Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Stars: Chaos Theory
Act 50: The Guardian Returns
By: Sora Kazeno
"I had to stop you from making a mistake that would ruin everything."
"It was not a mistake."
"Then why don't you explain to everyone behind me how you chose the Starlight over Prince Endymion."
No one spoke for a few moments after Sailor Pluto's words. The group looked at Sailor Pluto and at Neo Queen Serenity. They didn't understand what was happening. Usagi is married to Mamoru…. Yet she hasn't become Neo Queen Serenity. They are too in shock to see the Queen before them to fully understand what was transpiring in front of them.
"My decision is none of your concern. It is just that. My decision. We've been through this multiple times before," Neo Queen Serenity is furious and tries to keep the overwhelming urge to scream at Sailor Pluto under control.
"You're decision led to the disappearance of Small Lady!" Sailor Pluto was no longer holding anything back. There were so many things she needed to tell Usagi but was worried about angering her in the past. Sailor Pluto refuses to hold it back any longer.
While the two were shouting at each other, they ignore the others standing nearby. The other are in shock at the even before them continue to transpire. Everything is so out of character for Usagi and Setsuna.
"Usa… what is she talking about?" Tuxedo Kamen finally finds his voice. It quivers when he tries to speak. He cautiously approaches his wife. Her behavior has been so odd the past month and now to see her as Neo Queen Serenity screaming at Sailor Pluto, he struggles to piece everything together. He must have misheard Sailor Pluto that Usa would pick another and Chibi Usa vanished.
Neo Queen Serenity hears his voice. She forgot he was here temporarily. She was too focused on Sailor Pluto. She isn't sure what to say to his question. She hesitates for a few moments trying to determine how she should respond. She realizes she can't even look at him, let alone tell him. It was hard enough telling him she chose Seiya in a different timeline and will be next to impossible to tell him in this timeline since they are married. She didn't want to witness breaking his heart again. "Not now," she finally responds and directs her attention to Sailor Pluto again. Some of her anger during those few moments subsided.
"Usa…" Tuxedo Kamen tries to form another coherent thought but is struggling while he tries to process this change in events.
"You knew she was gone before any decision was ever made. We both traveled to the future and Crystal Tokyo was gone." Neo Queen Serenity bit her tongue. Her outburst will only create more questions for the others behind. She didn't want to hear their questions.
One voice and one question rang out more than any of the others. "What did Setsuna-san mean you chose the Starlight over Prince Endymion?" The voice was full of anger and unmistaken. It is Sailor Uranus. Somewhere along the way, she moved closer to Neo Queen Serenity.
"Haruka-san… this is between Sailor Pluto and myself," Neo Queen Serenity tries to shoot down Sailor Uranus' question.
"No. This is between all of us. What the heck is going on? What happened to Crystal Tokyo and Chibi Usa-chan?" Sailor Uranus steps forward and is now only a few meters from the Queen. "How are you Neo Queen Serenity? We have a lot of questions that need answers."
"I would like some answers too," Neo Queen Serenity adds, desperately trying to turn the focus back to Sailor Pluto. She never thought this far out and how everything would play out when her abilities returned. How she would handle the reactions of the others when they learn of this alternative timeline she was from, where she belonged. She was too focused on confronting Sailor Pluto. "Answers as to what gave you the right to mess with the timeline."
"Your time became corrupt when Chaos returned; it was a downhill spiral from there. One I tried so hard to correct but you just couldn't accept it. You had to become Cosmos again…. So you could go back to the Starlight." Sailor Pluto adds fuel to the fire that is Sailor Uranus.
Sailor Uranus rushes forward and grabs Neo Queen Serenity by the shoulder, no longer willing to wait for an answer. "What is going on?" It was no longer a question, but a demand.
Neo Queen Serenity spun around shook off Sailor Uranus' hand. "Touch me again and you will regret it." A bright flash washed over Neo Queen Serenity and Sailor Cosmos returned. Her eyes narrow at Sailor Uranus.
Sailor Uranus is speechless for a moment by Usagi's action. She shakes her head, redirecting her focus. "Who are you? Why is Pluto talking about another timeline?"
Sailor Cosmos realizes she can't avoid their questions any more, Sailor Pluto made sure of that. "Chaos returned to my world and awakened my abilities as Sailor Cosmos, ruining the timeline we spent years preparing for. It became a world where Crystal Tokyo ceased to exist." She chooses her words carefully trying to give them just enough information to answer their questions and allow her time to finish speaking with Sailor Pluto.
"You neglected to tell them part that you didn't do anything to restore that world or that future." Sailor Pluto snaps. "Instead you discarded Mamoru-san and went to him instead."
Sailor Cosmos grips her staff tightly. After everything Sailor Pluto told them, she might as well say it out loud. There is no turning back. It can't be avoided any more. "As I said before, it was my decision, and my decision alone to make. I chose Seiya." She smirks. "Had I known you would betray me, I never would have selected you to be a member of the Royal Court of the Silver Millennium." She takes a few steps forward in a threatening manner, walking past a stunned Sailor Uranus. "You abused your powers and tried to re-write time. But now that I have awakened once more, I can set things right. It is only a matter of time before everything shifts back to what it was. You and Charon lost."
"Usagi-chan, you can't be serious…" Sailor Venus responds in disbelief. "You… you didn't choose Mamoru-san?" Her tone of voice slightly rises at the end. She looked at the others around her. Tuxedo Kamen is frozen in place with his fists balled up tightly. Sailor Mars couldn't look at Sailor Cosmos. Sailor Saturn has tears in eyes, most likely because she would never see Chibi Usa again.
"The only one that has betrayed is us, is our own Princess." Sailor Neptune walks forward to stand next to Sailor Uranus. Anger can be seen in her eyes as well as confusion. She could not believe that overnight Usagi went from being married to Mamoru to being with Seiya. She refused to believe such a drastic change in the blink of an eye all because she is wearing a different fuku and calls herself by a different name.
"Queen," Sailor Cosmos corrects the aqua haired senshi.
"Not to us. You don't belong to this time is what you're saying. We want our Usagi-chan back. Our Princess." Sailor Uranus attempts to keep her voice even. She raises her head above her head in preparation to attack if need be.
