So, is everyone enjoying themselves so far? The updates are a little slower on this one than Escaping Oblivion, but this story should be a good deal shorter than E. O. I strongly recommend reading both In Happy Hiding and Escaping Oblivion before reading this story, mostly because they will help you to understand this story and my reviewers seemed to enjoy them!
Thanks to everyone who reviewed so far, and back by popular demand, review replies!
Starlit Warrior: Hey, thanks for reviewing! I didn't mean for it to be too depressing, but don't worry, you know I can't keep things depressing for long!
Moosagi: Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you like it so far!
ffgirlmoonie: Glad you like it! Thanks for your kind review!
Midnight: Sorry it took so long! Hope you like this chapter! And thanks for reviewing!
Yami Chikara: Here's the update! Thanks for reviewing!
Lady Wise: Omgosh! I'm so sorry it took so long! But I hope you like this chapter!
the online dreamer: Hmm, the Black Moon… I have a feeling we'll be seeing them soon… Thanks for reviewing!
cardcaptor eternity: No, Chibi-Usa has not been born yet, but I'm still fingering with the idea of putting her in somehow… Hmm… I'll think about it. Thanks for reviewing!
Neonlights: I can always count on a review from you! Thanks so much for your kind words! I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long!
Red-Rose-18: Thanks for your kind review! Hope you like this chapter!
comfycouch: Yes, Serenity presides over the whole Solar System in my story! I'm glad you're liking it so far! Thanks for reviewing!
Nazi Hater: Hm, yes I remember she died after stopping time in the manga, but I'm not killing her. I'm thinking since this is a severe emergency and plus Endymion is King, it will be allowed this time.
WingsofaDream: I'm so sorry about your pet dying, and I'm very honored that you chose to review my story anyway! My prayers are with you and I'm very grateful for all the support you've given me over the years! Thank you! And I hope you enjoy this chapter!
v1786: Suspense was what I was aiming for! Very good! Thanks so much for reviewing!
Moonmoore: Thank you so so so so much for you wonderful review! It totally made my day! I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long! Enjoy!
JadesRose: You never cease to honor and humble me! Thank you so much for all your kind reviews and all the dauntless encouragement! Can't wait to see your update! And I hope you enjoy this chapter!
That should cover everyone! If I missed you, it's nothing personal, just an oversight. Thanks for reading!
Chapter Two: Remember the Feeling of Hope
Endymion leaned against the window of his palace, overlooking the forum. Thousands of people were frozen in celebration, smiles of resurfaced relief and rejoicing reddening their cheeks. He sighed, his head dropping into the crook of his arm, resting against the window.
Such joy. Such carefree, naïve hope. A people so much like their Queen.
A slender, calloused hand slid on his shoulder. "Your Majesty, time waits for no ma," she said solemnly. "Not even the King."
Endymion sighed again, a rueful smile struggling to surface. "You never fail to remind me of my obligations, Setsuna."
"Even Usagi needs reminders sometimes."
He fixed his cape, and followed her to the room where the rest of the Senshi and the Generals waited. Haruka was twirling her Space Sword restlessly. She rose when Endymion entered. Instead of motioning for her and the others to sit as he usually did, he wearily sank into a chair. The Senshi were surprised, and the Shitennou were concerned for their Commander, but neither group said anything, just took their seats respectfully. Setsuna did not sit.
"Lay it down for us, Setsuna."
Setsuna took a deep breath. "Ok, I'm going to stick with the river image, since it seems to be working. Whoever went back in time to kill Usagi is a chronological anomaly, meaning a replica of the actual person produced by extreme emotion."
Even Ami looked blank.
"Anyway, that's irrelevant for your purposes. All you need to know is that this was not meant to happen. So, say that person was a rock in the Time Stream. Ok. Well, the rock that fell into the river happened to be the last one under a log. The stone falls, so does the log. The stone is the person who killed Usagi; the log is the Time Stream's way of protecting itself. It traps the person in the time stream they are in. And a rock, floating in a river, hits the log, is thrust back, hits it again, lesser this time, and so on. So the event will repeat itself a few times. That's where the two days limit comes from. That's how long it takes for the repeats to stop.
"I've been able to locate a time stream already affected by Usagi's death. That's where we're going. We can find out when exactly it happened and go from there. Also, I think that all of us need to see what the world would be like without Usagi."
