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Chapter Text

“And you’re sure he isn’t here?” Minako cupped her hands around her eyes and pressed her nose to the cold glass of one of Crown’s dark windows.

“Yes,” was Ami's distracted response, her fingers alternating between tapping the keys on her mini computer and one of her earrings. “I scanned the whole building over one hundred times using different parameters. Neither Endou nor Motoki-san are inside.”

Pulling away from the window with a nod, Minako turned to Usagi, who was wringing her hands beside her. “Are you sure you’re OK being here, Usagi-chan? We can always catch you up on Makoto’s news later.”

The force of Usagi’s head shake whipped her pigtails back and forth. “No, I should be here. Whatever she learned about En-” Usagi cringed. “Him,” she amended through a grimace, “might help us find Mamo-chan.” She swallowed, and her voice lowered to almost a whisper. “Besides, I’m a senshi too. I can’t leave this to all of you.”

Minako resisted the urge to frown at Usagi’s pale complexion and white knuckles. She wanted Usagi nowhere near this place. Only a few days have passed since she found Usagi collapsed onto the sidewalk outside Crown, bloodied and sobbing and utterly broken, and Minako could not bear for Usagi to experience such pain again.

But tonight, Makoto called a meeting, blowing up their communicators about some new revelations she discovered about Endou and Motoki during her unsanctioned surveillance, and she requested everyone, including Usagi, meet her at the command center right away.

“I wish Mako-chan told us she was conducting her own investigation into Endou,” Luna grumbled from her place on Usagi’s shoulder. “I don’t want any of you near him alone.”

“Mako-chan can handle herself,” Minako said. “You can’t blame her for taking matters into her own hands. Honestly, I’m proud of her initiative!”

When both Rei’s and Ami’s gaze fell upon her at the same time, Minako shrugged. “You both saw her reaction when Usagi-chan told us what he did. What did you expect her to do? You two got busy with your fire and your computer things, but Mako-chan doesn’t have a thing. I’m just glad she called us before confronting them, you know how protective she- That’s it!” Minako snapped her fingers. “Maybe Mako-chan’s thing can be kicking ass!”

“Minako,” Artemis sighed.

“Sorry, sorry.” Minako held up her hands in surrender. “‘Kicking butt’. Mako-chan’s thing can be kicking butt.” She turned back to Artemis, who was now covering his face with his paw and shaking his head. “Seriously? I can’t say ‘ass’?”

“Speaking of my ‘thing’,” Rei interrupted with a roll of her eyes, “I was in the middle of a fire reading when I received Mako-chan’s call.” Her eyes shifted to Usagi before dropping to the ground, her tone sombering. “I still can’t get a read on Endou or Mamoru-san; not even a glimpse. It’s as if, the more I push, the more resistance I meet. Some strong, dark magic must be shielding him from my sight.”

An image of a billowing shadow creature with glowing green eyes and blood-red mouth flashed within Minako’s mind. “I think you’re right,” Minako agreed. “I remember a giant smoke monster darkening the moon’s skies that day, and, on the moon, Queen Serenity referred to ‘the Evil One’. I’d bet my entire allowance she’s behind it all. Metalia.”

Everyone else nodded, but Usagi closed her eyes and clutched her hands to her chest.

“Anyway,” Minako began, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, “we’ve left Mako-chan waiting long enough. Let’s get inside!” Kneeling before the locked door, Minako removed a black fabric pouch from her subspace pocket.

“Minako-chan, are those…?” Ami directed her visor to enhance the image of Minako’s tool set. “...lock picks?”

“Sure are! I’m a regular Sarah Connor!” Flashing her signature V-sign, Minako tilted her head with a wink, but when she received no reaction from the other girls other than blank stares, her bright smile flipped into an annoyed pout. “Philatelists…” she mumbled under her breath.

Ami blinked a couple of times. "Um, Minako-chan, I think you mean Philis-"

But Minako interrupted Ami with a loud, full-bodied dramatic sigh, complete with a roll of her eyes and the exaggerated slump of her shoulders.

Rei closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. “You learned this from a movie, Minako-chan?” she asked, not even bothering to conceal her attempt to humor their pouting leader.

“Yea,” Minako sighed, “well, you see, she was in this institution but needed to- you know what, forget it,” she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “When all of this is over, we’re taking a break to catch you all up on some sorely needed culture.”

Pausing for dramatic effect, she made eye contact with each of her senshi. “That’s an order.”

Satisfied with her perceived seriousness, Minako returned her attention to the lock before her. “The Dark Kingdom doesn't operate on a 9-5 schedule, so there were times I had to get into buildings after hours. Breaking down doors is fun and all, but it attracts a lot of unwanted attention and leaves a big mess for the business owner.”

Just as she was inserting the tension wrench into the lock, Luna jumped down from Usagi’s shoulders. “Please, Minako-chan, allow me.” With a flash of her blue eyes, the locking mechanism tumbled open with a loud click, and the two doors slid apart just far enough to be pried open the rest of the way.

“Luna…” Minako’s voice was filled with awe. “I didn’t know you could do that!”

“This is how I always get into places after hours. Really, Artemis.” Luna narrowed her eyes at the white cat. “Why haven’t you been doing this for Minako-chan?”

“Because she insisted on learning how to pick locks after seeing it done in that movie!” he exclaimed. “Talk about initiative!” Then he added with a sheepish shrug, “And she got really good at it.”

“All right, all right, you two lovecanaries can fight about it later.” Minako said with a wave of her hand. Luna scowled, and Artemis released a defeated sigh. “Let’s go see Mako-chan.”

After returning her toolkit to her subspace pocket, Minako held out her hand to her fretting princess. “Usagi-chan?” She called softly. “Are you ready?”

Wary eyes stared unblinking into the dark arcade before traveling down to Minako’s outstretched hand. Though Usagi initially hesitated, the fingers wrapping around Minako’s were steady and firm. “Let’s go.”

“Mako-chan!” Minako sing-songed as the group descended the stairs into the command center. “We’re here! What’s your big news?”

Their command center, hidden beneath the Sailor V game console, was a round, spacious room consisting of a large control panel and monitors, decorative columns, and just enough stools to offer each senshi and cat a place to sit down.

Built within a carved out pocket of interdimensional space, the room had no walls. Where the large ornate floor ended, unfathomable emptiness began.

Which is why the protective shields surrounding the room were programmable, able to project any landscape of the user’s choosing. Thanks to who Minako assumed was either Luna or Ami, the current projection was set to the night sky from the moon’s ancient palace.

It felt like home.

Trailing in behind Minako, Usagi released the breath she’d been holding since stepping foot inside the arcade, relieved to be within the protective confines of the command center. The arcade may have closed hours ago, but that didn’t stop her hands from sweating and her heart from pounding in her teeth at the thought of seeing Endou again just yet.

“Mako-chan!” Usagi called when she spotted Makoto standing beside the main console. “What did you learn about-” but her step towards Makoto was halted by the firm hand Rei dropped onto her shoulder.

