Disclaimer - I do not own Sailor Moon or the image that I have used. I do however own my own characters. Well, glad that part is out of the way :-)


Chapter Three

It was a cold day as Setsuna and Usagi set up the stall. Haruka and Michiru opted to make hot drinks for them all as the capital city started to wake. The people had no idea what had almost happened the night before. It made Usagi wonder if the people of Juuban truly knew how close to death most of them nearly came too when their biggest battles had taken place. Filling the baskets up with sweet smelling soaps, Hotaru looked up towards the palace and noticed a big red bird flying out. Smiling brightly Hotaru went back to work wondering when Haruka would get back with those hot drinks.

"Do you think their talking about what happened last night?" Usagi asked as she picked up a lavender soap and started to wrap it in purple wrapping.

"Yes they will be, the Kings life was put in danger, they will not take this lightly" Setsuna inspected the soaps and judging they were set out accordingly she went to make sure they all had stools to sit on.

"They may run investigations, what if they notice we're new here and link us to the monster" Setsuna looked up at Usagi and smiled.

"If that happens then we'll deal with it. Of course people here will have questions about us, this capital seems a tight community" Usagi noticed Lehrite looking at her from afar. She started to shake as he continued to look at her. He then turned away and walked towards the palace. He had much on his mind since the attack last night. Setsuna was also watching Lehrite and a look of curiosity crossed her face.

"He suspects us" Setsuna looked down at Usagi and nodded.

"He is very perceptive, that's why he was made a knight, to protect Prince Endymion. We must be careful around him" Haruka and Michiru came back with what looked like metal mugs of tea for the girls. They quietly sipped their warm tea as they watched the other stall holders set up Usagi noticed Naru wearing a light pink dress with a white apron and brown sandals.

"Her name is Daisy here, it means innocence" Setsuna thought that Usagi would like to know her friends past name.

"That name is fitting. She always believed everything I said even though I have lied to her every day since I became Sailor Moon" the weight of Usagi's words hit her like a ton of bricks. She had never truly thought about the lies she had told Naru. Naru never knew that her supposed best friend was actually the crime fighting Sailor Guardian of the Moon let alone the fact that she was a princess. Naru always believed her blindly even though Usagi could see the innocence leaving her eyes. Naru must have had questions about Usagi's behaviour but she never voiced them. Things didn't get any better once they left school and she spent all her time with her Senshi.

"You can change it all princess" Usagi looked at Michiru.

"The future has changed. By us interfering with the past we can change the future, maybe you can still save your friendship with this Naru" Usagi blushed slightly as she thanked Michiru for her kind words. Naru stopped by the baker and was engaged in a deep conversation with him. She then turned round and placed her blue eyes on Usagi's stall.

Naru approached the stall as if she were walking on air. She could have been a princess herself as Usagi watched Naru in awe.

"Hmmm, they smell really nice, what's this one" Naru looked directly at Usagi and stopped.

"I'm sorry, do I know you? I feel like we've met before but I can't put my finger on where" Usagi was trying her best to remain strong. Seeing her friends' open and friendly face was hard for Usagi.

"No, I don't think we have met. I have just moved her with my friends from the Southern provinces, we're new" Naru made looked at the other Senshi and then back at Usagi.

"Oh well I am just being silly, I just really felt as if I knew you, like we were once close friends. What's that soap, it looks sort of yellowy brown" Usagi looked at the soap.

"It's Shea butter, it's hard to get hold of but very moisturising for the skin" Naru nodded and then looking at the price, she went into her brown bag and pulled out three silver coins. She handed it to Usagi as Hotaru picked up the soap and started to wrap it.

"I'll try this one but I like the smell of that pink one" Hotaru noticed the one she pointed to.

"That's rose, it's really popular, we can hold it for you if you like, and it is a little more expensive" Naru nodded enthusiastically.

"I'll come for it tomorrow morning; I need to get some money from my mother. By the way I am Daisy" Naru held out her hand and shook Usagi's hand. Usagi looked at Naru's hand and wondered, when was the last time they actually shook hands before or better still, when was the last time she even called Naru?

