In a city far away from Juuban, Michiru was busy looking through some CDs in a music shop. She was wearing a long, beautiful sea-green dress with black patterns shaped like roses. She was also holding a bouquet of beautiful white roses.

Then, some employees, along with a few other patrons, happened to notice her, men and women alike. When they did, they couldn't help but start talking to one another excitedly.

"Is that the famous violinist, Michiru Kaioh?! When did she get here?!"

"I don't know! I heard that she was living overseas somewhere!"

Then, a man approached Michiru. He was red in the face and was fidgeting nervously.

"U-Um, excuse me!" he stammered out. "Are you M-Michiru Kaioh?"

Michiru looked up and smiled. "Indeed I am," she replied.

The male continued to fidget in place with excitement while he became all the more flushed in the face. "Wow! It really is you!" he spoke giddily. "I'm such a huge fan! I've got all of your CDs! I'm honored to meet you!"

Michiru chuckled warmly. "I appreciate the support," she thanked.

The male then bowed while holding out his hand, trembling. "U-Um, if you don't mind, m-may I please shake your hand?" he stuttered.

But before Michiru could respond, Haruka strolled into the store, wearing a white button-down half unbuttoned, leaving her midsection exposed and black pants. Before the guy could even react, the woman had already pulled Michiru close to her while wrapping her arm affectionately by her shoulder, much to his disappointment.

"There you are, Michiru," said Haruka. "Did you wait long?"

Michiru smiled. "Not at all," she replied.

The shop was once again filled with murmurs, mostly from other women who were charmed by Haruka's beauty.

"No way! That's her partner, Haruka Tenoh, the F1 test driver!"

"He's such a hottie!"

Haruka then noticed the flowers. "Such a pure white color. Who gave you those lovely roses?" she asked. "A gift from a fan, perhaps?"

"Nice try, but no," said Michiru. " I wanted something to commemorate the sixth-month anniversary of our new life, so I bought these myself."

"Wow, it's been six months already," mused Haruka. "Time sure does fly by, doesn't it?"

The two then took their leave while the patrons watched them go, still murmuring to one another.

"You hear that? They mentioned something about an anniversary. But of what?"

"Who can say? I also can't help but can't help but wonder if those two are living together, given how close they are?"

One of the patrons then noticed that both of the girls wore silver rings on their ring fingers.

"Don't look now, but considering those rings they're wearing, they may be more than living together!"

"No way! Did they get married in secret?!"

"I'm so jealous! They make the perfect couple!"

Haruka and Michiru, oblivious to all the chatter, got into Haruka's sports car and, with Michiru taking the driver's seat, drove away.

Then, as they stopped at a traffic light, Haruka noticed a baby store that had some necessities on display outside. "Hey, Michiru! Check it out!" she said excitedly. "Formula and diapers are on sale right now for thirty percent off! That's a huge steal!"

Michiru chuckled. "Come now, Haruka. Did you forget already? Our little princess back home has already outgrown those things weeks ago."

"O-Oh, yeah. I did forget," Haruka apologized sheepishly. "Sorry about that."

"It's no problem," smiled Michiru. "You're still getting used to this, but it's the thought that counts."

In the countryside, outside of the city, a lone house stood amongst a grassland with some bushes of flowers here and there. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was just right for a small family to live a slow and peaceful life.

Inside that house, Setsuna was busy typing away on her computer in her office, wearing casual attire consisting of a mesh shirt, a bra, and shorts. It was a quiet and peaceful day, and she enjoyed it while focusing on her work.

Then, she heard the sound of shattering glass, which made her jump, but her surprise quickly turned to exasperation, knowing what caused the sound.

"Oh, dear. That came from the kitchen," Setsuna sighed. "Honestly, wasn't she quietly reading a book just a second ago?"

Setsuna then got up and was just about to investigate the kitchen when she happened to look outside the window. A familiar white sports car was pulling up to the front of the house.

"And right on cue," Setsuna continued to herself. "Michiru's not going to be happy about this."

She then went downstairs just in time to see Haruka and Michiru enter.

"We're home!" Haruka called out.

