"Michiru, what will we do? I am scared the others will never come back," Usagi sniffled out as she stroked her finger through the black pile of fur on her lap. The small pink haired girl curled up on the loveseat next to her, the cat's tail captured in her tiny hand.
"They survived the blast, so they are alright, where ever they are," Seiya hummed as she approached the console. The teal haired woman stilled her motions for a moment as if an insult was bitting to come out, but she remained silent as she pushed a few more buttons.
"Seiya is right," Artemis nodded as he pushed a few dials with his nose until a new screen appeared. "We can count the energy signatures of everyone before—"
"That's the problem, Artemis! They couldn't be alive and disappear! They had to go somewhere!" Michiru groaned as she pushed her hands onto the console. Her frustration grew inside her, and it was not just the loss of her friends. With Uranus' awakening, she alone had to deal with not only training her but the responsibility of accepting her new partner. She was sure she would rather be stuck with anyone else on the best of days, but had to be the start of a squall forming.
"I know, somehow, it'll be alright," Usagi smiled as she rose from her seat, setting Luna on the console before she hugged the artist. Seiya and Haruka watched awkwardly as the teal haired woman relaxed slightly in the embrace.
"Haruka and I think we have a way to help," Seiya offered, shaking a shoulder as the two girls glanced over curiously. "With the two of us, we can center on the power of the other Starlights."
"That might help us narrow into where to look," Haruka sighed as she was met with a narrowing of ocean blue eyes. "It's how we were able to follow Princess Kakyuu to this planet."
"And you only think to mention this now?" Luna demanded before Usagi raised her hand to stop any lecture the small cat was ready to provide.
"We wanted to make sure we could accomplish it before we offered," Haruka muttered as she rubbed her arm, silently acknowledging that they could have said something sooner.
"We had to deal with someone's new powers," Seiya added with a little more insincerity as she met the challenge in Michiru's gaze.
"What can I do to help?" Usagi blurted out as she stepped closer to Seiya, breaking the staring contest between the two. Haruka touched the shorter girl's shoulder as she smiled down at the odango blonde.
"Come, you can help us," she guided Usagi to the table as Seiya sat on the other side of her. Haruka held her hands, palms facing Seiya as the singer did the same, closing her midnight blue eyes. "Just focus on your friends. The more you remember their energy, the more it will help us," Haruka winked before she closed her eyes to focus. Usagi glanced towards the console, seeing Michiru still busy with the controls before she turned to look at the hands centered in the space before her. As she watched, a light seemed to glow between the unjoined palms, taking a white appearance before switching to a shade of green.
"Jupiter," she mumbled, seeing the brunette's smiling face before her. She focused on the powerful protection her friend provided and her intense love for them. The vision shifted, and she saw Venus stepping before the Guardian of Protection, raising the Holy Sword to fend something off, releasing a gasp as she lost the vision with Venus' swipe.
"What did you see?" Haruka gently asked as Usagi opened her eyes, realizing for the first time that they were closed.
"I saw Jupiter, and her energy was strong. And then I saw Venus, and she was protecting Jupiter from something," Usagi explained as worry welled up in her eyes. "Please tell me you know where they are!"
"We are getting closer. Sailor Star Maker is someplace past Kinmoku," Seiya nodded.
"Do you know where?" Michiru demanded, suddenly interested in their activities.
"I think we can narrow it down as we get closer. It is too far away to get an accurate location, but we know which part of the galaxy to look further."
"It's a shame we couldn't get to some point closer, someplace safe where we can form a plan."
"Would the moon work?" Usagi smiled as the other two blinked in consideration.
"I think I have someplace that would be even safer," Michiru smirked as she folded her arms over her chest.
~*~*~
"Can someone tell me where we are going?" Healer groaned as she peeked out from the Senshi circle surrounding her. "And why are all of you so freaking close to me!" She shouted as she pushed one of the quartets away.
"Shush!" Sailor Pallas growled as she raised a finger to her lips. "We are trying to get to the Time Gate. And since one of us sticks out worse than a mole on a beautiful face," pausing as she smirked at the glare Healer grace her. "We decided that instead of trying to cut the mole off, we just cover it up!"
"That's a horrible analogy," Healer complained as she remained still in the center of the group.
"We're almost there," Saturn pointed as she could see the large entry to the forbidden wing of the castle. Chibi Moon entered, her head sweeping the area to ensure it was clear before waving the others to follow. Saturn began to cross the threshold as a purple spark jumped from the crest of the door. She stopped, the others looking at the Guardian of Silence as she held her hand to the invisible barrier.
