Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Stars: Chaos Theory
Act 22: Borrowed Time
By: Sora Kazeno
Her second week on Kinmoku was almost over. Usagi was supposed to train almost every day but recently it seemed to take her longer and longer to recover from the use of her powers each time. Her hand to hand combat was delayed two days due to this issue. Princess Kakyuu assured everyone that it can be difficult to heal one's own wound and the extra time was necessary.
Usagi was dressed in a simple skirt and tank top. Everyone else was dressed similarly. Seiya, Taiki and Yaten stood to the side and talked three other girls. Usagi recognized Shiori right away. There were two girls next to her with olive hair and periwinkle hair. She assumed they were the other two senshi she had seen the first day she arrived.
It was the first time she had seen Galaxia not wearing her fuku since Usagi originally freed her from Chaos. She stood before then with her long hair tied back in a ponytail. "It is time for us to begin."
At the sound of her voice everyone walked over to Galaxia. "While I am out of uniform please call me Hikaru," she told Usagi. Usagi smiled at her name. It only seemed fitting since her starseed had been referred to the Light of Hope. "There may be times when you cannot always rely on your abilities as a senshi. For instance what if you are in a situation where you do not have your transformation item?"
Usagi thought back to a few times here brooch had been knocked away and all she could do was try to rush toward it while someone else distracted the youma. It wasn't until she began individualized training that she realized how much she relied on the others in battle.
"I would like everyone to be paired off in partners. Seiya-kun with Shiori-chan, Taiki-kun with Yuna-chan and Yaten-kun with Sakura-chan," said Hikaru to everyone. The olive haired girl, Yuna walked over to stand by Taiki while the periwinkle haired girl, Sakura stood by Yaten. Shiori smirked as she walked over to Seiya. Usagi remained in the same spot and waited for instructions. Once every one was settled Hikaru continued, "I will be working with Usagi-chan. I know the rest of you have practiced hand to hand combat before. You may begin."
Yaten sighed. He wasn't sure why he needed to do this. Yuna quickly threw her punched and nearly hit Yaten in the face since he wasn't paying attention. The move caught his attention and he began to take the training more seriously.
Sakura tried to catch Taiki off balance but he easily jumped over the leg sweep. As Sakura got up she was met with his fist.
Shiori had a different approach as she circled Seiya. She threw her first punch but she didn't put as much force behind it as she could have. Seiya caught on right away. "You shouldn't hold back so much," he instructed her. "Your opponents in a real battle won't."
"But you'll never be a real opponent so I can't take you seriously," retorted Shiori as she put her fists down. She had a better idea than to fight at the moment. She was better at psychological warfare than fighting with her fists.
Seiya shook his head at her statement, "you always have to take your opponent serious, no matter whom it is. Otherwise you'll be hurt."
Shiori arched an eyebrow in confusion by his words, "you would never fight her seriously," she said as she gestured with her head in Usagi's direction.
Seiya smirked at her callous attitude, "that already happened. It wasn't easy."
Shiori's face fell and her lips parted slightly as she tried to process this new information. A noise caused her to turn toward Sakura and Taiki.
Taiki had pinned Sakura and now helped her to her feet. Sakura looked annoyed that she lost again.
Yaten on the other hand glared at Yuna. It was clear by his facial reactions that Yuna had been the victor.
"I hope you watched some of their fighting styles and techniques since it is your turn next," Hikaru said as she moved her position to be standing directly across from Usagi. "I want you to try and punch me. Aim for my two raised fists."
Usagi gulped and raised her own hands. She took a few steps forward and tried to swing but tripped and landed on the ground. She shouted out in surprised when she hit the pavement.
The loud noise caused the others to stop and turn to look at their training session.
Hikaru stared at the princess on the ground, "you can't be that clumsy," she said as she took a few steps forward to help Usagi back to her feet.
Yaten tried to hide his laughter as he said, "it's just like the softball game."
"Okay," Hikaru said once Usagi was back on her feet, "let's try this again." She raised her hands and waited for Usagi to strike again.
Usagi mentally prepared herself and told herself she was not going to trip this time. She didn't have to walk too far and she could accomplish such an easy task. She has had to overcome tasks that were much more difficult in the past. Usagi walked forward and once again managed to trip on her own feet. She crumpled to the ground.
Hikaru stood there speechless.