"Perhaps if you have your Eternal powers you would be a little more of match. You are underestimating my abilities. You don't realize just who I am." Sailor Cosmos' staff glows. "I guess you need a demonstration. "Starlight Breaker!" Sailor Cosmos launches one of her more powerful attacks.
Sailor Saturn rushes forward with her glaive, "Silent Wall!" She manages to place the barrier in time but it only lasted for a few seconds and all three of the Outer Senshi are blasted back onto the ground.
Sailor Uranus looks up at Sailor Cosmos from the ground. Her perspective of everything changed in that instant.
"What power…" Sailor Neptune comments in awe. "She is by far strong than Sailor Galaxia. There is no comparison."
"Your powers are raging out of control," Sailor Pluto warns. She has to appeal to the side of Usagi that always worried she would lose control and be a danger to everyone.
Sailor Cosmos laughs. "I've never been in more control. All of this power, this energy has been building since you silenced it." She lets out a deep breath. "I feel like I can finally breathe."
"Usa…." Tuxedo Kamen walks forward. He can't stand back in the shadows anymore after he witnessed her attack the other senshi. "I'm not sure what has happened to you in this other timeline. Is it why you've been so distant lately?" He waits for a moment for a response but receives none. "Usa what is going on? Talk to us. Talk to me." He slowly approaches her unsure of how she is going to react.
"I've already said all that I needed," Sailor Cosmos snaps at him. He is making the situation harder for her. "I'm going back to my timeline as this one will change back to what it should be… before Sailor Pluto tampered with time." She realizes if she remains here nothing would be accomplished and she is wasting time. "How much longer until everything reverts back?" She directs her question to the Guardian of Time.
"I'm not sure," Sailor Pluto responds honesty. "It could be hours or days…. There is a massive gap… and there was a time jump." There is nothing else she could do. Resetting time with Sailor Charon could only be done once. They failed. Things would return to what they were. Sailor Cosmos will return to Sailor Star Fighter.
"Can't you stop this?" Sailor Uranus shouts at Sailor Pluto. "If things were so bad before in this other timeline, how can you just stand there and do nothing?"
"You don't understand Haruka-san… there is nothing else that can be done. There was only one chance. I was only successful because I had help and my full powers. I don't have help or my added abilities in this timeline. None of us received our eternal powers nor the mark of the Silver Millennium." Sailor Pluto's voice softens as she tries to keep her emotions in check. "By the time we receive our new powers, we'll be that much closer to reverting back to the previous timeline."
Sailor Cosmos realizes staying here any longer will not help her situation. She was the outsider to everyone and was given the impression she is not welcome here because she made a decision they did not agree with. Things will be different she tells herself once everything reverts back. She takes a few steps away from the others. Some of her anger subsides in the knowledge things will go back to what they were. It will take a long time to forgive Setsuna for causing her so much pain. Setsuna did it on purpose to show her what she would be missing out on. Will she be able to forgive her? "I will see you all later once time adjusts."
"Wait, where are you going?" Tuxedo Kamen rushes forward trying to stop his wife from leaving. "Stay with us Usa. Let us talk."
"No… I can't stay here. It's very clear I am not welcomed here."
"It's not true Usa!" He pleads with her. He wants to hug her and tell her everything will be okay but he is afraid of how she will react. He is afraid she will lash out at him like she had against the Outer Senshi.
"Where will you go?" Tuxedo Kamen asks. He is doing anything he can think of try to keep her talking and have her remain here. He worries if she leaves here, he won't see her again.
"To a place where none of you can follow. Home." Sailor Cosmos looks up at the Moon. She couldn't wait to return to her kingdom and rest. She needs time to process the day's events. In a flash of bright light, Sailor Cosmos is gone. The streak of white continues onward until it reaches the Moon.
"We have to follow her," Tuxedo Kamen instructs everyone.
"It's impossible with our current power level." Sailor Pluto responds in dismay. "She won't stay there long once she realizes the kingdom was not restored in this timeline. Where she goes afterward, I'm not sure."
Sailor Mars stares at wide eyed. "What do you mean the Silver Millennium was restored?"
"She restored the Silver Millennium with her abilities." Sailor Pluto explains as if it is common knowledge.
Sailor Uranus is done playing games. "What the heck happened, and why didn't you tell us about it sooner?" She is angry at Sailor Pluto, Sailor Cosmos, and will forever be angry with Sailor Star Fighter. Then it hits her. "This is what you've been keeping from us! Why Usagi-chan has been acting so strange and wanted to speak to you in private."
Sailor Neptune's lips tighten as she recalls a conversation she had with Haruka. "It never ends well when we are kept in the dark."
"There was no need to tell you when everything was fine… until she re-awakened. Certain events in that timeline caused everything to spiral out of control. I was able to reset everything, though it appears it was only temporary."
"So it's true then… in that timeline she chose…." Sailor Venus couldn't bring herself to say his name in front of Mamoru, the current husband of Usagi. "…someone else." She shakes her head in disbelief. "But she is married to Mamoru-san!"
"She has memories of this timeline for the past month or so, and beyond that she has no memories of the past six years of this time." Sailor Pluto attempts to explain to the others so they can understand the situation. It was time to explain everything to them.
"I guess that explains why she has been acting so odd." Sailor Mars finally begins to understand her vision from the Great Fire during the past month. She looks over at Tuxedo Kamen. She neglects to mentions the conversation she had with Usagi at the shrine accusing her of having feelings for Seiya. It was truer than she ever imagined. She feels some guilt for what she said to Usagi. Was this somehow her fault? No. Usagi came from a timeline where she was already with Seiya, long before their discussion.
"I don't believe it," Tuxedo Kamen states, his clenched fist shaking in anger. "Usa would never do that." His mask hiding the anger in his eyes and the tears that threaten to fall any moment. If Seiya was standing in front of him, he would have punched him, multiple times.
"The Usagi-chan that was just here was very different than the one you are used too. Her powers can make her dangerous." Sailor Pluto is unsure how much she should elaborate on her abilities to the others in the situation. It could only cause a panic and make things worse.
