It's cold. Too cold. My fire has long since smothered. Those flames tethered me to the mortal realm. Now there is nothing. Only oblivion, and it freezes what remains of my spirit.
"Mars."
Her voice calls to me in the darkness, beckoning me with a distant silver light. The soft, inviting cadence of my creator. Silver light bathes my form in energizing pulses, thawing me. My limbs come back to life.
"Mars," she repeats, a heightened sense of urgency tightening her vocal cords.
She soothes me. But the embers within my crystal remain dead.
"Mars," a second voice chimes, igniting a spark within me.
One gave me life. The other gives it reason.
Lips touch my forehead. The tip of my nose. My lips. Each chaste kiss stirs hundreds of memories. Serving the Love Goddess in battles across the Milky Way. Nights of strategy and lovemaking. Lonesome stretches of time, some longer than a human's lifespan, patrolling the stars with only fond memories to keep me sane.
My eyes flicker open. The Moon Goddess and Love Goddess are staring down at me.
Queen Serenity is long dead. Am I in the Animus?
Venus' sunlit glow draws me in. Some things never change. Even the small fraction of Venus' glow Minako bore when we first met captivated me. I couldn't kill her as I intended. Nor could I get her out of my head, no matter the time or distance.
And now I know why.
"Second of the Isu." The silver goddess strokes my hair. Her touch is… ethereal.
"I daresay this vessel is more stubborn than the original," Venus says in a singsong voice that makes my skin prickle. Her blue eyes are alive with mischief and seduction. Always seduction.
No, I'm not in the Animus. I sacrificed my crystal-my very essence- to prove I would willingly follow Venus. Even into death. Again and again.
"You will serve Venus' new vessel, will you not?"
"It's what I was created for, wasn't it?" A touch of resentment and a frown punctuate my question.
"Mars and Venus. War and Love. I created the two of you with the other in mind. To compliment each other."
"You always pushed me. And I always kept you in check." Venus smiles fondly. "We balance each other, do we not?"
It's true. We compliment each other perfectly. In any lifetime.
My instinct is to rebel. I hate the idea of destiny. Of being made in service to anyone, whether it is Venus or the Moon Goddess. But I know better. It's an instinct I've been unable to escape. I dedicated my life to serving the Assassin Sisterhood, all because I was a slave to my revenge. I prostrated myself before the Sacred Flames, relying on their wisdom to guide me, all the while misinterpreting their signals due to my deep denial.
I avenged my mother's death by killing my father. And myself. All for her, despite what I kept telling myself.
Fire cannot burn without fuel.
And my fuel was always her. Long before I realized or could admit it to myself.
My crystal burns within my chest. Scarlet light resonates around me, entwining with the orange and silver beams surrounding us. I am blinded by the sheer brilliance of the crystals. Familiar hands wander my form, giving it corporeal substance, weaving it back to life with every stroke and kiss. Fingertips tickle my clavicle, travel south between the valley of my breasts and curves of my belly. A seductive giggle echoes in my void as a hand nestles between my thighs.
"Awaken, Mars."
Rei bolted into a sitting position with a loud gasp. Breathless, burning, and somehow alive.
The pulsating glow of the silver crystal persisted from her vision. The woman prostrating the crystal, sitting on the floor beside her, was not the Moon Goddess of her dream. It was her daughter, Neo Queen Serenity, sobbing quite boisterously. Crystalline tears spilled from her porcelain face. Like her mother, she was an ageless goddess. Keeper of the crystal. Protector of the galaxy.
Serenity wiped the tears from her face. "Mars, you're awake! I mean, I'm sorry, Rei, right?"
"Rei. Hino Rei." Rei followed the voice and Serenity's gaze to a sight that made her crystal leap within her chest. Minako sat to her opposite side, gleaming hair reflecting the silver crystal, with a full smile spreading her lips. The sight of Minako alive and well was more radiant and amazing than the magical city around them.
"Mina," Rei whispered. Her vocal cords were raw. The sound of her own voice felt foreign. Somehow, after everything they endured and all the times she died, she thought she would sound different.
Minako winked, unsuccessfully concealing a sob. "But I call her Reiko."
