The four Senshi bowed to the Queen and King. Looking around Jupiter noticed the others of the inner core were just entering or were already in the room standing around its edges. Jupiter and the outer core broke apart and moved to the places where they stood in the hall. Jupiter felt uneasy every time her gaze fell upon Sailor Pluto who stood just in front of Queen Serenity's crystal throne. After a few moments the hall was quiet, Serenity stood and walked down to where Pluto was waiting.

"It is by the consent of Sailor Pluto that Princess Usagi be sent into the past to complete her training as a Senshi as planned," Serenity said, then after giving her daughter a hug and whispering something in her ear, she returned to her throne and sat. Endymion approached his daughter and did the same, then returned to Serenity's side.

"Are you ready, Small Lady?" Pluto asked.

"There is just one thing I need to do," Chibi-usa replied. With that she walked over to where Jupiter was standing and took hold of her hand. Jupiter crouched down so that the small girl could talk into her ear. "Remember, you promised you wouldn't go anywhere until I came back." Chibi-usa stepped back and looked with pleading eyes at Jupiter. "You promised me in the garden and I only just met you so you can't go."

"I promise, Princess, but don't worry about me while you're gone. I'll be alright," Jupiter whispered back. Chibi-usa nodded as Jupiter stood up again. She bowed to the Princess and returned to her position.

"I'm ready, Puu," Chibi-usa said and held up the time key she'd been entrusted with. "Crystal key power!" Pluto held up her staff and struck the ground with it three times. Chibi-usa then disappeared in a flash of light and the room was silent.

"Good luck, Usagi-chan. Both of you," Serenity said as she and Endymion left the hall.

Someone passed Jupiter and informed her that the Queen wished for her to stay. Jupiter remained in that hall until it was empty of everyone else. Once gone Serenity reentered and stood by Pluto's side. She invited Jupiter to join them by her throne. As Jupiter drew near, something about Pluto caused voiceless memories to stir. For some reason Jupiter felt as if she'd met this Senshi before.

"Sailor Jupiter, I'd like you to meet Sailor Pluto," Serenity said finally. "She is keeper of the time stream."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Pluto," Makoto said politely.

"And you, Jupiter, but begging her Majesty's pardon, I have other things to attend to. If you'll excuse me." Pluto disappeared back into the time stream and left the Queen and Jupiter alone. Jupiter just stood their not really surprised, but more disappointed.

"Don't let it bother your, Mako-chan," Serenity said with a sigh. "I'm amazed she actually stayed to greet you. It's just how Pluto is and probably always will be. Well at least this is finished I've been wanting to talk with you for some time. I see that you met Uranus and her family.”

"I certainly did," Makoto replied. A smile swept across her face as she remembered her encounter with Uranus earlier that evening. Serenity laughed as she saw the smile.

"So Uranus got you with some of her tricks. I wish you'd seen the mess that she caused when we first discovered the outer core," Serenity said happily. There was a momentary silence and Makoto realized what Serenity desired to ask. "Mako-chan, I want to ask you what happened, but if it's too hard for you I won't," Serenity took on a serious tone.

"No, I want to talk about it, you are the one person that can possibly help me and, forgive me, but help me release some of the burden," Makoto replied.

"There's nothing to forgive, I would bear all the burden for you if I could," Serenity said softly.

"I would never wish this on another," Makoto said darkly. "I don't know what to make of it, but Mercury said I haven't slept in a thousand years. To me, everything was a dream and most of the time I was resting, except for when I was fighting, but even that seemed like dreams. Each place is so vivid in my mind and each battle so clear. I think back now, when I can remember, that there must have been…well far more than I could count." A wavering sigh escaped Makoto's lips.

Serenity saw the discomfort. < Pluto was right, > She thought, < She has suffered. I need to know why so I can help her. >

"Mercury told you of the girl in each dream?" Makoto asked before starting.

"She did," Serenity replied.

"That girl was the only person who was with me during each dream, but when she disappeared each time I would grow weak. It was like being alive right before dying. I wish I could've thought who she was; she seemed to keep the youma away, but only for a short time. There was part I didn't share with Ami-chan something that happened during the final dream. I was under the orange sky again, like in the first dream, but his time the girl said something to me. She said 'home' and when the youma appeared this last time she didn't leave, but instead Archane killed her. After that my rage collected a power inside of me and formed a word on my lips 'Celestial Lightning'. It was an attack far more powerful than any I've ever seen except to the power of the Ginzouisho. The dream ended in blackness, but it seems that I had finally won," Makoto went silent.

"The youma killed her then?" Serenity asked.

"Yes," Makoto replied sadly.

"I recognize the attack 'Celestial lightning'," Serenity was trying not to sound worried.

"What about it?" Makoto asked urgently.

"Well, along time ago during the Silver Millenium the Celestial powers were still active in the Sailor Senshi. These were extremely powerful attacks that would reach their peak on the Senshi's home world. My mother feared that if the Senshi had to ever use these powers it would be so costly on their energy that they would be left defenseless; so she sealed the power inside of them. Only when a great need arose would the Senshi be able to reawaken their celestial power," Serenity said half truthfully. < Celestial power for the Senshi is like using me using the Ginzouisho, the wielder, is not only completely drained of life energy, but also has to forfeit their life for the power to be released. No amount of healing can save a Senshi that has released their Celestial energy. > Serenity came out of her thoughts as Makoto stared at her. "Mako-chan, do you think it's possible that you've been fighting the same youma for a thousand years and it wasn't all a dream. It had been Mercury's thought that this might be the case."