"Why didn't she say anything?" Sailor Venus tries to wrap her head around all of the new information that has been thrown at her in the span of ten minutes.
Sailor Neptune shakes her head. "Would you believe her? Would any of us believe her?" She turned to face Sailor Pluto. "This is very troubling. What can we do to stop this? There has to be something?"
"There is nothing we can do. I've done all I can do. Sailor Cosmos won. Time will revert back. There is no stopping it. I just hope it will be a smooth transition without… any other surprises."
Sailor Cosmos smiles as she lands on the Moon. She was anxious to return home. For the past month if felt like torture to be so close to the Moon yet have it just out of her reach. She opens her eyes and to her horror the kingdom is in ruins. She rushes forward, her head moving side to side to survey the building fragments. Was there another battle that occurred here?
Then it hits her. The Silver Millennium was never restored in this timeline. All of her memories from her timeline are back, but those events haven't happened yet. She can feel anger fill up in her body. She wanted to come back here to be alone and wait for the timeline to adjust. She assumes it would have quickly shifted back. It didn't.
Why? When Sailor Pluto and Sailor Charon changed the timeline with the Crystal Key the events seemed to happen instantly. Did she need this Crystal Key to help restore what was lost? No. The Key can only be used by the Guardian of Time. How long was Sailor Pluto planning this? Were things already starting to change without her realizing it?
While Cosmos has the ability to travel through time, she cannot change the timeline. She cannot alter the past. If she changed something, anything, it could make everything worse. Sailor Pluto undoubtedly made the timeline unstable. She has to wait and let it play out.
She could take steps to restore the Silver Millennium again but there wasn't a point. Once the timeline changes to how it should be, the kingdom will be restored. She isn't sure what she should do next.
She paces back and forth. She can't go back to Earth yet. Everyone would have so many questions for her. She couldn't face them. She didn't want to see the look of betrayal on everyone's faces. She couldn't face Mamoru. She has to wait for the timeline to change back. She freezes. How would she know if things returned to normal? She would have to return to Earth at some point.
What was drastically different between the two timelines? Of course. The Three Lights. If there were advisements in the city for a new concern, tour, album, or something along those lines then she knows things have returned to how they once were.
Seiya… she smiles. She can't wait to see him. She has the abilities, the power to see him now. She walks away from the ruins and turns around to get her bearings. She finds Earth and knows she must travel in the opposite direction to make it to her destination. She doesn't hesitate. It will not take long.
As Sailor Cosmos passes Neptune it dawns on her. She slows her speed and comes to a halt. She hovers around the asteroid field between Neptune and Pluto. She forgot several important details in her excitement to see Seiya. If the timeline on Earth was wrong, so would the one on Kinmoku. She can't rely on her memories of the past timeline yet.
She gasps loudly as she realizes her mistake. She floats down toward the nearest asteroid. Seiya never returned to Earth and was never in a relationship with her. If she went to Kinmoku no one would know she is Sailor Cosmos and they might think she is a threat to everyone there. What if Seiya is with someone else in this timeline? Six years had passed. She paled at another thought. This version of her was never attacked by the Black Moon and exposed to the gas that is toxic to those of Lunar descent. She did not develop the immunity needed to allow her to survive.
"No…." Sailor Cosmos whispers quietly as everything begins to overwhelm her. She collapses on the ground of the asteroid. She places the staff to her side. She stares at the eight rings on her fingers. All of her powers have been returned to her but right now she feels so powerless.
Her anger over the past months events caused by Sailor Pluto is overwhelming. "No." She repeats again, louder this time. She clenches her fists into little balls. Her fists begin to shake. She squeezes her eyes shut. She can't believe she messed up like that. She can't believe she had forgotten such an important detail.
She hits the ground in front of her in anger. "NO!" She yells again. Louder this time. She continues to hit the ground with her eyes shut. She had done this before against the Death Busters when she thought she couldn't transform in Super Sailor Moon without the Holy Grail after Sailor Saturn went into the void to stop Pharaoh 90.
However this time, she possess near limitless powers. She hit the ground a few more times. The last hit was different. Pure white light escapes from her hands as she hits the ground beneath her.
She hears cracking sounds and the asteroid beneath her shatters into pieces. She grabs her staff before she loses it in the debris. She feels completely drained of all energy. She struggles to keep her eyes open. She moves just far enough to not be hit by any of the larger rocks. She makes her way to another nearby asteroid and collapses out of exhaustion.
She exerted herself right after her powers were awakened. Something that she knows she should not have done but she was so excited to have her powers only to realize little has changed. Her eyes are heavy; she can't keep them open any more. It doesn't take long for her to drift into unconsciousness.
The remnants of the storm pass quickly now that Sailor Cosmos stopped the oncoming typhoon. The clouds fade away to reveal a clear evening sky.
The group is now sitting outside of the Hikawa Shrine in utter silence. They wait for Setsuna to explain the situation in more detail. They are in shock as the events unfolded earlier and only absorbed pieces of information. The Usagi before them was from another timeline where she was also Sailor Cosmos. A new, very powerful senshi, that cast Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune aside as if they are rags dolls. The power levels between the Outer Senshi and Sailor Cosmos was laughable. It was as if they were facing Sailor Galaxia all over again, this feeling of hopelessness. They would gain some new abilities eventually that might make them powerful to stop Sailor Cosmos if needed. She suddenly became Neo-Queen Serenity. And the part they struggle with believing the most, Usagi chose Seiya over Mamoru. Their entire understanding of the word around them no longer made sense.
"Why didn't you tell us this sooner?" Mamoru yells at Setsuna. "I came to your apartment a month ago to ask you what was wrong with Usa and you told me she would be fine and to give her time. Is this what she was struggling with? Is this what she needed to adjust to? This life?"
No one had ever seen Mamoru this angry before. Nor had they ever seen him yell at anyone like this before. But he had a right to be this angry. He feels betrayed by Setsuna. He wanted to help and all Setsuna did was make things worse. She tried to give him the false security that everyone would be alright. But everything was far from alright. Nothing would ever be the same.