She knit her eyebrows together, sweeping her mauve eyes over the group. "I am wary of trooping through the time zone in such a large group, but this calls for drastic measures, and I'm sure all of us will be needed to apprehend the anomaly. However, if we are seen in these forms, we'll certainly be noticed."
Everyone instantly understood, and with a flash of light, they were all dressed casually, save Pluto.
"Any questions?"
If there were any questions on the floor, their holders chose not to voice them.
"Ok. I've left a communicator with Naru so she can contact us. Once again, the time zone we are going to has already been affected by Usagi's death. So, please, everyone, brace yourselves. The images will not be pretty." She glanced at King Endymion.
He nodded, fists clenched. "Let's go."
Setsuna raised the Garnet Orb and in a flash of mauve light, they were at the Time Gate, where a squadron of the Queen's finest was on alert. Setsuna announced her presence and King Endymion briefly revealed himself, and they lowered their weapons.
"Do not allow anyone through the gate. Warn them once, and if they do not retreat, fire at will," Setsuna instructed emotionlessly. "When we return, the password will be…" she thought for a moment, eyes clouding, "Anomaly."
Mamoru and Ami locked eyes for a moment, remembering when Usagi had uttered that word in one of her first fights. Those first few months were her greatest struggle. She'd just found Sailor Mercury.
Sailor Moon straightened, seeing that Tuxedo Kamen couldn't keep the youma busy for much longer.
"Ami Mizuno. Once you swore to protect the innocent from evil. Will you now redeem that vow and fight by my side? Besides," Usagi whispered, winking, "I wouldn't mind some company, Ami-chan."
Ami stared for a moment. She resisted a strange urge to stay on her knees, and stood face to face with Sailor Moon.
"Who are you?" she whispered, fingering with the recognition pending in her mind.
Sailor Moon gave a small smile. Her eyes shimmered. Tuxedo Kamen paused, titling his head slightly to hear her answer.
"I am… an anomaly," she whispered. Then, she heard Tuxedo Kamen give a sharp intake of breath. Sailor Moon's eyes hardened. "I trust you will make the right decision, Ami. I must help my comrade."
Ami thought about it for an instant, but she'd already made her decision as soon as she saw the danger that Sailor Moon had to face.
Mamoru shut his eyes, blocking out Setsuna's last debriefs for the soldiers. All he could see was the anguish, the raw confusion in her eyes, so long ago. All he could hear was the complete desolation in her voice…
Then he remembered her helpless on the bed, suspended between life and death, and his eyes snapped open, afire.
"Let's get moving, Setsuna," he commanded softly. She nodded, curtly, and gripped her staff. With an incantation, the staff began to glow and the Time Gate opened.
They walked to the entrance together. Setsuna stopped them. Haruka made an annoyed sound, and scuffed her feet like a bull ready to charge.
"Before we go in, stop and remember," Setsuna called solemnly, eyes closed. Her hands were outstretched. "Remember the feeling of hope. Because where we are going, there is none."
After a moment, they entered the gate.
Naru could feel it when the Senshi and the Generals and Endymion were gone. It was absolutely quiet. The only sounds were the distraught moans of the Queen. Naru wished for some music, anything to drown out the deafening silence. Naru glanced around and realized she was the only one in the entire universe that was still moving, breathing. Time had stopped for every other person in the Crystal System.
Serenity was restless. Naru knew grimly that as the strange disease progressed she would become more violent in her thrashing and rolling over. With a sigh, she realized she was going to tie the Queen down eventually, but she decided she'd cross that bridge when she got there.
She tried to remove herself from the situation. Her most valued friend was not alive and not dead had only days to live if the Senshi didn't hurry. But she had the utmost faith in them… she did!
The Queen began murmuring about being left alone. Naru quickly added it to her notebook of Serenity's murmurings, then, looking around for something to calm her, her eyes fell upon the antique bookshelf on the left wall. As if they already knew what she needed, her eyes moved to a group of old, faded and worn books.
A soft smile playing on her weary lips, she got up and retrieved the first volume. She opened it up, and realized it was the collection of the legends revolving around Queen Serenity and her vivacious daughter, Princess Serenity. Legends of her secret meeting with the Prince before the first attack on the Moon. And there were carefully interwoven tales about her escapades on Earth, as she fled there in disguise. Naru smiled, remembering her own part in the legends. Her own name was recorded in these faded volumes.
