Meanwhile, Super Sailor Chibi Moon and Sailor Saturn continued to press forward in hot pursuit of their enemies. As they ran, Super Sailor Chibi Moon couldn't help but stare at Sailor Saturn's back. She was overjoyed to see her, but she was still a bit surprised to see her in her current state.

"Um, Hotaru? No, Sailor Saturn?" Super Sailor Chibi Moon said. "You've grown since I've last seen you."

Sailor Saturn then stopped prompting the pink ordango guardian to do so, too, as she turned towards her.

"I had to," Sailor Saturn said softly. "In order to fulfill my duty. But not only that." She then smiled. "I also grew up so I could fight alongside you, Super Sailor Chibi Moon. Or should I say… Chibiusa."

Super Sailor Chibi Moon was caught off guard by that statement, but she, too, smiled at her comrade.

The two then continued on together until they came to another circus tent and went inside. When they did, four spotlights suddenly snapped on, each shining on a member of the Amazoness Quartet.

VesVes stood on top of an elephant that reared on its legs while trumpeting. JunJun, while holding a torch, unleashed a mighty torrent of flames from her mouth. PallaPalla was juggling several little balls at once while balancing on top of a large one. And CereCere was swinging on a trapeze while scattering flower petals.

"Welcome, ladies!" said VesVes.

"Behold the greatest mysteries from the Amazon jungle!" said JunJun.

"Featuring the stars of the Dead Moon Circus," said PallaPalla. "The Amazoness Quartet!"

"And now, let the legendary Dead Moon Circus show begin!" said CereCere. "For our next act, we'll need the two of you to volunteer! Then our Amazon Stones, powered by the darkness of the Dead Moon, can send you both to hell!"

PallaPalla then threw some of the balls at the two guardians, all of which changed into several spheres of dark energy. However, Sailor Sailor Chibi Moon and Sailor Saturn leaped out of the way to avoid them as they exploded upon hitting the ground.

"The ones in hell are the four of you!" Sailor Saturn then shouted at the amazons. "This devilish power of darkness has blinded and trapped you all there! You need to wake up!"

"TAMA GSUSIRI!" JunJun snarled as she fired a volley of energy blasts from her hands in their direction.

In response, Sailor Saturn stepped into the line of fire, protecting Super Sailor Chibi Moon while swinging her staff and slamming the longer side of it to the ground.

"SILENCE WALL!"

A dome-like barrier then appeared, shielding them both from the attack.

"Stop this!" Sailor Saturn pleaded again. "Can't you all see that you're being controlled by the nightmares?! Can't you feel it?!"

This confused the Amazoness Quartet and Super Sailor Chibi Moon.

"What are you talking about?!" demanded VesVes. "We were born on the Dead Moon and were blessed with its divine power of nightmares, so of course we control them! Not the other way around!"

"You all have innate powers, but that's not what they are!" Sailor Saturn insisted. "They've been distorted! You're all being used! You need to wake up!"

The Guardian of Silence then twirled her staff before pointing its blade at them, and it began to shine in violet light as it generated destructive power.

"SILENCE GLAIVE SURPISE!"

While turning, she swung her Silence Glaive and unleashed a massive blast of energy. But before the blast struck them, the four amazons vanished from sight, avoiding it at the last second. Then, as Sailor Saturn and Super Sailor Chibi stood in the center of the circus ring, staying on guard, they heard JunJun's voice.

"Nice try, you lying Silver Millenium scum!" scoffed JunJun. "But we know who we are and that our desire is to seize the White Moon and the Blue Planet!"

Sailor Saturn then looked up, sensing danger in time to see PallaPalla use another one of her spells from above them.

"TAMA-SUDARE!"

She threw another bright sphere of energy, but this time, it exploded into a shower of glass shards that rained down on the two guardians. As the two guardians flinched from the downpour, they could sense the nightmares surrounding them and hear the Amazons voices.

"Beautiful dreams? Don't make me laugh!" scoffed VesVes.

