Chapter 12

I push Nephrite behind me and summon lightning from my fingertips. The force is enough for me to slide back a couple of inches, but that is all. The energy dissipates without destroying anything.

"Setsuna, stop."

There is so much confusion written on her face. "Explain yourself to me."

I nod. "It's me, Lita."

She shakes her head. "No, I recognize that look in your eye and that scar on your face. Don't lie to me, Makoto."

I know the rules of time. "I can't tell you everything without jeopardizing the future."

"Don't lecture me on the destruction caused by time travel. What is he doing here and how are you still alive?"

Pluto stands with a look of sadness in her eyes. She's trying to hide it, but I still see. I never realized that Setsuna harboured so much hatred, or is it resentment, for the past. "I remembered, that's all."

Nephrite steps forward. "Princess Setsuna, I apologize-"

She lowers her rod. "No apology will ever be good enough. I don't think you know how much she was in pain when she found out of your betrayal."

Setsuna has never been like this in all the years that I have known her. So many thoughts run through my mind. How long did she harbour this disdain for the Shitennou? When did she get over it? It was her that told me that I should give them a chance in the future. It's strange to see Pluto this flustered. Perhaps even she needed time to come to terms with what had happened. "Setsuna?"

She goes to speak, but stops as voice approach from the hallway. She closes her eyes and both Nephrite and I watch as her rod glows a deep red. "Shift."

A wave of dizziness seems to overtake me, but Pluto still stands as if nothing has happened. The lock to the door clicks out of place and both Nephrite and I look around frantically. Still, Pluto doesn't move.

"...well in that case we need to celebrate!" I can recognize Mina's voice anywhere.

The door opens and I am left staring at my younger self, but she doesn't seem to notice me. "Just hold on guys. Let me get the lights."

Amy walks in with a book tucked under arm and both Mina and Serena close behind. "So when does Darien get back from America?"

Serena smiles. "Okay so I'm only telling you guys this."

Raye sighs and takes a seat on the couch. "Oh just spit it out already."

She nods. "He's already back."

Mina eyes widen. "What? That's great!"

I remember this day now, but my mind keeps going back to the Black Moon Clan. We were younger when they jumped back the first time. Nephrite watches as I search through memories. "He'll be five minutes late."

Nephrite steps to the side. "What did you say?"

I close my eyes. "He'll be five minutes late to our graduation because the ring he ordered for Serena won't be ready."

Nephrite turns to Pluto. "Why can't they see us?"

She turns. "Because right now we're standing three seconds out of synch with their time."

I watch as I move effortlessly through the kitchen. Refreshments... they were always the most important thing when I had guests over. I could make anything, sandwiches? Maybe that's what I made. I seem to be pulling out the bread now.

"Raye? What are you looking at?"

I step back once I realize that she's looking straight at me. I turn to Pluto, but she says nothing.

"I don't know, but I felt something just now." She then turns to the kitchen. "Lita?"

My younger self pokes her head out. "Yeah?"

Then there's silence.

Pluto taps her rod on the floor, opening a portal. "We should leave."

Nephrite grabs my arm, but I still pause before following. I had forgotten about these moments that we used to have. My friends and I look so happy now, but they have no idea of the future that awaits them. I turn away and step through the portal. Behind me is how life used to be, but it is so dfferent now. When I was younger there was this part of me that wanted everything to be as perfect as it was back then. My friends and my princess were all I seemed to need. I guess I was just too naive to understand the truth.

I find myself standing with Nephrite on a tall building overlooking the city. It seems to grow colder with each passing second but I know that it's only because I'm standing barefoot in a hospital gown. Nephrite places his jacket over my shoulders.

"I apologize for overreacting. It's not like me to lose my composure." Pluto stands with her back to the both of us.

I could spend so long trying to comfort her, but I know that she'd resist. She hasn't changed. There is a moment where all I can do is pause and wait for something, anything... some indication that she's not searching through painful memories like I did. Perhaps changing the subject would make her feel better, but somehow I don't think it would.

"It's forgiven, but there are more important things that need to be addressed."

She turns slowly, where her eyes meet mine. They seem empty, but I know better. "There are too many people tampering with the time line."

I nod. "Then you know about the Black Moon Clan?"

She shakes her head. "No, but I can sense temporal shifts. That is how I found you two."

Nephrite steps forward. "Princess Setsuna, the situation in the future is grave. We must intervene in this time. Wiseman has already made plans to attack this era."

She seems to ignore Nephrite completely. "Makoto, this isn't a place for you to be."

