He sits on a bench in one of the many gardens around the Earth Palace with the red-haired Sun Princess beside him. "You're in love with her," she says, her voice filled with betrayal. He reaches out to her, but she stands, practically recoiling away from him. "How dare you spurn me," Aurora says, turning to look at him. He inwardly cringes at how cold her eyes had gone. "Good riddance to you and your love," she adds, turning and walking quickly away.

He calls after her but she doesn't acknowledge him, instead beckoning imperiously to her guard and Serenity. The Moon Princess casts a worried glance at him before following her vengeful cousin.

The scene shifts, and he's atop the Earth Palace, staring down as the youma army of the Dark Kingdom drag out the dead and the imprisoned. The palace guards, who had remained silent while the enemy army invaded the castle, are kept in a magical cage while the royals, who had reacted in surprise at the attack, had their bodies piled up in great heaps or violated by the more perverted of the horde.

A new unit of troops advances on the palace, the rearguard lead by a general resplendent in ruby red - the color of the Sun Kingdom armies - and even through the mother-of-pearl-esque dome protecting him from the attacking youma, Endymion could see who the commander was; Prince Orion Helios.

Prince Orion's eyes travel from the Shitenou on one knee before him to Endymion's haven on the roof, the normally brilliant emeralds devoid of emotion as he issues another order; "Kill the resistance." The Shitenou, Endymion's guard and trusted friends, turn as one and leave to join the effort to destroy the shield surrounding him and the armored senshi who had created it.

"Go!" the senshi shouts, her voice muffled as though underwater. The Shitenou step out on to the roof, and the senshi urges him to leave with all haste again. He complies and gets into the small shuttle already prepped for departure. He hesitates once more and she screams at him to leave. As he finally gets inside the flyer, her shield collapses under the assault of the four generals and her armor shatters, leaving the senshi battered and broken.

The Shitenou converge on the fallen warrior, poised for the kill and -

Mamoru sits straight up in bed, his heart pounding in his chest. It takes him a moment to remember he is still in his bedroom, not in the past. Looking around to reorient himself, he notes the time glowing from his bedside clock and the calendar hanging on the wall. For a moment, he starts again, remembering his date with Usagi was only an hour away, but then he relaxes again as he also remembers that Usagi was likely going to be asleep for another thirty minutes.

An indulgent smile spreads across his face, banishing the dream-induced panic. Mamoru could almost picture Usagi's smiling face in his mind. He allowed himself a moment to relax before getting out of bed to go through his morning ritual.

During his morning tea he thought back to the dream, briefly. Was it really something that Princess would say? It didn't seem to fit right in his mind. The memories he had gleaned before felt different and as he tried to think back on them it was almost like a butterfly just flying out of his reach. He knew that they were there but he couldn't grasp them.

Nichiko didn't seem like she would be that cruel. It didn't make sense - but his memory wouldn't lie to him. It never had before... Although the things that Setsuna had said at the meeting made him feel uncomfortable in his own mind. Determined to put those thoughts out of mind and enjoy his day with his girlfriend, Mamoru grabs his jacket and heads out to meet Usagi.

Sure enough, Mamoru arrived at their designated rendezvous right at the arranged time and Usagi was no where in sight. He smiles and sits on a nearby bench to wait for her arrival, enjoying the peace of the park on a sunny spring Saturday.

Usagi was never really late, only just late enough that it was noticeable, so it was no surprise when, about fifteen minutes after their scheduled meeting, her dulcet cries of "I'M LATE!" could be heard.

In anticipation, Mamoru stands and looks in the direction the shouts were coming from. The ritual of Usagi careening into Mamoru's arms by some mishap of grace happens, leaving the pair laughing.

"Sorry I'm late, Mamo-chan... I-" Usagi starts, panting for breath.

"Overslept. It's okay... I figured," Mamoru interjects, smiling down at her. Oblivious to the world around them, she smiles back up at him.

"Well, isn't this a perfect day?" Mamoru felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up at the sound of the female voice. He turns to see two girls standing close to their bench. "The birds are singing. The sun is shining. And you're both going to die."

Before the couple had a chance to react, the girl who'd spoken and her companion both strike a pose. The one who had been silent starts to do a complex number of movements with her hands, revealing a silver bracelet with an orange stone on it which causes a flash of light.

