Thanks as always to those who reviewed the last chapter or left thoughts/questions :)

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And I'm sorry in advance for the multiple cliff hangers

Edited 24/07/2014 - After this point, chapters without this prefix will not follow on chronologically.

"I hope Neptune and Uranus are ok," Usagi said, looking around the rubble and unable to see any sign that their bodies were present, "I hope they got reborn I mean."

"Yeah," Ami said thoughtfully, "Though I do wonder why they were here at all – Beryl and Metallia were not an external threat."

"Maybe they finally got off their high horses about that," Minako shrugged, "There were so many internal threats that could have been sorted so much quicker if they'd bothered to help."

"I don't know," Usagi shrugged, "I just hope they're alright."

"Come on," Mamoru said, "The quicker we get back to the others the quicker we can get out of this place."

"Agreed," Zoisite nodded. Their progress back up was quicker now that Zoisite didn't have to carry Ami, but it still took them a little while to get back to Rei and Makoto. Ami was the first one they saw and Usagi heard Makoto cheer as she realised Ami was wearing her fuku.

"Hurry up," Rei shouted and Usagi was surprised to hear the tiniest strain of tension in her voice. She sped up and jumped clear of the whole, moving towards Rei where she stood facing the wall.

"Look," she muttered, jerking her head at the crystalline wall.

"He's in eternal sleep," Zoisite said when he realised what Rei had found, his voice strained, "Not technically dead, but in effect far worse."

"What do you mean?" Mars asked.

"Beryl saved this for those she was most disappointed in. He's trapped in there reliving the worst moments of his existence over and over again – no one has ever escaped from eternal sleep and regained their sanity."

"We should try to save him," Usagi said firmly.

"It would be better than to leave him here for certain," Zoisite nodded, "and he was always a stubborn bastard – who knows, he may pull through."

"How do we get him out?" Makoto asked.

"Well the golden crystal was used in the past, but the silver crystal will certainly do the job."

"Maybe," Minako said slowly, "We should mix some of Rei's power in with it. I mean, given what we know of the way the generals were enslaved I think we can all guess what Jadeite's worst memories will be, so maybe knowing she forgives him could help. I mean, if you do forgive him," she looked at Rei, who hesitated.

"I don't know," she whispered, "I mean I know it wasn't him, but it was his face and it's hard to forget all the things…" her voice trailed away as she thought for a moment, "I don't know if I can forgive him, but I will help get him out of that."

"Well that's a start," Minako smiled encouragingly, "Usagi if you would." Usagi reached into the bag she still had over her arm and passed Makoto and Rei their henshin wands.

"Mars star power, make up!"

"Jupiter star power, make up!"

"It's a little weird that you seem to immediately know the right transformation," Zoisite remarked as they landed gracefully in their fukus.

"I don't know," Usagi shrugged, "Guess that's just the way it works." She moved forward and placed a hand upon the crystal as Rei did the same. Taking a deep breath, they began to charge their powers in unity, sending them into the crystal which began to vibrate, letting out a deep chime that echoed through the stone corridor. Soon it began to crack, lines of red and silver power visible within until the wall disintegrated. Lunging forward, Makoto managed to catch Jadeite, just preventing him from knocking his head on the uneven ground.

"We should take him back to mine," Mamoru said, "He can rest there. You girls go and we'll teleport him there," he added, taking Jadeite from Makoto. Minako nodded and took Rei and Usagi's hands moving them towards Makoto and Ami so they could teleport to the apartment.

"Sailor teleport!" Minako shouted and Usagi braced herself as she felt her feet rise from the ground, her eyes tightly closed as she felt them move unbelievably fast. When she opened her eyes she was standing in Mamoru's living room with the others. Moments later Zoisite and Mamoru appeared supporting Jadeite.

"Get him to my room," Mamoru grunted. Rei bit her lip as she saw them carry him from the living room, returning minutes later. "He's completely out of it," Zoisite said, "But that's to be expected. Ami – you should probably scan him and see if there are any physical injuries." Ami nodded and allowed her visor to slide over her eyes as she headed into Mamoru's room.

"Anyone want a drink?" Mamoru asked as his uniform faded.

"No thanks," Usagi rubbed her eyes as her own henshin disappeared, "I should probably be getting home anyway or Mum will…" she stopped talking very suddenly, her brow furrowed in thought.

"What is it?" Makoto asked.

"My mum has no sisters," Usagi said after a moment.

"Yeah, and?"

"My cousin is staying over and mum said she was her sisters daughter. How can that be true if my mum had no sisters?"

"Sure it wasn't your dad's sister or something?" Minako asked.

