Tengoko: All right, so this is my first strictly Sailor Moon fan fiction that I started a while ago. It originally was a work meant to fill in moments of writer's block while I worked on another story, but recently, I have realized how much I liked it. Unfortunately, whilst doing a reread, I came to discover TOO many grammar mistakes or plot holes, so before I update a new chapter, I'm going to edit the ones that exist. Mostly consistency errors and such. Nothing plot altering, but small things that have gotten on my nerves. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it, and feel free to review. I will always love hearing from you.

EDIT UPDATE: JUNE 27, 2009- So, I've decided to go back and edit the descriptions of the Zodiac Senshi to comply with the revised artwork I have for them. If you are interested in seeing my artwork, you can find a link to my Deviant Art profile on my main page. Also, I am going back and adding/fixing some more mistakes I've found or paragraphs that I think can be written better. Nothing is happening that will dramatically change the plot, just cleaning up the story. Oh-- it should also be noted that I am trying to be truer to the manga version of BSSM. However, when I do incorporate facts from the anime, it will be from the Original Japanese version and not the sub-par, American dub.

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Staple Disclaimer: BSSM (Sailor Moon) is property of Naoko Takeuchi. I do not own any rights to the story or the characters that she has created.
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Rated M for language and romance
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Chapter 1: Aoi Sora
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It was almost finished. A journey that had lasted nearly three years was coming to its finishing hours. Their mission had been long and arduous, and there were times when it seemed like they were going to be searching forever. But it was the final act; everything that they had gone through, the fatigue, the frustration, the confusion, was about to be repaid in the greatest of ways. Once they finished this, they could start rebuilding what had once been lost so many centuries ago. This was the beginning of a reformation of friendships once shred by hostility, resentment, betrayal and death. After this, all sins would be forgiven. They could atone for their days of sedition.

It had begun with only one man. The first to wake. He could remember the very day down to the slightest detail. His eyes had fluttered open, taking in a bright light. Immediately, they'd snapped shut, trying to shield them from the unwelcome illumination. That's when he'd heard her chuckle; a deep, rich, yet feminine tone echoing in his head. Ignoring the annoying light, he opened his eyes again to look upon the face of the most ambiguous of allies; Sailor Pluto.

Jadeite's memory was a blur. He couldn't remember where he was, why he was there, or how he got there. Sitting up, he noticed that he was lying on a stone table, and despite the bright light that offended his eyes currently, he couldn't help but see that they were surrounded by a vast darkness; space. He took a few seconds to take in his surroundings before looking back at the tall senshi of the afterlife.

"What's going on?" he asked right off. "Where am I? How'd I get here?"

Pluto smiled slightly before answering his question. She told him all about this Silver Millennium. Unsurprisingly, being on the moon during this era was the last thing Jadeite remembered. He remembered being by his prince's side, listening to Kunzite mutter things about how the moon was a threat to the earth's safety. He recalled thinking how strange it was for Kunzite to be so gruff with the Prince. He had been thinking of suggesting the the others that something suspicious was going on, but it seemed he never had the chance. His memories didn't stop with the Shitennou or with Endymion though. He fondly remembered a raven-haired beauty who had captured his attention shortly before his memories came to a crashing halt. Her violet eyes were the last thing he imagined before snapping back to the present.

But, what Pluto went on to say seemed a great shock to him. Hearing that he'd been brainwashed by Beryl and Metalia didn't seem real to him. He would never have betrayed Endymion for the world. And he knew that the others wouldn't have done that either. Yet, it explained why he didn't remember anything following that conversation. It also served as a possible explanation as to why Kunzite had been acting so strange; they had already begun to brainwash him. When he was told that he killed Sailor Mars, his eyes widened in horror and disbelief. Even now, he couldn't imagine doing something like that, such was his love for her. But, he didn't interrupt Pluto. She continued on about the fall of Prince Endymion, the death of Serenity, and then… the Dark Moon Kingdom. He'd fought once again for Beryl, and was killed in the line of duty for her. In that life, it had been Mars who had done the killing. He was glad to hear that. He wouldn't have been able to bear it if he'd learned he'd killed her again. He couldn't imagine that he'd done it in the first place. It just all seemed so unbelievable.

