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Chapter 2

Artemis and Luna tell a story

"I believe you were expecting us?" The woman replies with a hidden smile. Charles Xavier looks at the two with surprise and a little chagrin.

"May I ask how you got in here?"

The man known as Artemis simply smiles. "Let's just say all it took was a little magic."

About to continue to say something else, Charles shakes his head as Wolverine comes in with his claws flexed. As Wolverine growls at the two next to his aged friend, the woman simply approaches Wolverine and presses her finger to his forehead. The moon symbol starts to glow and she whispers three words. "Stay and Listen..."

"You may wish to ask for the other known as Storm to come Professor." Artemis states. "We have watched you for a while and know she is one that you trust."

Nodding his head, he sends out a call for the older woman to come towards him and moments later a very confused Storm walks through the door, with a confused look as she sees a stunned Wolverine and two unknown people in the room of her teacher, mentor, and friend.

"Charles?"

"Ororo...stay and listen. I believe that these two have much to tell us." Charles replied and then turning to the two, he looks upon them with a hidden curiosity. "Who was it that was speaking to me in my dreams?"

"That would be the Chibi Chibi...she along with Galaxia have been looking after our world as the others slept. It was a way of saying thank you for what Serenity had done to set them free."

Charles nods his head, turning to Storm who looks at them with curiosity as well as an annoyed Wolverine. He begins to speak.

"Ororo, Logan...despite the manner of their arrival it is late and I will explain all to you in the morning with their help. So could you please show them where they can stay?"

Nodding her head, they watch in amusement as Luna releases Wolverine and he growls. As he takes a sniff of the two, he looks confused for a moment. "You two ain't human..."

"True...we are not." Luna says giggling softly. Grabbing onto Artemis's hand, she looks into his eyes with a gentle look of love. Together they follow the silver haired woman and the animalistic man towards some rooms for which to stay in until morning.

As they approach the rooms, Wolverine sniffs and turns around and they watch as both figures shimmer and return to their cat forms.

"Do not worry, this is our normal form. To be able to turn human was a gift from the Prince and Princess as well as their court." Luna replies and the other two looking a little surprised simply open the door and the two cats enter and promptly disappear.

Shutting it, Ororo looks at Wolverine also known as Logan. "What can you say tell about them Logan, I know your senses are better that most as part of your mutation."

"You mean if I can sense trouble from them? No. What I can sense though and my instincts are roaring with it. That these next few days...will be interesting to say the least..."

"Agreed...what did she do to you by the way? I have never seen you so quietly subdued like that before."

"To be honest I have no idea...I was ready to fight but when her finger touched me...it was like my body just gave in to her..."

Conversing with one another about their two guests, Logan and Ororo return to their rooms and to sleep.

Meanwhile elsewhere, Apocalypse stirs with Chaos inside him rolling in anger.

:What is it:

:Galaxia and her damn star seed have interfered. She got to the psychic Charles Xavier.:

:What can he do against us:

:Nothing alone, but should he be able to find the Senshi and General Kings our plans to dominate will be ruined:

:Why:

:They can summon Prince and Princess! That damn Moon Princess called upon the belief of her friends, and his love for her, and successfully purged Galaxia of my influence with her light! Even though I am stronger than I was before, so could they be as well. The Silver and Golden Crystals that Prince Endymion and Princess Serenity contain can destroy enough of my power for thousands of years:

:Then were are they now so that we may destroy them:

:That is easier said than done Apocalpyse. The Senshi alone could take you if I wasn't lending you my power. The Generals can protect the Earth itself and prevent it from becoming the wasteland of misery that we desire. Together the two groups can awaken the Prince and Princess and bring on the rise of CRYSTAL TOKYO! With that the world that you like as it is now full of hatred for one another will disappear.:

:How so:

:When the Queen of the Silver Millennium sent everyone into the future two thousand years ago using the Silver Crystal, she laid the memories that her kingdom had ever existed dormant into the blood of every human on the face of the planet. And the fact that some of have evolved and our gaining powers of their own? Can you imagine what would happen with their memories of the peace that humanity once had would do to my power! The Princess can lift the seal on the blood with aid of the Prince:

:I see. So we must stop Charles Xavier and the others from finding and waking them...:

:What is that you have in mind:

Conversing within his own mind, of the one he shares power with Apocalypse begins to lay out his plans...