No one else made a sound.
Hikaru began to laugh and within seconds everyone else joined her.
"It's not that funny!" Usagi shouted as she began to stand up. She scrapped her knee slightly when she fell the second time but she ignored it. She furrowed her brow at everyone and told them to stop several times.
Hikaru shook her head, "I think we will go with plan b after all. I don't think you are ready for hand to hand combat yet. Everyone transform instead."
"I understand your confusion, Mamoru-san," said Setsuna as she placed a hot cup of green tea in front of him. "To be completely honest with you I also expected a time paradox. I've come to a few conclusions that I will simplify. Either the Small Lady that we knew traveled from a different time line, one that is parallel to or own or Sailor Cosmos wishes for this current course to remain which would leave the past events unchanged but the future unwritten. If the future is unwritten I still wonder if Crystal Tokyo is possible in some shape or form." Setsuna hesitated as she contemplated this thought, "but as it stands right now, a drastic change would have to happen in order for Crystal Tokyo to even see the light of day." She looked Mamoru directly in the eyes as a signal he would have to find a way to change Usagi's mind. It was up to him what the future would be.
Mamoru sat silently while he listened to Setsuna's words. An idea struck him, "is there a way … to prevent Sailor Cosmos from awakening?" If Usagi never awakened as Sailor Cosmos he would never be in this predicament. Everything would go back to the ways things were before.
Setsuna frowned and shook her head, "I'm sorry Mamoru-san but that is beyond my power. Too much has happened to try to alter."
Mamoru looked at her confused, "but how can Sailor Cosmos control the direction of time and you can't, even though you are the guardian of time?"
"I wish it was that easy," said Setsuna as she took for a sip from her own tea cup. "Sailor Cosmos' abilities far exceed my own… however, she hasn't learned how to use her abilities yet." She placed the tea cup back on the table. "I'm not sure if it something I can teach her."
"Why not?" Asked Haruka as she looked over at Setsuna in confusion. She didn't understand her remarks.
"Her powers are more advanced. When she first awakened, she immediately traveled to the future in a blink of an eye. I traveled by entering the time streams. I was too late to try to help Crystal Tokyo. I cannot properly teach her something that I cannot do myself," explained Setsuna as she recalled the events of that day.
"It is unfortunate," said Michiru as she spoke up for the first time since everyone sat down. "I wish there was some way we could fix things." Michiru got up from her seat and walked over to her mirror on the counter. She picked up the mirror and was disappointed when she saw her reflection. "I keep hoping to see an image of the Princess returning to Earth but all I see is nothing." She placed the mirror on the counter again. "There has to be a way to set everything back on track to how things were before Chaos re-emerged. I refuse to believe otherwise."
"As soon as Usako returns to Earth I have to talk to her," Mamoru said in a determined voice. "I won't give up on the future we seen."
"Ultimately it is up to the Princess," said Setsuna as she tried to emphasize where the change had to be made.
"I wish there was a way I could change a few things I have done in the past. I can't help but feel part of that was exaggerated by Chaos," Mamoru said as he rubbed his temples. After a minutes he added, "I'm going to do everything I can to win her back."
"It's about damn time," Haruka said without missing a beat.
Sailor Cosmos looked at the seven senshi before her. She had a hard time blocking four in the past and doubted she would fare much better with seven. "I don't know if I can block everyone at once," she said as she continued to look at the other senshi near her.
Sailor Galaxia shook her head back and forth, "you have to be able to block all of us or you will get hurt like last time." Sailor Galaxia looked away from her while an idea came to her. She quickly turned to face her again and attacked with a low energy attack.
Sailor Cosmos reacted on instinct and dodged the attack effortlessly to the side. Her eyes narrowed at Sailor Galaxia for her attack.
Sailor Galaxia smiled at Sailor Cosmos before she spoke, "I see you have been paying attention," she commended her. "This time I won't go easy on you." Sailor Galaxia raised her left hand and a ball of energy began to form. She gestured to the other six senshi with her head to prepare their own attacks.
Sailor Cosmos watched Sailor Galaxia and the others carefully. She placed her staff in front of her. She knew she couldn't dodge all of their attacks which meant she had to block them all at once.
Sailor Galaxia attacked and within seconds the other senshi followed suit.
