Chapter 3: Always Darkest Before Dawn
"Everyone, come quick! Something is wrong with Princess Serenity!" Eclipse yelled, not waiting to see if they even followed.
Sailor Earth was the first to move followed closely by Sailor Moon. The six Senshi piled into Usagi's room and were shocked by what they found. Usagi was standing in the middle of the room, her eyes glassy and far away.
"Usagi? Usagi-chan, are you okay?" Sailor Earth asked. There was no response from Usagi. Sailor Earth reached out to Usagi, but the girl made no move. She shook Usagi gently, but still the girl didn't move.
"She's in some kind of trance," Sailor Mars said. "I can feel the hold some evil force has on her."
Sailor Moon ran up to Usagi's side. She shook the girl violently. "Usagi, Usagi please wake up! We've got to do something!"
Sailor Mercury pulled out her supercomputer and touched her left earring. A clear blue visor materialized over her eyes. She began taking readings and typing in data. "I can't trace the energy trail," she said. "But it's very powerful. It's odd though, it seems very similar to our powers."
"The Comet Senshi!" Sailor Venus cried. "What are they doing? And how are they doing it? They're down one Senshi. What can we do?"
Before anyone could answer, a pillar of blue-green light enveloped Usagi. The Sailor Senshi we thrown backwards. They shielded their eyes.
"Usagi!" Sailor Moon and Sailor Earth cried in unison.
Just as suddenly as the pillar appeared, it disappeared, and Usagi with it.
The Sailor Senshi pulled themselves off of the floor. They all looked completely lost. It was Sailor Moon, though; who put a voice to what they were all thinking. She fell to her knees, tears in her eyes and screamed at the top of her lungs, "USAGI!!!!!"
* * * * * * * * *
Sailor Phoenix appeared before Mistress Chronos in a flash of golden fire. She beamed brightly she was so pleased with herself. She bowed.
"Mistress, I have a present for you," she brought forth the crystal. "I have secured the Ginzuishou for you."
Mistress Chronos rested her head on her hand looking very bored. "And where, may I ask, is the Onyx Hourglass and the Princess's power?"
Sailor Phoenix looked smug. "Unicorn got the Hourglass destroyed. And then they destroyed her. At least I got the Ginzuishou before those Senshi could."
"Not good enough, Phoenix," scoffed a stern voice from the shadows. Sailor Phoenix stood and looked behind her. A girl in an orange and yellow fuku with orange bows and another in a teal and green fuku with blue bows came forward. The one in green was the one who'd spoken.
"You were supposed to bring the Mistress the girl's life energy. Instead you bring her a worthless hunk of glass. Not good enough."
Phoenix was enraged. "Shut up, Dragon! I've done more than you have!"
Dragon shook her head. "Wrong again, little sister," she addressed the girl in yellow, "Gryphon, show her what we've been up to."
The one called Gryphon walked away and returned with a still entranced Usagi. Mistress Chronos sat upright with an evil smile on her lips. Phoenix's jaw nearly hit the floor. "How-how did you...?" she stammered.
Mistress Chronos stood before her throne. "Phoenix!" she boomed. "This is what I expect from my Senshi. You have failed."
Phoenix began to sob uncontrollably at that final word. "No, Mistress! Please! I did my best! Please don't...!"
Before she could say another word, Mistress Chronos snapped her fingers. Sailor Phoenix's body burst into golden flame. She screamed in an unearthly tone of voice. The other Comet Senshi looked on, bored. When the flames finally subsided, a pile of ash rested where Sailor Phoenix once stood.
Mistress Chronos descended from her throne and walked towards Usagi. She snatched the Ginzuishou from the air above the pile of ashes as she passed by. When she reached the bewitched girl she flicked the girls locket open with her finger and pressed the gem back into place. As soon as she did, the locket's lid closed slowly and clicked shut.
Usagi's eyes slowly cleared. She looked around trying to pinpoint her surroundings. As the mist in her mind cleared she realized she was not alone.
"Who-who are you?" she asked to no one in particular.
"You are in the presence of the Mistress of Time, Mistress Chronos," Gryphon said. "And you only speak when spoken to."
Usagi looked over at Sailor Gryphon. Recognition dawned in her mind. "You're Karaberas!" She then looked over at Sailor Dragon. "And Petz! But-but how...?"
Mistress Chronos stepped forward. "I can answer that for you, my newest Senshi," she purred evilly.
Usagi looked at her face. "No..." she whispered. "It can't be..."
Tokyo Tower once again shook with Mistress Chronos's maniacal laughter.
* * * * * * * * *
"Now what are we going to do," Rini whined. "If we don't get Usagi back, the future is doomed and so am I."
Minako placed a hand on Rini's shoulder. "Don't worry, Rini. She's got to still be alive. You're still here. You haven't faded yet. I promise you, we'll get her back."
Rini nodded half-heartedly. Minako left her sitting in the room Usagi had just been in and joined the others in Rei's room. The girls were sitting at the low table in the center of Rei's room, with Luna, Artemis and Eclipse sitting in the center of the table. They'd been trying to come up with a plan, but no one had come up with anything. In fact they were all too upset to think.
"She's really torn up. I don't think she'll be able to help us at all."
Kimiko slammed her fist onto the table. "Dammit!" she yelled, "this is all my fault! I never should have come here! What did I think I could do? One lone Senshi against those psychopaths?" She collapsed in tears.
Eclipse gritted his teeth. Before he could stop himself, he angrily yelled at Kimiko. "Will you stop it! You are Sailor Earth, not some helpless little girl! You've faced the strongest youma in existence and defeated every single one! What kind of Sailor Senshi see their Princess get kidnapped and just sit around crying like babies? Get out there and find her!"
The girls and the other cats all turned to Eclipse and looked at the feline like he'd lost his mind. Eclipse cleared his throat and straightened his back. He had the good grace to look rather embarrassed.
"He's right," Kimiko whispered. She stood up and then repeated herself with more conviction. "He's right! We are the Sailor Senshi! We have a Princess to rescue." She stomped out of the room and the other Senshi jumped up to follow her. They found her kneeling in the clearing where they had defeated Sailor Unicorn, looking up at the moon. She clasped her hands together.
"Neo Queen Serenity, I beg of you, help us. Grant us the power to save the Princess."
The other Senshi stood on the temple porch and looked on. Rini pushed her way between the Senshi and fell to her knees next to Kimiko. She also started to pray.
"Does she really think that's going to help?" asked a smug voice from above the girls. They looked up to see the Outer Senshi standing on top of the temple. It had been Sailor Uranus who'd spoken.
"What are you doing here, Uranus?" Minako asked annoyed.
"The light alerted us," Neptune replied.
"They're wasting their time," Uranus stated, matter-of-factly. "They should just give it up."
"What's your deal, Uranus?" Rei fumed. "We barely know you and you act like we're inferior."
"Simply put, you are," Uranus said.
Minako shot Uranus the angriest look she could muster. She then went down and joined Kimiko and Rini. Rei, Ami, and then Makoto followed her. Uranus crossed her arms and looked at the other Outer Senshi. Saturn jumped down off of the roof and joined the Inner Senshi. Uranus looked after her, slack jawed. Pluto followed suit. Uranus looked at Neptune, who shrugged and jumped down as well. Uranus saw that she was outvoted and joined the rest of the Sailor Senshi. The ten girls prayed with all their might. Slowly one by one the symbols of their respective planets began to shine on their foreheads.
