Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Stars: Chaos Theory

Act 56: We Believe in You

Sora Kazeno

Haruka stares at Setsuna in shock after listening to her plan to essentially poison the Princess to stop Chaos. Her expression shifts to annoyance. "Why didn't you mention this to us sooner? This could have saved so many of the others and ended this madness sooner." She won't say it out loud but her comments are clear she is referring to Michiru.

"I forgot about the gas… it was dangerous when it was used and I never would have imagined its use as a weapon against one of our own. My focus was on the timeline more than anything." Setsuna frowns at her short comings. "If only the timeline wouldn't have changed…" Her voice trails off when she realizes nothing will change following this thought process. She had been over this countless times in her head but the same problem remains.

Haruka nods her head slowly, redirecting the conversation back to stopping Chaos. "How were you able to get Mamoru-san and the others on board with this plan?"

Setsuna's facial expression shifts to a look of guilt. "They don't know and cannot know. Mamoru-san would never allow it." She meets Haruka's eyes to make her understand this discussion. "If they learned the details they would do everything to stop us and we would miss our chance to end this battle. All they need to know is we might have a way to stop Chaos and we will return to Earth as soon as we have what we need." Absent mindedly she touches the pendant on her necklace. "We ask them to focus on obtaining the remaining rings to weaken her power."

Haruka looks down at the floor, absorbing all of the information at once. "It is for the best. Based on how the others handled the battle with Galaxia year ago, this would be too much to ask of them." Another thought occurred to her. "Do the Starlights know? They seem to be more willing to do whatever it takes." That is the closest Haruka will come to commending them.

"Yes. Only one was strongly opposed. But after further discussion it became clear our options are limited." Setsuna and Haruka remain in silence for the next several minutes. The Guardian of Time mentally prepares the next steps she must take to move the plan along. She doesn't like lying to the others but being a senshi is never meant to be easy.

Standing up from the armchair, she walks in the kitchen and grabs the phone. Setsuna lets out a deep sigh before dialing Mamoru's number. She hates lying to him. As King Endymion, he was always able to pick up on what she wasn't telling him. She relays what she told Haruka, choosing her words carefully. She emphasizes it might be their only chance to stop Chaos. She doesn't tell him what they are searching for and how it is harmful to Usagi. Only they might have a way to stop her. She tells she doesn't want to get everyone's hope up in case they can't find it.

"I'm coming with you," Mamoru tells her, his voice slightly higher in anticipation of ending his living nightmare.

"It's not that simple Mamoru-san. We have to travel to the outer limits of this galaxy and your powers are limited." Setsuna uses a blunt approach. "You would only slow us down and it would take us a lot longer to return. Time is a luxury we do not have. I don't want to imagine what would if we run out of time and the other senshi are lost."

There is a long pause on the side of phone from Mamoru. When he speaks his tone is full of disappointment. "I want to go with you to help but it is probably better if I remain on Earth. I would be more useful getting some of the rings back."

Mamoru hangs up the phone with a loud sigh. He stares at the phone, unable to move from where he is standing questioning what Setsuna has planned to stop Chaos. The phone rings a few seconds later. He reaches his hand out to pick up the phone but stops when he realizes the caller identification number is the hospital. He retracts his hand.

He requested a leave of absence due to a family emergency. Human Resources is likely calling for an update since they are short physicians. He began completely ignoring their calls after his conversion with Setsuna. No matter what they do, the timeline will revert back to what it was. Everything he experienced during this timeline no longer matters other than stopping Chaos and returning the starseeds. He will have to win Usagi back in the other timeline.

It is pointless for him to attend to work. He is too depressed to be back at work trying to help patients. He snickers. He can help them in the other timeline after he finishes school. He cringes at the thought. He walks over to the kitchen to pull out a glass from the cupboard. He will have to complete school again. Another painful experience he will have to repeat.

His body stiffens when a fleeting image of Usagi visiting him on campus with Haruka, Michiru, and Rei. He stares the glass on the on the container trying to recall the events of the image. Why were the four of them together on campus? The image is gone before he can recall anything else.

He takes a few minutes to gather his thoughts before he grabs his keys off the table. A memory comes to mind as he put on his shoes from a time Usagi returned to the apartment with him.

Usagi and Mamoru arrived at his apartment. They had talked most of the way. Mamoru did not want to discuss the newspaper article he had seen this morning, nor did Usagi. Once they were inside, Usagi insisted she examine his shoulder.

"Usako…." Mamoru said as he lightly touched her shoulder, "you can't blame yourself every time something happens."

"But it is my fault… I feel so powerless without my abilities as Cosmos. I can't protect anyone."

Mamoru told her he was fine but she refused to accept it as her answer. She wanted to know the extent of his injury and if it was something serious. "I have to make sure you're okay Mamo-chan. You've done so much for me and I can't leave knowing that you are in pain because of me." Mamoru let out a small sigh. He knew he couldn't deny her request. He tried to unbutton his shirt but realized it was nearly impossible with the pain his shoulder. He closed his eyes tightly as he tried to avoid calling out.

"Now you're the one trying to be brave…" Usagi said. She walked over to the couch and sat down next him. It was really awkward when she realized she needed to unbutton his shirt to examine his injury. She raised her hands to the top button and paused. Her cheeks began to flush.

Mamoru laughed. "It's not like you've never done this before."

Usagi's face turned bright red as she shouted, "Mamo-chan! You're not making this any easier!"

Mamoru laughed at the situation to ease the mood.

