The instant that Tuxedo Kamen and myself made contact was like a spark of lightning. One that traveled from the top of my head to the tips of my feet. I instantly felt warm and tingly all over as the images came racing through my mind.
"The Illusionary Silver Crystal...please..."
Who was that woman who radiated such warmth and purity, pleading for this crystal? Why did I feel like I knew her? Did the masked man in front of me know her too? I didn't want the image to go away, so beautiful it was. But as the light surrounded me, another slew of images came in, ones that struck deep into my soul, to the part of me that knew what they meant.
A bright moon hovering overhead... A peaceful castle on the moon surrounded by a shield with the Earth hovering close by...Another castle on the Earth, surrounded by flowers and green grass as far as the eye could see...two figures sharing a passionate moment staring at the moon high above...a shadow covering the Earth, creeping and crawling over it like a thousand bugs...earthquakes...fires everywhere...someone in black was protecting someone else wearing white...they were in danger...
And then the visions stopped coming as we broke apart. I landed down on the ground on one knee, hand braced on the ground to steady myself. It was like a calm had settled over me and I suddenly saw the world through new eyes. It was like being born again in a matter of seconds. In one simple touch I knew everything. My destiny was laid out for me in simple terms.
This 'Sailor V' I had been masquerading as was not who I was really supposed to be. My calling was a much more important thing.
"Minako, what happened?" Artemis' voice called out, breaking me out of my thoughts long enough to give a response to him. No doubt that display had scared him half to death.
I slowly stood up from my crouch, my arms falling to my sides. He had to know that I knew everything. "Artemis," I began, speaking in a much calmer tone of voice, one full of knowing and being headstrong. "I remember. The princess, my mission, and my real name. I am not really this Sailor V you have me running around as. There's more to me now, I know that." I finished and turned around, giving him a confident look for the first time since he found me on the rooftop.
In the beginning I was an innocent girl, a pop-star idol who had her singing career ahead of her. Then I met a white cat from the moon who changed my perspective on life.
At the end of the day, I am Aino Minako, 14 years old, and a pop idol who sings for millions of fans. But my true identity is the beautiful soldier of love and justice, Sailor Venus. Leader of the Guardian Senshi and decoy for our Princess.
Forgive me for what I must do, but this is my path to destiny and I must take it. No matter what the cost may be in the end.