Kimiko stood suddenly and yelled to the heavens. "Please Neo Queen Serenity, I beg of you, help us save the Princess and the world!"
A pillar of white light descended from the heavens in front of the girls. The forms of Neo Queen Serenity and King Endymion materialized in the center of the pillar. The Queen stepped forward.
"I have heard your pleas, my children. I can grant your wish, but only for a short time. You must save the Princess. Raise your hands to the moon, and prepare to receive my gift!"
The ten Senshi did as they were told. Kimiko and Rini's brooches began to shine and morphed into larger golden versions of themselves. The other Senshi's hands were hit with beams of light that became winged henshin wands.
"These special tools will allow you to be on the same level as Mistress Chronos and the remaining Comet Senshi for a short time. Use these powers wisely, they will be gone when the night ends. You must call on the Eternal powers, my children. Now, transform!"
The girls all nodded in unison and one by one cried out their new transformation phrases.
"Venus Eternal Power, Make Up!"
"Mercury Eternal Power, Make Up!"
"Mars Eternal Power, Make Up!"
"Jupiter Eternal Power, Make Up!"
"Uranus Eternal Power, Make Up!"
"Neptune Eternal Power, Make Up!"
"Pluto Eternal Power, Make Up!"
"Saturn Eternal Power, Make Up!"
"Silver Moon Crystal Power, Make Up!"
"Terra Crystal Rainbow Power, Make Up!"
The girls were bathed in a light more bright than any they had ever seen. The light slowly dimmed and the girls were replaced by the Eternal Sailor Senshi. The ground literally hummed with their combined powers. The Senshi silently gathered together in a circle and joined hands. They closed their eyes and concentrated. Then at the exact same moment they yelled "Sailor Teleport!"
Luna, Artemis, Diana, and Eclipse looked up into the skies after the Senshi. "Do you really think they can do it?" Luna asked.
The figure of Neo Queen Serenity looked at her husband.
"They're going to have to. Otherwise we're all doomed," replied Neo Queen Serenity. With that the King and Queen vanished.
* * * * * * * * *
Mistress Chronos was growing impatient. "I know they will be here, but what is taking them so long." She tapped her fingers on the arm of her throne.
Sailor Dragon and Sailor Gryphon came to stand by either side of their Mistress. "They'll be here soon enough, Mistress," Dragon assured Mistress Chronos. "I felt a shift in their power base on this planet. It's almost time."
"And I hope they'll like our little surprise," Gryphon laughed.
As if taking a cue a bright flash of light lit the throne room. When the light cleared the Sailor Senshi were standing before the throne.
"Where are we?" Venus asked.
"You are at the top of Tokyo Tower in the presence of the Mistress of Time, Mistress Chronos."
The Sailor Senshi whirled to see who has spoken. Before them a shadowed figure sat upon a throne that looked like it was made of the rainbow-colored sand just like in Usagi's Life Hourglass. Beside the figure stood two Eternal Senshi. One was in green and the other was in yellow.
"And I'm afraid you've come up against the two strongest Comet Senshi," the yellow Senshi chuckled. "I am Sailor Gryphon."
"And I am Sailor Dragon," the green one added.
"And we don't care who you are," Sailor Uranus said.
"You will very soon," Dragon said. She raised her hand and a silver handled sword with a black blade appeared in it. She screamed like a banshee and lunged at Sailor Uranus. Uranus had just enough time to call upon and raise her Space Sword and deflect the blow.
"Uranus!" Venus yelled. She raised her hand to the heavens and yelled "Venus Wink Chain Sword!" A golden sword appeared in her hand. She ran to slice Dragon down, but the evil Senshi was too fast. Dragon blocked Venus's attack easily. Sailor Pluto and Sailor Saturn looked at each other and nodded. They ran to help the two sword carrying warriors.
As soon as Pluto and Saturn reached the three battlers they all disappeared.
"Venus!" Sailor Earth yelled. She pointed accusingly at the woman on the throne. "What did you do with them?"
The shadowed figure laughed. "I simply moved them to a more advantageous locale for a weapon battle." She looked at the remaining Dark Senshi. "Gryphon, if you would."
The Dark Senshi nodded and jumped into the air. She came down in the middle of the remaining Senshi team. She put Sailor Neptune and Sailor Jupiter in headlocks, one under each arm and at the same time, lashed out with both feet using the two green Senshi to balance her attack. She nailed Sailor Mars and Sailor Mercury in their stomachs with her feet.
"We've got to help them!" Sailor Moon cried, but before she or Sailor Earth could lift a finger, the remaining combatants disappeared. Sailor Moon and Sailor Earth were alone with Mistress Chronos.
"They're gone!" Sailor Earth cried. "Where are they?"
"I'm not quite sure," Mistress Chronos said, amused. "Somewhere in the time stream."
"Why are you doing this?" Sailor Moon yelled.
"Because," was all Mistress Chronos said.
"Because? BECAUSE!" Sailor Earth was furious.
"Because your damned Queen robbed me of my life!" Mistress Chronos wailed.
Sailor Moon and Sailor Earth stared at the shadowed figure, unable to comprehend what she meant. Mistress Chronos stood and slowly walked down from her throne. The light finally hit her face and the two Senshi thought that they would faint. Mistress Chronos was Sailor Pluto!
"It can't be," Sailor Earth whispered. The woman before her certainly did look like Sailor Pluto, or rather Queen Setsuna. She wore the same dress as the Queen of Pluto, but now her neck and hands were adorned with various pieces of silver jewelry. Her dark green hair was now streaked with silver and her red eyes were wild, but she couldn't have been mistaken for anyone else. The most notable change, though, was, in place of the symbol of Pluto on her forehead, there was a black hourglass shape, like that of a black widow spider.
"Puu," Rini said. Her voice cracked and tears ran down her face. "No, it can't be you. Why? Why would you do this?"
"I never asked to be the Guardian of Time. Your Queen made me." She said the words 'your Queen' with contempt in her voice. "She robbed me of my life, my love. I was forced to live a lonely life in that void." Mistress Chronos clenched her hands in anger.
"But I came to visit you, Puu! I was your friend!" Sailor Moon yelled hurt.
Mistress Chronos smiled and it clearly was unpleasant. "Oh, how admirable. The friendship of a child. That would easily replace the love of my people. The love of another." Despite the obvious mocking in her voice, a single tear slid down her face.
"So you created those Dark Senshi and killed off your own allies? What kind of sense does that make?" Sailor Earth fumed as she took a step toward the fallen Senshi.
Mistress Chronos flew forward and grabbed Sailor Earth by the neck and lifted her off of the ground. She was fast, so fast in fact that Sailor Earth was caught totally off-guard. Sailor Earth gasped for air as Mistress Chronos's hand tightened around her neck.
"It is called revenge, little girl." She looked into Sailor Earth's eyes. "Why am I even talking to you? You don't even exist in this time." Mistress Chronos turned her eyes away from Sailor Earth as if dismissing her. A moment later, Sailor Earth disappeared. She simply disappeared.
"No!" Sailor Moon cried.
Mistress Chronos threw back her head and laughed. "Alone at last. And now, you little pink brat, I have a special surprise for you." She held forth her hand and the Time Staff appeared before her. At least, it looked like the Time Staff. The Garnet Orb was a deep, threatening black. Sailor Moon prepared herself for the worst, as Mistress Chronos raised the staff above her head. The orb began to glow and a door of light appeared to Sailor Moon's left. A person stood within the door.