"Positive," Usagi said, "In fact I'm pretty sure this is the first year she's ever stayed with us, although I've been told she's come every year without fail."

"Uh oh," Minako muttered, allowing her henshin to drop as she, Rei and Makoto tore after Usagi. Mamoru was about to follow when Ami called.

"Mamoru, Zoisite! He's waking up."

Usagi ran the whole way home, barrelled through the front door and up the stairs without even bothering to take her shoes off. She didn't register as Ikuko called out to her from the kitchen, nor did she notice the shouts of her friends as they kicked their shoes off and followed her up into Chibiusa's attic room. Minako made sure to shut and bolt the door behind them.

"What are you?" Usagi asked, looking at Chibiusa with stony eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean why have you come into my house pretending to be my cousin?"

"But I am your cousin," she blinked her eyes rapidly.

"Don't even try," Usagi hissed, "You're no more my cousin than I'm… than I'm something really unlikely?"

"Sailor Moon?" Minako suggested innocently.

"Don't be stupid," Chibiusa said suddenly, "Sailor Moon's a hero!"

"And what would you know about Sailor Moon?" Usagi scoffed.

"My dad tells me stories all the time," her eyes shone as she thought of him – clearly a man she looked up to a lot, "about how she saved Tokyo from Queen Metallia and Nehelenia and her cir-" she stopped.

"Nehe-what now?" Usagi asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I'm not supposed to mention that," Chibiusa muttered.

"And who told you not to?" Usagi asked, no longer merely suspicious but now knowing that something was clearly off.

"Plu," Chibiusa's eyes were wide, "Plu said I wasn't to tell."

"And who's Plu when she's at home?" Chibiusa was grasping at straws now it was clear; looking for some way to claw out of the hole she had dug herself into.

"Usagi," Minako said suddenly, pulling her friend and whispering in her ear, "What if she means Pluto?" Usagi stiffened.

"She can't," Usagi hissed, "The door doesn't even exist anymore and without the door there's no Pluto."

"The door wasn't really there anyway," Minako reminded her, "It was outside of reality. Chibiusa," she turned, "Can I have a look at your necklace please?" Chibiusa stood and backed up against the wall. "Look, the door's locked; you can't not show me it." Hesitantly Chibiusa pulled the chain free of her top, allowing them to look at the silver key but not to touch.

"Holy crap," Rei said, "You mean she's from the moon kingdom?"

"No," Chibiusa shook her head, "How do you know about the moon kingdom?"

"Because we lived it nitwit," Usagi snapped, "Now tell me who you are."

"I can't," Chibiusa sniffed, tears in her eyes, "Plu said if I told anyone I wouldn't be able to help mama and papa," and she burst into tears.

"Why do your parents need help?" Usagi said gently, kneeling down by Chibiusa so that she didn't tower over her.

"Because," she sniffed, "Because the silver crystal went missing." Usagi's heart jumped into her mouth. She felt sick, looking at the others.

"When are you from?" she asked hesitantly.

"The thirtieth century," Chibiusa sniffed, "The crystal went missing and there was an attack and mama," Usagi put an arm around Chibiusa's shoulders, "Mama couldn't defend herself properly.

"So does your mother have the crystal in the thirtieth century?" Usagi asked.

"She did."

"Do you know what happened to it?" she shook her head. That wasn't the key thing right that second. "Why are you here?"

"I came to find Sailor Moon," she sniffed, "Do you know her? If you lived in the moon kingdom you must have known her."

"Oh God," Usagi fell back, leaning her head against the bed, "What is it you want Sailor Moon to do exactly?"

"She has the silver crystal," Chibiusa said immediately, "She can help mama."

"The silver crystal isn't that powerful at the moment," Usagi sighed, "I'm not sure it's up to anything that huge," she bit her lip, looking at Minako.

"Chibiusa, how did your mother get the silver crystal?" Rei asked suddenly.

"I don't know," she said, "She just always had it."

"Who is your mum?"

"Neo Queen Serenity," Chibiusa said sullenly.

"Must be a descendant of Sailor Moon," Minako said, "Part of the serenity line."

"Well that makes you a Serenity too," Usagi said to Chibiusa after a moment, "Which means we're going to trust you."

"You are? Will you take me to Sailor Moon?"

"Well, yeah," Usagi nodded, "But we'll have to wait until after dinner or mum'll suspect something's up."

"But…"

"No buts," Usagi said flatly, "If we do this, we do it on my terms, agreed?" Chibiusa nodded, "You guys may as well stay for dinner as well," Usagi shrugged, "I'm sure she won't mind." She pushed herself to her feet and then helped Chibiusa to stand. As she turned her back, Chibiusa narrowed her eyes and gave her a well-placed shove.

