"I will fight her myself." Jupiter stood up. "Please, let's return, Pluto. I thank you for feeling for me, but I had no right."
"No…" Pluto started, but Jupiter cut her off.
"Please," she said softly. Pluto nodded and opened the time gates to take them back to Crystal Tokyo. Once back in the castle, Pluto turned back to face Makoto, but she had silently slipped away.
"I'm sorry, friend, I…" Pluto couldn’t finish; she couldn't blame Jupiter and felt ashamed for being so cruel to her after what she'd been through. "If you knew what I've done to you, I wouldn't blame you for killing me right now," she said to herself and went in search of Sailor Mars.
Makoto hadn't been able to face Pluto any longer. Her emotions, despite their hardness, wouldn't permit it. It was late at night as she ran through the halls of the crystal palace. Tears burned in her eyes and left a trail behind her. The thoughts of her past fell on her like a ton of bricks and the events she knew would come, raised uncontrollable fear in her. She didn't know what to do anymore. < What now? I showed Pluto she understands. How could I do that? Archane you're here and now you'll take me from my friends again. You're so cruel! Forgive me Princess! > Jupiter stopped in front of the training room and paused a moment before entering. Once inside the room she saw that it had been reset for target practice and metal dummies were set up to be used as attack targets. She approached on of the dummies and in a surge of anger forcefully punched it, denting its metal covering. The blow rang across the room and echoed for a few moments, then died. Makoto felt slightly better, despite the pain in her hand from the strike. She poised herself in front of the dummy and proceeded to strike it with a series of powerful punches.
< I wish I could hide behind them now and have them help me, but I know they'll die. I never won last time even with all the strength I've gained. Usagi-chan, I want to be with you. > As Makoto thought she remembered what Mercury had said to her the other day:
"You don't have to protect us from you sufferings," she had said.
"Damn it!" she swore loudly and punched the metal dummy exceptionally hard, splitting it down the center. She turned as she heard a staff click against the floor. There stood Saturn, watching Makoto intently with her deep purple eyes.
"Please, let me see your hand," Saturn said as she approached. Jupiter held out the hand that had destroyed the target. Blood ran from her split and torn knuckles. Hotaru gently placed her hand over Makoto's and the blood disappeared. "Why are you sad?" Hotaru asked as she finished healing Jupiter's hand.
"My past has come back and I must fight it again. I will not return," Makoto dropped her hand back down to her side.
"You have no choice then?" Hotaru asked as she made her way to some benches and sat. Jupiter followed.
"If I don't, countless will die," Makoto replied. "Including all of you."
"Do you doubt our strength? Or are you sure?" Hotaru asked curiously. Jupiter didn't answer, now that she thought of it she didn't really know. "I asked, Pluto why I had never met you in the past. You see, I'd never been told anything about what happened to Sailor Jupiter. She told me everything that she knew had taken place so long ago." Hotaru paused a moment, "It's not that you doubt our strength, Mako-chan, but you don't wish to see anyone suffer like you have. What makes you so different from me and the other Senshi is that you are still alone.“
"What do you mean?" Makoto asked softly.
"Each one of the Senshi at one point in their life found complete salvation in the friendship they share with one another and above all Queen Serenity. We began to learn to depend on others and trust out pains with them, knowing they would be glad to help us with any burden. All the Senshi are happy now, we'll never forget how we were and possess a little loneliness, but we'll not allow it to consume us anymore. You didn't have the chance to be saved. You'll still fight and die for the Queen, like all of us, but your seclusion wants to protect the other Senshi as well even though fighting by your side is their duty. If we are all you have than you can't sacrifice us for anything. Is that not true?" Hotaru explained with great wisdom and Jupiter found herself being true to every word.
"Am I wrong to do this?" she asked softly.