"You'd been brainwashed," Pluto had told him, sensing his skepticism for what it was.

"I understand that," Jadeite nodded slowly and, with a sigh, turned to face her, surprised by how weary his voice sounded. "If I was killed, how is it that I am here, like this?" He stretched his arms out as though he'd demonstrate his point more clearly. "I have no memory of what has happened before now. Why am I here?"

"It was always possible to revive you, Jadeite," she'd said matter-of-factly, a tone that annoyed him. It couldn't have been as simple as she'd just made it sound. "As it is with your comrades. The key was with your prince. You may not recall, but he has been reincarnated in the current time, and he has been looking after your stones, the stones that held the life energy of the four of you. Once it became clear that it was time to awaken you and your compatriots, he gladly handed the stones over to us. It was simply a matter of reuniting your souls with your bodies." She would leave out the measures she had to go through to get to their bodies... that was a graphic experience she would choose never to relive again.

Jadeite no longer cared about that. There was something else she'd said. Something that had him swing his long legs off the altar he was laying on and grab Pluto roughly at her shoulders. "My compatriots? Are they alive?" he demanded, his tone now desperate. If Endymion had given over the other stones, that had to mean they were. Jadeite was starting to see a silver lining in this dark thunderhead. If he didn't have to face this new world alone, if he was with the other Shitennou, everything would somehow be all right.

She nodded. "Yes, but they still slumber." She should have just punched him in the stomach for how futile she made that sound. He actually felt his shoulders sink coupled with the distinct feeling of defeat.

"What good does that do me?" he asked bitterly.

"Hope is not lost, Jadeite," she said serenely. "It is up to you to reawaken them. You must first find Nephrite; he sleeps just as you had. I would offer you my assistance, but I have been instructed to make you find him on your own. Afterward, I will appear to you and explain further. I know this must all be confusing right now, but it will all be justified when the time comes."

Jadeite considered this for a moment. He sat back down on the stone altar and unsheated his sword. It felt so good to be holding it again. He examined it closely. After so many years, it still remained in perfect condition. He just needed to sharpen it and it'd be ready for battle once again. With great care, he replaced it and looked back at the crimson-eyed warrior. Endymion had trusted Pluto long ago. That was good enough for Jadeite who immediately began the journey to find his friend, Nephrite, the North American commander.

It took him nearly six months before he found his friend on Europa, a moon of Jupiter, sleeping on a stone altar much like he had. Nephrite's awakening hadn't been an easy one. The shitennou came up swinging, landing a solid punch in Jadeite's stomach. Jadeite had been tempted to punch him back, but that would have worsened the situation. The sweet taste of revenge would have only lasted half a second before the brown haired king retaliated. Jadeite just grabbed his stomach and gave him a hurt look. But even after realizing what had just happened, Nephrite was far from repentant. Unlike Jadeite, Nephrite remembered. Remembered what transpired at the Silver Millennium, remembered his allegiance, however forced, to Queen Metalia and Beryl.

"What is the meaning of all this?" he's asked Jadeite, who merely shrugged, still a little miffed by the hit he had taken, and told him he was waiting for Pluto. "Sailor Pluto?" Nephrite snapped a little bit more aggressively than he had meant to.

"I'm not talking to you until you calm down," Jadeite said staunchly, turning away from him.

Nephrite reached out, grabbed his shoulder, and turned him back. "Okay... I suppose I shouldn't have hit you. But now isn't the time to put on a dress and play the victim. I want answers, damn it. And right now, you are the only one who can give them to me." He stood up and twisted a little, sighing when he felt his back pop. "That felt great. Anyway... Sailor Pluto. What hand does she play in all this?"

"Hell if I know," Jadeite answered, grimacing a little a the sound of the pop. It may have felt pleasant, but it sounded painful.

