For the One I Love

Chapter Sixteen

"Mysteries of Time"

Carefully, Rei and Minako led Usagi down the staircase from her bedroom, across the hallway and into the living room. The room was crowded with people; some sitting, others standing, or leaning against the wall. It was silent, and the pizza sat on the dining room table getting cold.

A young woman Usagi had never seen before sat in the middle of everything. Upon seeing Usagi, she rose from the chair where she'd been sitting and bowed. She had brown eyes and her matching brown hair touched the center of her back, curling slightly outward at the tips. She wore a frilled baby blue shirt, white belt with white shorts and black knee-socks.

"Tsukino-san." She smiled. "You probably don't remember me, we only met a few times and it's been a while, but, it's nice to see you again."

"Hitomi, right?" Usagi asked. Rei and Minako stood by as Usagi hesitantly bowed, then sat down on the couch across from where Hitomi stood. Hitomi took the initiative and sat back down.

"You do remember, that makes me happy." She said. "I'm sorry." She added, frowning slightly. "I didn't know you were getting over being sick, but I wouldn't have asked for your time if it wasn't important. I'm happy to see you have so many friends to help you though."

"Er, it's alright." The truth was Usagi didn't really remember the girl at all, she was just repeating what Makoto had said. "You said… you have a message from Seiya?"

"Yes. Actually…" The girl frowned a little with her eyes but retained her smile, a soft pink appearing on her cheeks. "It's silly I guess, but I made a promise to him when he quit his job at the clothing store, a promise I would read the letter he left me and do what it had asked."

"Clothing store?" Minako questioned.

"That's how I knew Seiya. We were co-workers. The letter-" She continued. "It asked me to deliver a message to Usagi the day after he quit, three years in the future."

"And that's today?" Usagi asked slightly stunned.

"I have a quick question." Haruka interrupted. "You say you knew Seiya three years ago? And I'm assuming you met Usagi through him?" Hitomi nodded. "You must have only known him for a short period, so what exactly prompted you to honor such a thing? Following the instructions of a letter that had you wait over three years by someone you barely knew?"

"Oh! Ah-" The soft pink on her cheeks turned to a deep red. "It was my promise, as a goodbye gift. Not just for him, but for me too. I figured if I honored it, I- I could say goodbye myself- I uh- I loved Seiya." She looked up at Usagi. "The night you turned him down and left, he wrote the letter and left too, even after I confessed myself- all he thought of was you."

"I left him?" Hitomi looked at Usagi curiously. "Oh, right I remember." She lied. "Sorry, it seems like… a long time ago."

"I understand." Hitomi fiddled with her purse, opening the clutch and pulling out a small piece of paper. "Here, this came with the letter he left me; it's the message for you." Usagi reached out and took the small paper from Hitomi. She turned it over in her hands and her heart gave a small thud when she saw the word, "Dumpling" written on the front in Seiya's handwriting.

Usagi unfurled the paper and read aloud, "I've failed here, but I know why. To prove to you things can change, I'll go to a true time where I can win. Seiya." Usagi put the letter down in her lap and looked up, frightened. She looked around at the faces of her friends, who wore the same expression.

"What-"

"He never told me anything, I don't know what it means or the story behind it." Hitomi answered before Minako could finish asking. "I just promised to deliver that, and I have, so-" Hitomi grabbed her purse and stood up. Before reaching the door, Hitomi turned and looked back to Usagi. "Tsukino-san, a quick question of my own? Do you still keep in touch with Seiya? Did uh, did it ever work out between you two?"

"We're -"

"Friends." Haruka finished for Usagi.

"Friends." Usagi mimicked her. "He uh, lives out of country so, it's hard to stay in contact."

"I'm glad you two stayed friends at least." Hitomi smiled. "I've never seen two people so close to each other like I did you two, even if you didn't love him the way he loved you. It made me quite jealous back then." Usagi's heart gave another thud. "Whatever happens, or doesn't, I hope you and Seiya find happiness." Hitomi held out her hand and shook Usagi's. "It was really was nice seeing you again. Tell Seiya I've kept my promise okay?" Hitomi broke hands with Usagi, and bowed to everyone else before heading to the door, Makoto as her guide out.

