Author's Note:

Chapters 1 and 2 have been hasty; I'm sorry! Also, the quotes from Usagi, Chaos, Chi, Minako, Chibusa and Galaxia were translated by Alex Glover. This takes place 2 years after the end of the manga. Characters might seem a little ooc, particularly Mamoru. One last thing, no matter how much I detest Mamoru there will be slight U/M in later chapters and no U/S. I'll end up saying that several times, I just know it. Italics indicate memory.

Thanks to Bin82501 for the review!

Disclaimer: Somehow I managed to sell the rights to Sailormoon – I hear Toei and Naoko Takeuchi own it now – Worst business deal I've ever made.

The rain had given way to a blinding array of sunlight, and the deep blues, oranges, and pinks of the sky were painted with intricate rainbows. The outline of the moon had become visible, in a silent struggle against the black mass hiding its true brilliance until the last rays of sun faded. Now it to flickered, just as the Phantom Crystal had hours before, and went astray entirely, before returning undyingly, only to repeat the process. Not a cloud in the sky dared break the cycle, hiding beneath the tips of trees, and chidingly mocking the girl huddled against the unforgiving brick of a wall.

Time had seemed to freeze, offering no consolidating arm toward Usagi; the wind tore at her skin and bit into her shivering form, sinking fangs deep into her flesh. Tears still glistened down each cheek, knees tucked in against her chest as she hugged herself bitterly, casting heavy eyes against anything save her brooch. Few had even noticed her, tucked in against the corner between door and wall, and many had since entered the café, which in itself began another onslaught of fiery tears. That could mean nothing more than the bodies which had been within, slouched against anything standing, had disappeared.

She hadn't noticed the arms raveling around her in tight embrace, but found herself leaning in against them, burying her face against starchy linen, instinctively. Breathing deeply, attempting in vain to regain rational thought, Usagi caught, and held desperately, the smell of roses, fresh, blooming, red roses. "Mamo-chan…" She whispered, trailing off as she could not begin to explain the dagger that had twisted horrendously against her unstable heart. However, that left the mystery of the effect denial would demand of her, whatever the price was, it would be less than that of acceptance.

"Usako, why are you crying?" She watched him pick the brooch up and turn it over in his hands, as Usagi winced, and drew back, clutching her shoulders until she could feel the blood rushing beneath her finger nails. She hissed lightly as he drew a finger along the cracked surface, and turned her head in the other direction defiantly, slowly regaining control over her heaving breaths. Mamoru gently prodded her face toward him; until Usagi was forced to look down to avoid his gaze, "What happened Usako? Why did you transform?"

"Oh, no, Mamo-chan! I didn't transform, I was just wondering why it would be I kept it with me all the time." She said in a rush, smiling lightly, and pushing herself against the wall in order to stand on unsteady feet, grappling in order to regain possession of the brooch only to stuff it into her pocket. She brushed her tears with the back of her hand, "I was just getting frustrated. The exams – math just hasn't gotten through these odango of mine. I think I should be heading home soon anyway…" She straightened her skirt, trying to stifle the snuffle her sobbing had left.

Usagi smiled and swiftly turned on her heel, bowing her head and running in the opposite direction of her home, leaving Mamoru mystified. She listened to the beat of her unsteady footfalls, dodging those who stood before her by scant inches, occasionally running her shoulder in against a wall. Relying on automatic function, she was led where her feet willed her, slowly coming to realize that she had gotten herself lost. Stars had now burst to gain the light that was dark, and Galaxia's words were brought forth to rest in the foremost of Usagi's mind.

"Love? Friends? Massing in groups is evidence of being trash. The only thing we can trust is our own power; only the source of power, the sailor crystals. That is everything. The destroyed sailor senshi, too, as long as they have sailor crystals, can be reincarnated in flesh with ease. And again, they will be items to be easily broken. " Usagi found reason to doubt herself, morale dropping as though a weight had been tied to it, but shook the thought from her mind. She ran headfirst into a barrier, falling over backward with a stuttered 'ah', grimacing in recoil as the small of her back hit the cement underfoot.

She scrambled into a sitting position to see Hotaru standing before her, blinking slowly in realization before dropping to her knees beside Usagi, eyebrows knitted in guilt. "Oh, Usagi-san, I'm so sorry! I should have paid more attention to where I was going… And it's already so late!" She fretted as Usagi hugged her small frame, "Ah, Michiru-mama will be so disappointed in my manners! You must be hurt, please, if you wouldn't mind that is, Usagi-san, let me heal you properly at home. You can phone your 'parents' if you so wish."

"I'm fine, Hotaru-chan, really." Usagi smiled as she stood, offering the other her hand in order to pull Hotaru to her feet. She took it, but held onto it, looking a head or so upwards to catch Usagi's eye, which was made difficult as the older girl was constantly looking about her surroundings. Hotaru's aging had slowed considerably, though she was still taller than those of her age group, and often acted twice the age she had taken on. "You still live with Michiru-san, Haruka-san, and Setsuna-san, Hotaru-chan? I haven't seen them in," She paused momentarily, cheeks blazing, "Years."