They didn't have to wait too long. Pluto appeared to them, this time in a sort of holographic form rather than in flesh. She explained that the mission now was to find Zoisite. She explained a little about Nephrite's past, the Golden Kingdom, how he betrayed Endymion, and then the Dark Kingdom where he'd been killed by Sailor Jupiter. Even though he remembered most of it, he still seemed to get worked up over hearing it. Jadeite tried to distract him by putting his mind on the mission. Despite being tired from having to find Nephrite, Jadeite was happy for companionship now. Back in the days of the Golden Kingdom, Jadeite had considered Nephrite to be the closest of friends. They shared a lot of interests, though Nephrite did tend to be more expressive with his emotions. There were far too many bar fights that Jadeite had to extricate his friend from back in the day. His temper knew no bounds.

A whole year passed before they found Zoisite on Ceres, a large asteroid, once considered to be a planet back in the days of the Golden Kingdom. When they awakened him, they weren't surprised to see that Zoisite wasn't taking too well to remembering everything. As they expected, he seemed to have a better grasp of the past than the other two had. Zoisite was always a bit more perceptive than the others were, and he often knew things that most people could have never guessed or sensed.

After he calmed down, which took quite some time, he was able to ask, "Why is it that she's awakened us now? Why wait so long? If they'd always been able to bring us back, as you say Jadeite-san, then why did they wait until now? Maybe something has happened... or is about to."

"I don't care about the why's and the what's," Jadeite said, leaning back against the altar and closing his eyes.. "All I know is this is another chance. A chance to live the way we dictate. Free from the manipulations inflicted upon us by Beryl. Free to repent and make things right. And… I, for one, am appreciative for the opportunity to once again be by Rei-chan's side."

"Since when have you been poetic?" Nephrite teased, fixing his epaulets that seemed so bare without a cape to hold up. He barely even noticed that Jadeite was glaring at him.

"I do wonder how Ami-chan has been?" Zoisite pondered, looking up at the stars. "Words do not exist that could illustrate how I missed her. Even in sleep, I've felt as though a part of me was lacking completion. I just fear that she hasn't felt as I have. I fear that she has loved after me." He looked down at the ground, his eyes saddening. "At the same time, I hope that she's been happy."

"Zoisite-san, you have nothing to fear," Jadeite assured him, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Yours was an everlasting love. Time cannot conquer true love, nor can death." Zoisite smiled weakly at him and nodded. "But, Rei-chan better have waited for me," he said loudly, his tone very different. "Her happiness be damned."

"I miss Mako-chan, too," Nephrite said, laughing at Jadeite's last words. "But, as of right now, we have a responsibility to carry out. Pluto has yet to arrive, and what are we supposed to do now?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Zoisite said, looking down.

Nephrite looked at Jadeite who merely shrugged and then back at Zoisite. "No... If it were obvious, Zoi-san, I wouldn't have asked."

Zoisite sighed and shook his head. "I'll spell it out for you then." He ignored that Nephrite's hands had balled into fists and that Jadeite had to put a hand on his shoulder to stop him from hitting Zoisite for that remark. "Pluto has ordered our awakenings in the order that we'd been killed. Jadeite was first, then you, and now me. That means Kunzite is the last piece to this puzzle. We won't know Pluto's motives until we find the last shitennou."

Of course, Zoisite had been quite correct in his supposition. Pluto arrived only to tell them as much. After a few more words were exchanged between Pluto and Zoisite, the three shitennou went on their way, searching now for their Middle-Eastern commander, their former leader.

And now, eighteen months later, they found him. On the moon of all places, amidst the ruins of what was once a great empire. Being on the now lifeless rock evoked distant memories of a time long forgotten. An epoch once filled with grand palaces, grandiose rituals, magnificent balls, beautiful ladies, lordly gentlemen, and courageous warriors. Now, only debris remained to remind them of what once was. What they'd lost so many centuries ago.

As they came upon the antechamber of the palace ruins, they saw him, illuminated by a pale light. The greatest of them all, lying in a peaceful sleep on a marble table, his arms folded across his chest, his sword in his hands. Jadeite was the first to approach him, grabbing his shoulder and shaking him. No response. Of course not. It couldn't have been that easy.

"How did you wake me up?" Zoisite inquired, looking up at Jadeite, hoping that the information may help.

