It was hard to sit around in the living room. Ever since Setsuna announced Rini had died the atmosphere was so thick it was hard to breathe. Everyone in the room noticed that Setsuna had changed. The usual calm and composed Setsuna was sitting in front of the television smiling gently every so often. And that smile was like a never-ending eruption of laughter compared to everyone else. Haruka and Michiru sat together on a love seat with their eyes closed taking in the environment. Michiru's head was resting on Haruka's shoulder. Hotaru sat on the floor playing her laptop. It was clear that she was still depressed; however, she had taken to keeping herself completely occupied so she couldn't feel the pain of Rini's death.

Something was coming. It wasn't hard to tell. Maybe it was because of the increasing wind hitting the long purple curtain on the wide window in the room, or the sunlight hitting the glass table in front of the television making it look like a mini sun.

And then a blonde emerged before Hotaru. Her hair hung fully around her face with a crown of rainbow jewels laid in it; her dress strapless with a dip in her cleavage. The white dress hugged the woman's waist ever so slightly showing her petite figure. A rainbow sash was tied around her waist and the dress fell to the floor not showing her bare feet. But her eyes. Her eyes were startling blue filled with sadness and yet determination. It was clear who this was. It was Serenity. Astral Queen Serenity of the Crystal System.

Hotaru

The young teenager lifted her head to see the woman. It was glorious. And through her misery Hotaru could see the absolute beauty in the woman. She could see the salvation that she wanted to bring to everyone. Hotaru didn't know how but she knew that this woman had saved Rini from her horrible destiny of death. Hotaru wanted to be with this woman. She wanted to hug her, thank her, and grovel at her feet for saving Rini. But instead of either of those options she remained silent as always and continued to stare of the blonde before her.

"Hotaru. Sailor Saturn. Princess of the planet of destruction and rebirth it is time for you to remember your oath to your princess. Stand and come forth."

Setsuna

Setsuna was first scared to see this odd form of Serena standing in her living room, but what terrified her more was that she never did this with any of the other scouts. Everyone else just fell asleep and woke up on their own planet. Why? Why did Serenity choose to do this to Hotaru, unless she wasn't Serenity?

Nevertheless Hotaru stood and made her way toward the woman. It was clear in her eyes, Hotaru was completely entranced with the princess.

"Hotaru don't get any closer! Stop!" Setsuna wasn't sure if this was Princess Serenity or a youkai but either way she didn't want Hotaru near her. The silent teenager stopped at looked doubtfully at the princess and then to Setsuna. And as if no one heard her, woman outstretched her hand to Hotaru and the little girl moved to take it.

She had already lost Rini she wouldn't lose Hotaru too. Setsuna lunged and grabbed the dark haired girl by the waist dragging her back. Hotaru didn't say anything but she started to struggled, teeth and nails.

Haruka and Michiru

They were glad that Setsuna had realized how odd this situation was. They hadn't had their stupid "awakening" yet nor did they intend to but this was a dangerous situation. They stood watching Setsuna struggle with Hotaru, thinking about how to get rid of this mysterious woman.

And then the woman spread open her palms and created a hole, a black hole. It wasn't sucking everything around it in but it was aimed at Hotaru and Setsuna. It was dragging them in. Haruka and Michiru dashed in front of the black hole.

Haruka's voice was calm and commanding, "Stop it Hotaru. Stop fighting. This isn't safe."

"Sweetheart I know you lost Rini but she isn't in there. Please Stop." Michiru voice was gentler. And then Hotaru froze.

Hotaru

They were so wrong. It was hilarious how wrong they were. She didn't think Rini was in there. Rini was saved. Hotaru knew it was her duty as a sailor senshi to go into that hole but then she realized why Serenity was here and doing this. And in that split second of realization Haruka and Michiru were sucked in to the hole. And then everything was silent, the princess and the hole were gone. Haruka and Michiru were gone. Their screams still ricocheted off the walls.

