Part II: Chapter 2

Uncertain

The fog was heavy tonight. It laid like a blanket over the worn dirt path that winded through the dense woods. The air had a chill that seeped deep beneath the heavy velvet cloak that was wrapped tightly around Trista. She had the hood over her head, shrouding her face in a dark shadow. Her eyes scanned the area around her. The forest was desolate and eerily quiet. Not even the hum of the moon bugs broke the silence. It was as if they sensed the unrest around them. They too knew that something was amiss.

"Pluto." A voice from the mist called.

Trista turned, following the sound of her name which was called again. She could see a figure, beneath the heavy canopy of the forest, leaning against an ancient oak. She came to a stop just before it.

"Prince Fabian." Trista said as she threw back the hood of her cloak. Her dark emerald tresses spilled out around her.

Fabian emerged from the darkness, walking into her view as a sliver of light, a glow from nearby Earth, trickled through the heavy foliage. "What happened? Why doesn't everyone remember?"

"You were foolish to think that Raven wasn't prepared for this. I'm sure Darien mentioned the Time Orb was fickle. It doesn't always work as intended." Trista replied as she scanned the area around them, making sure they were alone.

"What about Raven? What is she going to do?" Fabian asked, a tinge of anxiety lacing his deep voice.

"You know I am barred from the time steam. I haven't been forgiven yet, if ever." Trista said. "I'm just a princess from Pluto in this life." She continued as she glanced at the Moon Palace, a mere speck of light in the distance. The palace walls illuminated at night, serving as a beacon within the darkness. Trista had been largely absent even during the Silver Millennium as her duty of the keeper of time was more important than her royal duties. She was unsure of how to live this life, suddenly thrust into politics and official royal appearances. She turned her attention back to Fabian who was gazing at her curiously. "We can only guess what Raven's plan is. You can be sure of one thing: it will create havoc." She added.

"It's already begun." Fabian said sheepishly. "I may or may not be fighting for Mina's hand… with Darien."

Trista's eyes widened. "Come again? Darien?"

"Yes, Darien." Fabian repeated as he ran his fingers through his hair, pulling at the strands as if he was losing his mind. "I went to Venus to see if Mina remembered anything. I attended her coming out ball just for the chance to speak to her. I didn't even know he was there until her father said Endymion had asked to court her. I only asked so that we could get her off the planet to get everyone else together."

"Sure you did." Trista said as she rolled her eyes. "Curious that you went to Venus first. I hardly believe you expect anyone to think that you didn't ask to court her for the chance to be with her."

"Ouch. You're brutally honest, Pluto. You know she's with Kunzite." Fabian remarked, wincing at the bluntness of her words. Sure, he hadn't originally planned to court Mina but when the opportunity had presented itself, he had gone for it. In this life, Kunzite wasn't a threat and now all of those 'what-ifs' could potentially be coming true. At least he hoped. He wasn't sure if Kunzite had retained his memories but even if he had, he was just a soldier. Fabian was a prince. During this lifetime, that counted for something. "If you truly must know, this courtship is an afterthought. Getting Mina off Venus is my true goal. In fact, we have to get everyone off their planets and back together. I can't court them all—"

"Careful Fabian, Mina's heart still belongs to Kunzite." Trista warned as she drew up the hood of her cloak. "That link will not be easily broken."

"And what about the others?" Fabian asked as Trista turned from him, walking back to the path in the wood. He'd rather not think about losing Mina now. "How will we bring them all together?"

"That is your challenge and your primary focus. Let me work on the outer scouts. You and Mina will have to figure out how to get the inner scouts working again as a team. Don't expect anyone to remember lost memories of a future that hasn't happened yet, you will have to get creative. Oh, and don't expect Endymion to become your friend and ally. Don't forget why you and Nikko never went to Earth after your training as boys. You were not friends during the Silver Millennium then and you aren't now. His generals won't be so friendly either."

"Yeah, I got that." Fabian muttered as he rolled his eyes. He watched as she left, walking back down the dark path into a spinning portal that took her back to Pluto. Fabian was left in the darkness, lost in his own thoughts as he walked back to the palace.

How was he to bring everyone together? And why was this his challenge? He wasn't a sailor scout or technically even one of their guardians. He was a prince of Charon and a Shadow Warrior. The only thing linking him to the Sailor Scouts was Mina. He could just step away, fade back into his role as a protector of the princess until Nikko messed things again. He could silently rejoin the Negaverse with his brother once the invasion begins without missing a beat. He could. The thought was tempting, especially after his discussion with Pluto. What would his reward for this seemingly impossible task of bringing everyone back together? Bring Mina back to Kunzite? Watch everyone else be reunited with their loved ones while he fades away into the background, alone now just as he was then? Why couldn't he pursue Mina? Hell, why not even court her and have a chance to live out a life that he turned his back on a two lifetimes ago? A lifetime that he regretted not living for himself but for his brother.

