Tokyo
Sakura Jinja
During the deep meditation session, Makoto felt herself leaving her body and drawn into a wheel of light. She beheld a beautiful sphere, floating inside vast clouds of plasma. It was then she observed the largest of these, a translucent orb the size of the moon, one of thousands whirling through Jupiter's immense atmosphere.
She then found herself standing within a botanical park on the outskirts of the capital. She recognized the palace where she grew up during the Silver Millennium. But it was different and far larger than she remembered. The massive crystal spires, terraces, and other structures pulsed with a soft indigo glow.
"This is my kingdom. It's beautiful," she raised her eyes skyward, noticing the sphere's huge outer shell bathed in bright orange light. Thunderheads had gathered within its boundless enclosure. Thunderclaps of ear-splitting intensity almost deafened her. "What's happening? Somebody, please help me," Makoto shivered as the massive sphere shook violently. And to her horror, began to crack open. Red lightning struck trees and rocky outcrops within the Scenic Park and city. Loud explosions sent thousands into the wide streets. Screams of panic competed with the thunder.
Makoto transformed, "Jupiter Affinity Power make-up!" Sailor Jupiter stood, scepter in hand, a new symbol of her regal power. She wore a fuku with emerald skirt and top and golden tassels. She was surprised to find her hair was far longer and fell to the backs of her legs. At that moment, a multitude of hideous entities entered the sphere through the charred cracks in the massive dome and attacked the city.
"Woden's Cosmos Cascade!"
Jupiter destroyed many of the black slimy pancake-like creatures, but there were too many. Turning left and right, she noticed a number of unfamiliar Senshi fighting by her side. These unknown warriors addressed her as Lady Jupiter.
Enemy forces attempted to knock out the capital's spaceport, where ships were leaving in large numbers to escape the attack. Some destroyed before they could take flight. She gasped in horror as bright fireballs of death exploded above the apron.
Jupiter launched another attack, only to have the enemy redirect their focus elsewhere. She was screaming and crying at the same time as her fury reached heights she'd not known before as a black mist descended upon the city, making it difficult to breathe.
"Affinity Moon Crisis Power!" Jupiter turned to see Sailor Moon in an unfamiliar white velvet fuku, the daring X-cut of its top lined with gold as she struck her battle stance. The bodice covered in star sapphires, and a golden tiara with moonstone crescent and white heels completing the new look. Raising her scepter as a mother-of-pearl shield covered the city. The enemy craft couldn't penetrate it. "Jupiter, are you all right?" Sailor Moon asked as her eyes scanned their surroundings for signs of danger, "We were meditating in the temple, but now we're here?"
"I don't know how we got here. But we must fight. If this is an illusion, it's a darn good one. I'm treating this as a real fight, so let's kick ass," Jupiter cried.
"All right," Sailor Affinity Moon replied, calling upon the power of her scepter once again.
Jupiter didn't know how she knew these people by name, but she found herself barking commands to her Senshi. A tall woman, a high priestess in long white robes with a revealing diamond opening upon its bodice, her long corn-yellow hair streaming down her back bowed with solemnity and waited for Jupiter's instructions.
"Majesty, we'll fight our way out and hit them from behind with the emerald wing of the fleet. They've defeated the Araknitopa advance. Orpheusean forces are closing in for the kill," the priestess Jupiter now knew as Antigone informed her.
---
Sailor Affinity Moon, Jupiter, and the other Senshi, along with Tuxedo Kamen, stood upon the bridge of a Sulean fighter craft above the capital, Juno City. The powerful ship firing upon the slimy creatures retreating through the fractured sphere. Then the craft exited a subspace portal entering the outer atmosphere around Jupiter. The stars twinkling behind the luminous cloud bands of the gas giant made for a most impressive sight.
The Sulean ship soon joined a fleet of impressive emerald battle cruisers, accompanied by creatures resembling winged dragons with warriors upon their backs, each surrounded by an energy shields flew in formation, unleashing a barrage of fiery pulses, destroying alliance raiders. Jupiter's atmosphere was alight with color as the battles raged on about them. Then a squadron of silver bat-like craft emerged from a purple gas cloud with weapons firing, wiping out all but a handful of enemy ships.