Usagi shot a curious look over her shoulder. “Rei-chan?”

“Yes, Mako-chan, tell us your news,” Minako ordered.

Whipping her head back around to gape at Minako nearly gave Usagi whiplash. She was using her ‘I’m the leader of the senshi’ voice, but she never used that tone with them…

Not unless…

Makoto was clearly agitated, her arms crossed, the fingers of one hand scratching at her sleeve; shifting on her feet; her eyes flitting around the room.

“As I mentioned in my call, I’ve been watching Endou-san-” Minako’s eyebrow lifted at her use of the formal suffix - “and Motoki-san for the last couple of days.”

“Yes?” Minako prompted.

“Well…” Makoto lifted a hand to the back of her neck. “He’s looking for the command center! He keeps playing ‘Sailor V’ because he suspects the game is protecting it!” Her eyes shifted to Usagi.

Repositioning to place herself between Usagi and Makoto, Minako urged her to continue. “Go on.”

“And I heard him talking to Motoki-san! He knows Usagi-chan is the princess, and he plans to steal the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou from her! We have to keep it safe, no matter what!”

“I see,” Minako inflected. “Anything else?”

“‘Anything else’?” Makoto parroted with wide eyes and flailing arms. “‘Anything else’?! What else do you need? We have to protect Usagi-chan now more than ever! Endou-san can’t get his hands on the Ginzuishou!”

“You’re absolutely right, Mako-chan, we really can’t be too careful. Why don’t you and I discuss this further while Ami-chan and Rei-chan take Usagi-chan home.” Keeping her eyes on Makoto, Minako waved a hand towards Rei, who began guiding a resistant Usagi towards the stairs.

“Minako-chan! How can you just send her away!” Then, to Usagi. “Usagi-chan.” Her voice begged. Implored. “You have the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou on you, right? There’s no way Endou-san could have stolen it from you without you knowing?”

Despite Rei’s whispered insistence to keep moving, Usagi turned around and offered Makoto her warmest smile, anxious to reassure her worried friend. “Of course not, Mako-chan, I always keep it with m-”

“That’s enough, Usagi.”

“Rei-chan, why are you being so rude to-?” but cut herself off when she finally noticed Rei’s pale, taut expression.

“So you do have it…”

A shadow darkened Makoto's face, and Minako took a wary step back. “Mako-chan, thank you for your intel. It was very … enlightening… but Rei-chan is gonna take Usagi-chan home-”

“No, I don’t think so.”

Makoto’s distorted voice echoed throughout the room, and the Sailor V game console scraped back into place, blocking their exit with a deafening crash.

“Ami-chan…” Minako ground out through her teeth.

“I’m trying!” Ami exclaimed, her fingers flying over her small keyboard. “They must have taken control of the system! I’ve been locked out!” An alarm flashed on her visor, drawing her attention. “Minako!” She warned.

Her green eyes now black, a snarling Makoto lunged at Usagi, her clawed hands reaching for the gem hanging around her neck. Rei moved into a defensive position but Minako got there first, delivering a well placed kick to the sternum that sent Makoto crashing into the main control panel and onto the floor.

“Mako-chan!” Usagi cried.

“She failed to get the Ginzuishou. What a shame. Still, she did lead us here, so the girl wasn’t a total loss.”

The voice washed over her like an icy caress.

It was Mamoru’s voice, warm, safe, comforting Mamoru. Usagi’s pulse quickened from the familiarity.

But it was laced with Endou’s cruel inflection and tone.

Her heart ached from the contradiction.

And then Endou materialized before her as Tuxedo Kamen but without the mask, leaving his cold, black, unfeeling eyes visible and staring, drinking in the horror dawning on her face as the corner of his mouth curled up from the turmoil shredding her insides.

Her brain tried to tell her this wasn’t Mamoru, but her heart knew this to be a lie.

It had always known.

After Endou tried unsuccessfully to seduce her into giving him the information he sought, Usagi finally managed to convince herself that senshi’s hypothesis was true, that Endou wasn’t actually Mamoru but a lookalike created by the Dark Kingdom.

After all, Rei theorized, Mamoru’s powerful psyche should provide sufficient protection for his mind from any intruding entity and brainwashing attempts, even with the injuries he sustained on the tower.

As the shame and guilt threatened to overwhelm and drown her in the days which followed, Usagi clung to this theory as one would a life preserver.

And it had worked.

Until now.

Because this was Mamoru.

Her Mamoru.

He could be no one else.

She knew the uniform, and the way it fit Mamoru, too well. Before learning Tuxedo Kamen was Mamoru, so many of her nights were spent fantasizing about this man, imagining chance encounters as both Usagi and Sailor Moon that would make even Minako blush.

When she learned the boy she was falling in love with and the mysterious masked warrior were one and the same, she couldn’t keep her hands or eyes off either of them.

Mamoru occasionally joked she was more attracted to his alter ego than himself. He was wrong, of course. Her attraction to and love for Mamoru was so deep, she was certain it was etched into her soul.

But there was something just so exciting about Tuxedo Kamen, something she couldn’t quite express through words, so Usagi couldn’t help but watch and memorize and sigh the dreamy sigh which would later earn her playful teases from Makoto and knowing smirks from Mamoru, because he totally got off on the attention, no matter what he said.

And her body reacted the same way each and every time Tuxedo Kamen made his appearance on the battlefield, whether he was landing before her in a graceful crouch or whisking her out of harm’s way in the nick of time.

Just as it did right now.

With the fluttering of her heart, a warm flush, and the flittering butterflies dancing about her stomach.

“Good to see you again, Usa,” he drawled. “How have you been?”

“No…” Usagi whispered, hot tears blurring him from view. “It’s not… You can’t be…”

Raising an eyebrow, Tuxedo Kamen crossed his arms and leaned back against a column. “Who can’t I be? Chiba Mamoru?” That familiar smirk morphed into an equally familiar grin when her lashes fluttered at the mention of his name. “Come now, Usa. Don’t tell me you don’t recognize your own boyfriend.”

His chuckle rumbled deep in his throat. “If you can call what we did ‘dating’, anyway,” he added with a shrug.

Bile threatened to burn its way up her throat as the doubt which plagued her broken mind in the days following Mamoru’s sacrifice and abduction twisted and further tore up her insides; as her mind struggled to reconcile the Mamoru who saved her on the tower with the one standing before her now.

Who was this Mamoru?

Was he merely a puppet of the Dark Kingdom, brainwashed into committing acts of cruelty against the one he loves?

Or was he a skilled, deceitful liar who succeeded in tricking her into thinking he was on her side; that he loved her?

Usagi’s inability to tell the difference dropped her to her knees.

Tuxedo Kamen’s attention shifted to the glaring Minako and the arm she had hidden around her back. “No, that won’t do,” he said, pushing off the stone column. “Kunzite.”

“Wha-?” Minako’s eyes widened with surprise, but closed with her grimace when the leader of the Shitennou materialized behind her with his large gloved hand wrapped around her wrist and squeezed.