Fabian sighed as he watched the Earth, a glowing orb of light, rise into the distance. He was once again caught between two paths. One of darkness and one of light. He knew the outcome of one of those paths. He knew that he had made it out okay, alone, but content on the path of darkness. Where would this alternate path lead him? Could he finally find happiness or would he be crushed under the weight of losing the woman that had brought him back to the light?

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Amy set aside her book as her carriage bumped along the cobblestone road. Her eyes ached, weary after the long hours of concentration. She loved books. At times she loved them more than people. She could get lost in their pages, transformed into different characters, living their lives as if they were her own. She felt their joy, their pain, their love and their heartbreak. She cried for them, laughed with them and mourned their deaths when they met their ends. It was as if she could be someone else.

Maybe it was because she longed to be someone else. A princess's freedom was limited in a way that the characters in her book weren't. While girls her age were busy attending school or preparing to enter their own marriages she was forced to complete royal duty after royal duty. Her father was ill. Very ill. For months she had been taking over some of his scheduled visits to the people. She traveled to various provinces and cities, meeting with the village leaders and various dukes and lords. She found the visits tedious, the only joy was the company of her books. A carriage ride afforded her ample time to read during her journey.

Amy had been away from home for some three months but was finally on her way back. Her father had requested her presence. She felt a sense of dread lying within the pit of her stomach. A direct letter from him, especially in his weakened state, was troubling. Was he worsening? Was the time near? She couldn't bear to think of losing him. Her step-mother, though kind, did not have a talent for ruling or leading. That was why Amy was traveling so much in the first place. Would she suddenly find herself as Queen?

"Your highness." Her footman said as the carriage bumped to a stop inside the palace gates. He held the door open for her, offering his hand to help her descend the iron steps to the ground.

Amy smiled at him gratefully and laid her hand in his, gathering her long, pale blue skirts in her hand and lifting them a she climbed out. Her eyes took in the familiar sight of her home. The palace on Mercury was quaint. It lacked the splendor of the Moon Palace or the richness of Earth's. Instead it was a three story brick palace, covered with lime green ivy. Mercury was seasonably warm all year long. The planet was arid, almost dessert like with an odd manner of lime green and sandy colored foliage. Despite the warmth and the harsh landscape, lakes and oceans dotted the planet, running deep into the planet's ground, linking to each other.

Amy fondly ran her fingers along the ivy as she walked through the courtyard to the royal receiving chamber. There she found her father, seated amongst a sea of pillows, giving his frail frame support. He wore a light blue tunic over cream colored pants. A simple silver crown that hosted one large sapphire sat on his rapidly graying hair. His light blue eyes twinkled as he caught sight of his daughter. Though he was smiling, his pale cheeks were gaunt. He appeared worse than when she had left home many months ago.

"Father." Amy said as she curtsied before him. "I have returned."

"How were your travels?" He asked as he extended his arms to his daughter, inviting her in for a warm hug.

Amy rushed to him, just as she did when she was a young girl, and clung to him. She was shocked at how much weight he had lost. His clothes hung off of his bony frame. She could feel his ribs pressing against her, the flesh covering them as thin as paper. It was as she feared. "I missed you." She said simply.

"And I you." The king replied as he held her. "You must tell me all about it tonight. But first, I must address a pressing matter with you."

"What is it father?" Amy inquired, fearing the worst.

"I have not beaten this illness yet. The doctors are optimistic, as they often are, however I have my doubts. I know it pains you to hear this Amy, but it must be said: we must plan for the future. We must plan for the day I lose this fight and you are all alone." He said as he tenderly released her to stare her straight in the eyes.

Amy felt tears swelling in her eyes. They trickled down her cheeks as he spoke, splashing onto her shoulders. No. He couldn't die. He was too young. She had already lost her mother. Was she to lose her father too? "Papa….you can't leave me…" Amy cried, struggling to speak as her throat was clogged with tears. Her shoulders shook as sobs shook her body.

"Amy, I have raised you as best as I could. You mean the world to me. You're my everything." He tenderly touched her cheek as a sad smile graced his lips. "But I also know that I cannot leave you alone. If I cannot protect you, then we must find someone who can. You are young, but you are old enough now to take a husband Amy. We will keep your union a secret. Should I triumph over this illness, we won't have to speak of it until you are ready and then we can have a proper ceremony. Until then, you must take a husband. One who will keep this secret, one who will honor standing by your side either silently until you are older or until I pass and is crowned King."