"I guess I never really wanted to think about that possibility. Perhaps the youma and I were caught together in some never ending battle for a thousand years." Makoto averted her tear filled eyes. "I thought I had forgotten how to cry," she said trying to smile, but the tears finally fell.

"My dear friend." Serenity hugged the woman, allowing her to cry on her shoulder.

"Usagi, why did this happen?" Makoto asked desperately.

"I sorry, Mako-chan," was the only reply Usagi could give and it brought no comfort.

"To suffer for that long, for real, would be unbearable. It is unbearable." Serenity could think of nothing that would ease her friend's pain except a very long time to recover and forget.

Serenity sat on her throne thinking when Mars approached and waited to be noticed. After a while Serenity looked up and finally became aware of her.

"I'm sorry Mars, I was thinking," Serenity apologized.

"I see you've been doing much of that lately, Majesty. Because of Jupiter's return perhaps?" Serenity smiled. "You can't hide it from us, my Queen, We've known you far too long and far too well."

"Yes, you do, and it is Jupiter that is worrying me. I don't understand what happened to her. It's hurting her, but she's not willing to admit it because she's afraid of putting a burden on us. She doesn't know if it was a dream, but she doesn't want it to be reality either. Mercury believes Makoto fought a youma for a thousand years, that seems impossible, but Makoto's condition suggests it's true. I don't have any idea who this mysterious girl could be and to top it all off Pluto I know, knows something and isn't willing to tell me," Serenity gave a burdened sigh.

"You've asked Makoto what happened then?" Mars asked.

"Yes, she told me everything down to the last detail and I still don't know how to help her."

"We may not be able to help her, Majesty," Mars said.

"What do you mean?" Serenity asked curiously.

"It's just that since we really don't have any idea of what she went through, no matter how many times she describes it for us, we can't comfort her for a problem that has no visible cause or solution. We don't know why she was taken away, we don't know where she was taken and how much she suffered while she was gone, although she's suffering a lot now I have the feeling the pain she's hiding is too great a burden for all of us to hold together. Mako-chan will have deal with part of this alone and then when we understand we can begin to help her, but until then what can we do?" Mars explained.

"I just feel so helpless when I'm near her," Serenity said. "That reminds me, are not the Younger Senshi and the Royal Senshi having a training session today?"

"Yes Majesty, what do you have in mind?" Mars asked.

"Why not let Jupiter participate. Sooner or later she'll officially retake take her place as a member of the Royal Senshi. Also it'll help her get away from her pains, but be careful. Mercury said it could take weeks for Makoto to get her strength back fully and I don't want her getting hurt," Serenity said. "Also I don't know what her powers will be like. If they remained dormant while she was away then she'll be only as strong as she was when we fought Queen Beryl, but, on the other hand, I have reason to believe her powers might have increased several thousand fold in strength, possibly even more powerful than yours."

"Really?" Serenity didn't reply and Rei didn't asked again. "Still it will give her a chance to meet the Younger Senshi," Mars said changing the subject.

"Good," Serenity said and Mars began to leave. "Um…you might want to explain the Younger Senshi to her before she meets them."

"Yes, your Majesty," Mars smiled and left the throne room.

Archane sat in the tree her body covered in a long black cloak. One side of her face was covered by a black burn from her eye down to her shoulder. She looked down at the busy streets. < This must be Earth with all these human walking about. Jupiter must be here as well. Seems like things have changed. I wonder if the master is still around. > She thought. < It would help to know how much time has passed; it didn't seem like very much. Anyway I'll find her and make her pay for this. > She rubbed the burn on her face. < I'll head towards that Crystal Palace, it seems important enough. I'll draw her out and then I'll be satisfied. > Archane jumped down from the tree and mingled with the crowds on the streets. No one bothered the woman in the black cloak.

"Younger Senshi?" Jupiter asked as they walked towards the training room.

"That's right, they are the ones chosen by Pluto to guard the Princess just as the Royal Senshi or the 'Old Senshi' as the Youngers put it, which you are one of, guard the Queen. Although, we still guard the Princes because the Younger Senshi are still inexperienced, but when they're ready they'll guard her when she becomes queen. Most of the Youngers are children or grandchildren of the Royal Senshi." Mars explained.

"What?!" Makoto was caught off guard with that statement. "You mean the daughters of the inner and outer core?"

"Yes, the eldest is Younger Venus, Minako-chan's daughter. She's just turning fifteen. The full team of Younger Senshi hasn't been completed yet. Uranus and Neptune don't have any children except for Saturn, but She's already a Royal and I can't imagine Pluto ever getting married so there is no Younger outer core. You might meet some of them today, but they usually watch us train mainly because we'd beat them bad every time..." Mars smiled as they stopped in front of the training room door. "It's true also for the inner core, the team of Younger Senshi isn't complete. There has been no Younger Jupiter chosen in the past one thousand years. We all thought that since you had died, Pluto would choose someone other than a Senshi's daughter to be the Younger Jupiter because there wasn't one available. However, Pluto refused to select one to replace both the Royal Jupiter and fill the title of Younger Jupiter. Her motives for this were unknown, but Queen Serenity had no problem with this, in fact she resented the idea of finding anyone to fill the place of Sailor Jupiter. She did it to keep your memory forever as Sailor Jupiter as it should be."