"Hitomi?" Usagi swiveled around in her chair and called.

"Yes?" She asked, peering from the corner.

"Are you happy?"

"Oh yes!" Hitomi raised her left hand, glowing. Reflecting off her finger was a small silver ring. "I'm actually on my way to look at dresses. Goodbye Tsukino-san."

"Goodbye…" Something inside of Usagi felt heavy. She couldn't quite place the feeling, so she just clutched the letter more firmly in her hands. The room remained silent except for the quiet shuffling of putting on shoes around the corner, and the opening and closing of Usagi's front door. When Makoto re-appeared around the corner alone, all hell broke loose.

"That letter!"

"Is it true?!"

"He failed there, meaning-"

"He's going to time travel again?"

"That idiot!"

"But where too?!"

"Hey!" Luna bellowed over the noise. "Just wait a minute! Everyone calm down!" When the room had settled down some the cat spoke again. "Let's go over what we know and assume later, alright?"

"Luna's right." Ami agreed. "Based on what was written I believe it's safe to say he's planning to time jump again, it's just a matter of figuring out where so we can stop him."

"Hitomi said Usagi's past self-turned him down, that has to be what he meant when he said he failed." Rei added.

"But what does he mean when he says he knows why?" Makoto leaned against the wall frame, crossing her arms. "And that he'll go to a true time he can win?"

"Mmm... when he stole the time key, he asked it to take him to a time where Usagi-chan and Mamoru-san weren't together." Ami contemplated. "It took him to a time where they weren't, except…"

"Except they were." Michiru tucked her hair back. "They may have been broken apart at the moment, but they'd already met and fallen in love."

"But if that's it, where else would he possibly go?" Minako bit her thumbnail. "A true time where I can win." She quoted the letter. "Before Usagi and Mamoru even ever met."

"Usagi met Mamoru as Tuxedo Kamen the very day she became Sailor Moon." Luna pointed out. "He'd have to time jump sometime before Beryl even appeared on Earth."

"This is doing nothing to narrow it down." Haruka said bitterly. "We have no choice but to let him jump and try to track his location a second time. Setsuna-"

Usagi closed her eyes, trying to block the conversations around her and think. She let the letter's words swirl around in her mind. "I'll go to a true time where I can win." She thought in his voice. A time before she had ever truly met Mamoru… "…a true time…" The words swirled into an image in her mind, an image of swirling cherry blossoms… She remembered, the day she had stopped to watch the cherry blossoms. Seiya asking to talk, and his confession. His kiss. She remembered the ache in her heart, and the hurt on his face. And words. She remembered her words…

"You know our past Seiya! You know who I am, how I met Mamoru as Endymion of Earth from over a thousand years ago. We were reborn here together, to find each other, to fall in love all over again! To start a new future together! You don't call that destiny?"

And his…

"What if it's not?!" Seiya retorted. "And what if- what if we had met earlier then? Before you ever met with Mamoru again, would things be different then?'

Usagi gasped.

"Usagi?

"What is it?" Everyone looked over at her.

"…Millennium…" Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"What?"

"The Silver Millennium." She said louder. "That's where he's going."

A stunned silence suffocated the entire room, as if time itself had frozen. Yet birds continued to chirp from outside, a world that somehow seemed so out of reach at the moment.

"How-" Minako began to question, but stopped, startled at Haruka's reaction.

"No-" Haruka shook her head in disbelief, complete terror washing over her. "He can't-"

"Please, believe me." Usagi pleaded. "I know he is."

The hem of Michiru's dress kicked upward as she abruptly began to stride forward, her feet brushing against the soft carpet before coming to a halt before Setsuna.

"Haruka and I know how bad this is." She glanced back at her partner who stared back at them, lost for words. "But I can see by looking at you, that we don't even know half of it. So, tell us."