Haruka glares at Setsuna. She doesn't understand how Setsuna would let things get so far out of control to the point Chibi Usa would not exist and Usagi would chose the outsider.
"I never anticipated she would become Sailor Cosmos again. Her memories of the past timeline should have faded and been replaced with ones of the present. It was supposed to be simple." Setsuna attempts to explain to the angry senshi before her.
"Simple?" Haruka gives her an icy stare. "I don't see what part of this is simple. More importantly why didn't you do anything to stop her?"
"I did try. But I was unsuccessful. There was a time I was certain she would always choose Mamoru-san. But then she left for Kinmoku-"
"She left with them." Haruka raises an eyebrow and speaks in a killer tone. She would have beat Seiya senseless if he was standing before her at this moment. "I would have stopped her from leaving."
"You tried. She stopped you with barely any effort." Setsuna counters immediately. "Much like today."
Haruka shifts uncomfortably in her seat and remains silent, waiting for Setsuna to continue her explanation.
"She went to Kinmoku and with the help of Princess Kakyuu and Sailor Galaxia, they began to train her how to use her new abilities. Something we could not do here. None of us could ever teach her properly. She had to learn these abilities from other senshi like her, senshi that draw their powers from the stars not from planets."
"What do you mean she draws her powers from the stars?" Michiru looks at her curiosity. "I thought her powers came from the Moon."
"She still does. Sailor Cosmos is the legendary senshi that originally single handedly sealed Chaos for eons before the seal weakened over time. A feat Sailor Galaxia could not accomplish on her own." Setsuna tries to keep her composure. She never wanted to have to explain this to everyone but she could not just disappear without providing them answers of what transpired. If something happened and things did not transition smoothly, they needed to be prepared. "Senshi that draw their powers from the stars are the most powerful. And only one senshi, Sailor Cosmos can draw her powers from the stars and the Moon. She is one of a kind."
"What kind of powers does she have then?" Rei asks. She needs to understand this new Usagi she had seen for the past month.
"Her offensive and defensive abilities have amplified to an unknown level. Like Sailor Saturn, she can heal physical injuries. I've seen her resurrect a Sailor Senshi that died from her injuries. She can travel to the future. She can have premonitions, as well as touch in object and gain all of its inform from the time it was created. She learns the object history and those associated with the object." She pauses before she explains the final ability. "And teleportation. She can travel as far as Kinmoku in less than hour."
"That is why we could never follow her." Rei is beginning to understand why Sailor Pluto was so worried when Sailor Cosmos appeared before them. "We would never be able to keep up with such speed."
"She is the ultimate senshi…" Minako whispers. "And she is angry."
Mamoru is silent absorbing all of this information. Looking for something he could use to get Usa back to him. He refused to believe he would have to cast everything to the side. "I refuse to give up on her… on us. Everything was so perfect before."
"We have to find her first." Haruka suddenly speaks up. "I don't like the anger she displayed. What if she does something that she will regret out of anger?"
Michiru pulled out her mirror. "Leave that to me." She closes her eyes in concentration focusing her energy on finding the Princess. She looks at the mirror when the glass begins to glow dimly. "I can't tell where this is. It looks like nothing I've seen before. Barren rocks. But no physical sign of her."
Setsuna shakes her head after viewing the image. "I'm not sure where that is either. All I know, is it not on this planet or the moon. I don't know if she is even in our star system any more. We have to wait for her to return."
"What if she doesn't return?" Haruka asks standing up to look up at the Moon.
"Then we hope that our Eternal power return soon. Then we can follow her." Setsuna talks a few steps away from the group.
"Eternal… the ultimate form…" Rei murmurs. She realizes this must have been the form she had seen in her vision in the Great Fire. The version of themselves with two skirts… an appearance similar to Eternal Sailor Moon. She can't believe she didn't realize this sooner.
"So those powers will just show up?" Minako asks confused.
"Theoretically, yes. As the two timelines merge, events from the previous one will take shape in this one. I'm not completely sure how it will work since this has never happened before."
"How did she become Sailor Cosmos?" Mamoru asks the question on everyone's mind. Usa becoming Sailor Cosmos was the turning point to all this madness.
"I'm sorry to interrupt Your Highness, but we just received this report about an event that happened a few hours ago that requires your immediate attention." An advisor enters the room with stacks of paper. Anytime he interrupts a meeting between the Princess and her three Starlights it a reason for alarm.
Princess Kakyuu looks up at her messenger in alarm. "What is wrong?"
"There have been reports of an explosion. We are not sure how large or what kind of damage has been done..."
"An explosion…" Princess Kakyuu repeats slowly. "What kind of explosion?"
"That's just it. We don't know." The advisor looks over the paperwork in his hands.
"I see," Princess Kakyuu slowly responds, deciding what would be the best course of action. "Is it something that we can monitor from afar or is it necessary to send someone in person?"
"The energy burst emitted before the explosion is off the charts. It is not natural. It may be an attack of some sort."
"Where did this explosion occur?" The Princess stands up in alarm.
"The outer edge of the Milky Way."
Sailor Star Fighter could feel the lump develop in her stomach immediately. "Odango…" she whispers.
Sailor Star Maker and Sailor Star Healer stare at her for a moment before they make the connection. "It's the same star system as Earth. You don't think…?" Sailor Star Maker's voice trails off. Speculation would not help an already delicate situation.
"Earth is home to many of our allies. We must determine if they need our assistance." Princess Kakyuu decides. She turns to three Starlights in the room with her. "I would like the three of you to leave as soon as possible. You have the most familiarity with the Milky Way. I would like you to also take the three Starlights in training with you. If it is bad as it sounds, you might need their assistance."
"But Princess, who will protect you here?" Sailor Star Healer objects to the thought of leaving Princess Kakyuu without senshi to protect her.
"I will be fine. I can take care of myself. And it need be, I can summon you back. We can also ask Sailor Galaxia for assistance. She has been a great help rebuilding our world and several others." Princess Kakyuu reassures Sailor Star Healer. "However, the sooner you travel there and learn what has happened, the sooner I will be at ease."
"Of course Princess," Sailor Star Maker bows before the Princess with the other two Starlights following the gesture.