The energy quickly flew towards her. She could hear words form in her head for a new move she can use to defend herself, "Brilliant Barricade!" Sailor Cosmos exclaimed as blinding white light jetted out from her staff and created a wall around herself to prevent any of the attacks from reaching her. She felt like she could do more. She pushed herself and took a few steps forward into the attack. She raised her staff slightly and swung it down. The barrier pushed itself outward toward the other senshi and reflected their attacks back to them.
The senshi scrambled to dodge the onslaught of energy and were lucky to receive only a few scrapes and bruises. The back wall of the training area was not as fortunate as a top corner of it was now missing.
Sailor Cosmos breathed heavily after the use of her energy. The Starlights and the Stars looked back and forward between the damaged wall and Sailor Cosmos.
"I knew you were strong enough," said Sailor Galaxia as she congratulated her on her progress.
Sailor Cosmos began to feel dizzy and everything spun around her. She dropped her staff and fell to the ground face forward into the pavement. She was unconscious.
After Sailor Cosmos collapsed she reverted back to Usagi and was taken to her room to rest. Princess Kakyuu watched over her personally while she waited for the doctor to examine her. She remained in the next room with the Three Lights. "I don't understand," she said softly to the others. "I thought she was tired due to adjusting to her powers but it has been two and a half weeks. It has never taken anyone this long. I'm beginning to believe her lack of energy is not due to using her powers and her training."
Yaten looked over at Seiya and gave him a smug luck.
Seiya caught on immediately and said, "I have nothing to do with it," he said as he tried not to blush at what Yaten had insinuated.
Their conversation was interrupted as the doctor walked out of the other room. "From what I can tell she is fine and it is a case of fatigue," he said as he furrowed his brow.
"Could it have to do with her anatomy and being from a different planet?" Asked Taiki as he tried to be scientific about the turn of events.
"No. Those from Earth have a similar make up as those from Kinmoku and vice versa. In fact, they are nearly identical. This is why Princess Kakyuu went to Earth last year, to heal and she knew it would be safe," explained the doctor to Taiki. "When I return to my office I will do some research to see if there is another cause but until then have her rest for the remainder of the day until her energy returns. She should wait at least two days before she tries to resume any kind of physical activity."
"Thank you," said Princess Kakyuu as she smiled warmly at him. She then turned to Seiya, "please stay with her until she wakes up."
Usagi blinked a few times as she tried to focus his eyes. Everything was blurry for a few moments until she completely woke up. The sun's rays were low in the sky which meant it was the beginning of a new day. She felt refreshed and full of energy. But she wondered how she ended up here. The last thing she remembered was training with the others. A noise made her look in the corner. She noticed Seiya sound asleep in a chair by the bed. She smiled at him. She knew he must have stayed with her all night. She slowly tried to crawl out of bed to walk him up. Her plan failed miserably when her foot became caught on the sheets and tripped which caused a loud thud sound.
Seiya bolted upright at the loud sound and jumped to his feet. His shoulder slumped slightly when he saw Usagi tangled up in the bedding. "…Odango…" he said as he lowered himself to the ground to help her free herself from her new nemesis. After a moment he realized he had no idea how she mangled to wrap herself in the sheets to the point of forming a knot. He laughed at the scene before him. It was something he needed to reduce the worry he felt about her yesterday. Her turned serious when he said, "you scared me yesterday Odango when you collapsed."
With the help of Seiya, Usagi was finally free from the tangled mess. "I don't really remember what happened. I blocked everyone's attack and then I felt dizzy and everything went black."
"The doctor thinks it is fatigue. How are you feeling?"
"Okay… but I'm really hungry," Usagi said with a hopeful look in her eyes.
"Well, I should let you change and I'll do the same. Then we'll look for something to eat?"
"Deal!" Usagi shouted as she jumped up. She ran off into the bathroom.
Seiya raised an eyebrow. All he had to do to energize her was discuss food?
Seiya looked down at his watch and realized it was the time breakfast was normally served. The small dining room was a few feet away when they heard someone call out to them.
"Usagi-san!" Exclaimed Princess Kakyuu from a short distance ahead of them. She turned the corner and noticed the duo. She rushed over to them. "Are you okay?"
"Yes," said Usagi as she tried her best to reassure the Princess. "I feel full of energy this morning."
"That is wonderful news. Come, let us eat. I'm sure you're hungry," Princess Kakyuu said as she guided her inside.