Setsuna peered up at her friend and comrade, her own horror never leaving her eyes. Michiru stared back, afraid but unwavering. Lowering her gaze into a low glare, Setsuna recoiled. "If Seiya interferes in The Silver Millennium… it could mean the destruction of the universe itself."

"WHAT?!"

"You can't be serious!" Yaten exclaimed crossly, rising from his lean against the couch. "How can going to one time period possibly do that? Alter reality yes, possibly destroy Earth maybe, but actually destroy the entire universe?"

"You seem to say 'Earth' lightly in that equation!" Haruka rounded on him. Yaten just glared at her detestingly.

"It's not just any time period." Setsuna said harshly. "There are certain points, certain fixed events in time that must always happen. They're rare, but they exist. Some call them destiny, but they're far more complicated than that. In the manner of time travel, they're referred to as the Forbidden Era's."

"Forbidden Era's?"

"Yes. Traveling to one is impossible without one of my time keys. Even then, without permission which was never granted for any reason whatsoever, going there was punishable by death."

"So?" Taiki asked. "Why is that era so forbidden? How could Seiya possibly destroy the universe by going there?"

"No one knows exactly how old the Silver Millennium is, but royal scholars were led to believe it was the first-born system from the Cauldron…. some myths even claim older than the Cauldron itself-"

"That's impossible." Taiki accused shortly. "Nothing is older than the Galaxy Cauldron."

"They're merely myths. The point is something vital happened in that era that shaped the future of our entire universe. It's destruction. The Silver Millennium was always destined to fall, and if Seiya changes that-"

"But why?" Minako angrily interrupted Setsuna. "Why did it have to? Was there really no possibility of us living in peace with our queen, our princess, our people? Of saving our world? That fate was too cruel! Why not change it?"

"Minako…" Artemis looked at her sadly and rubbed his head against her leg. Setsuna shared in her sympathy, but it was Hotaru that spoke.

"With death comes rebirth." She said. "You're forgetting what was born from the ashes of our kingdom. Something born from the strength her mother left behind, in a wish for a new life. Something vital to the existence of this world." They followed her pointed finger to Usagi.

"…Sailor Moon?" Minako said slowly.

Hotaru nodded. "Born first princess of the Silver Millennium, from the Cauldron itself into her mother's womb. Possessor of the strongest Sailor Crystal in existence, yet unable to transform. The Silver Crystal was always Princess Serenity's heart, her soul… the Queen would never have been able to fully defeat Metalia, filled with sadness in her heart or not. It was Serenity's final act of suicide, that arose so much emotion in the Queen she was able to send us all into a new future, thus allowing Sailor Moon to be born. As both a princess and a warrior, Sailor Moon was able not only to master the power of her crystal, but exceed any limits of power anyone ever thought possible."

"And you're saying this would have never happened unless the Silver Millennium fell? The birth of Sailor Moon?" Taiki demanded.

"Yes." Setsuna replied simply. "Without the power of the Silver Crystal as it is today, this universe would have ended long ago, if not the moment the Queen was unable to stop Metalia. All she could do was send us to the future, giving new hope in the form of her daughter, but to do that, her heart needed to be set in the right direction. The princess had to tragically die at her own hands, her kingdom and everyone around it. Only through the sorrow of Queen Serenity's final wish, a new life would be set in motion. The birth of Sailor Moon, enabling all future children of the Silver Millennium to transform and shape their own crystals as well."

"This is too much…" Makoto said crouching to a sit against the wall.

"How? How do you know for absolute sure?"

Setsuna looked at Yaten for a moment as if she was considering something, then decided to speak. "I was born at a certain time, yet at the same time I never truly existed, not until I was reborn in this life by the grace of Neo Queen Serenity. My life was spent in solitude, guarding the doors of time. Some doors were sealed, even to me, while other doors would just appear or disappear. Through one I saw our princess on the Moon, while through another I saw her as Queen of Crystal Tokyo."

"Then you always knew?" Makoto asked. "About the fall of our kingdom?"

