As we enter the King's study, I notice that there are two figures standing on either side of him. But I know that they aren't really there, at least not physically. They look more like ghosts than real people. Still, something about them seems familiar. I look them up and down, and stop when I recognize the beautiful white armor and official uniforms from those on the individuals in the picture I held so dear. It's as if the foreground of the picture itself has come to life before me. "You are…" Helios spoke to the mysterious figures while he bowed to the King.
"Hello Helios," the white-haired figure spoke kindly. "We are the Shitennou, the guardians of the Earth and its Prince, since the time that the Golden Kingdom flourished."
Helios nodded as if he had understood this all along. "From the portrait that I found…" he pointed to the Shitennou one by one. "Kunzite, Zoisite, Nephrite and Jadeite…" Immediately he started to blush, unsure of what he himself was saying. "I'm sorry… those words just came to me when I saw you and I thought…"
"You're right," Jadeite smiled as he talked to Helios gently. "Those are our names. So you do remember some things, then. That's good. What is this portrait that you mentioned?"
Chibiusa spoke up in Helios place, noticing that he was still flustered and confused by everything. "It's this picture he kept with him, because he felt that it was connected to who he was: though the top was torn off and the faces not visible, it was without a doubt you four and my father in the portrait."
"Ah, I see," Jadeite responded, still looking at Helios intently. "And what about this portrait made you feel that you were connected to it?"
Helios shuffled his feet and looked up at Jadeite meekly. "This may sound silly but…there was also a white horse visible in the picture. And for some reason, I felt that the horse may have been me." I must sound absolutely insane. But this is truly what I sensed when I looked at the portrait. And after everything that's happened today, maybe it's not so crazy after all.
Chibiusa gasped. Does that mean he's starting to have some memories from when he was trapped by Nehellenia? "It's not actually a horse that you see in the picture, Helios. It's Pegasus. You were right to sense that it was you—though Pegasus is your most trusted ride, you were also trapped into that form by Queen Nehellenia when she sought the power of the Golden Crystal." She smiled slightly, recalling the image of Helios riding on the white Pegasus. Just like Prince Charming…
Zoisite smiled at the memory. "Ah yes, Pegasus, a beautiful creature. I remember watching you ride him when we came to meet with you. You always seemed so lonely, with only Pegasus and the Maenads as your companions…" Seeing Helios' saddened expression, he reassuringly placed his already fading hand on Helios' shoulder.
Each of the Shitennou glanced at their King, and Endymion nodded in response. "I am afraid that they cannot retain this form for much longer, especially considering my own weakened state…"
In a final gesture, the Shitennou raised their hands and saluted Helios, then Chibiusa and Endymion, before returning to their rock forms. Feeling faint, Helios quickly bowed to the King and exited the room. Everything is happening so quickly, and I don't understand any of it. After finding a railing to prop himself against, he breathed deeply and tried to calm himself down.
"Helios?" Chibiusa called as she peeked out of the doorway. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine," Helios forced himself to smile. "Just a little… overwhelmed."
"You looked so sad," Chibiusa wrapped her arm around him. "What were you thinking about?"
"Yes… when Zoisite mentioned my loneliness, I could sense that I had felt that way," he looked Chibiusa in the eyes and couldn't help but smile. "Thanks to you, I don't feel that way anymore…" His voice trailed off and suddenly he clutched his head in intense pain.
…
Another vision? A memory.
"You seem so lonely, praying here for eternity and living your hopes only through those of others."
Yes… someone else had recognized my loneliness. She wanted to help me, didn't she?
"Do you wish to see her?"
….
"Helios? Helios!" Chibiusa cried frantically as she shook his limp body where he had fallen on the floor. What just happened? He was smiling… and then he just collapsed. Was meeting the Shitennou really too much for him? I feel horrible, rushing things for my own purposes, pushing him too far.
His eyes fluttered as he started to mumble. "My Maiden… with beautiful dreams… Protected by the moon, a Princess, yet a Senshi…" While Chibiusa's tears began to fall on his face, his eyes slowly opened.
"Thank goodness," she laughed as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "Do you remember, now?" Just a second ago he was talking in his sleep, describing me as he did back when we first met…
"Only glimpses," he said while reaching up and touching Chibiusa's cheek gently. He flinched in pain again. "I can help you."
Seeing his pained expression, Chibiusa began to worry again. "Are you sure that you're okay now?" She wiped her eyes again. The tears won't stop…
"Yes," he responded. "You can see her again." He shook his head to push away the voice that continued to repeat in his memories. "Why are you crying?"
"I'm just so happy that you woke up, Helios," she responded honestly.
"Have we… done this before?" he asked suddenly.
Chibiusa noticeably brightened at the mention of the familiarity of the scene. "Yes, long ago, after the defeat of Nehellenia." To this day, I still believe that it is the tears I shed for Helios that helped me to make the Silver Crystal reborn as my own Pink Moon Crystal.
"Nehellenia…" Helios shuddered as he spoke the name. "I still do not have memories of what happened then, but her name strikes a sense of fear deep in my heart. A fear for the world, and for you," he paused for a moment to think. I had decided that I did not want to worry her with this strange memories, with the voice that I am sure has to do with the loss of my memories… but looking at her now, I see that she is not just a helpless Princess that I should not burden with worries. She is a strong and willful Senshi. And I can trust her. "Chibiusa, I have something very important to tell you."