"I'm Usagi" Naru smiled.

"Usagi, I like it, well Usagi, hopefully we'll meet again tomorrow morning" Usagi again tried to hold back her tears.

"Yes, I would really like that" Naru took the parcel from Hotaru whilst looking at Usagi. She could see Usagi's eyes watering but opted not to say anything there and then. Maybe they could talk tomorrow over a mulled wine. Yes, Naru had planned it in her heart to do that.

"Goodbye Daisy, I hope you enjoy the rest of this day" Naru nodded and then walked away towards what seemed like the way to her home.

Moon Palace

Mercury had called a private Senshi meeting with the other Senshi. She had started to monitor the earth at the Queens request. The Palace had a large central control room that had three large computer screens with a large control panel. Mercury's mother had been the designer of the central control and had made sure the Queen had the latest technology. Mercury had started to pay particular attention because that bright blue planet sheltered the man she loved.

"So you think the planet is slowly being infested with darkness" Mercury simply nodded her head.

"It would explain their hostilities towards the Moon Kingdom and the possible alliance but I cannot locate the source" Venus placed a finger on her lips. Mars and Jupiter stood next to each other by the door.

"So what should we do with this piece of information?" Jupiter asked.

"The Queen has already been told about this. She is going to hold a meeting with those who are part of the treaty to discuss what should be done. She will be away for a few days and the Princess may be called away at some point. We will need to have safe passage prepared just in case" Mercury stopped typing and then got up shakily.

"Should we warn them?" Mars knew exactly who Mercury was referring too.

"It would mean going to their planet without the Princess, she is with her mother for the day" Jupiter nodded.

"We should warn them, we won't stay long but they must know" Venus sighed as she looked at Jupiter.

"How do we know they don't know already, they do have special senses when it comes to the earth" Mars agreed as she remembered Jadeite telling her about his private meditation sessions. They helped him connect to the earth and see if there were any problems.

"But can we really risk that? What if they don't know anything?" Jupiter argued. The three remaining Senshi pondered on her words.

Princess Serenity hated listening to political meetings. Most of the things they were saying she didn't really understand. She knew why she was present; her mother had stated that in order to be a good Queen, one must understand how others work. All Serenity could hear was 'blah blah blah' as an old man went on about the crimes of the Earth against any form of diplomacy.

"Your majesty, we will not stand by while earth insults us and the alliance!" Queen Serenity sat on a simple brown chair looking across a wide round table with her bright almost silver coloured eyes at this man and refrained from saying anything that might agitate this man further.

"Elthan, I know the King and he is desperate to join the alliance, he is battling his own council. We cannot hold any hostilities towards the earth, it is a very delicate situation" Serenity resisted the urge to saying anything. Her mother had only stated the obvious. Queen Serenity heard her daughters' mini huff and tried not to giggle. Her daughter was growing and it was obvious to the Queen that although her daughter displayed the qualities of grace and beauty she lacked real understanding of how things worked. It seemed she would need a strong husband soon and the Queen had this problem on her mind amongst other things.

"I am going to the meeting that the Queen of Venus and I have called, I will be away for a few days, maybe a few weeks. My hope is that my daughter will follow at some point to see how these negotiations go. We will discuss your concerns further upon my return" Elthan nodded and then bowed. Serenity resisted the urge to scream at her mother that there was no way in hell she was going to any meetings. That would mean she would be far away from her Prince.

In an open field on the Earth

"They should be here soon, I have sent Jadeite a message to meet us here" Mars looked about the field. They were surrounded by little daisies on the ground and standing under a large tree.

"Prince Endymion will probably follow; you didn't tell them the Princess is not with us?" Venus acknowledged Mars nod at her question.

"It's important he comes, he has his father's ear" Mercury opened her minicomputer and scanned the area. Jupiter closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh air. She took in the smell of wood, grass and flowers and smiled.