Usagi began to drool as soon as she began to smell food. As soon as food was placed in front of her she began to devour the food. Princess Kakyuu and Seiya watched in awe for a moment at how quickly she could eat so much.
After everyone watched her inhale her first plate of food they began to eat their food. Some were afraid Usagi would try to start eating their own food.
Once Seiya was done he quickly excused himself and told everyone he would be right back.
A few minutes later two more entered the room. "You've recovered quickly," said Yaten as he sat down with Taiki.
"Good morning," Taiki greeted the others.
More voices were heard as they approached the dining area. It was difficult to understand what was said but the tones were angered.
Yaten sighed as he heard their voices again, "I didn't miss this on Earth…" he said to Taiki as two of the three members of Three Stars entered. It was common for two of them to argue.
Sakura and Yuna entered the room and sat down quietly as the arguing grew louder behind them. Sakura shrugged her shoulders as if to say they were at it again.
"Hey! I was talking to you!" Shiori yelled at Seiya as she followed him into the room.
"Shiori-chan knock it off," said Seiya as he sat down next to Usagi again.
Shiori noticed Princess Kakyuu for the first time and immediately bowed her head, "I'm sorry Princess." She sat down by Yuna and Sakura without another word.
Everyone sat quickly while an attendant brought out more food for them to eat.
Princess Kakyuu looked over at Shiori and thought back to when she was first chosen as a senshi. There were many doubts because of her personality but Princess Kakyuu saw something in her that she knew would help her become an excellent senshi one day.
Usagi continued to inhale the food placed in front of her. Seiya laughed as she continued to eat.
Yuna, Sakura and Shiori stared at Usagi in awe over the amount of food she was able to consume in such a short period of time.
After breakfast Seiya took Usagi to his room so they could talk privately. "Odango, I'm really worried about you."
"I'm fine," she said with a bright smile. "This isn't the first time I collapsed after using my powers."
"What do you mean?"
"When I first awakened as Sailor Moon I fought Queen Beryl. She was the same person that destroyed the Silver Millennium."
"You mean the one that returned recently?"
"Yes. When I first faught with the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou it left me very weak several times. After a while my body became used to the crystal and since then I've relied on it countless times in battle."
"So tell me what it was like when you first learned you were a senshi."
"Well, Luna showed up in my house and told me I was a sailor senshi. I kind of freaked out since a cat was talking to me. She gave me my brooch and I transformed. I went to my first battle and didn't have a clue what I was doing. Luckily Tuxedo Kamen helped me or I would have been a goner. After a little while I met the other girls Ami-chan then Rei-chan. The three of us worked together for a while until Mako-chan came along. Then Queen Beryl began to search for the Rainbow Crystals. The seven fragments of the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou. Once all of the crystals were found Queen Beryl's generals tried to gather them together. They had five crystals and Tuxedo Kamen had two. Kunzite and Zoisite trapped us and Sailor Venus rescued us. Zoisite challenged Tuxedo Kamen for all the crystals. I ran into Mamo-chan in the street and saw he was injured. I followed him and was caught in Zoisite's trap. I had to transform into Sailor Moon to save us. I then learned that Mamo-chan was Tuxedo Kamen. He protected me from an attack and nearly died…" Usagi's paused as she recalled the events of the day. "I was really upset and cried. My tears caused the Rainbow Crystals to reunite into the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou. It was then I learned that I was Princess Serenity and he was Prince Endymion. I received some of my memories back from my past life. He was captured and turned against us. Eventually during the final battle led us to the ruins of the Silver millennium. We witnessed the final battle and how my mother, Queen Serenity stopped Queen Beryl. It led us to being reborn on Earth a millennium later. I watched all of the senshi die to protect me. I had to fight against Endymion again. When I finally had him back… his injuries were too much and he died." Usagi paused again as she thought about the heartbreak she felt. "… then I became Princess Serenity and defeated Queen Beryl with the help of everyone else. It was like the last battle you were a part of against her."
Seiya sat stunned in silence based on the story he had just heard. He had never heard her story of how she became a senshi. After the shock wore off he placed his arm around her shoulders to comfort her.
"Sometimes it is hard to think about all that. Even after we fault Queen Beryl we then had to fight against Makaiju, Dark Moon, Fiore, Pharaoh 90, Princess Snow Kaguya, Dead Moon, Queen Badiane, Sailor Galaxia, Queen Beryl and Chaos again."