A cacophony of laughter rang in her ears as Minako assisted her into a seated position. Surrounding them were a herd of familiar faces, though not all from this lifetime. Each planetary soldier was recovered and staring down at them, including Saturn. The real Saturn. The petite Harbinger, who remained stationed in this hidden city protecting the royals for hundreds of years. She looked no older than a human teenager at initial glance. Those present knew better. The docile and timid looking woman was an immortal symbol of the First Catastrophe, and a reminder of what nearly came to be.
Saturn did not laugh. Their violet gazes met, unwavering until Minako broke the silence.
"Your Majesty." The blonde genuflected before the Moon Princess, inciting a wave as the rest followed suit. Even Saturn, who had been by her side every day for years, lowered her glaive and bowed her raven head. Rei knelt down at her rightful place beside Venus, but not before sneaking a glance at the only man present.
Behind the Moon Princess was her human lover, rendered immortal by the power of the silver crystal, Endymion. He was the princess' betrothed then as he was now. During the time of the Moon Kingdom, their union was intended to unite the Isu and human worlds. Unsatisfied with the glacial speed of their liberation from servitude, his subjects revolted, ultimately leading to the death of the Moon Goddess and the First Catastrophe.
Despite the years of turmoil and war, followed by centuries of solitude with only themselves, Saturn, and a vast, empty underwater city to keep them company, their love remained as unchanging as hers for Venus.
Endymion helped Serenity to her feet. He gave her a silent, supporting nod. She bowed her head, taking the time she needed to recover before speaking.
"You've all proven yourselves capable and worthy of your mantle and crystals. I know your journey here has not been simple nor pleasant. From the bottom of my heart… I thank you. Mother would be proud." Her volume lowered at the recollection of her deceased mother. Though her passing was hundreds of years ago, the princess was as mournful as if the sorrowful event had been yesterday.
"How do you fare, Your Majesty?" Minako inquired.
Serenity wrapped the silver crystal inside of her palms. With a sigh, she pressed it into her chest, absorbing it within herself. "I'm well, thanks. Endymion and Saturn have kept me safe and occupied. We've toured Atlantis hundreds of times and I've imagined countless scenarios to occupy myself. But now that you're all here, well…" Serenity smiled and smoothed down the folds of her ivory gown. "Care to take a tour? There's so much I want to show you."
Who were they to turn down such a request? Rei thought it odd at first; that she would want to spend another second in the hidden city she was imprisoned in for years. Then again, it was now a familiar comfort for her, compared to the vast unknown of Earth and whatever remained of the Moon Kingdom.
"Of course, Your Majesty," Pluto was the first to speak. Her staff clanked against the metallic floor before she rose. Everyone returned to their feet in sync.
"Amazing…" Ami could not keep from scrying every visible inch around them. "The cavern was an illusion. We were inside the city this entire time. And defeating Saturn's illusion was the switch to reveal its true nature."
The explanation for those whose memories did not include the lost city's planning was helpful. Despite gaining all the knowledge of her Isu ancestor, Rei still had difficulty grasping the true complexity of this technology. Her former self left that sort of thing to the Mercurians. The sort of complicated science that made a fully functional city inside a dome of water beneath the surface possible was mind boggling.
"And when the time comes, this city will be filled with Isu and humans alike, all living together in harmony."
Endymion squeezed her hand as they strolled. "The shared dream of peace between the races will happen, Princess."
Rei recalled a time when the Queen spoke of the Moon Kingdom in a similar vein. Uniting the races had always been the Moon Goddess' dream. And while Mars wanted to believe it was a wish forged from the purity of her heart, she couldn't help but think a heavy shroud of guilt from allowing Isu to use humans as slave labor for centuries darkened her conscience.
This time, they could do it. With the reach and power of the Templars and Assassins, combined with their shared experiences from this lifetime and the last, they could make such a dream reality.
The ensemble began a somewhat leisurely stroll through the vast city. Unless she looked to the sky, Rei would not have known they were thousands of feet underground. Atlantis boasted flora and fauna from both the Moon and Earth, living harmoniously. Rei recognized trees from her voyages to Europe. Budding vines creeping up white balustrades triggered memories of the moon from her crystal. Birds with luminescent feathers flew overhead. A small herd of silver deer with twinkling antlers grazed nearby, unperturbed by their presence. The atmosphere was incredibly peaceful and reassuring, despite being void of people.
"If I may, Your Majesty," Minako cleared her throat. "Don't you want to return to the Moon Kingdom?"