Sailor Star Fighter is silent as she walks out of the room. She couldn't believe the turn of events and her luck to be so close to Usagi again. She wishes it was under better circumstances yet if there was no danger she would not have this opportunity to potentially see her. Is there a way to go to Earth afterward?
Based on the information presented to the Princess, it could be very dangerous. She has to focus on her mission as a senshi first to determine the cause of the disturbance and learn what they can.
An hour later, all six Starlights are ready to depart. This is the first time the three Starlights in training will be leaving their star system. They completed other missions within their star system but none with this potential level of danger.
"Report back what you find. Time is critical. We have to know which way this threat is headed and if other star systems will need to be mobilized." Princess Kakyuu instructs them. So many worlds were badly damaged during the recent Sailor War over the starseeds and are still recovering. Kinmoku was fortunate to have progressed far in such a short period of time.
Sailor Star Maker waits for a response from Sailor Star Fighter but Fighter already seems to be a million miles away thinking of that girl again. "We will check in with you every step of the way," Sailor Star Maker reassures Princess Kakyuu. She pushes Sailor Star Fighter's shoulder to gain her attention.
"Geez what is that for!" Sailor Star Fighter shouts rubbing her shoulder.
"You need to pay attention and focus on the mission not that girl." Sailor Star Healer snaps. "Maybe it would be better if you stayed here where she will distract you less. It's been six years."
"I'm going to follow through with my mission as a senshi to protect the galaxy from threats." Sailor Star Fighter refocuses her attention. She knows she has to focus on the mission more than Usagi but it is not such a simple task for her knowing they will be in the star system again.
Sailor Cosmos slowly opens her eyes. She has no idea how long she was asleep. She is startled by her surroundings. They are so barren and lifeless. Where is she? She tries to remember but nothing is sparking her memory.
She gasps when she realizes she has eight pearl rings on her fingers. She inspects her clothing realizing she is once again the Guardian. It is starting to come back to her. She awakened and is in limbo waiting for the timeline to be restored to what it was. But where was this? She floats in the air to try to get a better idea. She is somewhere between Earth and Kinmoku. Was she still in her own solar system?
The group is getting ready to disperse when several large groups appear at the shrine to pray.
"What is going on?" Rei asks no one in particular. She knew the other senshi would not know and walks up to a few faces she recognizes from their frequent travels to the shrine. Once she is closer, she asks a young female with short black hair. "Has something happened?"
"Oh Rei-chan you haven't heard the news? Scientists are reporting there was an explosion at the outer edge of the solar system. They don't know what caused it, if there was any damage and if it will happen again. Everyone is so worried they came here to pray. Some are saying it is the beginning of the end." The woman explains to Rei what she and her friends had seen on the news.
"No… this is the first I've heard about it…. I'm sure everything will be fine." Rei found herself telling the woman even though she didn't believe a word of it. She leads them over to a section of the shrine for prayer so she can rush back to the others.
"Rei-chan what is wrong?" Minako asks as soon as Rei is standing with them again.
Rei shakes her head in disbelief. "She just told me scientists are reporting an explosion at the outer edge of the solar system."
"You don't think…" Minako couldn't finish the sentence.
"Usa would never do anything destructive. It is in her nature to protect people," Mamoru immediately shoots down the idea of Usagi being related to the explosion.
"Not destructive?" Haruka challenges. "She already attacked us once."
"You didn't leave her a choice. She felt trapped." Mamoru continued to defend her. "Your arm was raised like you were going to attack her." He struggles with believing everything Setsuna had told them. He refuses to believe Usagi would choose Seiya, Crystal Tokyo would disappear, and Chibi Usa would not be born. He and Usagi are already married and it will stay that way. Whatever this is, it will pass and things will go back to normal.
Setsuna shook her head. "She is capable of evil and destruction. I've seen it. This Usagi-chan is completely different than the one you know." She shakes her head in dismay. "Until our crystal pendants return we can't do anything."
"What good would it do to go after her if the timeline is just going to change?" Michiru asks trying to comprehend what Setsuna wanted to stop Sailor Cosmos. "What are you afraid of that she is going to in the mean time?"
Setsuna shook her head. "It is the uncertainty that has me the most concerned. I'm worried she might do something that could harm both timelines without realizing it. This Usagi-chan can be unpredictable."
"Are you sure this is it?" Sailor Star Healer asks looking around. She, along with the five other Starlights are standing on a barren asteroid. "All the planets are still here and Earth is the only one inhabited. No one should be injured."
"But something caused the explosion. We have to find out what. If it is a threat we need to stop it here before it moves in the direction of Kinmoku," Sailor Star Maker explains. "If might not seem like a big deal to you but it has our Princess worried."
"This is our first mission away from Kinmoku. We are not going to mess it up and we are going to be thorough," Sailor Star Destroyer chimes in.
Sailor Star Fighter's head snaps up. She feels a familiar light. One she would never forget or mistake for anything else. "Impossible." She whispers. She starts walking away from the others toward the direction of that shine.
"Fighter, where are you going?" Sailor Star Creator is the first to notice Sailor Star Fighter is wandering off. She brushes a few loose bangs of her periwinkle hair to the side and chases after.
"Maybe Fighter saw something," Sailor Star Destroyer looks at Sailor Star Maker and Star Healer for direction. She wants to rush off and follow them but she did not want to jeopardize any mission. Becoming a full-fledged Starlight is her goal.
Sailor Star Maker sighs. "Fighter can be impulsive but a lot of times her hunches are correct. We should follow." Sailor Star Maker and the three other remaining Starlights run after their comrade.
Sailor Star Fighter's heart is racing and she bursts into an all-out sprint. She doesn't want to waste a moment. She has to know if Odango is up ahead. She needs to see it for herself and no one is going to stop her. She runs toward the edge of the asteroid and stops. No one is there. But her presence is the strongest in this area. She jerks her head around side to side but only sees the other Starlights following behind her.
Was she wrong? Did she want to see Odango so much her mind played a cruel trick on her? If she is not standing on the asteroid, is she nearby somewhere just out of reach and or is she missing something?