Her transformation pen clattered to the floor.

“Just as I suspected. Well done, Kunzite. Her transformation would have been most inconvenient.”

Kunzite acknowledged the praise with a bow of his head. “Endymion-sama.”

Sounds of struggle alerted Usagi to the arrival of the other Shitennou: Makoto’s grunt when Jadeite pressed his knee into her back; the crash of Ami’s computer to the floor when Zoisite wrenched her hands behind her back, and Rei’s curse when Nephrite dug his fingers into the pulse points of her wrists to prevent her from forming any mudra.

But she kept staring at Tuxedo Kamen as he tested a few buttons on the console and inspected the command center as if he had every right to be here.

Until Motoki arrived, and his black eyes washed over her and the restrained senshi before roving the rest of the room. “So, it was beneath the Sailor V game all along. No wonder we had so much trouble finding it.”

“Why?” Usagi’s hoarse voice demanded. “Why did you have to involve Toki?”

Endymion shot her a glare. “Why do you always ask questions with such obvious answers?” Endymion immediately parried, his voice dripping with annoyance. “Always with the inane questions. How did you manage before you had Mercury to do all your thinking for you?”

Her mouth dropped open in offended shock, but Endymion’s pinched expression didn’t change.

“Fine,” he sighed with the roll of his eyes, “I’ll explain it so even a child could understand.”

The clicks of his slow footfalls reverberated in her ears.

“I needed access: access to the game center to search for your base; access to you, Usa.”

Kneeling before her, he reached out a gloved hand to one of her long pigtails pooled around her on the floor. “You hide your secrets surprisingly well, which would be commendable if it wasn’t so damned frustrating. Together all this time, yet you never once revealed to me the exact location of your base.”

His black eyes bored into hers as he lifted the pigtail to his lips. “Did you really trust me so little?” he murmured against the strands.

A sob stuck in her throat, threatening to choke her, but her tears didn’t fall. “We had…” She gulped. “We had an understanding… you said it would be best if there were things… things you didn’t know…”

Endymion shook his head, his annoyance once again narrowing his features.

“You were supposed to be the gullible one; easy to manipulate; ignorant enough to not know which secrets couldn’t be shared with someone you trusted. Again, commendable, but frustrating.”

“What?” her broken voice whispered.

Another sigh. “I wasted months on you. Months! But after only a few minutes with her-” his head nodded towards Makoto, a movement Usagi followed with slow, dragging eyes “-she gave me everything. It’s amazing what some people are willing to give up for a little positive attention.”

What?

Her horrified eyes whipped back to his face but, as usual, his cold, black eyes were unreadable.

Did he…

Oh no…

No, no…

Lifting a trembling hand to her chest, Usagi dragged her eyes back to Makoto, who turned her head away in shame. “No…” Usagi whispered, “you didn’t…”

She couldn’t even bring herself to voice it.

Dark, unforgivable feelings crawled over her skin and burrowed deep within her heart. She was concerned for her friend, of course, but the thought that he would touch Makoto as intimately as he had her…

She truly was despicable.

“No, of course not.” Gloved fingers brushed back a wayward lock of Usagi’s hair but lingered on her cheek. The action was tender, so very familiar, and absolutely heart-wrenching. “He did,” he said with a tilt of his head towards Motoki.

“She has a very large crush on him so fell under his hypnosis after a few, shall we say, romantic affirmations? Strong feelings are incredibly easy to exploit. Wouldn’t you agree-” Endymion lowered his head until his lips hovered just above her ear “-Usako?”

Silent tears slipped down her cheeks unchecked, and she couldn’t see, couldn’t breathe, each intake of air agony, though she could still feel the stretch of his lips into a smile the moment her chest caved into itself.

When he moved to stand, his fingertips glided across her cheek in that way she knew so well, and her traitorous body immediately melted and yearned. A rogue hand tried to trap him there, desperate for the comfort Mamoru’s touch used to provide, even if he was the one who just hurt her so deeply.

But she was too slow, her hand landing against her bare cheek instead. Her disappointment was dulled by the heart shattering grief of his betrayal.

“Mamo-chan…" she cried, her arms wrapping about herself.

Endymion rounded on Usagi so quickly, even in her grief, she startled. “Never speak that name to me again!" His black eyes flashed. "It's embarrassing. I am not a child. Enduring that ridiculous nickname these last several months was torture, and I’ve had enough."

With her mouth agape and eyes wide, she blinked several times over the rapid flow of her tears as the tremors shaking her body gradually worsened until her face finally crumpled. With a shake of her head, a tortured sob ripped from her throat. She bent in half, her shoulders shaking from the force of her cries.

“That’s enough.”

Endymion turned away from the to confront the accusing eyes of one pissed off Minako. “You have something to say to me?” he growled.

Grunting when Kunzite tightened his grip on her wrists, Minako threw a glare to the Shitennou leader before taking on the enraged prince. “You’ve made your point, now leave her be. Haven’t your lies hurt her enough?”

A storm raged within those cold, black eyes, but then with a chuckle, his face smoothed over and an amused smirk pulled up the corner of his mouth. “‘Lies’? Are you sure you should be throwing around such accusations, Senshi Venus?”

Though Minako didn’t respond, her narrowed eyes were answer enough.

“You really see nothing wrong with your actions prior to your princess’ awakening? Lying about who you were and masquerading as someone you are not. Tell me, just how many times were you going to let your princess be injured in your stead before you finally said something?”

“That was different,” Minako ground out through her clenched jaw. “I was protecting her!”

“That guilt coursing through you says otherwise,” Endymion sneered. “And a swell job you did, too. She looks really protected right now.” His hand swept out towards the still sobbing Usagi. All her senshi restrained, only Luna and Artemis stood guard before her, their ears back and teeth flashing.

“The great and powerful princess of the moon, reduced to tears over a boy,” he said with a shake of his head. “This is the person you’ve all chosen to risk your life to protect, hmm?”

Makoto strained against Jadeite’s knee on her again after once again failing to throw him off. “Having feelings for someone doesn’t make you weak,” she managed despite the heavy weight on her back.

“However you have to justify your weakness is fine by me, Senshi Jupiter. I’ll leave it to you to figure out why the intrepid warrior failed where the inexperienced princess did not.”

Laughing at the glare she threw his way, Endymion turned back to Usagi. “But Venus is right. We’ve made our point. It’s time to end this.”

“If you even lay a finger on her,” Minako warned, “I swear I’ll-”

“You’ll do what?” Endymion cocked an eyebrow. “I don’t think you’re in any position to threaten me, Venus. Besides, as long as she cooperates, I won’t have to. Motoki.” His gaze remained fixed on Minako. “Take the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou from the princess, and bring it to me.”

Her eyes blew up wide and Minako looked to Usagi, still broken on the floor, then back to Endymion. “No, that’s cruel, even for you. Don’t make him do this.”