"To be completely honest, Nephrite-san just slapped you around for a bit." He could have laughed at Zoisite's affronted face, but he withheld it wisely considering that Zoisite did outrank him. The youngest of the shitennou put a gloved hand to his cheek and then his eyebrows furrowed. It seemed he was beginning to remember that. "Nothing else would work!" Jadeite defended. "We had to do something."

"So you decided to just beat me awake, is that it?" he asked angrily.

"More or less. But I'll be damned if I'm doing that to Kunzite," Nephrite said, looking down warily at their leader. "I like my limbs where they are now, thank you."

"I don't know what to do," Jadeite said, looking down at him.

"That is why I have come." The three Shitennou spun around, Jadeite with a start, to see Sailor Pluto approaching them, a small smile on her face.

"For crying out loud!" Jadeite exclaimed. "Don't just sneak up on people like that!"

She chuckled. "Forgive me, Jadeite-san," she said, bowing her head in apology.

He appeared contrite himself. "Forgive me for snapping at you, and please, drop the formalities." He looked at Zoisite who rolled his eyes and then to Pluto who approached the altar.

"You have indeed come a long way, Shitennou. I had every confidence that you would make it this far. But, there is much more to be done. And, it cannot be done without Kunzite-san." At that, she raised her garnet rod over his sleeping body, and the talisman on top began to glow a steady red. After a few seconds, the glow intensified, making the three men have to turn away and shield their eyes. And then it was gone.

Jadeite was the first to see the cold, crystal eyes staring upward, darting around as though trying to make sense of where he was. And then they'd fallen upon him, traces of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Jadeite smiled himself and then turned to Pluto. "Well, that's just cheating. If I had a glowing heart on a stick that did that, he'd have been awake long ago."

"Jadeite-san… shut up," Zoisite said.

Kunzite, hearing the voice of the other Shitennou, raised his head and then saw Nephrite and Zoisite smiling at him. He opened his mouth as though we were going to say something, but stopped when he saw Pluto. The Shitennou looked between the two of them, wondering what was going to happen. Kunzite didn't seem to notice. Pushing himself up, he looked around again, down at his sword, and then back at Pluto.

"My, my, my," Nephrite said with a grin. "You're being eerily calm about all of this."

Kunzite's reply was simply a smug smile.

"You remember?" Pluto asked.

"Perfectly," was all the answer he gave her, as he sheathed his sword and began to dust off his uniform.

"And you know why I'm here, don't you?" she questioned further.

"I have a clue," he said, sliding off the table and standing tall. He adjusted his epaulets, his cape, and then his sleeves. Then he turned to his men. "Thank you all for finding me. It is good to see you again."

"Ah, shucks," Jadeite laughed. "How kind of you."

"He never shuts up, does he?" Zoisite teased, ducking as Jadeite attempted to back hand him.

"Kunzite-san," Pluto interrupted. "Much must still be explained to them. They, unlike you, do no know why I've roused them." Kunzite nodded again, remaining silent so she could continue on. "You must have all guessed by now that there is a reason why I've brought you all together. Finally, your curiosity will be put to rest. The truth is, Shitennou, that the Sailor Senshi are soon to have a new enemy, one that I'm sure they won't be able to handle on their own."

The men all exchanged glances before giving their attention back to Pluto. "Tell us more," Zoisite said "You don't have to be so cryptic all the damn time. Just say it all at once."

Kunzite glared at him. "Don't be disrespectul," he scolded.

"They are Senshi, too," Pluto began, not bothered by Zoisite's rudeness. "The Zodiac Senshi. They are led by Sailor Leo. I fear for Usagi-chan and her friends. The Zodiacs are powerful, almost unmatched."

"And, why are they an enemy?" Nephrite asked. "What is their aim?"

"I'm not sure," she answered truthfully. "Originally, the Zodiac Senshi were allies to the White Moon Kingdom, fighting in some of the most crucial wars of that era. But only the Queen and the King knew of their existence and of their contributions to peace. Well hidden within the constellations, they are among the strongest but most mysterious of the Senshi. They were a powerful friend, rivaled only by Sailor Galaxia. And now…they are a most dangerous foe. I don't know why they've suddenly switched loyalties. And I don't know why they are now targeting earth. All I know is, to beat them, the Sailor Senshi need your help."