Nephrite shakes his head. "Are you even listening to what we have to say?"

Pluto pauses. "We must tread carefully. There are rules to follow-"

I clench my fists. "The enemy walks without rules. Us abiding by them will put us at a disadvantage."

"Do not interrupt me, Jupiter. I am the senshi of time and it is my responsibility to make certain that the temporal balance is not disturbed."

Both of us stare at each other for the longest time. "If your rules get in my way then I will break them."

Clouds begin forming over our heads. "Stop it."

I shake my head. "I will not. Whether you realize it or not we are at war and I will defeat Wiseman. You have seen what Nemesis can do."

Nephrite puts his hand on my shoulder. "Makoto."

Pluto steps forward. "In this time you are a paradox. Remember that next time you go breaking into your old apartment!"

"That's a cop out and you know it. Don't talk to me about paradoxs. I am well aware of the consequences of my actions." There's this awkward silence that creeps between us. The city below continues on as if nothing is happening. Lightning flashes, but the thunder is absent. I close my eyes and dissipate the storm. "Much has changed, but the trust you had for me in the past shouldn't."

She sighs. "I know it doesn't seem like it, but I do trust you, Jupiter. At this point in time I would suggest that both of you lay low until we know more about the enemy's motives."

Nephrite looks away. "You can't possibly ask us to-"

Pluto clenches her fists. "You need to learn your place."

I push Nephrite behind me. "Things have changed, Setsuna. You need to stop."

She taps her rod on the ground. "You forget the past too easily."

I shake my head. "No, but what's important is the threat to this time."

Both of us look to each other for several moments before she nods. "Like I said. We need to discern the enemy's motives."

I nod. "And what about the senshi of this time?"

She lowers her head. "Let's not involve them unless Wiseman makes a move."

Nephrite turns away. "And where should we go until then?"

Pluto detransforms, revealing her human identity as Trista Meioh. "Here, this is the key to my apartment. You two can stay there for now." She still watches Nephrite.

I sigh. "And what about you?"

"Damage control. Maxfield Stanton is supposed to be dead, remember?"

And just like that she disappears.

My armor is gone, that seems to hurt more than anything else right now. It doesn't make sense. The blades of Jove are my birthright. Even in the past they stayed with me. I can hear the shower still running. This apartment is bigger than I thought it would be. One thing is for certain, there is no shortage of clothes in this place.

The voice whispers. "You need only summon them."

I close my eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"Makoto, who are you talking to?"

I turn towards the washroom and do a double take. "Neph?"

"I know. It's the best I could do." His hair is so short now.

"What did you do?"

He sighs. "Just trying to change my likeness so that we can blend in better. I've also suppressed my powers so-"

"You look so different."

There is a moment when neither of us seem to move. What the hell am I doing? I turn away and walk towards the window. That is when I feel his hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry if I-"

"Don't."

He steps back. "Makoto."

Memories... that is all they ever were. I stare forward, but the I dread the moment when I have to look back to him. "I should check to see if there's anything in the kitchen." That's when I feel his arms around me.

"I'm sorry. I know that I can't say it enough."

And just like that I'm unable to say anything else. We stay there for the longest time. I don't know what thoughts were going through his mind but mine were a mixture of the good and the bad. I had thought that I could just let the past stand in wake of the present. It took Pluto a while to accept that things have changed, maybe I'm the same way. I can see and feel what's coming, and though my mind is screaming to move, I'm not sure if I should.

"I hated you for leaving." My words are calm, but matter of fact. I see the water forming in his eyes.

"Do you still hate me?"

I stare straight ahead and it feels like we're on the moon again. The next word I say is bittersweet. "No."

A tear rolls down his cheek. "I would spend a lifetime making it up to you."

I turn. "If only it were that simple."

His hand brushes against my cheek, and I find myself longing for that touch. I don't know if it was him that lowered his face to mine or if it was me that drew him in, but the kiss seemed to hold all of our memories together. It was like the war never happened.

I pull away not because I want to, but because of the sudden fluctuation in energy. Nephrite feels it too. Outside an explosion erupts on the streets followed by the sounds of screeching cars and screaming people.

I shake my head. "What the hell is this?"

"Look at the sky."

We both stand and watch as blue fades into a dark purple. I clench my fists and turn towards the door. "We should go."

"But it doesn't feel like dark energy." He's right, but something is definitely wrong.

That is when I feel the shift. "No it isn't, but it's so familiar."