The other simply smiles slightly. "Thuban Terra power..." She reveals a silver bracelet with a pink stone on it. "MAKE UP!" Another flash of light follows this, leaving Mamoru with the nagging feeling that this should mean something to him. The two girl revealed themselves both in entirely black fuku with orange or pink accents.

"I am Thuban and my tall, dark and silent companion is Alrai. We'll be the ones dispatching you from the mortal coil this morning." The one in orange nods slightly before sliding her hand across her arm, sending a blast of air at Mamoru, tearing him away from Usagi.

Mamoru hears more then feels himself hit the ground. All the sound in the park seems to die out as he pulls himself to his feet to face the silent Alrai. Looking into her eyes, he sees unsurpassed loathing. She makes the same arm movements and Mamoru leaps to try and avoid the blast of wind that sends him off kilter and crashing sideways into the ground. He reaches into his pocket to pull out the rose as he transforms.

"I don't know who you are but this is not-" Tuxedo Kamen says, backing away from Alrai, who whips her arm letting out a whip-like gust of air that slashes him across the face.

"Aaaiiii!"

Tuxedo Kamen looks over to see Usagi crawling away from Thuban twirling twin fans of fire. "Usagi, Transfo-Mh." His advice is cut short as he gets thrown into a trash can hard.

"Mamoru!" Usagi calls as he hears her let out a cry of pain.

"You'd think the future Lord, my God, would be more of a challenge." Thuban kicks Usagi in the ribs, flipping her over. "Maybe I should hang your body from Tokyo Tower? Think that'd be dramatically worthy of the Moon Kingdom, Alrai?"

Alrai unleashes another wind whip attack on Tuxedo Kamen, causing him to bite back an exclamation of pain. "Leave her alone!" Tuxedo Kamen grunts.

"You're right." Thuban says even as she slices Usagi across the chest with her fans. "Beg me. Plead. Maybe I'll let you live long enough so your court can watch you die."

"Why are you doing this?" Usagi cries. Tuxedo Kamen's heart wrenches painfully as he tries to move towards her, only to be blocked by Alrai.

"Don't remember, Serenity?" Thuban kicks Usagi away from her with a growl. Thuban twists her hands, bringing the fans closed and making them twin short blades made of fire. "Maybe this will remind you!"

In a blur of yellow and blue that seems to be becoming the trademark of her entrance, Sailorsun is suddenly between Thuban and her intended target. Thuban's blades collide with solid air, and the intent look on Sun's face gives away that she's responsible for the protection.

Gemini, stony faced and silent, intervenes on behalf of Tuxedo Kamen. The match between Gemini's light and Alrai's wind produces a rather brutal stalemate. Gemini obviously could've overpowered her silent opponent, but her unwillingness to protect the man who'd broken her sister's heart and Alrai's determination puts the pair on even ground.

Sun, breaking her eye contact with Thuban though still maintaining the small, invisible bubble protecting them, looks over her shoulder at the hapless girl on the ground. "Get yourself and the prince out of here... We'll keep them off of you."

Thuban sneers at the senshi before her. "So your court has decided to align with the treacherous, corrupt murders?"

Sun turns a dead gaze on Thuban, her eyes reflecting far more loss than the black-and-pink-clad senshi could know. "I have decided that I will not see the one I love pained by the loss of his loved ones. My court follows my command," she responds flatly, but the tone carries throughout their clearing.

"Your court is allying with the Moon? After every trespass they've committed?" Thuban growls.

Sun sighs and looks over her shoulder at the couple holding on to each other. She manages to not wince and say, "Leave. We've got this handled."

Gemini sighs in disgust as Tuxedo Kamen hesitates. "Good grief, you're useless. Didn't you hear her?! RUN!" she snaps, waving them on with a harshly dismissive gesture. "What she sees in him, I'll never understand..." she mutters under her breath before returning her attention to her silent black-and-orange opponent.

Sun turns back to Thuban. "There's only one trespass committed; the rest is simply the unhappy end of it. Queen Serenity bears the full blame for it... And we both know that Pluto would kill anyone who would go back to kill her..."

"Sins of the mother afflict unto several generations." Thuban twirls the fans as she launches for another attack at the now rapidly retreating couple.

Sun intercepts the attack easily and, in a low voice, says, "I don't like her any more than you do, but I will not see Endymion hurt."

"I'm sure he won't shed but a tear for her. He has no heart to break."

"He still has mine, Thuban... Please... I know how to fix this..."

