(A/N This is a little flashback chapter with the events that set all of this off from Mamoru's mindset. This and the following few chapters will fill in his activity over the last 25 years to build up to what we witnessed in the prologue.)
~*~*~
Mamoru sat in the room, the curtain pulled tightly closed, and the box on the table laid open. The reading lamp in the corner was characteristically dim, seemingly casting all of its shine on the contents exposed as he examined them one more time.
The few books on the table beside him were haphazardly flipped to random places, all pieces of the puzzle he was trying to piece back together. Bringing someone back from beyond was taboo; much of what he knew had to be dug out from reliable sources. He had committed years of research since his knights became trapped in the gemstones.
But recently, he added a new player to the mix, the Silver Crystal. He tried hard to recall every detail of how his star seed was returned, hoping to recreate the magic to help his friends. He replayed the memory in his mind once more, watching the characters take their place like a video in reverse.
That day, he had opened his eyes in confusion in a never-ending space. Nothing around him save for the small red-haired child. As he searched the nothingness around them, the child remained silent, and his mind took a moment to process his last memory on a plane. He remembered the pain of leaving Usagi behind in Japan as he traveled. With the bright light and the danger he sensed, he transformed without considering the other passengers' exposure. After all, they were in a prone position many miles above the land. He met the golden warrior on the plane's wing as she beckoned him, and he answered the unknown challenger.
And then, nothing. He tried to search his memory further, but a tug on his sleeve interrupted him as the small child implored him to follow. Limited on the time to figure out what happened, his instincts kicked in that Sailor Moon was in danger. Without question, he followed her as she led him to where Usagi lay, tears streaming down her cheeks.
He listened as she complained of her loneliness as they stood around her, the complaints wailing over all her loyal friends' encouragement that she was their savior. As soon as she saw him, she leaped into his arms, begging for reassurance. He had not put together the events then, only focusing on comforting her.
Royal blue orbs peaked under his lashes, the gems catching the light in the drab room. He knew better now. She had let all of them die, killed as they tried to protect her. Usagi was too emotional to explain anything that day, her form exhausted from what it had gone through. Or maybe her typical laziness was taking full effect now that everyone was encouraging her to rest.
As he watched over her, the rest of the story was filled in piece by piece, a little bit from everyone, the final battle told by the aliens from the other system that had to step in to protect her. Even when it came to saving them, saving herself, she refused to fight where there were no other Sailor Guardians left.
A part of him wondered what kind of friendship she had with the alien that donned a disguise that eerily resembled him. The goodbye he witnessed was painful enough. He knew she had a soft heart, but the scales are slightly tipped when you have been bestowed the power of the universe and refuse to use it. That sin fell between nativity and weakness, and the enemies seemed to know as they came here looking for her. Usagi held the crystal by birthright alone. A smirk fell on his lips as he thought it was wise that they targeted the silver crystal's strongest protectors first.
They tried to return to everyday life after that, after Galaxia. Even when those aliens returned, their mere presence kept Usagi in her high school mindset and not on becoming a ruler. Yet he remained loyal, not letting jealousy get the better of him. He had a destiny with her, with his kingdom to bring it to its full glory. And he played that part perfectly, waiting for the day he would become king.
Shaking his head as if suddenly remembering what he entered the room for, he quickly marked a few of the books before replacing them on the shelf. The situation at the command center seemed dire and he was unsure if he would be having company afterwards. It was best to have his tracks covered just in case. Rei was the one who called to tell him what had happened. At least she thought of him as part of the team. He slid the stone back into the decorated box before slipping out the door. The command center was near his apartment, and as his foot reached the last step, he could hear the cries.
Passing through the threshold, he looked around to find Usagi with her face buried in her knees and Makoto rubbing her back. He was shocked to see the aliens missing since they often joined these battles lately, but he started to go to Usagi. It was clear that the young blonde was upset, but the relentless scream echoing from behind him chilled his blood. The others flinched as they waited for it to die, none offering any explanation, so he searched for it himself.