"You wouldn't understand!" PallaPalla spat bitterly. "In the Dead Moon Circus, in the darkness, we weren't allowed to dream!"

"And it's all because of the White Moon Kingdom!" JunJun accused. "That's why we hate you! It's all your fault!"

Sensing the resentment of the voices along the darkness from the nightmares, Super Sailor Chibi Moon couldn't help but feel sorry for the four.

"I can feel their nightmares pouring in," she thought. "But… I'm feeling nothing but sadness. But they're our enemies, aren't they?"

Sailor Saturn then stood up and pointed her staff in the air, releasing a mighty blast of power from it, dispelling the spell instantly while revealing the amazons who now stood in front of them again, each speechless with her power.

"You're the ones who don't understand!" Sailor Saturn spoke firmly as she pointed the blade of her Silence Glaive at them. "You must wake up! Or this will be your end!"

The Amaoness Quartet each instinctively backed away, but then, Sailor Saturn lowered her weapon and calmly walked up to them.

"The one who's controlling you lusts for power and is manipulating you," she continued. "Please. Don't let her and wake up from this nightmare."

She held out her hand, hoping that she had gotten through to them. The Amazons, at this point, now didn't know what to think. Could this guardian from the White Moon Kingdom be telling the truth? Were they being deceived?

Then JunJun stepped up to Sailor Saturn and reached out her hand, about to take hers. But then, a powerful shock of negative energy from above blocked her path, catching them both by surprise. That energy came from Zirconia, who had seen and heard everything, and she was not pleased.

Upon seeing her, each of the Amazons faces filled with fear and dread.

"G-Granny Zirconia!" cried out JunJun. "It's not what it looks like! Please forgive us!

But Zirconia opened her free hand, and four crystal spheres came forth, which were the Amazon Stones the girls usually used. Before the girls could try and plead further, the four were sucked inside of their respective stones, sealed and trapped inside of them, much to the shock of Sailor Saturn and Super Sailor Chibi Moon.

"You gullible, ungrateful traitors," the old hag spat in disgust. "I took you under my wing all these years, and this is the thanks I get?" She then turned her attention to the two guardians. "Zircon, these childish intruders have meddled with our affairs. Therefore, it's time we punish them as well!"

At her command, the sentient eyeball on top of her staff began to shine in ominous purple-black light. Super Sailor Chibi Moon summoned her Moon Kaleido Scope and attempted to use her special move.

"MOON GORGEOUS MEDIT - !"

It was already too late.

From Zircon's light, two large shards of glass materialized, and before the two guardians realized what was happening, they both were sucked inside of them and were also sealed away.

Zirconia picked up the shards, smirking with triumph, then she called out.

"Tenebris! Come here!"

At her call, the dark knight appeared, still showing damage from the recent fight.

"Yes. Madame Zirconia?"

"It would seem that you'll be on your own from this point forward," said Zirconis. "The Amazoness Quartet have failed as well and have been punished. Therefore, I'll leave those filthy guardians of the White Kingdom to you. And to make sure there's no room for failure…"

She raised her staff and banged on the ground, and Zircon began to shine again. As Tenebris bathed in its glow, his armor began to repair itself while being filled with power. After a few seconds, he was completely healed and had an aura that radiated with more darkness than ever before.

"Now you should have no trouble eliminating our enemies," said Zirconia. "Use whatever means at your disposal to get rid of them, and I expect results, or else you'll end up the same way as those before you who have failed me. Is that clear?"

Both Tenebris's eyes flashed an even brighter shade of violet underneath his mask as he tilted his head, cracking his neck and speaking in a colder and darker voice than before.

"As you wish."

And with that, Tenebris disappeared.

Zirconia then teleported herself to the mirror in her hidden space. When she did, she approached the mirror, which she used to communicate with Queen Nehelenia. Then, with Amazon Stones and the shards, she inserted them inside of it.

Not long after she did, the eerie laughter of Queen Nehelenia could be heard, sounding very pleased.

