Planets

Planets
By: Tuxedo Rainbow
Era: Suburban Senshi, August 20, 2006
What happens when the definition of a planet changes?
(Author's note: As of 8/24/06, this is now non-canon)

An endorsement by astronomers meeting in Prague would require school and university textbooks to be rewritten.
The proposal recognizes eight classical planets, three planets belonging to a new category called "plutons" and the largest asteroid Ceres.
Pluto remains a planet, but becomes the basis for the new pluton category.
The plan has been drawn up by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) with the aim of settling the question of what does and does not count as a planet.

-BBC news, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2006

“Something this grand has not occurred since Serenity was born,” Luna told us, “we’ve heard that the IAU is changing the definition of what a planet is, and that means the both the Inner and Outer senshi will get new members. We may have to have six in both, at least.”

Artemis nodded.

“That means that Ceres will join the Inners and be a liaison to the Asteroid Senshi, and Charon and newcomer Xena (or whatever her name will be) will be part of the Outers. Quinox and Sedna will also be a part of the Outers.”

“I don’t know how the other will take this, especially Venus,” Artemis responded.

“We’ll just have to tell them the truth.” Luna responded.

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Never since the birth of Serenity, never since the birth of Usagi, has the Inners or the Outers have been changed. Today, all that will change…

“But I don’t want Ceres in the inners,” Venus replied.

“We told you it has to be done, if the vote goes the way we think it will.” Luna responded.

“Great, first Quinox, and now, Sedna and Xena. Sedna, the senshi of Crystal,” Uranus responded.

“I think it will make us stronger,” Neptune replied.

“I don’t care.” Venus commented, “ Ceres will still be an asteroid. She shouldn’t be an Inner senshi.”

“I say let them be added,” Saturn chimed in, “it will make Pluto a bit less powerful.”

Pluto merely nodded, noting the presence of the Senshi of Death, Sailor Charon.

“And what kind of name is Xena anyway?” Michiru responded, “I mean, can’t they at least open a book of mythology?”

Venus nodded.

Sedna was watching the discussion nearby with the new senshi, Ceres.

“I’m going to be an Inner senshi,” Ceres responded.

“And I will be an outer, along with Quinox and Charon. I hear Charon will not leave her home planet… er, moon.” Sedna responded.

“This is indeed a great time for all of us,” Luna responded.

“I wish it wasn’t,” Venus responded, “I wish Usagi was here so that she can change this stupid decree.”

“We spoke to her,” Luna responded, “and she thinks it is for the best. Mars doesn’t care, and neither does Jupiter. Mercury could not be reached.”

Venus sighed.

“This changes nothing,” Venus responded, “I will fight with my last breath to make sure that Ceres does not become an Inner Senshi. I hope the Outers are watching.”

“We are,” Pluto replied.

“We think this decision is just,” Saturn responded, “and the more Outers there are, the better.”

Venus pouted.

Terra and I were just listening, as neutral observers. We had heard the news about the new definition of planets.

“I say let it go,” I responded, “The Outers can use the extra power.”

“Tux is right,” Terra responded.

“I won’t give up, Terra, never,” Venus replied.

Terra nodded.

“All I am saying is that with the new Outers and new Inners, evil will have a harder time attacking,” I respond.

“He is correct,” Pluto responded,” Crystal Tokyo would be safer.”

“Or would it?” Venus asked, “Mercury and you have tried to take it over constantly. What about the new senshi? Would they do the same?”

“My loyalty is to Chibi-Usa,” Ceres responded.

“And my loyalty is to the other Outers,” Xena added.

“But Chibi-Usa has tried to take over as well,” Venus countered.

“I do not support her in that,” Ceres responded.

Sedna sighed.

“I will side with the Outers as well,” she responded.

“Saturn will still lead the Outer Senshi,” Luna responded.

“As I will lead the Inners,” Venus reminded Luna, “until, at least, Crystal Tokyo is created.”

“I am still neutral, neither Inner nor Outer,” Terra remarked.

“That’s okay,” Artemis replied.

“I know it is,” I responded, “but Venus doesn’t like having Ceres in the Inners.”

“I didn’t mind when Chibi-Usa just forced her way into our group, but she was Usagi’s daughter,” Venus replied.

“You’ll just have to live with it, I guess,” I responded.

“If there is nothing else to discuss,” Artemis responded, “we think these changes should take effect right now.”

“Fine,” Uranus responded.

“I will still fight,” Venus responded, “You will see.”

Change is the hardest thing to deal with after thousands of years. Even after the discussion ended, we knew that Venus would try to discredit Ceres, hoping to force her out of the Inners. The Outers, were another story. We thought that they would become a stronger unit with more senshi. Only time would tell, but we thought that this was the right decision.

“You may all leave, and try to get along with the new senshi, Venus,” Luna responded.

They all left. Xena, Ceres and Sedna stayed to meet with us.

“The new senshi,” I responded.

“We will be watching you all,” Terra remarked.

“We know,” Ceres remarked.

“The truest test of a senshi, a planetary senshi, is not defined but what a planet is, but by what the other Senshi already are,” I remarked, “just remember that, and if you follow the rules, you won’t be reported.”

They all nodded.

Sometimes, change is a good thing. We hoped that this change would be a good thing, given time, but only time and practice would tell if the addition of these new senshi would be a good thing. We hoped so, as they left.