"I can see why Serenity loves this planet, it is filled with many delights to the senses and it is peaceful" Venus smiled but then that was covered with sadness. She loved this planet too but she doubted they could ever live on it. Their duty was to their princess and it was highly unlikely she was going to enter into a marriage alliance with Prince Endymion. Venus knew that the King has already lined up a candidate for his son, a beautiful woman with large green eyes and long flowing gold spun curly hair. This woman also shared Endymions concerns for the earth which was something Serenity lacked. She only knew all this because of Kunzite and knew it was best not to mention anything to the princess, it would break her heart. Venus had seen this girl once. Kunzite had snuck Venus into the palace to help him locate Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion. They were walking about the palace and whilst Venus was admiring the many portraits of Endymions' family, she noticed this young woman talking to a few of the politicians. Kunzite noticed Venus had stopped to look at this woman.

"That's Lady Marigold. She is from a wealthy family that was once close to the royal family. She is the only candidate that the King will consider for his son" Venus carried on looking at the Marigold, talking in her puffy light blue dress with white frills at the bottom and her shiny black boots. She noted her hair held high into a bun with a few golden curls escaping and her emerald green eyes, deep and penetrating.

"She cares about the earth and often speaks with Prince Endymion about the problems. They share that as a bond but that's about it. He doesn't love her, he loves your princess. He is trying to put off his father's plans for him to make time to approach him about princess Serenity. I think we both know what will likely happen sadly" Venus let a stray tear fall as she took in the truth of Kunzites words. Kunzite hoped more than anything for a marriage alliance between her princess and his prince; then it meant they could all be together.

"At least our princess can console herself knowing that the man she loves so deeply truly loves her" Kunzite sighed as he took Venus's hands and led her away.

Venus never forgot that moment. The more she thought about it and the situation they were all in, the more she started to lose hope.

"I think I see them coming" Mercury pointed to the distance and sure enough it was the Shitennou with Prince Endymion arriving on horseback.

"Where is Princess Serenity" Prince Endymion looked on severely as she searched for his beloved.

"I am sorry but she has been held up by her mother. We needed to see you all quickly" Jupiter answered. Endymion saw the seriousness in her tone and got off his horse.

"We came across some dark spots on your planet, it seems it is not too far from your palace but I can't locate its actual location" Mercury spoke whilst Zoisite smiled at her warmly.

"We suspected this, Jadeite has been speaking with one of the priests about the change in the people and the other night there was an attack on the Kings life by some sort of monster" the Senshi gasped at Kunzites words.

"Something darker and more powerful is working against us but we are now running investigations. Lehrite, Prince Endymion's cousin has taken off towards the mountains not too far from here as he believed there may have been something up there" Mars turned round and noted the far off mountains that they could just make out.

"He'll be gone for days" Mars muttered. Jadeite heard her words but noted she wasn't speaking to anyone in particular.

"Do you think they can sense us watching them from up here?" Uranus asked as they hid in a tree not too far away from the Senshi.

"My powers combined with yours, Neptune and Saturn will shield us for now. There will be an attack here, I can feel something coming" Pluto kept her eyes focussed but every so often she noted Sailor Moon staring at her friends, particularly Prince Endymion. This must have been so hard for her to see them all together like this.

"Sailor Moon, what do you remember of your time here?" Sailor Moon shifted slightly.

"Not much. I remember when our Kingdom fell, I remember Endymion being killed and sometimes I can see glimpses of us out here but other than that, not much else and that has been bothering me a lot since we arrive back here" Sailor Pluto nodded. She believed that Queen Serenity's power had blocked a lot of their memories that may have seemed unnecessary. That may have just caused more damage than she realised.

"There is just so much happening here and..." she stopped. This was what Pluto was waiting for. At some point during the day Usagi had gone very quiet looking at what appeared to be a blank space whilst on the stall.

"Please, tell me" Pluto pleaded. Uranus, Neptune and Saturn were all listening.

