Sailor Pluto said. "Diana told me to expect you. Otherwise, you would have been eliminated for breaking a taboo." She pointed her Garnet Rod at the door. "Through that door is the 30th century. Please hurry and save Sailor Moon." They quickly went through the door and despite being told how things were, they were still in shock at the condition of the planet.

Tuxedo Kamen looked around at the bleak landscape. In the distance, the Crystal Palace could be seen. If he had stayed with Usagi, they wouldn't be here right now. She wouldn't have gone with Prince Diamond. If he had gone to her on the first night at the resort, he would have caught Prince Diamond talking to her. He could have stopped this. He looked over to Sailor Venus and knew she was still mad at him. She had to reveal the Princess' identity and has yet to find out his.

Everyone had transformed and was ready to go. Tuxedo Kamen said. "Sailor Venus, when we get there, they're going to find out. Diana said the Queen is encased in crystal. They'll know when we enter the palace and see her."

She sighed. "It is not my place to tell."

He said. "Once we're there, the Black Moon Clan will most likely immediately attack. They have Sailor Moon and are probably expecting us. We don't need to risk them using this information to distract us."

Nodding, she faced the others. "I am the Princess decoy. I am not Princess Serenity. I have been pretending to be her to keep the real Princess out of danger." Pausing to let the information sink in, she then said. "While it is not my place to reveal her identity, Tuxedo Kamen is right. We don't need anyone distracted once we're there. The real Princess is Sailor Moon." She looked at Tuxedo Kamen as she gestured to the group.

He asked. "What?"

She said. "Well, aren't you going to reveal your identity?"

He shook his head. "No. There are some things I want to discuss with her before I do."

Sailor Jupiter said. "If we know who you are, then we can help you get alone time with her."

He sighed. He had told them everything will be discussed further once Sailor Moon was rescued, but she was right. It would be easier if they knew who he was and could help with alibis. Glancing at Chibiusa, he wondered what else she was hiding. Sailor Venus wasn't happy they didn't discover the Black Moon Clan while checking on Usagi over the weekend. Based on what the child had said, they probably contacted her while her family was busy fleeing. Diana said Prince Diamond had asked Usagi what her answer was. He must have told a story, asked her a question, and then told her to think about it. Tuxedo Kamen had a good idea of why she willingly went with him. Prince Diamond had lied to her and probably could tell she didn't like Chibiusa, so he used that to his advantage.

They gasped and looked around in shock as a wall rose before them then surrounded them. "Welcome." They looked up to see two men in the air. "I'm Achiral".

"I'm Chiral." He smirked. "It's an honor to meet you."

Usagi was relieved when Prince Diamond got off the bed. When the doors closed behind him, she sat up. The adrenaline rush was giving her energy and she needed to take advantage of it to find a hiding place. She tried transforming, but it didn't work. She tried using her power to disguise herself, but that didn't work either. Usagi hoped there was a closet with clothes in it. This dress didn't make her blend in. It made her stand out. The dress practically shined against the purple black of the room and from what she could see out the window, the whole planet too. There was no way she could run in it. Kicking off the heels, she grabbed one and used the heel to tear a hole in the dress. Ripping the fabric, she made the dress knee-length.

Grabbing the torn fabric and the heels, she got off the bed and went to the window. She knew she didn't have the energy to find another room to hide in and she would be foolish to think she could escape back to the 20th century. What she could do, was make them think she had. Holding the fabric up with one hand for a shield, she used the other to smash the window with the heel. It cracked and she loosely wrapped the fabric around her arm before using her elbow to smash it. Usagi blinked as a wave of dizziness threatened to knock her down. Breathing deeply, she tossed the fabric and heels out the window. No longer having the energy to stand, she fell to her knees and crawled to the bed as fast as she could. Breaking the window had set off an alarm and she assumed she had seconds before someone entered the room. The bed seemed so far away, but she reached it and slid under it. She quickly pulled her hair to her so it didn't stick out from under the bed. Usagi tensed as Prince Diamond appeared in the room. "Serenity!" He rushed to the window. "Damn it!" Her vision began to blur, but she didn't fight it. She let herself fall unconscious. For now, her plan worked and she was safe.

Sailor Mars glared as none of their attacks worked. Most of the attacks didn't even activate. She was the only one who hadn't tried anything. Would her fire work or would she incinerate everyone? She looked at Tuxedo Kamen, glad he was near her and whispered. "Throw your roses up the sides and at the top, but leave this area we're in empty." He was confused but nodded. Then she shouted. "Everyone, attack at once!" She had to move quickly.

Burning.

Tuxedo Kamen was throwing roses everywhere but at the brothers. Achiral laughed. "The roses are quite beautiful, but your aim is terrible." They looked at the roses forming a ring at the top and roses were all over the walls. Everyone was suddenly encased in a magnetic field of Chirality Center. The brothers laughed and Achiral said. "Nice try."

Sailor Mars would have smirked if she could have. Her hands were already in the final position.

Mandala

The fireballs formed outside of the magnetic field. She wasn't sure how the magnetic field would react to the fire, but she knew how the roses would react. The fireballs shot out, igniting the roses. Achiral and Chiral screamed as the tower became a pillar of fire. As the brothers burned, the magnetic field disappeared along with the walls surrounding them. They ran away from the fire and once at a safe distance, Sailor Jupiter asked. "Is everyone okay?"