Usagi was sleeping peacefully in a bed, still a child. As she slept, even with her eyes closed, she could see nothing but warm white brightness while a strange yet nostalgic scent filled her nostrils.

"It's bright… What is this? Sunlight?" she thought. "It's so warm. But… I'm not in the sun, am I?"

Then, she recognized where she was even while sleeping.

"I know where I am. I'm in Mamo's bed. The sheets are so soft and fluffy, and they smell like sunshine and trees like I'm out in nature."

Not long after she recognized where she was, she heard a voice.

"Usa? Usa."

Usagi rubbed her eyes as they fluttered open, and the first thing she saw was Mamoru, who was also in child form, smiling warmly as he looked at her. Then, before she could say his name, Mamoru leaned forward and gave her a small kiss on her lips.

"Good morning, Usagi," Mamoru greeted.

Usagi couldn't help but pull the covers to her face as she shyly blushed. "G-Good morning to you, too."

"I'm making breakfast right now, and I wanted to ask how you would like your eggs," said Mamoru. "Sunny-side up? Boiled? Or would you prefer an omelet?"

"U-Um, omelet, please," Usagi stammered meekly.

"All right then," smiled Mamoru. "Make sure you shower and change."

He then merrily trotted out of the room, leaving Usagi alone and confused.

"But… wait a minute… Wasn't I dreaming a second ago? I thought for sure I was."

But despite her puzzlement, she decided not to think about it too much as she got out of bed, took a shower, and got dressed in a gray uniform with a red plaid pattern. After that, she rejoined Mamoru at the table, who had just finished setting it. On the table were two plates of French toast with two jaws of marmalade and jam.

"Surprise, I made you French toast instead!" Mamoru said playfully. "Would you like some jam or marmalade?"

Upon seeing this, Usagi's eyes sparkled in delightful hunger. "Marmelade, please! You know I like my lime marmalade!"

Then, Usagi suddenly remembered while letting out a squeak of horror.

"Oh, no! I just remembered! I forgot to do my math homework! And I'm going to be late for school!"

"No need to worry about that," Mamoru reassured her. "First of all, you still have an hour left before school starts. Plus, I found your homework and did it for you. It's in your bag."

Usagi couldn't help but stare in amazement while Mamoru smiled sweetly at her.

After they ate breakfast, Mamoru and Usagi then walked to school together, hand in hand with their fingers interlocked. As they walked, Usagi was on cloud nine, feeling like the happiest girl in the world, but she also couldn't help but feel a little skeptical.

"Am I sure that I'm not dreaming?" Usagi wondered to herself. "This all seems too good to be true."

Then, Mamoru spoke to her. "You know, I'm so happy," he said. "It's always been my dream to live with you and walk to school like this every day. And now, it's finally come true. I don't think I could be happier anymore than I am right now."

"Really, that's your dream?" Usagi inquired curiously.

"That's right," smiled Mamoru. "In fact, the only thing I care about is making your dreams come true. You don't have to do anything but be your sweet, adorable self. You can leave everything to me."

Now, Usagi felt even more doubtful.

"Hold on a minute. This isn't like Mamoru at all. I mean, yeah, he has his moments, but he's never been this accommodating. I mean, he's a lot cooler, stricter, and always pushes me to do my best. He's never the kind to do my homework for me."

She then decided to test him.

"What about going to medical school?" Usagi asked suspiciously. "Didn't you have a dream to be a doctor?"

Mamoru smiled sweetly. "Don't be silly," he said. "My dream is to marry you, Usa."

Usagi let out a squeak in alarm as her heart skipped a beat. "M-Marry me?!" she exclaimed.

"Well, yeah. Isn't that your dream?" asked Mamoru.

"My dream? Well, my dream is… my dream is…!"

But before Usagi could finish her sentence, everything grew dark around her until her vision became black, and she could hear two familiar voices calling out to her.

"Usa! Usa!"

"Come on, Usagi! Wake up!"