Usagi took a deep breath in an effort to calm her racing heart. She slowly unbuttoned his shirt and helped him take off the bloody shirt. He was sitting in front of her shirtless. It brought back a few memories to her mind and she tried her best to not show any facial expressions. "How does it feel?" She asked, as she turned her eyes to his injuries.

"…it's sore... but it will be fine," Mamoru said, as he tried to downplay it. He always put on a brave face in front of Usagi.

"… Mamo-chan… you're doing it again. You're trying to hide things from me. This is serious!" Usagi exclaimed, as she was finally able to inspect the wound. It was a deep cut that made movement in his arm difficult. "I'll heal it for you." Before Mamoru could say a word, Usagi touched the crystal around her neck and her Cosmos staff and pearl rings appeared.

Mamoru wanted to protest but it was already too late. Usagi lightly placed her hand on his shoulder. Her touch sent a shiver down his spine.

Usagi's hand began to feel very warm as she began to heal the wound. Her eyes were closed and an eight pointed star shone brightly on her forehead.

Mamoru did not say anything as he took this moment to watch the deep concentration on Usagi's face. The pain in his shoulder began to fade as more of Usagi's healing energy began to flow into his body. He began to feel warm and very relaxed. He no longer felt pain in his shoulder. The light began to fade.

Usagi removed her hand from his shoulder and examined it for any other injuries. "It should be okay," she told him. She moved back slightly as her staff disappeared. The star on her forehead began to dim and disappear.

Mamoru moved his shoulder and did not feel pain. "I feel a lot better…" Mamoru said he rubbed his shoulder a little. "Thank you Usako."

Usagi smiled. Her eyes were heavy as she began to feel exhausted after using her healing abilities. She knew it would take time before she would be able to use her ability with ease. The more she used it, the less strain it would be in the future. Her head began to nod as she felt exhaustion wash over her. Her eyes began to close and she collapsed forward into Mamoru.

"Usako!" Mamoru exclaimed, as he caught her in his arms. He felt relieved once he realized she was sound asleep. He shook his head. She had overdone it again. It was a habit with her. He gingerly picked her up in his arms. He couldn't let her sleep on the couch. He carried her effortlessly into his room so she could rest on his bed. He placed her on the bed and lightly placed a cover on her. Out of habit, he kissed her lightly on the forehead. He watched her for a few moments. This is how it should be, he told himself. Once she woke up they would talk, uninterrupted. The time she slept gave him time to think about what he would tell her. He was convinced he would win her back.

He leaves his apartment. He needs to find Usagi. Talk to her. Something. Win her back before the time changes back the one with all these painful memories. He doesn't care how desperate it sounds. This nightmare needs to end.

Sailor Cosmos returns to Earth determined to gather more starseeds. This process has taken long enough. She arrives outside of Makoto's apartment, looking up at the building she wonders how many times she has been to this apartment in recent days without taking Makoto's starseed. It is time she collects it.

She teleports inside and walks around the apartment in the darkness checking each room in less than a minute. It is empty.

Leading against the wall she tries to plan her next move. She needs to take Galaxia's starseed but she has remained out of sight which keeps her and Princess Kakyuu safe. At best she can periodically find the Starlights. Finding the Starlights would boost the strength of the other starseeds she has collected since their starseeds are more powerful. But she doesn't know where they are either. She has only come across Seiya and Usagi will fight to keep him safe.

She walks out onto the balcony of the apartment and freezes when she sees two shooting stars leaving the atmosphere. They are both fairly strong. The stars disappear. They left too quickly for her to determine whom they belong.

Sailor Cosmos' eyes narrow. For their light to disappear so suddenly can only mean their light burned out suddenly or they have traveled to a place she cannot reach. No one can match her speed. It can only mean one thing. Sailor Pluto is up to something. She is persistent and will not give up. Her attention shifts to the shrine. Sooner or later they will be there.

Seiya is restless. "How are we supposed to obtain more rings from Sailor Cosmos if we don't leave the hotel to look for her?"

"You don't get it, do you?" Yaten snaps at Seiya. "That was never the actual plan. We wait for Pluto and Uranus to return and try to stay alive until them. Removing more rings would barely weaken her. It is not enough to stop her." She fills in the pieces for Seiya.

Seiya's eyes narrow at Yaten for a moment before he turns to face Taiki, the man that convinced him this was a good plan.

Taiki shrugs in response.

Seiya sighs loudly as he rises to his feet and walks over to the door to leave the hotel room.

Yaten stands in the front of the door at the last moment to block him. "You know you have to wait until the others are back."

"Get out of my way."

"So you can run around Tokyo and try to have your starseed taken? No."

"Move." Seiya growls.

Yaten crosses his hands against his chest, staring at Seiya.

Seiya is done trying to persuade Yaten to move with words. He pushes him.

Yaten takes a few steps back into the door and uncrosses his arms. He raises his hands prepared to defend himself again Seiya.

Princess Kakyuu rushes over to them. "Enough!" She yells at them, a tone she rarely uses with the Starlights. Her voice snaps the two singers out of their glaring match. "Fighting amongst ourselves will not solve anything."

Seiya looks at Princess Kakyuu and then to Yaten. He looks at the Princess again before he turns around and clenches his fist.

Yaten follows him closely with his eyes. The two men don't speak another word to each other for hours.

Mamoru freezes in his steps when he realizes he is outside of the hospital where he worked without realizing it. He stares at the building for a moment watching people rush in and out. He turns away before anyone can recognize him.