"I saw this really pretty woman. She had long curls in a bun and big green eyes. She was standing next to a scholar and I heard some of the market stall holders speaking about her. She was meant to be their next Queen if the King could get Prince Endymion to agree to it. She seems really concerned about the state of people on the Earth and apparently Prince Endymion likes this about her. They all think she will be a wonderful Queen for them" Sailor Moon continued looking at Prince Endymion as he spoke to the Senshi.

"If I hadn't of interfered with those plans, then maybe the fall of their home would not have come. I don't think I liked politics when I was princess Serenity but I didn't realise how important it was to him. Maybe I wouldn't have made a good Queen for earth…." Pluto held Sailor Moon's hand and gave it a light squeeze.

"We all love you Usagi-chan. Yes, you are different to Princess Serenity but in a good way. Living life as a Senshi has changed your perceptions and has hardened you to the gritty reality of things and this will work in your favour. He loves you Usagi-chan, anybody can see it the way he looks at you and the way you occupy his every thought. He wants to marry you and no one else. The young woman you speak of is Marigold. She is lovely but Prince Endymion doesn't love her. His mother before she died expressed a desire to reunite the two families, that's it, this is not a love match" Sailor Moon couldn't help these feelings that welled up within her heart. She was seeing so much and understanding so much that she feared she would lose sight of her own reality. But if she were truthful, she knew that after all these things took place, life could not return to what they would hope for. Crystal Tokyo would've changed forever and now she didn't know what kind of home she would go back too.

"What you ask Endymion is not only dangerous but nearly impossible!" this got the Outer Senshi's attention as they noticed the discussions had turned a little heated. Sailor Moon could see Prince Endymion standing a little taller bursting with princely pride.

"I want to marry Serenity. I will not marry Marigold; I do not love her and never will. If I do not marry Serenity then my father will force me to marry Marigold and I will have to comply" Kunzite and Venus both threw their hands up in the air. Jadeite looked at his Prince sadly whilst Jupiter smiled.

"But who will marry the two of you?" Mars had to ask. Even though in her heart Mars wished more than anything for Prince Endymion and Princess Serenity to marry but she knew the practicalities and it was going to be difficult.

"We could get one of the Priests to do it, I am sure one of them would agree to do it for Endymion" They all looked at Jadeite as he looked at Mars calmly. Mars didn't want to smile as she knew Jadeite had the same feelings as her.

"And you can get one of these Priests to do it?" Nephrite asked whilst Jadeite nodded at his question.

"This is crazy" Venus exclaimed but then she stopped and noticed Kunzites eyes. They were cold but she knew he wasn't angry.

"Is it crazy?" Venus chose not to say anything.

"We all feel the same way, what's stopping us? Once it's done its done and there will be nothing the King could do about it" Jadeite filled in Kunzites words. Kunzite didn't want to say them as these words went against everything he was taught as a leader. Venus understood these words but how could it be done?

Mercury was avidly listening when something caught her eye. Flipping on her min-computer lenses she saw three large figures on all fours approaching them. Changing the specs of her image reading she noted these figures were highly abnormal.

"Guys, we have a problem" they all turned round and saw these three figures rushing towards them. They were three large white wolves racing towards them with their fangs bared. Venus took out her Venus chain and caught one of the wolves slinging it in the air. The Shitennou all got their swords out and rushed towards the two remaining wolves with speed. Zoisite jumped high into the air, raised his sword towards the back of his head and as he descended he plunged his sword into the second wolf making it yelp in pain. Prince Endymion dodged the third wolves' swipe and then, leaning sideways took out his long princely sword with a golden handle and sliced the wolves belly making it crash forwards on the ground in front of the feet of Mars who in turn burnt it to cinders.

"Well that was strange" Mars said as she noted two human looking figures approaching. Both were men and they were tall flexing their blue skinned muscles. One of them had long red hair whilst the other had long white hair. Both of them had yellow eyes with black pupils.