"In time." Serenity gestured to the serene landscape around them. "Earth has been my home for so long, and yet all I know of it is stories Endymion has told me from before the First Catastrophe, and what I've watched from the satellites. I want to stay. Learn what it means to be human. Experience what they do for fun. What foods they enjoy. What gives their lives meaning and joy."
From the corner of her eye, Rei noticed Minako smiling at her. Flush crept up her neck as she imagined what sort of lascivious thoughts the Love Goddess was having.
"I think you'll find what brings humans the most joy and fulfillment hasn't changed much over the years," Minako winked.
"Indeed." Michiru slithered an arm around Haruka's waist. "It is as the saying goes. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Isn't that right, Haruka?"
The Wind Scion's face turned as red as Rei felt. They were relieved for the change of topic when Makoto ran ahead into a garden filled with multi-colored roses. At least, Rei was confident they were roses from a distance. The garden stretched for what must have been a mile, halted by a towering skyscraper resembling Ancient Grecian columns, but fashioned from futuristic metals instead of marble.
"I remember these!" Makoto practically buried her face into the colorful flowers, deeply inhaling their aroma. It was a pleasant, not overpowering smell, but one she could not place.
"Jupiter created this particular crossbreed of roses and moon blossoms," Ami explained as they all momentarily paused to allow Makoto time to appreciate the flowers. Her tall figure was made small amongst the foliage. Makoto, one of the fiercest and strongest fighters Rei had ever met, was right at home surrounded by delicate flowers. The juxtaposition of Makoto's battle persona with her domestic hobbies became more apparent than ever in this moment, which suddenly felt too intimate.
Feeling like she was prying, Rei turned away from the scene. Ami watched on with silent pride in her eyes. Serenity leaned her head on Endymion's shoulder, similar to how Michiru relaxed hers against Haruka. Michiru's gesture was less innocent, as Rei noticed one of her hands wrapped around Haruka's bicep, while the other was snaked around her narrow waist. Suppressing an eyeroll, Rei set her eyes upon Setsuna and Saturn, who whispered amongst themselves.
It was only a matter of seconds before she took a swift jab to the ribs. Rei cast the guilty party a scowl that had less bite to it than she imagined, earning herself one of Minako's priceless smiles. Her blue eyes were dazzling. The mask still resting on her face harkened back to the day they met. It never shrouded Mina's intoxicating eyes, much as Rei used to wish it could.
"Ow. What did you do that for?" Rei rubbed her side with a grimace.
"Oh that didn't hurt! Quit being so prickly!" Minako's breath tickled her ear as she drew herself closer. "What're you thinking?"
Since she was already blushing, Rei decided to be brutally honest. "That your eyes have captivated me since the moment we met."
It was hard to tell, but Rei thought she saw Minako wriggle her eyebrows behind her mask. "Was it my eyes that captivated you, or was it my skill with a whip?"
"Hey! You guys coming or what?" Makoto yelled from further ahead, granting Rei the escape she needed. After exhaling a sigh of relief, Rei mumbled and began to follow the others.
Not one to be ignored, Minako took ownership of Rei's left arm and led them toward the others.
"Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna…. Such delightful names!" Serenity clapped her hands. Rei wasn't sure what was delightful or entertaining about their names, but the glare Minako shot her told her to keep her comments to herself. "Oh! We must have a name for Saturn!"
The smallest soldier tilted her head. "Your Majesty?"
"You have just as much to learn about humanity as I do. We'll all be living among the humans for the time being. So you need a cute human name too!"
Saturn's doe eyes blinked, telling Rei she hadn't planned out the years after their reunion as Serenity undoubtedly had. Truth be told, the Shrine Maiden was just as guilty. A future beyond surviving the day was inconceivable mere moments ago. Her life bore little resemblance to the day before. Rei had a vague sense of what her future would entail, but she had no doubt Minako would be beside her every step of the way.
"And over here is one of the generators powering the city." Ami changed the subject, much to Serenity's chagrin. The Moon Princess seemed bored by the topic, but Setsuna was interested and Makoto was uncharacteristically tagging along.
Ami led the others to an impressive mechanical display of whirling turbines and fans, set inside transparent cylinders sprouting from some sort of generator. Rei knew nothing of energy-producing technology, but even she could tell the generator was an impressive feat. It was set against an even larger building of glass and wires. Rei craned her neck to see the pointed rooftop, where rays of artificial sunlight projected across the dome.