The next day...

Considering it was the summer and hence no school for those he looks after. Professor Xavier debated upon summoning his 'children' as the one he now knows as Chibi Chibi called them. Staring out the window he is stunned moments later as two cats appear on the bay window sill.

"Greeting Artemis and Luna, I trust that you have rested well?"

"Thank you Professor. We must explain what we know of the seals that the Senshi are under..."

"What about the Generals I was told of?"

Luna and Artemis look at one another and reluctantly begin to speak. "Professor what Chibi Chibi told you was news to us well. We never fully regained our memories from when we were sent into the future by the Princess's mother Good Queen Serenity. The fact that Zoicite, Nephlyte, Jadeite, and Kunzite were actually the Prince's guards as the girls were to Princess Serena was a surprise. What they will remember of them from the last time we faced them the Generals is the fact that those men almost succeeded in killing them." Luna replies sadly. Looking to Artemis to continue the white feline does so."

"You are valuable to us in more ways than one...we can simply restore memories Professor we can not make them understand. You may find yourselves in a literal war again but this time for their souls...they must become a team and be able to trust those men who so cruelly betrayed them in the past, even if not by their own choice as Chibi Chibi had explained to us. With our help professor we will be able to boost your telepathic powers and allow you to understand with us the memories that are locked within their minds."

Looking thoughtful, the Professor nods his head for he understands that kind of pain. He has seen it once before. Logan had come to like that. With no memory of his past and nightmares of what was done to him. It was a long time before the mutant had been able to accept and become more of a team member than the loner that he normally was.

Closing his eyes he sends out a call to all his most trusted X-men. Ororo and Logan as well as Jean and Scott also known as Cyclops, Bobby Drake, known as Iceman, Rogue, Pietro known as Colussus and those students he feels that whose skills might be required to back up the others.

Looking to the cats as they shimmer to their human forms and nod their heads, they both compliment on his choices as Kurt known as Nightcrawler and Kitty known as Shadowcat are called as well. Surprised that they can hear his thoughts he simply smiles and waits.

Others as time passes and more information is gathered will join the small group forming. In the meantime they watch as Kurt teleports in with Kitty and both look sheepish for they had thought the professor to be alone. About to explain, they are surprised as Luna and Artemis do what Kurt is proud of with ease.

"Do no worry we can as well."

Smiling in relief the two sit and relax as the others arrive one by one. Looking at the two with extreme curiosity, the young men and women observe as does Logan and Ororo what is about to be said.

"Everyone...I believe we have a problem arising...Luna and Artemis hear will explain. All I ask is that you save the questions until after they are done."

"Yes Professor." Comes a set of unanimous voices and the two feline like humans look at one another with smiles, turning to look at these young men and women and the Professor they begin...

"Before we start with what Chibi Chibi has related to the professor from wherever she and Galaxia are at right now. We must tell you a story of what happened 2000 years ago. Just remember what you will see in your minds is nothing but a memory of what happened and hence it can not hurt you." Luna replies and speaking in an ancient language, hers and Artemis's moon symbols begin to glow and connect with the minds of everyone in the room.

Surprised as the light touches them, they are stunned as they find themselves upon the Moon gazing at the Earth. Looking around at their surroundings expecting to see rock and nothing else, they are shocked to find building and all sorts of life upon it.

"What is happening where are we?" Kurt asks a little surprised.

