RECAP:
Mamoru nodded as the baby took hold of one of Usagi's long strands, drawing the girl's attention back to her. [Now, my daughter, please use the crystal on me. It will know what to do.]
Usagi nodded as she transformed into Serenity, drawing the attention of the rather large crowd around the door. The crystal appeared the toddler and for the second time that day the room was filled with blinding light.
Continuing on…
As the light died down there was a squeal and the sound of someone diving under the covers; Usagi screamed out, "MY HAIR!" followed by Luna coming in demanding, "What is all the commotion about?"
"Who? Who is… that… girl… in the bed… beside Usag?" Kenji shuttered.
"She looks exactly like Usagi." Minako stated.
"But Usagi's hair is now platinum." Roselyn pointed out.
Mamoru was still gaping at the sight of his girlfriend. He was sure by what he was hearing that no one else had noticed, but he had. She was taller. She barely had any golden streaks among the silver hair although he could still see some. There was also something about the air around her... [Is she older? She can't be… My eyes must be playing tricks on me.]
Rhea hearing the chaos whistled loudly to get everyone's attention, "Thank you," she said pushing her way through. "Rosie, go get one of Usagi's dresses or something out of your closet." Roselyn nodded to her older sister and left to do as she was told. Rhea then turned to the crowd. "Go back to the game or sit in the main room. Once everyone is presentable, we will talk."
[Thank you, Princess Katherine.] Rhea nodded to the telepathic message from the girl currently hiding under the sheets. She turned and closed the door as she left.
Kenji was still in shook as Ikuko rubbed his back and kissed him. "But who is that? And where is the baby?'
The girl popped her head out from the sheets, [Something isn't right… I feel too young.] She thought as she looked up at her "parents". She smiled, "You can call me Celeste and I am … er… was the baby."
Mamoru jumped to help catch Kenji as he promptly fainted, "Thank you, Mamoru."
Usagi got up to make room as Mamoru placed Kenji on the bed and took the offered facecloth to wipe his brow. "You seem to be taking this all rather well, mom."
Usagi said which drew Ikuko's attention to her, 'Her voice is more mature.' She thought as she took a closer look. 'She is taller and her hair is longer and I think that is silver.'
Celeste also looked over the silver haired girl and took note. [She appears to be around 19, mid to late pregnant and lactating.] Which caused her to lick her lips. [Why am I so famished?]
Usagi almost tripped as she backed away from the bed, [What did I trip on? Wait is that my hair?]
[Yes. Yes, that is your hair, and you may want to look in a mirror. You look like an angel.] Mamoru said trying to hold back the longing in his thoughts. She looked so good he was ready to pounce on her.
Usagi turned to the full-length mirror and gaped. [What happened? All I did was us the crystal. Using the crystal has never done anything like this before.]
Mamoru took a moment to look at Celeste and the others were right she looked like his Usagi had only a week ago. "Celeste, can you sense, or do you know how old you are physically?"
The two other women in the room turned to look at the teen on the bed as she held the sheet to keep her modesty. [That is a good question?] She chewed her bottom lip as she thought and considered. "I feel about sixteen. Or what I remember sixteen feeling like." She put her hands to her head shaking it, "No, that isn't right I was supposed to … the crystal was supposed to…" She growled in frustration.
Luna who had been hiding beside the bed jumped up to comfort her Queen. Mamoru snapped his fingers and summoned his micro computer. "Don't know why I didn't think of this earlier." He mumbled to himself scanning everyone in the room.
Luna looked up expectantly, "Well…?"
Mamoru looked at her as Celeste was absently petting her. "Sorry, It is just weird." He paused. "Ok! Ikuko the crystal has apparently healed you and reverted you fully to how you were yesterday." He looked at the blue haired woman as she nodded.
He looked back at the computer screen, "Kenji, is just out cold. He will be fine in a little while. Luna, the crystal appears to have not done anything to us at all. The scans say that nothing has changed."
"But the girls?" Luna asked concerned.
"Who do you want first?" Mamoru asked.
"Celeste!" Ikuko answered as there was a knock at the door. Ikuko opened it and took the clothes that were being passed to her. "Thank you, Roselyn." She then crossed the room to hand them to Celeste.