A few blocks away he's not sure where he is going or where else he can look for Usagi. He feels he has exhausted all of his options. He wants this to be over. He wants things to go back to how they were. His thoughts keep shifting back to this despite being told numerous times it is impossible. But the impossible has happened so many times in his life. Why not this time?

His heart beats faster when she sees a short woman with long blonde hair ahead. He smiles as he approaches. Convinced it is Usagi and she is here to see him. As he moves closer to her he realizes the person is too tall. The hair is a darker shade of blonde and her hair is in pigtails not odangos.

He abruptly stops in his tracks. He realizes he is going to see her everywhere even if she is not really there. Without any other options he changes his direction and walks to the shrine.

Usagi blends in with the other customers at the shrine. She has a hat over her head, covering her odangos. She weaves her way to the back of the shrine to the meeting rooms where the girls have met countless time to discuss senshi business.

The door to the room is open and she finds it empty. She walks around the room for any signs they were there recently. Her mind drifts to the starseeds she has taken from the other senshi, causing this once full room to be void of so many senshi. She exits the room and quickly walks around the main house listening for familiar voices.

She ends up in Rei's room. It is also empty. Her eyes linger on the large stack of manga piled in the corner. Another place comes to mind. She pauses when a few floorboards creak beneath her feet, when she hears nothing else she continues on. She pauses again when she hears the voices of Rei, Minako, and Makoto.

She is too impatient to listen to what they are discussing and makes her presence known. "How nice to see you again," she walks into the room with a large smile on her face.

Usagi's sudden appearance startles them. The girls gasp and stare at her, unsure of what to say as they jump to their feet. Their hands instinctively clutch the crystal pendants around their neck.

Usagi places a hand over her heart, pretending to be hurt by their actions. "You don't even want to talk? You just want to fight? You really have changed."

"You're the one that has changed Usagi." Rei studies Usagi's movements carefully.

"We'd rather not fight you Usagi-chan but we're not going to sit around and do nothing while you take our starseeds." Minako tries to muster as much courage as she can in her voice.

"We will protect the Earth from you." Makoto takes a small step forward.

Usagi laughs at the girls. "Earth isn't in danger from me. The only ones that have something to worry about are the ones that have starseeds. After all, I haven't attacked anyone random have I?"

Rei's eyes narrow at Usagi's flippant remarks. "But you are endangering the Earth by trying to change the timeline."

Usagi smile turns into a smirk. "No more than Sailor Pluto has. Or did you forget all of this happened because of her?" Her playfulness continues disappears. "Where is she? I'll spare you if you tell me where she is."

"We don't know," Minako counters, trying to display confidence. "But we are going to find a way to stop you."

"We will never give her up," Makoto adds.

Usagi shakes her head side to side slightly. "Have it your way. Cosmos Crystal Power, Make Up!" When the prism colored light disappears, Sailor Cosmos glares at them. "I think I've played around enough as it. It's time for you to join Ami-chan."

"Mars Eternal, Make Up!"

"Venus Eternal, Make Up!"

"Jupiter Eternal, Make Up!"

The four transformed senshi stare at each other, waiting for the other to make the first move.

Sailor Cosmos smiles and makes the first move. "Cosmos Twilight Flash!"

The three senshi scramble and make their way outside to the back of the shrine to give them more room to battle.

When Sailor Mars is far enough away from the wooden building, she attacks. "Mars Flame Sniper!"

Sailor Cosmos doesn't bother to block the attack and dodges it instead.

"Venus Rolling Heart Vibration!"

"Jupiter Coconut Cyclone!"

Sailor Cosmos places her staff in front of her ready to create a barrier when it dawns on her, her defense ring is gone. She changes her tactic and dodges the two attacks at the last moment since she is unsure of how much of their attacks she would be able to block. She can't let them see any sign of weakness from her.

"Divine Stardust!" She generates energy from her staff to attack them again but this time as the energy flies forward at Sailor Venus it splits three times and attacks all of the senshi at once, surprised by the new attack.

Sailor Jupiter sits up first and is hit by golden energy. She screams when she recognizes the sharp pain. An orange floor blooms from her chest and an emerald starseed emerges floating in the air into the out stretched hands of Sailor Cosmos.

Sailor Cosmos stares at the object in her hands. "This one has eluded me for too long."

Sailor Jupiter can instantly feel all of her power leaving her, her breathing staggered. She uses the last of her strength to address Sailor Cosmos. "I believe you are in there somewhere Usagi-chan under the Chaos. I know you will find a way back to us."

Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus cry at the sight of Sailor Jupiter's body disappearing before their very eyes. They sit beside Jupiter trying to find some way to comfort her.

Sailor Mars turns her sadness into anger. "How can you keep taking everyone's starseeds after everything we have been through?" Tears stream down her face.

"Stop making excuses for her weakness." Sailor Cosmos is about to attack the two remaining senshi but is stopped by a red streak flying in the air coming to abrupt stop at her feet. She stares at the object in front of her, a single red rose. Tuxedo Kamen. Sailor Cosmos slowly raises her head to glare at him. "What do you think you can accomplish by throwing a rose? You're always relied on the senshi to defeat the enemy." With a gesture she dismisses Jupiter's starseed. Without another word she attacks them again knocking all of them back onto the ground.

Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus struggle to get to their feet due to injuries from previous attacks.

Tuxedo Kamen stands back up with some assistance from his cane. "Usa."