Just as she did, a little girl came scampering out from the hallway. It was none other than Hotaru, who was now a little girl close to the age of seven or eight.

"Daddy Haruka! Welcome home!" Hotaru greeted meeting her in a hug. "Can we play that game together like we did yesterday?"

"Maybe a bit later, Hotaru," replied Haruka. "Right now, you've got to get ready for your violin lesson with Mama Michiru.

Hotaru pouted while letting out a whine in complaint.

"Now, Now. No complaining," Haruka spoke gently but sternly. "Let's go get you changed. I'll help you pick out a dress."

She then led Hotaru out of the room.

"So, how was she today?" asked Michiru. "I trust that everything's gone smoothly?"

Setsuna wryly smiled. "Well, unfortunately, we may have had a bit of an... accident," she replied.

The two then went into the kitchen and found a sight that made Michiru go pale in the face with horror. Several plates lay on the floor, all smashed and broken into pieces.

"Oh, no... look at his mess," Michiru spoke in despondent. "My vintage antique plates... completely destroyed."

"I'm sorry about that," Setsuna apologized. "Hotaru was reading a book the last time I checked on her, and I only left her alone for a brief moment."

Michiru then took a breath and calmed down as she started cleaning up the mess. "It's fine," she resigned. "She more than likely got bored. That girl's read every single book in the study dozens of times, which reminds me. The other day, she recited one of Virgil's epic poems from memory."

Setsuna then smiled nostalgically. "You know, it never ceases to amaze me just how much she's grown and developed, even though we've seen it every day. It almost feels like a dream going on high speed."

"I'll say," said Michiru. "Although, when she was in diapers, she was so good and obedient. Nowadays, she's not only grown bigger as a child, she's also grown as a little terror."

Haruka and Hotaru soon returned. Hotaru was now wearing a cute little dress that was colored white with a light purple plaid design. Michiru then tightened the bow on her back while making sure it fit just right.

"There you go. All done. Now, let's get out your violin. Your friends will be over in a few minutes."

"Kay," smiled Hotaru.

The two then left the kitchen. But no sooner than when the two left, Setsuna frowned in thought, thinking about what Michiru had said.

"The days really have flown by, almost as if every day was a dream," she thought. "Almost like we're experiencing something otherworldly. Like the other day."

A few days ago, on the day of the solar eclipse...

At another observatory close to the city, Setsuna, along with some of her colleagues, were hard at work researching. They were watching the solar eclipse as it happened via a satellite uplink on screen. The eclipse was just beginning, and the moon had started to obscure the sun.

"Phase 1 is underway," reported a physicist.

As the moon continued its path in front of the sun, Setsuna couldn't help but worry as she watched.

"Please don't let anything bad happen," she prayed in her thoughts.

"Phase 2 is underway," the physicist reported again.

Before long, the moon had fully eclipsed the sun. But the moment it did, a strange pulse went through the room, and the room became shrouded in darkness. Then, a swarm of lemures suddenly appeared, spreading all over the room, chittering maliciously.

Setsuna saw the creatures and couldn't help but gasp. However, as they swarmed around, she found herself paralyzed not by fear but by the strange power the lemures were exhibiting, unable to speak or act.

"Setsuna? Setsuna!"

Then, suddenly, the sound of her colleague's voice snapped Setsuna back to reality, making her jump. The dark atmosphere and the lemures also both vanished in an instant.

"Are you all right?" asked the physicist. "You're drenched in sweat, and you're looking pale."

Setsuna couldn't speak.

"Well, there's no reason for you to worry," the physicist said kindly. "All was successful. The solar eclipse ended with no problems."

But Setsuna knew that something wasn't right.

"Successful? No, something went wrong!" she thought. "It was only for a brief moment, but I felt it! Space became distorted! Something came to this world under the cover of darkness! An enemy, perhaps?! I have to transform and investigate!"

She then promptly left the room and ran as fast as she could until she came to an empty computer room. Then, when she was sure that she was alone, she raised up her hand and called out her transformation phrase.

"PLUTO PLANET POWER, MAKE UP!"