Serena

The plan was perfect. She woke up. She knew that Haruka and Michiru would never remember their oaths on their own. They needed bait. And Hotaru served as that bait perfectly.

Instead of going back to sleep and finally resting Serena laid on her back staring at the ceiling. The sound of Rini's name struck a chord in her. What would happen to that child? There was no guarantee that she would be safe within Serena. And Serena knew that. And yet she tried her best to remain confident as she swung her legs off the side of the bed.

Darien

The sun was vibrant and the air light. Things have never turned out so well for Darien. He dumped that loser Serena, got to play with the whore Rei, and got rid of that annoying brat Rini. He had no ties, no connections to hold him down in the future. But he needed to secure that victory. The only way to do so would be to create an alliance with the only people… things that could defeat Sailor Cosmos, the youkai.

It was as if they heard his thoughts when two people approached him. Both looked like his co-workers but they were missing the beauty marks and freckles that his friends normally bore. Maybe these beasts chose to use their hosts on purpose to show Darien their intentions.

But that didn't matter he was so close to retaining his birthright. Earth.

Haruka

It was Uranus the planet of skies. It had to be the most organic looking planet of the solar system. There was grass everywhere. The tall buildings were littered in an urban style around the cities and everywhere there were windmills. It was convenient. The winds were the strongest of the entire system. They were strong enough to fuel the entire planet with electricity.

Haruka stood in a vast empty field consisting of acres of beautiful grass and a beautiful sky. There was a moment of confusion within Haruka before she remembered what Serena was trying to do. She needed to get out of this place. Haruka wasn't particularly loyal to Rei but she didn't want to be with Serena, who would let her own flesh and blood die.

In order to get back home Haruka knew the portal would be in the palace as it is on every planet. However she couldn't get there from where she was. She needed the Orb of aura. It was a rather simple sphere but it held the powers of the winds. Who ever had the orb could control and ride the winds as they pleased. Haruka was in the perfect place the Field of Immorality the largest field of the planet. The orb could only be found in the deepest ditch in the field. But the field was huge. Haruka stood and looked around making several 360s. She didn't know where to start. For the first time Haruka, the sailor soldier of wind was unsure of what to do.

It was then Haruka decided to walk around. Before she could even get her footing. A strong gust of wind came and slapped Haruka in the face slamming her to the ground. Normally I don't interfere with the trials of my friends and soldiers but I decided I wanted revenge. Yeah I don't like being slapped either. The voice was familiar. It was Serenity's. Haruka sat her face to the clouds. How could Serena be so powerful? She controlled the winds! The winds were Haruka's birthright!

The warrior stood and raised her hands in an attempt to use her powers to settle the winds but instead they slammed into her sides. They cut the skin on her legs slashing and whipping. And Haruka was pulled back and forth across the field. Winds tugged her moving in different directions choking her. It wasn't long before the shorthaired blonde fell to the ground unconscious. It was only then that the winds settled and eventually died.

Michiru

She woke up underwater. It was a long time since Michiru had been here on Neptune and the entire planet was engulfed in water… as usual. Everyone here was a natural swimmer. You had to be or else you would be dead. The cities were large but compressed in the planets core, meters and meters down into the water. Neptune was the planet of the deep with oceans covering the planets surface and going deeper than those on Mercury.

Michiru had to leave this place. It wasn't that she didn't love her planet. She wanted to stay on this planet is little while longer. She wanted to support Serena too. But Haruka wouldn't hear of it. The blonde was fed up with their princess's "selfishness." But Michiru didn't see it that way. Yes she was sad that she would no longer see the little pink haired girl. But Serena's choice was right and just and the best one of them all. Though Michiru knew this… understood this she still sided with Haruka. How could she leave the woman? The woman who had been with her when she awakened as a sailor senshi, when the end of the world was dawning on the scouts, and who died with her at the hands of Galaxia.