Sailor Cosmos give off a chilly appearance. "You're going to challenge me?"

In the blink of an eye, Tuxedo Kamen disappears from in front of Sailor Cosmos and reappears behind her. He holds his cane near her collar bone, preventing her from moving her arms. Her staff falls to the ground.

"Get your hands off me!" Sailor Cosmos yells at him angrily. She is surprised by his actions. She continues to struggle against him but physically she is too weak against his strong arms. She is at a disadvantage in such close proximity. He knows it is her weakness.

Tuxedo Kamen doesn't loosen his grip. "Stop this Usa. I'm not going to let you hurt anyone else." His voice is strained.

"But I want to hurt them!" She challenges back, continuing to struggle in his arms. The cane begins to dig into her collar bone slightly. She bites her lip to distract her from the pain. She's stops struggling against the cane.

"You don't really mean that." He speaks softly in her ear.

"How do you know what I mean and what I don't?"

"Because I know you Usa. Serenity, you're the same person. The kind of person that doesn't hurt others."

"People change." Sailor Cosmos pauses. "I guess I should be thanking you for that. You helped me to change into who I am today."

Tuxedo Kamen isn't sure what to say at first. "You're my wife Usa; that is what matters."

Sailor Venus and Sailor Mars keep their distance from the two and watch. They are not sure what they can do and they are too far away to be able to hear their conversation. They don't dare disturb Tuxedo Kamen while he speaks with Sailor Cosmos, hoping he can reach her. They keep their guard up, watching for any sign of Sailor Cosmos attacking them. Their hands are in position for attacks in case they need to summon energy at a moment's notice.

"Usa, please let me help you," Tuxedo Kamen pleads in her ear.

Sailor Cosmos smirks more in his grasp. She tries to use her bracelets against him or against the other senshi but without being able to free herself she is unable to direct any of the energy. The restriction fuels her anger. "What would you accomplish by stopping me here? Don't you realize after this battle you'll go back to watching Usagi with Seiya? Why do you think Serenity is fighting so hard to stop it and why she won't work with Usagi?"

Tuxedo Kamen inhales sharply at her statements. His grip loosens slightly at her words. All he can muster, "As long as you are not possessed by Chaos…I can worry about the rest after." That is the image he focuses on his mind. Usagi free from Chaos.

Sailor Cosmos laughs. "There will never be a time Chaos does not exist. Chaos is everywhere. It is unavoidable."

Tuxedo Kamen refuses to accept this as an answer. "No, Chaos was defeated in the past by Princess Serenity." As soon as he made the statement images fill his mind of a moment from the previous battle.

Sailor Galaxia kept the cauldron close to her. As soon as Chaos' energy was released she would be ready. She stood their silently with the others as the battle raged on.

The light emitting from the starseed of Princess Serenity was weaker than expected. Princess Serenity knew it was because she lacked the crystal. She was being pushed back by Sailor Cosmos more and more. Yet she refused to give up.

"You're weak Serenity!" Sailor Cosmos taunted her as she collected more energy with her staff for another strike. Once she had enough energy she hurled it at Princess Serenity.

Princess Serenity used her wings to climb higher in the sky. She had been on the defensive for a while now as she focused her power to release Usagi. She focused once more and her starseed began to shrine brighter as it generated a pulsing white light.

"You're finally taking this battle seriously!" Sailor Cosmos exclaimed with glee. "But you're too late. The starseed is getting weaker… I can feel its energy burning out!"

Endymion watched the scene unfold before him but he didn't know what he could do help her.

"Can a starseed really burn out?" Sailor Star Fighter asked Sailor Galaxia with concern in her voice.

"Yes it is possible… but the Moon Princess has the strongest starseed-" Sailor Galaxia explained before she was cut off by Endymion.

"It is the strongest because of the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou," Endymion explained to the two. "It is the source of her power that only she can use."

"Then if she runs out of power…" said Sailor Star Fighter. She couldn't bare to finish the thought. Seeing her die twice was hard enough.

It was Sailor Cosmos' turn to shield her eyes from the bright light emitted by the starseed. "Such brightness!" She exclaimed. "I must retrieve that starseed!"

Tuxedo Kamen can't focus on anything else but the memory he just recalled, allowing Sailor Cosmos a chance to escape.

She now turns all of her attention to Tuxedo Kamen with her bracelets raised at him. "You remembered too much."

Tuxedo Kamen's will to fight diminished. He is going to call her bluff. "Go ahead. Usa."

"Fine!" Sailor Cosmos responds.

Sailor Venus is about to interrupt but Sailor Mars stops her. "She can't do it," she states to her comrade.

Sailor Cosmos continues to have her arms raised in front of her chest, her bracelets on display. Her arms shake slightly. She wants to attack to him but something is preventing her from completing the task. She clears her throat but she can't attack him and take his starseed.

Tuxedo Kamen looks into her eyes, "If I don't mean anything to you, why are you unable to take my starseed Usa?"

Sailor Cosmos narrows her eyes and raises her wrists slightly higher in the air in an effort to try to attack him again but she is still unable. She makes a sound of disgust and drops her arms to her side. Her fists are clenched tightly into balls. She tries to muster the strength to overcome this obstacle that is preventing her from collecting his starseed, an obstacle created by Serenity.

She walks a few steps closer to Tuxedo Kamen; her arms only raise a few inches before they fall to her side again. No matter how many times she tries she is not able to use her bracelets to take his starseed. Her anger surges at her inability to complete such a simple task. The crystal on her front bow flashes for a few seconds and her staff flies up from the ground and back into her right hand. Without another word she vanishes.