Inside the medical bay was quite the scene, and after spotting the two injured senshi, he could guess why the starlights were absent. But his medical instincts took over in moments as he saddled beside Ami.
"I don't understand," the blue haired woman shuddered as she focused on the patient before her. Michiru's entire midsection lay bare, and he might have been embarrassed if it wasn't covered in a thick black film. Ami lowered the scalpel to the odd wound, his eyes fluttering over the suture kit she had ready, and he pieced that she was trying to clean the wound to close it. As the blue haired doctor cut away at the tarred flesh, for every piece she removed, two more took its place. He stared in wonderment as her entire torso became engulfed. Realizing Ami's task was a lost cause, he turned to see Haruka in a bed next to the teal haired woman, holding her hand in an attempt to provide comfort.
"Ami, hand me that piece you just removed," he gestured to the tweezers. "If I can identify it, we can find a way to fix it." Ami nodded, handing the piece over before Mamoru quickly strode to the lab.
Sliding it under the microscope, he released a gasp when the opaque skin moved. Under the scope, he could see it was growing, the small piece doubling since it was removed. He scratched his chin as he looked around the room, finally finding what he needed. He grasped a cotton ball with long pliers, slowly brushing the skin with the fluffy material. The skin reacted slightly but did not do anything but move as it examined the different fibers. Satisfied, he decided to test the next part of his theory. He grasped the cotton ball with his exposed fingers, concentrating his healing energy on the tips, the glow moving into the ball. Slowly, he held the same ball near the black flesh as the same vibration happened where it seemed to check the new material. Enticed by the light, the black moved from the skin to the cotton ball.
"So it is alive," he muttered. "It just wants to heal," he shook his head as he moved back to the hospital bay, "The black stuff, it—"
"It's killed Michiru!" Haruka growled as she held tightly to the dark form that was once the Senshi of the seas. Mamoru was speechless as the dark matter flashed before it faded away completely. "It's not fair!" Haruka cried, pushing away Setsuna's attempt to calm her as she stared at the hand that held her partner.
"Haruka, please calm down," Setsuna pleaded as she gave Mamoru a apologetic look. Not only was she sorry how the blonde's anger attacked him, she was sorry that Haruka had to witness the fate that awaited her. A fate that he could prevent if she would only listen, but as the stubborn woman continued to push off her friends, he sat back down with Usagi.
What seemed like hours passed as Haruka finally looked at her wound, seeing that the black mark had also grown on her skin. Mamoru blinked, finally realizing the blonde was injured by whatever attacked Michiru.
"Haruka, I think we can remove it," he explained. "I think my healing power can—"
"You couldn't help her," the blonde stopped him in a softer tone. "You saw what happened when Ami tried to help, and it just made it move faster."
"Yes, but she was cutting it. I think we can heal it."
"Help those bloody aliens?" Haruka scoffed. Mamoru lowered his head, realizing how crazy his idea sounded.
"I can heal you!" Hotaru offered.
"Yes, let us try," Usagi said as she entered the room. He held back the eye roll as the blonde softly refused the assistance, telling them to save their strength. Not the same bite in her remark that was directed at him. He watched with interest as Haruka whispered something to Setsuna, and the green haired woman cut a piece of the skin away and placed it in an alcohol vile to preserve it.
Curiosity growing in him, he returned to the lab to check on the sample he held. The dark mark had moved almost entirely onto the swab, leaving the piece of porcelain skin that undoubtedly was Michiru's untouched in the container. Rubbing his hand over his chin, he considered what this meant. Deciding to push his solution again, he turned to the bedside, only to hear the sobs before seeing that Haruka had finally succumbed. He lowered his eyes as the others leaned on each other for comfort after losing two of their own.