"Of course not, but what ever happened in your past is not worth dying for and we will find a way to help you find your salvation," Hotaru replied reassuringly. She sighed and turned her attention to her Silence Glaive, running her fingers along the flat side of the blade. "I was evil once a long time ago. You were not there when Sailor Moon and the Senshi had to battle me to save the world, but it ended well. I was reborn and became a new Senshi, but I still felt secluded and alone. I eventually was needed again to fight by Sailor Moon's side and that is when I finally realized I could live without pain as long as I knew someone, like Usagi-chan, and the others were there for me whenever I needed them. They were always something special and still are to me, now." She looked back over at Jupiter who was watching her innocently. "Do you understand what I mean?"
"I…I…" Jupiter felt the tears running down her cheeks. "I wish I could be like that," she finally managed; a small cry escaped her lips.
"You will be, I know it." Saturn put a comforting hand on Makoto's shoulder. "But for now, remember this: No matter what, you can't stop the Senshi or the Queen from being with you. Work on letting go of you fear of losing us and we'll never go. You'll never have to be alone again." Hotaru stood up, but didn't take her hand from Jupiter's shoulder. She just stood a moment just watching Makoto cry. "If you want I'll go now."
"No! Please don't. I don't want to be alone." Makoto stood up beside her. “Thank you, Hotaru-chan, it means more to me than anyone could ever imagine." Saturn smiled at her and Makoto realized what Uranus and Neptune really thought of Hotaru. Makoto finally realized that it hadn't been Hotaru that had been cold, but actually herself and it made a world of difference in her.
"Come on then, let's get something to eat. Personally I'm starved," Hotaru said as she led the way out of the training room.
"Sounds good to me, but I'm cooking," Makoto replied with a smile. The two left the room silent and with it left a heavy burden.
"What is it that you wish to talk about?" Rei sat in her baggy, black pajamas at her kitchen table. She and Pluto both had cups of tea in front of them, but only Rei's had been touched. Rei was slightly irritated at being awakened at the late hour, but any visit from Pluto was to be confronted seriously.
"I need to know something about Makoto-san's death," Pluto said quietly and finally reached down to pick up her tea. Rei snapped.
"Why is everyone always referring to Mako-chan as dead?! Why is it that everyone also needs to know what happened to her?!" Rei's anger flared high. "Everyday she's being asked some question about what she went through and it's destroying her more than she's willing to admit. Hasn't she been through enough?" Rei calmed herself, but she had seen a great emotional change in her friend from the day she returned and when they had last met in the training room. It made her furious to see Makoto under so much stress. < Real smart, Rei. Get mad at Pluto of all people. > Rei thought to herself. "I'm sorry, my friend. I just don't know what to do for Mako-chan," Rei apologized.
"I'm sorry too, I can understand you anger far more than you'll ever need to know." Pluto was sympathetic to the outburst, but she didn't show it. "The truth is, Makoto-san went through a strange death, she did die, but that isn't important anymore."
"So what is it that I can help you with?" Rei asked getting better control of her anger.
"Queen Serenity once told me that after the battle that had weaken Jupiter before her death she had seen a strange change in you. She said specifically after a fire reading. She had meant to ask you about it, but obviously the tragic events to follow distracted her," Pluto replied.
< Setsuna must have failed sensitivity class in her 'learning to be human' course. > Rei thought with dark humor, but then returned her thoughts to the serious matter at hand.
"Yes, this is true." Rei knew the question Pluto wanted her to answer, but Rei avoided it, forcing Pluto to finally ask.
"I need to know what frightened you, what did you see?" Pluto stared down into her teacup.
"Who said it frightened me?" Rei said defensively.
"The Queen did. She said she could tell." Pluto stared back up at Rei, her face firm. Rei stared back unwilling to let Pluto have the upper hand. < I'm obviously going about this all-wrong. > Pluto thought. < I need to know, but I don't know how to persuade her. > Pluto finally gave in and slumped back in her chair with a sigh. "Please, Rei-chan this may be the only thing that can save Mako-chan's life in this time." This immediately brought Rei out of her negative frame of mind.
"Mako-chan's life is in danger?" she asked desperately. Pluto nodded. "What threatens her?"
"I'm not entirely sure of it all, but perhaps after you've shared your vision with me I can explain everything." Pluto set her tea on the table and folded her hands.
