Minako could not believe everything she had seen in the last ten minutes. More Pieces of Eden had transformed. A ghostly woman appeared out of nowhere, staring into each and every one of their souls. Her mask revealed the magical being's aura; a purple so dark it was nearly black. When Minako looked at people through the lens of her mask, she typically saw nothing more than a bold silhouette of their form. Discernable details were smoothed and colored out; she could never guess who a person was simply by their appearance.

This figure surpassed the mask's ability. Every detail of her youthful face was on display. Violet eyes, narrow and frightful, a petite nose, and pale lips set in a firm line. Minako froze, unable to remove her mask to get a better look at the figure. The silent woman, who appeared from the combined magic of Japan's sacred relics, revealed nothing at first. A simple stare into Mina's eyes brought a chill up her spine. A silent conversation transpired in that short gaze.

No, not a conversation. It was entirely one-sided. Minako bared her soul for this stranger without so much as a word. Her every memory, thought, and emotion fled her body, replaced with chilling emptiness.

"Who are you?" Setsuna broke the unsettling silence. The burgundy light from her rod faded, but the spectre continued hovering above them.

"I am Your Reckoning," she began in a distant, hollow voice. Minako shivered. "The most powerful of Queen Serenity's guard. The Second Catastrophe."

The Second Catastrophe? No. That couldn't be right. Michiru said she was trying to prevent the Second Catastrophe, not summon it. Minako's heartbeat accelerated as she stared into the spectre's calculating eyes. She truly was a vision of death. There was no doubt in Mina's mind she could end them all with a swipe of her scythe. Her hand sought out Rei's warmth, and was rewarded with the heat of Rei's palm pressed into hers.

Michiru lowered her mirror, shaking her head. The detached composure she had exhibited until now disappeared. She stepped back, away from the spectre and into Haruka's waiting arms. "No. That can't be. You are supposed to prevent the Second Catastrophe."

Had Michiru misinterpreted the visions bestowed upon her? And now they were all going to pay the price? "Way to fuck that up, Augur!" Minako snapped.

Rei squeezed her hand harder. Minako looked at her Shrine Maiden. Rei's determination and strength radiating through her pale skin and violet eyes made Minako's chest ache. Her lover was so bold, so dedicated, so beautiful with her mystique and poorly-concealed shyness; Minako was easily overwhelmed by every aspect of Rei Hino.

There was no way Minako would let her die tonight. Not Rei. Not anyone.

The violet ghost appeared amused by their banter. She swung her weapon in a fast, wide arc, stopping when the sharp curve of the blade paused less than an inch from Michiru's face. To her credit, Michiru did not blink or cower in fear.

"What happens to this planet depends entirely on you," The Reckoning challenged.

Haruka narrowed her stormy eyes at the floating woman. "What do you mean by that?"

"Inherit your birthright. Prove your worth as Queen Serenity's Guard."

Prove your worth?

Minako wasn't entirely sure what that meant, but judging by the figure's imposing scythe, she could only assume an ugly battle approached. The three women who summoned The Reckoning shared confused glances. Good. They were just as confused as everyone else.

Except Rei. Minako watched the Shrine Maiden walk, trance-like, toward the third pillar from the left. Eyebrows furrowed in concentration, there was no hint of insecurity on Rei's pale features. The sacred flames or the Animus must have shown her what to do.

Minako snuck a peek at the creepy apparition. She watched Rei without interruption. Ami, Makoto, and the others all watched on, too startled or curious to speak.

Rei faced the column. Her voice, sounding hypnotic, read the etchings in front of her.

"Mars: fire and war."

She pressed her hand against the metallic pillar. Fire blazed from the structure, shaped in a symbol Minako knew she'd seen before; it was the common symbol for masculinity. The entire column, stretching as far above as her eyes could see, vibrated with brilliant red light.