"Hey!" Usagi exclaimed as she saved herself from falling, "What was that for?"

"You're not Usagi!" Chibiusa said, "Usagi would have fallen over!"

"Oh for Selene's sake," Usagi rolled her eyes, "What can I do to prove I'm Usagi to you?" Chibiusa hesitated.

"Where's the broach?" she said eventually, "The one you wear every day."

Usagi was a little startled that of all things Chibiusa should ask that – she herself hadn't thought of the broach in months. "This one?" she held it out. Chibiusa screwed up her eyes to examine it but evidently it passed whatever test she was giving. Chibiusa nodded and followed them downstairs. The meal was spent in an unusual silence, the girls wanting to talk about what they had just learnt and yet unable to with Usagi's family there. As soon as the meal was done they ran up to Usagi's room and locked the door.

"Luna," Usagi shouted, "Luna?" the cat yowled and arched her back in a very convincing attempt at being a normal cat. "It's ok Luna, you can talk."

"Usagi?"

"Luna?" Chibiusa ran forward and hugged the cat, "I never realised my Luna was your Luna."

"Your Luna?"

"She's my mum's cat," Chibiusa held the cat close, breathing in the oddly reassuring smell of cat.

"Someone explain?" asked the rather squished cat.

"On the way to Mamoru's," Rei said, "We need to talk and everyone's there."

"How are we going to get out without Ikuko-mama noticing?" Chibiusa asked.

"Simple," Usagi grinned, "Through the window."

"I'm not climbing out there!"

"No one's asking you to," Usagi's grin widened, "I'm going to carry you," she dropped her voice as she held her broach up high, whispering, "Moon crystal power, make up!"

"Mars star power, make up!"

"Venus star power, make up!" Usagi didn't give Chibiusa a chance to respond but scooped her into her arms and leapt from the window. It took them only ten minutes to reach Mamoru's. When they finally landed on the balcony to his apartment Rei hammered on the window until Zoisite appeared and let them in.

"Bring everyone into the living room," Usagi said, "We've got some stuff we really need to talk through."

"Everyone's already in one room," Zoisite said, "It would be easier if you just came through. And thank god you're here," he said turning to Rei, "Maybe you can talk some sense into the man."

"What do you mean?" Rei asked, instantly on guard.

"You'll see," Zoisite shrugged, leading them into Mamoru's bedroom. They found, to their surprise, that Mamoru was kneeling beside the bed as Endymion while Ami was by the door.

"Thank goodness," Ami sighed, "We were hoping the Silver Crystal might be able to draw him out of the visions, especially if Rei helped again."

"Worth a shot," Rei said, shrugging.

"I love you."

The palace was in flames, the walls crumbling and burning. Stone cracked beneath the talons of youma as they swarmed the nobles of the Alliance, and golden sparks fell from the sky, burning everything they touched. Jadeite screamed, the pain in his chest doubling as Venus' last, greatest attack fell upon them.

He felt the power leech out of his heart, and for a moment his mind became clear and he saw the battlefield before him. He saw Bellona's eyes, cold and devoid of the spark that had drawn him to her, the moth to her flame.

Some infinitesimally small part of his mind new that he was dying, but a far greater part of his being was focused on the body before him. On the way her hair was splayed across the ground. How her uniform had dissolved into red ribbons, and how blood had spattered the ground between them, her stomach… his hands.

He screamed. He coughed and he screamed and it hurt and this was good, this was what he deserved. This was less than he deserved, because no repentance, no effort on his part could ever take away the stains upon his hands, a stain that had surely made a mark upon his soul.

When he had too little strength to scream, he cried instead. Bellona was dead, and nearby the bodies of Minerva, Amalthea and Areia lay also. His allies had fallen with him, and behind them lay the Prince and Princess. They lay silently together, a horrifying tableau. He had failed in his mission. Endymion was dead, Serenity was dead, the senshi… Bellona.

And it was his fault. All of it, his fault.

When he blinked, the death that surrounded him faded away. Silver light enveloped him and when he could see again he was lying in an unfamiliar bed, surrounded by half familiar people. The girl before him, searching his face with clear blue eyes was near the spit of Serenity. She was biting her lip and sighed with relief when their eyes met.

"Rei, do you want to talk to him."

"Not particularly," a voice muttered. Every inch of Jadeite's body tensed at the words, or rather at the voice which spoke them. He looked up and saw her eyes burning with recrimination, with mixed hatred and fear.

"Bellona," he whispered.

"Rei," she snapped. "My name is Rei. Bellona is dead. You killed her."

He lowered his eyes. "Yes… I did." There was an awkward silence.