"Alright then," Rei said. "The day before Mako-chan was released from the hospital, I took a fire reading by myself. What I saw was purely evil." She sighed and pushed back from the table. "A half man half demon appeared in the flames and beside him was a woman that I later determined from Usagi's description must have been the youma that…" she paused a moment, "was present when Mako-chan disappeared. At the time I only thought it to be a representation of our new enemy, but then Mako-chan appeared in the flames as well. Once in a while the other Senshi would appear in the fire if they were linked to a certain element, but the fire consumed Makoto and her aura disappeared. It was like she had died at that moment and I couldn't feel her presence anymore." A wavering sigh escaped her lips.
"That night I had a dream as well, this is what truly frightened me, but it wasn't until years later that I actually recognized all the parts. The first part was of Makoto and the youma battling fiercely, then the demon man raised his hand and the two disappeared in a flash of light. In the second part the demon man was standing in front of a ruined crystal palace, I didn't know it was Crystal Tokyo at the time, but I do now. On one side of him was Mako-chan, dead with a stab wound through her heart. On his other side was the youma, dead still running with electricity. That would've been enough to wake me, but I remained asleep just long enough to see the Ginzouisho glowing in one of the demon's hands and in the other…" Rei trembled slightly.
"The Ginzouisho?" Pluto sat straight up in her chair. She didn't like what the dream was suggestion.
"He was also holding Queen Serenity, dead," Rei finished. Pluto's eyes darkened and she finally understood why this had happened.
"I understand now," she said darkly. "Listen, Rei-chan…" With that she began tell everything she knew that had been and wound be.
"Makoto-san! Makoto-san! Wait a minute, Makoto-san!" Jupiter turned to see who was calling her. She saw Minako's daughter running through the hall attempting to catch up with her. Makoto stopped and waited.
"Geez, you walk fast," Kimeko said as she stopped to catch her breath.
"What can I do for you, Kimeko-chan?" Makoto asked warmly.
< Something is different. > Kimeko thought. < Oh well > "Nothing, I just wanted to thank you…now that you're recovered and all…you know for saving me in the training room yesterday." Kimeko looked at the floor. "I'm sorry for putting you in danger like that." Kimeko felt a strong hand on her shoulder.
"There is nothing to be sorry about, you did nothing wrong. It was an accident that could've happened to any of the other Younger or Older Senshi." Makoto raised Kimeko's chin up to look at her.
"But I was so afraid. I couldn't free myself and I thought I'd never see Mama or the other Senshi again. If you hadn't been there I would've…" Makoto didn't let her finish.
"What matters is that I was there. Everyone once in a while, even Senshi get in situations that they can't handle, but I'll always be there to help you if you need it, that is part of our job as a Senshi and as friends. I wouldn't let anything happen to you and believe me when I tell you you’re on your way to becoming a great Senshi." Makoto took her hand away and the sad look on Kimeko's face disappeared. "Of course we had it a lot harder when our training ground was Rei's temple and our opponents were youma," Makoto joked. Kimeko rushed to her and hugged her around the waist.
'Thank you so much, your such a nice person!" Kimeko cried as she pressed her head into the tall woman. Jupiter felt a broad smile spread across her face.
< You're welcome Kimeko-chan.> She thought. < I love this girl so much and I won't let anything happen to her. > Makoto returned the hug. "You are such a cute little girl," Makoto said. Kimeko looked up at her without letting go of her waist and gave Jupiter a funny look.
"I'm not little, I'm nearly fifteen," she protested. Makoto just laughed and the two began to walk down the hall. Neither saw Minako hiding behind the pillar, watching with a smile on her face.
The screams of frightened and injured people echoed through the mid-morning air. Archane was on a rampage, her intentions were to draw out the Senshi she despised so much. < This will bring her out. She cares for humans so much she'll not let me hurt them for too long. > She grabbed a man running by and threw him into a tree. Her remaining eye glowed with hate.