Something pulled Minako towards the pillar beside Rei. Instinct? Intuition? As when the violet woman stared into her eyes, all thoughts and emotions disappeared. This time, they were replaced with an overwhelming urge to touch the structure beside Rei. As Minako drew closer, she could make out the Isu writing on the pillar. Though she never learned how to read the language of her ancestors, Minako knew exactly what it said.

"Venus: love and beauty."

Her palm pressed against the strange metal. Heat surged through her. Not the burning of Rei and the sacred flames, but a steady, fulfilling warmth blossoming in her chest. It was a post-coital afterglow. The rush of oxytocin that came with a satisfying orgasm. The feeling of lying naked beside a lover, cuddling and savoring their heartbeat during the long moonlight hours.

The sensation grew and grew, bringing Minako to the brink of explosive ecstasy.

Then everything went black.

—

I'm genuflecting, staring at my reflection in the pristinely polished marble beneath me.

Except it isn't me. She looks a lot like me, but her nose is a little more defined and her eyes a little narrower. The shade of her hair and eyes matches mine—from what I can tell in the distorted reflection, anyway.

I try to pull her face forward, but it doesn't respond. Apparently I'm a passive observer, stuck in this person's body.

Wait. Is this what it's like to be inside an Animus?

Our head cranes upward to gaze upon a startlingly beautiful, pale woman. She radiates a silvery white light, washing our surroundings in purity and goodness. The angelic woman is wearing a flowing white gown. Her hair is similar in color, fashioned in strange pigtails that start as buns on either side of her head, and cascade down to the floor, pooling around the metallic boots I'm wearing.

Floating between her open palms, prostrated before her chest, is a glowing orange crystal. It looks like a starburst; entrancing and powerful. It harbors the same magical energy as Pieces of Eden, except hundreds of times more powerful.

"And with this crystal, born from the Galaxy Cauldron, I give you life. Venus: essence of love and beauty."

Before the white angel passes the offering, my host speaks. "To what end, Moon Goddess?"

Moon Goddess?

"The embodiment of the planet Venus. The first of many more planets and stars I shall create. You will lead the other Isu in protecting your planet and my successor."

"Successor?" The woman who looks suspiciously like me echoes. She sounds a lot like me, too. "Are you with child, Moon Goddess?"

"The Galaxy Cauldron has answered my prayers at last."

A swallow hinges in her throat. I feel she has more questions, but they remain silenced.

The Moon Goddess steps forward. As she draws closer, the crystal's radiance intensifies. "Please stand."

We stand. Her heart is heavy and her mind burdened with uncertainty. But she stands. The crystal wastes no time in floating towards her chest. She releases a gasp as it becomes completely absorbed into her heart. That feeling—the overwhelming sensations I experienced when I touched the pillar—consume her body, dropping her to her knees.

The essence of Venus.

My birthright?

"Rise, Venus. Leader of my interplanetary soldiers and First of the Isu."

—

Sweat beads down her forehead. We're laying sideways. A pair of serious violet eyes stare back.

Oh shit, it's Rei!

No, wait. That's impossible. Even though this young woman looks just like her; straight raven hair, taciturn expression, and muscular shoulders protruding from above a blanket. Yellow flames flicker across her milky skin. Fuck, she is absolutely gorgeous.

But if she isn't Rei, then she must be—

"Mars," Venus whispers. The crackling fire absorbs her voice, but the woman's eyes widen in recognition. "I'm… We shouldn't… Me being your superior, and all."

She sighs just like Rei. Her hand snakes out from beneath the blanket to cup our cheek. Fire made flesh. Just like Rei.

"We already did," she says matter of factly. Damn, why did I have to miss that memory? "My commitment to Queen Serenity falters not. That includes my allegiances and my rank. You have my word; I will always be the flaming sword that enacts your will."

If Mars was anything like the Rei she knew, she didn't make these sorts of proclamations lightly. Venus' heart calms a bit, so she must believe her. "Your will is my will, as my will is Queen Serenity's."