Opening the first one, she began to read aloud, and slowly, the Queen's restlessness faded into a peaceful slumber. Her lovely eyebrows were knit, as if she were listening, concentrating on the story.
Naru's voice trembled as she fought her tears.
When the fog cleared, Setsuna instantly transformed into civilian clothes, and the Garnet Rod disappeared.
Mamoru couldn't believe his eyes. They were in the park, one of the Senshi's favorite places and the location of multiple battles.
There wasn't a stitch of green anywhere in the park. The lake, the beautiful lake where he and Usagi had watched thousands of suns set, was dried and being used as a stinking landfill with Kami knows what in it.
Ash and smoke from smoldering fires of homes had filled the sky. The air was surely toxic. There wasn't a stitch of blue in the sky.
The world was gray and smoking and utterly desolate. The Tokyo Tower was in pieces, and skyscrapers on the horizon were crumbling and battered.
Setsuna gestured to the horrible nightmare they'd just entered. "Observe, my friends, life without Serenity Usagi Tsukino Chiba, the Heiress of the Moon Kingdom."
None said a word. Minako was weeping quietly into Kunzite's shoulder.
"Split up into groups of two. If we are all seen together, it will raise suspicions. And if some patrolman or voice of authority asks questions, be brief and quiet and obedient. We are looking for information, not trouble. And if you happen upon one of our former selves, try not to be seen together. Ask questions, be vague. Discretion is vital if Serenity is to survive. Now, go. Different directions, everyone. Two hours, back here for report. Go towards the Senshi's hideouts.
The Inners and the Shitennou left in pairs. Haruka and Michiru and Hotaru left together, and Setsuna left with the silent King.
"What are you thinking, Mamoru?" Setsuna asked quietly, wondering where he was leading them.
Mamoru looked around at the utter wretchedness and destruction around him. He sighed, as if the weight of a thousand worlds had fallen upon his shoulders.
"I was thinking that my heart is probably in the same condition as this world." His utter blank and despondent voice tore into Setsuna and yanked out a part of her.
"We will not fail, my liege. I will not allow it."
Mamoru's expression didn't change. "I know that. But by all accounts, until then, she is not alive. And that means half of me is dead. I may not be much use on this mission."
"Clear your head, Mamoru. Concentrate on your memories, and cling to them. When we find the evil, your anger against will be the best weapon against it."
He sighed again, raggedly, and turned down the street. It was eerily empty. With a chill, Setsuna realized where Mamoru was leading her. She braced herself, knowing Mamoru's lack of affinity for waiting.
Straight to the heart of the issue.
Usagi's house.
Ami and Zoisite walked to the hospital in silence. Both were most comfortable there, and instinctively, in this place of death, wanted to flee to where they would feel useful. Zoisite noticed a guard at the door with an unfamiliar weapon. He paused to mention the guard to Ami, but the words died in his mouth.
His wife's eyebrows were woven deeply together, in that one expression that meant she was just beyond remembering something or figuring something out. He remained quiet, not desiring to disturb her, but subtly slowed their pace. The guard did not see them yet.
A moment later, he heard Ami give that characteristic sigh that meant the matter in question would come to her later.
"Amiko, there is a guard at the door. Act hurt so we can get in."
He swept her easily into his arms, but Ami, the Queen of Mercury, was so uncomfortable with theatrics that instead of trying to act pain, she simply went limp, and pretended to pass out.
Zoisite couldn't help his small chuckle, but was quickly reminded of why they were here.
Zoisite stopped before the guard and bowed low, being sure his hair masked his face.
"Please sir, my sister is ill. May we pass?"
Ami was glad her face was facing away from the guard because her eyebrows instantly shot up. She wondered why her husband had called her his sister, but then decided it was a clever bit a caution.
The guard glared them down. "You seem familiar, stranger. Have we met?"
Zoisite logged that bit of information away. So his past self was fairly well known in this time. "I don't believe so, sir."
The timid, respectful voice Zoisite was using was giving the guy a big head. He liked it, obviously, and became more open.
"From where do you hence to this evil place?"
A flag went up in both Ami and Zoisite's minds. Even the guards were unhappy.
"We lived alone in the mountains and when my sister became ill, we came here so we could get to the hospital," Zoisite answered quickly.