Fascinating as the structure appeared, Rei had little interest in touring the facility while listening to Ami drone on about how everything worked… Until she and Minako found themselves cornered by Michiru and Haruka.
While Haruka cut a more imposing figure physically, it was Michiru who was the greater source of intimidation. Her cerulean gaze had a way of stirring the most uncomfortable emotions, all the while tricking her prey with a lascivious glint and a subtle smile. Minako had more experience in dealing with the Templar Augur than she, but Rei still felt the idol stiffen at her former superior's approach.
Michiru's impending words, most likely some diatribe about luring her father and turning her into the bitter, vengeful assassin she became, pissed Rei off. Before giving Michiru the opportunity, Rei succumbed to the growing heat of anger. "If you're thinking of spouting some backhanded apology about ruining our lives to awaken our crystals, don't bother."
"You—!" Haruka aggressively reached toward Rei, but heeled when Michiru stretched an arm out before her.
"I wouldn't dream of apologizing for doing what had to be done." Michiru leveled her with a more practiced stare.
"Yeah, why apologize for turning my parents against each other, swooning my father into murdering my mother, turning me into a bloodthirsty assassin, and orchestrating me to commit patricide?!" Rei shouted. Her hands and face felt hot with fire brewing just beneath the surface. The injustice of it all, and her helplessness against Neptune's intricate plot, was more infuriating than Rei could stand.
"Your bloodthirst is not owed to me," Michiru nearly smiled, "it's your own nature that sealed your fate."
"You want bloodthirst? I'll show you bloodthirst!" Flames sparked at her fingertips as she lunged.
"Rei." Minako stretched her arm out, blocking Rei's path as Michiru had Haruka's. As quickly as her temper was incited, it was tamed. Temporarily, at least. "Besides, I have a bone to pick with her too."
"Oh?" That annoying allure of bemusement returned to Michiru's perfect face.
"The templars orchestrated my accident, didn't they?" Minako's voice was soft, but firm in seeking out the affirmation. "You made the fixture fall."
The silent answer was all Minako needed. She bowed her blonde head in contemplative silence. Rei rested her hand on the small of Mina's back, unsure of what to say. Without warning, Minako's head shot back up. She removed her mask and poked Michiru in the chest with it, stunning everyone into silence. "More importantly, your untimely email to Setsuna interrupted my sexy onsen time with Rei! Did your stupid mirror tell you I was trying to get laid, too?"
Rei hid her face behind her palm, thinking it was impossible to be more mortified than she currently felt.
Then Michiru had to take the conversation another step forward. "Sounds to me like that's a problem between you and Rei." Rei couldn't bring herself to meet Michiru's gaze. "Unless, of course, you did want my help with that."
Haruka's chuckling turned from being grateful Michiru's embarrassing innuendos were aimed at someone else, to dead silence at her flirtation with Minako. Rei would have pointed and laughed at Haruka if she wasn't busy wishing she was still dead.
To Rei's dismay, Minako was not dropping the subject. "And it can't be a coincidence that you called me when I was in Paris-"
"What were you doing in Paris?" Michiru asked, daring her to answer the question.
Rei knew exactly what Mina had been doing when Michiru interrupted the idol's alone time in her Paris hotel suite. The memory still made her face burn.
Minako's eyes widened with shocked realization. "You idid/i know what I was doing!" To Rei's relief, she did not specify exactly what it was. Relief turned to annoyance when Minako sidled up beside Michiru and suggestively narrowed her eyebrows. "You know, if you wanted a show, all you had to do was ask."
Haruka and Michiru were much happier with the idea than Rei, who crossed her arms over her chest and huffed. If Minako flirting with the woman who was their enemy up until yesterday wasn't enough, Haruka's stupid grin and Michiru's encompassing smolder were unbearable.
Taking advantage of Rei's discomfort, Haruka made sure to get a jab in as well. "Don't worry Rei, we'll include you in all our activities. Michi and I have an agreement that-"
"Shut. Up." The low growl and flaming fingertips told them she was done with this particular topic.
"Reiko!" Minako inserted herself between the angry assassin and the others.
"There was something else I wished to discuss, actually," Michiru changed the topic.
"Wow. Must be serious if you're changing the subject from sex," Mina joked. She settled her eyes to Rei, refusing to continue until she controlled her temper. Abated for now, Rei dismissed her flames and assumed a casual stance. "Are the Templars terminating my contract or something?"