Tuxedo Kamen stares at the ground where she stood only moments ago. There are so many things he wanted to still say to her but he has to make her realize she couldn't take his starseed. She couldn't just throw him a way in essence. He will have another chance to collect her rings. Hearing footsteps behind him he turns around to see Sailor Venus and Sailor Mars approaching him.

"She took Mako-chan's…" Sailor Mars couldn't finish the sentence.

"Let's hope Setsuna-san returns with whatever she is looking for," Tuxedo Kamen tries to sound hopeful even though he feels anything but. He isn't sure what to say. Another senshi was lost to Chaos and by some miracle, he is still standing.

"Oh?" Deucalion said. She eyed the three senshi from the Kinmoku star system. "We heard reports of a Starlight was on Earth… but all three?" Her mind raced as she formed a plan.

"The Guardian must be close…. their protectors are here," sneered Haumea at their attendance. She smiled. They were close.

Sailor Star Fighter began to feel nervous by Haumea's words. She wanted to know how Haumea would know anything about the Starlights being protectors to Sailor Cosmos when they had only recently learned this information from their Princess. She took a few steps forward in front of Sailor Star Maker and Sailor Star Healer.

"Hmm…" Deucalion said with a wicked grin, her hand behind her back, she gathers enormous amounts of dark energy. "I have an idea on how to flush out the Guardian." She launched her attack at the Inner Senshi separating them from Sailor Moon. They were all knocked to the ground in surprise; they didn't predict such a bold attack.

The senshi were staggered and slowly sat up. They each had expressions of frustration plastered on their face. They were now several feet away from Sailor Moon and even further away from their adversaries. The Starlights were the closest ones to Sailor Moon to protect her from an attack.

She had everyone right where she wanted them. It was time to put her plan into action. She eyed the three Starlights again. After she examined each of them for a few seconds, her eyes settled on Sailor Star Fighter. "I'm sure the Guardian would appear if you were injured." The energy she built up since the previous attack rushed forward at Sailor Star Fighter.

The Inner Senshi were too stunned from the previous attack to be able to help Sailor Star Fighter.

Sailor Moon witnessed everything in slow motion. There was nothing she could do.

Haumea watched Deucalion with a curious look.

Sailor Star Maker and Sailor Star Healer tried to summon their own attacks to counterattack it, but they knew it was futile. They could not gather the needed energy in time.

The attack hit Sailor Star Fighter and knocked her back several feet. Blood sprayed from a large wound to her lower right side. Deucalion's original target area was the center of her chest. But Sailor Star Fighter managed to move a little out of the way.

"Seiya!" Sailor Moon screamed after seeing the horrific event. Tears cascaded down her eyes. She felt frozen in her spot. She wanted to rush over to her and help her, but her feet would not cooperate.

The Inner Senshi finally managed to stand up again and in a state of disbelief.

Sailor Star Healer and Sailor Star Maker were able to move first. They were closest to Sailor Star Fighter.

Sailor Star Maker quickly assessed the injury and said grimly, "It's really bad… she needs help immediately."

Sailor Star Maker's words hit Sailor Moon hard. She began to feel rage build up. Another person was injured again because of her. She wasn't frozen in place anymore. Her forehead began to burn.

Seiya jumps out of his seat as the memory faded; immediately checking his right side to check for any injuries. He lets out a deep breath of relief when he does not find any injuries. He looks up and finds everyone staring at him.

"Are you losing your mind since you were not allowed to leave?" Yaten asks, watching Seiya closely to see what he does next.

"Sometimes I feel like it since I'm only that is receiving memories from the other time line," Seiya walks back over to the chair and sits down. He lets a long slow breath trying to ease the pounding of his heart in his ears.

Hikaru looks at him thoughtfully. "Have any of them had anything to do with the battle against Chaos?" She pushes a few strands of her long hair behind her ear. "Anything, no matter how the small detail would be extremely valuable."

Seiya shakes his head no. "I just saw a time we fought some other villain and I was severely injured." He leans forward resting his elbows on his knees while his hands are right below his chin. "They seem to be …. random moments." He chooses his words carefully not wanting to discuss moments he remembers with Usagi when they were alone. He rubs his temples trying to get his thoughts straight. After a moment, he stands back up. "We can't stay here forever."

Taiki sighs. "But we are safe here." His tone suggests he doesn't want to discuss this topic again.

"The others aren't safe," Seiya counters. "They are still out there and they need our help."

"You're just looking this as an excuse to look for her after what you saw," Yaten argues back, walking over to Taiki to stand next to him, to be a united front.

"So what? We can try to get another ring or two. Her powers are already weakened since she is missing half of her rings."

"Enough," Princess Kakyuu interrupts trying to prevent the conversion from turning into a repeat from earlier. "It might be best if you look for her with Maker and Healer," she directs her statement to Seiya. "Hikaru-san and I are too big of a target to her. You have the best chance to reach her through the connection you share. Perhaps it can lead you to her." Can't have them argue any more.

Taiki's eyes display annoyance at Princess Kakyuu's instruction but he doesn't say anything.

Yaten's jaw drops at the new development.

Seiya can't help but smile out of the right corner of his mouth.

