The air was sweet and fresh, unspoiled by ancient winds and pollution. The white light faded around Usagi, and a sea of bright flowers welcomed her. She allowed her bright clear eyes to scan the horizon. It was then she observed the monumental palace. It sparkled under the Earth's majestic reflective blue image and the sprawling city behind the magnificent palace and its surrounds glowed as if it were alive. She looked up and noticed the strange clouds above, embraced by the clear dome that protected the beautiful landscape below. Her scattered memories were enough to remember this place.
Astounded, a whisper of awe escaped her slightly parted lips. "The moon..."
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
Her eyes were drawn to a shimmering white spot nestled amongst the rainbow of color around her, an apparition possessing a mane of long flowing porcelain hair. As she turned to face her, Usagi's eyes widened considerably. She gaped disbelievingly as she took in the smile having formed upon the pale lips of her mirror image. Usagi recognized her immediately. She was looking at the Silver Millennium form of herself. The ethereal figure stood before her, clad in the luminescent long white dress that fluttered in the artificial wind.
"What's going on?" Usagi asked, not knowing what else to say.
"The crystal has brought you here. Here, to this place of your never ending destiny," Princess Serenity said with a cryptic smile.
"To do what?"
"To make a choice, Usagi," Serenity answered, waving her hand. Usagi felt the familiar tingle of power and closed her eyes as her transformation took place. The fluttering skirt of Eternal Sailor Moon touched her legs once more.
"I spent a lot of my time here," Serenity continued. "I escaped here as often as I could from my duties as princess, as heir to this powerful kingdom. It was sometimes overwhelming, one day in particular. I managed to escape far beyond this garden and sought refuge on another planet full of them. That's where I met him, for the very first time. After that, it was hard to choose duty over love. In other words, the needs of my people as opposed to the one I needed in my life.
Endymion and I couldn't be together in this lifetime. So many things tore us apart. You were our best, last hope for our love, but you were so much more. When the time came, I had not the power to protect those I loved, nor could I protect myself. Duty kept me locked within these palace walls most of my life, but you were free to live a normal life."
Serenity stepped a little closer until she was floating a mere two feet away from her doppelganger. "We complete each other, you see; I am the queen you were always meant to be, while you are the girl I never got to be. The time for a new life draws near. The only way to be prepared is to accept what destiny sets before you now."
"What will happen, if…if I don't want to?" Eternal Sailor Moon asked, biting her lip.
Serenity smiled, extending her hand towards Eternal Sailor Moon's face. "Though we are different, our soul, our core is the same.” Soft hands turned Usagi around, to stare at the elegant marble of Earth hovering in space. “We both love that world, and more than anything, we want peace. We want to be free. You have many questions about how you will protect your friends and loved ones in the future. You have a chance to create a more beautiful Earth, one in which peace has the chance to reign if let be. You also have a choice to live a normal life once more. But deep in your heart, you know it would be difficult to stand back and watch as evil plagues this world, when you have the power to save it."
"I don't know what to do," Eternal Sailor Moon sighed, her eyes brimming with tears.
"I do, Usagi, and together we can accomplish anything. I shall give you the time you need to decide your fate, and the fates of your friends… but destiny waits for none of us.”
The white light flashed once more. Finally, she found herself back on the familiar pavement of Tokyo’s streets. Her friends gathered around her, looking as striking as ever in their uniforms. Time seemed to have stopped for the slightest of moments, for she could tell by their faces that they had not realized she was gone.
"Wow, look," Jupiter exclaimed. They stood amazed as they surveyed their surroundings.
One glance brought with it instant relief to their heavy hearts, for the damage done by The Death Phantom had reverted to its previous state thanks to their combined powers. The sun shone down once more, unhindered by evil intent. They could hear sirens far off in the distance, but peace had been restored.
"We were not prepared for this," Mercury remarked. "I tried so hard to put together the perfect battle plan. I thought he would come at us like all the others."
"We weren't strong enough to beat him," Jupiter cut in, frustration in her tone as she balled her fists.
"I should've sensed something earlier," Mars admonished herself, shaking her head.
"So much for me being the leader under the princess. I was too shocked at the freaky behavior of all those people," Venus sighed. "You were the only one strong enough to defeat him."
"Why didn't you kill him, Usagi-chan? You had sufficient power to do so," Jupiter asked.
"He was human, and I couldn't bring myself to kill him for that reason. I'm sorry, I shouldn't of thought of myself. I just-"
"Usagi-chan, please," Mars smiled. "You did the right thing."
"We should get out of here," Venus suggested as she eyed the crowd swelling around them.
Together, they jumped to the rooftops with Usagi in Tuxedo Kamen's arms. She pressed close to him, her eyes fixed on his shining buttons. The scent of flowers still lingered around her.
+++
"Here Usagi, drink this."