"Her food is the best I've ever tasted." Saturn and the rest of the outer core were conversing quietly when the messenger approached the Queen with news of the youma.
"What's happened?" Uranus asked.
"A youma hasn't been seen in over eight hundred years," Serenity added.
"I'm afraid it's true, Majesty. It's causing great amounts of destruction and injury," the messenger relied. "It's closing on the palace."
"Majesty, we'll inform the inner core," Uranus said and the outer core left the hall. Saturn suddenly remembered what Makoto had said to her the night before.
< Is this what she meant by her past returning. > Saturn thought.
"A youma!" Younger Venus's eyes went wide as the outer core informed Jupiter and Kimeko of the news. Makoto's eyes darkened and her mouth became a straight line. Saturn studied the quick change that had taken place in Jupiter's features when she heard the news, but when Jupiter caught her gaze the anger disappeared.
< You don't have to be afraid, Mako-chan.> Saturn thought.
"We need to inform the others and prepare for battle," Neptune said once Uranus was finished filling them in. "Is something wrong, Mako-chan?" she asked, also noticing Jupiter's change.
"Huh? Oh, no I was just thinking, never mind lets find the others." The five Senshi ran off to find Mercury, Mars, and Venus.
They met the rest of the inner core in the hall outside the Queen's throne room.
"Yes, we heard. It's been a long time," Mercury said. The entire team was assembled. Mars and Venus were being briefed by the outer core and Younger Venus and Jupiter were talking with Venus.
"Please, Mama let me come," Kimeko pleaded. Jupiter was watching the two Venus' with fascination.
"This is a real battle, Kimeko, if you're hurt it could cost you your life." Venus wasn't sure about allowing her daughter to come.
"I know! I realized that yesterday in the training room. Please, I know this isn't a game." Younger Venus was on the verge of tears. "I'll never be a great Senshi until I can fight on a real battle field."
"Your place is here with the other Senshi." Venus's tone made it clear that the subject was dropped. Younger Venus's shoulders slumped in defeat as Minako walked away and stared out the window. Kimeko felt Makoto's strong had touch her shoulder as she passed.
"Let me speak with her, Kimeko-chan, I can't promise anything, but I'll try," Jupiter said as she approached Venus.
"Please don't say anything, Mako-chan." Venus didn't turn to look at Jupiter as she stood beside her. "She's not ready."
"Are you so sure that this is Sailor Venus's opinion and not Kimeko's mother's?" Makoto said softly. Minako was silent for a bit.
"I don't know," Venus finally admitted. "But we both know how dangerous youma can be. You of all people know how deadly a youma can be." Venus sounded slightly desperate.
"It is true, I do know how deadly this youma is, but we have a job to do and Younger Venus has that job as well. I was far less experienced than Kimeko is when I first fought this youma, but I still had to fight her." Makoto gazed out the window.
"What are you talking about Mako-chan?" Venus asked.
"My point is that I can understand how you feel. I don't want any of you to fight with me in this battle, but because I love you so much I want you by my side. I want Kimeko by me side," Jupiter replied and finally looked over to see Venus gazing at her.
"Why don't you want us to come?" Minako was slightly scared at Jupiter's words.
"Let her come Minako-chan, I want to see your daughter fight. You'll be there to protect her and so will I," Jupiter said reassuringly.
< She's telling me something, what are you trying to do Mako-chan? > Venus thought.
"It's still your decision of course, but please think about it." Jupiter left Venus's side.
"Hey, everyone! The Queen has called us in," Uranus called. Slowly the doors opened to the throne room.
Younger Venus had gone ahead and already stood in the throne room as the Senshi entered. < Mama won't let me come. She doesn't think I'm ready, but I want to do this. > She then remembered something Saturn had told her: It helps to be anxious when going into battle, it makes you alert, but if it clouds your mind it could cost you your life or the life of the one your protecting. < That's right and I don't want anyone to die. I need to repay Makoto-san for saving me, but how can I do that if Mama won't let me fight? > Kimeko watched as her mother didn't even give her a glance as she passed.
