them. In a last desperate stand Sailor Saturn shielded everyone using her Silence Wall against the worst of the attack, but even her strength quickly faded under Shadow Moon's onslaught. To prevent this Usagi having become aware of what was going on destroyed her star seed. Shadow Moon after gasping in pain suddenly lost all her strength and fell to the floor only to be caught by Tukedo Kamen. Sailor Moon’s consciousness reasserted itself seconds before all life left her body. Then as Tuxedo Kamen began to register what just happened she was suspended in the air as she transformed into Eternal Sailor Moon. Her uniform started to disintegrate leaving nothing but her wings which continued to grow, before unleashing a purifying wave of light.

Just as Usagi was about to fall to the ground she was plucked out of the air by Seiya. Both groups could just stare at each other in confusion not knowing what was going on. They came out of it when Seiya noticed how lifeless Usagi was. Mercury checked up on her and determined that she was alive, though she needed a more proper examine. Tuxedo Kamen took Usagi from Seiya as they made their way outside, deciding they’d figure out what to tell everyone when the time came.

Uranus however broke off to go and find Kasumi. Neptune appeared pensive, but made no move to stop her partner. Likewise, although worry showed on the other Senshis' faces, they too made no move to stop her. Teleporting back to where they left Artemis and Luna Mamoru de-transformed and rushed off to find a doctor. The other’s decided that it would be best to stay as it would make it easier for him to explain things. At this point Luna made her presence known and demanded that they explain what was going on, something Seiya agreed with.

Haruka, but Michiru, Hotaru, Setsuna and Rei received a a message from Usagi to meet her at the park, Only to not be able to get a hold of her once they got there. As they were waiting Ami, Minako and Makoto showed up having received the same message. Minako suspected that Usagi was planning a surprise anniversary party. When Setsuna pointed out that know such anniversary she figured that she had got her dates mixed up.

Before they could further consider that possibility, Usagi finally appeared. She revealed herself to be Quaoar and after apologizing for the deception informed them that Usagi was with the other Ascended Senshi waiting for her fate to be decided. Defensive instincts drove many of the girls to reach for their transformation items, but they found them missing. Quaoar had already taken them as they would only serve as a distraction. After convincing them including Luna and Artimis who were hiding in the bushes that she was on the level she transported them to the moon kingdom.

Once within, the others found Usagi, suspended in the air and completely unresponsive. After the initial shock, they took in the auditorium room they were in. Sensing her wandering attention, Quaoar introduced them to Rhadamanthus and Eris, though they were more focused on the fact that Seiya was there. The Ascended Senshi believed that Usagi was reawakening as her former incarnation of Cosmos and were worried about her being unable to control her power. At Quaoar's request the senshi had been invited to speak on her behalf.

As she introduced the various AS’ they were shocked by how much Ixion looked like Mamoru. This became more apparent when the actual Mamoru showed up. However, whatever response any would have had to his appearance was cut off by the Orcus was immediately told to withdraw her cloak. Quaoar once more ran through the introductions of the others for Mamoru. As one would expect, Ixion grabbed most of Mamoru's attention. However, other than a nod of greeting, the man said nothing.

Quaoar went into detail about the history of the Ascended Senshi, the rise and fall of Cosmos’ kingdom, as well as the Moon Kingdom. This is what led them to the decision on what to do with Usagi. This caused Rei to angrily demanded to know what that meant only to withdraw when Orcus called her out for not listening to their warning of Cosmos’ power. Rhadamanthus ordered her to calm down, but the fact remained they had serious concerns about weather or not Cosmos can control her power. While they didn’t have to like it they all agreed to it when they chose to be reborn that the final decision is up to the Ascended.

The group used the time they waited for the arrival of Huya and Deucalion to consider what they would say. The Senshi, luna cats, and Mamoru had huddled together to the side to plot strategy. With their abilities inaccessible, and their opponents having all the power of Chaos and more, conflict had been quickly ruled out as being the least viable. So, they took the advice they had been given and considered what to say to sway the opinions of those gathered.

When Huya and Deucalion arrived she immediately rushed towards Ami and Michiru and hugged them. Rhadamanthus began to recount recent events for all. There was little to dispute, until she got to Eris’ transgressions. Since that matter would be discussed only with the Senshi she moved on. Finally came to the decision of what to do with Usagi. Do they let her go, keep her in the stasis field indefinitely, or terminate her before her power grows? Luna suggested that they just restore the stasis field if she does lost control. Rhadamanthus agreed that a conditional release was reasonable.

With no other proposal they began to discuss there options. They eliminated termination when it was pointed out that it would just kicks the can down the road a few years. Sealing or other removal of her power, as well conditional release, also proved impossible with their current limits.

Minako suggested that they just train her and Mamoru was quick to point out that permanent stasis was the same as termination, just delaying the inevitable. Unfortunately Huya pointed out that training would go against their rule about not getting involved. Michiru tried to argue that they could restrict themselves from such, but she wasn’t willing to do that. Ultimately the Ascendant weren’t willing to risk the danger Usagi possessed. Eventually Eris spoke up and called them out for being motivated solely by fear.

The discussion ended and those without a voice were told to wait in the courtyard. Gathered around a destroyed fountain in the central plaza of the ruins of the Moon Kingdom, the Senshi, luna cats and Mamoru waited nervously for nearly an hour. Eventually Rei couldn’t take it anymore and despite knowing how powerful they were planned on marching back in and stopping them. Several of the others rose in response and nodded their agreement, only for Ami to remind them that their chance of victory was nonexistent.

They unanimously agreed to let Usagi live. They decreed that they will continue their pact of noninterference. Usagi must be allowed to discover her powers on her own. Them interfering could simply slow that process down, and potentially lead her astray. However, since the senshi were now aware of them, the block on contact was removed. All Ascended Senshi will be allowed to converse with them normally. They may not, however, use their powers to knowingly help or hinder any Senshi within this star system, save in their own self defense.

Because of Eris actions Rhadamanthus also effectively blocked their power while they were in this star system. It was revealed that because of Seiya’s exposure to Usagi’s energy she was evolving into an Asended as well. This meant that she needed to be replaced on Kinmoku. Her request to go back anyway was denied since supposedly if she was away from Usagi the process could stall. Setsuna ended up offering her a room at her place. Quaoar had Eris take the senshi back to Nerima while she returned Mamoru to his university, much to her annoyance.