Usagi can hear the click of the heels as she approaches, she doesn't need to look up while sitting in the ground to know who is arriving next to her prison. She greets her by saying that has bothered her for a while, "I don't understand why you haven't taken the form of Neo-Queen Serenity when I've already become Queen and appeared as her during this timeline."

Princess Serenity pouts her lips in disgust. "In your timeline perhaps but I refuse to take that appearance unless Endymion is by my side." She lets out a small sigh. "Mako-chan lost her starseed. Most of the senshi have lost their starseeds because you refuse to work together with me."

Usagi jumps to her feet. "I have tried to work with you but you continue to hold onto a timeline that no longer exists. You are giving up a timeline of peace; the kind of mother sacrificed her life for."

Princess Serenity glares at her. "Don't tell me about the sacrifices my mother made for the good of the galaxy."

"Then why are you throwing it all away?"

The Princess glares at the blonde across from her but doesn't say anything. Instead she storms off.

Usagi is left alone in silence again; the only sound is her soft sobs as tears fall from her eyes. She pushes against the bars again, trying to find a way to free herself but is unsuccessful. Her hand goes to her neck but there is still no pendant. Without being able to summon her power, she feels hopeless and Chaos will be the victor of this battle. This battle could be easily won if only everyone worked together.

Sailor Pluto looks around on Nemesis with Sailor Uranus. She didn't want to step foot on this planet again so soon. She is unsure if they will run into the Black Moon here. If they were to cross paths they would be over powered and would never be able to stop Chaos. She pushes her worry to side and focuses on the reason they are here. The sooner they find the gas, the faster they can leave and return to Earth.

She directs her companion to their first stop, where the Moon Senshi were imprisoned. Everything always seems to tie back to that one building on this world. It does not take them long to reach their destination. They pause outside the entrance way.

"Too bad we didn't think of this last time we were here," Sailor Uranus comments, wanting to hurry up and end the battle.

Sailor Pluto enters the building and gestures for Sailor Uranus to follow behind her. "I'm sure the Moon Senshi would have had some objections if it was used in their presence. It is deadly to them as well." Sailor Pluto tries to make Sailor Uranus understand how dangerous this gas can be.

Sailor Uranus' posture stiffens. "What makes this gas so deadly only to those of Lunar descendant and not others?" She needs to understand how this will work to avoid any future complications.

"We were never able to determine that and we didn't want to test it on the others to find out." Sailor Pluto responds quietly as they enter the back room once again. The room is a mess and things are thrown everywhere.

"Do you remember what it looked like?" Sailor Uranus' eyes search each object.

"Look for something that could be a canister or vile… is my guess…" Sailor Pluto pauses when she realizes unless it is labeled she has no way to tell for sure if they have the correct one. It would make sense for it to be here since this is where the Moon Senshi were imprisoned.

The two women search in silence, focusing on each object before not wanting to miss anything.

After ten minutes Sailor Uranus is the first one to speak. "So she really chose him?" No matter how many times she heard this, she still couldn't believe it.

"It was a surprise to all of us and right now it is the least of our concern." Sailor Pluto pauses to turn and face Sailor Uranus. "First we have to stop Chaos and then we try to convince… the Queen." The title still sounds foreign to her. "I had hoped being with Mamoru-san would change things but it looks like I was wrong."

Sailor Uranus sighs loudly. "I hate that Sailor Cosmos responds more to him than Mamoru-san, but in a way as long as someone can reach her we can end this nightmare sooner. There will be time for her to come to her senses afterward." Her voice becomes softer. "I can't wait to see Michiru again." There is a long awkward pause before she continues. "I remember Sailor Cosmos… returning from Kinmoku and I tried to attack Fighter but she stopped me. She then restored the Silver Millennium."

Sailor Pluto turns sharply and walks over to the other senshi. "Your memories are returning from the other timeline… but they are more recent ones that happened after the previous Chaos battle." She frowns at the other indication of what it means.

"It doesn't make sense. They are jumbled. I also saw Neo-Queen Serenity ascend the throne against some group called the Black Moon." Sailor Uranus tries to ignore the lump forming in her throat. "I don't like what I saw."

Sailor Pluto tightens her grip on her staff. "We have to keep searching; we are running out of time."

"I'm surprised you wanted to speak with me," Chaos quizzically looks at Princess Serenity.

"I need Usagi to come to her senses and if this timeline ends, I know she will go back to that Starlight and throw away everything with Endymion. It is just like you predicted." Princess Serenity crosses her hands across her chest in anger. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but what can I do to stop this timeline from ending?"

Chaos smiles. "Make sure I get everyone's starseeds and keep Usagi in line." He pauses. "I will spare one starseed for you in return." Chaos vanishes without another word or giving the blonde a chance to object to his request.

Princess Serenity pouts her lips. She hoped after all this time fighting with Usagi; she would have learned more from Chaos. She clenches her fists at the thought of working with Usagi to stop Chaos and returning to how things were. She knows Chaos needs to be stopped, but Chaos is her best chance of being with Endymion unless Usagi comes to her senses.

Mamoru closes his apartment door, taking in the silence of his apartment again. A sound he has become too used. Lately he has preferred to be by himself. The others won't say it out loud but they feel bad for him because of everything that happened.

His head shoot up when he hears a noise from the bedroom. A rose materializes in his hand as he cautiously approaches the room. His gut tells him it is Usagi. His heart skips a beat when he hears the melody from the star locket. Hesitantly, he takes a few steps forward to see a bright white light flash for a few seconds prior to disappearing. He recognizes the light and runs forward but he is too late.