However, nothing happened, much to Setsuna's disbelief and confusion.

"W-What's going on?! I can't transform?!"

"Setsuna? Sestuna."

Setsuna snapped out of recollection after hearing Haruka's voice, who was looking concerned.

"Something wrong?" asked Haruka. "You zoned out for a minute."

Setsuna smiled, reassuring her. "No, everything's fine," she said. "I'm sorry if I worried you. I've got to get back to work."

She then went back upstairs to her office. But despite what she told Haruka, Setsuna was still worried.

"It's been a couple months since the day of the eclipse, and I've been having an ominous feeling since then. The first time feeling like that since we've started living together," she continued thinking. "But... Maybe it's to be expected. After the last big battle, we decided on a different path, a different way of life. The fact that I'm unable to transform must be a sign of the end of our parental duty."

She sat back down on her chair and resumed typing.

"On that same day of the Eclipse, that was the moment when Hotaru started developing at a rapid pace, which makes me wonder. Is this a sign that Hotaru's powers are reawakening? Could this be some kind of signal of something that she's trying to tell us? If it is... what's about to happen?"

It wasn't long before three more children, two girls, and a boy, arrived at the Outer Guardian's residence. And soon, they, along with Hotaru, began their violin lessons with Michiru.

Things were going well, and all of the children were each taking turns playing, showing Michiru what they had learned. Then, it was Hotaru's turn.

"All right, Hotaru. You're next," said Michiru.

But as Hotaru stepped up, the three children grew visibly nervous while the girl herself remained ominously quiet. Hotaru readied her bow and then started to play.

No sooner than when she started, a strange occurrence began to manifest. A ghost specter of Pegasus suddenly appeared just behind her girl, causing the children to grow scared as they clung to Michiru.

"Th-There it is, Michiru! That ghost horse again!" the boy spoke fearfully. "It's just like what happened last week!"

"Why does it appear whenever Hotaru plays?" one of the girls asked nervously.

Michiru was also tentative but tried to stay calm. "I don't know either, children," she said. "But try to stay quiet. Let's watch for now."

Then, another ghostly specter appeared, a familiar little girl with pink hair styled in a pair of ordangos.

"N-Now, there's a ghost girl!" gasped the second girl.

Upon seeing her, Michiru recognized who it was. "It's... It's Small Lady!" she also gasped.

Hotaru saw the ghostly images, too, and stopped playing. Just as she did, the ghostly Pegasus galloped out of the room, and Chibiura followed after it.

"No, wait! Don't go!" cried Hotaru as she chased after them.

The little girl dashed out of the room and down the hall until she came to a dead end. When she did, a saddening sight met her eyes.

Pegasus now lay on the ground, appearing lifeless, while Chibiusa was sobbing, her face buried in her hands. Michiru soon caught up with Hotaru, and she saw what was happening, too. She also could see that Hotaru now had a neutral expression on her face, eerily similar to her guardian alter ego, but also one with empathy.

Then, the apparitions of Chibiusa and Pegasus gradually faded away from existence.

"I've seen her before, Mommy Michiru," Hotaru said to her. "She was in a picture that you showed me, Mommy Michiru. She was also crying because that pegasus died. Poor Pegasus."

Michiru could only gently touch Hotaru's shoulders as she gazed back at her, showing that she also felt sorry.

Eventually, the violin lesson was over, and while Hotaru played with Haruka, Michiru was preparing for dinner in the kitchen. But as she did, she couldn't help but still think about the phantoms that appeared and Hotaru's reaction.

"Hotaru has become unimaginably spirited compared to before," she thought. "However, there were times when her eyes would become cold like ice. Just like Sailor Saturn. And those images of Pegasus and Small Lady... are they just images or... could they mean a vision of the future?"

She looked at her ring and gave it a small kiss.

"Something doesn't feel right. It feels like I'm dreaming, and while I wish for the four of us to live in peace, I can't help but get the feeling... that the time will eventually come for me... no, for the four of us to wake up."

After dinner, Haruka was alone with Hotaru, watching her use her powers to create a projection, simulating the birth of the Solar System, with her instruction.