"Does that mean if I were to get married her in the future, then my child would be the Younger Jupiter?" Makoto asked.

"That depends on Pluto, she makes the final decision since she knows what will turn out best for the Kingdom." Rei pressed a panel on the doorframe and the heavy door began slide open. "Thinking back to men already Mako-chan?" she asked with a laugh.

"No!" Makoto protested and gave her friend a funny look. Sounds of fighting came from beyond the opening door and attracted the two Senshi's attention.

"Looks like they started without us," Rei said slightly irritated, "how rude." The door finished opening and they stepped through. "Now the Queen has given me specific orders to see that you're care…" Mars didn't have the chance to finish as a burst of yellow light smacked into her. Jupiter nimbly jumped to the side and watched as the smoke cleared, revealing Mars sitting on the ground looking extremely cross. "Damn it, Uranus! Tell me, do you normally blast people before you even know who they are? Or do you wait until you see the whites of their eyes?" Mars stood up and crossed her arms. "I swear you'd blow the Queen away before you even knew it was her!" Mars grumbled loudly.

"I'm sorry, Mars, I have to admit I didn't know it was you," Uranus said sarcastically as she appeared from behind a wall. "Don't be so stingy, do you think I'd really want to hit you when you weren't prepared?" A wide grin spread across Uranus' face and she disappeared back into the maze.

"Ha! I wonder sometimes," Mars snorted and walked over to the wall. She took a microphone from a box in the wall. "Hey everyone, Jupiter has entered the game so take it easy," Mars looked over to where Jupiter was and the tall girl gave her a reassuring smile, "but not to easy," She added. "So, Jupiter, care to team…" Makoto had already disappeared into the maze once Mars had finished replacing the microphone. "I don't know, I suppose we'll see what surprises our lost friend will spring upon us." Mars then plunged into the maze of walls to find action.

Jupiter quietly walked through the maze. All around her were obstacles that could be set off either to hinder or assist her while fighting. Sliding panels in the walls, moveable steel plates capable of cornering a careless wanderer. The entanglement wire was especially tricky, but Makoto had been warned about it and was cautious of it hiding in the walls. The real test, however, was the other Senshi, with all the traps Makoto had to be careful of surprise attackers. Sudden sounds of exploding attacks diverted Makoto's attention and caused her to brush against one of the walls. Wires shot out from every direction and wrapped tightly around her arms, legs, and waist. She cursed softly while evaluating her situation. For any other Senshi it would have required an attack to break the wires, but for Makoto alone it was a matter of strength. She yanked one arm inwards and with the sound of twisting metal tore the wires from the wall. Makoto was free in a matter of moments.

Jupiter proceeded further into the game and suddenly heard sounds of battle on the other side of the wall next to her. Carefully finding a trap door in one of the walls she readied a surprise attack for whoever she could catch off guard. < In one sense it seems like ages ago when I last fought, but in another sense it only seems like a yesterday. > She thought to herself. < I wonder if some of the powers I gained in the dreams were real? > Jupiter tested them before passing through the wall to be sure she hadn't imagined them, but she had little doubt.

"Lightening Bolt Shimmer," Jupiter whispered softly and from her hand came blinding bolts of electricity that exploded soundlessly on the opposite wall, but left it singed and cracked. < I seem to have at least one of them and I can control it better now. > She thought. Just before going through the trap door, Jupiter heard an unfamiliar voice on the microphone that Mars had used when they first entered.

"Looks like you are having fun. The Younger Senshi are entering so play nice, Older Senshi," the unknown voice said.

"Right!" Uranus' voice echoed from somewhere in the room.

On the other side of the wall Makoto saw Mercury and Neptune deeply engaged in battle with one another. Makoto was just about to make an appearance when she saw Venus sneaking up from the side with the same idea. A grin spread across Makoto's face and she crouched down. She laid her hand on the floor and summoned her attack. "Lightening Negative Charge," she whispered softly. The ground crackled with electricity as the bolts sped towards Venus. Venus looked down just in time to see the blasts of electricity leap up and strike her. Dazed she got up and looked around, she couldn't locate the attack, but she knew for sure whom it had been. She looked to the ground and saw the path of singed floor and determined the whereabouts of her attacker.

"Try this one Jupiter!" she yelled. "Venus Meteor Shower!" < This will scare her out, thought I doubt it will scare her. > Venus thought as the light showered over a hidden part of the wall.

Jupiter jumped from her hiding spot to avoid the rays of light raining down on her. As she leapt she felt something wrap around her ankle and pull her hard to the ground.

"Careless, Jupiter," Minako said as she stood over Jupiter still holding the chain around the fallen Senshi's foot.

"That attack is just a couple thousand years too old, don't you think, Venus?" Jupiter said.

"Hey, it drew you out," Venus said with a laugh.

"Perhaps," Jupiter said looking away to hide her own grin, "but it didn't make me over-confident."