“Venus.” The dark intensity of Endymion’s gaze had Minako recoiling into Kunzite. “Don’t presume on the lengths I won’t go to achieve my revenge. She brought this upon herself.”

Endymion turned to the motionless blond man beside him. “Motoki, the ginzuishou!”

The sound of Motoki’s steps pulled Usagi from her stupor, locking her stunned wet eyes with his as she scrambled to a sitting position.

Before her, Luna and Artemis hissed out a warning to stay back.

“Oooo, I’m so frightened,” Motoki mocked, his smile wide and unnerving. “Two little kitties against the might of the Dark Kingdom. Whatever shall I do?”

With their fangs bared and sharp claws extracted, Luna and Artemis pounced on Motoki but were immediately repelled by the invisible barrier conjured by the chuckling Endymion, whose amused eyes followed the cats’ bounces, rolls, and slides across the floor.

“Hand it over, Usagi,” Motoki demanded through that same unnerving smile. “You don’t want anyone else to get hurt, do you?”

Clutching the ginzuishou to her breast, Usagi’s terrified eyes flew to still laughing Endymion and his cruel smile.

“Usako, I swear to you, I wouldn't.... I could never....”

That night, Mamoru had grasped one of her hands with his, palmed her cheek with the other, and looked Usagi straight in the eye to reassure her the senshi’s fears about his stealing the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou were completely unfounded.

And she had pressed a gentle, calming hand to his face and said she believed him.

When Motoki pulled her up by her blouse, Usagi didn’t resist. Fighting against Motoki was never an option, even now, when he was directly contributing to the Dark Kingdom’s victory. How could she? He was her brother; one of her oldest and dearest friends.

So defeated, so utterly broken, neither the snap of the chain against her skin when Motoki ripped it from her neck nor her unbraced landing back on the floor when he so carelessly tossed her away made her cry out.

She just lied there, broken and in pain. The eyes falling upon Endymion with the flop of her head were dull, lifeless, and overflowing with tears.

“Thank you, Motoki,” she heard Endymion praise Motoki when he was handed the Ginzuishou, but his voice was garbled, like he was under water.

Holding the gem up to the light, he watched it glint and sparkle. “You have served your purpose well, but I’m afraid your usefulness has come to an end.”

Usagi observed the events which followed as if she were having an out of body experience, floating and detached from the goings on around her: Endymion sending Motoki crashing into a stone column with the press of his hand to his chest; the senshis’ cries and protests; Motoki’s body crumbling to the floor; the shitennou yelling to be quiet.

Until the change in pressure signaled the presence of a portal, out of which stepped Beryl.

She was striking. The tight violet dress hugged and accentuated her luscious curves, her long flaming red tresses flowed freely down her back in waves.

Usagi’s eyes followed Beryl’s graceful strides over to Endymion, her arms outstretched and expectant, and as he welcomed her into his embrace, those dark feelings returned, crawling over her skin like a swarm of little insects.

She was no stranger to jealousy, having spent the last several months swallowing it down when girls who weren’t forbidden from dating Mamoru flirted with invaded his personal space, allowed to talk with and touch him in public.

But this felt different…

“Well done, Beloved,” she purred as Endymion wrapped a possessive arm around her back and pulled her close. “Finally, after all these years, our victory is at hand.”

“My love,” he murmured, genuine warmth flooding his black eyes, “you arrived just in time.”

It was caustic…

A manicured finger dragged across his lower lip before sliding up his cheek, leaving behind a light red line. Her hand tangled into the inky black strands of his hair. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” she breathed, her voice low and sultry, before tugging him down for a kiss.

The Shitennou respectfully averted their eyes and turned the senshi away to give their charges a semblance of privacy, but Usagi was alone on the command center floor save for Luna and Artemis, who had dragged their bruised and battered bodies back to her and were now resting against one of her arms.

With no one to shield her eyes nor turn her gaze away, Usagi’s broken mind left her to watch the hand bearing the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou settle against Beryl's cheek, the fingers sliding into her flaming red hair to tilt her head and deepen the kiss.

It was beautiful really, the way the silver ginzuishou contrasted with the red color of Beryl’s hair, nestling within her tresses as if it was a sparkling hair adornment and not the most powerful weapon in the galaxy.

After what felt like an eternity, Beryl broke away, her adoration evident in the softness of her eyes and flushed cheeks. “My prince,” she sighed, leaning into his hand against her cheek and covering it with her own.

Kunzite cleared his throat, earning a glare from Beryl, but Endymion removed his hand, bringing hers with to place a kiss on the back of her knuckles. “I beg your patience, my love. Our work here is not yet done.”

“Of course. But please make it quick.” Bile rose up in Usagi’s throat when the dark feelings burrowed deeper into her heart with each rise of Beryl’s fingers walking up the buttons of his crisp white shirt. “Only when she is dead can we be together. Bring me her head, and we will present it as an offering to the gods to bless our union.”

“As you wish.” With one last kiss to her knuckles, Endymion dropped her hand and summoned the sword Usagi has only seen in Serenity’s memories.

The air became charged from the flux of energy, threats and curses from the senshi fighting to be freed and Shitennou struggling to maintain their restraints.

But Usagi heard and felt none of it, her eyes and ears transfixed on the couple before her. “Why?” Usagi’s raspy voice whispered through her tears. “Why are you doing this?”

A vindictive smile curled up her lips, and Beryl pressed her curves into Endymion’s back and wrapped her arm around his chest. “Why, to carry out your sentence, of course. Tell me, Princess, did you really think the crimes you committed in the Silver Millennium would go unpunished?”

“Crimes? I don’t…” Her voice was subdued, lost, stuttering from the way her heart constricted when Endymion covered Beryl’s hand with his own and gave it a squeeze. “I don’t understand…”

“I was betrothed to Beryl,” Endymion answered for her, “You knew this-” The disdain with which he spoke twisted and ripped Usagi's insides. “-yet you used your magic to change my heart. You made me betray my people. Your selfishness led to the war which destroyed two worlds.”

Usagi’s eyelids fluttered over her rush of tears. “But, I didn’t… you… we… I thought…” Though she could recall their past tryst, the guilt blooming within the center of her chest fomented doubt in her memories and in herself.

From her recollection, Serenity and Endymion’s relationship was one of mutual love and devotion, both parties willing to break the laws of their respective planets just to be together.

Though forbidden, their love was beautiful and pure.

But she remembered Serenity’s guilt as relations between the two worlds broke down, especially when she was surrounded by death and destruction at the very end, and Usagi questioned everything she thought she knew.

Did she use magic to make Endymion fall in love with her?
Was she responsible for all those deaths?
Is all of this truly her fault?

“Just how hard did you have to scramble his brains to make him believe that nonsense?”

“What did you say?” Beryl hissed at Minako. She pulled herself off Endymion to approach Minako but was stopped by his outstretched arm.

“You tread a dangerous line, Senshi Venus,” he warned.