"This area is off limits to those not of the royal family," she studied. "I thought with the danger that the shield would weaken," as she poked it with her scythe.
"Sailor Saturn!" A soft voice called from behind the group. "I have been looking for you. Do you know what is happening to the others—?" Turning to Neo Queen Serenity looked at the group carefully as Mercury and Mars shrunk themselves in the back, desperately trying to make themselves, and Healer, invisible. "Sailor Ceres, Pallas, Vesta, Juno! Something horrible must be happening if you've awoken," she observed as the quartet gave a shy wave to the queen. "If your help is needed, then there must truly be a danger," she added as her gaze lowered. She looked at the group and then at the threshold, her mind seemingly putting something together before she stepped closer to Saturn.
The raven haired girl winced, wondering how she would explain their arrival to the queen without breaking the time rules mama-Setsuna always laid out. They needed Chronos on their side, and it would be wise not to upset the deity before they sought help on their travel.
"I am not sure what is happening, but I am glad you are not yet afflicted," she smiled as she waved her hand over the doorway. "Please, go and save our friends," the queen smiled as the barrier lowered and Saturn crossed freely. "Pluto is affected the same, so I don't think she can help guide you. I recommend you return to a place and time you know well," she nodded as she stood aside, the blob of people moving through the door.
"I will protect them," Saturn bowed to her sovereign before catching up with the others.
"That was easy," Sailor Pallas cheered as she paused before the maze of doors. "Maybe not so much—" she stuttered as she looked at the never-ending hallway.
"Now what?" Sailor Mars growled as she looked at the doors.
"Serenity said to return to a place we knew well so we would not get lost," Mercury echoed as she looked at her computer. "Chibi Moon, do you think you remember how to get to the 20th century?"
"I have a better idea," Saturn smiled as she took Chibi Moon's hand. "Everyone hold hands and follow up closely," she instructed as she pulled the key off the necklace around her neck. Red eyes blinked as if she were to ask how Saturn knew she still held a key, but the girl's smirk told her that even though this was a Saturn of the past, she was still her closest friend.
"Oh, Mighty Chronos! Protect us on this journey!" Saturn called as she raised the key high, a glow illuminating it.
"Where are we going?" Mars asked as she held Mercury's hand closely.
"The best place I can think of that is easily accessible from any time," Saturn said matter of factly. "Pluto's castle, Charon."
"Castle?" Healer squeaked as a thick fog lay around them. "I thought we were trying to get back to Earth?"
"Yes, it will allow us to ensure we return to the right time." Saturn paused as the key shone brighter, turning to study the solid-looking door she paused before carefully. "This must be it," she declared before handing the key back to Chibi Moon.
"How can you be sure?" Chibi Moon asked as she slipped the chain over her head. Her red eyes moved to the Sailor Mercury for reassurance that they were correct. Sailor Mars drew her sniper bow, untrusting what could be on the other side of the door. Healer took note of the other at the ready and her Sailor Yell poised in her hand as Saturn pushed the door.
Darkness and silence greeted them, along with a fresh batch of thick fog, as they studied the layout on the other side of the threshold. A planetary symbol of Pluto was decorated on the floor, pointing to a central security console like the one in the command center on Earth. Saturn rushed towards it, selecting buttons as the others began to file into the room.
"I knew it would work!" Saturn cheered as the screen buzzed to life. Mercury smiled at the shorter girl as she began pushing buttons next to the guardian.
"I think you can lower that now," Healer muttered to the Solider of Fire, relaxing her hand to her side.
"Something is not right," Mars growled as she continued to sweep the room.
"No one is answering at the command center," Mercury sighed.
"Where could they be?" Saturn added as she selected another button.
"Could they have gone to the future to find you?" Chibi Moon asked, her eyes gazing down as if they were just running in circles because of her.
"Wait, there is someone at Triton Castle!" Saturn cheered as she turned a dial. "They must have done like us and gone to Neptune's castle to search!" The screen blinked on, and the girls looked to expect a smiling face to greet them.
"So predictable to run to the outer defense!" A woman growled as her image came into view. Her golden-colored fuku was unmistakable.
"Sailor Galaxia!"
