Chapter 5

I had never seen Pluto before, not even during the Silver Millennium. It was strange to be staring at a place that seemed to embody all sides of life. I step through with Cronos at my side. In front of me are not objects or people, but rather a vast emptiness surrounded by images. They look like pictures hanging from a wall.

"These are individual timelines."

I nod. "Why are you showing me this?"

"To preserve what would be lost."

"I don't understand."

He puts his hand on my shoulder. "Do you know why you remember the end of days?"

"You know the answer to that question."

He nods. "It is because you didn't die before the glaive fell. Hotaru is the same, but she is taking longer to remember."

I step forward. "Why didn't Setsuna know that?"

"Because I would not let her. My daughter has spent far too much time outside of the gates. She's still so young."

"It's strange to hear you say that."

He smiles. "It's the truth."

"Then I take it that she doesn't know you brought me here."

"Correct." He steps forward and raises his hand. The images shift until one floats towards us. "Nemesis is tampering with the timestream. Everything is changing."

"Then our victory isn't certain?"

"It was never certain. It was a possibility."

I turn away. "Then let Crystal Tokyo fall."

My comment doesn't even faze him. "Whether Crystal Tokyo rises or falls, is not what matters."

I nod. "It's all about duty."

Cronos smiles. "It is the one constant that has survived the ages. You know what you will do."

"No I don't."

"Then you will. I have seen the future in thousands of ways. Your actions won't change and neither will my daughter's."

"Do you believe in Serenity?"

He turns. "You already asked Setsuna."

"And now I'm asking you."

"No I don't." Our surroundings shift until we are back on the battlefield. I can't help but let the tears fall. Saturn stands with her back to me, but I'm not looking at her. I see myself, motionless, just watching as the glaive falls. "But I do believe in her. The Queen that stood up to the darkness."

"Is this real?"

"Of course it is. I've taken us back to this moment."

I look at him. "I don't understand."

"Duty is the only piece of the past that we have left. To uphold it is the greatest honour one can have. It is the reason time still continues, and balance is maintained." He closes his eyes. "I will soon be gone from this world."

My eyes widen. "So you would leave us?"

"It is my time."

"Does Setsuna know?"

"She always has."

It's strange to see yourself dying. "Where does that leave me then?"

"Wherever you want it to."

Cronos raises his hand and freezes time. "That woman right there, never stopped fighting."

"Because she had something to fight for."

He smiles. "She is your shadow. I know you want to fight for something, Makoto. They will die again if you do nothing."

"I know..."

"Like I said before. We both know what you will do, Queen of Jupiter."

I take several steps forward. My eyes never leave my past self. "If this is the moment when the world ends, then I can take the Blades of Jove, right?"

"Of course."

I reach down and feel the cool metal beneath my fingers. They are just how I remembered them. Blood still wets the end of the blades, but it feels right. I don't even get a chance to stand before our surroundings shift, and we're back in the vortex.

"I need my armor."

"Are you sure this is what you want."

I stand. "We both know the answer to that question."

He bows and opens a portal in front of me. "Then this is goodbye. You won't ever see me again."

I nod. "Thank you."

He shakes his head. "There's no need for that, but I will be blunt. When Saturn remembers, she will need your help."

"Of course."

In that moment he turns away and starts walking further and further into what looks to be an endless void. I watch as the distance between us grows bigger and bigger. I let out a sigh before stepping through the portal. The moment I do, there's a sense of calm that rushes over me. The air is still as sweet as it has always been. Rain, it falls without mercy. This is the storm that I have missed.

"By Jove, I'm home." Jupiter, I've been away for far too long.

"You remember these halls don't you?"

I nod. "Of course I do. What kind of question is that?"

"Are you willing to let me help you?"

The voice has grown louder since I first stepped foot on the planet's surface, and though I know it means well, I know this is the future. It's all just a figment of my imagination. "With all due respect, I should not be listening to a voice in my head."

"Always stubborn, just like your mother."

I must look insane, talking to myself like there is someone beside me. I can't help it. It's colder than I remember it being. The darkness doesn't bother me that much, but silence does. These walls used to house so much life, but now there's nothing. This right here is what battle ruins look like. Debris spewed over the ground, walls barely standing upright, and not a soul in sight. I wasn't here and that is what bothers me the most.

I continue down the remnants of the grand corridor. My father used to take me with him to practice sword. Now when I look at the blades in my hands, I wonder if they feel just as foreign in the future as I do.

I sigh. "I don't even know if it would still be here."

My blades still sparkle in the night. I round the corner, down the stairs and cross the lower level before coming to a set of metal doors. They probably haven't seen anyone come down here in so long. The battle seems to have been confined to the upper floors. I doubt anyone actually made it down here.

It takes all my strength to push the doors open. I guess I should expect nothing less. They haven't been moved in two thousand years. The moment I enter, the scars on my wrist start to glow.

"Your majesty." It was just above a whisper.

I step forward. "Who's there?"