"Welcome, Senshi," Serenity said as she sat next to Endymion. "Are you ready to defend your Kingdom once more?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, but I do have one request," Venus replied.
"What it is, Venus?" Serenity asked.
"Please allow my daughter to accompany us on this mission." Venus's voice was serious and laden with emotion from the difficult decision. Younger Venus looked up with surprise. Serenity was also quite surprised.
"If you wish it, Venus, I allow it," Serenity said smoothly.
"Thank you, your Majesty," Venus bowed. "Younger Venus, please join the Royal Senshi as the first Younger in battle." Younger Venus contained her excitement and joined the Older Senshi in front of the throne.
< Thank you, Mama, Makoto-san. > She thought.
"Jupiter," Makoto looked up as Serenity said her name. "Are you sure you want to fight so soon? Your strength has no yet fully returned," Serenity said with concern.
"I know this, your Majesty, but I desire to be with the Senshi for this battle," Jupiter said. "It is…" She trailed off unsure how to explain it to Serenity.
"Very well, but your above all must be careful then and promise to let the others help you if you need it." Serenity knew Jupiter well enough that anger tended to make her stubborn when fighting and this worried her.
"I promise, your Majesty," Jupiter replied. Saturn as well as Mars looked over at her and saw the sincerity on her face
"Go then, my friends, protect our kingdom and please, return safely," Serenity said and scanned the faces of her dearest friends. Mercury had a serious look on her face that changed to a sweet smile when she caught Serenity's gaze. A smile spread across her face as she saw that Venus was busy telling her daughter what to be careful of and Kimeko herself was nearly unable to control her joy. < You, be careful little one. > She thought. Uranus was grinning widely, her eyes sparkling. Neptune was smiling faintly and as expected Saturn had her purple eyes set serious. Mars on the other hand looking in another direction with a disturbed look on her face. Serenity follows the grievous look and her eyes fell on Jupiter who was staring up at Serenity. Jupiter's look was innocent, like that of a hopeful child. < What is wrong, dear friend? You look so afraid. >
"You promised me," she mouthed to Jupiter who was still watching her. Makoto lowered her eyes and bowed. Serenity wasn't sure to make of Jupiter's reply and began to get scared. Endymion saw the worry in her eyes and placed his hand on hers.
"She'll be alright," he said softly, "They all will." The Senshi turned and left the room.
"I hope you're right, my love," Serenity said. "Mako-chan has changed a lot." < Please be careful. > She thought.
The Senshi were rapidly approaching the scene. "Thank you, Makoto-san," Younger Venus said over to Jupiter.
"Thank your mother, younger Venus. It was always her decision, but you have to promise me you'll be very careful today, listen to everything everyone says and don't get in over your head," Jupiter said sternly.
"I promise. You'll be there anyway, right," Younger Venus said happily.
"Hey, Hurry up you two, this isn't anytime to chit-chat," Uranus barked. It was obvious she was excited. They sped up and Jupiter saw Mars gazing at her once more.
< You know, don't you my friend? > She thought. < I'll keep my promise to Queen Serenity and the Princess. Don't worry. > Makoto gave Mars a smile and Rei's sad look bent up into a smile as well.
Archane was getting frustrated. "Come out damn you!" she raged.
"Hey stop right there!" a voice rang out. The youma stopped and grinned.
"Finally," she growled. She looked around and found herself surrounded by seven women dressed in fukus similar to those of her hated enemy's. < So many of them. It seems Jupiter wasn't the only one. Doesn't matter, she must be close now. I'll kill them all if I have to. > She thought darkly.
"We are the Bishoujo Senshi and you have violated our Queen's Kingdom. This will not be forgiven," Venus challenged.
"Where the hell is she?" The youma growled. Venus stopped and each one of the Senshi tensed. The wind picked up and blew Archane's long black hair out of her face, revealing the remaining red eye. They saw the severe burns on her shoulder and face, the tight, black armor she wore to protect herself. Her skin was a pale blue and her glowing red eye shone brightly from under her hair.
