"Mama?" Chibiusa looked up at her mother who was now dressed up as a moon fairy with shimmering wings on her back. The little princess couldn't help but feel a little envious at how beautiful her mother was and wished she could be like that too. "Do you think Niko is ok? I..mean..is her papa mad at us?"

Serenity tucked her child into bed and brushed her bangs back, "I think he is upset- and rightfully so- but I do not believe he blames us for what has happened." At least the queen had hoped this to be true. She didn't actually know if he had forgiven them or not. "But we will find your friend and return her here safely."

"Promise?"

Serenity leaned over and kissed Chibiusa's forehead, "Promise. Now go to sleep. It's past your bedtime."

"Ok.."

Once she was certain that her child was asleep, Serenity left, leaving the door cracked and headed to join the others. Her mind weighed heavily on what they were to do. It didn't seem that Queen Nehellenia had made any moves yet, but who knows? Anything could happen and they needed to be on guard.

"Oh good, you're just in time." Mars said handing her a lace-pearl encrusted mask. "We're about to be announced. Everything is secure as it's going to be." Mars then tightened her own ruby-red mask that matched the fire bird inspired outfit she wore.

Serenity nodded, fixing the mask on her face, "And our guests?"

"Most don't seem to have a clue." Mercury answered, trailing behind the queen in her water sprite inspired outfit. Her blue mask was already fixed in place along with a barrette of sapphires in her hair. "Though, the group from that far planet- Kinmoku- seem to have taken noticed. One of the guardians asked if it's something to worry about."

"But we handled it." Jupiter looked ahead at the grand doors, dressed in her wood nymph inspired outfit, "Luckily, they seem to keep it to themselves." She pulled her green masked down with the pink roses in the corner. "We just have to get through tonight and tomorrow, then everyone will be heading home."

Serenity breathed out and nodded, "Good. What of our special guest? Has he decided to join or..?"

"Not sure." Venus unfolds her arms, her Aphrodite inspired dress glimmered with gold as she faced them with her orange mask in place, "I sent a maid with the spare mask and costume for him. He may join, he may not." She walked over to her queen and friend, "Do not put too much hope in this, Usagi." Venus muttered quietly, "He may be Endymion but he's not the same person."

"I know that, Minako." Serenity told her and raised her chin just a tad, "I only want to help him relieve some stress. We still haven't told him..." She had to force herself not to worry her lower lip, "We should tell him that after the party."

"Right.." Mars could only watch her friend compose herself, but Mars knew- as well as the others- that it was just a mask. "They're about to announce us."

"Then lets go, ladies. We'll give them a party as they've never had before." Jupiter said, hoping to lighten the mood.

Mamoru leaned against a column, hidden in the crowds at the party. He couldn't find it in himself to even enjoy it much, but he had to admit it was very beautiful. He nursed his drink, eyes hidden behind the mask as he looked from the crowds to the moonscape. Ever since he got here, he noticed that about everything. It's so beautiful, yet the beauty of it laid within the strange stillness around it. Everything was made with some intention and nothing an accident. Nothing like Earth, which was unpredictable even when predictable. There was something artificial about this place, which he thought was probably why he was having issues here.

"Hm.." Mamoru set the empty glass on the tray that went back to the kitchens, then cast his gaze back at the ballroom. He couldn't help but wonder where all these people came from. Some were most notably from outside the system all together but others...others looked as if they had been on Earth.

"Hello there!"

Mamoru was startled out of his thoughts. He hadn't thought anyone would talk to him, yet here was this black haired pale woman with a mischievous smile and in a blue gown looking up at him.

"Er, hello there. " He felt so awkward at the moment, even though he had training in this, it was still not his strong point for idle chatter much. "You are?"

"Well, I can't tell you that. Otherwise what's the point of a masquerade?" the woman chuckled, "I was just wondering if you'd like to dance?"