"All I saw was our princess as Queen of Earth, I never understood the circumstances that led her there. Being the keeper of time didn't enable me to know everything."

"Okay… so…" Taiki rubbed his forehead. "Then you're what, worried about Seiya stopping Usagi's past self from committing suicide?"

"As that's exactly what he's going there to do, yes." Michiru said.

"How do you mean?" Taiki eyed her suspiciously.

"And why exactly did you?" Yaten asked Usagi very curiously.

Minako answered before anyone else could. "Princess Serenity took her own life in sorrow at the loss of Prince Endymion, during the fall of our kingdom."

"And what's Seiya going there to try and do?" Michiru spoke again. "To stop the very thing that ultimately set Sailor Moon's future in motion, to stop Serenity from meeting and falling in love with Endymion. Without her sacrifice in the moment of losing Endymion, Queen Serenity would never have had the sorrowful wish to send her daughter to be reborn on Earth with him in the future."

"Besides, even if Seiya fails to keep them apart again," Rei explained, "you know he'll stop at nothing to keep Serenity alive not knowing what's at stake."

"We can't waste any more time; the severity of this issue is too great." Setsuna moved away from the wall. "We should send Taki and Yaten after him within the hour."

"Within the hour?!" A few people said taken aback.

"I'm hoping if we do this immediately, we may be able to intercept Seiya before he actually time jumps again, if he hasn't already. If we find he has gone… Then, at least Yaten and Taiki know the situation at hand."

"Usagi," Luna turned to her. "is Mamoru off work soon?"

She nodded. "Yeah, I'll call him."

"Alright, let's do this at the Hikawa Shrine, away from the city." Luna agreed. The still unsteadiness of the room broke into movement of every direction. A few people left ahead with Rei, while others stayed behind grabbing at the cold pizza, or things of Usagi's to bring along. Usagi remained on the couch, staring off into space as people buzzed about her.

"Hey, are you doing alright?" Usagi looked up to see Minako slump down next to her.

"Yeah…" Usagi looked back down. "I guess."

"Usagi." Her friend said in an accusingly concerned voice. Usagi bit her bottom lip, fighting what started to bubble up inside her. "You know, all anyone here could ever want for you is to be happy, right? Right, Usagi?" She patted the top of her friend's head which sent Usagi over the edge. Usagi buried her face in her hands, leaning into Minako's arms as she wrapped them around her.

"Minako." She grieved. "I don't know what to do, I'm so confused."

"Shhh." Minako cooed. "I know. We'll figure it out alright? It'll be alright…" Minako held her tighter, letting Usagi silently cry in her arms.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

More nightmares, more headaches, and the same warning. A distressed Usagi once again terrorized Seiya's dreams the night before. It was always the same, her long flowing gown, the man carrying her away and a bright glow behind them, almost like moonlight. It was blinding, and every time Fighter closed her eyes she could see it with an added throb from her head.

"Um, are you okay?" Sailor Moon delicately asked from behind her.

"Yeah." Fighter grumbled. "Just a headache is all."

"Oh, okay." Fighter glanced up at Sailor Moon, causing her to rapidly turn away. Star Fighter sighed. Not much was said after Seiya's revelation the night before. Eventually Usagi awkwardly turned to go, leading the rest of the group behind her. Fighter assumed it was only on Usagi's wishes that the rest of the group hadn't made any remarks, which she appreciated, but she could still sense a change among them. The curiosity, the warm thanks for help, all vanished and replaced with a stiff sense of duty. She was another Sailor Senshi along for the ride now, and that was it. Then there was Usagi herself. This awkward Usagi was slightly disconcerting to Fighter. She wasn't sure what was going on in the girl's mind, and wasn't sure how to act upon it under their current circumstances….

It couldn't have been too long ago that Fighter met with the Sailor Senshi to time jump into the 30th Century, but after what already felt like forever walking through it, they were now lost among the corridor of space-time, separated from Tuxedo Kamen and the Chibi-Usa. Fighter tried half heartedly to blink away the headache, knowing it was no use. The time travel was not helping, what with its warping their surroundings.