Seiya held Usagi closer to him as she rattled off several villains.
"Some of the battle where really difficult… I was lucky many times… I died so many times…" Usagi said as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Seiya hugged her close to him as she cried into his chest. As he held her he thought about the two times he had seen her die. He never wanted to experience that emptiness again as he tried to push those thoughts to the back of his mind. He was going to protect her. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you Odango," he said softly. He kissed her on the forehead.
Rei sat in front of the Great Fire as she tried to understand the recent turn of events. She had tried everyday since Usagi left for a vision but each time she saw nothing. Until today.
She watched the ambers of the fire and asked for guidance. She closed her eyes and an image of Neo Queen Serenity appeared before her. Rei gasped at the sight. She focused on every detail she could but the image still appeared blurry to her. Neo Queen Serenity was walking somewhere in a large garden. She was in deep conversation with someone. She couldn't figure out whom the other person was. Their image was very blurry and it was impossible to determine the gender. She tried to listen to what was discussed but she couldn't understand the conversation. The voice was muffled. Neo Queen Serenity continued to walk ahead of her. Rei ran behind her to try to catch up.
Rei's eyes snapped open. She wiped sweat from her forehead as she thought about she had just witnessed. She looked down at the ground as she focused on her breathing. "What does it mean?" She asked out loud. "Why Neo Queen Serenity?" She hoped it was a sign related to Crystal Tokyo but who was she speaking with?
Sailor Cosmos stood before Sailor Galaxia once more after a few days rest. She feel refreshed and ready to take on whatever Galaxia had in store for her. She looked around the training area and noticed several targets. It was clear to her that Sailor Galaxia wanted to focus on offensive attacks today.
Seiya stood in the distance of the training grounds. Even though Usagi assured him she was fine; he continued to be very protective of her. He promised not to intervene unless something was wrong.
Sailor Galaxia had several poster boards with target circle on them set up in various locations. "I would like you to find a target and try to hit it in the center."
Sailor Cosmos nodded her head as she turned to the target to the left of her. All she had to do was use a fraction of her power and hit the target. She raised her staff and pointed it in the direction of the target. She took a deep breath and summoned her powers. A small white beam shot out of her staff and clipped the side of the target area.
"We will have to work on your aim," said Sailor Galaxia as she examined the target closely. "Accuracy is very important. In difficult situations it can mean the difference between life and death."
Sailor Galaxia had her try again and Sailor Cosmos was closer to the center of the target but still to the side of it. After the next try Sailor Cosmos finally hit part of the center of the circle.
Sailor Cosmos began to feel a little faint after she barely used her powers. She brushed it off. She told herself there was no way she could feel so faint after using a small fraction of her powers. She was breathing heavy and relied on her staff to keep her steady.
Sailor Galaxia directed her to another set of targets to her right. There were three close to each other. "Try to see how many you can hit at once."
Seiya watched Sailor Cosmos closely. Something seemed off. He began to take a few steps forward.
Sailor Cosmos nodded her head and pointed her staff at the center object. She was going to try to split the energy beam three ways for each target. She knew it would be difficult but it was something she had to master. She tried the first attempt and nicked the center target and the one to the right. She was only able to summon two beams.
"Try again," directed Sailor Galaxia as she watched Sailor Cosmos struggle with the training exercise.
Sailor Cosmos still feel a little faint but she knew she could handle this. Whatever it was seemed to fade with time. She cast aside the warnings her body gave her and tried again. She was able to hit both targets but still lacked the ability to produce a third beam on the last target.
"You're improving quickly," Sailor Galaxia commented her at her progress. "I'm sure if you try again you will succeed."
Sailor Cosmos began to feel more confident in her abilities and pushed herself harder. She raised her staff at the targets again and released three beams of white energy at the targets. The world around her spun in circles and she felt herself slip into darkness once more. Her staff was outstretched in her hand and quickly fell.
The sound terrified Seiya as he recalled what happened the last time she dropped her staff during a training session. He began to run toward her.
Sailor Cosmos crumpled to the ground. Her fuku faded and she reverted back to Usagi.
"Odango!" He screamed as he ran to her side. He couldn't go through this again. Something was seriously wrong. He couldn't understand why this continued to happen.