"Oh for God's sake, stop feeling so sorry for yourself," Rei snorted. "Do you not remember anything that happened over the past few weeks?"

"I can remember nothing since the fall of the palace," Jadeite said cautiously.

"Well a lot has changed since then," someone laughed.

"Princess Areia?" he asked, startled.

"Minako," she corrected him. "That's Usagi, that's Ami, that's Makoto, you know Zoisite and that's…"

"Endymion," he breathed.

"I was going to go with Mamoru, but I guess whatever," Minako sighed.

"Prince Endymion," he said, trying to push himself off the bed only to find Serenity's… Usagi's hands pushing him back down."

"Sit," she instructed firmly.

"Endymion, I failed you," he said, his voice cracked. "I died and allowed myself to be corrupted. We all failed you."

"No Jadeite," Mamoru said firmly. "You did not fail me. You were not the only ones to be ensnared by Metallia's power."

"I feel I have missed a lot," Jadeite said after a moment.

"Something like that," Mamoru laughed. "You should rest before you try to catch up though. Please, recuperate your strength."

Only Rei did not leave. It looked for a moment as though Minako would draw her out of the room with them, but she changed her mind at the last moment.

"Bellona," Jadeite whispered, his deep grey eyes shining as he leant forward, "You're… but… how?"

"Queen Serenity," she said grimly, "She sent us all forward, gave us a second chance. This is Earth – Earth in the 21st century." She could see that her words had winded Jadeite. In fact, he looked as though he were about to be sick.

"Bellona-"

"Rei," she snapped, "I told you, it's Rei now.."

"Sorry," he said, "Rei," the name sounded odd in his voice, Rei realised. "I didn't mean," he stopped, licked his lips and tried again, "That wasn't me."

"Do you know how it felt? Rei said suddenly.

"I have never been stabbed," Jadeite conceded.

"Not that," Rei said, "Have you ever had to grieve for a loved one? Ever had to watch as they betrayed you and killed all those you held dear?"

"I watched," Jadeite said quietly, "I watched as I put my sword through you. I watched as the light left your eyes and heard your last words. You told me you loved me."

"I was dying. It seemed like a good idea at the time. I hated you when I was reborn and I hate you now."

"I will not deny that it is within your right to feel this way," he said sadly. "I felt your warmth calling to me; I thought perhaps it was you waiting for me across the midnight gate, that I could tell you how sorry I was."

"Saying sorry doesn't change the past."

" I loved you from the very moment I set eyes upon you. That never changed. Were you to die in this life I know I would feel as you did then, so I will make it my mission to protect you from harm in every sense even if you will not love me." Rei turned away, looking out of the window.

"I cannot love you again, Jadeite. I won't go there, for both my sake and yours. I have a duty, you have a duty. I need you to make me a promise."

"Anything."

"Protect your own life and your mission before you concentrate upon me," tears shone in her eyes as she looked back at him, "Please?" Jadeite smiled and nodded.

"Right, we've told everyone about Chibiusa," Usagi said, nodding her head at the little girl now clinging to Mamoru, "And we've come up with a plan," Usagi paused, "We've decided to send half the group to the future."

"Why only half?"

"We do have our own problem to worry about at this end," Usagi smiled a little, "That being the reason why you woke my memories and all."

"Right – so who's going?"

"I am – don't argue we've been there – along with Mamoru, Minako and Ami, leaving you behind with Makoto, Zoisite and – if he's able to fight when we're ready to leave – Jadeite which won't be until tomorrow given the time." Rei paused for a moment and then nodded.

"Seems like the most sensible thing to do," she agreed reluctantly.

"We'll be off then," Usagi stood, "Before mama starts to wonder where Chibiusa's got to." She took Chibiusa by the hand as she left the apartment with the other senshi. Zoisite was living with Mamoru until they sorted out an identity for him so he stayed behind. As usual they took a shortcut through the park, laughing at a joke Minako told as they passed the lake.

"Hey," Usagi said, her eyes narrowed as she looked out across the calm expanse of water, "Can you guys see anything across there?" Ami, after checking that there was no one nearby, allowed her visor to slide across her eyes as she scanned the opposite bank.

"There's a strange energy reading," she said, "coming from within the trees."

"Henshin," Usagi said, "quick." They transformed as instructed and began to run around the lake. Before she followed, Usagi turned to Chibiusa, "go home," she whispered, "as quick as you can – I'll meet you there." And without any further explanation, she followed her friends. Chibiusa glanced down the path home and scowled – she wasn't a baby! This could be her only chance to see Sailor Moon in action and she knew she wasn't going to miss it for anything. She broke into a run after the distant form of Sailor Moon, ducking behind bushes to avoid being spotted. Soon enough she could see what it was that had caused Sailor Moon to be suspicious. A group of four women, dressed oddly even by the standards of this backwards period, were squabbling amongst themselves. There seemed nothing untoward about them to Chibiusa, but she could see Moon and Mercury talking not far away.