"Zodiac Senshi," Zoisite said to himself. "So…we return to earth?"

"Naturally," Kunzite answered. "But, we must take into account the years of training that we missed out on. We will have to work hard to reach the point that we were at previously, and we will not face an enemy until we are ready."

Pluto frowned. "You may have no choice, Kunzite-sama."

He turned to her, his face fixed in a immutable look. "I have spoken on the matter, already. I understand the threat that the Zodiac Senshi pose, and my men will fight… when they are ready. Not a moment before."

A moment of silence passed as Pluto and Kunzite silently battled, their eyes locked, both glowing intensely as they mentally dueled. That's why she was able to notice flecks of green in the silver. She did recall that in the days of the Silver Millennium, his eyes had indeed been green, a rich forest color. They had only been gray when he was a General for Beryl. This indeed was a good sign, and that is why Pluto forfeit the battle of wills.

"Pluto," Zoisite began, tearing her away from those silver-green eyes. "What of Prince Endymion?"

"You must find him again and vow your allegiance."

Jadeite and Nephrite looked at each other before smiling. "That's it?"

She shook her head. "Don't think it's going to be that easy, young lords. See, when I send you back to earth, you won't remember much of what has transpired here. The only memories that you will retain are a few scant ones that I will allow you to keep from the Silver Millennium. You will not recall the identity of your prince, nor will you recall the identities of the Sailor Senshi. Your instinct will be to find them, but you will have to do it the hard way."

"I can see why that'd make things a little more complicated," Nephrite glared. "Well then…what's going to happen to us? Will we remember each other or will we have to figure that one out too?"

She didn't miss the bitter accusatory sound of his voice, but she chose to ignore that too. "You will remember each other. Those are the memories that I am allowing you to keep. Consider yourself lucky. I had to fight long and hard for even that. And, also, I have arranged through the proper channels for your new lives to commence at the University that Mamoru-san will be attending. The Senshi also go there now, so in many ways, I have made finding them much easier for you."

"How long has it been that they're already at a University?" Zoisite asked, a little worried now.

"The Senshi are twenty years old for the most part. Mamoru is twenty four."

"Truly?" Nephrite blasted incredulously.

"I don't believe this," Jadeite mumbled, apparently not bothered by that fact. "Why does it have to be this way? Why do we have to return with such little knowledge? Who made those stupid rules?"

"It seems we have no choice, Jadeite-san," Kunzite said, his eyes closing, trying to hide the fact that he was thinking the same thing. "But, if this is a chance to set things right, then I, for one, am not going to pass it up." Looking up at Pluto he managed a slight smile. "Just tell us when, Sailor Pluto."

"Come, we must be out in the open." She turned to walk to the doors, the Shitennou behind her. The walk was in total silence, broken only by the footsteps against the ground. As they walked further from the palace ruins, the wind began to strengthen, blowing silver dust everywhere.

"That's odd," Zoisite said, looking around. "I didn't think that there was wind up here. There's no significant atmosphere on the moon anymore."

Pluto didn't turn, but she said, "Forget everything you know when it comes to things like this. If you want to get technical, we shouldn't even be breathing right now. If it weren't for the unexplained phenomenon that happens where we are concerned, we would all be dead right now. Just take it as it comes, and learn that some things just don't make sense."

Zoisite didn't like that explanation too much. Sure, he wondered how it was that they hadn't died from asphyxiation yet, but wind on the moon? That was ridiculous. "Maybe it was a solar storm... blew particles this way or something." He wasn't going to let it go, but he could tell nobody else was interested, so he just theorized to himself.

"Pluto, is this not good enough," Nephrite asked, stopping in his tracks as though to say 'it had better be good enough'.

"Yes," she nodded slowly. "This should do perfectly." Turning to face them, she held her garnet rod up, the talisman on top glowing once again. "You must be sure. There is no turning back after this."

"We are ready to return," Kunzite said, speaking for them all.