"I will find a doctor immediately!" said Sailor Galaxia as she ran toward the palace to find help.
Seiya looked around and realized no one else was around. He fumbled around her wrist for a pulse as he thought about the comment she had told him earlier, that she had died many times. He never learned how exactly she survived each time. He felt a little relieved when he found a pulse. It was weak.
Footsteps caused him to look up and he saw the same doctor that seen her a few days before and calmed it was fatigue. He bent down to exam her. He also checked her pulse and her heartbeat. He relaxed when he found each. "I don't know what happened yet, but can you take her to her quarters? I need to talk to my colleagues and inform Princess Kakyuu."
"You have to figure out what is wrong with her," said Seiya as he scooped up Usagi in his arms. He held her close to him as he carried her back to her room to rest. By the time Seiya arrived at her room Princess Kakyuu already stood there.
"I heard what happened…" said Princess Kakyuu as she looked over at Usagi as she hoped to see a sign as to what could be done to help her.
Seiya placed Usagi in her bed and collapsed in a chair in the corner near the bed. "What is going on?" Seiya asked his Princess.
Princess Kakyuu was taken aback by the emotions she saw in his eyes. He was terrified of what was wrong with Usagi. It was at that moment that she knew without a doubt Usagi had his heart. It was time for him to move on from being a Sailor Starlight so he could remain with her. "The doctors will do everything they can for her. I will be back in a little while. Please rest here." She gave a small smile and left.
Hours later the doctors still did not have any answers on Usagi's condition, they only had more questions. They ran several exams and each was negative. They were convince something was the root cause of her fatigue but were unable to determine the nature.
Minako looked at the calendar in her room and was amazed to realize Usagi had been gone for only a few weeks. It felt much longer to her. The last three weeks seemed to pass very slowly. The longer Usagi was gone the more concerned she became. Her doubts on whether Usagi would return increased with each passing day.
She looked out her window at the Moon. Her eyes naturally gravitated to another bright object in the sky. She looked at it closely and realized the star she examined was a really a planet. Her home. She smiled when she looked at Venus. She continued to stare at her former home as her thoughts drifted back to Usagi and the Starlights. She hoped they were safe and she would see them all again soon.
The sound of her telephone snapped her back to reality. She walked over to the telephone and picked it up, "hello?" She listened for a moment and immediately recognized Makoto's voice. She was checking in.
Mamoru was lost in his thoughts as he slowly walked down the street to his apartment.
A young woman with short black hair with a bun on top of her head walked by; she stopped to stare at him as he continued on his way. Her long formal black dress caused several onlookers to stare but this was all she had. She stood frozen when she realized the Prince of Earth had just walked past her. She spun on her heel and rushed forward to catch up to him. Once she was a few steps behind she called out his name, "Endymion!"
Hearing that name snapped Mamoru out of his thoughts. He turned around with a hand inside the breast pocket of his blazer pocket incase he needed a rose to buy him some time. A young woman ran up toward him and waved her hands as she made her way next to him. Based on how she acted she knew him or rather knew him in his past life but he had no recollection of whom she was.
"I'm so happy I ran into you here. I returned to the Silver Millennium and it was destroyed! What happened to the Princess? Is she okay?" She continued to ask him multiple questions without giving him time to answer. After a moment she realized what she had done and laughed.
"I'm sorry… who are you?" Mamoru asked as he tried to learn the identity of the mysterious girl. He noticed the top knot on the top of her head. It was identical to Setsuna's.
"Ah, well you probably don't recognize me outside of uniform. I am Sailor Charon, I guard the Princess of Pluto and serve Queen Serenity," she said with a smile. "But I can't seem to find anyone. You are the first person I've recognized in days!"
Mamoru swallowed the lump forming in his throat. He had no way he could verify anything she told him on his own. She didn't seem like a threat but he still kept his guard up incase his instincts were wrong.
"I must see Setsuna-san immediately,' she pleaded, "if you know where she is, please tell me! I have to talk to her about the last mission I went on under orders from the Queen." She took a few steps forward to close the gap between them.
Mamoru thought about his options. He couldn't directly take this girl to the apartment incase she was not whom she said she is. The other option he had was to find a payphone and call the apartment. "Okay…" Mamoru said as he decided to go with plan b. "Let's try to contact her, follow me," he said as he walked a little further down the street to an empty payphone. He left the door open and told the young woman to stay there for a moment. He picked up the telephone and used his calling card. The phone rang. Mamoru began to worry that no one would pick up. After a few rings someone finally picked up.
