"Mind the ground you stand on boys."

The Teacher's voice brokered no arguments. They had no idea what he meant, but if they could have, each of the boys would have made themselves lighter so as to no tread too heavily on this place.

"This is sacred ground. There is no more holy place on Earth than where you now stand."

For the first time since they had turned themselves over to him many months ago, the boys registered a note of something other than gruff command. There was a gentleness that may almost have been reverence.

"You have all heard of the first Shitennou; the mighty men who first gathered together to unite the warring kingdoms of Old Earth. It was their courage and valor that raised the Golden Kingdom we all live in, and ushered in an era of peace."

The Teacher's eyes were upon them again, and once again, the iron edge returned to his voice.

"You have all come here seeking to follow in their footsteps; to wield the power of Earth herself that you may defend and protect her. If you wish to do this, you must hear the full story."

A thousand years ago, Earth was divided into many kingdoms. There was perpetual fighting as each tried to invade and overcome its neighbors, all to satisfy the greed of petty rulers. They cared little for the lives of their subjects and their soldiers. Their only care was for the size of their kingdom and the splendor of their jewels.

Then came four men who decided that Earth could not go on like this. They believed that peace must prevail if the people were to prosper. They dreamt of a unified Earth; strong, proud, prosperous and at peace. They began negotiations to unite many of the smaller kingdoms, and improve the lot of those that were suffering under the heel of cruel tyrants. Slowly, they laid the seeds of an empire that was just and fair.

They were hailed as heroes by the people, beloved for their efforts on behalf of the downtrodden and oppressed. This, of course, made them enemies of the powerful. The last of the petty kings banded together and sought to destroy these men who dared to challenge their power. Many more battles were fought, bringing more suffering and more misery.

The four men decided that this could not continue. Peace must come to Earth. So they gathered at this spot and made the ultimate sacrifice. They spilled their own blood that no more should be shed. They gave their power over to Earth, that she might be sustained and protected. And so, the foundation of the Golden Kingdom was laid. The power of Earth sustains it, and empowers the King, and his chosen Shitennou to protect and preserve it. That power is wielded every generation by a new group of chosen men.

To history, these men left no name. Only titles that are passed on.

Zoisite.

Jadeite.

Nephrite.

Kunzite.

"Now you know why you are here. It is the legacy of these four men that you seek to inherit.

Mightier men than you have born these titles for a thousand years. Each has given their life in service to Earth. The same will be asked of you when the time comes. You must pass your powers on, for they do not belong to you. They belong to the Earth. They are only yours for the time you choose to serve her. When it is asked of you, you must pass on those powers to the next generation

Mind this spot well. For on this spot, you will train. You will bleed, you will suffer and you will be broken. And if you are fortunate, upon this spot, you will be made men."

"Stop where you are."

There was commandment in her voice, fire in her eyes, and iron in her stance. Sailor Mars was no ordinary opponent. Lesser men would have cowered before her. If he were still himself, Jadeite would have turned back.

But madness had long since taken him. Despair and rage had caused him to betray his vows, and doom the Earth. The ground he had learned to be sacred was now dead and empty. Today, he brought the same blackness to the Moon Kingdom. Death and destruction followed in his wake. The cities and the outer defenses were overcome. Only smoldering ruins remained. Now, he marched for the great palace itself. Metallia's madness drove him. Even the mighty Sailor Mars would not stop him.

"Out of my way, witch."

His insults do not move her. She is determined to stand her ground.

"You shall not pass."

Jadeite smirked.

"I've defeated all your pitiful armies. You really think you can stop me?"

If possible, her eyes hardened even more.

"This is hallowed ground you tread upon. Continue, and you will surely be destroyed."

He laughed maniacally.

"Metallia will be pleased if I deliver to her this sacred ground."

For a moment, something in her eyes softens.

"Traitor…" She says it so softly it is drowned by his laughter.

The weakness passes and she attacks.

Jadeite surveyed the empty remains of the old city of Tokyo. It was difficult to say if he had stood somewhere here a thousand years ago. The world had changed much since the days when he was a nameless boy seeking to inherit a title.

There were many sacred spots on Earth. In truth, to a Shitennou, there was no spot that was not sacred, for it was the Earth itself that gave him his powers. His return to India had helped him reconnect with some of that power. It had brought some comfort, but a deeper sense of guilt. He could feel once again the power of Earth. It pulsed as though it were a heartbeat.

Once upon a time, he had been responsible for stopping that heartbeat.

Now, everyday, he felt the painful reminder of what had befallen Earth since his betrayal.

"Come on, Jadeite, we're almost there."

Hino Rei was still a formidable woman, and Jadeite listened to her. He vaguely remembered the city layout. Something about the path they were walking was familiar. As the road sloped up, he remembered precisely where he was.

The road up Sendai Hill to the Hikawa Jinja was familiar, and it was a source shame that Jadeite had tried to forget. Here, he knew there was no hiding.

Still, he followed Rei up the stairs and to the gates of the shrine. They removed their shoes and proceeded inside.

"We'll be doing much more difficult meditation now. So I thought we'd come here to do it," she said as she knelt and opened the door to the small room that was once a second home for her; the Fire Room. Rei continued to maintain this link to her past even after the world had seemingly ended and no one remained to know that she still maintained this temple.

Jadeite hesitated at the door.

"What's wrong?"

"This place Rei… this is a holy place… and I…"

"You are welcome here."

It took a moment for him to register what she had said. Understanding his hesitation, she offered her hand and said it again.

"You are welcome here."

There was commandment in her voice, but softness in her eyes, and it drew Jadeite in.