"Very well," she smiled. Lifting her garnet rod above her head, she cried, "Cronus, guardian of time and space. Grant passage for these men. Allow them to cross the threshold safely and swiftly through the vessel of time. Deliver them carefully to earth."

In the next moment, there was a flash of blue, and a column of light materialized in front of them all. Pluto smiled before putting her rod back on the ground. "It seems as though Cronus means for you to go by way of the Aoi Sora. That's uncommon. I wonder…"

"Is it safe," Nephrite asked, seeing the look of bewilderment on her face.

"Yes. He wouldn't put you in danger. It's just…this path is usually reserved for the guar…oh, it doesn't matter. He'd have his reasons I suppose, and it wouldn't be right if I told you my thoughts now. It might be against the rules." They all stared, annoyed at how vague she was being. "It doesn't matter why he did it, at this point."

"She is right," Kunzite said, stepping forward. "I'm ready."

"Good luck, Shitennou," Pluto said. "I expect I'll be seeing you again…very soon"

Kunzite was the first to step into the light; Zoisite quickly followed. Nephrite and Jadeite hesitated, but then entered as well. Seconds later, the pillar was gone and Pluto was quite alone. She looked towards the earth with a saddened expression. She closed her eyes and gripped her rod tight.

She had considered Earth to be her home for a short time now. It was usually her job to guard the time gate, which she'd done dutifully for many years. However, a few years ago, she was forced to break the sacred rules of the realm in order to save the lives of Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune, friends that she held dear. That's why she'd been punished and temporarily stripped of the title as Keeper of Time. Now, she held it once more, but it was clear that there was another duty that she held higher than that; she was a member of the Outer Senshi, Warriors meant to protect the Earth from outside intruders. While the Zodiac Senshi weren't considered intruders by any means, it was very clear that they weren't going to be welcome on earth.

Amidst all those thoughts, she had no doubt that the awakening of the Shitennou would even the odds. They were stronger than even they realized, and they were going to be invaluable in the coming fight. As she was thinking this, she heard a small noise behind her, and then sensed the presence of others. She was no longer alone. Smiling, she said, "it's good to see you all again."

Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn all chuckled as the tall, solitary soldier turned to face them. Sailor Uranus walked up to her and also looked at the earth. "Have they already left?" She didn't have to be clearer about it. Even though Pluto hadn't told the others about this, she had no doubt that Uranus and the perceptive Neptune would soon find out. She also had a feeling that Saturn had known long before this moment as discerning as she was.

Pluto nodded. "May God be with them," she whispered, though she was loud enough to be heard by all. "They have no idea what they're in for."

"They can handle it," Sailor Neptune said, smiling at her partner. "Just think, Mamoru-san is getting his guardians back. The Senshi are regaining valuable allies. And this time, we are sure of their loyalties. As long as they work together, they have nothing to fear."

"Always the optimist," Saturn said, looking down at her boots. Saturn had changed dramatically. Now as tall as Neptune, as beautiful as Pluto, she was by far the most powerful of the Outer Senshi and the most insightful.

Uranus chuckled at Neptune who pouted upon hearing Saturn. After the humor of that had worn off, she said, "Pluto, you must tell me; Have you contacted Seiya? We are going to need their help if we plan on defeating them." It seemed foreign coming from Uranus. To ask Seiya for help was akin to jabbing a needle in her eye and then pour salt on it.

"Yes, I have. They said that they'd have to consider the offer as it's not their job to protect the earth, or the Moon Princess for that matter."

"What?" Uranus asked, surprised. "Seiya said that? After everything that happened, they can still say that? I thought Usagi meant more to him than that."

"It sounds to me as though he's still sore from unrequited love," Neptune said wisely. "It's really a shame."

"There is another reason," Saturn said, as though that alone would solve the matter. "It has little, if anything to do with the Moon Princess. There is much going on in the lives of the Starlights. They have a lot of choices that they have to make. I won't be expecting to hear from them for a while."

"What do you know?" Pluto asked, a little upset that she wasn't in on it.

"It's not for me to explain. All I know is, when we next meet them, they may very well no longer be the Starlights."

"You're not serious," Neptune exclaimed, her eyes widening. "They're giving up being Senshi?"