"Papa…" Amy opened her mouth to protest but could see the desperation in her father's eyes. He was right. She couldn't do this alone. She wasn't ready to, at least not yet. The last few months had shown her that clearly. She had much to learn. But who could she trust? What man would be willing to keep a royal marriage secret? What man would agree to limit his powers until the right time?

"Can you think of anyone?" The king asked as his eyes searched hers, hopeful.

"Yes…" Amy spoke at least, after several moments of silence. She wiped away her tears and gave her father a small smile. "Zoisite."

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Mina's fingers curled around the hem of her sleeve, pulling and tugging the fabric down to cover her shaking fingers. She felt her breathing growing shallower and shallower as nerves overcame her body. Her slippers clicked softly on the marble floor beneath her, echoing deafeningly throughout the hallway as she made her way to the throne room. She caught sight of herself in a gilded mirror just before the double doors. Her long golden hair was curled and loose beneath a simple gold and ruby tiara. She wore a deep red gown over a golden, ruffled skirt, dotted with shimmering golden beads. Rubies cascaded down from her ears, brushing the tips of her shoulders as she walked. She was dressed in her best but her cheeks lacked any color. Her eyes were wide with fear.

Earth was not her home in this lifetime. In fact, Earth was not even remotely a friend. Behind those double doors waited a room of strangers. Strangers that didn't know anything about her apart from the fact that she was the princess of Venus. Endymion was a stranger now. A stranger that didn't know he was a pawn of his own, vindictive mother. She was the one Mina truly feared. Raven was the serpent, waiting in the grass, ready to strike. Mina felt as if she was walking into a trap. She had no powers here. This Mina had yet to become a Sailor Scout and though her memories had been preserved, her powers had not. What could she do if Raven decided to strike now?

The double doors opened as a fanfare rang through the hall.

"Princess Mina Aino of Venus." The guard announced. He bowed as she passed.

Mina held her head high, attempting to shield her nerves from the eyes of hundreds of people the littered the sides of the room. She could feel them watching her intently. They bowed and curtsied as she passed, each one sizing her up, determining if she were worthy of their beloved prince.

Mina paid them little attention. She didn't care for their opinions. She had no intention of marrying Endymion. He belonged with Serena and she intended to make sure that their union happened. That determination was what drove her to accept Raven's invitation to Earth. This visit would begin the proceedings that could lead to the courtship Endymion sought. A courtship she would make sure, would be difficult to take place.

She came to a stop before the raised platform that held the thrones of Prince Endymion, King Arthur and Queen Raven. Beside them stood her father, King Rupert. His beaming smile calmed Mina's unsteady nerves as she fell into a deep curtsy. Though her father had accompanied her on this trip, he wouldn't on any future ones. Raven's presumptuous sneer hadn't escaped her notice either. She would no doubt, attempt to complicate Mina's plan.

"Princess Mina." King Arthur stated as he rose from his throne, clapping his hands. "How beautiful you have grown! No wonder you have caught the prince's eye." He boasted as he descended the platform and came to a stop before her. "Welcome to Earth!"

"Thank you, your majesty." Mina smiled as the king gestured to Endymion.

"Come, come." He beckoned. "The two of you must have a lot to talk about. Your father and I do as well. The Queen has asked the two of you return in an hour for lunch. She would love to speak with you then."

Mina held back a scoff as Endymion bowed to her and offered her his elbow. She took his elbow, ignoring the growing smile from the Queen, and allowed him to steer her outside.

"How was your journey?" Endymion asked once they were alone.

"Not long." Mina stated. She and her father had opted to take a ship to the Earth instead of using the teleporters. The journey took several hours, just long enough for Mina's nerves to go haywire. "It has been a while since I've seen Earth. I've forgotten how much color there is here."

"Quite a bit different from Venus." Endymion said as he guided her along a paved path, down towards a rushing stream. She could see various other nobles milling about, some seated along benches next to the water while others were boarding small boats and cruising along the water. All pretended not to be watching them but Mina could see their eyes following their every move.

Silence fell between them. For the first time in a long time, Mina didn't know what to say. How could she prompt old memories out of him? How could she get him to remember without him thinking she was crazy? It felt beyond awkward to walk amongst Endymion's people, hanging onto his arm. This was where Serena was supposed to be. Serena, who was happily on Nikko's arm most likely at the moment.