The way she speaks the words, they sound like a vow. A promise to their creator.

Mars pulls her in for a kiss. It's passionate heat. I suddenly yearn for Rei. It feels like lifetimes since we last kissed like this, in the aftermath of lovemaking.

"My flame burns only for you."

Venus giggles against her lips. "I care not what anyone else says. You are a true romantic."

To that, Mars frowns. A scowl that I want to kiss from her lips. "Oh worry not, I shan't tell a soul."

Mars doesn't smile, but her frown fades. "Am I to be your best kept secret, then?"

Venus shrugs. The blanket shrouding their naked forms slips, revealing some painful-looking scars across Mars' upper chest. Where a human would have pale scar lines, she has what appears to be silver thread reuniting her flesh. I've never seen anything like it before. Must be an Isu thing.

Venus traces a curved scar that looks like it was carved with a sickle or a scimitar. The silver scar tissue is cold, a stark contrast from her heat. "You earned this scar during the scrimmage against the Isu traitors on the edge of your borders, yes?"

Mars only nods, looking lost in thought and ecstasy as Venus trails fingers over her battle marks. Our hand travels south, down to the angled muscles stretching from her pelvic bone to her pubic line. Desire stirs within Venus once more. "And this is from when you battled Endymion's four generals before learning he and Neo Queen Serenity were together."

"The first time we lay together, and you already have my battle scars memorized?"

Venus snuffles a snort. She won't admit how long she has been infatuated with the war goddess. "An odd pair we are, no? Love and War. Fire and Beauty."

"Venus and Mars. The first two Isu. Queen Serenity created me to compliment you."

Mars is really laying it on thick. But she has that unshakeable, indomitable dedication I see in Rei. Serious to a fault. And crazy, hopelessly in love in her awkward warrior type of way.

Venus shifts beneath the blanket, drawing herself into Mars' heat. I know this feeling well. A firm chin presses against her forehead. A strong arm drapes over her hip. I wish I was with Rei, but I willingly settle with this very close second.

"Stay with me until the end, please. Whether it be tomorrow, or a thousand years from now," Venus pleads in what feels like a rare moment of vulnerability.

There is no hesitation in her dark eyes. "Until the end."

—

Chaos. Fear. The cavern rattles around us, raining dust and specks of rocks. I see everyone in the same cave, except I know these women aren't who I think they are. They're our ancestors. The first Isu, one for each planet in the solar system.

So much shouting. Anxiety and fear nearly cripple Venus, but she refuses to let it show. She's the leader, after all. I pity her. I don't know what happened, but I feel the thin thread of hope she is barely clinging to. Venus is unraveling. She wants nothing more than to crawl into a hole and die, but she perseveres for the good of the group.

Another rumble. There must be an earthquake. Accusatory shouts.

"Are you sure this thing will hold?" Mars yells above the others. Venus shoots her a short, uncomfortable look. It's enough to show me her strange outfit… Something I would wear as Sailor V on stage. Not for battle. It's a white bodice, torn and soiled, with a short red skirt also featuring jagged rips. Bright red heels are on her feet.

Not practical at all.

Ami, or whoever she is, nods. "Positive." Her outfit is similar to Mars', featuring shades of blue and boots instead of heels. She looks worn and dirty as well. They all do.

"Just like you were positive the humans would be loyal slaves?!" the one who resembles Haruka shouts. I see Michiru and Setsuna's doppelgangers behind her with their ornate Pieces of Eden, doing nothing to interfere with her tirade. "YOU created them! This is YOUR fault!"

"Leave Mercury alone!" A woman who resembles Makoto, wielding electricity at her fingertips, stands between them. The shorter woman with blue hair is shielded by the imposing figure. "I won't tell you again!"

"The Moon Goddess is dead!" The accuser who looks like Haruka swipes her sword through the air. "And your genius plan to protect Neo Queen Serenity is through isolation? Forfeiture? I will not hide as a coward!"