"There is no fix for what has been done. They murdered our queen without a second thought." Thuban moves to go past her to go after Usagi. Alrai looks at Gemini and makes a move with her hands as if asking her to step down.

Sun keeps herself between Thuban and the fleeing couple, and steps in close to the hostile senshi. Initially, Thuban stiffens noticeably, and Alrai makes a move to assist only to be intercepted by a no-longer-reticent Gemini, but, after nothing dire happens, she listens to Sun's low words. "Persephone's alive."

"What?" Thuban takes a step back staring at the sun princess in awe. "We've looked everywhere..."

"I don't know exactly where she is now... but we had some clues crop up while we were in Beijing about a year and a half ago," Sun replies. "But it does us no good if we don't find the Golden Earth Crystal..."

Alrai stands down lowering her arms and bowing slightly. "Alrai thanks you," Thuban translates, "but that does not change what Saturn has done."

"No... It doesn't change any of the harm done..." Sun replies softly, eyes reflecting her hurt. "But you have two things you can do to restore things... You can help here and find the Earth Crystal so the spell on Endymion and the Lunars is broken... Or you can try to find Vega... She was keeping track of Persephone, last I heard..."

Alrai lets out a sound of frustration as a burst of wind releases from her hands.

"The traitor? Perfect." Thuban looks over at Alrai who motions with her hands. "Alrai will find the princess. Polaris and I will assist your court."

Sun raises an eyebrow at the 'traitor' comment. Gemini looks as though she's about to protest but is silenced with one of Sun's perfected sidelong looks. "We thank you. Let's get out of public so we can fill you in with what we know..."

And as the four senshi depart, a glowering set of eyes watch from a distance, unsure of what exactly had transpired, but sure that it could only bode ill for the Moon Court...


Usagi takes a deep breath before she continues, "Then Sailorsun and Sailorgemini came in and stood between these people claiming to be Sailorthuban and Sailoralrai and told us to run."

"So they protected you?" Rei asks sitting back slightly. "Perhaps Michiru and Haruka were mistaken about their motives."

"Or not..." Michiru mutters darkly from the side, having just arrived.

"They were working with the Sun court." Haruka growls as she walks in behind her lover. "We saw them talking to the two who attacked you."

Setsuna pierces them both with a critical stare. "And could you hear what they were saying in order to draw that conclusion? Please, enlighten us with the specifics of that interview if you were present and felt that Aurora and Gemini were better protection than you yourselves could provide..." Her tone is dangerous, as though daring them to account for why they hadn't protected Usagi and Mamoru if they were so adamant about not trusting the Sun Court.

"We did not arrive until Usagi and Mamoru were already fleeing," Haruka says, glaring at Setsuna. "Don't you dare call our loyalty into question when it is obvious where yours truly lie."

"What are you talking about?" Usagi asks, looking confused as ever.

"I simply refuse to buy the propaganda, which you swallow up blindly..." Setsuna says blandly, almost dismissive as though it were a trivial matter.

"Let Haruka finish," Makoto says firmly. "I might not have the memories that the rest of you but I have an open mind."

Setsuna leans back, secure in her knowledge that when the day's done, her place would still be secure. "I'm still waiting for the specifics of this conversation they claim took place..."

Ami, seeming to appoint herself to research, quietly taps away at her computer, eyes flicking between speakers. "You said Alrai and Thuban, didn't you Usagi-chan?"

"What?" Usagi asks looking at Ami. "Mmm Yes, I think that's what Thuban called the other one, right Mamo-chan?"

"Hmm? Oh! Right... Thuban and Alrai..." Mamoru confirms, though he seems to be battling some confusion and a head full of thoughts.

"We saw these other two fake senshi not attack Sun and Gemini." Haruka says, glaring down Setsuna. "We saw them walk away together with no combat going on. These two others claimed that we follow a tainted leader. And Sun did nothing to correct them!"

"Alrai and Thuban are not fake senshi... They are, or were, the senshi appointed to guard Princess Persephone of the Earth," Setsuna says, ever calm. Hotaru's eye's gleam over slightly as she draws her legs to her chest quietly as if frightened by something.

Mamoru starts, even more confused. "Of Earth?"

"Well, they were trying to kill Odango-chan. I very much doubt they were..." Haruka stops speaking for a moment as if just catching the term Earth Senshi. "What?"

"Four guarding stars to protect and guide the Princess." Hotaru's voice sounds older then normal. "They failed their task..."

