Cosmos sat in the shadows of the park, silently watching and listening to those around her. No one remembered a thing. Since the final battle with Galaxia everything had changed. The people had no recollection of the Sailor Senshi or Tuxedo Kamen. They only knew one protector and that was Sailor Cosmos, the silent watcher. Every day she wondered what life would be like if they were still alive. But it was better this way. They weren't around to have the burden of saving the world on their shoulders. They were finally free. And Mamoru didn't have to worry about their destiny any more. Even if she was all alone now she was grateful that they weren't a part of that lifestyle anymore.

                Streetlights began to light up one by one as the evening stars twinkled to life. Moving out of the shadows into the darkening night she began to make her rounds. The people knew her well by now and knew that she was their Guardian. When she had fought Galaxia she had permanently become Cosmos since she could never find a way to de-henshin. They smiled as she walked past yet she didn't respond. She wanted to be alone so she began her rounds in the most desolate part of the park, the spot where the Sailor Senshi had last been seen.

                As she walked she could sense another presence, and it wasn't human. It reminded her of Sailor Pluto's crystal energy yet very different. It had authority and darkness mixed together with something else she couldn't quite decipher. Twisting her wrist she allowed Sailor Uranus' space sword to materialize in her hand. When they had died all of their abilities had been fused with her own. Stopping in her tracks she stared emotionlessly at a section of darkly shadowed trees. Silence reigned as the shadows shifted and a metallic glint could be seen from their depths. A false hope flooded her chest as she thought for a split second that the Senshi of Death and Rebirth had come back. Quickly she squelched it, reminding herself once again that they were dead. The metallic glint flashed once more and remained in the light of the moon, allowing her to see the being's position.

                "Step forward and state your name and business here on Earth or be killed." A low, almost mocking laughter ensued from the shadows. From the tone she could tell it was a male's voice. Frowning slightly she gripped the silver, crystal studded handle of the sword. When it had been in Uranus' possession it had been gold, covered in priceless gems.

                "You can't kill death Serenity." Her eyes widened in shock as her name was spoken. All beings who knew that name were dead, each and every one. Scowling deeply she attempted to pierce the darkness with her silvery gaze.

                "I command you step forth or be banished to an eternity of hell." Another burst of laughter filled the silence and the shadows moved once more as he stepped out. A shiver of recognition ran up and down her spine yet she couldn't tell why. She had never seen this man before in her life.

                The metallic object was the first to emerge fully into the light and she found that it was actually a scythe. The hand holding it was pale, as pale as her own yet without the silver glow. Loose silken black robes clung to his chest while exposing a triangle of skin. They flowed freely past his waist where a silver chain hung to keep the robes on his slim figure. The robes ended in a silken mass at his feet, covering his black pants and bare feet. An intricate silver cross hung around his neck, occupying the pale skin exposed by the robes. Long knee length hair hung in a neat braid, long bangs hanging over his eyes and keeping them from view. His pale lips were pursed in a thin line, the left corner quirked in a smirk. A small silver cross hung from his left ear lobe, throwing silver sparks over his rigid face. Placing his right arm over his stomach he bowed low, curving his lips into a sinister smile.

                "Is this more to your liking Your Highness?" Dark, silvery violet eyes flashed up at her as he spoke. Allowing a stoic mask to cover her face Cosmos spoke through clenched teeth as he stood straight.

                "Yes. Now tell me who you are and what business you have here." The cold edge in her voice seemed to amuse him for his smile turned genuine.

                "You've changed so much Princess since we last met. Yet I cannot blame you for not remembering me, it's my own fault. For now you may address me as Shinigami." Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "I have been sent here to release you of your duties as Cosmos and bring you to my own time."

                "Under whose authority?" Cosmos couldn't suppress the growl in her tone. This man was beginning to irritate her.

                "The Princess Setsuna of Pluto, Guardian of the Gates of Time, Senshi of time and space and bearer of the garnet key." Menacingly Cosmos brandished the blade of the space sword towards him, taking a step forward.

                "You're lying! You dare to insult my intelligence with foolish titles of the past! Tell me the truth and I'll consider sparing you your life!" Shinigami stood straight, gripping his silver scythe as his lips became a tight line.

                "I never lie, it is forbidden. The Guardian of Time is alive and well. She herself has sent me to retrieve you." Snarling in an animalistic manner, Cosmos stormed up to him. The blade vanished from her grasp as she pointed accusingly at him, silver fire dancing in the depths of her eyes.

                "The Guardian of Time is dead. I was forced to kill her myself. As the ruler and guardian of the moon and Earth I demand that you stop with the lies and tell me who really sent you." Sensing that he was getting nowhere with merely talking Shinigami took out a velvet pouch from behind his back. Opening the drawstrings he took her hand in his with the palm facing up.

                "The Lady of Pluto knew you would not believe me. I should have done this from the start." As he spoke he emptied the contents of the pouch into her hand. "A token for you."

                A soft gasp escaped Cosmos' silvery pink lips as a garnet orb fell into her palm. It was much smaller than she remembered but there was no doubt it belonged to the Senshi of Time. Without this garnet she was stripped of her powers. The only way it could be taken out of her staff was if she herself removed it. The orb also informed her of the trust that Pluto must have held for Shinigami. If placed in the wrong hands the orb could disrupt the time continuum and destroy planets. Rolling it gently in her fingers she lowered her head, clutching it within her slender fingers.

                "This must be some sort of trick. I watched her die…" Shinigami stepped closer to her.

                "Certain Guardians are not allowed to die. If they do they are merely revitalized. She must remain alive because it is her duty to guard all of time, as it is yours to guard this solar system. She shall live for eternity, just as you and I shall." Looking up into his violet eyes she couldn't help but see the truth. Another shiver traveled through her body as his eyes locked onto her own. They were so familiar yet she couldn't place her finger on where they were from. Closing her eyes in shame she lowered her head once more.

                "Take me to her." A cold hand gently touched her silvery skin and pulled away instantly. Opening her eyes she found herself standing in the middle of a dense fog.