Chapter 14

I am no stranger to the sounds of the storm, and I know she isn't either. Our steps match each other's perfectly. It's a rhythm that comes natural to the both of us. She refuses to look at me. I know exactly what emotion she is trying to repress. It's a cross between anger and disdain.

We're both vulnerable out here. Not because there's an enemy threatening this world, but because I remember how I was in these days. I pull my hood over my head and she pushes her hands further into her pockets. We walk these streets beside, but not with each other.

"Hey, Lita! Wait up!" That voice. I turn away while my younger self turns to face someone that we both know well. All I see is the brief blur of a green umbrella.

"Oh... hey, Ken."

I don't look back, but I can see his reflection in the window in front of me. I try not to look to suspicious.

"So what are you up to?" Both of them start walking forward. I follow at a slower pace.

She shrugs. "Not much. Just taking a stroll."

He looks up to the sky. "Yeah... only you would want to walk around in the rain."

She nods. "Well, you know me."

"That I do." He smiles. "So, if you're not doing anything how about you come over for dinner? My parents haven't seen you in a while."

She pauses just like I knew she would. "I... shouldn't. Mina's waiting for me at Crown."

He sighs. "What about tomorrow? We could just hang if you'd rather."

She turns slightly. "I don't know."

"Oh... okay."

The silence is brief, but my younger self steps out from under the umbrella. "I'm sorry. I just have a lot on my mind right now. How about I give you a call on the weekend?"

His face seems to light up. "Alright, sounds good. I'll tell my parents you said hello."

And just like that the two of them break off in separate directions. Several moments pass before I catch up with her, but I don't say anything because I see her tugging on the ends of her sleeves. I do that when when something is bothering me.

"You knew him, right?"

I nod. "He was my best friend."

She pauses. "Sometimes I just want to tell him about everything. About how I'm the princess of Jupiter and that I'm a soldier tasked with guarding this planet and its future Queen, but I can't."

I sigh. "You're not a princess. You're a Queen."

"What?"

I turn away. "Nothing, forget I said anything."

There's a brief moment when neither of us say anything as the thunder echoes over our heads. I know her, she won't let my words go.

"What do you mean by Queen?"

I smile. "I should really let you discover that yourself."

She sighs. "And what about Nephrite?"

"What about him?"

"What is he to you?"

I pause. "Just an important part of our past."

"Lita! Are you alright?" Mina stands at the top of the steps leading to the Hikawa shrine.

"Yeah, I'm okay."

I pause halfway before seeing Nephrite walk up beside her. He stands tall with a look of relief on his face. Mina embraces my younger self and Nephrite does the same with me.

"I have him." His voice is just loud enough for me to hear.

I step back. "Where?"

He turns towards the shrine. "Inside. I tried taking him somewhere else, but I kept meeting resistance. He looks just like Endymion."

Phobos and Deimos screech as I pass through the archway; something that doesn't go unnoticed by Raye who is standing out front with Amy beside her. I look away. "I can't go in there."

Nephrite looks to the shrine. "I know."

I step back. "It's because of something I did-"

"It's okay. You don't have to explain it to me."

I smile. "I'd be grateful if you could bring him out here."

He nods. "I'll be right back."

Raye doesn't trust me. I can feel her constant stare on my back. "Is something wrong?"

She shakes her head. "No, I'm just trying to interpret what the fire has shown me."

"And what did the fire show you?"

She steps forward. "A planet covered in blood."

"Raye." Amy puts her hand on her shoulder. "Stop it."

The princess of Mars turns away. "Fine."

I hear the sounds of laughter growing louder as both Serena and Darien exit the shrine with Nephrite close behind. I turn to Mina. "Where are the Outers?"

"Luna and Artemis went to go get them. For some reason our communicators aren't working."

I step forward, but stop once I feel the shift in the air. The guardians are still screeching. When Darien and I make eye contact, it feels as if he recognizes who I am. His expression changes. "Jupiter?"

I nod. "Yes."

Neither of us say anything for a moment.

"You two alright?" Serena looks at the both of us.

I turn to Serena. "Of course."

Darien nods. "I think so."

There's something wrong here. He never looks away, and if I remember correctly his gaze rarely ever left Serena when they were together. The thunder crackles over our heads and he looks from me to the sky. That one movement is enough for me to understand.

I clear my throat. "Endymion?"

He closes his eyes. "I didn't think anyone would find me here."

Serena pauses. "What's going on?"

But I ignore her question. "If you're here then where is Darien?"

He turns towards the Tokyo tower. "He was captured sometime before I escaped. They always kept us apart."

"Would someone answer me?" It is at this moment that both the King and I realize just how many stares we have attracted.

Nephrite drops to one knee. "Your highness, I am at your service."

"Nephrite, get up." My words are Jovian.

"I must show respect."

"Now isn't the time."

My younger self steps forward. "It's rude to speak a language that not everyone can understand."

I smile. "Normally I would agree with you."

Raye rolls her eyes. "Would someone please explain what's going on?"

Nephrite stands. "We have found our King."

I remember the first time I ever met Endymion. It was the day I met Nephrite and realized just how naive my princess was. If it had been Rei who had followed, then I know that everything would have played out differently. Her and I were quite similar when it came to duty, but not our tempers.

Mina is watching us without fault. Endymion and I are standing under the archway, apart from the others. "He showed me what we did together."

I turn. "What did you say?"

He sighs. "Wiseman showed me the End of Days. I think he thought it would bring back painful memories."

"But it didn't."

He nods. "I barely remember Serena and I being in love on the moon. I had no idea that it ended that way and that she...died in your arms."

I clench my fists. "I know. None of you had any idea."

That's when I feel his hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry for not trusting you."