"Come forth, Sailor Pegasus," Mistress Chronos smiled, evilly.
The figure walked forward out of the door, the light from it casting a shadow on her face. One thing Sailor Moon did notice, despite the glare, was that 'Sailor Pegasus' had a very familiar hairstyle.
"Oh, please, no, not that," she pleaded.
As the door closed, Sailor Moon's worst fears were confirmed. Standing before her, in a completely white Eternal fuku with big white wings on the back, and smiling just as evilly as her new master, was Usagi.
* * * * * * * * *
Sailor Saturn lay on the ground, unconscious, Sailor Pluto was leaning against her Time Staff. Her left arm hung limply at her side. Only Sailor Venus and Sailor Uranus were still truly standing.
The four Senshi fought valiantly after being transported to the void, but Sailor Dragon proved too strong, even for the Eternal Sailor Senshi.
"So what do we do now?" Sailor Uranus asked Sailor Venus as they stood side by side, swords raised at the evil green Sailor.
"Dying is a good idea," Sailor Dragon sneered. She raised her sword and brought it down fast, a green wave of energy flying from the blade. "Breath of the Beast!" she yelled.
Uranus and Venus managed to dodge the blast each on landing on either side of the wave's path. What they didn't realize was that the attack wasn't aimed at them. They whirled on the scream they heard.
"Pluto!" they cried in unison as the black-clad Senshi fell.
Sailor Dragon laughed. Uranus felt hot tears sting her eyes. She raised the Space Sword and yelled, "Eternal Space Sword Blaster!" A wave of golden light flew toward Sailor Dragon who simply jumped over it. She landed behind Sailor Venus and wrapped her arm around the blonde girl's neck.
"When are you going to learn that I can't be defeat that easily. Sailor Uranus felt time slow down as she watched Sailor Dragon's sword raise into the air. She knew she would never make it in time, but she started to run anyway. She watched in horror as the black blade entered Sailor Venus's back and exploded from her chest. She didn't even get a chance to scream.
Sailor Dragon dropped the lifeless body, turned to the horrified navy Sailor and whispered devilishly, "And then there was one..."
* * * * * * * * *
The other team of Sailor Senshi was not having better luck. Gryphon had easily defeated Mercury and Mars, and was now focusing all her attention on Neptune and Jupiter.
Neptune had seen better days. Her fuku was ripped and torn. She was covered in cuts and bruises. Her vision was slightly blurred. Jupiter was doing no better, but still they fought on.
"Eternal...Submarine...Reflection!" Neptune shouted wearily. Gryphon didn't even make a real effort she just stepped to the left, out of the line of fire.
"This is so sad," Gryphon sneered. "I bet Dragon got the good opponents." Sailor Gryphon frowned. This was not a true test of her skills.
"You want a fight?!" Jupiter cried, running at the Dark Senshi. "I'll give you a fight!"
Sailor Gryphon just stood and watched the green Sailor run towards her, fists raised. As soon as Jupiter was within range, Gryphon did a split and shoved her fist into Jupiter's stomach. The shock drove Jupiter to her feet, gasping for air.
Sailor Gryphon sighed. "This is pathetic!" she cried in annoyance. She brought her elbow down hard on the back of Sailor Jupiter's skull, rendering the brown-haired girl unconscious. Neptune was too weak to call out to her fallen ally.
Sailor Gryphon stalked toward the final Sailor. "Ah well, might as well finish this off. I might even get to squeeze in a little shopping."
* * * * * * * * *
Sailor Moon slammed into a wall. She was bruised and she knew that she'd broken at least three ribs. She slid to the floor and watched with tears in her eyes as 'Sailor Pegasus' stalked towards her.
"Usagi," she pleaded. "Why? Why are you doing this."
Mistress Chronos laughed. "I'll answer that." She held up the Ginzuishou. "As long as I have this, your precious Princess Serenity belongs to me."
Sailor Pegasus stood over Sailor Moon. She smiled at the pink Senshi, mockingly.
"Usagi," Sailor Moon choked on her tears. "Please, let me help you...you don't have to do this."
Sailor Pegasus seemed to falter for a second in light of Sailor Moon's tears. She looked back at Mistress Chronos, who answered her gaze by passing a gloved hand over the Ginzuishou. The gem began gleamed and eerie green light. Sailor Pegasus put her hands to her ears as if to shut out some sort of unearthly noise. When the Ginzuishou stopped glowing Sailor Pegasus once again leered down at Sailor Moon.
"I am Sailor Pegasus," she said matter-of-factly. "And you are about to die."
* * * * * * * * *
There was a horrible pounding in Sailor Earth's head. She realized she was lying on the floor and she gingerly pushed herself up on her knees. She rubbed her aching forehead and realized she'd lost her tiara. She opened her eyes and realized all she could see was...nothing. It took Sailor Earth a moment to comprehend the vast emptiness.
"W-where am I," she said out loud to know one in particular.
"The void," said a voice behind her.
Sailor Earth got to her feet, spun around and raised her fists all at the same time. She lowered her fists, though, when she realized that the voice had come from her own mouth. Well, to be more accurate, from the mouth of Gaia Kimiko. The girl standing before Sailor Earth was indeed, herself. A circle with an equal armed cross inside glowed on her forehead.
"The symbol of Earth," Sailor Earth whispered.
"That's right," Kimiko said. "I'm you. Well, I'm a part of you."
"But why am I in 'the void'," Sailor Earth asked.
"Because Mistress Chronos sent you here. She's removed you, us, from time."
"It's not her fault, though, she's being controlled," came another voice from the void. Sailor Earth turned to her left and came face to face with...Sailor Earth. She was wearing the original fuku.
"Controlled by who," Eternal Sailor Earth asked.
"By Tempo, a dark energy that seeks to use time to its advantage." Eternal Sailor Earth turned to the next voice. This one was wearing a fuku with a rainbow skirt as opposed to the regular red one.
"Super Sailor Earth," Sailor Earth said before Eternal Sailor Earth could ask.
"How many of you...err...me are there?" Eternal Sailor Earth asked no one in particular.
"Just a few more," Kimiko said, pointing over Eternal Sailor Earth's shoulder. Eternal Sailor Earth turned. Behind her there stood a young girl in a white spaghetti-strap dress with rainbow pleats down the front. Beside her was a woman in the same dress but with a golden crown on her head and a sheer bow on the back. And finally, standing beside the other two was another woman, older looking than the last, in, yet again, the same dress. This final woman's dress was different though. It had a red bow on the back and she had what seemed like fairy wings on her back and the symbol of Earth glowing on her forehead.
"We are your past and future incarnations," the young girl said. "I am Princess Kimiko of Earth."
"I am Queen Gaia of Elysion," said the second woman.
"And I am Terra, Goddess of the Earth, your final transformation," the final woman said. Her voice was melodic and almost sounded like bells.
"We are here to help you," Super Sailor Earth said.
"We'll lend you our powers to increase your own and the powers of the other Senshi," added Terra.
Eternal Sailor Earth blinked. It all sounded too unreal. "Are you sure this will work?"
Kimiko walked up to her Eternal counterpart and put a hand on her shoulder. "It has to."