Mamoru thought this over for a moment, after all it would be weird if he didn't dance, wouldn't it? Not to mention, Raina had always used to get on to him about socializing more in such settings beyond the professional side. But would it be right to do so? After all, Nijiko... However, what else can he do? Not to mention he needed to show his face there so he could sneak around later.

With all that in mind, he smiled offering a gloved hand to her, "Sure."

Whoever this mysterious woman was, she was an excellent dancer. After dancing with her a few times, Mamoru had relaxed enough to enjoy himself a bit as the night continued. After their fourth turn around the dance floor, the black haired woman was called away by a silvery pale haired woman in a lime green dress and mask.

Mamoru watched them go off with a strikingly red haired woman that vaguely reminded him of a butterfly somehow.

"Weird.." He muttered to himself and turned to go when he spotted the Queen. It wasn't hard to know who she was as she made little to no attempt to blend in with everyone else.

She was alone and approached him with a smile. "I see you are enjoying yourself here."

"I was in relatively good company." Mamoru answered, "Are you?"

"I always enjoy this part of the day. It's nice to be reminded of how much fun everyone could have together." She glanced around the ballroom, "All in good humor, of course."

He raised a brow, "I see." He knew a cue when he saw one and the sound of music starting up again was simply perfect timing, "Would you care to dance, your majesty?"

"I'd love to."

Everything about this felt extremely familiar to Mamoru. Even though he chalked it up to memories of the past, he couldn't shake the feeling that it felt...right, somehow. The strange shudder that went down his spine as he and Serenity danced across the ballroom floor with others, felt oddly like..energy? Electric? He wasn't sure how to describe this. The second thing he noticed, or rather he didn't notice, was the crowd. It literally felt like only he and Serenity existed and there was nothing else to it. Just her, her eyes behind the mask that looked up at him with pleasure. The small pink tinted lips that curled into a smile on her face. How well her body fit against him- almost like they've done this before but not really in the past...?

No, that's not right.

He's never met her before now and the only other time he's seen her was in his dreams.

They were just dreams, weren't they?

Before he knew it, they had danced and danced until it was closing in on a bit pass midnight, when some of the guests began to retire. Mamoru had blinked, finding himself out of whatever kind of trance it was that he had been in. It was..He wanted to say both perfect and disturbing on some level. Perfect in that he couldn't imagine a feeling like this, save for when his daughter was born, but disturbing because he couldn't believe he had this strange connection to her.

It went beyond the memories and that is what scared him the most.

"I...guess we should take a break." He said finally, "I'm sure you're hungry."

Serenity, flushed a bit, nodded, "Just a tad. Though I'm sure we'll both eat well before bed." She smiled, "I have a bit of a sweet tooth. Luna often gets on to me about it."

"Probably because eating sweets before bed does produce some weird dreams." He remarked, "I have been meaning to ask you something."

"Yes?"

"Is it possible for me to look at your library for a while?"

She blinked, not actually expecting this, "I..yes, of course." She didn't see why not, but she couldn't fathom why he would want to go there. "Is there anything else?"

He shook his head, and looked up at the time, "I suppose I should go back to my room. It's late, after all- or..whatever consistutes as late here."

"I see, I..was hoping-" She began and stopped then smiled, " No, you're right. It is late and most of our guests will be leaving tomorrow."

Mamoru bowed to her, "Then good night, Se-Neo Queen Serenity."

"And to you, Prince Endymion." She didn't seem to notice his wince at the name, but watched him go with a certain longing in her eyes. Oh, if only he wasn't married and in love with someone else!

Serenity couldn't help herself with that thought, and turned away to entertain the lingering guests. If only...If only time could reverse and go back to before- maybe then she'd have her chance. As it stood now, she didn't want to give in to the temptation she had once.

Her own private secret she hadn't told anyone about. They had thought she had done the same pilgrimage to the Galaxy Cauldron as her mother, Queen Serenity, had done for her. The truth was far more less innocent.