"Celeste is a healthy sixteen-year-old." Mamoru said as he turned to Usagi.
Usagi didn't even look instead she turned back to her reflection and asked, "And me?"
"Your DNA says that you are full blood lunarian. Current age …" he trailed off as he licked his lips. "Eighteen, seven and a half months pregnant with twins." He put the computer away and went to hold her up as he saw her reflection looking weak. [I got you.]
[This is all too much.] Usagi said as Mamoru helped her to sit on the bed while Celeste finished getting dressed.
Ikuko smiled as she saw Kenji stirring, "I guess it's time to go out to the living room and get some answers." Kenji was still shaking his head as he looked from the one girl to the other and mouthed, "Circus."
Celeste stopped in front of the mirror. [I can't remember the last time I had golden blond hair.] She looked at the modest outfit that she had been given a white vest style shirt and red knee length shorts. [Not my usual style but… acceptable.]
She turned to look at Usagi, "What is wrong, Serenity?"
"I don't know who I am or how I am expected to act any more," She looked up at Celeste then back down at her hands. "Never mind," She said, "Everyone is waiting on us."
[We will sort this out.]
[And if I am permanently eighteen! For Pete's sake Mamoru I haven't even passed my high school entrance exams, how am I supposed to find a job and be a mom?] Usagi said working herself up again.
Celeste stood where she could see everyone as they were spread out between the living and dinning rooms. "Ok, So I am… was Queen Serenity of the Silver Millenium. I used Ikuko to get a physical form and will hence forth be going by Celeste."
"So, you're my grandma from the moon?" Chibi-Usa asked.
"And you were the baby that was just born today?" Jason asked.
"Yes, and yes. I did this due to Serenity's current condition. There is no way she can go into battle with… a baby on board." Most of the group nodded. Celeste felt herself blush as she realized the way that the four generals were looking at her. [Oh, right, teenage hormones. Get a hold of yourself, you are over one thousand years old.]
Rhea snickered from her seat as she was able to hear the telepathic broadcast and could see the queen's embarrassment showing on her face. "Usagi, I believe Celeste is going to need your broach."
Usagi clutched the broach close to her chest. "I am sorry, Serenity. But Princess Katherine is right. If I am to be Sailor Moon in your stead, I will need the broach and I will return it when it is safe."
Usagi released her grip and slowly handed it over, along with the time key and her scepter before cuddling back into Mamoru's embrace. He could feel the tears falling from her eyes. [This is only temporary and you have a more important job…]
He whispered and looked down waiting for her to return his gaze. [What is that?]
Mamoru leaned down and kissed her as he put his hand on her bump, [Taking care of your precious cargo… our babies.]
Unaware that the changes had a more subtle effect on him Mamoru's kiss went from consoling and innocent to passionate and intimate. "Mamoru! Usagi!" called out several voices. The couple however was lost in their emotions, memories, and passion.
Jason threw a pillow at them as Kenji started stomping over to the couple. "Get your hands off of my little girl!"
[Endy? Endy, whatever magic you did to the Tsukinos has warn off and you have a very angry papa bear heading your way.] Roselyn attempted to tell her brother.
Kenji ran into an invisible barrier as he was an arm's length away from the couple. Celeste giggled like the schoolgirl she apparently had become, "Ok so first thing to do is to rescue the other senshi." She said holding up the space-time key and Minako, Roselyn, Rhea and Celeste disappeared.
[I like that idea.] Whispered Mamoru as he and Usagi started to glow and disappeared leaving one angry father, one resigned mother, a giggling child and four generals who had no idea what to do with themselves. Ikuko shrugged and started cleaning, Kenji calmed and started chasing her around telling her that he could do that, or the generals and she should rest. The generals looked around and started putting the games away before taking Chibi-Usa and a deck of cards and heading to their apartments.
Near the gates of time…
(For where and what Usagi and Mamoru get up to check out Interludes)
Rhea took the reins and dropped her and her companions at the feet of Sailor Pluto, who looked down and didn't appear to be impressed. "Welcome back, senshi."
Rhea got up and dusted herself off. "Hey, long time no see." She laughed as the others untangled themselves.