Michiru knew that despite all that she thought about Serena Haruka would not want her to stay and remember, and she instead focused her thoughts on returning home to Earth. But she couldn't return if she didn't have the Jar of Shui. And that would be on the very surface of the planet even old timers here couldn't make it to the surface

The aqua haired beauty exited the city through the only exit to the outer waters. She bent her body backwards in an o to summon her staff. But nothing happened. She tried over and over again but nothing would come! It was only after Michiru's back grew sore from the constant flexing that she would accept her powers were gone. But it dawned on her that without the staff of Neptune the oceans would not be tamed. The waters slammed into Michiru. Normally she could swim at least thirty minutes out but this was brutal. There was no sway with the water. It encircled her smacking her around she lost track of how many times her heard her neck crack. And soon she couldn't feel her limbs anymore. So Michiru closed her eyes submitting herself to the chaotic waves.

Serena

Serena was sitting down on the living room sofa watching tv, enjoying the summer light peeking through the windows. Seiya had his head gently laid on her lap with his eyes closed. Serena knew that he wasn't asleep but still combed his hair with her fingers as if he was.

There was a ringing sound at the door. It rang once. And then several more times; whoever was ringing wasn't waiting for the whole jingle to play out.

Seiya slowly raised his hand to stroke Serena's cheek, "I'll get it." With his long legs it didn't take Seiya very long to travel to the door. The doorframe creaked under the weight of the door as it opened. And in the door way stood Yaten.

"Hi Yaten! Come in." Serena stood up to greet the guest. As she made her way to the door to hug him, Seiya blocked her with his arm. Serena stared at the black haired man with confusion. Then she looked back at Yaten, he was missing a beauty mark under his left eye.

Haruka

It was cold and pitch black. Haruka opened her eyes in confusion. For one she was safe. But then again there were no pitch-black places on Uranus. She scanned the room in an attempt to gather her surroundings. Not getting much light. Haruka stood up and decided to ignore the pain on her ankles. It took a while of preparation before the light blonde could walk. But when she did she tripped and fell straight to her hands and knees.

And then she saw it. A white glint in the distance. It could have been close too. But Haruka couldn't tell. She couldn't tell the direction either. And there were no winds to guide her either. How would she manage? She needed help she couldn't do this by herself. The frustration of the moment took over and Haruka screamed at the top of her lungs. It was an ear splitting inhumane sound that erupted from Haruka shocking her into silence.

What was she doing? Didn't she deserve this? She deserved to be left in the dark with no one to guide her, because she did that to Serena. Serena was her princess, her leader by blood not just oath. She was supposed to be Serenity's pillar, source of power. She was supposed to be her guiding wind. Haruka stood up once more in an attempt to regain strength.

The senshi of wind only made it 5 feet before a crack in the dark prison appeared. And a gush of wind smacked Haruka sending her crashing to the ground. Just like she had smacked Serena. Haruka's hard and cold exterior finally broke completely and was reduced to crying on the ground.

In a futile attempt to recollect herself Haruka tried to stand again. But her ankles hurt so much, too much for her to stand. But she felt something underneath her. She slid her hand underneath and felt her finger touch something cold. She pulled it out from what seemed like a tiny hole in the ground.

It was too dark to see it but Haruka already knew what it was. It was the Orb of Aura. Her fingers wrapped around the tiny sphere and then a sky blue color shone. And Haruka was transformed into her sailor senshi outfit. And she ascended breaking through the dirt encasing her.

The people of Uranus turned their faces to the sky trying to get a glimpse of their princess. The winds obeyed Haruka's commands, yielding to her will. It wasn't long before the light blonde was gently placed in front of her castle. The color was of a dull grey bringing a dreary color to the area. The princess placed her hands on the doors and pushed but they would not budge. She looked around for an answer to her problem. And on the top of the doors were two blue orbs on each one. And on the arc was a hole about the same size as the orb of aura.

Haruka opened her hands dropping the sphere and watched as it fell to the ground. But then it stopped one inch before hitting the earth and then flew up and placed itself inside the hole. And the doors opened slowly.