"Now I know what fortress you choose! Your Star Seeds will be mine!" The woman on the screen commanded, Mars and Healer spinning to look at the room to determine who she commanded. Nothing came forward, but the thick fog from the time gate seemed to gather on the floor.
"Where is the stuff coming from?" Healer demanded, her steps retreating from the edge of the smoky invader.
"Evil Spirits Be Gone!" Mars threw her ofuda towards the invading smoke trying to drive out the creatures concealed within its shadows. Healer glanced at the raven haired warrior, a silent eye roll of annoyance escaping before she raised her Sailor Yell.
"Star Sensitive Inferno!" She called as a green flame escaped her hand, burning off some of the fog.
Mars blinked before a smile grew on her lips. "Mars Snake Fire!" She added, burning some of the layers on the other side. "Whatever it is doesn't have much space to hide."
"Ha ha Ha, you're cute when you're wrong," the voice hissed as the fog scenes before they broke as if someone had ripped a picture of it in half.
"What the—"Mars questioned before releasing another blast of snake fire into the dark oblivion, the tear in the fabric of time widening.
"I don't think it likes that," Sailor Juno nervously laughed as the space continued growing.
"Mars! Stop that!" Mercury demanded as she studied the void. The room's edges floated as if a breeze had entered from the aphotic space.
"Mercury, what is it?" Chibi Moon cried, her broach beginning to glow as something approached them. The girls readied themselves, unknown what could be moving on the other side. Chibi Moon peered from behind the quartet, curious about what would emerge.
A dark hand suddenly shot from the space, like an arm wrapped in a glove the color of midnight. The hand swiped at Sailor Saturn, the young guardian batting it away with her scythe as she studied it. "Silent Wall!" Saturn called, containing herself and Chibi Moon inside the sphere as several more shot out, quickly capturing the hands and feet of Mars, Mercury, and Healer. They watched as the girls called out in pain as the hold tightened on them. They suddenly heard cries from the other side. The quartet protected on the backside of the wall was met with a second tear opening, gaining on them quickly before they fell through.
"Ceres! Vesta! Pallas! Juno!" Chibi Moon called out as her friends disappeared. "Saturn, we have to help them!" She pleaded as she held the shoulders of the raven haired warrior. Saturn's purple eyes remained cold, her gaze held tightly on the appendages with the other Senshi in place.
"Surrender your Star Seed!" The same voice hissed from the darkness, a golden boomerang emerging from the void. The girls squint as the light shines, illuminating the dark as it strikes Mercury before circling to hit Mars on the back.
"No!" Healer yelled as she watched the yellow attack approaching, instantly recognizing it. "Star Sensitive Inferno!" She growled, her whole body glowing with the green flames, forcing the grip holding her in place to falter. Kicking her feet free, she raised her legs to a pike position, the glowing boomerang sliding underneath her as it circled back to the darkness. She forced her booted feet to the hold in her arms, pushing back until she flipped away from where the shadow hands were searching.
"Mars! Mercury!" The girls behind the purple wall cried as they watched their friend's pliant forms as a burst of energy erupted from their core, emerging from the crown of their heads. A red crystal heart from Mars and an ice blue one from Mercury before they started floating towards the darkness. The scout's forms faded until they only saw the dark void awaiting them. soldier
"We have to get them back!" Chibi Moon demanded as she moved in the direction the crystals disappeared.
"No! We cannot face Galaxia on our own!" Header demanded as she caught the pink haired girl as she tried to run towards the void. "We need to find the others," she added with a serious tone, this time looking to Saturn for confirmation. The sound of something slicing through the air pricked Healer's healing, turning her head to confirm as more golden attacks flew towards them. She turned her lime green stare to the sobbing chibi princess still in her hold before looking to the guardian of silence. The raven haired girl nodded in understanding, clutching the other side of the odango girl and raising her silent wall in a protective barrier as the two jumped, forcing the bundle of guardians into the second void that the quartet fell into, sliding down into the hole just as the golden spheres passed over their heads.
~*~*~
"We're going where?" The trio of voices cracked as Michiru rolled her eyes exasperatedly.
"Triton's castle. It's one of the fortresses we have set to protect the edges of the solar system," Michiru explained again.
"A lot of good that did you," Seiya rolled her eyes as she and Haruka shared a secretive smile. Michiru's eyes narrowed as the two stood with their backs suddenly straight.
"Are you sure it is safe there?" Luna added as she looked expectedly toward Usagi.
"It's just as fortified as the command center and the same communication channels. So you can contact us once we are there."