"I've seen no great terror befall you, Usagi-san. I can tell you however, that denial will get you nowhere." Usagi blinked innocently as though she had not the inkling of what Hotaru had said, and instead, shaded her eyes with one hand to stare heavenward longingly. The moon's outline was still all that was visible, as though an eclipse had just befallen the earth, and it shimmered brightly, and seemed almost to wink, as did the stars. With a sigh, Hotaru grabbed at Usagi's other hand once more to drag her along the sidewalk, "Just come with me, Usagi-san."

8 8 8 8 8

"I was born alone as trash, on a planet of trash. I could do nothing but wander in solitude, living my days like I was in hell. But I have power as a sailor senshi. One day, it suddenly awakened. I was a chosen one. But being a mere sailor senshi would be the same as being trash. I had to have the strongest planet, carrying the strongest power! I came searching for a planet of my own, suitable for me! And then I found it, a magnificent planet. And to get that planet, I need the galaxy's ultimate power!" Usagi shook the words out of her head, as quickly as they had sprung behind her closed eyelids.

Hotaru had won their own civilian battle, leaving Usagi curled up on a brown leather couch, makeshift blanket thrown over her shivering form, rabbit-covered cushion beneath her head. For several silent hours, she'd lain there, watching the fan turn its slow circles, awaiting the arrival of Haruka, Michiru, and Setsuna. The necessity of sleep had driven her impatient waiting to one side, yet it still hungerly chewed at her attention span, until she'd been left to toss and turn. Her host had said with utmost certainty that the other three would be home within the hour, as they had apparently, merely gone out.

Having inquired as to why Hotaru had been out, Usagi had been left to her own devices with a solidifying glare and curt shake of black hair. Usagi's mind had drifted unconsciously, as it had all day, shying at any memory of Ami, Rei, Makoto, or Minako, primarily settling on thoughts of Chibiusa and Mamoru – particularly the latter. If only the future were footsteps away; if only Chibiusa were moments away; if only her own wedding bells were days away… If only, if only, if only, they bore no promises, no words set in stone.

"Sailormoon! Sorry we're late. We are also senshi of the solar system. We came to help you, Sailormoon. Everyone has fallen in the 30th century. Their sailor crystals were shinning like a signal, and all their bodies faded…!"

"Will the future you know, really come?"

"It will come! By my own hands, I'll show you our future!"

"If you die too, the futile fighting and suffering will end! For our kingdom's ruler of the galaxy – no! For our ruler of the universe, I must sacrifice that infinite power carried in the Phantom Crystal to the Shadow Galactica!"

Usagi sighed, rubbing her temples idly with the fingertips of two fingers. Why were these memories launching themselves into a sudden onslaught? Why sudden blank were spots erupting within her mind where she had no recollection of what had happened, she did not know. It ate at her, tore at her, cut into her, with no sign of relenting, with no light nearing. She threw her head back against the pillow in frustration, beating her fists against the surface of the couch, when she hit the familiar sound of flesh against metal.

She fumbled momentarily with the brooch, and then stared at it wide eyed. The crack, having just started near the bottom half, had now grown to attack the four gems resting idly on the right side. The pink jewel resting on its center was left intact, but blinked roughly, the pink light dying, and then amplifying to twice its strength, then triple, quadruple… Usagi hastily stuffed it back into her pocket, where the light was no longer visible, as another tear fell from the corner of her eye to roll down her cheek.

Her train of thought was interrupted by the sound of an opening door, hinges squeaking in protest, and then the slamming of it back into place. With the faint thought of seeing Haruka, Michiru, and Setsuna once more, Usagi swung to her feet, the cold wood sparking in against her bear heels. She slowed as a gasp was uttered in the hallway, nearest the door as Hotaru threw herself into the bare Living Room. "Usagi-san! Transform! Now!" She cried, terror dancing in her eyes.

Usagi responded by blinking stupidly, forcing Hotaru to take a sharp intake of breath and shove her out the door opposite. She was thrown into darkness, with nothing but starlight as her darkness, afraid of the pain attempting to transform would cause her. Usagi could distinctly make out Hotaru's voice, cutting through the otherwise silent night, "Saturn Crystal Power, Make Up!" Few seconds later, she could see the Silence Glaive cutting through the air menacingly until its point rested closest to the youma she was sure to face, through the window.

"Mm… Queen Nehellenia, I presume?" The cold, disconnected way Sailorsaturn spoke sent shivers flying down Usagi's spine, as she broke through her concern, bringing out the now silent brooch. Hotaru was still in the midst of talking, "I suppose you've gone to the trouble of destroying my allies, correct? I'd thought so; but you play the fool, paying a visit when there is no age of destruction. An attempt at warping the time continuum will only result in the resurrection of the messiah. Silence Glaive Surprise!"

This was followed by a cry, but not from the reincarnation of Chaos. It was cut off almost as quickly as it had begun, stifled easily as though with the wave of a hand. "Is this the power of the sailor crystals of the sailor senshi as the strongest in the galaxy? It's merely the dance of a slight breeze." Determined, Usagi tossed the brooch, "Silver Moon Crystal Power, Make Up!" There was a flash of blinding white light; Usagi stared into it hopefully as she was pulled backward – and fell.

It still didn't come out as I'd hoped it would, near the ending it got a little better. The next two chapters start into the storyline; these first two chapters were deadly boring to write, for me at least. The rest of the outer senshi won't make an appearance for some time, but we'll get there faster with another chapter (maybe two?) next week sometime – Sunday at the latest.