"Where are we?" Jupiter asked.

"It's likely a space-time pocket in the crevices of space-time." Mercury replied.

"Then, if we never find Chibi-Usa…"

"We will be lost, wandering in space-time for all eternity." Venus finished for Jupiter.

"You guys, I'm sorry." Sailor Moon sniffled. "All because I let go of her hand…"

"This is not the time to say things like that, now is it?" Mars reassured her. "Anyway, let's look for Chibi-Usa and Tuxedo Kamen."

"But…"

"We'll think of some way." As the girls were gearing up to start looking, Fighter had only just begun to rise from her crouched position when Sailor Moon's Crystal began to glow.

"What's going on? The Silver Crystal…"

"Oh, look…" Jupiter pointed out in response. Through the darkness of space, what seemed like directly across from them, a glowing pink light blinked in and out of sight.

"What is that light?!" Venus gasped.

"It's as if it's resonating with the Silver Crystal." Mars said.

"Maybe the future Silver Crystal is resonating with Sailor Moon's Silver Crystal." Mercury theorized.

"Anyway, let's go see what it is." Sailor Moon said determined.

"Yeah, there's no point in staying here."

"Let's go."

"Yes!"

The group of Senshi started to make their way towards the light with renewed hope while Fighter lagged slightly behind, rubbing forehead vigorously. No one turned back to check on her, not even Sailor Moon. However, after a few moments Fighter found it easier to keep in closer proximity with them. She looked up curiously as her headache had not diminished any to allow her to do so, and smiled. Sailor Moon's hair had stopped flapping behind her; her breaths became calmer and her steps smaller. She had slowed herself and the group to Fighter's pace.

"Thank you." Fighter whispered not caring who heard. Sailor Moon made no acknowledgement, but she didn't need to. The faint glow on her cheeks was enough for Fighter.

They walked on in silence until the light grew so bright it engulfed most their vision.

"It's just getting bigger and brighter!" Venus shielded her eyes against it.

"Keep going." Mercury stated. "We'll eventually have to pass through!"

"Pass through to what, though?" Asked Jupiter.

Just as she finished saying it, they all heard a high-pitched scream.

"T-that was Chibi-Usa!" Sailor Moon cried desperately.

"Run towards it!" Fighter shouted. They all took off at a sprint, racing through the blinding pink light that led them there. The luminescent glow around them faded into a red haze and they stumbled to a halt when a couple silhouettes appeared before them.

"Hold it right there!" Sailor Moon shouted. A woman with snake like green hair on the verge of attacking Chibi-Usa looked up at them. "As long as we're here, we won't let you lay a finger on her!"

The woman stood, smirking. "I'm impressed that you made it out of that maze."

"We've got a strong ally called Lady Luck on our side! I'm a Sailor Senshi of love and justice, Sailor Moon! In the name of the moon, I will punish you!"

"Hmph. I'll take care of the Rabbit later. I'll dispose of you guys first! Now, take this!" The woman launched herself into the air. Green waves of light erupted from her hands, shoving the Senshi back with force before suddenly dissipating.

"What was that?!" Jupiter asked puzzled when there was no visible damage to anyone.

The woman laughed. "I drastically changed the flow of time."

"What did you say?!" Mercury asked shocked. She gave her earring a squeeze summoning her informational visor over her eyes.

"So, what about it?!" Mars scowled. "Burning-"

"Oh, wait!" Mercury exclaimed.

"-Mandala!" Before Mars could even finish her attack, the snake haired woman rose her hand into the air. The fiery attack stopped cold before shooting backwards at its summoner. Sailor Mars leapt backward in dismay. "What's going on here?!"

"She reversed the flow of time." Mercury tried explaining.

Over confident, Jupiter grabbed Venus for a double attack. Both their voices ringing out.

"Sparkling Wide Pressure!"

"Venus Love-Me Chain!"