Usagi woke up to the sound of Mamoru's and Solaris's voices, along with Mamoru gently shaking her.

"Mamo? Solaris?"

"Thank goodness," sighed Solaris. "Glad you're back, Sis."

"Are you all right, Usa?" asked Mamoru.

But sooner than when Usagi opened her eyes, she felt the disappointment come crashing into her heart as she cursed.

"Aw, darn it! I knew it was a dream!" the ordango blonde lamented. "Little Mamo was so cute, and it was the perfect scenario!"

"It seems as though you've all managed to recover," said a voice. "I'm glad."

Usagi looked up and saw that the voice belonged to Helios. But that wasn't the only thing. She also noticed that both she and Mamoru had returned to their proper ages, while Solaris appeared to be unharmed.

"Hey! What's going on here?!" Usagi gasped as she looked at herself. "Didn't that Zirconia lady turn us into children a moment ago?"

"Sssh! Lower your voice!" urged Helios in a whisper.

Usagi covered her mouth.

"The nightmares you were infected with on the surface should be dissipating by now," Helios then explained. "There isn't much purification power left here, but it was enough to return you both to your normal forms and cleanse the curses."

"What do you mean by that?" asked Solaris. "Where is here?"

Helios then looked to her left, prompting Usagi, Mamoru, and Solaris to look in the same direction. When they did, they couldn't help but gasp with what they saw.

The landscape was colored sickly gray with thick fog everywhere. The trees were barren, with not even a single leaf on them. There was also a lake with black that was a deeper gray, and the sky was filled with nothing but dark, heavy clouds.

"This is Elysion," Helios confirmed, a hint of sadness evident in his voice.

"No kidding?" Solaris murmured with shock. "Oh, man. And I thought Crystal Tokyo back when the Black Moon Clan invaded looked bad."

"It's… like a nighttime wasteland," said Mamoru.

Usagi then noticed something flutter past the corner of her eye, which led to her seeing something else that made her gasp.

"Mamo! Solaris! Look!"

Sure enough, as the boys also looked, they saw a field filled with nothing but black roses, their petals flying into the wind as it blew.

"The black roses symbolize the curse," said Helios. "What was once the pure and beautiful Elysion has now become a land of nightmares."

"How awful," Usagi spoke with empathy. "Isn't there anything we can do to help restore it?"

Helios then pointed towards the lake. At the center of it was a large stone shrine.

"For now, we have to get to the shrine without Nehelenia noticing us," Helios whispered. "I can show you the way."

Usagi, Mamoru, and Solaris obliged, and with Helios leading the way, they carefully made their way until they arrived at the shrine. It appeared old and worn down and had several teal crystals jutting out from the ground, the walls, and even the ceiling.

Then, as Usagi wondered what these crystals were, she saw something inside one of them at the center or, rather, two. Inside the crystal were two women.

"Look, there are people inside that crystal!" Usagi whispered out while pointing.

"Those two are the Maenids who serve as shrine priestesses," said Helios. "Aside from myself, they're the only two residents still left in this land. The crystals that you see around you and that encase them are the result of this land's purification effects, which are also protecting them."

As he looked around, Mamoru couldn't help but feel a sense of deja vu along with some nostalgia. "This place…" he thought to himself. "It's smell… It all feels so familiar. But why?"

Then, as if he was reading his mind, Helios turned and smiled at Mamoru. "Dear Prince, your family were the ones who protected this shrine. In fact, Elysion is your kingdom that sadly no longer exists, your Golden Kingdom."

"Golden Kingdom?" Mamoru repeated as he felt something click in his mind. "Wait… that's right. I remember now! All the natural splendor on the Earth's surface was here on Elysion, too. This place is the Earth's heart."

"Seriously?" murmured Solaris. "First time I've heard of something like that."