Eternal Sailor Earth nodded Super Sailor Earth and Queen Gaia took her hands. Princess Kimiko stood between Sailor Earth and Kimiko and Sailor Earth took Super Sailor Earth's other hand. Terra took Queen Gaia's hand and Terra and Kimiko closed the circle.
"We are now in the proper formation," said Terra, "starting from Kimiko we are in ascending powers. Now, everyone, concentrate."
All of the girls and women closed their eyes. Slowly they each started to glow with the various colors of the rainbow.
"We are one," they said together. "We are the strength and spirit of the Earth. We shall triumph."
Slowly, starting with Kimiko, each one of the different incarnations lost form and turned into a glowing ball of color. They then melted into Terra's body. When the last one melted in, Terra began to glow with a bright white light.
She opened her eyes and said, "I am Terra. I am the vengeful hand of Mother Nature." She raised her hand in front of her and grabbed at the nothingness. As she pulled her hand away, the void tore and Terra could see through to Mistress Chronos's throne room.
"I will punish all evil," Terra said as she stepped through the hole in the void and materialized in between Sailor Moon and Sailor Pegasus. The Comet Senshi took a step back.
"You should not exist in this world," Terra said. She pointed a finger at Mistress Chronos. "And you have tampered with their lives. I will correct this."
Suddenly the Ginzuishou flew from Mistress Chronos's hands and came to rest in front of Sailor Pegasus. It glowed with a golden light. The white fuku on Usagi's body exploded away, once again leaving her in her regular clothes. The symbol of the Moon began to shine on her forehead.
"And now for the other Senshi," Terra said. She turned around and held out a hand to Sailor Moon. "I need your help," she said.
Sailor Moon stood up shakily and took her hand. When she did, the throne room was bathed in a brilliant silver light. When the light cleared, Usagi and Rini were standing next to Terra in their princess dresses. Behind them stood the other eight Eternal Senshi. They all looked equally confused.
"How--," Uranus began. She looked over at Venus. "Venus, Pluto! You're alive."
"What happened?" Venus asked.
Terra held up a hand. "Not yet." was all she said. In her hand appeared a green and a yellow gem.
"You will not use these fake Senshi to do your dirty work anymore." Terra said to Mistress Chronos. The two gems exploded in Terra's hand and the screams of Dragon and Gryphon could be heard in the throne room.
Mistress Chronos was furious. "I will destroy you. All of you." She raised her Dark Time Staff. The Onyx Orb pulsated with dark energy. She pointed it at the Senshi and whispered, "Hades Shriek." A beam of red energy shot out at the Senshi. Terra raised her hand. The beam of power flew away around the Senshi as if it had hit a dome.
"Not today, Chronos. Now we will free you of Tempo. All together now," she said over her shoulder. The other princesses and Senshi nodded. The Senshi all joined hands a prepared to give their powers to their three princesses.
"Eternal Venus Power!"
"Eternal Mercury Power!"
"Eternal Mars Power!"
"Eternal Jupiter Power!"
"Eternal Uranus Power!"
"Eternal Neptune Power!"
"Eternal Pluto Power!"
"Eternal Saturn Power!"
The Eternal Senshi's bodies started to glow their respective colors. The symbols of their planets burned brightly on their foreheads. Usagi and Rini joined hands and yelled simultaneously, "Cosmic Moon Power!" They both glowed with silver light.
Terra smirked at Mistress Chronos. "We are Senshi," she said. "And we shall win. Cosmic Earth Power!" She glowed a brilliant rainbow of colors.
The Senshi and princess all raised their hands to Mistress Chronos. Their energies slammed into her throwing her back into her throne. She screamed as if she were being torn apart. The Senshi all took a step forward.
"Come forth, Tempo!" Terra cried over the roar of the pure energy beams.
"Face us! Don't hide within that form anymore!" Princess Usagi yelled.
"And let go of my friend!" Rini screamed.
Mistress Chronos's body bucked under the barrage of energy. Her screams didn't stop, but neither did the Senshi. Suddenly, the symbol on Mistress Chronos's head shattered and was replaced by the symbol of Pluto.
Seeing this, the Senshi stopped their attack, and for a moment, the throne room was deathly silent. They all waited; watching the figure slumped in the throne. Princess Rini took a single step forward.
"Puu?" she said.
All at once a black cloud burst for Mistress Chronos's mouth. There was a white patch in the center shaped just like the symbol that had been on Mistress Chronos's brow. It spoke though it lacked a 'mouth' of any kind.
"I am Tempo, Master of Time," the cloud rasped. "And you are going to die."
"I don't think so." The Senshi were surprised to hear Sailor Pluto speak. She stepped forward and raised the Time Staff. "I am the Master of Time."
The Garnet Orb glowed. Its energies swirled around Tempo, but had no affect. Tempo laughed. "Pathetic," is sneered.
"Let us help you, Pluto," Uranus called to her friend.
"No," Pluto said over her shoulder. "Only I can do this."
"Only we can," said a voice across the room. Mistress Chronos stood before the throne with the Onyx Time Staff raised. She released its energy at Tempo. The mass seemed to hesitate for a moment. "Don't stop, Sailor Pluto!" She cried.
"We don't have enough power!" Pluto yelled.
"And you never will," Tempo laughed.
The other Senshi looked on helplessly. They all thought the same thing: 'What can we do?' It was Terra and Princess Rini who realized the answer. They looked at each other for a moment and at the same time produced from the folds of their dresses golden Time Keys. The nodded and raised the keys. Suddenly two Time Gates appeared in a cloud of mist. They swung open. From the one Rini summoned stepped the future's Eternal Sailor Pluto. From the other stepped a young girl in Pluto's original fuku. She looked to be no older than eleven years old. The two new raven-clad Senshi took a moment to glean the situation and joined in releasing their powers at the swirling, inky mass. This time Tempo screamed.
"Keep it up," Mistress Chronos yelled. The four Senshi of Time blasted away at the cloud. It began to shrink, shrivel and change until in Tempo's place was another Onyx Hourglass. Mistress Chronos walked up to it and picked it up.
"This should keep it contained," she said. She turned to the Sailor Senshi. "I am truly sorry for what I have done. Especially to you, Sailor Earth."
"Why did you do it, Pluto?" Sailor Mars asked.
"I am not Pluto anymore," Mistress Chronos said. "I am truly Mistress Chronos, the final form of Sailor Pluto. The entity, Tempo, gained control of me in the future. Since we Senshi were the only real enemies it had, it decided I needed to kill you now, while you were still too weak to stop it." Mistress Chronos grinned. "Apparently it underestimated you all."
"But what will we do with it now?" queried Sailor Neptune.
"We must seal this away, deep within the void," the alternate Sailor Pluto said, "in a place where there is no time. That way Tempo will have nothing to draw power from to free itself."
The four incarnations of the Senshi of Time gathered around the Onyx Hourglass. They held up their talisman orbs. The hourglass glowed dimly and then faded.
The three Sailor Pluto's turned to Mistress Chronos. They just stared at her. She simply nodded and walked away.
"What was that all about?" Usagi asked.
"We have to set time right. And we have to do it quickly. If things stay the way they are much longer, we'll all be in danger," Future Pluto said.
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Terra asked.
"Just gather around us and lend us your powers," Sailor Pluto said.
The Senshi did as they were told and gathered around the three raised Garnet Orbs. They closed their eyes and concentrated. They pushed all of their powers into those crimson spheres. They felt rather than saw the bright light that enveloped them and they all prayed individually that what power they had would be enough.
