Chapter 4

Silence. It always bothers me to a certain extent. There's much that one can read into when there is nothing being said. Right now, even though it is quiet, their thoughts seem to fill the room. I refuse to be the first to speak. Nephrite continues to shift in his seat. I'm sure that I'm not the only one that has noticed.

"The fire showed me the end of the world."

I turn to Mars, she looks slightly uncomfortable. Venus sighs. "It won't happen. Our past selves defeat them, remember?"

Mars shakes her head. "No, I didn't see the end of this world, I saw the past."

Neptune turns. "I will admit that I have also seen certain things. Just images really. They don't make any sense."

Images, and visions. Seeing it is one thing, but remembering and feeling it is another. Neo-Queen Serenity straightens herself. "What did you see?"

Mars closes her eyes. "Nemesis."

Uranus clenches her fists. "Well where is it? We can go on the offensive if we know where it is."

"I don't know. Amy and I already spoke about it. Apparently the planet emits a form of negative energy that counteracts the scanners."

Saturn looks ahead. "There must be a way."

Venus turns. "But why did you see Nemesis in a vision of the past?"

Jadeite raises his hand. "I remember that Nemesis was our enemy during the war. There were rebellions. People were being manipulated by the dark energy."

King Endymion nods. "Is there anything else you remember?"

Kunzite shrugs. "All the planets were falling. The four of us went back to Earth to defend the royal family. I don't know what happened."

Zoicite clears his throat. "Queen Serenity was trying to be diplomatic, but nothing worked. I remember that many of the senshi were injured before the war had formally began."

The images of both Uranus and Neptune bleeding in front of me are still heavy in my mind. King Endymion then looks to Nephrite. "Do you remember anything?"

He looks away. "Nothing of importance."

Kunzite interjects. "All of you have to realize that we remember every one of you being so different. We had... lives and different relationships with each of you."

Neo-Queen Serenity leans forward. "I understand this is difficult."

Zoicite bows his head. "All I know is that Jupiter had given reinforcements to all the other planets at the expense of breaking up her reserve forces."

There were reinforcements, but they never held. I realize now that if I had been selfish and pooled the army on Jupiter then we probably could have won. Too many people died for nothing. I will not overstep Serenity's power, but I will do everything I can to make sure that mistake won't be made here. I sit with my arms crossed. Everything keeps playing out over and over in my head.

An hour seems to go by and I don't even notice. I'm too busy thinking about the time line. Yes, it's true that Rini will take the Silver Crystal, but because we know about it, should we prevent her from taking it? If she takes it then our past selves will win, but her going back in time in the first place must have disrupted some order.

"... I think that's the best course of action." Neo-Queen Serenity then turns to me. "Jupiter, I don't want you to take offense, but I think it's best that you stay with Rini, and let us handle the others for now."

I smile. "Is it because I can't transform?"

For some reason all eyes are on me now. I didn't say anything bold or out of the ordinary. "No, we're just worried that's all."

I nod. "I assure you I'm fine."

Mars speaks. "But your wounds haven't healed yet."

"They're minor."

Venus leans forward. "No they're not. Quit being so stubborn."

"I'm not being stubborn, I'm being rational. Things might not play out the way we think they will. You remember right? The four inner guardians, we were all transformed and holding a barrier for Crystal Tokyo. Obviously that's changed. Which means we can't rely on past knowledge. We need to study the enemy and devise a strategy. If we go rushing in blind then we'll be defeated without hesitation."

Uranus smiles. "Woah there Kino, I think you're reading too far into this."

"And I don't think any of you are seeing the bigger picture."

Mercury stands. "I didn't want to bring it up this way, but I think we all need to talk about something other than the enemy."

I know exactly where this is going. "I'd rather we didn't."

Venus nods. "No, I agree with Amy. I've noticed some things as well."

Neo-Queen Serenity sighs. "Alright let's hold on. I don't want this to-"

I lean back. "Become an argument?"

Mars turns. "How dare you interrupt her?"

I close my eyes. "I'm just stating the obvious."

All eyes are on me now. I can see both Uranus and Neptune reaching for their talismans. Mercury takes a step forward. "Who are you? Lita would never speak to any of us like that."

"Makoto..."

Everyone turns to see Nephrite staring straight at me. "Don't call me that."

He stands. "So I wasn't mistaken."

I clench my fists. "You are quite mistaken if you think you Shitennou know me at all."

Kunzite leans forward. "I'm not sure I understand what's going on."

Saturn looks forward. "She has seen what silence looks like."

King Endymion turns. "Hotaru, what do you mean?"

"She's lost herself."

Nephrite stands and walks towards me. He's being bold. "Makoto, tell me what happened."

His words are different, I hear and understand them, but I know the others don't. He's speaking Jovian. "Ask your precious stars."

"I'd rather hear it from you."