Haruka stepped inside her home and a gold light covered her. When it dimmed down she was left in a foot length navy blue and white dress. She could see through the window in the grand hall that her planet had changed too. All the buildings were several shades of navy blue. And a gold trim wrapped around the edges, windows, and enclaves of the buildings. It was a beautiful sight. "Congratulations. You have remembered your oaths as a sailor senshi and a member of Princess Serenity's court. Your home is now apart of the crystal system and will be called Crystal Uranus. You are now to be called Astral Princess Haruka of Crystal Uranus."

Haruka turned around to face the glowing light in the corner of her eye and saw Astral Queen Serenity in front of her. Haruka immediately fell into a knee by her Queen's feet with her head bent down to the floor. "Please arise Haruka." And the princess listened to the commands. "The mark on your face will stay there for a couple of days. That was same amount of time my mark stayed on my face after you slapped me." Haruka began to speak on an apology to Serenity. "An apology is not needed, for I have already forgiven you. Besides I believe you have suffered enough. Like the other senshi that have remembered and the ones still yet to remember you will have permanent marks on your body to remember your oath. I am sure you have found yours' already. I pray this course of events will never happen again. Farewell." And with a spark of energy Serenity disappeared. Haruka stood in the center of the grand hall staring at the red and puffy marks on her ankles.

Serena

Seiya stepped in between the youkai and Serena, "Step back." Serena couldn't help wondering why it would come all the way here. Yes it was a youkai and they wanted to kill her. But what would one youkai accomplish?

"Please just hear me out!" The beast cried. But it was clear on Seiya face that the man didn't believe the creature. Seiya advanced toward the youkai with a metal pole in his hands. Where did he get that? Serena was astonished. She knew Seiya had grown stronger as a sailor star but she had never seen him in hand-to-hand combat as a regular human.

"I don't intend to hurt you!" Seiya hands rose ready to hit the creature that looked like Yaten. But something about this situation did not seem all right.

"Stop!" Serena was suddenly intercepting the blow intended for the youkai. The pole hit her on the shoulder and deafening cracking sound was heard through out the whole apartment.

"Serena!" Seiya dropped the pole instantly and flew to the unconscious woman lying on floor bleeding.

Seiya

He needed to get Serena to the hospital. But there was so much blood on the white carpet. He wasn't sure if it would be okay to shift her.

"I can help her." The youkai stood in the doorway with an expression of distress on his face. And then he knelt to the floor.

"Don't touch her!" Seiya could feel his heart rate speed more and more by the second. He was in an apartment with a youkai and a bleeding Serena.

"If you don't let me help her she will die!" Seiya weighed his options. If you let the youkai near her, it could save Serena's life. But it could also harm her. But if he sees Serena in distress he can easily hit the youkai while its back is to him.

"Fine. Go ahead." The youkai moved carefully to Serena and placed its hands on Serena's shoulder. Seiya noticed how it positioned itself so that Seiya could see everything it was doing.

Michiru

The startling bright light woke Michiru up from her slumber. Bright lights in the planet of the deep were unheard of. Michiru opened her eyes to realize that she was breathing in air. She made it to the surface.

But she remembered her classes as a princess in her prior life. Guests had to stay in the Neptune kingdom before swimming in the open because the water could be toxic. Michiru didn't feel anything was wrong with her so she continued to swim thoughtlessly through the ocean. The waters were a lot calmer on the surface it was a wonder that no one could come up there.

That was when she saw it. There was a whirlpool in the middle of the ocean. And in the middle was a jar. But what really concerned Michiru was the pull of the whirlpool dragging her to the center.

And she realized this is the telescope. The people of Neptune were fascinated with the universe being able to see the other planets. And there was an observatory in Neptune. The only thing was that because of some unknown pull, air sucked into the telescope was slam to the ground with tremendous force making noise that made it impossible to hear your peers speak. And now Michiru knew why. The telescope formed a whirlpool proportional to the planet. But wouldn't that mean if she were sucked in… If Michiru was dragged into that whirlpool she would be slammed on to the floor.

