Once again I must take a moment and thank the many faithful reviewers/readers that this story has. The enthusiasm and passion in all your comments/critiques definately encourages me to continue. As a sign of my gratitude I am uploading this chapter early. Enjoy :)

Chapter 17

I saw Sapphire die once. I don't think I was older than fourteen back then. I am no stranger of death, but his was the only one that I ever regretted witnessing. Back then I knew how much he loved his brother even without him ever speaking to me personally. That's why I understand how much emotion he's keeping bottled up inside.

Sapphire looks up. "Go left here."

I follow his directions and continue down a narrowing corridor. This feels more like a ship than a planet. "By Jove... This is Nemesis?"

We both stop in front of what looks like a large balcony. Below, in rows as far as I can see, are what look like open coffins. "The dark energy of the planet is harmful to about 98% of the people. We've had to slow their vitals to keep them alive."

It is one thing to have Emerald to explain this to me, but it's another to see it with my own eyes. "That's why we've only ever seen a handful of you."

He steps forward and supports his weight on his own. "Wiseman said that Earth is the only place for us, and we believed him. I don't know what to do."

"There is always hope."

He turns. "Are you not afraid for your friends? The ones left in the past."

I shake my head. "No, Pluto would have seen this coming. I have to trust that she got them out in time."

"How can you have so much faith in one person?"

I laugh. "Practice."

He makes his way to the console in front of us. "Over the years I have figured out how to manipulate Nemesis' gravity and have used those calculations to move the planet. That's why it's nearly impossible to find."

"Because it's constantly in motion."

He nods. "One of my more ingenious ideas."

I sigh. "How many others are awake on this planet?"

"Only myself and several guards in each quadrant."

"We'll need them."

He steps back. "Should we not pursue Wiseman?"

I shake my head. "First priority are these people. We need to meet up with those on Earth and the Moon. Then we can act as a team."

He turns back to the console. "You're different than I thought you would be. I'm still not sure if I trust you completely."

"Trust is earned. I understand."

The light echo of footsteps catches my attention. I go to draw my swords, but Sapphire stops me. "The steps are too frantic to be an enemy."

"Sapphire! It's the prince..."

A man dressed in a uniform similar to the guards in the Silver Millennium stand in front of me. For a moment all I feel is confusion. "It was Wiseman. Send word to the guards. He is to be killed on sight."

The guard looks to me. "The enemy is here."

Sapphire steps forward. "No, Queen Makoto is an ally in this crisis. Make that known as well."

He bows. "But-"

"Don't make me repeat myself."

The guard turns back. "Of course. I apologize."

He hurries back the way he came leaving both Sapphire and I to a moment of silence. All I hear are the clicking of keys. This technology is familiar to me. It's almost identical to what I remember using during the Silver Millennium.

I step forward. "Can you transport me to the Moon?"

He nods and throws me a small device. "You know how to use one of those?"

I study it for a moment. "It's a communicator right?"

"Exactly. I modeled it after the portable transponders on Mercury. Turn it on and I'll have all monitors on your position."

I turn towards the teleportation pad. "Alright. Then I leave things here to you."

"Jupiter?"

I glance over my shoulder. "Yes."

Sapphire pulls a lever. "That offer you made my brother, about giving us a home. I expect you to hold true to your word."

Even though he acts strong on the outside, I can tell that he's still hurting. "I promise."

Each step I take coincides with the crunch of rubble. I look out at this desolate wasteland and remember times long forgotten by most. The Moon was where I was to carry out my duty. Just as my mother was a senshi to Queen Serenity I was a senshi to her daughter. I'm not even sure if I carry that title anymore, but it doesn't matter. It wouldn't make me any less Jovian.

Everywhere I turn comes with a memory. Evidence of a lost civilization has long since been buried by centuries of dust. I can't sense the others, but they have to be here. My steps are slow and cautious. Wiseman's shadows could be anywhere.

I study my surroundings for a moment before I kneel down and touch a dark spot on the ground. It's charred. The flames of Mars had touched this spot. I stand and follow what looks to be the trails of battle.

"You follow the scent of battle well, but do not forget that this is a graveyard." Jove's voice whispers in my ear.

I clench my fists. There used to be trees here, but it could never compare to the forests of Jupiter. The end of days is still fresh in my mind. I continue on, through what used to be the courtyard, straight to the ruins of the palace. Broken pillars line the grounds like boulders on a mountain side. It all looks so fragile.

"Perhaps they'll come to me." I close my eyes and summon a storm over my head. Within moments the thunder echoes through the silent night.

Jove whispers once more. "They won't come."

I step forward. "And why not?"

"Because of the ghosts."

I can feel a slight vibration in the ground. They can't be far. I take one step forward when I feel a pain in my chest. The thunder continues to crackle over head. What is this? I haven't felt pain like this since the memories first came. I force myself to stand tall and continue into the heart of the palace. I hear movement to my left and react accordingly, but what I see is nothing short of surprising. "Shino?"

There he sits propped up against a pillar with blood pooling around him. One eye is closed with a streak of dried blood down his cheek. His sword still rests in his hands. "Jove, I pray to you. Protect her."

I step forward. "Shinozaki."