"While the prince ventured to the surface to protect the planet, I stayed behind in the shrine praying for the safety of the Earth," said Helios. "Though we were far apart from each other, never meeting before, our hearts and wishes were one and the same, as well as our mission and purpose. This wish was also one both the prince and the princess of the Moon shared with each other, which was also the reason why you both fell in love."

Usagi and Mamoru looked at each other.

"One from above and one from below. Back then, the two of you were a forbidden match and should have never met, but you did," continued Helios. "Both sharing the same power as well as the same mission."

"Wait, I don't understand," said Mamoru. "What do you mean the same power and mission?"

"The Silver Millennium from above and the Golden Kingdom from below have long protected the planet Earth together," said Helios. "And both kingdoms each had Power Crystals. The legendary Silver Crystal was the Power Crystal of the Princess of the Silver Millenium. Meanwhile, the Golden Crystal, the holy stone of the Golden Kingdom, belonged to you, my prince."

Mamoru, Usagi, and Solaris were shocked to hear this.

"No way!" Solaris spoke in a hushed whisper. "So… does that mean…"

"Mamo has a crystal, too!" said Usagi in amazement.

Helios then led the three up to another flight of stairs up an open area where a circle of Corinthian columns stood.

"What's this?" wondered Usagi.

"This is the center of the shrine, the Tower of Prayer," said Helios. "This is where I pray, meditate, and receive revelations. Like the vision of the maiden that spoke to me."

"What did she say?" asked Solaris.

"She said: "The time nears for the seal of the Golden Crystal, the Holy Stone of Elysion, will be broken," Helios replied. "This will be the most perilous test you and Elysion will ever face, filled with great pain and sorrow. But the maiden will be fiercely by your side. A princess and guardian protected by moonlight. A dreamer of beautiful dreams. She alone possesses the sacred crystal that can break the seal of the Golden Crystal. And the identity of the maiden I saw… was Princess Lady Serenity."

"Princess Lady Serenity?" repeated Usagi.

"That's right. And I have reason to believe that the chosen maiden she spoke of was you," Helios said to her. "The time has come, dear princess, for you to break the seal of the Golden Crystal by using the Silver Crystal."

"But I don't even know where the Golden Crystal is," Usagi said. "None of us do."

"Nobody knows where it is, but only because its location is in a hidden location," said Helios. "It could be sealed in Elysion or any other realm far from reach. But, with your crystal, you should be able to figure out where it is and break its seal."

There was a long silence. Then, an idea popped into Solaris's mind that made him gasp.

"Hold on a second," he murmured in realization. "Usagi, remember the other day when I talked to you and the others about my hypothesis?"

"Well, yeah. You said that the Golden Crystal might be inside of you," said Usagi. "But you don't have the crystal, remember?"

"Yes, but what if I was on the right track?" said Solaris. "What if the Golden Crystal is hidden inside a person. A person who we've overlooked this entire time?"

Usagi took a moment to think. "Mamo's crystal is sealed and hidden away. Just like…" she thought. Then, it dawned on her, too. "Just like mine!"

"Could it be… that the Golden Crystal… is inside of Mamo?" Usagi then gasped.

Mamoru was also taken aback. "Wait, inside of me?" he murmured.

"Yes! It makes perfect sense!" Usagi said as her face brightened with a smile. "Your Golden Crystal is inside of you like the Silver Crystal was in me!"

Mamoru then looked at his chest, holding his hand to it in utter surprise. "No way…! It can't be!"

Usagi then held Mamoru's hand. "I'm certain of it! Without a doubt!" she insisted. "You've always been there for me and have given me strength. You've lent me your strength. Your energy. It has always guided the power of my Silver Crystal, and it had to have come from the Golden Crystal."

"And not only that, but you're the prince of Earth and the Golden Kingdom," said Solaris. "It's only fitting that you have the same power and crystal as my little sis does. And now that we know where it is, it's time for you to crystalize and unleash that power."

Mamoru still couldn't believe his ears. "I… don't believe it," he murmured in amazement. "All this time, I thought I'd been holding you back. But it turns out I wasn't."