She sat there without a word, her expression unreadable. Uncertainty had crept into the minds of her friends, for Usagi had demonstrated no willingness to speak since their arrival at the shrine less than three hours back. With trepidation, they attempted unsuccessfully to drag the information out of her, but little passed between her pale lips. They looked to Mamoru pleadingly, but he only shook his head, silently asking them to give her time.
"Thank you Rei-chan." Usagi took the tea, and sipped at it carefully.
"Well guys, what do you think will happen next?" Minako asked, her eyes meeting those of Makoto.
"Oh, that's an easy question, Minako-chan. You see, somehow we're all going to become powerful guardians of the planet with Usagi-chan and Mamoru-san as king and queen over the whole Earth, who, by the way, mostly believe in the spirit of democracy. And somehow we manage to build a huge crystal palace and have some fun too. Piece of cake," Makoto rambled, taking in a large breath at the end of her statement.
"Sure, it will be as easy as shooting monkeys in a barrel," the blonde with a bow in her hair said cheerfully.
The room groaned. "Minako-chan..."
"I went to the moon." Usagi’s soft words resounded throughout the shrine and everyone stopped to look at their princess.
"What…?"
"After we attacked the Death Phantom, I-" She stopped, and slowly captured each of them within her watery gaze. "I was shown something…our Destiny. Something is coming; something that will change everything, forever. We have to make a choice now. I think I have made up my mind, but...I cannot decide your fates. Your lives are your own and I want you to be happy, my friends...my love."
She rose and walked towards the doorway, placing her palm upon the threshold. Her pale hand outlined perfectly by the rich tones of dark wood as if she were looking at an ancient cave painting summarizing the extinction of man. She quickly turned her head to one side, her outline almost lost in the brilliant sunlight streaming into the room through the open door.
"I need to be alone for awhile."
"Usako-" Quickly her hand fell away from the sturdy doorframe, her figure now completely bathed in sunlight.
+++
With a final sigh, Ami deposited her glasses amongst the organized stacks of paper on her desk. The small desk lamp cast sufficient light to allow her to perform her tasks with relative ease, but left the rest of the room in darkness. Visions of when the room was awake with activity flashed within her mind; images of excited children and the smell of chalk flooded her memory. A pleasant smile moved across her lips as she gazed at the photographs set upon her desk.
She looked fondly upon the picture of her mother and herself taken at a college fair where a blue ribbon was pinned to her white lab coat. Beside it, a larger picture of a beautiful day in the park met her eyes, the group of girls spread out upon the checkered blanket. She smiled sadly, and picked up the phone from its cradle. Her finger instinctively punched the numbers out. The dial tone, cold and uncaring on this particular night, rang loudly in her ear.
The other end of the line clicked alive. "Hello?"
"Hi Mom, I know it's late. But can I come over?"
+++
The neon sign had blinked out long ago with the floors swept clean and chairs turned upside down upon checkered tables. The restaurant was as dark as the vacuous night outside, hiding her dreams and accomplishments from passers by. In the dark, she was remembering the events of her busy day that seemed to flow constantly through her door.
Makoto wiped the counter for the twentieth time, her absentminded thoughts somewhere far beyond her cozy little family restaurant. She had accomplished her dream, and even this was not the fancy and famous restaurant and bakery she had once hoped for, it was more than she could ask for at the end of the day. After all her hard work, this place would soon be forgotten, carved out for the next owner to shape his or her own dreams. Angrily, she threw down the cloth, and hid her face behind closed fists.
+++
She huddled as close as she could to the glowing fire. It danced before her closed eyelids like ritual dancers losing themselves in ecstasy; its fiery silhouette assuming the forms of haunted shadows as they continuously caressed the walls. Pearls of sweat beaded down her forehead, her concentration focused and complete. For a frightening moment, the fire raged, threatening to consume her and the thin walls. So much was captured in its ancient light, an ancient power long forgotten and much sought after by countless others before her. But almost as it started, it quickly faded, and her dark eyes opened. It had no answers for her tonight.
"Rei, can you please help me outside?" The familiar voice of her grandfather called to her once more, but instead of answering him, she hesitated this time. The walls of this place, so alive with memories and traditions, would eventually be replaced by the walls of a crystal destiny. She sighed, shifted her weight and rose.
"I'm coming."
+++
Her feet were propped up on the edge of the veranda's wall, her red painted toes wiggled free from her expensive pumps. The night was warm and inviting outside, causing her to leave her silk dress forgotten over the shallow wall of the threshold. A glass of wine dangled in-between long fingers, the white bubbles floating up like shooting stars. She felt alive with every sensation.
With an exaggerated motion, Minako reached up behind her head, feeling something that held more than her flaxen locks, but held memories and meaning as well. She released her hair from the ribbon she always wore, and let the red silk strip fall to the floor. The moon shone down brightly, but the valiant warrior kept her eyes averted from its warmth tonight.