She is already gone. The melody from the star locket continues to play. His eyes stare at the center and at the small rotating circle. He slow approaches it as if he is afraid it will disappear in front of him. He gasps loudly when he finds a single pearl ring beside the locket.

He picks up the ring to examine it and confirms it is one of Sailor Cosmos' rings. As he holds the ring in his hands he has so many questions. Which power/ability does this ring possess? Why didn't she stay? Was she here looking for him? And finally, would she have tried to take his starseed again if he was here?

He collapses on the bed as the music continues to play. He reflects on their relationship and their marriage. He continues to gaze at the ring in his hand. He gasps when he recalls an event from the other timeline.

"The Death Phantom was originally from Earth. He was a human form that was given dark powers. He tried to conquer Earth but was stopped by Neo Queen Serenity. Because he was human she couldn't destroy him. She banished him from the planet and sent him to Nemesis. Is it possible that what we are experiencing… was their original uprising?"

Princess Serenity's eyes widened as she recalled the conversation. "It would make sense… but the future has changed so much."

"Perhaps it is an event that will happen regardless of the path we are on. I don't remember the term Setsuna-san used. But some events are destined to happen and cannot be changed," Prince Endymion explained to the distraught Princess.

Princess Serenity nodded her head in response. She hesitated before she asked the next question. She looked up at Prince Endymion to meet with his eyes again, "Do you think about Crystal Tokyo?"

"Every day," he responded without skipping a beat. "I can't stop thinking about what we witnessed. Everyday I've thought about all that I've lost or will lose out on," Prince Endymion said while he gazed into her eyes. "I was looking forward to having a family since I felt like I missed out on so much growing up. All I've wanted was to be part of a family. For a moment, I knew I would have the family I've dreamt of."

"Endymion…." Serenity whispered his name. He was baring his soul to her. His words were difficult for her to hear since she knew she was the cause of his pain. She was the missing link. A few tears fell from her eyes.

Endymion wiped the tears from her eyes and leaned forward to kiss her. He was drawn to her and would always be the one he longed for.

Subconsciously Princess Serenity leaned into him, as she had done countless times in the past. He was inches away from her lips. At the last moment she turned her face and he kissed her on the cheek. She pushed herself away from him. "I'm sorry…" she whispered with remorse.

She was about to stand up, but Endymion grabbed her wrists. Princess Serenity turned her face to the side to avoid eye contact. "We are meant to be Serenity… " His tone turned serious. "Look around us. Everything else is the same as before. It is a second chance for us to continue where we left off in our past life. What happened to the woman that couldn't bare to be separated from me that she followed me into death?"

"I'm sorry Endymion," Serenity responded with sorrow in her eyes. "But it is too late… my heart belongs to someone else."

He slowly inhaled a deep breath and chose his next words carefully. "It's not true. It is not the same kind of love that we share. We belong together Serenity. I love you." He could feel a lump form in his throat as he continued, "You are everything to me. We were reborn on Earth to be given a second chance." He moved closer to her.

Princess Serenity slowly shook her head in disagreement. "I'm sorry Endymion. I will always love you, but our time has passed." She refused to look into his eyes as she continued to speak. "Everything changed when I awoke as Sailor Cosmos… even my heart."

Prince Endymion let go of her wrists. He couldn't believe what he heard. There was something different about her in her eyes; something that didn't seem like her. "Serenity…" his voice full of pain, "I can't accept that. You mean too much to me." He raised her hand and caressed her cheek.

Princess Serenity did not respond for a moment. "I'm sorry Endymion," she repeated again, as she took a few steps back from him. She turned away from him and slowly began to walk away.

"Serenity, please come back," Endymion pleaded with her.

Princess Serenity paused for a moment before she turned around to face him. "Many years ago you told me this. I think you worded it best, 'our love is like a rose, beautiful when it's in bloom but it can't last forever.'"

Prince Endymion stared at her a moment. Tears flowed freely down his cheeks. He remembered the night he uttered those words to her. It was during the time he received nightmares from King Endymion to stay away from her. Sailor Moon was attacked by a driod. It placed her into a deep sleep and sucked out her energy. Luna came to his apartment to inform him of her peril. He rushed to her side as Tuxedo Kamen. Only a kiss of true love would awake her from her slumber. After the driod was defeated, Sailor Moon was excited he still loved her. That was when he spoke those words to her. He could only ask himself how he could be so cruel to the one he loved so much. He thought he was doing the right thing.

"I was a fool to ever tell you that," Endymion said, as he quickly closed the gap between the two of them. He ignored the few tears that remained. He couldn't let her run back to Seiya's arms again. He gently places his hands on her arms. "Serenity, you can't cast everything we had to the side just like that…. we mean too much to each other."

Princess Serenity lowered her eyes to the ground. She didn't respond for a moment. "It's not that simple…" she whispered, as she looked up at him. She gasped when their eyes met. Her lips parted slightly when she felt goose bumps on her arms. She could feel herself be drawn in.

He wasn't going to hesitate anymore. Prince Endymion leaned forward and kissed Princess Serenity. A few seconds later, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him back. This continued for several minutes until Princess Serenity pushed herself away from him. Endymion still had his arms around her waist.

"I…I can't do this…" she whispered. She couldn't believe her actions. She was with another man yet kissing someone else.

"Forget about him…" Endymion said, as he moved his left hand to caress her cheek. "You have everything you need right here."

"…Endymion…" she whispered. "I…" Her words were silenced when the prince kissed her again.