Everyone nodded and their attention was turned to the sky when they heard a sinister laugh. "I should be stopping you from going to the palace, but I want you to see what's lying in wait for you there." Her eyes sparkled. "Oh, how I wish I could be there to see your faces!"

Chibiusa screamed. "What did you do to my mama!"

Esmerald covered part of her face with her fan, giggling. "Ooops. Let a secret slip did you?" Waving the fan, she said, "Bye-bye" and disappeared.

Everyone faced Chibiusa. Sailor Venus spoke sternly. "She's. Your. What?" Holding up her hand, she said. "I want a full explanation once we're inside the palace." Chibiusa nodded and led the way as they ran to the palace.

Usagi stood on the street with Mamoru outside of the Crown Arcade. She giggled as he turned to her. Holding out his hand, he asked. "Will you stay with me? Be mine, Usako." Nodding, she reached for his hand, happy she was going to be his. As soon as she took it, he began aging rapidly, turning to dust and disappearing.

"Stay away from him"

Usagi's eyes snapped open. Why was she having such dreams? Why did the voice sound like hers? Blinking back the tears, it took a moment to remember where she was. Looking around the best she could, she tensed as she saw Rubeus and Saphir talking in the hallway just outside the open door. They weren't keeping their voices low so it was easy for her to hear them. Esmerald had sent someone to attack the senshi but when she went to watch the senshi die, the brothers and their work of art had become a pillar of fire. Usagi knew it had to be Sailor Mars' doing. Now it was clear, Prince Diamond's story of Esmerald being a rogue member was a lie. He just wanted her gone. She continued listening, hoping to find out something useful. They began walking away from the door and she listened for their voices to fade completely. Then she would leave the room and go in the opposite direction they had gone.

However, she was so focused on her task, she never noticed the feet softly landing behind her, nor did she notice her hair moving slightly. She screamed when someone yanked on her hair, roughly pulling her out from under the bed. Reaching for her hair, she tried pulling on it, but the person had a tight grip. Once she was out, the person let go of her hair. Looking up as she rubbed her scalp in hopes of reducing the pain, she saw a woman wearing a green dress and holding a fan glaring at her. "Who are you?"

The woman said. "Esmerald" Sneering, she said. "You think you can seduce my Prince and convince him I'm the enemy? You think you can convince him I should be killed?"

Usagi shook her head, but Prince Diamond had entered the room at some point. He was seething. "Esmerald! How dare you treat her that way!" Esmerald opened her mouth to respond, but he said. "Leave. Your plan failed and the senshi are almost to the crystal palace. Now you dare hurt her? Get out of my sight before I make you." Esmerald disappeared, but not before giving her a deadly glare.

Prince Diamond looked at her with anger burning in his eyes, but there was something else burning in them as he looked her over, taking in her appearance. His eyes focused on her legs and she wished she could cover herself. She wasn't indecent, but he made her feel like she was. If only she hadn't let her anger get the best of her, then maybe she wouldn't be in this situation. He reached out his hand and helped her up. His voice was softer when he spoke. "Are you okay?"

She nodded as she sat on the bed. He stood to the side, giving her a clear view of the window she broke. While she was unconscious, they had repaired it. Sighing, she asked. "Why am I here?"

He said. "I told you."

Usagi shook her head. "Esmerald isn't really a rogue. Were you hoping I'd do your dirty work?"

He knelt before her. "You must think I'm a monster, but I didn't know how else to deal with her without being suspicious. She only cares about becoming my queen and doesn't care if she puts others at risk."

She said. "You could have told me at the cabin."

He nodded. "I should have, but we're here now."

She shook her head. "No, I don't want to be here anymore."

Prince Diamond said. "Do you really want to go home that badly?" Usagi was confused and he said. "We didn't go to the 20th century after that child. We were already there. Our plan was to get you and change history-" He abruptly stopped talking. It was as if he had let something slip or was about to say something he shouldn't.

Usagi clenched her fists, wrinkling the fabric of the dress, her voice barely audible. "What?"

He said. "Do you really want to go back there? I've seen how your parents treat you. You might convince yourself you have security. You know the routine, you know the arguments, and you know what to prepare yourself for. At what cost though? Your favorite food? Your favorite hobbies? Your friends… or will it cost you your sanity?" Prince Diamond sighed as he stood. "Get some rest and I'll make sure Esmerald doesn't bother you. I'll send Rubeus later to check on you… and if you still want to leave, I'll have him escort you to your fellow senshi." She wasn't expecting him to make that offer. He said. "There is one more thing." He leaned over and whispered in her ear. He stepped back and waited for her to speak.

Nodding, she said. "Okay, I'll rest before Rubeus takes me back." She saw his jaw tense. Usagi knew if he really was after her to change history, he wouldn't leave it at her going back home. He'd be back for her. He smiled, nodded, and left saying he'd send Rubeus in about an hour. Usagi laid on the bed wondering how much he knew about her family. Exactly when did he get to the 20th century and how long had he been watching her?