+++
They sat silently on the rooftop, gazing out at the now quiet city. The remaining remnants of today's unearthly activities were swept away, although the city could not forget such things. They huddled close in their beds, eyes locked upon the doors, windows and each other. The four had arrived shortly after the battle had ended, and watched as the Inner Senshi disappeared. They stayed; making sure all threats had been eliminated.
"The Inners did well today," Saturn commented.
"They always save the day," Uranus huffed, crossing her arms. "They hadn’t even considered calling us for help?"
"I'm sure they had no time," Pluto reasoned.
"Another thing to add to our theory," Neptune sighed, gazing out at the dark horizon. "They don't need us anymore."
"That's not true,” a new voice spoke confidently.
Quickly they turned on their heels and faced the darkness of night behind them, ready to meet anything dangerous that lay within its depths. Usagi stepped out to meet them. They were quick to notice the great burden held within her deep blue eyes.
"Usagi-chan, how did you find us?"
The princess offered a wry smile as she joined them on the balcony. "I know our paths for the most part lead us only into battle together, but that does not mean we could not have been closer. I'm ashamed of myself for not getting to know you better. Now I might not have the chance."
"What are you talking about, Koneko-chan?"
"Destiny is calling us, all of us this time, to one point. I know what you've been through, and I know what you might do tomorrow, but-I only want you guys to know that I'm thankful for every moment I've had with you, and the time you’ve given me in return. I don’t think I can stop what is to come, but you do not have to come with me this time. Choose your own paths this time, please. You deserve that much."
With a parting smile, Usagi turned and disappeared into the darkness once more.
"What was that all about?" Neptune muttered.
"Pluto, do you know anything?"
"Only we should do what the princess asks."
+++
They were beautiful. Moon and streetlight combined creating a mixture of white and golden light, bringing out every facet the red roses possessed. On any normal night, he would stop and look at them, to marvel at their simple, yet elegant beauty. Tonight was different and she was different, too. He had seen it in her eyes after the battle was over. Even if the others hadn't noticed, not much got passed him. Something had happened in those few moments when the world was bathed in her light, and he couldn't leave her to deal with it alone.
From afar, he had watched her traverse the city in the late hours of night, her eyes scanning everything in sight, but now and then, she would be preoccupied, in a far off world. She often found herself outside familiar locations such as the arcade, her old school or Tokyo tower. Her last stop had been her home and for a long time she hovered outside the gate, her hand gripping its polished brass lock. She looked as if she had been on the verge of tears. It took all the will he could muster to obey her wish tonight.
Usagi and Mamoru had found their way into the park where her mysterious plan would soon unfold. She sat on the bench with her eyes fixed upon the waning moon and her back to him. After a short while, she stretched herself out on the bench as if to rest.
He waited patiently until he thought she was asleep to emerge from his musky, rose blanketed cover. The night was quiet here, and for the first time that night he allowed himself to relax.
"Thank you." The quiet words made him jump.
"Usako?"
"I said I wanted to be alone, but...thank you for staying with me tonight."
He was surprised at her powers of intuition, but smiled nonetheless. "I couldn't leave you alone. You should know that by now."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Tell you what?" He answered as he made his way towards the bench and stood behind her.
"About Nemesis."
"I'm sorry, Usako," he sighed. "I thought I was protecting you. I had no idea things were going to happen so quickly."
"Only a day after my birthday," Usagi shook her head.
"We barely had any time to ourselves…" She then turned to face him, holding out a hand. He took it, and she guided him to sit beside her. Her azure eyes were clear, even within the darkness of the park. He saw her smiling. With their hands clasped, she ran her finger over his polished wedding band.
"The most important moment of my life was not when I turned sixteen or even twenty-one, not when I became Sailor Moon or when I finally graduated. It was when I married you, Mamo-chan, and we had peace during that time and I'm thankful for it everyday."
"Usako..."
She wrapped her arm around his and gently placed her head on his shoulder. "Please, just let me stay here 'til I fall asleep?"
"Okay, Usako…?"
"Hmm…?"
"Who's going to make sure I don't fall asleep first?"
They chuckled quietly.
"Mamo-chan..."
+++
"Are you awake yet?"
It was early morning when she heard the loud and disruptive question-- or at least it sounded that way at such an early hour. The sheets ruffled as she turned to face the one beside her, dimly outlined by the light outside. Her lover’s aquamarine hair had a ghostly appearance, but she knew the person hidden within the shadows was alive and real.
"Yes, I'm awake," she sighed in response. An arm reached out in the dark and draped itself over her chest, the soft hand clutching her shoulder. "What's on your mind?"
"Haruka..." The morning became quiet again, and Haruka creased her brows.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm just thinking."