"What?!" Venus asked quickly, but her reply was another array of lightning bolts and a blinding light. In the confusion Jupiter slipped away and ended their engagement. "I don't, seems like the same old Jupiter to me," Venus laughed out loud as the light cleared, and then ran off to find another opponent.

Jupiter has silently slipped away as Venus was caught in the confusion and was quickly making her way down the hall when the next attack came.

"Showering Light Beam!" an unfamiliar voice said.

"Venus, again?" Jupiter said to herself as she easily dodged the attack that had come from behind her. Makoto turned around to see that the new opponent wasn't Venus, but a younger girl who had an incredible resemblance to Minako. Jupiter stood there a moment staring, unsure of what to make of the mirror image of her friend. The girls eyes where a pale green and her hair a paler gold than that of Minako's. < Of course, it must be a Younger Senshi. > Makoto thought feeling slightly ignorant that she hadn't realized it earlier.

Younger Venus watched as the Senshi she had been following easily avoided her attack. < Damn > She cursed mentally. She didn't recognize this green suited soldier. She was neither am Older or a Younger as far as she knew, but she had a strange feeling that she had no business dealing with this Senshi or chance against her. Younger Venus watched as the Green Senshi paused as if confused and then released another attack. The odd Senshi set up an electrical barrier that absorbed Younger Venus' attack, then in a flash of light sent a ball of electricity speeding back at her. Younger Venus was caught in the center of the blast and knocked forwards and impacting hard with the floor. When she looked up she saw the Green Senshi standing over her offering her hand to help the Younger up. < Damn it > Younger Venus thought again.

"You must be Younger Venus," Jupiter said as she pulled the girl up. Younger Venus felt that there was unparalleled strength in this woman by the powerful grasp of her hand.

"Yes I am," the girl said as she brushed off her fuku, "but I'm afraid I've never met you before?" She said.

"I am Sailor Jupiter, but I'm not surprised you haven't heard of me," Makoto said with a smile.

"Sailor Jupiter?" Younger Venus asked partly to herself, "I didn't know Pluto had chosen a replacement." Younger Venus started to think hard. "Geez, you'd think Mama would at least tell me something like this," she said in an irritated voice.

"No, no, I haven't been replaced," Jupiter cut in, she was slightly confused as well. "Haven't the Senshi said anything about the past Jupiter?" she asked.

"Oh yeah, Older Jupiter died along time ago. I think Mama would've told you that if you're her replacement. Are you that mysterious Senshi that I heard about that appeared a few days ago?" Younger Venus asked. Makoto sighed.

"I must not have died if I'm here with you now," Makoto watched with a smile as her statement brought the blond out of her confused thoughts.

"You mean the Senshi that appeared a few days ago was the Ancient Sailor Jupiter and you're her?" Younger Venus took a step back as Jupiter nodded and the smile disappeared from her face. "That doesn't seem possible."

"I was away a very long time, but now that I've returned I'll retake my place at Queen Serenity's side as one of her Royal Senshi," Makoto said seriously. Younger Venus looked up into the tall Older Senshi's face and searched for doubt, but the face held true. She saw wisdom in the young, but also ancient green eyes along with a hidden truth masked by a false happiness. She quickly broke the gaze as she felt herself falling into the stare and afraid she'd be lost in the raging sea of pains.

"I'm sorry," she apologized.

"It's alright," the smile returned to Makoto's face. "A lot of people have thought the same as you including the Princess. I too apologize if I seemed cold or angry, I just haven't had a very good day today. I'm finding a lot of things are not as they seem," Makoto sighed.

"I can't imagine," Younger Venus was lightening her mood as well, "I suppose you certainly have a right after being gone so long. I must say thought I don't think my attacks have been as useless as they were against you. The other Senshi usually don't have enough time to raise a barrier." The two began to walk down the hall as they talked

"I've had a long time and a great need to strengthen my powers," Makoto said suddenly realizing what her powers meant. It made her afraid and she desired to be with one of her friends, but she hid it from the young girl. "I always learned that the strength of my attacks always depended on my desire and will to use it. Remember that and you'll find one day that it's true. When your desire to use your powers is at its greatest that's when your attack will be the strongest."

"Really?" Younger Venus asked excited.

"I guarantee it, just make sure you have the will to control you attack as well or you desire could become more powerful than you want," Makoto cautioned. "So what do you say to teaming up with me and going after Uranus? I have some pay back in mind after she played that trick on me yesterday."

"Really!!?" The girl's eyes went wider. < To fight side-by-side with an Older and such a mysterious and powerful one as well is an honor. Wow! > "It would be the greatest thing for me," Her pale green eyes sparkled with youthful eagerness, "but against Uranus? That's kind of well... risky," she said slightly worried.

"Don't worry, it's only training anyway," Makoto reassured her. "It'll be fun."

"Okay!" Younger Venus replied with even more eager. Under the advice of Younger Venus they stared toward the center of the room to find Uranus. While walking they devised a plan for when they finally encountered the tricky Senshi. On the way they assisted Younger Mercury in a battle against Mars, then disappeared again before Mars could release her wrath upon them.

"Mercury has a husband?" she asked Venus as they escaped from Mars' plumes of flame.

"They are such the sweetest couple, those two," Younger Venus said with starry eyes. "Their son, Soichiro, wow…"

"Hey, watch out for the flames!" This snapped Younger Venus out of her love thoughts. Jupiter laughed at her even while dumbstruck by the news over her intelligent friend. "You are so much like your mother," Makoto said carelessly.