"Who?" Uranus asked darkly.
"Where is She!!!" Archane roared and sent a semi-circular blast out from her arms. It struck the Senshi, leaving them unharmed, but threw them backwards.
"Stop it now!" Jupiter's voice was full of anger and command. "You've come for me? Then leave them alone.” Archane turned to see Jupiter standing behind her, her eyes narrowed and her arms crossed in front of her chest.
"I found you. Damn you Makoto," the youma hissed. The Senshi looked up in surprise as the youma called Jupiter by her human name. "You'll die with equal amount of pain that you inflicted upon me!"
"You have no right to call me, Makoto, even after a thousand years. You still seek vengeance, Archane, after all the fighting we've done?" Jupiter yelled.
"A thousand years?" Archane looked stunned at the news. The other Senshi were watching the encounter with great interest and confusion.
"You don't know, do you?" Jupiter said venomously. "You! You sent us on a journey that ended only after a thousand years of suffering, but you're lucky, you remember only the last battle. I remember them all, Archane! The orange sky, the cherry blossoms, both of our blood do you remember them?" Jupiter shouted at her. Archane seem to get confused a moment, then Jupiter saw as memories filled her mind.
"That… That?" she stuttered.
"That was all your fault," Jupiter growled. Archane looked up glaring evilly.
"I don't care, Makoto, I'll still see you die for what you did to me," the youma raged.
"You already killed me once, Archane, it won't be so easy this time," Jupiter challenged as the Senshi jumped behind he and took up defensive positions. "Now it's your turn." < What about what you did to me, you monster, you don't know the half of it, but this time I will destroy you and you be nothing, but a memory to me. >
"No matter how many I have to go through, I'll still kill you, Makoto," the youma seethed. Jupiter was enraged that Archane kept using her name, but she kept control.
"You know her, Jupiter?" Younger Venus asked. The other Senshi knew who this youma had to be and I frightened them.
"Yes, from a thousand years of battle that will be finished today," Jupiter replied coldly.
"I suggest you watch who you threaten!" Uranus shouted at Archane. "You fight one Senshi you better be prepared to fight them all." Jupiter smiled.
'"Heh, you'll die if you interfere with this. In fact I'll kill you all anyway!" Archane launched an energy blast at the group of Senshi. They all jumped away as it hit except for Jupiter and Younger Venus.
"You can't trick me with that one again!" Jupiter yelled through the dust.
< What is she doing? > Younger Venus was scared, but she refused to leave Jupiter's side. Archane rushed towards them her claws extended. Younger Venus moved to the side, but Jupiter caught the youma by the wrists and stopped her advance. She pulled Archane over her head and threw her hard into the ground. From the ground Archane struck out with a kick and broke Jupiter's grasp on her wrists. She recovered herself and stood up.
"Beauty Senshi Light Cascade!" Younger Venus shouted. The youma was surrounded by a pillar of light and disappeared as the continuous beam enveloped her. Younger Venus approached Jupiter.
"Get back Younger Venus." Jupiter began to back away as the pillar of light grew brighter. "She's not that easily defeated." The column began to expand and brighten more. "Get away from here!" Jupiter shouted. "Get down!!" Jupiter pushed Younger Venus down on the ground.
"Nega Energy Counter Blast!" Archane shouted from inside the pillar. The other Senshi watched from a distance as the light exploded outward sending rays of light exploding into everything near by. Jupiter felt the ground shake and she raised a barrier to protect Younger Venus. The heat of the blast became intense as the rays of light struck all around her and Kimeko. Something grabbed her and she felt the sensation of knives being stabbed into her shoulder. Jupiter was roughly pulled off Younger Venus by the clawed hand, deeply imbedded in her shoulder.
"Got you," the youma growled and dug her claws in further. Jupiter clenched her fist as the pain increased and she felt the blood running down her back. Younger Venus was staring up at them. Archane threw a blast at her, but it was absorbed by Jupiter's barrier.
"Sorry, Archane, she's under my protection," Jupiter said with a laugh. Archane raise her other clawed hand to deliver a fatal blow to Jupiter.