But he doesn't look in my direction. I walk slowly and see several corpses all clad in Jovian armor. "Please... there is no other like her."

It's strange, there's a building behind him now. Is this what Jove meant by ghosts? His armor and wounds look fresh and yet I don't remember this moment. Behind me are the sounds of clanging swords. That is when I understand where I am. These sounds, this atmosphere... the end of days. Realization slaps me hard. I had sent Shino and my men away... They never made it. I look away. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't cry, Mako."

I quickly turn back to Shino. This time he's looking straight at me. "How are you..."

He smiles. "I'm so glad you're alright."

Jove whispers. "He's not talking to you."

Behind me, someone kicks a piece of rubble. I turn and see Saturn standing with the sun behind her. Her armor glistens in the light. Her steps are light, but powerful. She kneels next to him. "I am not Makoto."

Shino reaches forward and brushes his hand against her cheek. "You're not? But..."

She closes her eyes. "Sleep. You can see her in your dreams." I watch as his hand falls and his good eye closes. Saturn stands and looks in my direction. "I can still hear the soul that cries."

I step back. "What the hell is going on?"

Jove speaks. "Such an event as the end of days left echoes in the time stream. It has been like this for an eternity. These are the ghosts of the past."

I nod. "Then this really happened."

"Yes."

I scan the area. "Then the others... Can they see this too?"

"Yes."

That's when I hear a faint sob. It isn't filled with pain, but I hurry just the same. Over the ridge is where the West tower stood. I continue forward until I see Venus just standing with her knees shaking.

"Mina?"

She turns and that is when I see the tears in her eyes. "No... please... no more."

I run to her side in time to see what it is that she saw. Princess Minako lays on the ground and I see myself, all those years ago, kneeling next to her. My armor is bloodied and her life is fading. She grabs my neck and pulls me close. "Jupiter... the Princess..."

I remember this scene perfectly. Her words were slurred and the blood on the tip of her fingers leaves a light trail on my cheek. I watch as I close her eyes.

Mina stands rigid and shocked. I grab and pull her away from the scene. "It's not real."

She pushes me back. "How can you touch me?" She then looks to the other me a few feet away. "I-"

"Mina. It's me."

She steps forward. "Lita? This place it's-"

I wrap my arms around her. "It's alright."

She clings to me. "No it's not. You knew this happened. My God... I understand now. I'm so sorry."

"Mina, where are the others?"

She turns to where the eastern fields once were. "I don't know."

The end of days echoes all around us. It seems that each moment presents itself at a different point. I continue on with Venus beside me. We continue towards where the training grounds once were only to find Mars standing and watching the exchange in front of her.

Mina calls out to her and she turns slowly. "I didn't know that I was so... aggressive."

I look at the scene she had been watching. Jadeite pulls me off Mars. "Are you alright?"

The Princess of Mars coughs and brings herself to stand. "Am I alright? Of course I'm alright, but you won't be!"

I put a hand on Mars' shoulder. "Raye?"

She nods. "Let's get out of here."

"You earth men are just so arrogant." That voice. We all turn in time to see the Princess of Mercury face to face with Zoicite; his sword rests lodged through her chest. I had never seen this moment before.

Zoicite drops her the moment a white storm surrounds the two of them. He turns to run, but falls forward with the aid of a gust of wind. The icicles protruding his body sparkle.

Across from us I see Amy staring with her computer shaking in her hands. She looks to me then two both Raye and Mina. I'm not sure what thoughts are going through her mind, but the four of us soon continue on in silence.

"No no no... I wouldn't do this!" Serenity.

She stands with Hotaru watching a scene that I have often thought back on. I run to her side. There I am on my knees with Princess Serenity bleeding in my arms. "Don't you see? I failed my duty to keep you safe. I fought for you and this kingdom. You killing yourself means that so many people died in vain. Tell me what I did this for. Explain to me why I believed in you."

Neo-Queen Serenity drops to her knees. "This isn't me."

I want to ask her if she understands now, but I don't. Instead I just stand there and watch. Saturn looks to me then bows her head. This place hasn't been kind to either of us. At this moment we all witness the moments leading to the end. I kill Beryl and sit dying on the moon's surface.

"The silence is here." Saturn stands in front of all of us in full armor.

"H...Hotaru?"

She turns. "Makoto, you can rest now."

I remember the pain of this moment. "What are you-"

"Shh... It will all be over soon."

On this day, over two thousand years later, I was watching the end of days again, but this time I wasn't doing it alone. When the glaive falls there is nothing. It is quiet on the moon's surface once more. I take one step back and look to the Earth just over the horizon. It is just as beautiful as it was when I was younger.

I sigh. "We have to go." They all look at me in surprise. "I'm serious."

Neo-Queen Serenity doesn't move. "You were right."

"That doesn't matter. Right now we must return to-"

She stands. "Of course it matters!"

My eyes widen. "Serenity."

"I am not some weak little girl that can be walked all over! This ends now." She starts walking.

I step in front of her. "Wait. What are you going to do?"

In that moment a light, brighter than any I had seen in a long time, manifests in front of her. In her hands rests the Imperium Silver Crystal. "I'm going to kill them all."