Michiru soon came in carrying some cups of iced tea. "Well, well. I see everything's going well with the solar system development game," she said. "Could you tell me again how this works?"

"First, I play by keeping Hotaru's powers in check," explained Haruka. "Or else if she ever gets frustrated, she destroys it all."

Michiru then came over to inspect as she set the tray down. "Remarkable," she marveled. "The planetesimals that were there yesterday have combined to form the planets. The residual gases have vanished, too."

"I'm conducting the small-scale reenactment at a sped-up rate," Hotaru also explained, keeping her hands together and her eyes shut. "We're at four billion years right now, and the Solar System is complete."

Michiru could see every single planet and moon as she continued to inspect. However, she grew curious about the several specs that floated around them. "All those heavenly bodies. What are they?" she asked.

Hotaru opened her eyes while parting her hands, hugging her knees to her chest. "Those are asteroids," she replied. Tiny points of light that are confused about whether to live or die. Although, in this newly-born system, the choices are up to them." She then pointed to a particular spec that was close to the projection of Earth. "This white one right here is the moon."

"It's beautiful," said Michiru. "It's just like a white pearl."

"Its light sure makes it luminous like one," agreed Haruka. "It's like a shining warmth around the blue glass bead of Earth." She then took notice of the sun that shone in the middle of the projection. "And the sun, it's giving off the same light, shining like a star that's giving every planet its warmth."

Then, Haruka started remembering Usagi and Harusuke, the two individuals who represented them.

"They remind me of the light that surrounds those two," she thought nostalgically.

She then started thinking about the other guardians, and the more she did, the more she began to miss them.

At that moment, Michiru saw a single tear fall from Haruka's cheek, which surprised both her and herself. Sensing her turmoil, Michiru went right over to Haruka's side and embraced her in comfort while the latter returned it.

"I really miss them. Even more than I thought I would," Haruka ruminated. "I can't help but wonder how they're all doing."

Then, Hotaru spoke up. "It's approaching now," she reported. "The moment of last week's solar eclipse in the present day."

The projection then showed the moon going in between the Earth and the sun, its shadow casting over it. But as it did, the Earth ominously became shrouded in a darkness that made Haruka and Michiru gasp. Not only that, but the moon also began to lose its luster, becoming just as dark.

"Wh-What's going on?!" exclaimed Michiru in alarm. "The Earth's suddenly become so dark, and the moonlight is dimming!"

Haruka then promptly clapped her hands twice, and the lights turned on, causing Hotaru to break her concentration and the projection to vanish.

"Hotaru, let's stop here for today," she said to her. "It's time for you to take a bath and get ready for bed."

"OK," Hotaru obliged as she scampered away into the bathroom.

Hotaru was soon in the bathroom and was about to get undressed for her bath. But then, she heard the pitter-patter sounds of rain outside, causing her to look towards the window. Just as she did, a loud clap of thunder boomed, causing the lights to suddenly turn off. Feeling startled, Hotaru couldn't help but jump as she stumbled into a mirror.

But just as her fingertips touched the surface of it, something or rather someone appeared in the reflection instead of her own.

It was none other than her other self, Sailor Saturn.

"Don't be scared," the reflection spoke gently. "I won't harm you."

But Hotaru was more curious than she was frightened. "Who are you?" she asked. "The way you look... you look just like me. Are you me?"

"I'm the you who sleeps inside you," said Sailor Saturn. "A memory, you could say."

"You're asleep? Inside of me?" questioned Hotaru.

"Yes, and it's time for me, or rather you, to wake up," continued Sailor Saturn. "You and I have a new mission before us, and the time has come for you to awaken. Protected by the planet Saturn, I command you, my sleeping soul, awaken."

The reflection of Sailor Saturn soon disappeared, allowing Hotaru to see her own again, and the lights flickered back on.

Then, a glowing purple symbol of Saturn appeared on Hotaru's forehead as memories began to flash in her mind. Memories of Sailor Moon, Solaris, and all the Inner Guardians.

"Wh-What is this?" she wondered. "All these visions I'm seeing..."