"Princess Katherine! Why did you stop me? I was on the trail of the missing senshi." Celeste yelled as she pushed the other girls off of her.
"Well, Sailor Pluto tends to get upset when you bypass her stop, and I had no idea as to what you were doing or where we were going! As you didn't tell ANYONE ANYTHING! Before you pulled us flying through space and time!" Rhea yelled back.
A loud whistle could be heard and Sailor Pluto began examining her guests as none of them were transformed although she did sense the senshi powers within them. "Rhea?" Sailor Pluto addressed the only one that she recognized outside of her sailor fuku. "Explain!"
"I thought you had already met my sister Roselyn aka Sailor Terra." Roselyn looked down and blushed as she realized why Pluto was so confused.
"Venus Star Power Make-Up!" Minako said also realizing in her haste Celeste had not given them time to transform.
As the lights dimmed down the Senshi of Venus, Sailor Earth and Sailor Terra stood before the sailor of Time, "And this is Celeste the newly incarnated version of Queen Serenity of Silver Millennium."
Sailor Pluto's mouth fell open as she knelt. "My Queen, forgive me I didn't recognize you."
"Rise, Pluto. There is no reason for you to bow." Celeste said as she still appeared to be on a high from using the time key. "Now, that everyone else is transformed, how does this thing work?" She said holding up the moon locket.
Sailor Pluto stood and calmly took Celeste's hands, "I think someone needs to do some explaining."
Celeste blushed at Pluto's intense gaze. "Well, you see …" Celeste started as Pluto waved her wand summoning some chairs for everyone as she listened intently and prayed to Chronos that her queen had not derailed things too badly.
"Alright, I understand." Sailor Pluto said standing up and shaking her head. "My Queen, I wish you had consulted me first."
"I am sorry, Pluto." Celeste said in a manor similar to Usagi and Chibi-Usa when they got into trouble.
"I will allow you passage to Nemesis, be careful." Pluto said. "My… Celeste, say Moon Crystal Power Make-Up."
Celeste nodded as she raised the locket and called out the phrase causing her to be wrapped in ribbons of light and soon the legendary warrior Sailor Moon stood at the gates of time.
Pluto nodded as she opened the gate with great difficulty. "I cannot keep this open long, hurry."
The senshi got up and rushed through the door. Pluto stopped Sailor Earth, "Rhea, keep them all safe."
"Always do!" Sailor Earth said as she jumped through, and the gate closed before her.
The four sailors found themselves in an empty chamber that slightly resembled those of the Crystal Palace. They looked around before looking to Celeste. "This way."
"I hope she can use the scepter." Terra whispered.
"I know she left before she even knew how to transform let alone attack," Venus agreed.
"What if we get attacked?" Terra asked, this time looking to her older sister.
"Then we protect her as we would the princess." Earth said as she moved to be closer to Sailor Moon.
After what seemed like hours, they found their way into a large chamber with a pillar of energy shooting out from a chasm in the center. Standing on a raised plat form was a young man with blue hair in a matching blue shirt and white pants. "So, we have guests from the white moon."
"Who are you?" Sailor Moon demanded. "Where are my senshi?"
He laughed as he turned to face them, "My name is Prince Saphir, my brother Prince Diamond is the ruler here. As for your senshi, you will join them soon enough." He motioned as if for the pillar to follow him, but instead humanoid droids with no face or distinguishable features appeared and began attacking.
Below them in a dark cave lay the three senshi of Mars, Mercury and Jupiter in their human forms. They slowly stirred as the felt someone calling out to them. "Where are we?"
"Last thing I remember…"
"We were attacked. I say we hold off on questions until we are transformed." Makoto said raising her henshin wand. "Jupiter Star Power Make-Up!"
"Mercury Star Power Make-Up!"
"Mars Star Power Make-Up!" the three girls looked over each other. "Why didn't we transform?"
Back in the chamber…
"I felt them they are nearby!" Sailor Moon told her fellow senshi. "Keep those things away from me as long as possible." [Mercury, Mars, Jupiter … if you can hear me, reach for me and I will give you a hand.]