"They don't look too happy to see us" Jupiter raised her fists in the air and then called down lightening on them but this had no effect. Mars then did her Burning Mandela attack but again this did not slow down the monsters as they raced towards them. The Shitennou stood in front of the Senshi and their prince and took the brunt of the attack. The two monsters crashed into the Shitennou and threw them up in their air. Mercury screamed out when she saw Zoisite land with a thud on the ground but she had no time to get to him as the red haired Youma landed a punch on her knocking her to the ground. The white haired Youma picked both Jupiter and Mars up and held them by the throat before it smashed them hard into the ground. Venus stood in front of Prince Endymion and held her spiralling heart attack ready for the Youma.

"WORLD SHAKING!"

"DEEP SUBMERGE!" a bright light engulfed them all as the white haired Youma was hit in the back and thrusted forwards landing on its face.

"DEAD SCREAM!" Pluto's attack crashed against the red haired Youma and sent it hurtling towards a tree. Dust filled the air as the force of these attacked forced Prince Endymion and Venus to the ground. Venus struggled to open her eyes but her hearing was very clear.

"MOON HEALING ESCALATION!" it was as if the whole world slowed down for Venus. She saw a young woman with a maturing face raising her right arm in the air holding what appeared to be some sort of sceptre. A bright pink light hit the two monsters and instantly reduced them to ashes as there was nothing good in them to save. That hairstyle, she had her hair in two separated high buns but the problem was her hair was blonde, not white. Prince Endymion's eyes were also fixated on this woman but like Venus, his vision was not totally clear. A fifth figure appeared looking around the field. She held a glaive by her side and then nodding her head the other four vanished as if they were never there. But before they left the woman with the two buns looked at Venus and this left Venus feeling closed in as if she had nowhere to hide. She then passed out as the clouds of dust started to disappear.

The Golden Capital

"That was real close yesterday" Haruka mentioned as they started to put out their stock. Michiru nodded as she watched Usagi talking with Naru again.

"I think Usagi-chan must be feeling really sad after seeing Prince Endymion, he looked right at her" Haruka then noted Michiru's attention towards their princess.

"Odango loves him and seeing him dying in our time has shaken her. She couldn't save him there and then like she would normally do, now she has to wait knowing that in our time Mamoru and the Inner Senshi are dead" Michiru closed her eyes tightly as the words hit her heart. The Inner Senshi was sadly dead now and at the moment there was no quick fix. For all they knew the future may have changed beyond anything they could comprehend. But here they were alive and well and that was what they had found as a group so disturbing. They had so much knowledge of their future that part of Michiru wanted to scream at them to kill Beryl now before she gets the chance to destroy this beautiful place.

"Setsuna and Hotaru should be back soon, they went on some kind of mission involving a priest" Michiru brought herself out of her thoughts and looked at Haruka.

"Do you think they're looking for Master Zou?" Haruka nodded.

"There's more to that man than any of these people know. He had direct contact with Elysian so he should be able to guide us on helping Mamoru" Now Michiru was confused.

"Isn't it strange that Mamoru has never inhibited any real powers and yet he is Prince of the Earth and holder of the Golden Crystal? Something must be blocking his connections and I doubt it's only because the King never had the chance to really teach him"

"Does Usagi-chan know?" Haruka nodded.

"Odango is the one who asked Setsuna to look into it as well as the Shitennou, I have a feeling she is going to try and change our future when we return" Michiru looked at Usagi with her eyes wide open.

"She wants to bring the Shitennou back?" Haruka nodded "And also help Mamoru-san with his connection to the golden crystal?" Michiru continued.

"Well, that's our princess for you, she has a great big heart that is warm and full of love" Haruka smiled at Michiru's words as they both looked at Usagi laughing with Naru.

Outside the Temple of Peace

Setsuna and Hotaru watched from afar as they saw the King approach Master Zou in the temple. They were in an open space with a great fire burning brightly. The two men were sat legs crossed on blue straw mats with their eyes closed. Setsuna had thought she would need to speak to Master Zou but as luck would have it she didn't need to. She could be observant and try and discern. She was dressed in a modest dark purple gown with black sandals whilst Hotaru wore a dark blue gown with blue sandals. The king wore a simple white shirt and brown trousers whilst Master Zou was in a white robe with a golden sash. The king had his hair tied up in a bun and smoke wafting around him. A golden light was emitting from his chest but that was all the action that was taking place.