At that moment, the memories Hotaru was seeing made her start to remember little by little until she finally knew who she was and what she had to do.

While Hotaru was taking her bath, Haruka and Michiru told Setsuna what they had seen.

"The Earth and the Moon were engulfed entirely in darkness after the eclipse," said Setsuna. "There's no doubt in my mind now that what we've seen was a vision from Hotaru. A warning. And it's not just the space-time distortion that I sensed. There's been an unusual temperature spike, an increase in plant life causing chaos, and mass destruction happening everywhere. All of these coincided or began with the solar eclipse, and the epicenter of it all is at Juuban. That's proof enough that a new enemy has invaded our world."

Michiru suddenly burst out. "You don't need to tell us, Setsuna! We know! You were working at the observatory, I was in the middle of a performance in Viena, and Haruka was in Africa about to start a race! And in that instant, we knew something was wrong! But... we couldn't transform and haven't been able to since then! We don't have our powers as Sailor Guardians anymore!"

"But... does it really matter anymore?" Haruka questioned a hint of bitterness hidden in her voice. "The rest of the guardians don't need us. They've always fought the good fight, even without our help, and have continued to protect the princess just as they always did. Perhaps... us not being able to transform is a sign that we're not needed."

"Is that what you think, Haruka?" asked a voice. "If so, then you've gone softer than I thought you'd be."

The three looked up only to find Specter standing in the doorway, tipping their hat in greeting.

"Specter!" gasped Michiru.

"It's been a while, Outer Guardians," said Specter. "I'm happy to see that you're all doing well since the last time I've seen you. However, I'm afraid I didn't come here just for a reunion. As I'm sure you're all aware, a new enemy has come, and things have grown dire. Therefore, I've come to ask that you all lend your assistance once again."

But Haruka was still in self-contempt. "As much as we would like to, Specter, we can't," she said sadly. "We can't transform anymore. Even if we wanted to, we would only get in the way. We're not wanted."

Specter raised his hat, revealing a pair of silver eyes. They approached Haruka and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "You and the guardians have protected the solar system for countless years and even risked your lives to protect your comrades and even the royal moon family, and you're saying that you're not needed?"

Haruka remained silent, as did Michiru and Setsuna.

"I believe that every single planet, star, and even asteroid in the solar system plays a part in what makes it the beautiful galaxy that it is," they said. "Though you may think that you don't play a part or think you no longer do, you and the rest of the outer guardians are still just as crucial as every guardian that serves this galaxy, Haruka. And it's not just me that believes that." They then looked back. "Wouldn't you agree?"

Then, Hotaru entered. But this time, she had aged even further, having returned to the teen she was before.

"Einstein once said: A person starts to live when he can live outside himself," she spoke as the symbol of Saturn briefly flashed on her forehead. She then smiled. "A heartfelt idea for a man known for his mind, and it's a thought I happen to agree with."

"H-Hotaru," murmured Haruka. "Y-You've changed again!"

"Does this mean... that you're..." Michiru also spoke before trailing off.

"The time is upon us. For the four of us to awaken once again," said Hotaru. "No matter how many times we're reincarnated, it has been decided that we're destined to live for a single person."

"You remember... don't you, Hotaru?" Setsuna questioned. "All of your memories from the past."

Hotaru walked past the three and stopped in front of the window, touching its surface with a hand while gazing up at the sky. "Yes, I have, but I'm not the same as I was before," she said. "We have no need to be living in solitude anymore, nor do we need to fight from afar. The princess and her lover, the prince of the sun, the Inner Guardians, we've all been given new life. And now it's time has finally come to use that life."

She spun around and smiled warmly.

"Daddy Haruka. Mommy Michiru. Mommy Setsuna. I can't thank you enough for raising me. As parents and teachers, you've all guided me. Now, it's my turn to guide you."

She raised a hand with her palm facing up, and on top of it, a strange pulse of energy blasted through the room, catching everyone by surprise. Unknown to Haruka, Michiru, and Setsuna, a brief film of darkness encased their bodies before shattering into nothingness.