"Everyone, come quick! Something is wrong with Princess Serenity!" Eclipse yelled, not waiting to see if they even followed.
Sailor Earth was the first to move followed closely by Sailor Moon. The six Senshi piled into Usagi's room and were shocked by what they found. Usagi was standing in the middle of the room, her eyes glassy and far away.
"Usagi? Usagi-chan, are you okay?" Sailor Earth asked. There was no response from Usagi. Sailor Earth reached out to Usagi, but the girl made no move. She shook Usagi gently, but still the girl didn't move.
"She's in some kind of trance," Sailor Mars said. "I can feel the hold some evil force has on her."
Sailor Moon ran up to Usagi's side. She shook the girl violently. "Usagi, Usagi please wake up! We've got to do something!"
Sailor Mercury pulled out her supercomputer and touched her left earring. A clear blue visor materialized over her eyes. She began taking readings and typing in data. "I can't trace the energy trail," she said. "But it's very powerful. It's odd though, it seems very similar to our powers."
"The Comet Senshi!" Sailor Venus cried. "What are they doing? And how are they doing it? They're down one Senshi. What can we do?"
Before anyone could answer, a pillar of blue-green light enveloped Usagi. The Sailor Senshi we thrown backwards. They shielded their eyes.
"Usagi!" Sailor Moon and Sailor Earth cried in unison.
Just as suddenly as the pillar appeared, it disappeared, and Usagi with it.
The Sailor Senshi pulled themselves off of the floor. They all looked completely lost. It was Sailor Moon, though; who put a voice to what they were all thinking. She fell to her knees, tears in her eyes and screamed at the top of her lungs, "USAGI!!!!!"
* * * * * * * * *
Sailor Phoenix appeared before Mistress Chronos in a flash of golden fire. She beamed brightly she was so pleased with herself. She bowed.
"Mistress, I have a present for you," she brought forth the crystal. "I have secured the Ginzuishou for you."
Mistress Chronos rested her head on her hand looking very bored. "And where, may I ask, is the Onyx Hourglass and the Princess's power?"
Sailor Phoenix looked smug. "Unicorn got the Hourglass destroyed. And then they destroyed her. At least I got the Ginzuishou before those Senshi could."
"Not good enough, Phoenix," scoffed a stern voice from the shadows. Sailor Phoenix stood and looked behind her. A girl in an orange and yellow fuku with orange bows and another in a teal and green fuku with blue bows came forward. The one in green was the one who'd spoken.
"You were supposed to bring the Mistress the girl's life energy. Instead you bring her a worthless hunk of glass. Not good enough."
Phoenix was enraged. "Shut up, Dragon! I've done more than you have!"
Dragon shook her head. "Wrong again, little sister," she addressed the girl in yellow, "Gryphon, show her what we've been up to."
The one called Gryphon walked away and returned with a still entranced Usagi. Mistress Chronos sat upright with an evil smile on her lips. Phoenix's jaw nearly hit the floor. "How-how did you...?" she stammered.
Mistress Chronos stood before her throne. "Phoenix!" she boomed. "This is what I expect from my Senshi. You have failed."
Phoenix began to sob uncontrollably at that final word. "No, Mistress! Please! I did my best! Please don't...!"
Before she could say another word, Mistress Chronos snapped her fingers. Sailor Phoenix's body burst into golden flame. She screamed in an unearthly tone of voice. The other Comet Senshi looked on, bored. When the flames finally subsided, a pile of ash rested where Sailor Phoenix once stood.
Mistress Chronos descended from her throne and walked towards Usagi. She snatched the Ginzuishou from the air above the pile of ashes as she passed by. When she reached the bewitched girl she flicked the girls locket open with her finger and pressed the gem back into place. As soon as she did, the locket's lid closed slowly and clicked shut.
Usagi's eyes slowly cleared. She looked around trying to pinpoint her surroundings. As the mist in her mind cleared she realized she was not alone.
"Who-who are you?" she asked to no one in particular.
"You are in the presence of the Mistress of Time, Mistress Chronos," Gryphon said. "And you only speak when spoken to."
Usagi looked over at Sailor Gryphon. Recognition dawned in her mind. "You're Karaberas!" She then looked over at Sailor Dragon. "And Petz! But-but how...?"
Mistress Chronos stepped forward. "I can answer that for you, my newest Senshi," she purred evilly.
Usagi looked at her face. "No..." she whispered. "It can't be..."
Tokyo Tower once again shook with Mistress Chronos's maniacal laughter.
* * * * * * * * *
"Now what are we going to do," Rini whined. "If we don't get Usagi back, the future is doomed and so am I."
Minako placed a hand on Rini's shoulder. "Don't worry, Rini. She's got to still be alive. You're still here. You haven't faded yet. I promise you, we'll get her back."
Rini nodded half-heartedly. Minako left her sitting in the room Usagi had just been in and joined the others in Rei's room. The girls were sitting at the low table in the center of Rei's room, with Luna, Artemis and Eclipse sitting in the center of the table. They'd been trying to come up with a plan, but no one had come up with anything. In fact they were all too upset to think.
"She's really torn up. I don't think she'll be able to help us at all."
Kimiko slammed her fist onto the table. "Dammit!" she yelled, "this is all my fault! I never should have come here! What did I think I could do? One lone Senshi against those psychopaths?" She collapsed in tears.
Eclipse gritted his teeth. Before he could stop himself, he angrily yelled at Kimiko. "Will you stop it! You are Sailor Earth, not some helpless little girl! You've faced the strongest youma in existence and defeated every single one! What kind of Sailor Senshi see their Princess get kidnapped and just sit around crying like babies? Get out there and find her!"
The girls and the other cats all turned to Eclipse and looked at the feline like he'd lost his mind. Eclipse cleared his throat and straightened his back. He had the good grace to look rather embarrassed.
"He's right," Kimiko whispered. She stood up and then repeated herself with more conviction. "He's right! We are the Sailor Senshi! We have a Princess to rescue." She stomped out of the room and the other Senshi jumped up to follow her. They found her kneeling in the clearing where they had defeated Sailor Unicorn, looking up at the moon. She clasped her hands together.
"Neo Queen Serenity, I beg of you, help us. Grant us the power to save the Princess."
The other Senshi stood on the temple porch and looked on. Rini pushed her way between the Senshi and fell to her knees next to Kimiko. She also started to pray.
"Does she really think that's going to help?" asked a smug voice from above the girls. They looked up to see the Outer Senshi standing on top of the temple. It had been Sailor Uranus who'd spoken.
"What are you doing here, Uranus?" Minako asked annoyed.
"The light alerted us," Neptune replied.
"They're wasting their time," Uranus stated, matter-of-factly. "They should just give it up."
"What's your deal, Uranus?" Rei fumed. "We barely know you and you act like we're inferior."
"Simply put, you are," Uranus said.
Minako shot Uranus the angriest look she could muster. She then went down and joined Kimiko and Rini. Rei, Ami, and then Makoto followed her. Uranus crossed her arms and looked at the other Outer Senshi. Saturn jumped down off of the roof and joined the Inner Senshi. Uranus looked after her, slack jawed. Pluto followed suit. Uranus looked at Neptune, who shrugged and jumped down as well. Uranus saw that she was outvoted and joined the rest of the Sailor Senshi. The ten girls prayed with all their might. Slowly one by one the symbols of their respective planets began to shine on their foreheads.