"They're definitely the source of the energy," Ami said quietly, "but I can't see why."

"Perhaps something's draining them," Usagi suggested.

"The reading's coming from them," Ami shook her head, "not around them."

"I know that voice," Minako said suddenly, her eyes narrowing as she looked at one of the women. "It was her!" she said suddenly, "she was the one who was asking after the rabbit!"

"Rabbit?"

"In the restaurant, there was a voice telling us to hand over the rabbit."

"Rabbit!" Usagi was outraged, "I'll show them rabbit," she stormed forward. "Heard you were looking for a rabbit," she shouted. They stopped squabbling instantly, turning to her with their eyes narrowed.

"Does this mean you've decided to hand her over?" the one Minako had pointed out spoke.

"Does it hell," Minako ground out, running to join Usagi, the others following not far behind.

"Ooh Koan there are a lot of them," one of the women, dressed in blue, said.

"We're powerful enough to beat them Berthier," the one dressed in golden armour smirked, "they have nothing when compared with the power of the dark crystal. Dark beaut!" she shouted, sending a whip like chain of energy straight at Sailor Venus who leapt to the side.

"Time to take this upgrade for a ride," she quipped, before shouting, "crescent beam shower!"

"Leave Calveras to it Petz," Koan said, putting a hand upon the woman who appeared to be the eldest, "she can handle that brat."

"Then that makes you mine," Rei said, her eyes gleaming, "fire soul bird!" a great phoenix of flame engulfed her, carrying her forward as it swept Koan up with them, the two of them engaging in a great fiery combat.

"We shouldn't split up!" Petz shouted, but no one seemed to be listening. Makoto rammed straight into her, bringing her crashing down to the ground away from Berthier, who now looked torn between helping her sisters and attacking Usagi and Ami.

"Go on Ami," Usagi smiled encouragingly, "I'll catch up."

Ami smiled, nodded and ran, leaving Usagi alone. "Chibiusa," Usagi called, "I know you're there." The pink haired girl peeked out from behind a nearby bush, at least having the decency to look sheepish. "Stay quiet," Usagi advised, "I'll make sure no one comes near while the others are fighting."

"Sailor Moon," Chibiusa asked fearfully, "Will the senshi beat them?"

"Of course they will," Usagi said, "Now stay here. I've got to help them."

"You call this thunder?" Petz shouted, laughing as Makoto's power merely buzzed across her skin, "I'll show you thunder, "Dark thunder!" Makoto screamed, thrown back by the immense blast of power, her hair standing on end. She could hear Venus fighting not too far away and was conscious that she needed to keep Petz alone.

"Supreme thunder dragon!" she shouted again, but still Petz only laughed, brushing the attack off as though it was nothing more than a slight irritation.

"Is this all the legendary sailor senshi have to them?" she taunted, "a few magic tricks? It's a wonder Crystal Tokyo was ever built." Again she sent her thunder at Makoto and again she was bowled over. She could only hope that the others were faring better than she was.

"Dark fire!" Koan shouted as she landed, watching as her attack crushed Sailor Mars with ease. Rei, wincing with pain struggled to stand, her skin burnt, her fuku barely allowing her any modesty so little of it was left. She tried to muster some energy, but there was none left; she had been beaten.

Minako knew that she would have to use it soon – the attack that had cost her so dearly at D point. The choice between her life and that of the princess was looming fast and Minako knew which one she would take. Still she fought on, trying desperately to find a chink in Calveras' defence. Again and again the dark whip would fly towards her and she would leap out of the way, but she could only keep dancing for so long.

Ami shivered in the cold of her own bubbles, scanning her surroundings for any sign of the, hopefully, blinded Berthier. She found her when an attack hit her squarely in the back, sending her flying face first to the ground. She whimpered a little at the pain that shot up her back as she jarred her spine, but she rolled over quickly, knowing that she had to stay on her toes. She turned just in time to see Berthier call upon her power, "dark water!" a blast of water slammed into Ami, buffeting her into a nearby tree. She opened her mouth to scream, but only water entered her mouth, entering her lungs as she tried desperately to find the air to fight back. She felt her strength leaving her as she fell into unconsciousness, her final thought a silent plea to Selene.

Please, Goddess of the Moon, don't let us end like this.

Cliff hanger of doooom for Mercury there :P