Chapter 21 Time Gate

Mamoru tucked Chibiusa into his bed. "You are one brave little girl, Chibiusa, you know that?"

She looked at him. "Why?"

He sat on the bed next to her. "Because you came from the future all by yourself."

"Well, technically…I had Luna-P." She held up her ball next to her.

Mamoru chuckled. "Of course." He patted her on the head. "You also want to save your mother…"

Chibiusa nodded. "She's a very special lady." A tear glistened in her eye, but she quickly wiped it away.

"She must be, for you to come all this way…" He smiled in admiration. Whoever her mother is, she has to be pretty important, especially for Chibiusa to inherit the Crystal, he thought. Mamoru was curious who she exactly was, but decided not to pry anymore, for the pink-haired little girl in front of him seemed emotional enough. He moved the sheets up closer to Chibiusa to make sure she was tucked in tight. "Good night, Chibiusa."

"Good night, Mamoru." She turned over and snuggled into the sheets.

…

Minako lay in bed while Artemis sniffed around her room. "I feel like I've been here before…" he remarked, looking around the area.

"Maybe you're the cause of all this white fur. But when did you stay here?" Minako asked.

Artemis kept sniffing. "It is me. I don't remember being here, though…maybe a few senshi meetings?"

"I guess. But then why do I have kitty bowls?"

"Usagi threw me out, perhaps?" Artemis walked around in a circle. "But that doesn't make sense…we're so close, she would never do that…"

Minako raised her head to look at him. For some reason, hearing him say that he was close to Usagi bothered her. "Oh really? How close are you two?" she asked.

"Pretty close. I am her guardian and her confidante. We talk about many things."

"Such as?"

Artemis stared at her. "Why so curious?"

Minako looked away innocently. "I…I don't know. Just wish I had someone like you is all…"

"Well, you can talk to me anytime. I can keep secrets," offered Artemis.

"Really? Because I have a whole list of things…" Minako grinned.

Artemis rolled his eyes. "If it's about boys, I think Usagi has pretty much worn me out on that subject."

"Aw, really? Who does she like?"

Artemis cleared his throat. "Now, now, that's her business. Come on, it's getting late."

"It's Mamoru, isn't it? That is why Rei is made at her?" Minako asked curiously.

Artemis frowned. "Sometimes you girls are a little too smart."

The blond girl said, "Eh. It's drama. We're pretty good at that sort of thing."

"What do you think of the situation, then?"

"Well, it sucks for everyone involved. I'm hoping it will all pan out in the end. Though honestly, I think Mamoru was happier with Usagi."

"But—"

Minako held up her hand. "I know, I know, he's a prince and should be with his princess. But things change. The future is an unknown."

"How right you are." Artemis yawned. "Come on, it's late, let's go to sleep."

"Hop up here," Minako motioned for the cat to lay next to her.

"Thanks." Artemis jumped on the bed and curled up into a ball. "Ah, so comfy…" He purred himself to sleep.

Minako eventually fell asleep. For the past few weeks, she had felt like her bed had been empty. It was strange how that little feline finally made her feel complete. I'll have to ask Usagi if he can stay over more often…she thought. Usagi…where are you?

…

The senshi, Chibiusa, and Tuxedo Mask met in the corner of the park where the paths were less traveled. It would give them a chance for privacy while Chibiusa took them to the future, the cats figured.

"Are you ready, Chibiusa?" Luna asked.

"Uh-huh." Chibiusa nodded. She held up her key around her neck. "Chronos, Guardian of Time! Please—"

"—Don't let these people go anywhere!" interrupted a male voice.

"Who are you?" demanded Sailor Moon/Rei.

The man laughed. "So curious you always are…always asking who we are. Surely you know by now that I am the one who will triumph in this battle!" With a flash, a man with red hair appeared in front of them.

"Rubeus!" identified Sailor Moon.

"Ah, so you remember me? I'm so charmed…even without your fearless leader you are still strong."

"What are you talking about?" asked Rei. "I am the leader."

Rubeus stared at her. "Seriously? Perhaps we went further in the past than we intended…" He laughed. "Ah, well, I guess you'll never know…because you are going to die!" He raised his hands, cackling madly with laughter. Fire blasted from his hands and shot towards the senshi.

While the girls winced for the unavoidable attack, Tuxedo Mask stepped in front of him. Use your power, a voice inside of him whispered. Will it to your hands! All of your power, now! Without question, he raised his arms and called out, "Tuxedo the Smoking Bomber!" A flash of smoke and light erupted from his hands, countering Rubeus's attack. The attacks crashed into each other.

"Wow, you did that?" asked Sailor Moon in awe. "How?"

He answered, "I'm not sure." He stared at his hands, which were still smoking.

"How did you fight my power?" demanded Rubeus angrily.

"It doesn't matter," said Sailor Moon. "Because now I can finish you off! Moon Princess Halation!" she shouted, holding her scepter out.

"What? No!" With a flash of cosmic light, Rubeus turned into ashes. A black crystal was all that was left of him.

"How strange…" remarked Artemis, observing the crystal."This must be the source of their power."

Luna warned, "Don't get too close to it. I feel an evil energy surrounding it."

"We need to get to the future now. The sooner the better," said Sailor Mars.

"Yes. Chibiusa, try again," ordered Sailor Moon.

"Chronos, Guardian of Time! Let the door of Time split the heavens and open to me…open to us. Guide us, protect us, take us to the 30th century! Please…take me home!" With a flash of light, a wide black hole opened in the sky above them, and all of the senshi, Chibiusa, and Tuxedo Mask were flown upwards towards it.

They appeared in a purely empty space. Nothing appeared around them but whiteness. "What is this place?" Sailor Jupiter asked Chibiusa.

Luna gasped. "I remember this place…I thought it was only a dream…Queen Serenity…she told me to forget…the legend…the lone senshi…"

"What are you talking about?" Artemis inquired.

"Look!" exclaimed Sailor Moon. "There's a door!"

"That's the way to where we want to go," stated Chibiusa.

The others walked their way towards it, but were interrupted by a loud "Stop!" Turning around, they faced another senshi. Her hair was deep green and she wore a dark fuku that was similar to the other senshi's. Her garnet earring shone in the white place, and in her hand she held a large silver staff with a garnet orb on the top. "I may not let you pass."

Luna gasped. "Sailor Pluto…"

"Pluto?" asked Sailor Moon.

"That is who I am. I am the Guardian of this Time Gate, and it is forbidden for anyone to pass through here, even you, senshi," said Pluto coldly.

Sailor Jupiter/Minako argued, "But we have to get through here! We need to—"

"There is nothing important enough for you to break the taboo of time traveling! I'm sorry, but it is my duty…to kill you all."