Kimiko stood suddenly and yelled to the heavens. "Please Neo Queen Serenity, I beg of you, help us save the Princess and the world!"
A pillar of white light descended from the heavens in front of the girls. The forms of Neo Queen Serenity and King Endymion materialized in the center of the pillar. The Queen stepped forward.
"I have heard your pleas, my children. I can grant your wish, but only for a short time. You must save the Princess. Raise your hands to the moon, and prepare to receive my gift!"
The ten Senshi did as they were told. Kimiko and Rini's brooches began to shine and morphed into larger golden versions of themselves. The other Senshi's hands were hit with beams of light that became winged henshin wands.
"These special tools will allow you to be on the same level as Mistress Chronos and the remaining Comet Senshi for a short time. Use these powers wisely, they will be gone when the night ends. You must call on the Eternal powers, my children. Now, transform!"
The girls all nodded in unison and one by one cried out their new transformation phrases.
"Venus Eternal Power, Make Up!"
"Mercury Eternal Power, Make Up!"
"Mars Eternal Power, Make Up!"
"Jupiter Eternal Power, Make Up!"
"Uranus Eternal Power, Make Up!"
"Neptune Eternal Power, Make Up!"
"Pluto Eternal Power, Make Up!"
"Saturn Eternal Power, Make Up!"
"Silver Moon Crystal Power, Make Up!"
"Terra Crystal Rainbow Power, Make Up!"
The girls were bathed in a light more bright than any they had ever seen. The light slowly dimmed and the girls were replaced by the Eternal Sailor Senshi. The ground literally hummed with their combined powers. The Senshi silently gathered together in a circle and joined hands. They closed their eyes and concentrated. Then at the exact same moment they yelled "Sailor Teleport!"
Luna, Artemis, Diana, and Eclipse looked up into the skies after the Senshi. "Do you really think they can do it?" Luna asked.
The figure of Neo Queen Serenity looked at her husband.
"They're going to have to. Otherwise we're all doomed," replied Neo Queen Serenity. With that the King and Queen vanished.
* * * * * * * * *
Mistress Chronos was growing impatient. "I know they will be here, but what is taking them so long." She tapped her fingers on the arm of her throne.
Sailor Dragon and Sailor Gryphon came to stand by either side of their Mistress. "They'll be here soon enough, Mistress," Dragon assured Mistress Chronos. "I felt a shift in their power base on this planet. It's almost time."
"And I hope they'll like our little surprise," Gryphon laughed.
As if taking a cue a bright flash of light lit the throne room. When the light cleared the Sailor Senshi were standing before the throne.
"Where are we?" Venus asked.
"You are at the top of Tokyo Tower in the presence of the Mistress of Time, Mistress Chronos."
The Sailor Senshi whirled to see who has spoken. Before them a shadowed figure sat upon a throne that looked like it was made of the rainbow-colored sand just like in Usagi's Life Hourglass. Beside the figure stood two Eternal Senshi. One was in green and the other was in yellow.
"And I'm afraid you've come up against the two strongest Comet Senshi," the yellow Senshi chuckled. "I am Sailor Gryphon."
"And I am Sailor Dragon," the green one added.
"And we don't care who you are," Sailor Uranus said.
"You will very soon," Dragon said. She raised her hand and a silver handled sword with a black blade appeared in it. She screamed like a banshee and lunged at Sailor Uranus. Uranus had just enough time to call upon and raise her Space Sword and deflect the blow.
"Uranus!" Venus yelled. She raised her hand to the heavens and yelled "Venus Wink Chain Sword!" A golden sword appeared in her hand. She ran to slice Dragon down, but the evil Senshi was too fast. Dragon blocked Venus's attack easily. Sailor Pluto and Sailor Saturn looked at each other and nodded. They ran to help the two sword carrying warriors.
As soon as Pluto and Saturn reached the three battlers they all disappeared.
"Venus!" Sailor Earth yelled. She pointed accusingly at the woman on the throne. "What did you do with them?"
The shadowed figure laughed. "I simply moved them to a more advantageous locale for a weapon battle." She looked at the remaining Dark Senshi. "Gryphon, if you would."
The Dark Senshi nodded and jumped into the air. She came down in the middle of the remaining Senshi team. She put Sailor Neptune and Sailor Jupiter in headlocks, one under each arm and at the same time, lashed out with both feet using the two green Senshi to balance her attack. She nailed Sailor Mars and Sailor Mercury in their stomachs with her feet.
"We've got to help them!" Sailor Moon cried, but before she or Sailor Earth could lift a finger, the remaining combatants disappeared. Sailor Moon and Sailor Earth were alone with Mistress Chronos.
"They're gone!" Sailor Earth cried. "Where are they?"
"I'm not quite sure," Mistress Chronos said, amused. "Somewhere in the time stream."
"Why are you doing this?" Sailor Moon yelled.
"Because," was all Mistress Chronos said.
"Because? BECAUSE!" Sailor Earth was furious.
"Because your damned Queen robbed me of my life!" Mistress Chronos wailed.
Sailor Moon and Sailor Earth stared at the shadowed figure, unable to comprehend what she meant. Mistress Chronos stood and slowly walked down from her throne. The light finally hit her face and the two Senshi thought that they would faint. Mistress Chronos was Sailor Pluto!
"It can't be," Sailor Earth whispered. The woman before her certainly did look like Sailor Pluto, or rather Queen Setsuna. She wore the same dress as the Queen of Pluto, but now her neck and hands were adorned with various pieces of silver jewelry. Her dark green hair was now streaked with silver and her red eyes were wild, but she couldn't have been mistaken for anyone else. The most notable change, though, was, in place of the symbol of Pluto on her forehead, there was a black hourglass shape, like that of a black widow spider.
"Puu," Rini said. Her voice cracked and tears ran down her face. "No, it can't be you. Why? Why would you do this?"
"I never asked to be the Guardian of Time. Your Queen made me." She said the words 'your Queen' with contempt in her voice. "She robbed me of my life, my love. I was forced to live a lonely life in that void." Mistress Chronos clenched her hands in anger.
"But I came to visit you, Puu! I was your friend!" Sailor Moon yelled hurt.
Mistress Chronos smiled and it clearly was unpleasant. "Oh, how admirable. The friendship of a child. That would easily replace the love of my people. The love of another." Despite the obvious mocking in her voice, a single tear slid down her face.
"So you created those Dark Senshi and killed off your own allies? What kind of sense does that make?" Sailor Earth fumed as she took a step toward the fallen Senshi.
Mistress Chronos flew forward and grabbed Sailor Earth by the neck and lifted her off of the ground. She was fast, so fast in fact that Sailor Earth was caught totally off-guard. Sailor Earth gasped for air as Mistress Chronos's hand tightened around her neck.
"It is called revenge, little girl." She looked into Sailor Earth's eyes. "Why am I even talking to you? You don't even exist in this time." Mistress Chronos turned her eyes away from Sailor Earth as if dismissing her. A moment later, Sailor Earth disappeared. She simply disappeared.
"No!" Sailor Moon cried.
Mistress Chronos threw back her head and laughed. "Alone at last. And now, you little pink brat, I have a special surprise for you." She held forth her hand and the Time Staff appeared before her. At least, it looked like the Time Staff. The Garnet Orb was a deep, threatening black. Sailor Moon prepared herself for the worst, as Mistress Chronos raised the staff above her head. The orb began to glow and a door of light appeared to Sailor Moon's left. A person stood within the door.