"Luna isn't coming?" Usagi asked with a pout.
"I'll monitor from here, just in case the others return," the small cat nodded. "You can go there, see if you can see if you can sense the others better from the edge of the solar system. I'll take your readings in case I must tell the others how to follow."
"How are we going to get there?" Usagi asked as she raised a finger to her chin. When they traveled to the Moon Castle, there was a teleportation point, and she wondered what else she didn't know about.
"We don't have enough to use Sailor Teleport," Michiru hummed as the Chibi Chibi moved to stand before the women.
"Chibi!" She called as she suddenly transformed, emerging in an outfit similar to Eternal Sailor Moon. The wing adornments to her fuku began to move, angel wings flapping as they stretched out on either side of the small girl.
"She's a sailor senshi also?" Usagi smiled as she examined the small girl who held her arms wide for the odango blond.
"I think she's helping us get there," Haruka smirked as she used her new henshin to transform. Sailor Uranus appeared as the others began to follow suit. Sailor Moon focused as her own serenity-like wings emerged, stretching out into the space of the command center.
"How are we going to get there?" Neptune questioned as Fighter and Uranus shared a look.
"We fly, of course." Fighter shrugged nonchalantly.
"Just like that?" Neptune blinked as Fighter grew wings extending from the armor on the back of her fuku. Neptune took a second look as she tried to be discrete since she didn't think their uniform had a back.
"No, not just like that," Uranus smirked knowingly as she took the ocean Senshi's hand. "But you could try putting some effort in," she hummed as her own set of wings appeared in the same style as Sailor Moon.
"How—" Neptune started to ask as Uranus took her other free hand, teal eyes bearing deeply into her to silence her protest. Neptune nodded, her eyes closing to focus, a warmth feeling in her hands before extending to her whole torso.
"We're ready!" Uranus smiled as she turned to Sailor Moon's excitement that they were working together. "You can lead the way?" She asked Neptune knowingly.
The teal haired woman nodded before the others lifted off from the ground, quickly moving out of the command center and towards the sky. She wobbled on the path the others led for her, getting used to the movements of the breeze as she tried to balance them like the swaying of the ocean. Feeling a hand grip hers, she looked to see Uranus smiling before Sailor Moon peered out the other side, holding the tall blonde's free hand. Fighter collected Neptune's other hand, helping steady her, and Chibi Chibi swam over towards Sailor Moon. With the group tethered together, they began their journey.
A short moment later, Triton castle came into sight and a relieved sigh from Neptune that they would have a moment to regroup before their next move. "Something is going on at Charon Castle," a voice called through the communicator.
"What kind of activity, Luna?" Neptune asked, her brow raising curiously as she glanced to see if she could spot Pluto's castle on the vast horizon of space.
"I can't tell; whoever is there turned on the command center but is no longer responding—" The cat's voice stopped just as a flash blinked on the small spot on the horizon Neptune had sought.
"Luna?" She called on the communicator, a static silence on the other end.
"What is happening?" Uranus asked.
"I don't like this," Sailor Moon added before a shriek escaped her with the bright explosion that grew out of where Triton Castle once stood.
"They're attacking the outpost!" Neptune cried as her head swiveled to see Titan Castle, which they had passed moments ago, disappear in a similar flash of light. Neptune blinked rapidly as she tried to think of what to do next. Blue eyes flashed open as she rotated, looking for one more spot in the distance. She hadn't thought of that place in years but secretly hoped it was still there. A few more flashes could be seen in the distance as the others watched, only assuming that the other planets' fortresses were not spared.
Neptune remained silently focused, momentarily debating as she found the distant outpost. Then, when no flash emitted from there, she decided it was safe and started pulling the others along with her.
No words were spoken as they entered through the large door, all vigilant for something that could be waiting for them. As they made it to the center of the room, Neptune ran towards the giant computer, careful not to turn it on, instead looking at a small display on the side.
"She destroyed all the castles. I am afraid to turn on the communication system as it could alert her that we are here," Neptune explained. "This is a communication log while this castle has been offline. It looks like someone turned on the communication system at Pluto's palace, and the rest of them were suddenly destroyed."
"Why didn't she destroy this one?" Uranus asked as she looked at some of the decorations on the wall.
"Until today, we all thought the protector of this castle to be gone."
"Is this…?" Uranus asked, her memories floating back to the vision she had so long ago. "This is my castle, Miranda Castle."