Sailor Star Creator lightly touches Sailor Star Fighter's shoulder and points upward not saying a word.
Sailor Star Fighter immediately looks up into the sky and seeing someone floating above with their back facing them. It is hard to make any distinguishing features. They are wearing what looks like white robes.
The other Starlights arrive and survey what is before them. All of them except Sailor Star Fighter; she can't take her eyes off the person in white. The closer she stands to this person the fewer doubts she has. The shine is instantly recognizable. She attempts to speak but her mouth is dry. She doesn't know what to say.
Sailor Star Healer is not lost for words. "Who are you?" She shouts at the figure floating in the sky. She knows her voice is loud enough for the mysterious person to hear. She waits for a response.
Sailor Cosmos is startled to hear voices below her. As her thoughts become more focused on their presence she realizes she recognizes the voice. "Sailor Star Healer…" She says loud enough for them to hear her speaking but unable to determine what she said.
Then it clicks. She gasps and turns around immediately descends toward the asteroid. If Sailor Star Healer is present than surely the other Starlights would be there. She realizes there are six Starlights below her. Three dressed in black and three dressed in silver. She scans the three in black and immediately recognizes Sailor Star Fighter. She is overcome with joy to see her but does not know what to say. She realizes all of them but Sailor Star Fighter have taken a defensive pose by her sudden decent to the asteroid. She is baffled by their response for a moment. She is looked at as the enemy. Her shoulders slumps a little, they have never seen Sailor Cosmos before or know her true identity. It is understandable a new senshi would put them on edge. She notices Sailor Star Fighter watching her intently with sadness in her eyes. She smiles slightly at the Starlight. She lands on the asteroid a short distance away.
"Who are you?" This time it is Sailor Star Maker demanding an answer.
Sailor Cosmos opens her mouth to speak but Sailor Star Destroyer does not give her the opportunity. "You have the mark of the Guardian on your forehead. How is that possible?"
"It is because I am the Guardian, Sailor Cosmos," Sailor Cosmos speaks softly.
Hearing her voice again there was no mistaking it. "… Odango…" Sailor Star Fighter stutters trying to force her legs to move her forward.
Sailor Star Maker and Sailor Star Healer shake their heads in disbelief. They also recognized her voice.
"Wait, you know her?" Sailor Star Protector jumps in. Everyone seemed to know who she was except her and her two fellow Starlights in training.
"I don't believe it," Sailor Star Healer shakes her head in disbelief. "All the way out here…" She smirks. "You're a long way from Earth."
Sailor Cosmos can't hold it in anymore. "Seiya!" She exclaims rushing forward to Sailor Star Fighter to hug her.
Sailor Star Fighter pictured in her mind hundreds of time what it would be like when she would see Odango again but this was not it. She stood there dumbfounded. She has so many thoughts rushing through her head but cannot form a coherent thought. She feels Sailor Cosmos put her arms around her in a tight embrace and it snaps her back to the present. She hugs her back tightly. She notices Sailor Cosmos is a lot taller and her head reaches the Starlight's shoulder. "I can't believe you're here..." Sailor Star Fighter finally manages to whisper.
"I've missed you so much," Sailor Cosmos whispers as she ends the hug. A few tears from her eyes. There is so much she wants to say and do but this is not the same Seiya she is in a relationship with. She has no idea how to or if she should bring it up. The timeline should be realigning soon.
"What are you doing here? And better yet, how are you Sailor Cosmos? What the heck happened?" Sailor Star Healer immediately begins questioning Sailor Cosmos not giving her any more time to talk to Sailor Star Fighter. The white haired Starlight wanted answers.
"Ehh… it's kind of a long story… and I'm not sure you would believe it…" Sailor Cosmos rubs the back of her head. "It's rather complicated and involves alternative timelines… time travel… and... space travel ….changing destiny… And …." Her voice travels off.
Sailor Star Maker begins laughing at how ridiculous the explanation sounded so far.
Sailor Star Destroyer narrows her eyes at Sailor Cosmos as she begins to put everything together. This was the Earth girl that Fighter fell head over heels in love with, she didn't seem that special. "Why was there an explosion here?"
"It's not as bad as it seems Shiori-chan," Sailor Cosmos responds. She freezes when she realizes what she just said. Her eyes lower to the ground.
The Starlights stiffen when Sailor Cosmos speaks to Sailor Star Destroyer and calls her by her first name when it is the first time they ever met.
"I never told you my name!" Sailor Star Destroyer yells at Sailor Cosmos.
"I'm sorry," Sailor Cosmos quickly apologies. "It's just the timeline I'm from… I've already met the Starlights in training." She tries to explain to make them understand.
"We should return to Kinmoku. Princess Kakyuu needs to know the Guardian has revived." Sailor Star Creator suggests to the other senshi. She can see the tension rising and wanted to dissipate before it becomes out of control. It would only end badly for Sailor Star Destroyer. It was no mystery how Sailor Star Destroyer felt about Sailor Star Fighter.
"You should come with us. I'm sure Princess Kakyuu will have a lot of questions for you. We all have a lot of questions. Being the Guardian, Sailor Cosmos…. We thought that senshi was only a legend." Sailor Star Fighter chooses her words carefully. She has no doubts about Kinmoku's safety based on her previous experience with her. Odango would never do anything to hurt someone. It was not her nature.
"I can't." Sailor Cosmos immediately rejects the offer. "Kinmoku's atmosphere is too dangerous, it is toxic to me. I am of Lunar descent. It nearly killed me last time." Sailor Cosmos realizes she probably should have left out the last sentence.
"Odango, what are you talking about?" Sailor Star Fighter stares at her in disbelief, moving a step back. "You have never been to Kinmoku."
"Not in this timeline. But in the one I am from, I have."
"So you were serious about being from another timeline?" Sailor Star Protector asks raising an eyebrow.
"I guess I do have a lot to explain after all." Sailor Cosmos isn't sure how much she should explain to them. Things didn't go too well with her senshi. After a moment of hesitation she finally starts to explain, "I guess everything changed when Chaos reappeared on Earth."
"Chaos returned?" Sailor Star Maker jumps in. "How could that be?"