They stopped in a long hallway to catch their breath after finally losing Mars. There was the sound of sliding steel and Jupiter looked up to see four sliding metal walls falling from the ceiling boxing her and Younger Venus in.

"What set it off?" Jupiter looked at Younger Venus who was shaking her head that it hadn't been her.

"Lucky daughter! Teaming up with an Older like Jupiter," Venus' voice attracted their attention. She was sitting in the small space between the ceiling and one of the walls that had just fallen, holding onto the wire that had dropped it. "What are you up to?"

"Oh, we just thought we'd pay Uranus a little visit." Jupiter called back. Venus jumped down next to them.

"Ooo… That's crazy, let me come too. I've been wanting to get a shot at Uranus for a while," Venus said with equal excitement as her daughter.

"Oh, I don't know. What do you think Younger Venus should Minako-chan get to come?" Jupiter turned her head and looked at Venus sarcastically through the corner of her eye.

"Why not?" Younger Venus was absolutely thrilled. "The more Senshi the more fun."

"Alright!!" Venus said with a grin and the three proceeded to jump over the steel walls. They quickly approached the sounds of battle and prepared their plan. "Just be careful," Venus whispered. "Uranus always likes the part of the room with the most wire traps and falling walls."

"Right," the other two answered.

Uranus was engaged with Mercury, Mars, and Younger Mercury at the time and never saw the three determined Senshi approaching. To Uranus' surprise when she went to dodge Mars' fire a chain wrapped around her and held her fast. Mars started laughing hysterically as her plume of fire enveloped Uranus and she reappeared slightly singed.

"That just made my day!" Mars nearly collapsed from laughter.

"Not nice ladies," came a voice and in a flash Neptune and Saturn were by Uranus' side.

"Who did that? Venus?" Uranus whirled around slightly steamed, searching for the Senshi of Beauty. The Trio refused to reveal their presence to the searching outer core and began to carry out the second part of their plan. In a blur of yellow light Younger Venus jumped from the hiding spot and sprung past the outer core showering her attack down on them. As expected Neptune attacked and knocked Younger Venus head over heals across the hall. In the distraction, Jupiter's lightening coursed through the ground mixed with Venus' light. It surrounded the three outer core and enveloped them.

"I like that new attack of yours, Jupiter," Venus said as the two emerged from behind the wall. < I wonder when she learned it. >

"Believe me, it isn't the most powerful," Jupiter said with a bit of pride.

"Great, so why couldn't you use a more impressive ones so I could've been saved a sore butt," Younger Venus said as she approached rubbing her rear. "Why did I have to be the diversion?" Mercury and Mars were laughing loudly as the outer core reappeared looking less than happy. Mars and Mercury where about to join in the fun when the outer core released their attacks. Jupiter found herself hurled into the wall as the brunt of Uranus's attack hit her square in the chest. Venus was soon to follow as Neptune blew her back with a wave of water. Meanwhile Saturn had unleashed her attack on Younger Venus.

"Reverberating Silence," Saturn said softly. Younger Venus felt the silence surround her and the air seemed to waver, then the invisible pulse knocked her backwards.

"Shabon Spray!" Mercury's bubbles filled the room with mist. Everything turned crazy as the mist threw everyone off guard. Jupiter heard Younger Venus scream in fear as traps suddenly sprung all around them.

Jupiter searched around for Younger Venus in the misty haze. < Something's wrong. > She thought. "Mercury! Clear the illusion!" Jupiter yelled. "Something's wrong!" On hearing Jupiter's voice from within the haze Mercury discontinued her illusion and the mist began to clear. All around steel walls were falling from the ceiling. Jupiter managed to see Younger Venus still on the ground trapped by wires, then a steel wall fell obstructing her vision. Jupiter realized with horror that the walls were falling all around Younger Venus. "Younger Venus, use an attack!!" She ran towards the Senshi in the midst of the confusion.

"What's happening?!!" Mercury watched as hidden traps were being set off everywhere.

"Get out of the way!!!" Jupiter yelled as she ran. A wall in from of her and her eyes darkened. "Damn it, out of my way." The Senshi watched with amazement as Jupiter tore through the two-foot wall completely destroying it with electricity. Younger Venus looked up to a wall coming down on her.

"Mama," she whispered with tears in her eyes.

"Kimeko!!" Venus cried desperately. Kimeko closed her eyes as the wall fell and never saw the shadow pass over her. She dared open her eyes when the she didn't feel the wall strike her. Looking up she saw Jupiter standing over her holding up the wall.

Jupiter struggled against the weight of the wall. She gritted her teeth and pushed up against the sliding wall pushing it back a small amount. Jupiter opened one eye to see Younger Venus looking up at her still trapped in the wires. Jupiter's strength was being put to the limit, but, although she felt her already weak body growing weaker, her determination was great.

The last of the mist cleared and the Senshi looked past the destroyed wall, still crackling with electricity, and to where Younger Venus had been. Venus was afraid to look for fear her daughter would be dead, crushed under the heavy wall, but what she saw when she looked up blew her mind. All the Senshi paused for a moment as the scene of Jupiter holding the wall above Younger Venus came clear in their minds.