---
Usagi found herself inside a hospital ward. Catching her reflection in a nearby window, she was shocked to find she was a child of five or six years of age. She looked down, noticing Makoto lying unconscious upon the floor. She climbed out of bed, rushed to her side, and shook her by the shoulder.
Makoto's eyes fluttered open. "Huh…, hi, Chibi-Usa; hey, you're not Chibi-Usa," she trailed off.
Usagi shrugged. "Well, if this is somebody's idea of a joke, I'm not amused," she replied with a little girl's whiny tone and that familiar pout.
"How and why are we here? And more to the point, where are we?"
"We're on the moon," Usagi told her; unsure of why she was certain this was so.
It was at that moment, Queen Serenity entered the room. She smiled at Makoto, before turning to Usagi squatting down to look into her azure eyes. "My beloved daughter, there are so many things I ought to have told you, but there was so little time," the Queen sighed, "Please forgive me. I know this isn't easy for you. But you have to become strong. And yes, this whole experience is part of your training. You all must understand the past, for Freya and I felt it necessary you develop the skills and strength to defeat this powerful enemy. I'm visiting you from the time gate. I know what's in store for the Moon when I return."
Usagi, in that moment, returned to her adult self. The two women clung to one another once more, crying tears of longing for the past, present and their unspoken hope for the future. "This necklace is your legacy left you as you're part of the Affinity Weft. The Brisinganin is destined to fall to the next Goddess-Queen of the Moon…my darling daughter; you are in sisterhood with the Oberisku no Shoujo."
Tuxedo Kamen, Mars, Venus and the cats arrived next looking a little disoriented. Serenity greeted each with a warm embrace. They felt honored and relieved. Next, she picked up Luna and Artemis; the tearful reunion touching everyone's heart, "My adorable guardians, you have, and continue to serve the princess and prince so well. I love you both very much."
Luna and Artemis mewed and purred, finding it difficult to speak without crying. But they didn't care, and affirmed their love and respect for their beloved monarch and friend.
"Oh, Queen Serenity, It is wonderful to be in your company once more," Luna cried as she rubbed against the queen's neck, Artemis sat upon Serenity's lap, resting his head against her free hand. The queen's eyes filled with tears as she stroked her faithful courtiers.
Everyone spent quality time together. They shared accounts of battles with the Dark Moon Family, Dr. Tomoe's daemons and so much more. She told them that Pluto of the past kept her up-to-date on most things. She missed very little. But hearing the stories and those, aspects of their lives the Senshi of time couldn't tell her were especially precious to Serenity.
"My dear daughter… I shall be near whenever you need me. You know I love you all very much, and one day we shall all meet again." so saying, the queen raised her arms, chanted an incantation and a vortex of bright silver light swirled into view. She stepped into the temporal portal where Pluto of the past waited to guide her home. Serenity waved farewell to those she loved and was gone.
A humming sound emerged from the Brisinganin around Usagi's neck. They held hands and returned to consciousness within the fire temple.
Usagi was muttering something incomprehensible as she knelt upon her cushion, "What hit me?"
"Odango Atama, it wasn't me," Rei said in a playful tone, breaking the tension within the room.
"Hey Usagi, sounds like Minako has taken a detour," Makoto laughed.
"Hey guys. She's just like that. You know, she loves lingering inside clothing boutiques and gift shops," Rei giggled.
"My child? Where is she now…am I dead?" Minako laughed uncontrollably while reliving an event in the past, or scripted scenario.
"Guys," Artemis cried, meowing while nuzzling Minako's face.
She woke at last, cradling Artemis in her arms. "Wow… I was on Venus, within an incredible domed city. It was huge, at least 2000 miles in diameter. I helped my people fight off Araknitopa attacks. I was queen. I saw so much suffering and death. But meeting Queen Serenity was awesome. And the best part…it wasn't a dream – look." Minako pointed to the necklace around Usagi's neck. Everyone examined it with wide-eyed enthusiasm.
Rei's grandfather swished into the room like a spring breeze and lit incense, and played meditative music to create a much-needed change in ambiance. Then with the help of two novices, served some green tea. Rei and Usagi asked everyone to record their experiences. Then Luna insisted they rest and stay at the temple guesthouse overnight, and reconvene in the temple the following morning.