"Some of Chaos was strapped inside my starseed and overtime, it took over." Sailor Cosmos lowers her eyes a little as she thinks about the pain she caused everyone. "And it awakened my powers as Sailor Cosmos. If everyone didn't work together… the Earth Senshi and the Starlights, Sailor Galaxia, and Princess Kakyuu… it would have ended badly." Sailor Cosmos begins to explain. She chooses her words carefully and deciding how much she wanted to reveal.
"We were there?" Sailor Star Fighter slowly asks. How could there have been a battle that sounded so horrible in this other timeline. She shutters at the thought of Odango being controlled by Chaos.
"You need to tell us what happened with Chaos and if Chaos is going to return." Sailor Star Healer's tone is very serious.
The Starlights in training stand by and observe. It was best to let the other Starlights question Sailor Cosmos since they already have a previous relationship. The Guardian would be more likely to answer their questions. They did not know her even though it appears Sailor Cosmos knows them well.
Sailor Cosmos doesn't quite know where to start. She was not sure how to even mention the relationship she developed with Seiya. "Well… I guess it started when new Sailor Animates appeared on Earth searching for the starseeds Chaos was hidden within." She slows begins to explain how none of the senshi had their memories and they gradually regained their memories when they were attacked.
"So what do we do next?" Haruka asks Setsuna. The longer they stand around, the more restless she feels. Suddenly, a bright light appears in front of each of the women. The bright light turns into a crystal orb and a necklace.
Their eternal powers returned and with them, a few fragmented memories leading up to their individual quests to obtain the powers around their necks.
Setsuna clasps the crystal around her neck. "Now we have the ability to go after her. We need to go to where the explosion occurred. I just hope she is still in that area." She feels hopeful for the first time in several hours. She is thankful to have her powers back but it also means the timelines are merging.
"How do we use the crystal, and how do we go after Usagi?" Rei asks Setsuna for instructions.
"First transform. These are your Eternal Powers." Setsuna begins to explain but realizes a demonstration would explain everything quicker. "Pluto Eternal, Make Up!" Pale purple light bursts out of the crystal engulfing her, transforming her into her alternative form. When the energy dissipates, Sailor Pluto stands next to them, the sign of Pluto on her forehead softly glowing.
Haruka follows afterward, it was all she needed. "Uranus Eternal, Make Up!"
"Neptune Eternal, Make Up!"
"Saturn Eternal, Make Up!"
Minako looked at Rei and she nodded her head in agreement. She wanted to follow after Usagi and try to talk some sense into her. "Venus Eternal, Make Up!"
"Mars Eternal, Make Up!"
The senshi can feel the shift in their abilities and powers. It was like nothing they ever felt.
"These are our true forms…." Sailor Uranus inspects her fuku. "This feels ten times more powerful. She isn't going to knock me back again."
Sailor Pluto smirks. "Actually she still could, quite easily. But it we all work together, it is another story. Unfortunately we don't have Sailor Mercury and Sailor Jupiter with us."
"What can I do to help?" Tuxedo Kamen asks stepping forward. He didn't want to be left behind.
Sailor Pluto frowns and lets him down as gently as she can. "I'm afraid there is nothing you can do at this time Mamoru-san. You do not possess the strength needed to travel with us. If the other two senshi were here it would be easier but we do not have extra time to spare. We have to leave as soon as possible."
"You expect me to stay here and do nothing?" Tuxedo Kamen shot back at the Sailor Pluto.
"Yes. Until your abilities fully awaken it will slow us down to take you with us and time is precious. We have to be leaving." She pauses for a moment. "Contact Mako-chan and Ami-chan they most likely received their crystals as well."
Tuxedo Kamen falls silent his fists clenching. He hates having to wait around while he is powerless to help Usagi again. He grew tired of this pattern but also understands the longer he argues with Sailor Pluto the more time is wasted that would be better served following after Sailor Cosmos. "I will contract them. When you bring her back, make sure I have a chance to speak with her."
"Of course." Sailor Pluto turns the others. "We need to be leaving."
A few minutes later the six senshi vanish in an array of colors to head toward the explosion that was discussed on the news.
Sailor Cosmos went into detail how she awakened as Sailor Cosmos. She skipped a lot of the details how the senshi stopped her on purpose. She left out the part about her and Seiya. She couldn't just drop that bombshell on Sailor Star Fighter in front of everyone else. The Starlight was still in shock to just be in Sailor Cosmos' presence. She hopes she would have a moment with Seiya alone, away from the others. She began to discuss how she ended up going to Kinmoku for training when she was interrupted by flashes of bright light. She inhales a deep breath.
The light vanished and six sailor senshi from Earth stood there. Sailor Uranus took a few steps forward and to tell Sailor Cosmos, "You're coming back with us."
The other planetary senshi gasp when they realize the Starlights are present. "Starlights…" Sailor Venus slowly says in shock. She looks at Sailor Mars.
Sailor Mars' eyes mirror Sailor Venus'. Sailor Cosmos immediately sought out Seiya.
Sailor Cosmos' eyes narrow as she turns around to glare at the senshi. Her eyebrows widen when she realizes they are in their Eternal form. "No." She answers flatly.
"If we have to, it will be by force," Sailor Uranus takes a few steps forward to emphasize her point, closing the distance between the two of them.
Sailor Cosmos laughs loudly. "You can try but I guess you didn't learn anything from last time."
Her response shocks the Starlights and the Earth Senshi.
An evil smile appears on her lips and she laughs again. "I guess I should be thanking you Sailor Pluto for all you have done."
The look on Sailor Cosmos' face sends a shiver down Sailor Pluto's spine. She had seen that look before on her face. Her lips part as she starts to understand what happened, what she has done. Why Sailor Cosmos acted the way she did earlier. She never anticipated this outcome. How could she have miscalculated this so badly? She shakes her head. "It's not possible…" she whispers.
Sailor Cosmos laughs again. "You've even given me a second chance. You were so angry at Usagi for choosing Seiya in the other timeline you tried to reset the timeline." She missed the look of shock on Sailor Star Fighter's face behind her. Any concern she had about Fighter's feelings went out the window the moment the other senshi caught up with her. Usagi was no longer in control.