As the night's party ended and she retired to her chambers for a bath, she wondered about telling him. That the pink haired princess was also his daughter as well. It twisted inside her to tell him, but also she knew that it would also be terrible decision. After all, as far as he can tell, she had been a dream.

Just a dream.

Though a sliver of a tear trailed down her cheek, as she bit her lower lip, she couldn't help but wonder if this was how Beryl felt? Were these feelings she was having now, towards an unknown woman that had captured her destined lover's heart, something that Beryl had also experienced?

The uncomfortable comparison bothered her deeply and well into her dreams when she went to bed.

Was she like Beryl?

Dreams are a funny thing. They're mostly nonsensical but with meaning, and yet sometimes they are without meaning and at time absent all together.

But dreams were powerful things and effect the world in ways beyond imagining.

This is what Queen Nehellenia found and believed was certainly true. Which is why she kept the girl she had kidnapped in a dream-state within a sphere. At least for now. She concluded that the girl inside, was indeed from Earth and wasn't like the ones she had found there.

Pondering the still form for a while longer, she smiled to herself.

Yes, she's found a way out.

Mamoru couldn't sleep. To be honest, he had such trouble, trying to do that that he gave it up all together. Instead, he moved along the palace halls in the early mornings, dressed in the clothes he came in that had been cleaned and pressed, he found himself drawn to a room where something hummed.

"Hm?" His brows rose as he decided to investigate this. Following the noise, he wondered how deep into the palace he'd go. Surely it wasn't as massive as most, right? Though such thoughts were erased as he found the humming sound getting louder. Curious, he stopped at a door and pushed it open.

"The...What is this?" His eyes widen at the sheer size of the screen and the walls that hummed with electricity running through it. Light blinked on and off as a pedestal began to glow. A miniature woman appeared, looking very much like the Queen herself but more simple style to her.

"Welcome." She said to him, "You must be Prince Endymion. It has been a long time since you've stepped into this palace."

Mamoru wasn't even sure he should do this, however, maybe she'd be more forthcoming than his hostesses had been. "It has." He tried to recall her, with only a word 'Serenity' popped into his mind. Could she be the queen's mother? It's extremely possible. "I was wondering if you could help me."

"Of course." She smiled, "Do you need help in wooing Serenity's heart? "

He blinked, "Why would you assume that?"

The holographic figure blinked and looked confused, hat why you are wandering the halls so late?"

"I'm sorry, I think you have the wrong idea about me." Mamoru said almost sheepishly, "I was going to ask where the library was."

"I..see." After a moment, a map replaced the long dead queen and pointed to how he could get to the library. It then turned back. "Was that all?"

Mamoru pondered this for a moment. It was a golden opportunity to ask all of what he wanted to know. Not only about himself, but about who this Queen Nehellenia was and how dangerous she was. If there was some way to get back to his child and eventually home.

"I have a few questions..." He approached her, "I hope you'll answer them."

She smiled, "Of course, what do you wish to know?"

"Can you tell me about the current queen and myself from the past? I have some of the memories, but unfortunately, it still feels as if some of it is in shadows." Yes, it was best to ease it in and work around to the more important ones. Even though she was probably a computer interface, she definitely didn't respond like one and he had a feeling she was more than she seemed.

And so, he listened for a long time as the holographic woman spoke about him and the current queen of the past with warm and fondness. Part of him began to remember some of the things she spoke about, yearning to feel those things again. The other part of him didn't, feeling almost impatient with this but didn't interrupt her nor showed any of what he felt.

Really, it did sound lovely and it sounded as if they had loved each other more than anything, but...

"I have another question." He had to ask this before she launched into another story. "Who is Queen Nehellenia?"

The figure gasped, "Why would you wish to know?"

"I heard the name and became curious." It was only a half truth. "That was the real reason I wanted to find the library." Another half truth. Mamoru didn't lie often, but when he did, he tried to make it as painless as possible.