"It doesn't matter. Right now our priority is getting back home and correcting this time line."

"I agree."

Light footsteps echo behind us. I don't even have to look to know who it is. Endymion glances over his shoulder and smiles as the Outer senshi make their way to the top steps. That's when my eyes meet Amara's.

She hesitates before Michelle tugs on her arm. "What's wrong?"

"Lita, your face. What the hell happened?"

My younger self walks forward. "It's a long story."

Endymion and I can sense the confusion, but neither of us say anything. Nephrite approaches with Raye close behind, they're not greeting Amara or Michelle, but both Hotaru and Trista. She is the Pluto from my time. I can sense her power.

"Good, we are all here." Trista walks past us.

Amara steps forward. "Wait a second. What's going on here?"

I sigh. "The situation is complicated."

She rolls her eyes. "Obviously. Who the hell are you anyway?"

Michelle grip tightens. "That was rude."

I smile. "It's alright. I am Jupiter, many years in the future."

She shakes her head. "No way."

"I'm telling the truth."

Michelle nods. "Then if you're here then where are the rest of us?"

Trista looks back. "Come. There is much we have to discuss."

Amara turns away. "You're not Jupiter. Lita would never have that look in her eye."

I look towards the shrine. "The future isn't as peaceful as it should be."

And with those words the thunder cracks over our heads. Serena looks flustered. I'm not sure if the worry has kicked in or not. I take one step towards the shrine when Endymion collapses to his knees with one hand over his chest. Amy is the first to react.

Mina scans the area. "What's going on?"

Pluto looks to me and I to her. Nephrite walks to my side. The three of us know what is happening. "It was only a matter of time."

Nephrite turns away. "We have to do something."

I nod. "Wiseman is just toying with us."

Serena is there now, holding his hand. "Pluto, what's happening?"

The senshi of time takes one step forward before closing her eyes. "They're torturing Darien, and it is affecting Endymion."

Amara looks even more confused. "Someone needs to explain this to me."

I look to Nephrite. "We can't act impulsively. That will be what he wants."

"Lita..." Endymion looks not to my younger self, but to me.

I kneel down. "What is it?"

He smiles. "Promise me that no matter what happens you will look after Serenity."

Serena wraps her arms around him. "Darien, what are you-"

He never breaks eye contact with me. "I know that she's lost your trust so understand if-"

I shake my head. "Stop talking like you're dying."

Everyone looks at me as if I had just slapped him. My younger self kneels down next to me. "How can we help?"

Amara makes her displeasure known. "Lita-"

"I know what I'm doing."

I stand. "No, you don't."

She pushes off the ground. "So are you saying you don't want my help?"

It's been a long time since someone has had the courage to challenge me in this way. The two of us stand eye to eye with a crowd waiting for one of us to move. She clenches her fists and in that moment I feel the winds shift. Pluto notices it too.

"That is exactly what I'm saying."

She takes a step forward. "You think you're better than us?"

"It's not that."

She pushes me back. "Then what is it?"

I close my eyes. "I can't risk any of you dying. Even if we defeat the Black Moon clan the past will affect the future even for a moment. This time might revert back to its original state, but all of you are fighting in the future; protecting Neo-Queen Serenity from the shadows. That one moment where time is altered could be fatal there. Whether any of you like it or not the risk here is not just your own."

Endymion continues to cringe in Serena's arms. Nephrite tries his best to console the two. Scars are appearing on his arms. They look like old wounds made by a blade. Torture in the past leaving life-changing effects on the future. Wiseman knows exactly how to push people's emotions.

"I'm glad my little experiment is working." Sapphire, I recognize his voice instantly.

I'm throwing lightning just as his last word leaves his lips. He teleports out of sight, but I can still feel his energy. The others are already transforming. Nephrite has his sword drawn and I waste no time in summoning the power of Jove. My armor appears faster than anyone else's transformation.

Time is slowing. Pluto's footsteps echo through the ground. "I have been a passive observer of this conflict for many centuries. That ends now."

A blast of energy races towards Sapphire and though he tries to move, his body is caught in the slow rhythm created by the senshi of time. His scream is louder than I thought it would be.

"Setsuna?"

But she carries on like I'm not even there. She is the first one to reach his battered form. With one hand gripping his collar, she pulls him up off the ground and presses him against a tree. "I have seen the many futures that could be, and for you, very few show me that you will live to see the end of this war."

Another aura of black energy appears and I am the first to meet it. Diamond stands behind Pluto with six shadows at his side. There are no words as he gives the order to attack, but I have nature on my side. The roots break through the stone barrier and wrap his frame. Nephrite and the senshi waste no time in attacking the shadows.

"You think these will hold me?" And just like that he fades from my sight, leaving only a skeletal clasp of roots. Without warning Pluto is hit back, allowing Sapphire to recover. Both he and the shadows fade as fast as they appeared.

I step forward. "Cowards. If you wish to boast than do it to our faces. You came here to antagonize then run away? Despicable."

Part of me is waiting for an answer. I won't lie, I do get some enjoyment out of a good fight, but this is insulting. Even then the other part of me knows that all I will be greeted with is the gentle touch of silence. Pluto stands, cradling her left arm with a look of regret on her face. I turn back to others and let the lightning dance around my body. Endymion still looks like he's in pain, but there's nothing that can be done.

"Mako... he's crying." That voice. Saturn stands apart from the others with her glaive tight against her body.

"What did you say?"

She closes her eyes. "The tears... can you not feel them?"

"Hotaru?" I start walking towards her.

"It was like this before, when the Empire fell."

I put my hand on her shoulder. "That was a long time ago."

That's when she looks into my eyes and drops her glaive to the ground. "Jove still cries for you."