Boosted by her anger, Minako increased her struggle against Kunzite’s hold, grunting and straining from the effort. “Puh-lease. After I regained my proper memories,” she spat with a pointed look towards Beryl, “I recalled a Terran prince so in love with a Lunarian princess he never stopped fighting for that love’s acceptance, even when his people turned on him and called him a traitor.”

Behind him, Beryl snarled, and Endymion called out to his general. “Silence her!”

“I’m trying!” Kunzite grunted. “I don’t know where this strength is coming from!”

“I saw your false fate string!” Minako screamed as she finally freed her arm from Kunzite’s grip. “It was black-” Wrapping a hand around her fist, she shoved her elbow into Kunzite’s stomach, dropping him to his knees. “-and corrosive. How dare you accuse my princess of dark magic when it was you who sold your soul to the devil!”

Into her outstretched hand flew her transformation pen, which she thrust high into the air. “Venus Power!”

Out of the orange light stood the proud and pissed off Sailor Venus, her nostrils flaring and chin held high. “Senshi, to me!”

Nephrite let out a foul curse when he was forced to release an enraged Rei’s wrists, who transformed into Sailor Mars as the smell of burnt fabric and singed flesh permeated the air. Smoke was still billowing off the ruined gloves he flung to the floor.

Jupiter and Mercury quickly followed, the Shitennou holding them captive looking worse for wear after incurring a senshi’s wrath: Jadeite’s short blond hair stood up on end from the massive static shock he received from Makoto, and Zoisite had to slam his hands onto the floor to shatter the ice encasing his fists.

Venus held out her hand, and the legendary sword appeared within her grasp. “Credit given where credit was earned,” she said, her voice low and threatening, “but this ends now. Hand over the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou!”

Now caught in a standoff, the two sides stared each other down, shifting into offensive formations to protect their respective charges.

“I’d like to see you take it from me,” Endymion challenged.

Keeping her eyes on the dark prince, Venus issued whispered orders to her senshi. “Mercury, get ready to get us out. I don’t care how you do it, but do it fast.”

Sailor Mercury nodded and pressed a finger to one of her earrings. “My computer never stopped running, so I’m sure by now I’m back into the command center’s mainframe.”

“Jupiter, you have Motoki-san.”

Flashing a thumbs up, Sailor Jupiter positioned herself to be ready to run at a moment’s notice.

“Mars.”

Determined blue met simmering violet.

Venus nodded her head. “You know what to do.”

The air surrounding Sailor Mars distorted and shimmered from the building heat radiating off her body.

The Shitennou shifted on their feet, but their expressions didn’t change.

“Keep them off me.” Without awaiting confirmation, Rei started a quiet chant under her breath as her practiced hands moved into the first form of the Kuji Kuri.

“Shabon Spray!”

A dense, icy mist rolled in, concealing the senshi.

Unphased, Jadeite, Nephrite, and Zoisite lifted their hands in preparation to attack, awaiting orders from either Kunzite or Endymion.

“You’re only delaying the inevitable,” Endymion growled. “You think I can’t sense you or my men won’t just attack on my order? Even blind, they’re bound to hit someone.”

“Of course not,” Mercury’s matter-of-fact reply echoed through the mist. “This was never intended to simply shield us from your sight. Give us a little credit.”

Endymion pushed Beryl further behind him, and Kunzite let out an annoyed huff and raised his arm.

“Enough of this. Men-”

But he never got to finish that order.
Because the command center descended into chaos.

The mist drove into the Shitennou, their icy shards cutting into their skin and tearing their uniforms. Attempts to cover faces were thwarted by the formation of heavy clouds around their hands, dropping their arms to their sides.

Only after their feet were also completely covered did Mercury’s voice ring out again.

“Freeze!”

Those heavy clouds turned to solid chunks of ice, which either trapped the men in place or dropped them to the floor.

Just in time for Mars to complete the final chant and formation of the Kuji Kuri.

“Zen!”

At her scream, hundreds of ofuda flew from her hands and stuck to the restrained Shitennou.

The cacophony of their screams filled the air as the magic infusing the talismans bypassed their clothing and armor, scorching their flesh and binding their powers.

Mars aimed for Beryl and Endymion as well, but he tucked Beryl into himself, his body as her shield, and bore the brunt of the attack.

Despite everything Usagi suffered tonight, it took Endymion’s pained screams and the protective wrap of his arms around Beryl’s body to finally awaken the darkness inhabiting the wreckage of Usagi’s heart.

Because his screams were Mamoru’s screams.

Because he was holding Beryl within his embrace the exact same way Usagi was held the night he was taken from her.

Because his hands clutched at Beryl’s body as if she were someone precious.

As if she were someone he loved more than anyone else in this world.

More than simple jealousy but less than pure hatred, that darkness dug its claws into Usagi until all her senses and emotions were eclipsed.

Mamoru had promised her so many times - whispers in her ear while his warm hands caressed, kneaded, stroked her body, or against her lips between deep kisses and breathy moans - especially when their next time together was a gut-wrenching uncertainty and her heart was aching from the distance and secrecy.

He promised: he was hers, there was no one else, could never be anyone else.

She would melt and sigh and yank him closer, kiss him harder, and whisper her love over and over until she was certain he understood it was the same for her.

And she meant it.

Her love for this man was deep, fathomless. Considering it already crossed time and space, Usagi was becoming more and more certain it would follow her across all lifetimes.

Yet here they were.

Usagi - a crumbled mess on the floor after he shattered her heart so thoroughly she wasn’t sure it could ever recover.

Mamoru - no Endymion, her mind corrected - struggling to open his eyes against the onslaught of ice and fire just so he could see Beryl’s face, risking his life to protect the woman who has now tried to kill Usagi twice.

Venus was on her way to retrieve the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou from the incapacitated Endymion when the floor beneath her violently shook. “What the h-”

“Endymion!”

Minako’s light blue eyes widened in shock. Endymion’s body was convulsing, his eyes bulging and mouth open in a silent scream.

When Beryl caught Venus staring, her panicked expression twisted into one of rage. “What have you done?!”

Within his grasp, the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou pulsed in sync with his body, and a kind of understanding dawned on Minako’s mind. She turned back towards her princess. “Usagi-chan?”

Her face was tucked down towards the hands clasped together against her chest, hidden from view.

“Venus!” Jupiter braced the shield protecting her and Motoki from the chunks of stone falling from the damaged column.

The piercing trill of the warning system blared throughout the space.

Venus found Mars still holding her trance, seemingly unaware of the dangers surrounding them all.

“We have to get out of here!” Mercury yelled, her finger rapid fire tapping on her earring. “The protective shields surrounding the command center are failing! If they collapse, we’re all history!”

Venus nodded. “OK! At my order, get us out!” Abandoning her quest for the ginzuishou, Venus used the sword to push herself to a standing position and hurried over to Usagi, stumbling several times from the unsteady floor.

Luna and Artemis were already pressed against Usagi and each other in her lap.