"That's entirely up to you," Michiru cryptically began.
The Augur's serious response to her joke made Mina take a step back. "Huh? What do you mean?"
"You are the Grand Master now," Michiru stated, as casually as if she were discussing dinner. Rei found herself as taken aback as her partner. She placed a hand on the small of Minako's back to steady her.
"Me? But… But I'm an assassin now."
"You are both. Who better to unite The Order and The Sisterhood into The New World Order than the two of you?"
Rei balked. "Excuse me?"
"Minako's gonna need your help." Haruka stepped forward and performed an embellished bow towards Rei. "From this moment forward, the Clairvoyant Crow will be leading the Sisterhood."
Leading the Sisterhood? A thousand objectionable thoughts raged in her mind. She was Mars. She needed to stay beside the princess, protecting and serving her. Not occupying all of her time with human affairs. "But I-"
"It's already done," Michiru insisted.
"Wait a minute." Minako waved her hands. "If we're leading the Templars and Assassins, what exactly will you two be doing?"
"We've a few things in mind," Michiru hinted in a not-so-subtle tone. She took possession of Haruka's arm. The tall blond sheepishly scratched the back of her head. Haruka really was helpless when faced with Michiru's charm.
"Pathetic," Rei grumbled.
"Someone's got a bad case of denial," Mina trilled. Rei turned with a huff, not giving any of them the satisfaction of seeing her blush. It didn't stop Michiru's knowing giggle.
Rei's embarrassment was interrupted by everyone's return. Their serene ruler, though less composed and serious than her mother, was no less powerful and cathartic. Her very presence soothed Rei's mind. Within seconds she had forgotten what she was angry about. The faint, persistent glow of the silver crystal nestled within the brooch at the center of her chest was as constant as their dedication to her. She was the embodiment of balance and igoodness;/i a concept that Mars never quite understood, but always vowed to protect.
"Before we head for the surface, there's one more thing I need to show you all." Serenity excitedly ushered them down a cobblestone path towards a golden dome.
"Could this have anything to do with the fabled treasures of Atlantis?" Michiru crooned.
"What? Treasure?" Minako chirped while lacing her fingers with Rei's. The assassin thought it better to allow the public display of affection than to make a scene of it. The lack of attention she drew to it didn't stop Makoto and Ami from noticing. Ami inclined an eyebrow tenuously, but Makoto was not so subtle. A hearty guffaw and slap against Rei's back turned all sets of eyes towards them. All except Setsuna, who had seen enough of Rei and Minako when they were in the onsen.
Rei tried lowering her gaze to the stones at her feet, but she was incapable of tearing her eyes away from Serenity's penetrating eyes. They bore into and through her soul, with that uncomfortably sincere aura. A cheerful smile decorated her face. "Mother would be pleased."
Endymion looked down at his partner and smiled. "Serenity has told Saturn and I many stories over the years. Many of her mother, and how she regarded each of you like children of her own. The aspirations and adoration she had while crafting each of your crystals with the Galaxy Cauldron's powers," he paused to regard all of the reincarnated planetary warriors. "She loved all of you as a mother, and seeing you together brought her great joy."
Minako's hand squeezed hers harder, warming the crystal inside.
"It's true." Serenity nodded. "I just knew you all would find each other again. Even without your crystal memories. Now come this way."
Birds chirped as they flew overhead. Rei used her astute senses to pinpoint every living creature surrounding them. There were only animals that had somehow flourished in this isolated ecosystem. To the best of her knowledge, there were no other humanoids in Atlantis. Rei listened to each heartbeat around her, memorizing their individual rhythms and cadences. When her attention reached Michiru's, a nagging thought came to her. Hesitant as she was to speak to Michiru again, she had to know.
"When I was in the Animus, I traveled through my father's memories. Michiru was there, before I was born… And yet she has not aged. Why is that?"
"The Aqua Mirror," Michiru responded without looking back. "Once I acquired it, I stopped aging."
"We'll all stop aging now, won't we?" Makoto deferred to Ami beside her.
The shorter woman looked up from her tablet and nodded. "That's right."
Tension hung between the two. Palpable and thick. Rei garnered enough from her crystal's memories to know the two had been romantically linked during their time as Isu. She imagined they were more conflicted about it than she and Minako, or Michiru and Haruka. Rei pushed the thought to the back of her mind. It was none of her business, and besides, she was not the matchmaker of the group. Said woman seemed to have already caught a hint of the rigid air between them, and was most likely going to make their love life her business for the foreseeable future.