Michiru stares at the smallest of the senshi for a long moment before shaking her head. "Failed senshi, even better... So what happened to this Princess of of theirs?"

Setsuna looks up from her own gaze on Hotaru which was far more understanding that Michiru's. "Quite simply, she was assassinated by an agent of Queen Serenity, to ensure Endymion's succession."

"What?!" Usagi asked standing up looking between Setsuna and Hotaru. "What are you talking about?"

"That's all that need be known here. Regardless, I'm sure Alrai and Thuban blame Usagi-sama, and even Mamoru-sama as well, for their Princess' death, which explains why they attacked them today."

"And what about them waltzing off with Sun and Gemini like best friends off to get a cup of coffee and catch up with each other?" Michiru demands.

"Probably because Sun has some knowledge that would be beneficial to them..." Setsuna answers cryptically.

"I doubt that." Hakura crossed her arms over her chest. "They looked too close together to simply be just sharing information."

"It would make sense." Makoto said putting her hand on the table. "They might be working together with that man from before just to get closer to us."

Rei sits silently as she tries to focus her mind on what is being said. It seems almost as if she were in a trance.

"Oh that'd make Gemini thrilled to hear..." Setsuna says softly with a chuckle.

"If they were guardians to the princess of the earth, then wouldn't Princess Aurora have been close to her and her senshi if she was supposed to be marrying Endymion?" Ami asks, as though hoping that would explain Sun and Gemini's actions.

Usagi's eyes well up with tears. "But-But Endymion and I are meant to be together! Chibi-Usa..."

Mamoru comes out of his daze long enough to console Usagi. "Remember? The engagement was broken when I chose you, Usa-ko..."

Usagi hugs Mamoru tightly. "I know but all these horrible things are being said about my mother..."

"How do we know any of these things your saying are true, Meiou-san?" Makoto asks carefully. "You keep talking about brainwashing what if something was done to you?"

"What reason can I give that you'll believe Kino-san?" Setsuna asks in earnest. "I can tell you that I'm the Guardian of Time, and outside the influence of the Sun, Moon and Earth Crystals... but would you believe me?"

"It's hardest for us, I think." Rei says finally. "Most of us have no memories of the past. We've only seen what Serenity-sama and Endymion-sama we're like and how they loved."

"Right." Makoto sighs. "We have no proof. not like the rest of you."

Setsuna accedes this with a nod. "Proof is a strong word though, Kino-san. I cannot prove that what I say is true, only tell you what I remember. More of you remember Serenity as the benevolent ruler. I'll grant that she was, at certain times... But it wasn't all the time, unfortunately. And the Princess was quite adept at getting courtiers to underestimate her, and Jupiter was almost married to Princess Aurora's brother... You only remember the war, not the peace that had reigned for almost a millennium..."

"But we can't remember anything and that's troubling." Rei says as she looks at Setsuna. "Almost as if there is some block..."

"I remember." Hotaru's voice stops Haruka's response in her throat. "Peace is won through under the table deals and a price of blood. The war was well deserved. They have every right to come and take it back in trade if that is their choice."

Setsuna casts a concerned glance at Hotaru, but doesn't say anything. "Hotaru..." Michiru says softly looking at the younger girl.

"...That aside," Haruka says, breathing deeply, "I don't think we should trust the Sun Senshi's intentions. Has anyone talked to them besides Mamoru?"

Minako timidly pipes up. "I did... The day after Rizad attacked... I followed the brother home from school and he fixed dinner and answered any questions I had..." Haruka looks swiftly at Minako but stays quiet.

"What did they say?" Usagi asks urgently. "I want to believe they aren't evil..."

"Well... Everything lined up with Meiou-san's version, but with more insight into the three of them; Aurora, Gemini and him, I mean. When I asked why he was willing to answer my questions, he said that it was because I was willing to ask and he didn't have anything really to lose by answering me to the best of his ability."

Rei seems to soak this in deeply nodding half to herself. "Perhaps that is the answer in of itself."

"What?" Haruka asked looking angrily at Rei. Setsuna looks on with polite interest.

"We have no connection with our past." Rei says slowly. "Having someone who remembers us better than most... If I ask them to come to the temple, I might be able to shed some insight on these things."

"Can you do that, Rei-chan?" Usagi asked looking at her. "Really?"