"It seems like...the moon? But the moon is just that a moon...isn't it?" Kitty questions

"Actually it wasn't a dead world back then as it is to all of you now." Artemis answers without Luna. Looking around for the woman, the others are about to ask and Artemis simply answers before they can.

"One must maintain connection with all of you and the other speaks. Luna is much stronger at this then I am..." Artemis says with a serious look. "She simply draws upon not only my strength but hers as well."

Stepping through the small crowd, he heads towards a particular building in general that seems like a grand palace. "Welcome to the last memory of the Moon Palace, symbol of the Silver Millennium, ruled by Good Queen Serenity." They watch as he speaks an elegant young woman exiting a chamber. Her hair is silver in color, and she has beautiful violet eyes. Upon her forehead a crescent moon rests much like that of Artemis.

"Who is she?" Jean asks, in awe of the woman's grace and unusual coloring.

"She is the Queen and last ruler of what was once mine and Luna's home." Artemis answers and they watch as a young woman identical in looks but with long blonde hair and blue eyes follows. "That is her daughter...Crown Princess Serenity..."

"How can that be?" Storm asks in disbelief. "The Queen looks to be no more than twenty..."

"That is another story for which is to be told later, but the Queen at this time had been ruler of the Alliance between all worlds for at least 600 years. Her daughter at this time is near 200."

The others look astonished and once again gaze at the two women, who smile with love at one another. Closing his eyes for but a moment, a soft voice calls out to all and then Artemis switches to be replaced by Luna.

"Even though I am better at holding the meld...what I and Artemis is about to explain to you is what happened that last day...when Beryl destroyed us all simply because we were not prepared..."

As the images fly at an amazing speed, they are smiling as they see what appears to be a party going on. They laugh and smile at the music and the gowns. But as they turn around to watch a couple go by, they see, what had frozen those images in fear. A great darkness approaches and it is no ordinary one at that. Seemingly almost alive it pulses with a power that is beyond comprehension. In front of it is an army led by four men, who pulse with power. They begin to slice through the army as four girls approach and are stunned.

Watching as two cats freeze and then begin to run, they hear shouts.

:EVERYONE RUN FOR THE BATTLMENTS! THE NEGAVERSE IS ATTACKING I REPEAT THE NEGAVERSE IS ATTACKING: These two scream in unison. Watching and almost clutching one another in fear the young men and women, are startled as images of four girls dressed alike run through them. Towards those approaching figures, that begin chanting and forming a shield around those they lead.

:Are you ready everyone we have to protect the palace: The blond yells out as her hands start to glow orange, sadness in her blue eyes as she gazes at the one with the silver hair. She shouts out four words. :Venus Crescent Beam SMASH:

Cyclops stares in awe as from the girl's hands emit a power quite like his own mutation. A beam of light moves at an impossible speed towards the darkness to be joined by others emitting from the other three.

:Mars Fire Ignite:

:Jupiter Thunder crash:

:Mercury Ice Bubbles Blast:

Expecting their powers to be aimed at different parts, the X-men as well as the Professor are stunned as the powers seem to merge into one beam. But they watch as it seems to bounce off the shield surrounding the darkness that roars in rage. A dark beam is bounced at these four and others who fight as well. They all hold their hands to their ears and look away as screams are heard and when they look back, they find those four girls are dead.

In the meantime, they turn their gaze to another pair as a young man with jet black hair runs through them and the image of the young Princess appears.

:Endymion what is going on:

:Serenity, I don't understand...my friends my guards they have betrayed me. I must do everything I can to protect you and your mother. I have to get them to listen:

They watch as he disappears and goes to fight his former friends. But it is all in vain...for as they watch, he is killed by those four he trusted and the Princess screams in anguish. Running to his side, she pleads with him to come back.

:Endymion don't leave me! I need you: Sobbing as no answer seems to come forth, she finds in his hand the sword that he carried.

:Forgive me mother...I can not live without him: Turning the sword around, she thrusts is within her own heart. Those who watch feel the tears flowing from their eyes, as the Princess collapses upon the body of the Prince. Looking up once more, they notice the Queen approaching and finding the bodies of those she held dear.