"Don't just stand there, quickly someone shut down the room. She can't hold that up forever," Uranus shouted pulling the Senshi from their shock.

"I'm on it," Mercury said and disappeared through a wall panel.

"The rest of you, find the Younger Senshi and get them out of here! Venus, get your daughter free and to safety!" Uranus said as she ran through the destroyed wall and to where Jupiter was. Venus quickly followed. Uranus got in front of Jupiter and placed her hands on the wall, then pushed up on it with her shoulder to take some of the weight off of Jupiter. < Jupiter, how are you doing this on your own? This isn't possible for any Senshi not even me. What have you become? > Uranus looked at Jupiter's contorted face with both awe and fear.

When Jupiter felt some of the pressure lift off her shoulder she opened one eye to see Uranus looking at her with great concern and confusion. Jupiter felt a wave of sadness come over her, but brushed it aside as she returned her attention to holding the heavy wall. Venus had gotten down on the floor and was using small bursts of light to break through the wires and pulled the frightened Kimeko free when the walls suddenly all retracted back into the ceiling releasing the pressure on Uranus and Jupiter. Once free Kimeko scrambled out from under the two Senshi and into her mother's arms.

"Are you alright?" Venus asked her daughter.

"Yes, yes," Kimeko said shakily.

"Jupiter, I want…" Venus stopped as she looked up at Jupiter who was struggling to keep standing. Jupiter's thousand-year fatigue was taking its toll after she expended so much strength. Se staggered, falling back and her vision turned black.

"Jupiter?" Uranus said as she saw Jupiter's sudden pallor. "Makoto!" she yelled her voice full of concern as she caught Jupiter before she collapsed. Makoto breathed heavily as Uranus gently laid her on the ground. Mercury had just returned and approached quickly as Jupiter collapsed into Uranus's support.

"She's exhausted," Mercury said as she felt Jupiter's pulse. "After the strength she lost over a thousand years I don't know how she could've done this," Ami said confused. She pulled out her palmtop and scanned. "There doesn’t appear to be an physical damage, except some bruising on her shoulder, from the impact most likely."

"She'll be alright then?" Mars asked.

"Yes, she just needs to regain her strength again." Mercury put away her palmtop.

"How could she do this?" Uranus said mostly to herself. "The power she used against the fist wall and then her mere strength, it's not possible."

"What is it, Uranus?" Neptune asked.

"Look, she tore through that two foot steel wall with her fist, none of us have the strength to do that as fast as she did. Those walls weight more than three hundred pounds, I couldn't have held it myself, what she did wasn't possible. Also the power output she put into that wall was almost too much for me to bear while holding it. It was charged the entire time," Haruka explained.

Off to the side of the group of Senshi the wall that Jupiter had fell again from the ceiling. "It must have over ridden the system," Mercury said with surprise. It ran with electricity for a few moments then tore apart.

"What the…!" Venus started.

"She couldn't destroy it with Younger Venus so close, but she would've had it not been retracted after Kimeko was free," Uranus explained.

"Mama?" Younger Venus sat on the couch in the Aino quarters embraced by her mother. Minako could feel her still trembling.

"Don't be afraid, you are safe now. It was an accident," Minako said softly.

"What if Jupiter hadn't been there?" Kimeko looked up at Minako.

"She was there and when you feel better you might go thank her, what she did was extremely dangerous. She is a very dear friend," Minako replied.

"Right," Kimeko said feeling slightly better. "I'm sorry Mama I shouldn't have put myself or her in danger like that."

"What happened was an accident and not your fault. There was nothing you could've done." Venus hugged her daughter close. "All Senshi, once in a while, get into a situation that they can't control. That's why we are there for one another. Jupiter was there for you." Minako looked at the ceiling. < Unfortunately, no one was there for Jupiter. > Minako thought.

"Really, I'm fine, Ami-chan. Haruka-chan, help me out here," Jupiter said while attempting to get out of the bed.

"You took a heavy blow on your shoulder that needs treatment, so you're not going anywhere, Mako-chan," Mercury replied sternly and had Jupiter sit back down.

"Sorry, Makoto-chan, there's little anyone can do against Ami-chan when she's in this frame of mind." Uranus shrugged as Mercury gave her an irritated look. A smile then crept over the blond woman's face. "Anyway, it's fun to see you get a little pay back for being so sneaky," Uranus joked and began to laugh.

"What about you?" Jupiter glared and crossed her arms in a huff.

"Alright you two, that's enough bickering," Mercury cut in." Come on Haruka-chan, Mako-chan needs to get some rest."

"Ohh…Why can't I stay?!" Haruka whined.

"I don't appreciate my talents being referred to as punishment," Mercury replied as she pushed Uranus out the door. Grumbling and slightly disappointed, Uranus finally left. When Mercury turned back she saw Jupiter standing again.

"You, sit down!" Jupiter hastily took a seat on the bed's edge when she saw Mercury's no nonsense look. "I said you aren’t going anywhere until I've healed your shoulder and then gotten some rest." Jupiter was about to say something, but stopped. "Don't argue with me, Mako-chan!" Jupiter reluctantly allowed Mercury to inspect her bruised shoulder. "You didn't break any bones, luckily, but this bruise looks painful."