“No you don’t!” Beryl screeched, her form growing red, “You aren’t going anywhere!” The build up of dark energy pulsed off her body in streams.

Throwing up a shield just in time for herself and her princess, Venus struggled to hold it against Beryl’s rage.

“Mercury!” Venus’ straining voice called. “Now!”

With effort, both arms lifted high above Mercury’s head. “Super Dimensional Sphere!”

A glowing blue orb appeared above one upright hand, growing exponentially larger until everyone within the command center was encapsulated, turning the entire space an ethereal blue.

Venus would later recall thinking that this is what it must be like to be trapped within a blue balloon.

But what she didn’t expect was the lack of gravity.

Everyone was lifted off the floor - the incapacitated Shitennou, thrashing Endymion, and senshi alike - leaving those not restrained searching and scrambling for some kind of purchase and stability.

While it did halt Beryl’s assault, the lack of gravity had the unintended consequence of breaking the fierce concentration Mars needed to maintain her mantra.

The instant the ofudas were no longer supported by her mudra and chant, the Shitennou broke free of their binds and regrouped around their still incapacitated prince. But when Endymion’s convulsions did not cease, a panicking Beryl picked up right where she left off, the lack of warning barely giving the senshi time to throw up new shields.

“Emerge!”

At Mercury’s final call, the massive blue orb broke apart, encasing everyone within into their own smaller sphere before teleporting them all away.

Venus landed hard onto what felt like a carpeted surface. “Where are we?” she groaned.

“My place,” came Mercury’s weak response from the floor beside her. “I managed to gain back control of the command center but determined leaving safely through the main exit was impossible, so I made a new one.”

“I’ll say. Well done.” Venus pushed herself to a kneeling position and rubbed her sore bottom. “And Beryl?”

The lift of Mercury’s shoulders was slow and stiff. “I had my computer latch onto the originating point of Beryl’s portal and sent them all back there. Not sure where that is at the moment, but I’ll research it later.”

With a deep sigh, she rested her forearm over her eyes. “I exhausted my energy getting us all out of there and need to rest.”

“Um, Ami-chan?”

“Yes, Mako-chan?” Ami sighed from beneath her arm

“Sorry to bother you, but can you come check out Motoki-san? He doesn’t look too good.”

Venus dragged her gaze to Jupiter kneeling beside Motoki, her worry deeply etched into her features.

Damn.

In the chaos that was their departure, she completely forgot about him.

Immediately searching for Usagi, Venus found her folded into herself, back against the couch, arms wrapped around her legs, and her head down to her knees.

As Mercury pushed herself up off the floor and reactivated her visor to begin assessing his wounds, Venus sent up a silent prayer to whomever cared to listen.

Please let Motoki-san be OK.

Mercury’s assessment revealed a fractured sternum and several vertebrae, a possible right kidney laceration, and what was hopefully just a mild concussion, along with a host of other health issues probably caused by living the last several days as a brainwashed lackey.

Her recommendation: get him to the nearest hospital right away.

But they couldn’t just call an ambulance to Ami's condominium. There would be too many questions, no way to explain his injuries without drawing unwanted scrutiny and attention.

So, after much debate, they went with option C.

To say the ER staff of IUHW Mita Hospital were merely surprised when three sailor senshi magically appeared in their triage area with an unconscious man lying between them would significantly understate their reaction.

But ever the professionals, they got right to work, one listening to Mercury’s report and taking notes while two others prepped him for admission and examination.

When they returned, Venus was disheartened, but not surprised, to see Usagi exactly where she left her - lying on the couch, her knees pulled into her chest and back to the rest of the room.

Rei was seated in zazen on the floor beside her.

Deciding it was best to leave them both be, Minako released her transformation and plopped down before the living room’s low table, resting her cheek on the cool surface. Ami joined her, the soft clacks of the keys as she typed the only sounds in the room.

Until Makoto, who had been loitering along the edge of the room, disappeared into the kitchen and began rummaging around for food. She came back several minutes later with a tray loaded up with sandwiches and tea. After placing everything on the table, she reached out to touch Usagi’s shoulder, but Rei’s voice stopped her.

“Leave her be, Mako-chan.” Her eyes remained closed as she spoke. “You won’t be able to reach her right now anyway. She’ll join us when she’s ready.”

Sliding her eyes back to Usagi, Makoto gave a small, sad nod, and returned to the table.

The food went untouched as each girl sat in pensive silence, nursing a cup of warm tea.

It was Makoto who finally broke the stillness of the room.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “This is all my fault.”

Minako shook her head. “It really isn’t. Endymion already failed to extract information out of Usagi. If it wasn’t you, it would have been any one of us… Except maybe Rei-chan, you know, because of her thing.”

“You really need to stop calling it that.” Rei rolled her tired eyes as she knelt down in her place at the table. “Besides, with all the dark magic at play here, it really could have been any one of us.”

“But-” Tears flooded Makoto’s eyes.

“We’re not telling you how to feel, Mako-chan,” Rei continued, “but please believe us when we tell you this isn’t your fault.”

A slow, unconvincing nod was Makoto’s only response.

“We need to discuss what happened in the command center,” Ami interjected. “Our plan was going off without a hitch until the tremors started. My computer told me the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou was the cause, but it’s been dark for days. What could make it behave like that?”

“Usagi-chan’s heart.”

Luna jumped up onto the table. “Remember what Queen Serenity said: the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou follows Usagi-chan’s heart, and she is in turmoil.”

“What about Endymion?” Rei asked. “He was convulsing! What could have made his body do that?”

Luna sighed. “My knowledge of the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou is still spotty, but I suspect it has to do with the piece of the ginzuishou still inside him.” Another sigh. “Poor Usagi-chan. Months of loving Mamoru, of lying to us all, then to find out he’s only been using her this whole time…”

“It’s all pretty convenient, isn’t it?”

All eyes fell onto their leader.

“Minako-chan?” Ami prompted.

Minako stared into her tea as if it could give her all the answers to every question she’d ever want to ask. “Before your memories were unsealed, I thought all mine were intact. I kept Mamoru away from Usagi because the Endymion of my memory only pretended to love Serenity in order to gain her trust, and he eventually killed her.

“But that isn’t at all what happened. I know that now. You all know that.” She looked to each of her senshi, who nodded in agreement. “Yet that is the very thing Endymion just told Usagi he had done in the time they were together. It all just reeks of interference, and I don’t buy it for a second.

“I know Mamoru-san was with us for only a short time after my memories were corrected, but I felt his love for Usagi, and I was able to catch a glimpse of their Fate String. It was just as beautiful and strong as Serenity and Endymion’s, maybe even more so.”

Her eyes returned to her tea. “But Beryl has already woven a new one in this life, and the longer they are together, the stronger it will become. If it isn’t broken soon, it will destroy Endymion and Serenity’s string, binding his soul to Beryl forever.”

“How do we stop that from happening?” Ami asked, her voice soft.

Minako didn’t answer right away.

“Minako?” Rei murmured.