The three girls nodded to each other the voice was familiar although they couldn't tell you who's voice it was. "Anywhere is better than here." Makoto said reaching up, Ami and Rei followed suit and they found themselves standing over Sailor Moon?
"No time for questions now." Sailor Moon said. "Pluto, I summon you through space and time. Send us the path of light and bring us home."
As they disappeared, they heard a man's voice scream out, "Noooo!"
[Don't worry, Prince Diamond. This isn't over.] Sailor moon thought as her and her senshi were pulled to the gates of time.
"I am so glad you all made it back safely." Sailor Pluto said. "I will send you back home…"
"No!" Sailor Moon said sternly. "Send us to the Crystal Palace we can rest there before we go on the offensive and end this."
"But My Queen?"
"Queen? The three newly returned senshi asked.
"Yeah…" Venus said,
"Short version: Usagi isn't able to fight right now. Queen Serenity came to take her place as Sailor Moon." Terra explained.
"You heard me, Pluto." Sailor moon again insisted.
"As you wish… my Queen." Sailor Pluto said although everyone could tell she wasn't happy.
The gate opened and King Endymion stood there in all his astral form. "Pluto, I heard you call. Is everything alright?" He asked with great concern.
"Do you have room for a couple house guests for the night?" She asked quite dryly.
He nodded and motioned for the senshi to follow, once the seven senshi had stepped through the door Pluto closed it and said yet another prayer to Chronos that they would all survive this with the timeline intact.
"I hope you will forgive me as I cannot allow you to sleep in your regular quarters. Thus, I hope these guest quarters will suffice for the night." He said as he continued to lead them past halls and doors with different symbols on them. Finally stopping and motioning for them to enter the guest wing. "The main greeting area should have enough room for you all to relax, and I will have food sent up."
With a wave of his hand more astral figures appeared carrying trays of food. The senshi all nodded their thanks and began to dig in. Sailor Earth caught the King's eye and nodded to the corridor they had come from. "Endymion, please try to relax and rest."
He looked at his sister with wide eyes before nodding, "Of course, you already know much of what I am concealing from the others."
She nodded. "And Sailor Moon is Queen Serenity using Usagi's broach to battle this enemy."
Endymion nodded his understanding, he remembered that she currently carried his twins within her. "Thank you, Rin. No matter what time we are in you always know how to make me feel better."
"Always will, Endy. I promise I will keep them out of trouble until tomorrow."
"What happens…. Wait don't tell me." He sighed and waved as he left them to do as girls do when gathered for a slumber party. King Endymion walked back to his family's wing of the palace and careful not to disturb the temporal loop that Pluto had put on the Nursery. Watching as his kids interacted with their cousins and friends, under the careful eye of his sisters. He wished he could enter and sit down to tell them stories and play games with them, but to do so would break the loop and he didn't need them to know about the state their world was facing. He froze for a second as he tried to count the children within, [I swear there are more children in there, than the last time I checked. But that can't be, It is a temporal loop, nothing changes within it.]
Closing the door, he made his way to where his wife lay sleeping encased in crystal. "I pray for the day when our children return to us and the temporal loop in the nursery will be broken. I long to wrap my arms around you and hold you, my beautiful wife."
The senshi were abruptly awoken by the earth shaking beneath them. "Earthquake?" Venus asked.
"No, worse." Sailor Earth said as she charged from the room. The others jumping to their feet and following her outside the palace where Sailor Venus and Sailor Terra fell to their knees as they looked up at not a single dark crystal monolith but two.
Above them in the sky were Rubeus, Esmerade, Saphir and Diamond laughing at the anguish they were causing. "This time there will be no survivors." Diamand said as he opened his third eye to attack.
"Pair off!" Sailor Earth and Sailor Moon said in chorus.
"Jinx," Joked Sailor Moon.
[Not the time nor the place.] Sailor Earth scolded as she would her siblings. This younger Queen Serenity was going to try her patience.
Sailor Venus nodded to Sailor Terra. Sailor Jupiter nodded to Sailor Mars. Sailor Earth nodded to Sailor Mercury. "Sailor Moon, you hang back and watch our six." Sailor Earth commanded as she saw the King coming out of the palace. [Endymion, please keep her out of the line of fire.]