"Endymion, do you ever have… strange dreams?" Mina asked, thinking it would be best to approach the subject indirectly. "Like, as if you lived in another time?" Mina asked, hopeful that some piece of their past still lingered.

"Another time? Like years ago?" Endymion inquired as his brow perked.

"Another time that's completely different from our world as it is now." Mina said as she watched a flock of birds pass over them.

Endymion continued to guide her along the path, turning to look at her with his eyes wide. "Now that you mention it, I do sometimes. It's the strangest thing. I'm in an odd structure. Tall, nearly reaching to the sky. There is this shiny box that carries me from the bottom to the top. When I get to the top I go to this door. 1229. That's the number on it. I take out this key from my pocket and before I can turn it, this woman opens the door and jumps into my arms. Then I wake up." He shrugged.

"What does she look like?" Mina asked as they came to the bottom of the path that split into two, going alongside the stream to the left and right.

Endymion steered her right as he ran a hand through his hair. "She has long hair, very light, almost white. Her eyes are a deep brown, almost black. She says something to me but her voice is muffled, I can't ever make out what she's trying to say." He said.

Mina's brow furrowed. Brown eyes and blond hair? It didn't seem like Serena was the woman in his dream but the structure certainly seemed like an apartment building. She became lost in her own thoughts as Endymion stopped them just before the dock.

"Mina, would you like to go for a boat ride along the river?" He asked as he gestured to the small boats.

"Sure." Mina grinned as he nodded and walked down the dock.

"Wait here, let me get one ready." Endymion said as he jogged down the length of the dock, going to speak to a man that was seated at the end.

"Pssst." A voice called from behind her.

Mina turned, looking for the source of the noise. She could see people walking along the path, each one stopping to curtsy or bow to her before continuing on their way. She smiled politely at them, watching them move down the path, waiting for one to turn around.

"Psst… over here… by the wall." The voice said again.

Mina did a slow circle, looking for anyone that could've spoken but there wasn't anyone around. She walked towards the benches, each one perched along a stone wall covered with ivy.

"Hello?" Mina called, unsure as she walked, her eyes scanning the area.

A hand suddenly plunged from the wall and pulled her into the ivy.

She opened her mouth to scream but was instantly quieted by a hand to her mouth.

"Shhh!" Zoisite said as he looked her straight in the eye. "It's me."

"Zoisite!" Mina gasped, muffled by his hand which slowly loosened. "You're here! You… you remember?"

"I do." Zoisite admitted as he released her. "But Darien doesn't."

"I figured that out already." Mina replied as she peeked through the ivy. Endymion was busy with one of the boats, working with a few men to get it ready to sail.

"Who else remembers?" Zoisite asked, hopeful as Mina shook her head.

"Fabian and Femi. Serena is clueless as well. She and Nikko are together." Mina whispered, fighting the panic that was slowly building in her stomach again. "Oh yeah, he's alive again."

"Damn." Zoisite muttered. "This is going to be harder than I thought. Queen Raven has been hanging around us for days. I know she remembers, she's trying to figure out which one of us does as well. I've been playing her. I don't know how much longer it'll last before she figures it out. That was genius though, engaging in a courtship with Endymion—"

Mina opened her mouth to respond but she froze. Just beyond the ivy she could see a man walking. He was tall and very muscular. His long white blond hair fell between his strong shoulders, hanging down his back. His eyes, a light lavender, were striking. "Kunzite." She whispered and suddenly felt her feet carrying her forward, rushing towards him.

"Mina, no!" Zoisite called but it was too late.

Mina had her skirts in her hands, running down the path to Kunzite. She squealed and jumped into his surprised arms, feeling a wave of emotion rush through her as tears filled her eyes. She felt his familiar, strong embrace around her, holding her against him as she took in his familiar scent. Her entire body shook as she felt a warm sense of relief ripple through her body. She hadn't realized how much she had missed him until this moment. "You're here…" Mina whispered as her tears wet the collar of his shirt. "I've missed you so much."

"P… pp….princess…" Kunzite stammered as he set her down on the ground. "Are you feeling okay?"

"It's me." Mina said as she caught his gaze. "Don't you remember?"

He stared hard at her, his eyes wide with confusion. "Princess, you must be mistaken. I don't think we've met. My name is Kunzite, I am one of Endymion's generals, his best friend actually."

Mina felt her heart nearly stop as he spoke. Behind him she could see Endymion rushing from the dock, yelling something at them as she felt her vision blur. Before she could say another word she felt her knees give out and she fell to the ground as everything went dark.