The senshi sat in their civilian forms in Mamoru's living room, all sitting on the sofa and chairs as they faced the beautiful Goddess in front of them. Mamoru stood by the window, staring out it with his hand over his mouth as he tried to digest what the others had told him. Gaia took a delicate sip of water then looked at the women. She waited patiently, knowing who would speak first.
"What is going on?" Ami spoke up, watching the Goddess' lips quirk slightly. The Goddess leaned forwards slightly and sighed." The entire realms have been thrown into chaos. Chaos has somehow regained itself and darkened the brightest and one of the most powerful starseeds. Sailor Moon...Princess Serenity. This new being that is all of her power and all of Chaos's cruelty and hate...so much has already been bent. The gods and I need your help,protectors." she looked at them, so sad and yet full of strength they couldn't imagine. The senshi looked at each other before Minako spoke up.
"But Usagi was the most powerful of us...she was able to beat Chaos before! How could we stop her and...and what if we don't even need to? She could still fight off Chaos right?" She looked hopeful but the expression fell when Gaia shook her head."No, Venus Protector. This taint has been embedded in her very soul...I was not aware and nor was the Moon Goddess Selene until now." the senshi shared a glance as the Goddess continued."She showed me what had happened. Millenia ago, back when the people on both were different, Chaos had struck again. I felt Him tainting my world and reaching outwards, wanting to devour all. All on me radiated darkness...but one person in particular. That person left me and went to the Moon Goddess's realm, but I could still feel it. I never know what had happened, but Goddess Selene told me. That person...they tainted your Princess Serenity. It would have been rejected and dispersed normally...but she died soon after and the evil was locked and bound with her soul. Why it awoken now, I do not know..." she shook her head sadly as each of the senshi slowly looked at each other. Rei was the first to speak." So..that means...in the Silver Millennium..."
"Serenity was infected with Chaos. And because Queen Serenity reincarnated us all, her soul couldn't fight off Chaos." Ami finished, looking rather faint. "But how could Chaos have infected Serenity in the first place? It would have had to be close before she died but..." Haruka trailed off but a voice startled them all."Beryl" they turned to see Mamoru looking at them, his expression hard."It was Beryl... She came after me and Serenity. I was killed first and don't know what happened to her afterward...but now I realize that my desire to protect her may be what's caused all this...my Usako..." he turned away again, covering his eyes with his hand.
"...That still leaves my question. What hope do we have of beating Usagi? She...she's our leader and the most powerful among us!" Minako pulled her hair slightly as she spoke, feeling fear and dread inside her. The Goddess shook her head." The Gods and I will fix that. We shall grant our planets protectors with powers to put you level with Selene's Protector. It shall happen soon but in it's own time...I have only the power to grant such to my protector."she looked at Mamoru at this point but continued." Your Gods will seek you out, and you will have to seek them in return. Please leave now, so I may give my protector his powers." the senshi looked a bit startled then at each other nervously.
They got up and milled briefly, saying goodbye to Mamoru and each other before they left his apartment. Mamoru hadn't turned around but Gaia approached his and touched his back, where his heart was. A gentle gold glow appeared around them both."I endow you with my powers, protector of Earth. You chose your own name, Tuxedo Mask. So I will not change that." The glow disappeared and Mamoru stood there in a tuxedo rather like his original, but far more ornate and colored a dark green that was almost black. His hat was gone and his mask was lined with pearls, as were the ends of his sleeves and the opening of his jacket. The pendant around his neck had changed, holding the symbol of the Earth in gold on it. He looked at himself in the reflection of the window and closed his eyes, clenching his gold gloved fist."Usako...I swear I'll help you...and get you back..." he didn't see Gaia smile and disappear, her duty to her protector done.