Then, from on top of Hotaru's hand, a purple crystal appeared. Crystal hearts also appeared in front of the others, Haruka's being navy blue, Michiru's sea green, and Setsuna's maroon.

"These crystals are symbols of our new powers," said Hotaru. "Our new planetary crystals."

Then, a familiar item appeared. A gold, elaborate goblet with white wings and a crescent moon symbol.

"The Holy Grail!" gasped Haruka, Michiru, and Setsuna.

The Holy Grail then opened, releasing a large whisp of rainbow sparkles. Those sparkles showed an image of Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion holding each other close, each appearing to be in agony before fading away.

"Wh-What's going on?!" gasped Haruka. "The prince and princess!"

"They look like they're in pain!" observed Michiru worriedly.

Then, they took notice of the white roses Michiru brought earlier. They all had turned into an ominous shade of black and began to wilt.

Specter then spoke. "To keep the rundown brief, the enemy is the Dead Moon, and their leader is an evil queen named Queen Nehelenia. Her goal is to plunge the Earth into darkness and nightmares using the Silver and Golden Crystals. The Golden Crystal has yet to be found, and she's been searching relentlessly for it. As a result of this witch hunt, Prince Endymion has fallen ill due to being in tune with the Earth itself, and I fear that your princess may have fallen for the same curse as well."

"There's no time to waste," confirmed Hotaru. "Our prince and princess are in grave danger. We must go to them."

The Outer Guardians looked at each other, and with all their determination reignited, they gave each other a single nod. They then took off their rings and tossed them aside.

"These rings that we wear..." began Haruka.

"That symbolizes our promise to raise Hotaru..." said Michiru.

"We no longer need them!" finished Setsuna.

"Let's go! To where the others are!" they all said together. "Because that's where our true dream truly exists!"

A gateway then came forth, and all four of the Outer Guardians rushed inside it while Specter watched them go. As they watched them leave and the gateway shut, they spun on their heel.

"Looks like things are about to get pretty hectic again," they murmured. "I wonder how things will turn out this time around?"

Then, in their silver eyes, a flicker of sadness crossed them as they walked out of the room.

"But even with that being said... sometimes I wonder... Will the fighting ever stop? Or will it continue on just as it always does, like all the wars and battles before?"

At the Tsukino residence, Chibusa stared out the window from her bedroom, unable to sleep out of worry. As she gazed up into the sky, she could see the sky had grown dark, not just because of it being night. It had also grown murky, enough for anyone unable to see a single star and not even the moon.

"The air feels strange and unsettling," Chibusa thought. "There isn't a single star out tonight. Is this being caused by the Dead Moon?"

She then looked at the Crystal Carillon in her hand and thought about Helios, growing all the more worried about him.

Just then, she heard the sounds of a door closing downstairs, followed by some coughing. Wondering who it was, Chibiusa then came downstairs and found that Harusuke was also down there.

"Oh, hey there, Chibiusa," greeted Harusuke. "Did I wake you up?"

Chibiusa shook her head. "No. I was still awake myself," she said. "Say, was that you coughing not too long ago?"

Harusuke then frowned worriedly as he shook his head. "No. I'm afraid it wasn't," he said. "It was Usagi."

Chibiusa and Harusuke then went to Usagi's room and found her still coughing as she sat in her bed.

"Usagi, you're back pretty late," said Chibiusa. "Is Mamo doing OK?"

"Yeah, he's hanging in there," said Usagi.

"You really should take it easy, Sis," Harusuke spoke gently. "You've been running around quite a bit lately and have even started coughing a bit. Then again, the air around here's been quite humid, so I'm sure you're probably getting sick from the air quality."

"I know, but don't worry. I'll be OK," reassured Usagi. "I'll just stay inside for a while and get some rest. Hopefully, the air will eventually get better and clear up."

Harusuke and Chibiusa still felt worried but said nothing and left Usagi alone so that she could rest. But unbeknownst to them, or even to Usagi, something was beginning to happen to orandgo blonde. Similar to Mamoru and Helios, a black rose had formed inside of her chest, showing that she too had gotten cursed.