I turn away. "I killed you once, but you don't remember do you?"

He stops. "What are you talking about?"

"It doesn't matter. I've come to hate the four of you." I then stand to meet him. "Mark my words Nephrite. If you or any of the Shitennou hurt them. I will bring you a death far worse than anything you have ever felt."

"Jupiter!"

I step back and look to the Queen. Her eyes are riddled with confusion. My words are no longer Jovian. "Your highness."

She bows her head. "What has happened to you, Lita?"

"So even the great Sailor Senshi fight amongst themselves." That voice. Everyone's standing now. I can sense a foreign presence. Mercury pulls out her computer, but I already know where he is. Dark energy, I can feel it in the air. That is when I see him. Prince Diamond floating above the Queen. The electricity wraps around my fingers as I throw the lightning. Everyone seems to be reacting so slow. In that moment he dodges my strike. "Impressive."

Saturn is already at the Queen's side with her glaive steady in hand. The others take a stance. The Shitennou stand next to Endymion with their swords drawn, but Nephrite hasn't left my side. I instinctively reach back but there are no swords on my shoulders.

Mars steps forward with fire in her hands. "I suggest you leave."

Neo-Queen Serenity raises her hand. "It's alright, Mars. It doesn't look like he is here to fight."

Prince Diamond slowly lowers himself to the ground. "No, you're right. I came only to see the women that stood their ground against those from the black moon. So these are the senshi that protect this planet."

"I'd rather we resolve this peacefully, without violence." Her words are just like her mother's were.

"You cast us away and then ask for peace. That's not how it works Serenity."

She sighs. "You seem to know much about me, but I'm afraid that I know little of you."

He smiles. "That isn't surprising. All those that have bore the name of Serenity have been supreme royalty. Generations do not change our fates. You and I are meant to do battle."

"But we don't have to."

He nods. "You are right. I must admit, I believe I could settle for a peaceful resolve."

The sparks still dance off my fists. There's another presence here somewhere. I turn my attention towards the hall. It's so faint.

"What do you propose?"

He bows. "Your beauty is overwhelming, perhaps a political union to calm my people."

It's not that far away. Behind me is a heated exchange of words. Endymion and Diamond. I'm not paying attention to that. There's something else happening here. "Help!" The voice is faint, but the others don't seem to hear it. Nephrite watches me carefully.

I push off my heels and sprint down the hall. I'm not sure if anyone has thought to follow me. There out in the courtyard stands Rini and a woman that I remember clearly as Emerald. I vault off the balcony and command the Earth beneath her feet. Roots break from the surface and wrap themselves around her body.

"What in the-"

"Lita!" Rini runs around Emerald and jumps into my arms. There's fire in my eyes as I slowly close my hand. The roots tighten with each passing second.

"How dare you try to take her. I should crush you."

Her laugh, I haven't forgotten it. Even if it has been over a thousand years, it is still one of the most distinct and annoying sounds that I have ever heard. In that moment I watch as she disappears. The young princess still holds on as tight as she can. I never drop my guard.

"Are you alright, princess?"

Her grip loosens. "Will she come back?"

"I won't let her." She nods. "Remember what Pluto told you, right? Make sure you have Luna P with you all the time."

"Ok."

It is here that I feel his presence standing behind me. Nephrite looks on with a face as cold as stone. "How did you know?" He speaks my planet's language as if it was his own. I haven't forgotten how determined he was to learn it.

"She called out."

He turns away. "You say that you've killed me before. I can't believe that."

"Then don't. As long as I remember the truth, then nothing else matters."

Rini tugs on my sleeve. "Lita?"

Behind me echo the sounds of frantic steps, a mixture of heels and boots. I open my hand and force the roots back into the ground. To my surprise, both Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion are the first to emerge from the palace. Behind them are Venus and Neptune. The Queen doesn't look at me, her focus is only on her child. I take no offense.

The princess lets go of me and runs to her parents. I turn back to the palace. The others still watch me closely, but none as close as Nephrite. "Jupiter." The voice belongs to Serenity.

I glance over my shoulder. "I swore to protect you and your family. Do you remember?" My words are just below a whisper, but I know she heard me.

"Lita..."

Neither of us trust each other. I see that clearly now. Perhaps my duty has changed. How can I protect someone that I don't believe in anymore? Times have changed. I take the silent steps back to the palace. Is Jove testing me?

They're talking about me; I know they are. Every last one of them, even the Shitennou. Sometimes I feel as if I'm on the brink of madness. "Damn it, Pluto. Why aren't you here?" I know the answer to that question, but I still feel the need to ask it anyway.

"Are you having doubts?" That voice again. It's all in my head. "You shouldn't ignore me. I can help."

I close my eyes. "The senshi of time couldn't help me."

"Because she isn't meant to."