A few tears trickles down his cheeks. What does he have to look forward to in the other timeline when everything he has always wanted is right here? It was, right here.

Minako doesn't want to go home. Her gut tells her she or Rei will be next. Artemis and Luna are asleep in the corner of room. Rei is trying to complete another reading in front of the Great Fire for any guidance.

Minako's shoulders slump. She has never been this lost before. She raises her arms above her head to stretch. She remains seated for a few more moments before she realizes she can't handle it anymore and stands up to walk down the hallway until she reaches the room with Rei and the Great Fire.

She enters the room without a word and sits toward the back of the room.

Rei is chanting and focused on the blaze in front of her.

Minako looks at the flames and bites her lip to prevent herself from gasping when she sees Sailor Cosmos in the flames battling someone. Squinting her eyes she tries to get a better look. Is Sailor Cosmos battling Neo-Queen Serenity or Chaos? She stares at the flames hoping the image will become clearer. Instead the image changes to Sailor Cosmos standing next to Sailor Star Fighter and they both appear happy. She looks again and it looks like they have their arms around each other.

Minako inhales sharply after seeing the image.

The sound distracts Rei causing her to lose her concentration and the image fades from the flames. Rei turns around to face Minako with annoyance in her eyes.

"I'm sorry Rei-chan. I wasn't expecting to see Usagi-chan with…" Minako's voice trails off as it still sound foreign for her say Usagi with Seiya.

Rei's posture relaxes. "I probably had a similar reaction when I first saw it too. I don't think I was going to be able to see too much more. The images haven't really changed in the past few days."

"Do you know what they mean?" Minako gets up and walks across the room to sit down next to Rei.

Rei shrugs. "I'm guessing Sailor Cosmos is the one to stop Chaos… and Seiya-kun is a key to helping her somehow?" Her voice lowers, "they looked… so happy together, it makes me feel… conflicted. I want to see Usagi happy but I expected her to be with Mamoru-san."

"Usagi-chan looked happier than I have seen her this past month. I guess seeing them together is something we'll get used to in the other timeline."

"It did take you some time to adjust but you were eventually supportive when you realized how much Usagi loved Seiya."

Rei's and Minako's heads whip around to see Sailor Cosmos standing in the back of the room. After staring at the senshi for a few seconds they scramble to their feet, panic across their face.

"What would make me happy now would be collecting your starseeds. Within a few days this timeline will end. From how it sounds, you'd rather not see Usagi with Seiya and if I have your starseed, I could make it a reality by stopping the other timeline from returning." Sailor Cosmos tries to reason with them to save her time and energy taking their starseeds.

"We will never agree to give you our starseeds when what you are planning on could destroy everything," Rei hides a hand behind her back, trying to find a charm she normally keeps in her sleeve for encounters like this.

Sailor Cosmos shrugs. "Maybe. But unlikely. I guess I will just have to take your starseeds and find out."

The time for taking is over. "Mars Eternal, Make Up!"

"Venus Eternal, Make Up!"

The senshi soon find themselves back outside the shrine.

"Where are the Starlights hiding?" Why can't I find them?"

"We don't know," Sailor Mars answers honesty. "It's better that way. They will be the ones to stop you."

Sailor Cosmos laughs at her words. "Stop me? How? They are afraid of me as you should be." She attacks them again but her attack is weaker than before.

"Usagi-chan, we know this isn't really you." Sailor Venus tries to reach her again. She has to make Usagi understand.

"It seems you don't really know who I am anymore." She raises her staff and unleashes another attack. "Divine Stardust!"

"Venus Rolling Heart Vibration!"

Sailor Cosmos dodged the attack in the direction Sailor Mars predicted.

"Mars Snake Fire!"

Sailor Mars' attack hit Sailor Cosmos' arm. She attempts to heal the cut but only a small part of it healed. She looks down at her hand; the ring to amplify her healing ability is gone. When did she lose that ring? Healing the wound will only do so much and it will take time she doesn't have at the moment. She needs to end this now. "Luminous Hail Storm!" She doesn't give them chance to recover. "Cosmos Twilight Flash!"

Sailor Venus and Sailor Mars are thrown back, the attacks throw them off balance.

Sailor Cosmos ends it. She attacks them quickly as golden energy from her bracelets hit both of them.

The senshi scream as their starseeds are ripped from their body as orange flower emerges. They collapse to the ground. They barely have any energy left to breathe. They don't speak to Sailor Cosmos but only exchange a sad smile between the two of them knowing they couldn't help Usagi. Their bodies fade away.

The starseeds float over to Sailor Cosmos. She looks at them in her hand and smiles. Only eight more starseeds remain. She retreats for now to heal her arm. She will gather more tomorrow. Healing the injury takes longer than she anticipates. She plans her next move. The Starlights are now a priority. There are five starseeds group together. One planetary Princess senshi, and four starseeds with the power of the stars. She can take Mamoru's starseed at any time and his will make little difference trying to achieve her goal. She needs the starseeds from Kinmoku if she wants to succeed.

What an ending! Title is similar to Sailor Jupiter's Image song from the Star season.

Sorry but you're going to have wait until 12/10/22 for the next act. I'm finally going to Japan! Highlights will include the Sailor Moon Museum and spending a day running around the real Juban. So excited! I have a feeling it's going to be inspirational too!

Time is running out for everyone. Who will be the victor? Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Stars: Chas Theory Act 57: Fading Stars from Kinmoku