Minako pointed at their backs, all the while giving Rei queer looks and shrugging her shoulders. The Shrine Maiden scoffed and shook her head. "Mind your business."
Electronic whirring returned them to more pressing matters. Large, transparent doors that appeared to be made of glass automatically opened to allow them entry. The royal couple lead the group, followed by Saturn and Setsuna. Rei and Minako entered last, startling when the doors closed behind them.
"Wow!" Minako stopped in her tracks, causing Rei to abruptly halt as well. Rei didn't fault her amazement, for she also found herself speechless in the presence of wall-to-wall machinery. Unlike primitive computers on Earth, these devices were sleek and silent. Cylinders of water, carrying sparkling currents around the circumference of the room and in tubes stretching to the ceiling, provided the required energy. The collective awes of her comrades were the only sounds Rei detected in the facility.
The room was dimly lit, though Rei detected no light source. There were monitors stretched above rows of blue and white buttons, all of them slightly pulsing. As someone who spent as much time away from smartphones, tablets, and even television as possible, Rei felt widely out of place amongst such technology. The most complicated piece of equipment she used was the Animus, and she could not begin to describe how it worked.
"This is how I stayed busy while waiting for you all to awaken." Serenity's bare arm waved toward the vast expanse of computers behind her. "From the Center of Atlantis, I can observe whatever I want. Venus, Pluto, anywhere on Earth… I've watched you all, since you were teeny babies. So, though we've just met, it's like we've known each other all our lives."
"But you didn't know my name," Rei argued.
"Oh well, that's because there's no audio on these satellite feeds. And, umm… I can't read your language yet." The princess pouted and adjusted the buns on her head.
The breach of privacy irked Rei initially. How could she speak of spying on all of them their entire lives so casually? Not only were their destinies predetermined, but they were being watched every step of the way.
As Serenity spoke, Rei saw the relief and happiness blossom across her face. It was then that she recognized the privilege of her ignorance. The Moon Princess, who lost her mother and was forced to flee her home planet, was waiting here all this time. Lonesome for her guardians, resolved to watching them from afar, hoping with every fiber of her being that they would prove themselves worthy and they could be reunited once more. How could Rei spite her for the small relief she could find in prison?
"You can watch anything, anywhere?" Makoto gasped. Despite the assassin's height, she still craned her neck to see the full height of the computers.
"Yes. I will gladly show them to you, later. I was hoping this could be where we routinely gather. In person, if possible… Though your duties will likely take you to all corners of the galaxy, I tire of watching you on impersonal screens."
"A splendid idea, Your Majesty," Setsuna spoke on behalf of all of them.
"As for the true reason I brought you here…" Serenity backed towards a flat console, which Rei would have guessed to be an oversized keyboard if she'd known any better. When the Moon Princess waved her hand over the buttons and lights, eight small circles appeared in the metal, thus disproving Rei's theory. Minako leaned forward quizzically, scrutinizing eight objects that seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
They resembled small rods. Pens, even. Each was a different color. It took no time for Rei to locate that which belonged to her; the shaft undulated vermillion waves as if containing the fires of Mars. The symbol of Mars was embellished in gold at the top. Even without the decorative flair, Rei would have recognized it instantly, for it radiated the same aura as the crystal inside her.
"Those are…" Haruka stumbled, attempting as unsuccessfully as the rest of them to put words to what exactly they were looking at.
"Transformation Rods," Saturn explained. Her violet eyes, reflecting only death and ruin before Rei learned her true identity, were so much more than that. Galaxies worth of decay and rebirth, wisdom that could only come with domain over the most grave duties governing life… that was Saturn. And yet, she somehow retained an air of youth and hopefulness about her. "They'll allow us to transform into our full potential when need be."
"Otherwise, we try living as normal humans? After all of this?" The disbelief in Makoto's voice was warranted, if not a bit displaced.
The Moon Princess laughed. That sound… It was something Rei never knew she needed until now. "From what I've seen, your lives are anything but normal!"
"When you're right, you're right," Mina joined in her mirth. Rei couldn't help but smile. The Princess' mood was infectious. And her smile. And her bright blue eyes. Rei knew she would sacrifice anything to preserve the Princess' happiness without hesitation.