"Come forth, Sailor Pegasus," Mistress Chronos smiled, evilly.
The figure walked forward out of the door, the light from it casting a shadow on her face. One thing Sailor Moon did notice, despite the glare, was that 'Sailor Pegasus' had a very familiar hairstyle.
"Oh, please, no, not that," she pleaded.
As the door closed, Sailor Moon's worst fears were confirmed. Standing before her, in a completely white Eternal fuku with big white wings on the back, and smiling just as evilly as her new master, was Usagi.
* * * * * * * * *
Sailor Saturn lay on the ground, unconscious, Sailor Pluto was leaning against her Time Staff. Her left arm hung limply at her side. Only Sailor Venus and Sailor Uranus were still truly standing.
The four Senshi fought valiantly after being transported to the void, but Sailor Dragon proved too strong, even for the Eternal Sailor Senshi.
"So what do we do now?" Sailor Uranus asked Sailor Venus as they stood side by side, swords raised at the evil green Sailor.
"Dying is a good idea," Sailor Dragon sneered. She raised her sword and brought it down fast, a green wave of energy flying from the blade. "Breath of the Beast!" she yelled.
Uranus and Venus managed to dodge the blast each on landing on either side of the wave's path. What they didn't realize was that the attack wasn't aimed at them. They whirled on the scream they heard.
"Pluto!" they cried in unison as the black-clad Senshi fell.
Sailor Dragon laughed. Uranus felt hot tears sting her eyes. She raised the Space Sword and yelled, "Eternal Space Sword Blaster!" A wave of golden light flew toward Sailor Dragon who simply jumped over it. She landed behind Sailor Venus and wrapped her arm around the blonde girl's neck.
"When are you going to learn that I can't be defeat that easily. Sailor Uranus felt time slow down as she watched Sailor Dragon's sword raise into the air. She knew she would never make it in time, but she started to run anyway. She watched in horror as the black blade entered Sailor Venus's back and exploded from her chest. She didn't even get a chance to scream.
Sailor Dragon dropped the lifeless body, turned to the horrified navy Sailor and whispered devilishly, "And then there was one..."
* * * * * * * * *
The other team of Sailor Senshi was not having better luck. Gryphon had easily defeated Mercury and Mars, and was now focusing all her attention on Neptune and Jupiter.
Neptune had seen better days. Her fuku was ripped and torn. She was covered in cuts and bruises. Her vision was slightly blurred. Jupiter was doing no better, but still they fought on.
"Eternal...Submarine...Reflection!" Neptune shouted wearily. Gryphon didn't even make a real effort she just stepped to the left, out of the line of fire.
"This is so sad," Gryphon sneered. "I bet Dragon got the good opponents." Sailor Gryphon frowned. This was not a true test of her skills.
"You want a fight?!" Jupiter cried, running at the Dark Senshi. "I'll give you a fight!"
Sailor Gryphon just stood and watched the green Sailor run towards her, fists raised. As soon as Jupiter was within range, Gryphon did a split and shoved her fist into Jupiter's stomach. The shock drove Jupiter to her feet, gasping for air.
Sailor Gryphon sighed. "This is pathetic!" she cried in annoyance. She brought her elbow down hard on the back of Sailor Jupiter's skull, rendering the brown-haired girl unconscious. Neptune was too weak to call out to her fallen ally.
Sailor Gryphon stalked toward the final Sailor. "Ah well, might as well finish this off. I might even get to squeeze in a little shopping."
* * * * * * * * *
Sailor Moon slammed into a wall. She was bruised and she knew that she'd broken at least three ribs. She slid to the floor and watched with tears in her eyes as 'Sailor Pegasus' stalked towards her.
"Usagi," she pleaded. "Why? Why are you doing this."
Mistress Chronos laughed. "I'll answer that." She held up the Ginzuishou. "As long as I have this, your precious Princess Serenity belongs to me."
Sailor Pegasus stood over Sailor Moon. She smiled at the pink Senshi, mockingly.
"Usagi," Sailor Moon choked on her tears. "Please, let me help you...you don't have to do this."
Sailor Pegasus seemed to falter for a second in light of Sailor Moon's tears. She looked back at Mistress Chronos, who answered her gaze by passing a gloved hand over the Ginzuishou. The gem began gleamed and eerie green light. Sailor Pegasus put her hands to her ears as if to shut out some sort of unearthly noise. When the Ginzuishou stopped glowing Sailor Pegasus once again leered down at Sailor Moon.
"I am Sailor Pegasus," she said matter-of-factly. "And you are about to die."
* * * * * * * * *
There was a horrible pounding in Sailor Earth's head. She realized she was lying on the floor and she gingerly pushed herself up on her knees. She rubbed her aching forehead and realized she'd lost her tiara. She opened her eyes and realized all she could see was...nothing. It took Sailor Earth a moment to comprehend the vast emptiness.
"W-where am I," she said out loud to know one in particular.
"The void," said a voice behind her.
Sailor Earth got to her feet, spun around and raised her fists all at the same time. She lowered her fists, though, when she realized that the voice had come from her own mouth. Well, to be more accurate, from the mouth of Gaia Kimiko. The girl standing before Sailor Earth was indeed, herself. A circle with an equal armed cross inside glowed on her forehead.
"The symbol of Earth," Sailor Earth whispered.
"That's right," Kimiko said. "I'm you. Well, I'm a part of you."
"But why am I in 'the void'," Sailor Earth asked.
"Because Mistress Chronos sent you here. She's removed you, us, from time."
"It's not her fault, though, she's being controlled," came another voice from the void. Sailor Earth turned to her left and came face to face with...Sailor Earth. She was wearing the original fuku.
"Controlled by who," Eternal Sailor Earth asked.
"By Tempo, a dark energy that seeks to use time to its advantage." Eternal Sailor Earth turned to the next voice. This one was wearing a fuku with a rainbow skirt as opposed to the regular red one.
"Super Sailor Earth," Sailor Earth said before Eternal Sailor Earth could ask.
"How many of you...err...me are there?" Eternal Sailor Earth asked no one in particular.
"Just a few more," Kimiko said, pointing over Eternal Sailor Earth's shoulder. Eternal Sailor Earth turned. Behind her there stood a young girl in a white spaghetti-strap dress with rainbow pleats down the front. Beside her was a woman in the same dress but with a golden crown on her head and a sheer bow on the back. And finally, standing beside the other two was another woman, older looking than the last, in, yet again, the same dress. This final woman's dress was different though. It had a red bow on the back and she had what seemed like fairy wings on her back and the symbol of Earth glowing on her forehead.
"We are your past and future incarnations," the young girl said. "I am Princess Kimiko of Earth."
"I am Queen Gaia of Elysion," said the second woman.
"And I am Terra, Goddess of the Earth, your final transformation," the final woman said. Her voice was melodic and almost sounded like bells.
"We are here to help you," Super Sailor Earth said.
"We'll lend you our powers to increase your own and the powers of the other Senshi," added Terra.
Eternal Sailor Earth blinked. It all sounded too unreal. "Are you sure this will work?"
Kimiko walked up to her Eternal counterpart and put a hand on her shoulder. "It has to."