"You did what you could," he offered Ami as he took in her sullen features and made a note to talk with her about his recommendation for medical school. "Are you alright, Usako?" He asked as he turned to the petite blonde.
"I don't understand," she sobbed.
"Shhh, I know." He rubbed her back. "I can take you home and rest."
"I'm going to stay here with the others a little longer," she added with a head shake. "I think we'll be able to help each other more here."
"Alright then," he sighed. "Let me know if you need anything," he added as she hugged him tightly. Walking towards the exit, his eyes swept back at the girls as they hugged before his sight landed on the laboratory door. Stepping in, he placed a lid on the dish that held the little alien flesh, tucking it under his coat before returning to the apartment.
~*~*~
His hand cradled his head as the sweat dried from his skin. His dream was intense, to say the least, shocking him awake. One would think he's gotten used to the dreams of the Moon Princess of the previous millennia beckoning him, but this time was different. He wasn't confused by the sad, pleading look on the young woman's face. He recalled a distant memory that was just as baffling to him.
The first time he saw the small blonde girl, she had appeared in his garden in the palace. He sensed something was out of place. His search briefed with the moon drawing him to her hiding spot; the moonlight seemed to spotlight her form. Pulling him closer, the soft light cast around her like a gentle embrace. It wasn't just her beauty that captured him that night; he also had a vision that he could strengthen his kingdom with her.
One of the palace mages did not trust the small arrival. Beryl has warned of a prophecy of reaching too far for power, but Endymion saw no harm in the appearance. Her beauty captured him; the more she learned, the more he saw their future together. He would make their kingdoms even more extraordinary, bringing innovations to improve citizens' lives. The tiny blonde not only stole his heart, but she was not the bearer of what he envisioned. Her love brought the end of both of their kingdoms.
He shuttered once more as he thought of the death and destruction that had engulfed him in his dream. Heading for the shower to wash those thoughts away, he undoubtedly will need a clear head to see what state Usagi and the others were in today. Looking to improve his chances, he stopped for some quiches on his way to the arcade.
"What happens now?" Makoto asked as she bit into one of the welcomed snacks. They were all on edge through the night, and Mamoru's unexpected gift gave the invite to break and finally eat something. The opportunity to talk about what happened hung thick in the air.
"We continue to protect Usagi, to protect this planet. The birth of Crystal Tokyo is not far off," Minako firmly answered, locking eyes with Mamoru at the mention of their future kingdom.
"That's not what I meant," Makoto relented, her voice uncharacteristically low. He concluded that the evening bartered much thought about duty and the price they may need to pay.
"Of course not," Setsuna softly called as all the girls turned to look into the knowing garnet eyes. "With their loyalty, all Senshi's are promised rebirth."
"True, but should we be worried about when?" Ami pondered, her cheeks burning a little when the garnet stare focused on her at the mention of time. "Well, we all have been brought back. More than once," Ami added firmly. Mamoru watched the exchange, unsure if the Guardian of Time knew how the fight with the Dark Kingdom played out. He thought about it every day. "Those times we were brought back seemingly instantaneous, at least from our perspective."
"True, we never had someone waiting here for us," Rei pondered as she began to understand the blue haired genius' question. "After the fall of the Silver Millennium, it was a long time before we were reborn."
"Will we have to wait a thousand years for Haruka and Michiru to return to us?" Usagi whimpered as Mamoru flinched at her outward show of fear to be without them.
"If that is what fate has in store for them," Setsuna nodded, her head lowering before she could finish the sentence. She grimaced as she saw the tears welling up in the blonde's eyes. "But there are ways to know when they arrived," she quickly covered as the petite blonde nodded. Usagi stood, moving to a small table by the command console. Mamoru only now noticed what lay on the table. The space sword and the deep aqua mirror tangled almost as if they were comforting each other. She looked at the objects before her eyes drifted upwards. "Until we meet again," she whispered, although everyone caught it. With her words, the items faded away, ready to rest until their owners returned.