"Enough!" Venus reaches the limit of her patience. "We waste time bickering. Ready, Princess Serenity?" Our field of vision turns, avoiding meeting Mars' gaze, to a young woman and man. The man is decked in full battle armor. He has midnight hair and cerulean eyes. Like most of the others here, he wears a brave face. He's exceedingly handsome, but also different. He's not an Isu. Not like us. Nor is he a pale moon god.

I think he's a regular old human.

Princess Serenity must be the Moon Goddess' daughter. She is a mirror image, save her hair is more gold than silver. A silver crystal, shaped like a blooming lotus, hovers in her palms. She glances at her taller male partner, and they share a brisk nod of resolve.

"Will this truly work, Pluto?" Her voice is meek compared to her mother's. The question is directed at the tall, olive-skinned woman who looks like Setsuna. Her timeless face is firm. Pluto hesitates to speak. Not like she is uncertain about the answer. More like she doesn't want to give voice to the future.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Neptune's mirror shall guide them when the time is right."

The violet spectre with the scythe appears from behind Pluto. Her eyes are hollow and frightening. It's like staring into death itself. I don't know how I didn't notice her standing there before, save that she is petite and silent; death's impatient shadow.

"The First Catastrophe is upon us. As Neptune's mirror predicted. Preserving your essences for future generations is the last hope. Unless..." She brandishes her scythe, raising it high above her head.

"No!" Princess Serenity sounds panicky. "We stick to the original plan. My inner soldiers. Your Pieces of Eden."

Venus steps forward first. She removes our mask. It must be centuries old, but it bears no sign of age. Mercury and Mars hold their empty palms out. Blue and red light flash. The harp and bow magically appear. The lightning warrior stands on the other side of Mercury and brandishes a spear.

Shame and sadness wash over Venus as she stares into her palms, where the glittering scarlet mask sits. I can't see the memories she relives, but I feel the complexity of emotions coursing through her. As Princess Serenity's silver crystal glows brighter, tears well in her eyes.

Venus blinks, and the mask is gone.

Refusing to show weakness, she forces the tears back, focusing her attention on the royalty she is bound to serve. This moon heir is easy to tears, it seems; they spill over her cheeks and splatter on her extended forearms. She hesitates before issuing the next command.

"Your crystals."

Crystals? As in the crystal absorbed into her heart?

Every inner soldier crosses their arms over their chest in perfect sync. Venus pulls her hand away, and with it comes the shining orange crystal. Warmth and strength leave her body, but it doesn't hurt. Not yet.

Venus genuflects as the essence of her entire being floats outside of her body. "My life for yours, Your Majesty. A fragment of my soul for the future of Isu and mankind."

A fragment of my soul?

Her gloved hand reaches for her crystal. Her mind is suspiciously quiet. Fingers wrap around a small spike jutting from the bottom. Then, as simply as if snapping a twig, she breaks it off.

Shit! Fuck, it hurts! Throes of death clutch her heart, wrenching the air from her lungs. She may as well have severed her own hand, that's how bad it hurts. Red saturates her mind and her vision. She wants to scream. To cry. To lay down and die.

But she's the leader. So she bears it all with a grimace, letting her labored breaths and grit teeth speak for her. Long minutes pass as she struggles to recover, barely hearing similar sounds coming from her allies. Mars' brilliant crimson crystal dulls beside us, but she is alive. For now.

The princess collects the crystal shards. Like the Pieces of Eden, she dismisses them. Just like that, the fragments of their souls disappear.

"And so, they will lie in wait until worthy successors are born," Pluto solemnly speaks. "To the pillars."

"Hurry," Neptune warns. "The horde is fast approaching."

The Haruka lookalike runs between Mars and Venus, pausing before the princess. "The outer scouts can still fight!"

"There will be no more bloodshed, Uranus." Serenity is soft, but unwavering. "Your Pieces of Eden."