"Mars Fire Viper Strike!"
"Space Sword reflection!"
"Mercury Deep Mirage!"
The three attacks combined and smashed into Archane and her hand tore out of Jupiter's shoulder as she was thrown back. Once free Jupiter picked Younger Venus up and moved to safety.
"You two alright?!" Venus, Saturn. and Neptune ran over to them.
"Yeah," Jupiter replied as she put Younger Venus down.
"Your shoulder, Jupiter?" Saturn asked.
"It's just bleeding a little." The others could tell that the injury was hurting her. Saturn called her healing abilities and healed as much of the wound as she could with her power. "Thank you."
"This youma she seems familiar," Venus said thoughtfully.
"You remember her brother Arcane," Jupiter said. Venus looked over in surprise.
"She's not…" Venus started.
"She is the one who came after me so long ago and it's taken me a thousand years of battle to make her a strong as she is. I'm not even a match for her. So it's going to take a lot to stop her," Jupiter explained.
"No time now, the others need our help," Venus said quickly. When they arrived Archane had repelled all the Senshi's attacks and they were now backing off as she threw energy blasts at them.
"Attack her from all angles, then redirect you attack to strike again from a different side," Mercury shouted.
"Reverberating Silence!"
"Mercury Deep Mirage!"
"Space Sword Reflection!"
"Beauty Senshi Light Cascade!"
"Neptune Tsunami Splash!"
"Mars Fire Demon Rage!"
"Venus Angel Halo!" The attacks flew at Archane from all different directions. Saturn's Reverberation Silence mixed with Mercury's Mirage to make a silent illusion. Archane moved quickly attempting to avoid each attack, but wherever she went another attack was there to hit her. The Senshi concentrated, whenever the youma was struck or dodged an attack they redirected its force to come around and hit her again. Fatigued the Senshi finally ceased the power output and the illusion disappeared.
"Coward!" Archane raged at Jupiter. She was wounded, but to the Senshi's surprise she seemed no weaker. "You hide behind them and wont even release your own pathetic attack!"
"Coward? Coward!!?" Jupiter was furious. "You dare to call anyone a coward? Who are you to call anyone a coward?" Jupiter growled. "You killed an innocent child, who had done nothing to disturb the peace of the universe. She was my only friend in a thousand years," Jupiter's voice became soft and she closed her eyes as the tears ran down her cheeks, then her voice grew angry again. "A thousand of pain and your vengeance killed her without a second thought! You are the coward." The other Senshi studied Jupiter's tears, confusion filled their minds.
"Her daughter? But Mako-chan has no daughter," Serenity said with great confusion.
"That's not exactly true, Majesty, She will have a daughter in the future. There will be a Younger Jupiter," Pluto said.
"How is this possible? You say Mako-chan returned with the help of a twelve year old girl, who died in the process. Mako-chan would've had to return without the help of her daughter for her to have been born, but Mako-chan couldn't have returned without her help. I'm confusion myself," Serenity sighed and shook her head.
"That is correct your Majesty," Pluto replied.
"Thanks, Setsuna-chan," Serenity replied sarcastically.
"That's not what I meant, Majesty," Pluto gave Serenity a funny look.
"Oh, sorry," Serenity apologized and waited.
"When I saw the phenomenon of Mako-chan's home planet, the power released was immense and the youma which she is fighting now died. I opened the time gates to return her to what was now the present, meaning Crystal Tokyo. Unfortunately things did not turn out as well as they should have. Jupiter lived to have a daughter, but her first trip through time had been without aid, so she never experienced times of peacefulness," Pluto explained.
"You mean since no one was there to guide her consciousness, she felt pain the entire time." Serenity couldn't think of the horror.
"Yes, after experiencing how much she felt last night, I finally realized how awful that must have been for her. In the first future, Mako-chan committed suicide because she was still living with the memories of her alternate life and she couldn't cope with them. It was extremely tragic and this brought about the near end of Younger Jupiter as well. Unable to live without her mother Younger Jupiter desired to die to and so I asked her if she would save her mothers live even if it meant her own. She agreed and caused this future to happen." Pluto watched Serenity for a moment.