Michiru looked again at the Jar of Shui. It wouldn't matter if she was sucked in as long as she was able to attain the Jar. She could teleport into the palace without any pain. Without a second thought the blue haired princess lunged into what would seem to be her death.

It was like a merry-go-round. There was the pillar in the middle of the circle and Michiru was circling it not quite able to touch the center. The only difference was that there were no horses to ride, and that pillar in the center was the Jar.

Michiru let the waves swallow her. And as the center of the vortex came into arm's reach she lunged for the Jar of Shui. The instant her hands touched the Jar the water seemed to retaliate by wrapping around and cutting her wrists. But in the moment she ignored the pain and she strengthened her grip on the porcelain object, but nothing happened. It was too late and too far in for Michiru to save herself. And the whirlpool sucked her in.

Seiya

It was no longer than five minutes before Serena's eyes fluttered open. And a wave of relief washed over Seiya. Not minding the youkai before him, he dropped to his knees and hugged Serena to his chest.

"Seiya," That was all Serena said. And the Seiya realized how tightly he was hugging her and let go slowly. All the blood in the room had disappeared to Seiya's amazement.

"Why would you help us?" Seiya's attention focused on the youkai before him.

"My name is Suzuki and I have come to aid the sailor scouts in destroying Ataxia."

Serena sat up, 'who is Ataxia?"

"The youkai fell to one knee, "Serenity, it is a pleasure to finally meet you in person. In the future you become more than just a symbol of peace and unity. You yourself become serene in everyway. Meanwhile you could call Ataxia your polar opposite. She is chaos and destruction in its finest form. She harbors the happiness of multiple galaxies within her leaving each magnificent galaxy full of pure hatred. And the Milky Way is her next victim.

Darien

The man walked into the gold-lit chamber. In it he found a woman. Her dark sin shone like the sun and her black hair fell elegantly to the floor as she sat on her throne. But her eyes… They were unblinking black holes on her otherwise beautiful face. Her dress was constantly changing shape and color. She was a sight. "You must be Ataxia. It's an honor…"

The woman cut Darien off, "People usually bow in my presence, bow." Darien felt a pressure on his shoulders. He tried to fight back against it, but in the end he released a scream of pain before falling to both knees. "Now you may continue."

Darien hesitated thinking of a way to speak without insulting the woman, "I have come to assist you in the destruction of the sailor scouts and of this galaxy as we know it."

"I am happy to hear that, though I must question your motives." Ataxia smiled wide showing all her teeth.

"My father sold off my birthright, Earth, to the leader of the sailor scouts. If we destroy them and their home planets I can guarantee my birthright with be mine without the need of a power struggle." Darien felt queasy.

"Very well. I will allow you to join the youkai. All I wish to take is the happiness and joy of this galaxy; after that you can rule whatever is left. But you must understand I cannot trust you." Darien's head rose to make eye contact with the woman. And a shock of pain ran though his body like a hot knife through butter. He looked down at himself and saw his shirt torn and replaced by a bloody mark on his chest.

"You see you came for the opponents side. So if you disobey me or show loyalty to your old friends I will send that same shock to you but right above the heart, killing you. However, it will sadden me if I have to do that, so I hope you listen to my orders carefully."

But throughout Ataxia's monologue her smile never faded from her face. That face scared Darien to the bone. "Now the only thing I want you to do is dispose of Serenity's child."

Darien became flustered. "Rini?"

"No you imbecile! Natsume. I want Natsume out of the picture! Serenity will never awaken to her true form. Your deadline is anytime before I have to fight that woman."

Serena

"Then why are you here? How can you help?" Serena's curiosity was rising.

"Ataxia for reasons I have no time to explain wishes to attain the happiness of multiple galaxies. And she is fooling herself. She is not becoming any happier and she will only realize that when the last galaxy is sucked dry of all things good. You must find Natsume and I can help you do that." The youkai made a move to the couch.

"Who is Natsume?"

"He is your son and Rini's twin."

