I'm scared to call for Adonis and ask him to help me remember my past life. What if it is too painful for him? What if it is too painful for me? But I have to. Psyche hurt my friends using my own powers. I need to do something, and I have no one else to turn to. Minako sighed as she pulled out the Ace of Hearts from her pocket and stared at it, trying to find the courage.

Artemis walked up to Minako and lightly hit her ankles with his tail. "Mina," he looked up at her. "Are you sure that turning to Adonis for this is a good idea? Can we really trust him? He manipulated you before… he could easily be doing the same thing now."

Minako shivered at the thought of the dark shadow that covered Kaitou Ace's face when she learned that he was Danburite, the leader of the Dark Agency that she had spent so long fighting. "I know, Artemis, but I have to believe that he has changed. He's free of Queen Metalia's corruption now. You know that Mamoru often turns to the Shitennou for guidance, trusting them, despite what they were like under Queen Beryl's rule."

"Yes, but what if it wasn't Queen Metalia that darkened his soul? What if the bitterness he felt in the past was enough to turn him against us?"

Minako shook her head, unsure of how to respond. "I have to trust that it is not the case." The love I feel for him is real isn't it? I have to believe in that. Even though I know the fortune he told me before is true… My love does not matter, as long as my Princess is safe. And right now, this is the best I can do to be sure of that.

Artemis nodded and turned around. Accepting Minako's decision but unwilling to watch, he left the room.

Minako breathed in deeply and closed her eyes. "Adonis," she whispered.

Soon, Adonis' perfect form appeared before her. "Venus," he bowed. "What is it that you need?"

Minako scanned his face, the doubts Artemis had expressed still clear in her mind. "I need you to help me remember my past."

Adonis looked deeply into Minako's eyes. "That is no easy task. But I can see that you have found your resolve, so I will help you the best that I can." He gestured that Minako should close her eyes, and she obliged. Then he leaned in and gently pressed his palm against Minako's forehead.

Minako's breath grew shaky as her fears resurfaced.

"Do not fear, it will not be painful," he breathed in deeply. "Now, please understand that I can only show you my own memories, and so you may not see all that you wish to know. I was only a foot soldier, after all. However, I hope that my meager memories will help you on your quest…"

….

Adonis' voice began to fade away, and soon Minako no longer even sensed his presence around her. She opened her eyes, and was shocked to see herself no longer in her own room. Where am I…? She looked around her, trying to take in her surroundings. I recognize this place… it is the outer walls of my castle on Venus, Magellan. But what am I doing here? How did I get here?

"You there!" she heard a voice call to her from behind. Turning around, she recognized his uniform as one of her royal guards. "Foot soldiers were to report to the main hall for roll call and debriefing ten minutes ago. Go on, get out of my sight!"

Foot soldier? What does he mean? Confused, Minako nodded and began to make her way to the inner castle. Looking down at herself, Minako realized why the guard had called her a foot soldier. This body… this isn't mine. Wait. When Adonis said that he was going to show me his memories… did he transport me into his past self's experiences? Determined to see herself through this adventure, Minako made her way into the main hall and joined the ranks of the other soldiers.

"Hey Adonis! Over here!" Minako saw a young man waving to her. This must have been Adonis' friend. She waved back and walked over to him. He elbowed her teasingly. "I hear Princess Venus is coming today to give us the details of the next mission herself. Thought you'd like to know. Maybe you should try pushing your way to the front so she'll see you!" He winked.

Minako could feel herself blush. "Do you really think she would?" she heard herself say in Adonis' voice, unsure but hopeful. Before she heard a response, Minako could feel the other soldier pushing her until she fell down at the front of the crowd. As she began to help herself up, Minako glanced up and saw a startling image before her—herself, Princess Venus.

Minako gaped at Venus, still on her knees. The Senshi, who seemed to Minako more like a goddess than a mortal, looked right through Minako, not reacting or even seeming to care. She didn't even notice me… Minako could feel Adonis' disappointment, but also his ever-growing admiration and affection for Venus. I wonder what I was thinking about, to not see someone directly in front of me. I must have been greatly troubled. Even with attempting to justify her past self's actions, Minako resolved to apologize to Adonis when she returned to her present body.

Minako noticed the bustling crowd surrounding her grow quiet, and quickly pulled herself to her feet. I wonder what all of this is about?

"As you are all aware," Minako's past self began to speak. "there have been some disturbances around the palace for the past few weeks. I am here to explain the situation to all of you, and ask for your help."

"Princess," a soldier raised his voice from the middle of the crowd. "There have been rumors going around about a witch, a woman banished from the royal family itself, who calls herself Psyche. Who is this person?"

Venus raised her right hand, signaling for the crowd to calm itself again. "Yes, that is correct. Psyche is…"

Minako braced herself to finally learn the truth.

"…my sister."