The guard seemed almost pitying. "You will find little aid here, voyager. You may pass."
Jadeite and Rei were naturally drawn to the temple, but when they came over Sendai Hill, Rei's hand fluttered to her mouth and she whirled, burying her fierce, sudden sobs into Jadeite's chest.
The temple was gone. A charred pile of rubble remained, with strict signs saying to keep out. Jadeite acted quickly, knowing well his wife's legendary temper. "Look away, firefly. Remember, we are going to change this."
He quickly led her away, praying they hadn't been seen.
Michiru glanced at her lifemate and knew intuitively that they were headed for action. Haruka's fingers twitched, and she flexed them in and out of her fist, a signature move that said she was aching to feel her sword in her hand. Hotaru was also aware of this, but said nothing.
"Where are we going, Haruka?" Michiru asked quietly, trying to keep her mind off of the image of the fallen Queen.
"I'm going to find myself," she answered humorlessly, biting.
"Is that a good idea? It could cause more problems if we are seen with our past selves."
"There is no greater problem than the Queen dying, love. Screw Setsuna and her stupid rules. I'm going to find myself, and I have a hunch about where I would be."
Hotaru was curious about this. "Where?" she asked.
"Where else?" Haruka steered them to the direction of the racetracks. When she did, Michiru sighed, knowing she was right.
With Usagi gone, Haruka would be restless and when she was restless and upset, she sped around in circles at breakneck speeds.
"I want to know whey in Hades this world still exists like this with us still alive. And I will get my information," Haruka fairly snarled.
Hotaru began to pray.
As they approached the Tsukino house, Setsuna was more and more alarmed by the condition of the homes. Some had been burned down, some were abandoned, some were roped off with strict signs. The Tsukino house looked as if it had been blown up and then shabbily rebuilt.
"Usagi told her parents her identity after Ail and Ann… they would not be surprised by a future version of us showing up, especially having spent so much time with Chibi-Usa," Mamoru explained dully.
Chibi-Usa. Would she ever get a chance to live now? He grappled for the optimism, the hope so present in Usagi, but he could not grasp it. He could almost feel it slipping through his fingers.
With this thought, he rang the doorbell.
"Stand behind me, Endymion," Setsuna commanded as the door slowly opened.
Despite both their desire for danger and action, Makoto and Nephrite agreed not to seek out trouble since Haruka would probably dig up enough for everyone. They decided that they would go look for information in the last place anyone would expect to see the two of them.
The library.
"We can look at old newspaper headlines and such, and see if we can find any information on Usagi's death. Since these are the suburbs and she was a young teenager, whatever happened to her must have been all over the city," Nephrite reasoned.
Mako almost reprimanded her husband's use of the past tense, but decided against it.
It was a good plan. It would have been very helpful. But before they had a chance to do anything, a blast not far from them sent them crashing to the ground.
Kunzite was worried. Minako was silent and deathly pale, and becoming more and more lethargic. She was extremely affected by the situation, he could tell.
Not that he wasn't. Guilt washed over him, despite his efforts to shoo it. Serenity… like a younger sister, but still his most honored mentor… Who would want to harm her! Who!
He breathed, attempting to calm himself. Minako was leaning heavily on his arm, and she needed him.
"I know where to go," she whispered brokenly. "The Crown. Motoki was a citizen of the Moon Kingdom in the Silver Millennium days, and at some point, Serenity gave him his memories back. He would tell us what we needed to know."
"Good thinking, honey. Just try not to think about everything. Consider this a normal mission."
"It is a normal mission," Minako answered bleakly with a delirious giggle. "Usagi-chan was always trying to get herself killed, just to give us gray hair before we reached 20…" the hysterical laugh morphed into subdued cries. "Oh, Usagi!"
Kunzite pulled her close, and kissed her hair, but after a moment, gently pulled her along again. There was no time to waste.
Around Setsuna's emerald hair, Mamoru saw Tsukino Ikuko's face peer from around the door. When she saw him, she gasped, and yanked the door open.
"Mamoru! How did you get out!"
Before he or Setsuna could say anything, she yanked them into the house and bolted the door.
Well, that's it for now! Another update in a week or two! I hope everyone is enjoying it so far! Please be patient with my less than consistent updates, and thank you everyone for your wonderfully kind reviews! They never cease to humble and encourage me!
See you soon!
rosa