Taking the lead, Minako stepped forward and claimed her transformation wand. Its subtle orange glow poured over Venus for a brief moment in time. Minako took a deep breath, sighed, and turned to Rei. She acknowledged the silent cue and accepted hers next. Once the item was in her grasp, the fires of Mars awoke. Her crystal thrummed with such force Rei thought it would burst from her chest and her entire body would be consumed by the flames. As quickly as the sensation escalated it ended, leaving her holding a mysterious object.
While the others collected their personal treasure, Minako pulled her aside. She leaned in close, giving Rei the impression she was trying to steal a kiss. Aster flowers and citrus, the aroma synonymous with Venus herself, soothed Rei's heart and made her skin prickle. Only the reincarnation of Venus herself could make her simultaneously relaxed and aroused.
"You okay?" Minako's urgent question made Rei feel like she shouldn't be.
"Yeah. I think. All things considered, I mean. You?"
"Reiko…" Minako's voice took on the suggestive cantor telling Rei she was going to start teasing her again. "You're supposed to say those memories are making you anxious to get me alone!"
"What are you-?" Before she could finish her question, a surge of visions overpowered her. Mars and Venus. Entwined and enamored. Love and war. Fire and gold. Every sigh, every motion, every time Venus whispered her name. Rei was there, smelling her hair and massaging her skin. Heavenly sighs escaped her as silken lips traced every silver scar.
"Hey, you okay?"
Rei blinked. Venus' mischievous smile greeted her as she returned to the present. Standing beside her was Jupiter, concern etched across her emerald eyes. She mistook Rei's bent head and groans for pain. Before Rei could concoct an explanation for her behavior, Minako drew attention to herself.
"Everyone." Minako squeezed her hand before approaching the Princess. She was Venus again, Sword of the Princess and First of the Isu. Golden hair tickled the floor as she bowed low to Serenity. After honoring their liege, Mina considered the transformation wand in her hand again. The idol was more spontaneous than thoughtful. To watch her gazing upon the object with a stare that was equal parts serious and nostalgic, it stirred Rei's heart. Having the ability to hear the blood coursing through Minako's veins, meant nothing when all she wanted was to hear her thoughts.
After a minute, Minako met their eyes. She grazed over each and every one of them, stopping at last to Rei. Rei offered the smile and nod she knew Minako needed to give her the courage to continue.
"I thought being a world famous popstar was my purpose in life. I did everything in my power to realize that dream of mine… Even surrendering my career, my assets, and all of my creative freedom to the Templars, in order to pursue it." Minako raised her transformation rod towards Michiru, as if she were raising a toast. "But then I met Rei. Granted, she was trying to kill me and steal my Sailor V mask at the time, but when I caught her with my whip and our eyes met, something I didn't know existed stirred within my chest."
Rei groaned. Of course she had to mention capturing her with that damn whip.
"Something lured us together. It was something far older and meaningful than the war between the assassins and Templars. The birthrights we didn't know about. Our destinies as planetary soldiers of love and war. I wasn't ready to accept my role… But I am now. Being with the princess, feeling her love embrace me while calling me back from death… I'm ready. So I promise to do my part in leading the Templars towards unity with the Assassins, with the goal of guiding humans and Isu to live in eternal peace. Are you guys with me?"
Rei was the first to raise her transformation wand into the air. Mars would be there with Venus, forever and always. The fires of passion were at their brightest when cradled in Venus' gentle hands. She had died for Queen Serenity, Venus, and Minako. And she would do it again, without hesitation.
"To Princess Serenity!"
"To Princess Serenity!" Minako raised the Venus wand high, letting it glimmer in the silver crystal's light. While the others echoed her sentiment, she grinned. "To The New World Order!"
The New World Order? Rei chuckled. Now that Minako was tasked with leading the Templars, the New World Order would be whatever she wanted it to be. Instead of controlling humanity through the Pieces of Eden, their new goal would be to unite with the assassins and protect humanity until they were reading for utopia. In Atlantis, on the Moon, the location didn't matter. Only that they were together, working towards peace, with the aid of Serenity's holy light.
Ushering in eternal peace was a lofty goal, but the hope on Serenity's face and the determination on Minako's told Rei their combined powers could accomplish anything.
And so, with the flames of Mars burning within her, Rei and the others called out in unison. "To The New World Order!"