"You're wasting your time." Their foe smirked. The attacks repelled right back at them. Mercury peered through her visor in concentration. The rest of the Senshi backed behind her in wait. "I got it!" She said after a moment. "Just now, after she used her power, the distortion in time disappeared for an instant. That's our window of opportunity!"

"And we only get one chance." Venus said.

"An all or nothing bet. Let's try risking it all on a Sailor Planet Attack!" Mars suggested.

"All right, let's do it!" Jupiter was pumped again.

"But-" Sailor Moon lowered her head slightly. "How are we going to make her use her power?"

"I'll do it." Fighter stepped forward. "Prepare whatever attack you plan on using and strike after I distract her."

"Are you feeling up to it though?" Sailor Moon asked.

Fighter winked at her. "Don't worry about it. Just get ready." Whipping her head back around she lunged forward. "Star Serious-" The woman rose her hand to deflect, but Fighter rammed into her side. "Hurry!"

"Mars Star Power!"

"Mercury Star Power!"

"Jupiter Star Power!"

"Venus Star Power!"

"Moon Crystal Power!"

Their foe rounded on Star Fighter. "-Laser!" Fighter finished, aiming the blast straight for her face.

"Ryuakusu Power!" She grunted back.

The Sailor Senshi seized their chance. "Sailor Planet Attack!" They shouted. The five Senshi bowed their heads down as they joined hands, light enveloping them. It collected between them, then burst upward from the center. With a great flash, five streams of the colored light shot forward. It hit their target dead center, and her ashes fell to the floor.

"We did it!" They celebrated.

"Chibi-Usa, are you alright?" Fighter turned around to see Tuxedo Kamen crouching over the small girl. The two cats were with him as well. "Everyone, I'm sorry for coming late."

"Now we can go to the future!" Artemis expressed delightfully.

"Is it much further?" Luna asked Chibi-Usa.

She shook her head. "No. It's right up ahead."

"Let's go then!"

The sound of shuffling feet was the only sound around them as they continued onward. Steadily the red haze around them faded, revealing a large rectangular form off in the distance. Upon moving closer, they saw it was two large double doors. They were two people tall in height, with the phases of the moon on their face, and large white pillars on each side.

Chibi-Usa walked up to the doors and reached out her hand, but quickly pulled back in hesitation. The child looked up at the touch of a hand on her shoulder.

"It's alright. We're right here." Sailor Moon smiled. She nodded, and reached out her hand once more. With a great groan, the doors began to swing open. The Sailor Senshi held their breath in anticipation. Fighter stretched out her neck to get a better view. She was finally here, the future. The home of this mysterious little girl, tied to Usagi, who vouched for Usagi and Mamoru together…. 30th Century Tokyo. A blue light crept into view and with one final groan, the doors came to a halt.

"No way…" Sailor Moon whispered. "This is… the future?" There was nothing but complete darkness and destruction as far as their eyes could see. The only visible light was the reflection of the giant moon against the frozen wasteland before them. The city was in ruins, with large craters from what looked like explosions. The Senshi stepped out of the doorway onto a high cliff overlooking the city. The door vanished from behind them as they stared on in awe. "This is the future city, Crystal Tokyo?"

"What is this?" They gasped.

"It's almost all frozen."

Venus couldn't fathom it. "How are the people living in the city?"

"Considering the situation, they might not even be alive…" Mercury's voice faded as she said it.

"Mom…" Before they realized it, Chibi-Usa took off behind them. "Mom!" She cried.

"Chibi-Usa!" Sailor Moon yelled. "Come back, Chibi-Usa!"

"It's dangerous!" Tuxedo Kamen hollered after her. "Don't go out there by yourself!"

"What's with that kid and running off?" Fighter sighed.

"We have to bring her back!" Before the words were even fully out of Venus's mouth, Sailor Moon took off towards the child, leading the rest of them behind her.

"Chibi-Usa!"

"Chibi-Usa!" They continued to call her name as they ran desperately after her, down the hill and towards the large towers of ice they saw earlier. The air was extremely cold, making it hard to breathe, and batches of fog obscured their vision. Finding their way out of the trees, they came to a marble path with broken columns all along it.