Pluto is the first to prostrate herself, offering the garnet orb in submission. Beside her, Michiru's elegant ancestor kneels and extends her mirror. She looks to Uranus, reassuring but also unquestionable. Apparently she pulls rank, because Uranus silently concedes and kneels beside her. One by one, Saturn takes their magical items, imbuing them with a somber amethyst glow.

When her work is done, she steps back and studies the three soldiers. "When your talismans are united by your descendants, it shall signal the Second Catastrophe's awakening. I shall be summoned from behind Atlantis' Gate."

Venus cringes as she watches the remaining three snap a sliver from their crystals. The pain on their faces is evident, but they don't so much as groan in pain. Their shards are sent to the ends of the planet by the silver crystal. Saturn is the only soldier who remains whole.

"Now go. Behind the gate before we seal it!" Mercury gestures to the Princess and her King, who has remained steadfast and silent for the entire, taxing ordeal. I notice the sweat on his brow for the first time. The rents in his armor. The lines beneath his youthful eyes. A human who sided with the losing side during the uprising. Humans revolted against their Isu creators and the Moon Kingdom. This is how the first Isu met their end.

There is no time for touching farewells. The dull roar of the mob coming to slay their centuries-old creators swells by the second. The young woman doesn't want to move, but the king practically drags her away, following in Saturn's footsteps. Venus' line of sight follows them, looking past their bodies, into the amazing scenery behind the pillars. It's an entire city. An underwater city.

The Lost City of Atlantis. I really should have read that damn report.

"Come on." Mars' hot grip finds her wrist and drags her over to the pillars. She's headstrong and determined like Rei, and too stubborn to respond to Venus' aloofness. They have a mission. Even if it's a suicidal one.

Venus stares down the metallic structure before her. The symbol of femininity and the Isu writing beneath it await her sacrifice. Her mind is racing again.

What if they find a way to reach the gate? What if this plan fails? What if I never see Mars again?

Look at her, dummy.

As if hearing my thoughts, Venus gathers the courage to face her second in command and lover. Mars is already staring her down, of course. Their broken crystals flicker between them. Mars somehow looks more stunning, basking in the dim light of her natural aura. Centuries of battle have taken their toll on her, but her passion and strength are as bright now as the first time they made love.

"We did everything we could."

The shame doesn't go away, but Venus nods. "This is the queen's final request. Her will."

"Your will is my will." Mars swallows hard.

"Until the end." Our voice cracks. Her sorrow is my sorrow.

Mars nods. "Until the end."

From the left comes a brilliant blue light, extending endlessly up through the darkness of the cavern. Mercury stands at her pillar. It feeds from her azure crystal's light.

"Mercury: wisdom and water."

The metallic structure absorbs what remains of her crystal. Mercury turns to gaze at her comrades, her eyes lingering on the woman beside Mars. Her form fades, becoming a translucent shadow. "Jupiter…"

Mercury fades into the ether, disappearing before our eyes. Jupiter clutches her weapon, making a short, heartbreaking sound. Princess Serenity wails from behind the newly-erected barrier, shimmering with Mercury's essence.

Venus' hands shake. She holds her broken crystal before her, concentrating all of her shame, pity, and melancholy onto it.

This is it. This is the end.

"Venus: love and beauty."

The metallic colossus glows bright with the energy from her crystal. Her essence- no, our essence- wanes. Tired… So tired…

The white gloves start to fade, until there is only darkness.

"My flame burns only for you."

—

Minako's eyes open. Bloodshot and wide. The dreams, or memories, persistently reverberate in her mind. They've become a part of her, no less real than the events of this lifetime. Venus' pain is embedded in her heart. Her love for Mars, equally so.

Rei.

But it isn't Rei staring down at her.

It's a glowing orange warrior wearing their mask, with golden hair floating about her, a blue bow over her chest, and a beaded whip around her waist. Minako may as well have been staring into a mirror.

"Venus."