Nephrite's eyes widen. "It's Endymion."

I turn away. "That's impossible. The King's resolve is-"

He sighs. "No, can't you feel it? It's the power of the golden crystal."

Nephrite and I push through the crowds of people towards the epicenter of the energy. The closer we get, the more confused my senses are. "Makoto."

I see them long before Nephrite says my name. The senshi travel across the buildings above us. We both stop and head down an adjacent alley. "We need to be careful."

He nods. "Easier said than done."

My side still aches, something that doesn't get past Nephrite, but I'm glad that he doesn't say anything. I pull up my hood and turn to the left. "The senshi in this time are still naive."

"They will learn."

I smile. "But not for several decades."

We finally come to an empty street facing the park overlooking the ocean. "...so we meet again." That voice belongs to Rubeus.

We advance slowly and take in the scene in front of us. Rubeus hovers high above the ground with the sisters on the ground in front of him. Their eyes are cold and unintelligible. I doubt he knows that we're here. He looks down upon all the senshi present. It looks as if only Neptune, Saturn and Pluto are missing.

"You look so young, senshi of thunder." He laughs as he throws a handful of dark energy towards my younger self.

I seem to dodge it with ease, but both Venus and Mars are caught in the aftermath. They stay down for several moments. "Hey creep, I don't know who your talking to but your gonna have to deal with me. In the name of the moon I will-"

Uranus catches Serena before being struck my Prisma. I turn to Nephrite. "We have to take care of him."

He nods. "Fine by me."

I watch as he unleashes his powers and transforms into the General that I remember him being. The storm quickly forms over head. "Summon your weapons." The voice speaks calmly.

"I don't know how."

It pauses. "It's like wielding your lightning."

"Makoto, where are you? I know this storm is your doing." Rubeus' voice echoes just louder than the storm.

Nephrite steps forward. "Makoto, are you ready?"

I nod. "Yes."

And just like that we run swiftly towards the battle. Nephrite strikes Prisma down first and proceeds to defend the senshi while I summon lightning strong enough to drive Rubeus to the ground.

"So you've finally stopped hiding."

Lightning dances around my fingers. "Leave this place before you embarrass yourself."

Mercury is knelt down beside Venus with her computer in hand. She watches me with confusion written all over her face. I curl my hands into fists and summon the roots beneath the Earth. Rubeus dodges. "That's not going to work this time."

Before I know it, I feel Catsy's flames hitting me square in the back. I stumble forward. These clothes will probably be nothing more than tattered shreds by the time I'm done.

The voice is louder this time. "You need only summon the power of Jove."

My younger self looks at me curiously. "This guy's dangerous. You should leave this to us."

She doesn't keep her eyes on her target. I watch as Rubeus hurls a wave of dark energy towards her and I find myself running to meet it. I push her out of the way and take the blast full on. I close my eyes. "Jove will give me strength."

With that I feel the lightning strike my body. It's strange, my power seems to increase. Is this what the voice meant? It feels like it did when I used to transform, but it's different somehow. Behind me I hear Nephrite shout my name. "Makoto!"

I move to the side and draw my blades. Rubeus only smiles and summons more energy to his hands. "Impressive as always, but you can't save them all."

In that moment I know what he's doing. A wave of energy, large enough to demolish this park, leaves his fingertips and I look to the sky above. Uranus turns to shield Sailor Moon, Mars starts chanting something small, Mercury frantically attempts to pull Venus out of the way, but it is I that summons the true power of Jupiter. Our attacks meet each other in the middle causing a clash of power larger than any that this time has ever seen.

Rubeus falls back and I lunge in with the advantage. He goes to strike again, but I stomp down on his left arm and hold one sword to his neck. He smiles. "You wouldn't murder me in front of them. That would be exposing them to the dark side that lies dormant in you."

I don't say anything as I stab down through his throat to the earth below. No justification, no last words to my enemy, simply because he doesn't deserve any. Murder? This was far from murder. I stand and sheath my swords. With Rubeus' death, the sisters disappear leaving Nephrite to join my side.

In that moment I realize that the attention we tried to avoid was ultimately unavoidable. My younger self is the only one standing now. She steps forward. "Who are you?"

I turn away. "Just a soldier, nothing more."

This time and this place held so many memories for me. Nephrite stands with his sword still in hand. I feel the temporal energy building behind me. When I look back, Pluto is standing there with her rod in hand, but something is different. Her face lacks the confusion from our earlier encounter. "You're hard to find."

I smile. "It's good to see you, Setsuna."