Mars halted, looking vigorously from side to side. "Where did she go?"

"What a troublesome child." Sailor Moon lowered her eyes as she stared down the path ahead of her. She could have sworn she saw something, but it wasn't a child's figure. A second later, a tall silhouette moved towards them. "Who's there?!" She called out, catching everyone else's attention.

Mars positioned herself to attack when Tuxedo Kamen grabbed her upper arm. "Wait!" He said, "That's…"

Sailor Moon inhaled sharply as the figure made its way out of the fog. The shape belonged to a man they knew well already. "Tuxedo Kamen?" She sounded exasperated. Her along with the others turned to look at their own Tuxedo Kamen. "Two Tuxedo Kamen's?"

The second Tuxedo Kamen stopped a fair distance from them. He wore a lavender suit, and a cape the color of the sunset. White gloves donned his hands as well as a mask on his face, and white cane rested in his right palm. He smiled.

"I am surprised that you managed to get to Crystal Tokyo of the thirtieth century." His voice was nearly the same as Tuxedo Kamen's, only deeper.

"That voice is…" Sailor Moon started saying with a dawning expression. "That's right! He's the one who made that ominous prediction!"

"Prediction?" Fighter thought.

"The one who sent you and Mamoru the visions that caused your break up?" Venus asked. Fighter caught the corner of Sailor Moon's eyes before she turned away and nodded.

"So that's it…" Star Fighter knew something had to of happened in order for Mamoru to leave her. Tuxedo Kamen pushed his way through the crowd.

"Who are you?!" He demanded. Without waiting for a response, he whipped out his cane and rushed at his look-alike. The other Tuxedo Kamen just looked up and smiled, catching the first off guard. Tripping from hesitation, Tuxedo Kamen fell right through his double and plummeted to the ground as if passing through a ghost.

"What the hell is going on?!"

"Do not look so surprised." The ghost said. "I am King Endymion. That's right." He continued at Tuxedo Kamen's expression. "I am you in the future."

"What?!"

Fighter gasped with the others, feeling her heart jolt at the name. Endymion. Mamoru's given name as Prince of Earth, except with a new title. So, in the far future the Earth would once more be under his reign, but, could that mean … could his queen be… Fighter looked over to Sailor Moon, heart racing. "Please, no."

"The future Tuxedo Kamen?"

"Wait a minute!" Sailor Moon protested angrily. "Why did the future Mamo-chan make us dream of obstacles that would come between us?!"

"Wait, Sailor Moon." Mercury gently held her back. "He's not really there!"

"You are correct, Sailor Mercury." King Endymion said. "My actual body is located elsewhere."

"A 3-dimensional image?" Venus questioned.

"The time has come for me to tell you everything." The King said. "Please come with me."

"Wait!" Sailor Moon called when he turned his back to them. "We have to look for Chibi-Usa!"

King Endymion turned his head. "Do not worry about her, I am sheltering her." Instead of turning back to lead them on, the King looked to Fighter, eyeing her apprehensively. "I do know who you are, or why you appear as a Sailor Senshi, but given our haste, I'll assume you are vouched for by them."

"Wait-me? You're serious?" Fighter gawked at the King. "Why are you pretending like you don't know me?"

"I'm not pretending." The King replied.

"But-!"

"I'm sorry." He cut her off. "We must move inside now, we're not safe here and I have much to tell you. We can talk more there. Come." With a final glance back at Fighter, King Endymion faced away and started to walk. The Senshi passed Fighter and followed, each glancing back at her in turn. Star Fighter lagged behind, her legs felt heavy.

He had to be messing with her. This future Mamoru. Perhaps it was punishment because he knew exactly why she was here, and exactly where she planned to go after. Maybe this was his revenge, and yet… the Pluto he had met earlier at the gate had the same, no, even a more anxious reaction to her presence. There was just no way, yet here she was, in 30th Century Crystal Tokyo, and Sailor Star Fighter didn't exist to them. How?