I shake my head and concentrate hard on blocking the voice. For a moment I do hear silence. I look up at the stars and smile at how beautiful they look. Still, there is wave of sadness that comes over me. I don't cry, in fact it doesn't feel like I have shed real tears since the day Serenity died in my arms. It's strange, she was so light then. I could have sworn that she weighed no more than a child.

"I was going to ask you to marry me when the war was over."

Nephrite is quiet, but I knew he was standing against the palace walls. "Why do you persist with me?"

"Your friends are worried about you." He ignored my question completely.

"Leave me alone."

"You should talk to them. Explain what has happened. I'm sure Neo-Queen Serenity will-"

"Will what? Understand?"

He sighs. "Do you even understand?"

"Ask your stars, I'm sure they'll give you an answer." I start walking towards the main gates. I can hear his steps trudging behind. "Don't follow me."

"I won't ever stop following you."

I turn. "If you come any closer, then I will strike you down."

"Mako-"

"Just leave me alone."

To my surprise, he actually listens.

I remember looking into Queen Serenity's eyes all those years ago. She commanded obedience and complete loyalty, but now as I look into the eyes of one of my oldest friends, I can't help that I don't feel the same sense of duty with her.

"Lita." She says my name differently than before. There's no sense of caring in her voice. Only one other person ever spoke to me like that; her mother.

"I already know what you are going to say." I can feel the eyes of all my peers.

"Do you?"

I nod. "Yes. You can't trust me, so I need to go."

Mars steps forward. "It's not something she wants to do."

I smile. "I know that."

"Do you now?"

I look straight to Nephrite. "Yeah, I was once a Queen too." I then look to Endymion. "Do you trust them?"

He nods. "Yes."

"Then there is nothing I can do."

In my heart I know that duty pulls at my insides, but a good soldier knows what battles to fight. Pluto must have known that this would happen. Still, I know that I have to keep my word. I am the senshi that protects the senshi. "Lita Kino, as of this moment you are no longer a senshi serving under Neo-Queen Serenity." They still can't take my powers from me.

I look to Serenity. "Is this what you want?"

"This is what I have to do."

I turn away. "You can't fight this war without me."

"We have no choice."

"Yes you do! You always have a choice! Even then you had a choice!"

Before I know what is happening, both Uranus and Neptune are at my sides. "Lita, please."

I shake my head. "I lead the armies to battle! None of you remember. You were all supposed to escape. It was me that was pushing them back! I bled just as much as every soldier on that battlefield and you went and threw it all away! How dare you, Serenity! If I didn't promise your mother..." I pause. "You all died and I was left alone. I watched the world crumble." I then look to Mars. "It was hell." If there was understanding in her eyes then I didn't see it. Kunzite goes to speak, but decides against it. The Shitennou, men who betrayed the Moon Kingdom, are sitting as equals in the court that I used to know. I close my eyes. "You will lose this if you send me away."

"Lita..."

"I'm serious."

Mercury sighs. "Let us help you."

"You can't because none of you remember." I then look back to Serenity. "I have never been anything but loyal to you and your family."

"Jupiter, just go."

I turn. "You will need me and I won't be here. Can you live with that?" She doesn't say anything. I expected nothing less from her.

The night air is cool against my face. I look down at my hands and can see nothing, but the blood that should be dripping from my palms. Saturn stands behind me, watching. "Do you need something Hotaru?

She shakes her head. "No, not really. The others are afraid, but I feel like I know you better now."

I smile. "You'll protect her in my place, right?"

"Of course."

I turn. "Then I need you to do something for me."

She steps forward. "I think I know."

"I need to go some place."

"I'll take you anywhere you want."

Her eyes are cold just like they were when her glaive fell. "Io, just take me there."

I never looked back at Hotaru. Even in this time, she's still the same. In that moment, the portal opened in front of me and I didn't hesitate to walk through. Is this the future that I was always meant to have? Why can't the others remember like I can? Behind me, the last link to Earth is broken as Saturn's doorway closes. I take several steps and gaze upon the ruins in front of me. It's been so long. The castle, my castle, looks so dark now.

That is when I feel it, the presence of the only person that could be in so many places at once. "Is this what you wanted to happen, Setsuna?"

"You haven't changed, Makoto." That voice.

I turn and take a step back. "By Jove."

In front of me stands the King of Pluto. "Come, you and I have much to discuss."

"Was this your doing?"

He turns. "Time is fragile. This is not the place to be asking questions."

"Will you answer me?"

He nods. "Someone will. That, I do promise."

And just like that everything seemed to change. My surroundings shifted until I was no longer able to see the stars. The walls were cast in some kind of metal, and yet they looked like they could move. Cronos' steps were gentle despite it all. He held his head up high just like during the Silver Millennium. For some reason I no longer felt out of place. He offers his hand and guides motions towards a large stone door. "Welcome to the Vortex of time."