"You know, not too long ago, I had a dream," said Usagi. "In it, you asked what my dream was just before I woke up. But now, I can tell what that dream is."

She paused impressively before smiling sincerely at Mamoru, squeezing his hand.

"My dream is to protect everyone on Earth and make sure that we can all live happily in peace with you by my side. What about you, Mamo?"

Mamoru responded by wrapping his arms around her, embracing her gently while smiling. "It's the same as yours," he replied. "To keep on protecting this planet together with you."

Usagi returned the embrace lovingly. "We share the same dream!" she said happily. "I'm so happy!"

Solaris couldn't help but smile from watching the two, but then, he had a thought that made him curious.

"Wait a second, Helios," he said. "I just thought of this, but… since Mamoru has the Golden Crystal inside of him, and since he's the prince of Earth, doesn't that technically make him a guardian just like Sailor Moon?"`

"Indeed it does," said Helios. "But he's not only the Guardian of Earth, he's also the Guardian protected by the Sun as well."

Upon hearing this, Solaris was surprised. "Wait, you mean there's two Guardians of the Sun?" he inquired. "I thought I was the only one."

Helios then gave Solaris a surprised look. "What do you mean?" he asked. "There's always been one guardian of the sun, and that's the prince."

Solaris went silent, now feeling even more puzzled. But before he could ask any further, Helios walked further up the stairs.

"Come this way," he urged. "We must continue forward."

Usagi and Mamoru followed close behind him. And while Solaris still wanted to know what Helios meant, he knew that taking care of the current matter came first, so he also followed.

The party soon reached the top of the stairs. When they did, they all saw the cage where Helios' main body was being kept prisoner.

But their warnings came all too late, for as Usagi tried to approach the cage, she was suddenly bounced back by a barrier made of dark energy. As soon as she did, a cold wind blew across the tower, whipping up a blizzard of black petals.

Then, a voice belonging to a woman, filled with a malevolent evil, was heard.

"So, the little rats managed to get in, eh?"

Everyone grew tense, knowing full well who it was. It was Nehelenia.

"That bird in the cage belongs to me," Nehelenia's voice continued. "It's not something for rats like you to feed on."

"Oh, great. Another woman with a superiority complex," Solaris quipped.

"Helios isn't yours!" Usagi spoke bravely to the wind. "We won't let you keep him!"

At her statement, a light began to shine in both her and Mamoru's chests, which dispelled the wind and the petals.

"That glow!" gasped Solaris.

"It's the light of their crystals!" confirmed Helios.

"Despecable vermin!" Nehelenia's voice then snarled. "You all annoy me!"

Then, the gem at the center of Helios' forehead began to shine as he called out.

"O, Elysion, hear me! Lend me your power!"

As the light shone, a bubble formed around Usagi, Mamoru, and Solaris, lifting them into the air.

"How dare you!" Nehelenia's voice came. "You'll pay for your interference!"

The cage began to sparkle and spark with dark energy, shocking the main body of Helios, which in turn made his human self, which was his projection, collapse to his knees as he cried out in agony.

"Helios!" Usagi, Mamoru, and Solaris cried.

"Get to the surface!" Helios called back to them while wincing. "Prince! Princess! If you both use your powers together, I'm sure you can triumph over the darkness up there, too!"

"But what about you?!" Solaris shouted back. "We can't just leave you here!"

"Don't worry about me!" said Helios. "You all must protect the Earth!"

And before anyone else could object further, Usagi, Mamoru, and Solaris were all teleported out of Elysion, vanishing from sight.

No sooner than when they were gone, Nehelenia coldly spat at Helios as his projection faded away.

"You've interfered long enough. Surely, you realize now that any further resistance is futile."

Then, Zirconia's voice was heard also.

"Do not fear, Queen Nehelenia. As your spirit guide, I, Zirconia, will do everything in my power to ensure everything goes to plan."

The white-winged horse could only open his eyes as he lay in his cage, now barely hanging on to what little strength he had left.