She was alone on the observation deck. Glittering stars winked at her as she silently stood. The gentle lights of the city below stared up at her. Her position was the same as always - stuck in limbo between heaven and earth.
A soft sigh escaped Usagi's lips as she replayed a moment from her most recent battle. She knew she shouldn't refer to it as her "last" battle. There would always be more.
Sailor Lethe's words cut through her thoughts, causing her to shiver. "There will always be battles as long as the Ginzuishou exists," Usagi whispered in agreement.
She had always known this, but knowing and believing do not always go together.
All the fighting. All the death. All because of a small, glowing jewel. A relic from a kingdom long dead.
Usagi wished she could destroy the crystal, but she knew it was impossible. The Ginzuishou was destined to shine on - as was she.
"Why did Queen Serenity send it forward with us?" she thought.
Everything would have been better. Peaceful.
"I wish the Ginzuishou was never sent forward through time," she whispered to herself.
"It's a miracle that it was," a female voice stated.
Usagi whipped around to face the interloper. "Pluto?" she asked as her breath hung in a mist around her face.
Ignoring her princess' surprise, Sailor Pluto stepped closer. Her magenta eyes sparkled in the starlight. "Many specific actions needed to take place in order for the Ginzuishou to awaken. If only one small thing was omitted, the crystal - and you - would have been lost," she stated.
"You were guiding us... even then," Usagi replied as she realized what Sailor Pluto was implying, "But why? Why bother? The absence of the ginzuishou - of Sailor Moon - would have meant peace."
Tears now fell from Usagi's eyes as the impact of what she had said hit her. How different could things have been?
Sailor Pluto was silent. Her brow furrowed as if she were contemplating something important. Finally, she spoke, "Perhaps I can help you understand. When I allowed you to travel forward in time to Crystal Tokyo, I told you that the city you saw was only a possible future. As the Guardian of Time, I can see many different possibilities. I can show you a discarded timeline. An alternate timeline where the ginzuishou was not found."
Usagi's eyes grew huge. "You can do that!" she choked.
Sailor Pluto nodded slightly. It wasn't technically against the rules. Even if it were, Pluto had been known to bend the rules from time to time. "You will be able to see this other timeline, but you won't be seen. Would you like me to show you?" she asked.
Usagi knew she would never receive this offer again. She desperately wanted to know if she was truly the cause of suffering. "Yes," she stated.
Sailor Pluto tapped her Garnet Rod once upon the deck and summoned the Time Gate. Its ornate doors opened soundlessly, beckoning the two to enter.
Usagi slowly stepped forward into the gaping void, searching for the answers it held.