Before I know what is happening, the torches around the room light on their own. I step back and ready myself. As I do so, a thin white mist forms in front of me. "I apologize for startling you."

It is looking at a ghostly reflection of myself. I've seen this before, but with Saturn. "Guardian Jupiter?"

She bows. "I'm glad you know me, your majesty. I've spent centuries watching over you."

I lower my weapons. "Is that so?"

She nods. "All of us guardians have watched over the heirs of royalty, but I fear that there are only a few of us left."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"It is not your fault." I step forward. "You seek your mother's armor."

"It was to be passed down to me, but I never wore it."

"I know."

"Is it still here?"

My guardian moves to the left. "Of course."

A smile appears on my face as I see the armor still resting in it's original place. Tinted green with silver trim, just like I remember it. For a moment I don't mind the silence. "How long has this been here?"

"Over two millennia."

"And it's never tarnished."

"It holds the blessing of Jove himself."

I run my finger over the etchings. In this moment I realize how much power I still hold. Jupiter will never die, not as long as I am still breathing. Cronos was right. In my heart I always knew what my actions would be. I am a soldier, and what use is a soldier that does not fight? I set down my swords and gently unstrap the armor. The storm will be louder than it has ever been before.

The moment my Guardian brought me back to Earth, something changed. I could feel it in the planet itself. Never before had I seen the sky as black as it is now. Not even in the past. I hear the remnants of battle. Guns... they sound so different to the clashing of swords. I step forward, one metal step after another, in the distance is a barrier, but it doesn't look like it will hold. Something is wrong.

Behind me there is movement. I step to the side in time to dodge a wave of dark energy. There is no hesitation as I draw my swords and lunge at my opponent. One droid stands in place readying a second attack. It moves too slow. My lightning charges my blades as I stab it right through the torso. There's a faint cry, but then it just fades to nothing. If this is the enemy then we won't lose.

With my power, clouds form in the sky. The thunder echoes as I turn my attention back to the Crystal Palace. It is the only part of the city that is still lit. I sheath my weapons and start sprinting through the streets.

"So this is the famous Jovian Senshi." That voice, there is no mistaking it.

I stop and charge my fists. "Diamond, come out where I can see you."

To my surprise, both Diamond and Sapphire appear before me. "Wiseman has told us much about you, and I must say that he was not exaggerating. We met only briefly. Do you remember?"

I smile. "Of course I do, but he seems to know more about me than I do about him."

Sapphire steps forward. "On the contrary, you two have done battle before. Though, I do believe you killed him back then."

"What are you talking about?"

Diamond grabs his brother's shoulder. "All in due time. I am eager to see how this plays out. You are stronger than the others."

The thunder cracks overhead. "We all have our strengths."

"Don't be humble, Jupiter. You have a right to assert your power." He extends his hand. "The other senshi don't understand you. I could tell the first time I saw your power. You could rule a planet. I see it in your eyes. Rule this one with me."

I close my eyes. "Your offer is tempting, but I must decline. Your planet has been a timeless enemy, one that I will bring down this time around. I suggest you stay out of my way."

Sapphire charges his own fists. "How dare you speak to my brother like-"

"That's enough Sapphire. We've extended our courtesy. Next time there will be no mercy."

I will the ground to shake beneath them. Both men stagger. "Get out of my sight. This will be my only display of mercy. If I see you on the battlefield. I will strike you down where you stand."

"Why you..." But both men disappear in front of me.

I continue forward without so much as a glance over my shoulder. My objective is clearly in sight; however, when I reach the barrier, I find that I cannot get through. "What is this?"

"So, one of the dogs has gotten out of its cage."

I turn and find myself facing the four sisters. Prisma steps forward. "No Avery, where are your manners. Remember, all the senshi used to be royalty at some time."

I smile. "Are you four so quick to look death in the eye?"

Catsy rolls her eyes. "You're one to talk."

"Come at me if you dare."

"No." All four of them go to move, but stop as Rubeus appears behind them. "Prisma, take your sisters back to Nemesis. This isn't a fight that we are prepared for."

"But Rubeus-"

"Do as I say." And with that, only Rubeus and I are left. "Don't think you have won."

I nod. "The battle isn't won until the enemy has stopped breathing."

"You would be wise to remember that our dark crystal is more powerful than your silver one."

"And yet you still seek it out. I don't rely on the powers of the silver crystal."

He throws a ball of energy which I easily dodge. It hits the wall. "As long as you are out here, there is no place you can hide."

"Who said I was going to be hiding?"

His smile is the last thing I see before he fades. I turn back to the barrier. It feels different than I thought it would. The energy holding it comes not from the Inner Guardians, but from Saturn. This is a silence wall. I need to get into the palace. The question now is how. The thunder still crashes overhead. Can they not hear my storm?

I don't know how long I have been away. To me it felt like only a day, but with the amount of damage it can't be. This looks like a month of constant sieges. Where are they? The senshi should be out here fighting the enemy not hiding inside of a fragile wall. Serenity... I push my hand against the barrier and feel the energy pushing me back. I can get through this. I charge my body with so much energy. This needs to be done without collapsing the entire wall.