Eternal Sailor Earth nodded Super Sailor Earth and Queen Gaia took her hands. Princess Kimiko stood between Sailor Earth and Kimiko and Sailor Earth took Super Sailor Earth's other hand. Terra took Queen Gaia's hand and Terra and Kimiko closed the circle.
"We are now in the proper formation," said Terra, "starting from Kimiko we are in ascending powers. Now, everyone, concentrate."
All of the girls and women closed their eyes. Slowly they each started to glow with the various colors of the rainbow.
"We are one," they said together. "We are the strength and spirit of the Earth. We shall triumph."
Slowly, starting with Kimiko, each one of the different incarnations lost form and turned into a glowing ball of color. They then melted into Terra's body. When the last one melted in, Terra began to glow with a bright white light.
She opened her eyes and said, "I am Terra. I am the vengeful hand of Mother Nature." She raised her hand in front of her and grabbed at the nothingness. As she pulled her hand away, the void tore and Terra could see through to Mistress Chronos's throne room.
"I will punish all evil," Terra said as she stepped through the hole in the void and materialized in between Sailor Moon and Sailor Pegasus. The Comet Senshi took a step back.
"You should not exist in this world," Terra said. She pointed a finger at Mistress Chronos. "And you have tampered with their lives. I will correct this."
Suddenly the Ginzuishou flew from Mistress Chronos's hands and came to rest in front of Sailor Pegasus. It glowed with a golden light. The white fuku on Usagi's body exploded away, once again leaving her in her regular clothes. The symbol of the Moon began to shine on her forehead.
"And now for the other Senshi," Terra said. She turned around and held out a hand to Sailor Moon. "I need your help," she said.
Sailor Moon stood up shakily and took her hand. When she did, the throne room was bathed in a brilliant silver light. When the light cleared, Usagi and Rini were standing next to Terra in their princess dresses. Behind them stood the other eight Eternal Senshi. They all looked equally confused.
"How--," Uranus began. She looked over at Venus. "Venus, Pluto! You're alive."
"What happened?" Venus asked.
Terra held up a hand. "Not yet." was all she said. In her hand appeared a green and a yellow gem.
"You will not use these fake Senshi to do your dirty work anymore." Terra said to Mistress Chronos. The two gems exploded in Terra's hand and the screams of Dragon and Gryphon could be heard in the throne room.
Mistress Chronos was furious. "I will destroy you. All of you." She raised her Dark Time Staff. The Onyx Orb pulsated with dark energy. She pointed it at the Senshi and whispered, "Hades Shriek." A beam of red energy shot out at the Senshi. Terra raised her hand. The beam of power flew away around the Senshi as if it had hit a dome.
"Not today, Chronos. Now we will free you of Tempo. All together now," she said over her shoulder. The other princesses and Senshi nodded. The Senshi all joined hands a prepared to give their powers to their three princesses.
"Eternal Venus Power!"
"Eternal Mercury Power!"
"Eternal Mars Power!"
"Eternal Jupiter Power!"
"Eternal Uranus Power!"
"Eternal Neptune Power!"
"Eternal Pluto Power!"
"Eternal Saturn Power!"
The Eternal Senshi's bodies started to glow their respective colors. The symbols of their planets burned brightly on their foreheads. Usagi and Rini joined hands and yelled simultaneously, "Cosmic Moon Power!" They both glowed with silver light.
Terra smirked at Mistress Chronos. "We are Senshi," she said. "And we shall win. Cosmic Earth Power!" She glowed a brilliant rainbow of colors.
The Senshi and princess all raised their hands to Mistress Chronos. Their energies slammed into her throwing her back into her throne. She screamed as if she were being torn apart. The Senshi all took a step forward.
"Come forth, Tempo!" Terra cried over the roar of the pure energy beams.
"Face us! Don't hide within that form anymore!" Princess Usagi yelled.
"And let go of my friend!" Rini screamed.
Mistress Chronos's body bucked under the barrage of energy. Her screams didn't stop, but neither did the Senshi. Suddenly, the symbol on Mistress Chronos's head shattered and was replaced by the symbol of Pluto.
Seeing this, the Senshi stopped their attack, and for a moment, the throne room was deathly silent. They all waited; watching the figure slumped in the throne. Princess Rini took a single step forward.
"Puu?" she said.
All at once a black cloud burst for Mistress Chronos's mouth. There was a white patch in the center shaped just like the symbol that had been on Mistress Chronos's brow. It spoke though it lacked a 'mouth' of any kind.
"I am Tempo, Master of Time," the cloud rasped. "And you are going to die."
"I don't think so." The Senshi were surprised to hear Sailor Pluto speak. She stepped forward and raised the Time Staff. "I am the Master of Time."
The Garnet Orb glowed. Its energies swirled around Tempo, but had no affect. Tempo laughed. "Pathetic," is sneered.
"Let us help you, Pluto," Uranus called to her friend.
"No," Pluto said over her shoulder. "Only I can do this."
"Only we can," said a voice across the room. Mistress Chronos stood before the throne with the Onyx Time Staff raised. She released its energy at Tempo. The mass seemed to hesitate for a moment. "Don't stop, Sailor Pluto!" She cried.
"We don't have enough power!" Pluto yelled.
"And you never will," Tempo laughed.
The other Senshi looked on helplessly. They all thought the same thing: 'What can we do?' It was Terra and Princess Rini who realized the answer. They looked at each other for a moment and at the same time produced from the folds of their dresses golden Time Keys. The nodded and raised the keys. Suddenly two Time Gates appeared in a cloud of mist. They swung open. From the one Rini summoned stepped the future's Eternal Sailor Pluto. From the other stepped a young girl in Pluto's original fuku. She looked to be no older than eleven years old. The two new raven-clad Senshi took a moment to glean the situation and joined in releasing their powers at the swirling, inky mass. This time Tempo screamed.
"Keep it up," Mistress Chronos yelled. The four Senshi of Time blasted away at the cloud. It began to shrink, shrivel and change until in Tempo's place was another Onyx Hourglass. Mistress Chronos walked up to it and picked it up.
"This should keep it contained," she said. She turned to the Sailor Senshi. "I am truly sorry for what I have done. Especially to you, Sailor Earth."
"Why did you do it, Pluto?" Sailor Mars asked.
"I am not Pluto anymore," Mistress Chronos said. "I am truly Mistress Chronos, the final form of Sailor Pluto. The entity, Tempo, gained control of me in the future. Since we Senshi were the only real enemies it had, it decided I needed to kill you now, while you were still too weak to stop it." Mistress Chronos grinned. "Apparently it underestimated you all."
"But what will we do with it now?" queried Sailor Neptune.
"We must seal this away, deep within the void," the alternate Sailor Pluto said, "in a place where there is no time. That way Tempo will have nothing to draw power from to free itself."
The four incarnations of the Senshi of Time gathered around the Onyx Hourglass. They held up their talisman orbs. The hourglass glowed dimly and then faded.
The three Sailor Pluto's turned to Mistress Chronos. They just stared at her. She simply nodded and walked away.
"What was that all about?" Usagi asked.
"We have to set time right. And we have to do it quickly. If things stay the way they are much longer, we'll all be in danger," Future Pluto said.
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Terra asked.
"Just gather around us and lend us your powers," Sailor Pluto said.
The Senshi did as they were told and gathered around the three raised Garnet Orbs. They closed their eyes and concentrated. They pushed all of their powers into those crimson spheres. They felt rather than saw the bright light that enveloped them and they all prayed individually that what power they had would be enough.