"It doesn't feel that bad," Jupiter replied without looking up. Mercury looked down at her awed that Makoto wasn't expressing any discomfort to the serious wound at all. Mercury lightly touched Jupiter's shoulder, but still the woman didn't seem to feel any pain. Mercury shook the thoughts from her minds and laid her hand on Jupiter's shoulder. Jupiter winced slightly as Mercury began heal the internal bleeding.

"That was brave thing you did for Younger Venus," Mercury said. < What has happened to you, Mako-chan? Your strength, power and body are all beyond comprehension. > "If not foolish, you both could've died." Mercury was trying to avoid her real question.

"I know what you really want to ask, all of you," Jupiter said quietly. "You want to know what I have become." Mercury took her hand away from Jupiter's shoulder. "The past thousand years weren't a dream. I had hoped they had been, but I knew once I discovered that I had a strength that could only have been gained after so many battles. The fights have made me so different from what you remember me, my attacks are different and more powerful; I've gained a strength far beyond anything normal even though I was weak and wounded.” Jupiter looked at the floor. "You've all noticed, I was a fool to think I could hide from my closest friends the difference in me, but with my own free will I showed you all that the Jupiter of the past is truly dead. I don't know who I am anymore!" Makoto was defeated and lowered her head further.

"That is not true!" Mercury said quickly. She knelt down and tried to look into Jupiter's eyes. "You're still Sailor Jupiter, you're still our Mako-chan. Younger Venus would've died today if you hadn't done what you did. None of us could've saved her and we won't and never would have feared anything that you do or have. What has happened has happened and nothing can change that so don't let it draw you away from us, Mako-chan. If there is no explanation to the past thousand years than none will be asked of you. You were the unfortunate one, nothing was your fault and we want you to let us help you in whatever way we can." Ami put a hand on Makoto's shoulder and had the disturbed woman look back at her. Ami smiled at her. "You don't have to protect us from your sufferings."

Ami rubbed Makoto's shoulder, then stood up. "You're exhausted and stressing to much over this, try and get some rest, my friend." Ami walked towards the door then turned back. "You'll be okay, Mako-chan. Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything." Makoto watched her carefully, resisting the urge to ask Ami not to leave. Ami switched off the light and left Makoto in the dark.

"Pluto," Makoto sighed, "She must have found me. I must talk with her."

"Then why don't we go somewhere more private, Jupiter?" Pluto walked from the time stream. "You wish to talk and find answers, then let us talk, it's about time things were set right."

Jupiter walked with Pluto through the time gates and appeared in the apartment that had been hers a thousand years ago. "After your death, your apartment was the first thing the Queen ensured was kept vacant and safe," Pluto explained. Jupiter felt slightly uneasy at being referred to as dead. The two finally sat, staring at each other for a moment.

"So do you know what happened to me, Pluto?" Jupiter finally asked.

"You know what happened here. You died, in this room, by that wall a thousand years ago," Pluto said while pointing to the wall, but never broke her stare from Makoto's eyes.

"If I was dead, then why did I experience everything I did for the past years, why am I alive now?" Jupiter asked coldly.

"When the youma killed you, you were in the middle of your transformation and a great amount of energy was being released. You were half Makoto Kino and half Sailor Jupiter. Who the blade actually killed isn't important anymore, but was does matter is that, as it was meant to, the release of energy drew you into the time stream along with the youma, but something unpredicted happened. Although dead, your body was separated from your consciousness. The time stream then separated you and the youma, and sent both of you to places of universal significance. At times when you weren't with your physical self, you felt peaceful, nothing hurt you, but when the youma and you encountered, you and your body were forced to merge again. This put you in a state like before death and your memories returned. The time stream brought you and the youma together countless time, each time sending you to a place according to the subconscious thoughts of both of you. Being in the time stream you couldn't realize the passage of time even thought you changed. Despite my power over the realm of time, I could not find you until I saw an incredible phenomenon on your home planet, your destruction of the youma I suspect," Pluto said.

"Earth?" Makoto asked. Pluto shook her head.

"Jupiter, once I found you I opened the time gates and sent another back to when you died to lead you through the journey," Pluto explained

"It was that girl, wasn't it?" Jupiter said softly.

"Yes, she was the one I chose," Pluto replied.

"Who was she?" Jupiter asked coldly. She was angry with Pluto for sending one so young even if it was to save her own life.

"I cannot tell you that," Pluto said with equal ice. Makoto could see that she would have no chance in discovering who the girl had been so she dropped the subject.

"You must understand, I sent her to help you to survive. She returned you to your physical form and guided your consciousness when you were drifting aimlessly in the time stream." Makoto could tell there was something untrue about what Pluto had just told her or she had at least left out a part. Jupiter didn't press the matter.

"Why did this happen?" Makoto finally asked her dreaded question.

"It was meant to. An evil far more powerful than anything you could combat alone desired to travel through time and to avoid my interference they chose a way far more cruel than any human could imagine," Pluto replied. Makoto thought she understood, but she wanted more of an explanation than that.

"I don't understand, what did this to me?!!!" she almost yelled, but quickly got control of herself.