"Queen Makoto!" I turn fast and draw one of my swords. Zoicite stands in front of me with his own blade drawn. His eyes are weary. I slowly re-sheath my sword. "You came back."

I didn't know Zoicite that well back then. "Why are you out here? Where are the others?"

He turns away. "This is my fault. I should never have left the palace."

"Don't start pitying yourself. You have more honour than that."

"You don't understand. They took him."

"What?"

He closes his eyes. "They have Endymion."

I nod. "Are you the only one out here?"

He shakes his head. "No. All us Shitennou left to go after him. Come, I should take you to the others."

"I don't think that would be wise."

"We have no choice. Out here, we're sitting ducks."

"Where is Serenity?"

"With her senshi, still in the palace."

I nod. "That is where we have to be. We need to regroup."

He turns. "But they won't drop the wall for any of us. Venus said so herself."

I smile. "Venus says a lot of things. Fine then. Get the Shitennou and meet me over there in that house."

He hurries off with little resolve. My mind is screaming for me to rethink what I am about to do. I don't trust them, but this is a war, and in war you use all the help you can get.

The room is silent. These four men are nervous, I can tell by the way they are standing. Something has changed. Jadeite seems more reclusive than usual, Kunzite hasn't uttered a word, and Nephrite hasn't once tried to look at me. Zoicite seems to speak for all of them, and I want to know why.

"How long was I gone?"

Zoicite sighs. "Two months."

So long? I nod. "I didn't mean to be gone that long. The others weren't ready were they?"

"No. Neo-Queen Serenity wanted to negotiate."

I shake my head. "She should have known that wouldn't have worked."

All four men seem to just stare at me. "What is wrong with you Shitennou. You look as if you have seen a ghost."

Jadeite nods. "Is that not what we are seeing?"

I step back. "We don't have time for this."

Kunzite shakes his head. "If you are Makoto then you know of our loyalty to our Prince... King. We would never do anything to hurt him."

I sigh. "But you already did."

Zoicite clears his throat. "We are not traitors."

"Oh really?" I look to Jadeite. "The four of you disappeared shortly after your return to Earth. Believe me I was in denial for so long."

"This doesn't make sense. According to Neo-Queen Serenity all of you are those we knew, reborn in this time. Makoto is dead."

I turn to Kunzite. "Do I look dead to you? I remember everything like it were yesterday. Zoicite and Ami sitting in the library, Kunzite and Minako sneaking off in the corridors, Jadeite and Rei fighting for each others affection-"

"And me right?"

I look to Nephrite. "Have you consulted the stars? They can show you the truth."

He shakes his head. "They won't talk to me anymore. They say that I am no longer worthy of their friendship." A single tear slides down his cheek. "That means it's true..."

"The Silver Millennium fell, and I was one of the only people left to watch. Do you four understand what it's like to see your comrades dead on the battlefield? To have your Princess take her own life in front of you? I'm not just angry at you, I'm angry at all of it." Nephrite doesn't look at me. "Now the four of you listen. I am going back to Serenity. This is war, and I know it well. You can either help me or sit here and feel sorry for yourselves. It's up to you."

"You haven't changed." Those words were from Jadeite. "You're still as cold as the first day we met you."

"Jovians are cold."

Nephrite looks away from all of us. His eyes seem to be wandering out to the destruction below. "We all have a duty to this kingdom now."

I nod. "First step is that barrier. Saturn's wall is built on destruction. It will take a lot of power, but I think I can disrupt its energy flow long enough for us to get inside."

These men are not the same ones that I met on the battlefield. I can tell by the look in their eyes, but I still can't get rid of that gnawing feeling in the back of my mind. Trust is not instantaneous. I'm sure they know this. Still, these men remember most of the past. I can't help but feel this connection.

Nephrite stands and walks towards the door. "Then let's go. We're wasting time just sitting here."

I step forward. "Hold on a second."

He shakes his head. "Makoto, please don't."

His shoulders rise and fall ever so faintly. He stands in silence with his back towards me. In this moment I know exactly what he's doing. Even though I can't see his tears, they are still ever so present. He walks out with his head high and I find that I can do nothing but watch. I'm not stupid. For him there was no reason to fall out of love with me, but for me... it's different.

Kunzite stands and follows him. "He still cares for you."

Both Jadeite and Zoicite stare straight ahead. I know he does, but I can't help that. I will never forget the past, and nothing will change what I have gone through. I haven't forgotten the way Nephrite used to hold me. It was comforting, above everything else, and after all the years of love mocking me I can't help but wonder if it's happening all over again. If this is love then I don't want it. These feelings are distractions, nothing more, and distractions lead to hesitations in battle. I don't have time to worry about these things. We all have a duty to fulfill.

The Shitennou... I killed them once. There won't be hesitation if I have to kill them again. I am fighting this war for myself. Nemesis is the one enemy I wasn't able to defeat. That changes now.