:It can not end this way...I will seal it away...:

They watch as the Queen bends down, and clutches her daughter's brooch within her palm. Bringing out a wand, she places a crystal of silver within its perch. As she does this, the crystal flares with a bright light, and as the staff extends, the cats approach.

:Your highness you can't you know what will happen! The Crystal will kill you:

:Artemis, Luna I must...it is the only way I can save them all...I must do it and using the Crystal seal the Darkness is the only choice I have:

They watch as the Queen holds it up and starts to pulse with a silver light all over her body.

:Everyone lend me your strength, lend me your hopes and dreams, Cosmic Moon POWER:

All around the X-men those who were dead and still fighting the invasion begin to glow with a white light and the army stops in uncertainty.

:What is this: Comes from those who oppose the Queen who protects all she knows. The light from the queen becomes blinding and radiant, filled with warmth and love it shoots out from the Queen and envelops those who seek to destroy.

:No it can not be! I have already won! I can not lose:

The X-Men watch in awe as the Queen draws upon the powers and seals every one good and bad inside the crystal. Collapsing to her knees, they observe as both cats from the past rush to their Queen.

:Queen Serenity:

:Luna, Artemis...I did it I sealed them inside the crystal. All of them...but now I must send them away send them into the future:

:What why: The black cat cries out.

:I must Luna...my kingdom here is destroyed. At least in the future they have another chance. But just in case in happens again I will send you with them...you must find them Luna...Artemis...you must find and guide them once more:

Closing her eyes, the crystal flares once more and the two feline advisors are encased in crystal. Sleeping, as if in a dream, Artemis and Luna are shot towards Earth following a trail of crystal lights which are the souls of those encased in the Silver Crystal...

:On behalf of the Moon...be happy: The Queen says slowly and the X-Men watch as the now quiet Silver Crystal falls from her hands and she dies.

Blinking slowly as the world disappears to be replaced by the office of the professor, they watch as Luna and Artemis clutch one another.

"Are you all right?" Jean asks as she is one of the ones st6anding next to them.

"We are fine thank you..." Artemis replies with a gentle smile. "It is just that it has been a while for us since we have had to do that."

"Did that all really happen?" Bobby slowly asks.

"Yes..."

"So you guys are over 2000 years old." Rogue states incredulously.

Artemis and Luna chuckle and the others smile. Allowing for a moment of laughter, the Professor watches as his students relax. Looking to Logan and Storm, he notices as Logan struggles as if trying to remember something.

"Logan?"

"Nothing Professor..."

Doubting his words, Charles turns to look at the others and after hushing his students begins to relay what Chibi Chibi had told him last night as he slept. As each word passes, the students grow either calmer or more confused. As he approaches the end, they turn to Luna and Artemis with a question...

"So because of the crystals...the earth slept since her...the Princess...all of them?"

"Yes, we don't quite understand how it worked either, but basically the Earth's passing of time was slowed considerably by Prince Endymion and Princess Serenity put every single last person to sleep, to allow the Earth to heal from the damage that the Senshi' battle against Galaxia caused. We never expected for all of you to awaken on your own." Artemis says. "Luna and I, we watched and observed from within the time gates as we had promised to look after them as Pluto disappeared to sleep with the others."

"Now it is time...the powers of Chaos merged with Apocalypse can not continue. We know where one of the Senshi is sealed and with luck if we get her free, she can deduce where the others are. All we ask is that all of you aid us...alone we can not do it." Luna says and as the X-men look thoughtful, they each nod their heads down to every last one of them.

"Thank you..." Turning to the Professor, Luna and Artemis smile softly. "Choose those X-men who know how to handle extreme cold."

"I will...may I ask our destination?"

"Antartica...we are going for the Senshi of Ice and Knowledge...Sailor Mercury"