"Hello?" Responded a young voice on the other end.
"Hi Hotaru-chan, it's Mamoru. Is Setsuna-san by chance there? I need to ask her something important."
"I believe she is here, one moment."
Mamoru waited what seemed like a long period of time to him even though it was only thirty seconds.
"Yes?" Came Setsuna's voice over the receiver.
Mamoru decided to be very direct, "have you ever heard of Sailor Charon?"
There was a long pause from the other end, "I've haven't heard that name in a very long time. Why do you ask?"
"I ran into a young woman with short black hair and that claims she was sent on a mission by the Queen and -"
"Let me speak to Yui-chan," Setsuna cut him off. Her heart raced at the thought of talking to her again. As she continued to stand guard of the time streams she always wondered what happened to her and the others.
"Ah, sure…" said Mamoru, a bit surprised by her tone. He turned to the young woman, "Here. Setsuna-san wishes to speak to you…"
The young woman's eyes widen with joy. She quickly picked up the telephone receiver, "hello?"
Mamoru felt like he was witnessing a reunion with two long lost friends. They talked for a few minutes before he was passed the telephone back.
"Can you please escort Yui-chan to the apartment Mamoru-san? I have a lot I wish to discuss with her and you," Setsuna asked him.
"Sure," Mamoru said as he still tried to figure out what had just happened. He hung up the telephone and turned to the young woman he now knew as Yui and said, "let's go."
Yui smiled at him. "I'm so glad I found you!"
The next morning Usagi had finally awoken up but it was different from the last time. She still felt extremely weak. She also had a high fever. The doctor removed the thermometer and observed a temperature of 103. Her forehead felt warm to touch. Taiki, Yaten, Seiya and Princess Kakyuu stood in the distance until the doctor approached them.
"I don't understand," he said as he looked down at the young woman resting in the bed. "We've run every test we can think of but nothing seems to work. If she wasn't from Earth I swear she has Moon Disease. But that only affects people of Lunar decent. She is showing all the symptoms though…" he scratched his beard as he tried to determine what else could be the issue with Usagi.
Seiya felt a knot form in his stomach as he thought about the story Usagi had shared with him recently, "…she is of Lunar decent but she was reincarnated on Earth."
"That must be it!" The doctor exclaimed with some relief in his voice to have an answer as to why she was so ill. "Normally symptoms would surface within a few days but it took her weeks. It must be because of her reincarnation and her powers that held it off for so long."
"What does it mean to have this disease? What can be done?" Asked Taiki in a confused tone. He had never heard of something so strange before.
"Basically, this planet is toxic to her. For some reason the atmosphere of Kinmoku is toxic to those of Lunar descent which is why none have visited the palace before for very long. The longer she remains here the more damage will be done. Essentially her presence on this planet is killing her," explained the doctor as he checked her pulse once more. "She needs to be returned home immediately. However, her condition will make it difficult for her to travel. She is too weak. In the meantime, let her continue to rest and I will make a herbal remedy to help her regain some of her strength and as soon as she improves a little she needs to leave."
Seiya was very distraught at the news that he received and remained quiet while he tried to process the information. He couldn't believe that her life was in danger just by visiting his home world. He felt like he should have paid better attention and pieced everything together soon. Of course she was of Lunar descent, her title was the Moon Princess.
"What should we do?" Taiki asked Princess Kakyuu as he knew Seiya would not be thinking clearly.
"I will speak with Sailor Galaxia and we will work on figuring out how we will move her as soon as possible," responded Princess Kakyuu. "This is nobody's fault…" she added softly, "it is something that was overlooked by all of us." She placed a comforting hand on Seiya's shoulder and then left.
"Seiya…" Yaten said as he tried to be sympathetic to the situation.
"Just let me be," Seiya responded as he looked over at Usagi's sleeping form.
Setsuna opened the door excitedly when she heard a knock. "Yui-chan!" She exclaimed when she saw her. She rushed forward to greet the young woman and give her a hug. "Where have you been all this time?" Setsuna asked once they parted and led her to the living room.
Before Yui did anything else she bowed before her, the Princess of her home world.