Serena was flabbergasted. Rini wouldn't be born again. She couldn't, could she? She will have not one but two children? And one of them will be Rini? Who was the father? "Wait, why should I believe you?"

Suzuki didn't look surprised that Serena said that. "You don't have to. But you can believe your lover here. I was informed that Natsume has visited him."

Serena swung her head to Seiya with a questioning gaze.

"He is telling the truth. Natsume spoke to me after you were attacked last month. He told me I was his father. But he didn't tell me you were his mother." Serena sat on her couch. She needed time to think, to comprehend everything.

But what exactly will finding him do?" Serena's voice was small.

"You need to establish the same connection between yourself and Natsume that you did between yourself and Rini. Once that is done you can awaken and take the throne as Astral Queen Serenity of the Crystal System."

Michiru

Michiru saw herself being pulled into that vortex with invincible strength. And then she blacked out. When she woke up tears immediately fell from her eyes. With the pain that she felt it was a wonder that she was still alive.

Even though the pain was excruciating Michiru attempted to roll to her side. And then the pain multiplied. She tried to diagnose herself. Nothing else really hurt except for her spine but it couldn't be broken. If it were broken she would definitely be dead. So a couple of vertebrae must have been misaligned.

Knowing this didn't help the situation much. Michiru still couldn't move anything but her arm and even then she wouldn't be able to fully extend it. Turning her head would be a bad idea too. The pain in her wrists returned. It seem like everything was impossible. Michiru began to close her hands into fists to see if they would move. But she was surprised to find out that she was still holding the Jar of Shui. But the lousy thing wouldn't work! Nothing was working! Just like no one would listen!

Michiru tried to many times to convince Haruka to move to Serena's side. And every time she was shut down. No one would agree or support Michiru so what could she do? If she were alone in that mentality then she would just have to stick with her friends. Right? Frustration over took Michiru and she slammed the Jar down on the floor. Well as much as her arm would allow her to, and the vase simply rolled on the ground in a semi circle and stopped by her head. It was touching her cheek.

Michiru knew the answer to that question. Of course it was not right. She was supposed to be the rational thinking of the duo. She would calm and advise Haruka and Haruka would somehow end up listening. She was meant to bring the strong-minded princess of Uranus to support the Princess of the moon. What's worse is that she knowingly failed to support Serenity, all because she didn't want to be alone.

Michiru started to cry. Her beautiful face became distorted with tears and blood. However she never noticed that her tears were rolling to just one side of her face. And the watery droplets fell into the Jar of Shui one by one. And then there was a glow that blanketed Michiru like a shroud. And the observatory walls seemed to disappear as water surrounded Michiru and guided her to the palace.

The water was gentle like a new memory foam bed. She wasn't sure was exactly what was going on but she could feel the pain in her spine ease. It was as if the water was healing her. Well it was healing everything except her wrists.

It wasn't long before the water burst opens the gates to make Michiru's magnificent entrance back to her city. And she was soon washed up on the sand in front of her palace. Michiru slowed stood up and placed the Jar of Shui on its pedestal by the door to the palace. And she walked into her home. This whole time she was glowing. But when it dimmed the planet was a nice shade of sea blue and Michiru was in a boat neck sea-green dress with a cape. She looked like someone going to an orchestra.

"Congratulations Michiru on the reestablishment of your oath. Unlike the other Sailor Scouts you remembered your oath but you forgot its importance. That is why you will keep those scars on your wrists. Just like your hands, it is important to have and follow the oath for the role as a sailor senshi. This planet is now to be called Crystal Neptune. And you are now titled Astral Princess Michiru of Crystal Neptune."

Closing POV

Setsuna and Hotaru spent hours just sitting in their living room staring at the table in the middle of the room. And then the dark hole opened and out dropped Haruka. There was no hesitation of run up to the blonde and hug her tightly.

It was while the trio was hugging Michiru herself fell out of a dark hole. It took an hour for each of the two to tell their story when a realization dawned on them. Hotaru was the last sailor senshi to recognize their oath, well besides Rei.