"I..suppose I should tell you. Just in case something happens." Queen Serenity muttered, "Yes, I'll tell you all I know."

"Thank you."

Raina made a face as she tried to stomach her food but couldn't bring herself to. "Ugh, even the smell makes me sick."

"Something the matter?" Nephrite glanced up from his own food, thought Kunzite and Zoisite had already left the table, it was just him, Raina and Jadeite for now. "You don't look well."

"What is this?" Raina eyed the beige oatmeal like food with suspicion. "I mean.. no disrespect or anything, but it doesn't seem edible."

Jadeite looked over at his fellow shitennou and shook his head, "It's just porridge."

"What?"

"You know..." Jadeite wasn't exactly sure how to say this, "Like cream of wheat."

Raina pushed her chair back and snatched up an apple from the table as she got up, "I hate cream of wheat." She took a bite of the apple, "Besides, I just don't..feel well anyway. I think I'll go lie down or something."

"Maybe we should get one of the maidens to see to you?" Nephrite suggested.

She shrugged, moving off in a gown that the maidens had prepared for her. Once she was sure they couldn't see her any more, she hid and listened carefully. It wasn't that she didn't trust them to keep her safe; she just didn't trust their motives. Something about all this didn't seem right and Raina was never the one to let such things slide.

"I still feel guilty about this." Nephrite was saying. "This isn't right."

"I know." Jadeite sighed and it sounded like he was eating, "But we're sworn to protect our prince and the future prosperity of Earth. What if what Helios said was true?"

There was silence for a moment before she heard the chairs slide back and Nephrite's voice. "If it is, it better be worth it. If it isn't, I hope to gods that nothing worse will happen."

Raina didn't dare stay there for long and quickly exited from the dinner hall to another corridor. She breathed out, leaning against the wall. What was going on here? What had Helios said? Why were they guilty?

"There's something really wrong here." Raina muttered to herself and took another bite of the apple which settled her stomach. "But where do I start?"

She had no hope of going to the archives where the literary works were kept. Mostly because she believed that they would probably be written in archaic languages that weren't her field of expertise. So maybe she should investigate the Temple itself?

"Maybe their holy room might have some answers." Pushing off from the wall, Raina headed down another hall, watching for any signs that the room was close.

Just as she thought she was heading in the right direction, the Maenard Maidens emerged from a side room, all smiles and laughter. Raina cursed her luck, because she knew the two women would keep her busy with other tasks and works. None of which, she had noted, was going to be of any help with getting her daughter and husband back.

As she was inevitably dragged along with the women to help tend the flowers and herbs, she wondered if this was by design or not.

Unfortunately, she also didn't see who else watched her go with the maidens.

"I have to hand it to the prince." Zoisite said, leaning slightly against Kunzite, "At least he didn't choose a stupid one."

Kunzite didn't say anything to that but instead asked, "What should we do? She's only going to become more suspicious as the days pass. It's only been three days, and already she's trying to figure out what is going on here."

"She is simply restless." Helios turned to them, "We need to give her other things to think about that she will think that will help with the prince and her child's retrieval."

"So, we're not going to the moon, when it's full again, are we?"

"No. The more time he spends there, the better for us all. Perhaps the new moon queen will adopt his child." Helios looked back at the Holy room, "Though I'll continue to meditate and monitor the situation from here."

"Have you received another vision?" Kunzite looked towards him curiously.

"Not yet. They do not come daily, so we must wait." Helios answered, "In the end, I believe it will come soon. Until then, find ways to keep her busy."

"Of course." Kunzite bowed his head but once the priest was gone, he frowned deeply. He remembered what blind faith had caused him to do last time. He was not about to make the same mistake again. "Lets go, Zoisite."

"What are we going to do?"

Kunzite walked on, a new sense of purpose settled over him, "Exactly as Helios said, we're going to give her busy work. We're going to give her a crash course lesson in how to be a golden kingdom royal. "