"How could I have not seen this coming?" Sailor Pluto asks herself even though she knows she does not have an answer.
"You never dreamed the Guardian would awaken again. No matter what timeline you choose, Chaos is always within this starseed." Sailor Cosmos smiles while lightly placing her hand to her chest. "You cannot have Cosmos without Chaos. Chaos was defeated in the past timeline never to return…. Too bad you can't say the same for this one." Sailor Cosmos laughs again, it sounds like a similar laugh Sailor Galaxia used when she toyed with the senshi. "Last time you stood a chance. This time I know how to control my powers." Sailor Cosmos walks a few steps forward Sailor Pluto. "I think there is one thing that works better with this fuku…" Golden energy forms around her wrists becoming a familiar set of bracelets; one with a green jewel and one with a purple jewel. "I was so close to collecting everyone's starseeds last time. I have so many to choose from here."
Sailor Pluto closes her eyes as feelings of despair wash over her. How could she never have anticipated this outcome? She had to believe everything would return to what it once was despite all the things that had happened. Is this karma coming back at her for meddling with time? She knows Sailor Cosmos is right. All of her abilities have been unlocked and she has memories how to use them. She knows how the senshi defeated Chaos last time. The other senshi do not have these memories giving them a clear disadvantage.
Sailor Star Fighter stares at the golden bracelets on Sailor Cosmos' wrists. "You can't be serious Odango."
She turns to the Starlight and smirks. "I should start with your starseed." She laughs.
"That's enough!" Sailor Star Healer shouts at Sailor Cosmos. "After everything that happened when we battled against Galaxia, this is the outcome? What the heck were you fighting for to save a planet and your friends you're about to kill?"
Everyone is silent after Sailor Star Healer's outburst. They didn't expect it from her.
With a slight flick of her wrist, Sailor Cosmos sends a wave of golden energy at Sailor Star Healer knocking her back. She would eventually collect their starseeds but she enjoys the look of despair on Sailor Pluto's face. She wants her prey to suffer and play with them until she pounces.
Sailor Star Fighter and Sailor Star Maker help Sailor Star Healer back up.
Sailor Star Healer pulls out her star compact in preparation to attack Sailor Cosmos in retaliation. Sailor Star Fighter grabs her wrist. "You can't attack her."
"The hell I can't! Don't you see what is going on?" Sailor Star Healer yells at Sailor Star Fighter. "Your feelings for this girl are blinding you again." She looks at Sailor Star Maker for support and receives none.
"You bore me. I think I should go after my biggest threat first…. And perhaps on my way back… the second biggest threat…. your Princess."
Sailor Star Destroyer couldn't handle it anymore. She sees someone that just threatened to attack their Princess and none of the Starlights seem to do anything do stop her. She didn't want to remain idle anymore. She rushes forward at Sailor Cosmos, quickly closing the gap.
"You just don't seem to get it," Sailor Cosmos raises her right hand and snaps her finger. Two energy bursts leave the bracelet speeding toward Sailor Star Destroyer.
The other senshi cannot do anything but watch in horror. The energy pattern is one they would never forget.
Sailor Star Destroyer screams as the energy hits her body. She experiences a pain like someone is ripping something out of her body. A golden flower appears with a pale pink starseed floats up in the air. Sailor Star Destroyer crumples to the ground like a rag doll. Her body flashes gold for a moment before it starts to break apart into circles. Just like all the other senshi did when their starseeds were taken six years ago.
Sailor Star Creator and Sailor Star Protector rush forward to what they can to assist her. The other senshi do not rush forward. They know there is nothing they can do to help her.
"Hang on, we'll think of something to help you," Sailor Star Protector tries to hold her hand to comfort her but her hand goes through Sailor Star Destroyer. She is gradually fading from existence.
"No…" Sailor Star Fighter says in disbelief. She wants to believe her eyes are playing tricks on her. Odango would never be this cruel to someone and do something to purposely hurt them.
A few seconds later, Sailor Star Destroyer disappears from sight.
"What have you done?" Sailor Star Creator yells at Sailor Cosmos.
"I collected her starseed… don't worry you will join her soon enough. But I do have somewhere I need to be right now. I will see you all again soon." Sailor Cosmos grins when her staff glows dimly. With a bright flash of white, Sailor Cosmos disappears.
Sailor Star Fighter spun around to address the senshi from Earth. "What the hell happened to her?"
"It is not your concern." Sailor Uranus steps forward toward the Starlight glaring at her.
"She just took a Starlight's starseed. We're not just going to walk away." Sailor Star Healer snaps at the senshi of the wind.
"If you never brought Galaxia to Earth, we would not be in the predicament. You should have stayed where you belonged." Sailor Neptune snaps back at the Starlights.
Sailor Saturn takes her que from Sailor Uranus and Neptune. "Why are you in our star system again? Every time we cross paths you bring Chaos to us."
Sailor Star Fighter's hands clench tightly into fists. "An asteroid was destroyed so of course we're going to investigate!"
"So much for leaving Earth as allies." Sailor Star Maker glares at the Outer Senshi.
Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus run in between the Outer Senshi and Starlights before it escalates further. "Stop this! This is not going to help Usagi!"
There is a long pause before anything speaks. They all know Sailor Mars is correct.
"Where did she go?" Sailor Venus asks everyone. She didn't like how Sailor Cosmos suddenly vanished.
"I think it is best that you, Mars, and Saturn return to Earth. Tell Mamoru-san what happened. I will need the assistance of Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune." Sailor Pluto instructs Sailor Venus. She realizes she needs all the help they can get. She turns to the Starlights, "It might be best to alert your Princess right away. Have her mobilize those star systems. We need everyone. Chaos has returned and has corrupted the most powerful senshi to ever exist."
Soo… the story was originally supposed to wrapped up this act but then I realized when Sailor Cosmos destroyed the asteroid it meant Chaos returned.
Sailor Pluto what have you done? If only you never messed with time, Chaos never would have returned. How do you plan to stop her this time? To be continued on 10/29 on Act 51: Race Against Time.