"I never said that," Saturn said knowingly.

"I hate how damned secretive she alway is," Uranus muttered, glaring at the youngest of the Senshi. "It's your fault, you know?" she said, elbowing Neptune on her arms.

"How do you draw that conclusion?" Neptune asked.

"You're the same way."

"We all are," Saturn said truthfully. "In any event, our return is drawing nearer. It won't be long before our help will be required. Another war is imminent."

"It seems like war will never end," Neptune said.

"It is our destiny to fight," Pluto replied.

"So I'm told," she smiled, looking at Uranus. "Well, we have little time left. We must prepare. I'll try and talk to Seiya and the others. Convince them to help us once again."

Uranus nodded. "I'll monitor the actions of the Zodiac Senshi. If they make a move, I'll be the first to know about it."

"I must return to the time gate." Pluto looked at Saturn and bowed her head. "I believe you wish to accompany me?"

"I have no choice but to go to the thirtieth century. There is somebody I need to bring back. Small Lady…though…she isn't so small anymore. Four years? It'd mean her power is much greater. She'd be a great asset to this fight."

They all nodded their good-byes to each other and then vanished.

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The three men stood under the archway of the decaying palace. They had been following Pluto ever since she'd disembarked from the Time Gate. It seemed odd to them that she would come to the moon, but after witnessing the exchange between her and the four men that would soon become their comrades, they understood. So they were preparing for battle. It was no wonder their former princess had requested them to undergo this transformation. They had been reluctant to say the least. For years, they argued with her to drop the subject altogether. But she had been adamant. And once she had and idea in her head, there was no stopping her. They had a choice... but then it felt like they didn't. They agreed, but they still weren't sure they'd made the right decision.

"What shall we do?" asked the shortest of the men. "Little does Saturn know, we've already made our choice." He said this angrily, as though the choice they'd arrived at hadn't been his choice at all.

"I just wonder how she knew about it. The conversion that is."

"Saturn has always been well informed," said the tallest. "I'm not surprised that she knew. Her and those visions she has. Of course she'd be the first to know about our change."

"From Senshi to Guardian of the Earth Prince. I still cannot believe we did it. I pledged my loyalty and service to the one man who has the only thing I've ever truly wanted. All at the request of our princess." Seiya looked down at his hands that seemed bigger than usual. "We gave up our Sailor Senshi form for her. No longer are we a disguise. This is us." He looked down at his body and pulled at the uniform he was wearing. A gray suit, much like Kunzite's, with a flowing, silver cape and red trim instead of light blue.

"It is better this way, Seiya," Taiki assured him, looking down at his own uniform that was trimmed with yellow. He had no cape. "This is what we were meant to be. Guardians of earth, the Terran Realm. Comrades to the Shitennou." He wasn't sure he believed that. The entire thing seemed ridiculous to him. Even now, when he looked back on it, he couldn't believe he'd agreed to do it. Their former princess was a persuasive one. "It has to be for the greater good. She never would have asked us to do it if she thought there was any other way."

Yaten huffed. "I still don't think we should have agreed. We aren't meant to be this way… We were Sailor Senshi. More powerful than the ones in this solar system, with a few exceptions, perhaps," he added begrudgingly. "And now…we are men!" he yelled in disgust. "We forfeit our power."

"That's not true," Taiki smiled. "Just think of how much stronger we are now. In this form, we are near invincible." That may have been going too far, but extremes were called for when dealing with Yaten.

"I don't think I can face her again," Seiya said out of nowhere, causing Taiki and Yaten to stare at him questioningly. "It hurts my heart just thinking of her. How she's with…him. The prince whom we've sworn to protect with our lives."

"There are other women, you know," Yaten said rather harshly. "Usagi-chan isn't the only woman in the galaxy?"

"Yaten-san!" Taiki scolded.

"I know you're right," Seiya sighed. "It's just…nobody else has her light. The light that I was drawn to." He stood up straighter and looked upon the earth somberly. "It doesn't matter, though. We've got our mission. We must go and reunite with the Senshi. We must prepare for a new war and make peace with the shitennou."

"It won't be easy," Taiki said.

"No. It never is."