"About…?" Haruka asked, dragging the information from her.
"About everything."
Shrugging, Haruka said, "well, stop thinking then."
"Easy for you to say," Michiru smirked into her skin.
"Ha ha…Michiru, everything will be okay."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I'm not, but it's what you want to hear, so just let it suffice."
Michiru almost snorted in response, silently cursing Haruka’s influence on her prim and proper past. "Wow, you should be a counselor."
"Well, it's the truth. I've never had to protect you before; you're strong enough on your own. But I know one thing though…"
"What…?"
"I'll protect and be with you anyways. Well, when I'm not babysitting the princess."
"You're such a romantic, Haruka."
Haruka gave her a smug smile and flung the sheets over their heads. "Romance is for Usagi-chan and Mamoru-san."
+++
Setsuna stood alone outside under the attentive sunlight. Down below, the city buzzed with life and movement, but it was all a blur to her. She had seen this sight many times, in many lifetimes, through many eyes. Sometimes everything came together in a cloud of memories and visions, and on those occasions, she took her leave of the Time Gate. Now was one of those times. The timeline was twitching and convulsing behind the closed doors, sending shockwaves and rifts throughout her realm. This signified great change, a change she could not hope to attend to with her powers. It was out of her hands, for something approached that she could not stop. She had already done enough.
She heard the screen door slide, but didn’t have to turn around to know who would emerge. Hotaru joined her on the balcony, twirling her fingers tightly around the railing. "Only a few more hours..."
"I know," Setsuna replied.
"Is this it? The beginning of Crystal Tokyo...?"
Setsuna sighed, coming to the crossroads of her status as with all such times before. She had the option of telling Hotaru the truth and so many times she wanted to reveal everything to her friends. But she had always refrained from doing so in the end. The burden of truth was hers alone.
"Do you know what makes life worth living, Hotaru? At any moment it can end and the only reason to continue on is because we do not know when that day will come." She turned to the younger girl, a sly smile on dark lips. "At Christmas, would you like me to tell you what you got before you get a chance to open it?"
"No, that's part of the fun. Not knowing what is around the corner can also bring danger though."
"Life is a mystery, Hotaru-- even our destiny driven lives hold some uncertainty to them, and I cannot take that simple gift away from you. I have fought and planned too hard to do so."
"Planned? What are you talking about, Setsuna-mama?"
Setsuna fell silent, and her own grip around the railing tightened as well. She kept her eyes away from Hotaru's penetrating gaze, and fixed them on a point on the distant horizon. She could feel it, even this far away, as the timeline surged onward, its immense power knocking quietly on the heavy doors of the present. It would not be long now.
+++
Cool air poured over her exposed arms. The fountain refreshed this area of the park from the warm summer days. She shivered at it now, for the night was cool and her nerves were on edge. Her flip-flops made no noise, but each fall of his cane clicked on the stone below. She turned, finding her husband a short distance behind her. She had always wondered why his powers had taken on the form of a dashing gentleman, but somehow she thought she had been an influence long ago.
"Do you think they'll come? Not everyone answered me when I sent out the communication. Do you think it was too early to make them decide? I don’t know…I just feel like we don’t have a lot of time."
"Of course they’ll come, don’t worry," Tuxedo Kamen answered quickly.
"Yeah, Usagi-chan, we can't leave you alone, who knows what trouble you'll get into."
Out of the shadows, the Outers emerged, and Uranus smirked at her and smiled, strong and mysterious as ever.
"Well, out of everyone else I thought they would arrive late," Artemis muttered to Luna.
"So what is this all about anyways?" Uranus asked.
"You'll find out soon enough," Tuxedo Kamen answered for his wife. Her attention was directed to scanning their surroundings for her missing comrades. Time passed slowly; it was almost painful. The sunset seemed as if it was stuck in a frozen moment. It shone brightly upon their faces, the sky cast in bright hues of purple and orange.
Usagi finally sighed, and her small congregation turned their attention to her line of sight. As the sun finally set, the four remaining warriors emerged from its dying light. With each step they took, Usagi's heart beat faster, but all the same, she was filled with a sense of relief. Their faces held determination and strength. She smiled.
"We're sorry we're late," Jupiter grinned pologetically.
"It's okay, as long as you're here. Are we ready?" Usagi asked.
They nodded in unison and circled around their prince and princess. Usagi looked up towards the glowing moon, and they could feel the power around them begin to grow. Above, the moon seemed to pulse, and the crescent upon Usagi's forehead became outlined in the glowing silver light. It burned brightly until its golden form was completely visible.
Luna and Artemis looked on as light engulfed them all, and the next moment they were gone. The night fell quiet and cool once more, and the city continued without any indication that soon, things were going to change.
"What do you think is going to happen?" Luna asked her wide-eyed companion.
"Destiny..."