Setsuna was surprised at first by her actions, "you do not have to be so formal here." Yui stood up with a large grin on her face. "Please tell me what happened," Setsuna said as she anxiously waited to hear the tale.
"Shortly after you returned to the time streams, Queen Serenity sent all of the Moon Senshi to the Nebula Star System. Once there we were immediately attacked by someone. The next thing I remember was walking up incased in a crystal a while ago. Since then I traveled to the Silver Millennium and found the palace in ruins. What happened?" Asked Yui in an alarmed tone. She needed to know what happened to the kingdom.
"Within a week after you and the others left, Queen Beryl attacked the Silver Millennium and killed almost everyone. Queen Serenity used the last of her power to trap everyone inside the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou. It was the only way to save the Princess. Everyone was reincarnated on Earth. Since then Queen Beryl has been defeated by the Princess," explained Setsuna as she gave Yui a very brief overview.
"We're back," said Haruka as entered the apartment door with Michiru. She immediately noticed the shoes at the front door. She quickly walked with Michiru in the living area and stated, "I didn't know we were expecting company today," she teased Mamoru. Then she noticed the girl next to Setsuna.
Before Haruka could speak again the woman jumped up from her seat and rushed over to Haruka and Michiru. She then bowed before them and said, "it is wonderful to see you again Princess Haruka and Princess Michiru."
Michiru narrowed her eyes at the woman confused by her remark. She looked over at Setsuna for a signal. Setsuna nodded her head to tell her everything was alright. "Umm, I'm sorry I don't remember you." Apologized Michiru as she tried her best to remember from her past.
"I am Sailor Charon, guardian of the Princess of Pluto and serve the Silver Millennium," said Yui as she slowly stood up after she was instructed by Michiru. "Please call me Yui."
"Yui-chan…?" Haruka repeated out loud. "The name sounds familiar to me… wait a minute, guardian of Princess Pluto?"
"Yes, all of the princesses have guardian senshi. Do you not remember Sailor Triton or Sailor Umbriel?" Yui appeared shocked that Haruka seemed so confused.
"No…" Haruka said as she looked over at Setsuna, "what is going on?"
"Have a seat," said Setsuna. She waited patiently for everyone to be seated before she continued. "Princess Serenity is protected by the princesses of the various planets throughout the solar system. The princess' of their respective planets also have a sailor senshi as a guardian. They are known as the Moon Senshi. Queen Serenity often sent them out on missions instead of the other senshi since it would allow them to protect Princess Serenity. They left on a mission right before the destruction of the Silver Millennium and have been missing since." Setsuna turned to face Yui and something else just dawned on her. "Where are the others?"
"They are still enclosed in crystal. I was not able to free them myself so I left to find help," said Yui as her eyes were downcast at the thought of leaving them behind. "But if I can find Princess Serenity I know she can help me," Yui said brightly at the thought of finally being able to help her comrades. "Where is she?"
Everyone sat in silence. No one wanted to admit that she wasn't on Earth.
Setsuna finally broke the silence, "she is visiting the Kinmoku system."
Yui gasped and jumped up from her seat after she heard the name Kinmoku. "How could you let her travel there?" She said as she glared at Setsuna as if she had committed a great sin.
"What is going on?" Haruka said as she stood up. The direction of the conversation was beginning to make her nervous.
Yui shook her head. "Do you not remember anything about the past? Queen Serenity forbid the royal family and the Moon Senshi from traveling to that star system. It is deadly to those of Lunar descent in this solar system!"
"…what are you saying?" Mamoru said as panic began to set in.
"… I'm saying that the atmosphere is like a poison to us," said Yui as she began to feel really nervous about the next question she was about to ask, "…how long as she been gone?"
"A few weeks," Mamoru said grimly.
Yui collapsed to her knees. "We're too late… no one could survive that long in such an environment." She looked up at Mamoru and said, "we're too late."
"No we're not," said Hotaru as she entered the room. She faced Setsuna, Haruka and Michiru before she spoke again, "the Princess has returned and we don't have much time."
"Where?" Haruka said as she walked over to Hotaru for confirmation.
"Home," Hotaru responded as she pointed the faint moon in the early evening sky.
Usagi can't stay on Kinmoku… so what will Seiya do? Will the Starlights be able to save Usagi in time and more importantly how will everyone react to their return?
Find out next! Act 23: Resurrection.