"You died, Sailor Jupiter!!!" Pluto replied matching Jupiter's force of voice. "You released an incredible amount of energy when the youma's blade pierced your heart. As I said it was set up to happen, someone wanted to send a youma through the time stream without me interfering and they did it by killing you. The unpredicted happened though, you and the youma were caught in endless dreams, but all the battles were real for your bodies. Every wound and drop of blood was real! Even if you don't want to believe it, if you search your heart you know it is. It was like fire and water being forced together. You struggled for a thousand years and in the end your power conquered. You won, Makoto-san." Pluto went silent as Jupiter stared at her emotionlessly. Finally, Pluto had to look away from the emotionless gaze, realizing how cruel her words must have been to the Senshi.

"Did Queen Serenity tell you that the young girl that you sent to help me died by the youma?" Although she was angry, Makoto held her voice soft.

"I knew and so did she know that this would be the case," Pluto replied. "She knew that if she found you she would most likely die." Pluto watched as Jupiter leaned back in her chair thinking hard. She saw an odd look come over Makoto's face as if something hidden in her mind had come clear.

"You've come here to set things right with me and the time stream, but nothing can be the same because she is still here searching for me." Jupiter folded her hands. "I can feel her vengeance throbbing in my chest like it has for the past thousand years, but only now can I recognize it."

"What are you talking about, Makoto-san?" Pluto asked curiously as well as concerned.

"The youma has come to Crystal Tokyo, followed me here. I never saw her die and now she's finally caught up with me to take revenge for something I barely remember. Oh yes, for the death of her brother, Arcane." Pluto watched as Jupiter trembled slightly. "He was the first to try and kill me."

"But I saw you defeat the youma," Pluto replied.

"You don't understand, Archane didn't die, thought she came close I'm sure, it was just the end of the first battle. Now we have to finish our hate for one another here in the future," Makoto explained.

"Go to Queen Serenity and the Senshi, they'll help you if she is here," Pluto tried.

"They'll die against her," Jupiter replied, "And so will I."

"Than what can you do?" Pluto asked sympathetically.

"I'll stop her from taking my friends, Archane and I will die together," Jupiter replied trying to regain her confidence.

"The Senshi won't let you die again," Pluto said desperately. "Chibi-usa, you promised her…you can't do this, not to us or yourself. What have you become, Mako-chan?" For the first time Pluto actually sounded caring and fearful for Makoto.

"I don't know, but I know she is here. Look into my mind and perhaps you can help me to understand as well as I help you to understand what I must do," Jupiter replied sadly and reached out for Pluto's hand. When her finger touched Pluto's hands, Pluto suddenly found herself in a cold sad place.

< Is this your mind, Mako-chan? > She thought.

< What is left of it. > A voice replied. < Look over there; those are my memories, my past self that has been lost. > Pluto turned and found herself back in the apartment, but it was in the past and a scene was taking place.

"You'll die with that pen unused," the strange youma screamed.

"Let her go!" Sailor Moon shouted as she burst through the door.

"Jupiter Star Power Make-up!" Makoto who was being held against the wall by the youma finally managed her transformation.

"I won't let you!" the youma roared. She plunged her blade through the blinding electricity of Jupiter's transformation. Pluto, who had been observing, suddenly felt a sharp, unbearable pain in her chest.

"No!!! Moon Princess Halation!" Sailor Moon's attack combined with the energy released from Jupiter's transformation. For Pluto, the pain was excruciating now.

< Is this what you felt, Mako-chan? It's unbearable. > Pluto gasped. < I'm experiencing your memories, how could you live through this? >

< I didn't, remember? > The voice said again. Pluto's body suddenly felt fuzzy, separate and she found herself under a peaceful orange sky. The pain that had been so awful before was now fading from her mind. She looked over to find Jupiter sitting under a large oak tree, gazing nebulously off in the distance. Pluto slowly approached and saw that there was a long, deep cut in Jupiter's chest and blood ran freshly from it, but the Senshi didn't appear to feel any pain from it. The girl, that only Pluto who knew truly was, appeared in a flash and sat by the careless Jupiter. The girl was gone again in the flash and then Pluto felt, like a wave, pain, emotion, memory, and fatigue rush through her body. She felt like she would die from the overflow of feeling, both physical and mental.

< It's impossible to cope with, it doesn't go away. > She thought. The youma appeared and Pluto watched as Jupiter went to do battle with her, still in the condition she was. Back in the present, in Makoto's apartment, Jupiter let go of Pluto's hand.

"I am sorry, Pluto," Makoto's voice snapped Pluto back to reality.

"Why did you stop?" she asked.

"What you felt already seemed unbearable, but I would not want anyone to have to experience what was to come, not after repeating it myself, countless times," Jupiter said gravely.

"I had no idea what it had felt like for you to experience that," Pluto paused a moment. "Please forgive my insensitivity."

"It doesn't matter, but now that you felt the blade can you feel her hate in your heart?" Makoto asked. Pluto closed her eyes and concentrated, remembering what she had just felt.

"I do." She felt a coldness where the blade cut had been on Jupiter's chest. It felt evil and her heart lost feeling. "The youma's presence it's growing stronger, she is here." She concentrated harder. The vengeance seemed to want to tear her apart. "It's after you, Mako-chan, if what I felt is what you are feeling than these thoughts are meant for you." Pluto looked horrified as Jupiter nodded her head.

"We'll help, I'll bear this with you, Mako-chan, you don't have to take this alone!" Pluto lost her normal calmness. "You cannot do this by yourself!"