Minako kept her gaze on the reflection of her eyes in her tea when she finally spoke.

“It depends on the weaver’s skill. Sometimes they just crack or snap on their own. But Beryl has had practice, and this string doesn’t look like it's going anywhere. We have to destroy the source of the magic. Destroy that, and the string will snap.”

“So, we just have to kill Beryl then, right? If we kill her, the spell on Mamoru is broken, and his soul is free?”

Minako met Makoto’s determined gaze and shook her head.

“No,” she said sadly. Regretfully. “While it may still be possible to free Mamoru-san’s mind, defeating Beryl won’t be enough to actually set him free, because she doesn’t have the dark power necessary to weave a false string on her own, never did. I believe that’s why she wants to kill Usagi so badly - bringing Metalia the head of the Silver Millennium's last heir will ensure Beryl’s greatish wish will be granted. Metalia has to either break the string she helped Beryl weave, or she has to be defeated.”

Makoto slumped back down to her heels. “Oh.”

With a wary nod, Minako returned her gaze to her tea.

“Then we have to defeat Metalia.”

Ami woke up her computer from sleep mode.

“Ami-chan?”

A press to her earring set her visor in place, and Ami’s fingers once again clacked away on the keyboard.

“We have to defeat her anyway, right? To save the world? Isn’t that what Queen Serenity said?”

With Minako’s slow nod, Ami returned her gaze to her screens. “Then I better get to work pinpointing the location of the Dark Kingdom’s base. I’ll let you know when I have something to report.”

Considering herself dismissed, Minako shrugged and turned to the other senshi. “Now that that’s apparently settled, what should we do about Usagi-chan?”

“I tried to reach her earlier through meditation, but her mind locked itself away,” Rei murmured. “Her psyche may as well have a giant ‘do not disturb’ sign hanging from it. We should leave her be for now. I’m afraid this is something Usagi will need to handle on her own.”

“What should we do in the meantime?” Makoto asked through a yawn.

Luna took in the exhausted expressions of her senshi.

“Nothing,” she said. “We rest.”

__________

Usagi…

Releasing a loud, pitiful groan, Usagi curled into herself further. “Go ‘way. I don’t want to talk right now.”

Usagi…

But a cold hand fell upon Usagi’s shoulder, and she flew up with an enraged start. “Hey! What’s-” Her blue eyes widened with a gasp. “Serenity…”

The incorporeal form of Princess Serenity, her arm still outstretched, stared back, the soft, ethereal white glow of her body the only source of light in this blank space.

Usagi, Serenity frowned, why do you despair?

Scoffing at the question, Usagi retorted, “How can you even ask me that? Weren’t you there? Aren’t you a part of me? Didn’t you see Mamo-” But the memory of his yells prevented her from saying the rest of his name, and she wrapped her arms around her legs.

“All this time, he did nothing but lie to me. I betrayed my senshi for him, I gave him…” Her breath hitched, and Usagi lowered her head to her knees. “Everything. But you heard him. It was all a lie. He never… He never actually loved me.”

Is that what you truly believe?

Usagi’s head flew up with a gasp, her blown up eyes studying Serenity’s face, but the only change in her expression was the tilt of her head.

At her words, a small flicker of hope lit within Usagi’s chest, but it scared her.

More than the Shitennou and their youma.

More than Beryl.

Her heart was simply too fragile, and Usagi was terrified of being hurt again.

“What are you saying?” Usagi's voice cracked.

But Serenity only smiled.

Yes, keep that hope close to your breast. You will need it.

Usagi’s fingers curled into her shirt just above the dim warmth blooming in her chest, reaching for it even though her brain resisted. “For what?” she whispered.

For what is to come.

Serenity’s hand shot out, and with the gentle flick of her finger into the center of Usagi’s forehead, she sent Usagi’s mind back.

And back…

And back…

“Study harder, Odango Atama.”

Tears pooled in her eyes when her heart constricted from the playful tease in Mamoru’s voice, but as she watched past-Usagi rip her failed test from his fingers and storm away in embarrassment, she was transfixed by his expression.

Back then, she didn’t know how to read Mamoru.

Back then, she interpreted that expression as appalled shock for her terrible grade and the inflection of his voice as smug superiority, which only served to embarrass her further.

But she couldn't have been more wrong.

Back then, after her fingers brushed against his, Mamoru had stared at her with amazed wonder, with a kind of longing Usagi wasn’t even sure Mamoru understood or realized was there.

But, before she could read further, the scene changed.

“Usako, I’ve wanted to confess to you for so long.”

This memory made her heart ache - from the fond way he said her name, the endearing light flush of his cheeks, to the comforting slide of his fingers through her hair - and she pressed a hand against it.

This was the first time she saw him look this happy.

“But I… I don’t want to stop seeing you.”

She knew their breakup was hard on him, but it wasn’t until now, as she beheld his anguished expression and recalled the way his hands trembled beneath her own when she broke up with him, and later against her face when he begged her not to, that Usagi understood the magnitude his heartbreak.

Their breakup left him truly and utterly gutted.

And as Serenity showed Usagi more and more of her past interactions with Mamoru, each more heart wrenching than the last, Usagi finally understood why Serenity was showing her these specific memories.

“Usako, say it again.”

The feelings Mamoru exhibited were genuine and true.

“I didn’t get there in time. I couldn’t… If Venus hadn’t…”

He wasn’t putting on an act.

“I just want to protect you. It’s what I’m meant to do, I know it is…”

Nor an elaborate scheme meant to deceive her and earn trust.

Without even a second’s hesitation, Mamoru jumped in front of the energy blast meant to kill her and refused to let her go, even as he endured what must have been a tremendous amount of pain.

When Usagi flipped him over afterwards, she had to pry his hands off her body first.

Because even unconscious, he fought to shield her.

To protect her.

And she knew he would do it all again.

No matter the pain.
No matter the cost.

Because…

“I also understand that you are incapable of loving anyone other than yourself. If you don’t change your ways, ‘yourself’ is all you’ll have to love… if you’re even capable of it.”

That girl and her spiteful words spoken out of hurt; Endymion’s cruel words designed to cause pain, could not have been more wrong; more deceiving.

Because…

“I love you.”

Chiba Mamoru did fall in love with Tsukino Usagi.

With the fall of her tears, warm, heavy, and sparkling from the light of Serenity’s ethereal glow, the remaining vestiges of the Dark Kingdom’s magic burned away.

And she was finally free.

“How,” Usagi gasped, “how did you-”

Serenity smiled.

It is as you said. I am you. I felt the taint of the Dark Kingdom’s magic poisoning our mind and heart, filling you with so much doubt you could not tell truth from fabrication. But I could not cleanse it away. Only the light of truth can reveal the lies hidden in darkness. You just needed help finding that light.

Before Usagi could respond, Serenity leaned forward and placed her cold hands above Usagi’s heart.

Remember this love. Protect it with your entire being, for Beryl covets this love above all things, even power. Surely, tonight has taught you the lengths she will go to claim Endymion’s heart for herself.