"You have more control Sire, this is good, it is bending to your will" King Aethlios smiled as the light got a little bit brighter.

"The only way the crystal will work is to call out to it and bathe in its light, connect to it and let its power inside you. Let its power run through your veins pumping your blood for you, let it take control of your feelings, your mind and meditate with it. It takes great will power to not let it take a complete hold, you need to hold on to some part of yourself as you connect to the older spirits of the earth and join them" Hotaru noted these words down and understood immediately why Mamoru-san couldn't access this power. It may also explain why he couldn't bring his own Shitennou back the way Sailor Moon had done so for the Senshi.

"This is going to be more complicated than we anticipated" Setsuna whispered. They both refocussed on the two men as the light disappeared inside of the King.

"I am fully connected to Elysian now; it will be my final resting place when the time comes" Master Zou nodded. The King sighed as he looked at his friend.

"Endymion will not marry Marigold. I just don't know what to do, he has to marry someone!" Master Zou remained silent. Master Zou knew the real reason why Endymion didn't want to marry Marigold. The fires had revealed the truth to him and soon enough through the eye of the golden crystal the King would see the truth too.

"I can't think of anyone else" King Aethlios fell on his back and let a big puff of air out of his lungs.

"What about the Moon Princess? She is of age to marry" King Aethlios went silent and then sat back up.

"As much as I like the idea, right now it is impossible" Master Zou continued to look at his King.

"It may have been impossible for you all those years ago but maybe not for your son" The King went rigid.

"How the hell do you know about that? I have never told anyone…." Master Zou held his hand up.

"You forget that I am also connected to Elysian my lord much as you are and it has shown me many things. I did place those two priestesses there and they do look rather familiar don't they? I never expected them to turn out the way they did with her hairstyle but then again, you are the only other one connected to Elysian, it all started to make sense" King Aethlios opened his mouth and then shut it. Hotaru was shocked as she was starting to wonder what all this could mean but Setsuna could see it all now and she understood why the Queen had kept it a secret.

"You loved her Aethlios and you still do" the King looked away from his friend.

"It was such a long time ago and yet it still burns" Master Zou smiled.

"That's why you named your bird Selene, for the present Queen, it's like having her with you all the time" the King nodded.

"It wouldn't have worked. We both had such big responsibilities. I remember a time when I was a hot headed man who threw caution to the wind but she pulled me back to my senses. My father had already arranged by betrothal and I couldn't get out of it. She understood but I could see it in her eyes. The pain of losing what we had. We could have run away together but she was the future Queen of the moon with no heir" the King couldn't hide the tremble in his voice.

"I loved her so much. I still love her but with the passing of time I have been able to tame my feelings so yes Zou, I more than anyone can see that my son marrying her daughter will be a lot more than difficult, especially under the present climate"

"Then wait, wait until things have resolved themselves, maybe even you too can be happy with her again when the throne passes to your son" The King got up and shook the little dirt that may have been on his trousers.

"I cannot entertain such hope my friend but you are right, we do have some time on our side, I will not force my son, we will see what happens at the conclusion of these events" Master Zou got up and bowed as the King left.


Hi Everyone

I am really sorry about the late update, life got in the way but I always had in mind that I needed to update this story. Thank you to all those who have reviewed, favourite and followed this story, I really appreciate it :-)

Thank you to Redite88, chaoticwisdom, Onyx2589, LadyKeren and Vinterthunder for the reviews on this story and Metalgear for the review of my other story :-)

Onyx2589 - Hopefully there is a little more Senshi and Shitennou action here, as the story progresses there will be more plus I am working on another story that has loads of it :-)

chaoticwisdom - I have reached around chapter six now so Motoki will appear on earth possibly although I am not sure who he was friends with first, Usagi or Mamoru?

I will finish chapter six first before I put up chapter four but hopefully I won't leave it as long.

Thank you all for the support, it helps me keep going :-)