"I suggest talking to Kishi... He spent most of his time amidst us, apparently as a prospective suitor... Hikari didn't seem very pleased to have me there, and Nichiko was a rather gracious host for a while... Until Kishi started mentioning... well... things that got too close to Endymion. Then I kinda got politely handed my coat, you know... But anyways, he's also rather adamant about staying out of fights... He was a General on the front lines, it seems, so he's retired as it were to cooking and ikebana." Haruka only crosses her arms and leans against the wall with a huff of disgust.

"Must be nice to make such a break from your former life..." Hotaru murmurs, sounding like her younger self.

"I could try to invite him for tea," Rei suggests thoughtfully.

"I know him..." Mamoru says softly, eyes unfocused as though recalling something. "He was part of the attack on the Earth Palace..." he trails off, his eyes coming back into focus and hardening as his arm around Usagi tightens a little. "He ordered that all resistance be killed... Only it was just the other royals who resisted... The guards all quietly laid down their arms... I saw Kunzite and the others turn themselves over to his command... and he sent them against the senshi who was protecting me long enough to escape the palace..."

"Who was protecting you?" Haruka asks sharply.

"I don't remember... Her voice sounded like it was from far away and garbled through water... and she was in armor... The rest of it was crystal clear... like it happened yesterday, but she was almost completely obscured... I remember her saying something about a princess' orders, but beyond that she was telling me to run away."

"That doesn't sound like any of us," Makoto responds thoughtfully.

"People die in wars," Hotaru replies simply.

"But I thought Kunzite was your friend..." Usagi asks, looking confused again.

"He was… And he is again," Mamoru says shortly, "but only he would have the power to order the palace guards to stand down though... Every royal in the palace was slaughtered because they were the only ones to fight."

"There was a lot going on that I don't think we fully understand." Rei states, cutting off anyone else's reply. "I agree with Usagi-chan, we should trust them until we are shown that here and now they are not on our side."

Minako hesitantly clears her throat. "Um... Mamoru-kun... It might be better if you steered clear of Nichiko though... for all involved..."

"Agreed, and until things clear up I don't think you should go anywhere alone," Makoto adds, looking at Usagi.

"Why do you say I need to stay away from her though? She's in my Chemistry class, and I'm her lab partner for the term. It's not like I can get out of that..." Mamoru says, at least somewhat willing to do as suggested, but curious to Minako's motivations.

"Her partner?" Usagi demands, looking at Mamoru slightly angry.

"Um... well... Because... See... when I was having dinner... well... Ithinkshe'sstillinlovewithyou." The explanation finally tumbles out in a nearly incomprehensible rush.

Mamoru coughs slightly, looking away from Usagi. He remembers how he had felt with her in class but the dream comes crashing back at him. "I think you're mistaken."

Minako regards him carefully for a long moment before sighing resignedly. "Fine... but when you do have to interact with her, be careful... Gemini already seems barely civil, and if she's as protective as I would be of Usagi if I were the only senshi she had? We don't need to give Gemini reason to come down on us."

"I'll be careful, don't worry." Mamoru calmly explains. "There is nothing to worry about."

"You sure have a lot of people in your past who harbor feelings for you." Makoto mutters softly.

Setsuna shrugs Makoto's comment away. "It's common for those in an arranged marriage situation to develop feelings for their betrothed..."

"I don't trust them. Be on full alert around them." Haruka said firmly, ignoring Setsuna entirely. "Michiru and I will see if we can find any information on our new enemy."

"Right." Mamoru thinks back to the scene in the dream. 'Would she really still love me if I broke her heart?' he asks himself.


Disclaimer: I do not, as I've long maintained, own Sailormoon, nor the premis for any of the characters you recognize from Takeuchi-sama's wonderful story. I do own Queen Dawn Helios, King Solaris Suisei-Helios, King Twilight Helios-Tsukiou, Princess Aurora Helios/Nichiko "Nikko" Seino/Sailorsun, Princess Estella Helios/Hikari Seino/Sailorgemini, Prince Orion Helios/Kishi Seino, all Zodiac senshi that appear here (though no claims upon anyone else's interpretations), the premise of the Sun Kingdom and why everything went to the proverbial shitter at the end of the Silver Millennium (which I also do not own). Credit for Princess Persephone and her guardians goes to Sake1 and my dear friend Mulberry gets credit for Princess Cadence of Charon/Sailorcharon.

Read, Review and Enjoy the story!
~Glimmer