Then Serenity pulled away and stared down at her folded hands in her lap.

The man you encountered tonight was not Endymion, at least not as I knew and loved him. Beryl twisted his mind because it was the only way to get what she desired most, and she would sooner settle for the shadow of the man he was than accept he did not love her. The real Endymion would be positively aghast if he knew what he was being forced to do.

You must save him, Usagi. Serenity’s gaze implored. Free him from Beryl’s clutches and together, save this world. She has already destroyed it once, you cannot allow her to do it again.

Usagi shifted her gaze away, her mouth dropping into a deep frown.

How?

Even if it wasn’t stolen from her, how is she supposed to save Mamoru and the planet when she doesn’t know how to use the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou’s power?

As doubt once again crept into her heart, Usagi squeezed her eyes shut against it, but Serenity’s cold finger lifting her chin had her reluctantly opening her eyes.

You must have faith - faith in yourself and your power, faith in your senshi. Without it, you will never be able to wield the true power of the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou. You will never be able to save this world.

But know this.

Endymion is as much a part of Mamoru as I am you, and as he has already demonstrated, he has access to Mamoru’s memories, his knowledge, his love… He will use this information against you, Usagi, just as he did tonight. He’ll do this to hurt you, to make you doubt.

Phantom tears added even more sparkle to her crystalline eyes when her frigid fingers clawed into Usagi’s shoulders.

But you mustn’t fall for his lies or his deceit! Remember: it may be Mamoru’s voice, but he is speaking Beryl’s words; his body, but he is not in control of his actions. Remember this love - her hands fell once again to Usagi’s chest - and Mamoru’s true heart.

And lastly, remember that you are fighting for not just Mamoru’s heart, but for the hearts of everyone on this beautiful planet.

“But I don’t… I don’t know how! Serenity-” Usagi grasped the princess’s cold hands between hers and clutched them to her breast. “I’m so sorry you were reborn into me!” she cried. “I’m sorry I’m not stronger, that I let it all get this far. Mamo-chan, Endymion, the people of this planet, they all deserve someone better. ”

Tears leaked out of her closed eyelids, her voice squeaking. “They all deserve someone like you.”

The frigid caress of Serenity’s hand against her cheek reopened Usagi’s eyes, and she took in Serenity’s frown with one of her own.

Usagi, do you still not understand? There is no “me” or “you”. There is only “us.”

I am the “us” born and raised a princess, whose life was not her own due to her titles and responsibilities. You are the “us” born to live our life as a normal girl, free from the burdens we now face, free to love whomever we choose.

We are each one half of the same whole. Our two halves were never meant to be identical, but to complement and enhance. Separated, our individual lives would still be complete, would still have meaning and purpose.

But together….

This time, when Serenity’s fingers stroked Usagi’s cheek, they were warm.

Do you understand?

Tears coursed down Usagi’s face, but she closed her eyes against them with a grateful smile.

She did.

After all this time, she finally did.

And when her eyes finally reopened, Usagi was not at all surprised to find Serenity was no longer kneeling before her.

But the princess wasn’t gone.
She never would be.

Serenity was as much a part of Usagi as her foot or her arm, but where that thought once brought on crippling doubt and inadequacy, it now gave Usagi hope and strength.

Two halves have become one.

A white light, rivaling that of the sun, suddenly appeared in the distance of Usagi’s black void, and she turned an eager face towards it, letting the warmth wash over and further cleanse her soul.

__________

With a start, Rei spun around from her seat at the low table.

“Usagi?”

Acutely aware of the six pairs of eyes watching her closely, Usagi pushed herself up to a sitting position and rubbed her tired eyes.

Luna stood up on her back legs, pressing a foot into Usagi’s shin. “How are you feeling, Usagi-chan?”

A small smile tugged on Usagi’s lips as she leaned over to pick Luna up and pull her close. “I’m OK,” she murmured to the softness of Luna’s fur before lifting her eyes to her senshi. “Really, I’m OK.”

“You seem different…” Rei’s discerning violet eyes narrowed, her gaze and psyche searching.

“Oh, that’ll be Serenity.”

When Minako’s eyebrows flew up into her hairline, Usagi decided it would be best to elaborate. “She gave me…” Her mouth moved, but no sounds came out, so with a wrinkle of her nose, she turned to Ami. “Ami-chan, what’s it called when you, you know, look at something different?”

“You develop a new perspective?” Ami offered.

“Yea, perspective.” Her bright, grateful smile made the other girl blush. “Serenity gave me perspective, about me and her, the Dark Kingdom, and Mamo-chan too.”

The uneasy glance shared by the senshi at the mention of his name did go by unnoticed.

“I-I…” she took a deep breath and tried again. “I know what happened tonight, but you need to understand that wasn't Mamo-chan in the command center. I mean, it was, but mentally he wasn’t… Oh!” With a frustrated groan, Usagi pressed trembling fingers to her furrowed brow. “I’m not explaining this well, am I?”

Rei placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “It’s OK, Usagi. We understand.”

“You do?” Usagi’s hopeful eyes lifted to Rei, who met her wet gaze with a reassuring smile.

“Yes. While we were talking earlier, Minako realized there was too much of a coincidence between the contents of her altered memories and the things Mamoru-san said.”

“Then you know we have to save him! We have to find a way to undo whatever they did-”

“Usagi-chan… I…” Minako hesitated, searching for the right words, but the bite of her lip and her downcast eyes had Usagi vigorously shaking her head.

“Please don’t give up on him!” she pleaded, her voice trembling. “There is a way to save him, I know there is! I can feel it here-” though her hand fell upon Luna’s back, the girls understood she meant her heart “-so please…”

She closed her eyes against the flow of her tears, her voice breaking. “Please…”

Increasing the intensity of her purr, Luna licked one of Usagi’s tears before nuzzling her face against her cheek.

“We’ll get him back, Usagi-chan.” There was a slight wobble in Makoto’s voice, but her conviction was strong. “You can count on us.”

When Ami and Rei also voiced their support, Usagi beamed a bright smile through her tears.

But Minako frowned.

There was a real possibility Mamoru could not be saved. Thinking otherwise would be irresponsible. Especially since she herself bore witness to the harsh cruelties the encumbered prince was capable of exacting, and she just wasn’t sure just how far gone Mamoru was, nor how much more abuse Usagi’s heart can take before it could no longer be repaired.

As the leader of her senshi, it was Minako’s duty to protect Usagi from such pain.

However.

Times were different, and Usagi was not the coddled princess Serenity longed not to be. She was a senshi, one Minako could not exclude her from this fight.

Did Minako have enough faith in her princess to not just take on this momentous task, but to endure the hardships she will still no doubt face?

It took Minako less than a second to realize she did.

Usagi can do this.
She has to do this.

Not just for Mamoru, but for the future of this planet and everyone on it.

“Of course, Usagi-chan,” Minako finally said. “Let me tell you what we know so far.”