"Then why is the youma here now?" she finally asked.
"Younger Jupiter's presence created a mis-balance of power, so Mako-chan and the youma weren't fighting the entire time. The youma managed to have enough power to live and return incredibly strong," Pluto said, her voice then turned sad. "There is another problem, Majesty."
"What?" Serenity heard the sudden change in Pluto and it worried her.
"Jupiter's daughter will not be born in this future because Mako-chan is going to die and she knows it. It won't be enough to kill the youma there is another threat to you," Pluto said seriously.
"What is going to happen to, Mako-chan?" Serenity asked quickly.
"The threat want's the Ginzouisho, Rei-chan's dream revealed this. Whatever it is meant to send a youma through time, using Makoto's energy, then have the youma search for when the purest energy reached its peak. By killing Mako-chan they were able to force the time gates open without me stopping it and I watched helpless as the youma entered the time stream. It was her unfortunate luck." Pluto paused and Serenity thought she saw tears come to the Senshi's eyes.
"But you helped her live," Serenity said. Pluto nodded.
"I'd never meant to send her through so much pain, but I didn't end her torment because of Universal reasons. I think it would've been more human of me to let her die, but I did use her to find the youma, just like the evil used the youma to find you." Serenity couldn't believe what Pluto was admitting to.
"Pluto don't blame yourself for this." Serenity could understand why Pluto had done what she did. "That’s why you sent her daughter, so you could have a chance to save her." Serenity hugged her Senshi. "You have a lot of strength to do something like this and I don't blame you for it."
"Mako-chan wanted so much to live in this future, it breaks my heart to think what I've driven her to, but she knows that even if she can kill the youma using her Celesti…" Pluto stopped and looked away.
"She's going to…use her… Celestial Energy." Serenity felt like crying. "That will kill her…no matter what." Serenity hung her head. "The evil will come and kill the rest of us?"
"No, Majesty," Pluto replied, "It will come through time from when Mako-chan died. It'll be strong, but most likely not powerful enough to beat us all," Pluto replied.
"My Mako-chan is going to die again…" Serenity said through her tears.
"I'm going to battle, Majesty." This caused Serenity to look up at Pluto. "Mako-chan will hate me, but I must tell her the truth and if I can save her life. I owe her for sending her through hell."
"She won't hate you, Setsuna. I know my Mako-chan and she'll probably blame herself," Serenity said sadly.
"Good bye, my Queen," Pluto said and left.
"Why must you all say 'good bye' as if they'll never return." Serenity sat in silence her thoughts killing her. "Mako-chan, you promised me!" she said mournfully.
Laughter echoed through the morning air and the Senshi stopped their engagement with Archane. "Very well done Senshi, though I am certainly surprised to see you Jupiter, I thought you dead long ago." A tall man appeared beside Archane.
"Lord?” she said with surprise. "I have failed you, Lord." she then added.
"No, Archane you have succeeded far more than you'll ever know," the man said.
"Who the hell are you?" Mars shouted, but she already knew and it scared her.
"Time Orb Death!" Pluto's attack smashed into the two monsters and blasted them backwards.
"Pluto!" The Senshi looked up to see Pluto standing beside them. "What is it, Pluto?" Venus asked as she saw Pluto staring at Jupiter.
"Forgive me Mako-chan, for sending you through hell and you must know that the girl in you dreams was… your future daughter," Pluto said grievously. Jupiter's eyes suddenly darkened and she grabbed Pluto's arm, quickly pulling Pluto in behind her. Archane's blade missed and Jupiter watched, angry, as it cut deep into the ground.
"Are you alright?" Jupiter asked quickly.
"Yes…yes," Pluto replied shakily.
"We'll discuss this later," Jupiter said firmly. "Damn you, Archane!" Jupiter kicked the youma in the chest and sent her flying backwards.
"This monster is after Queen Serenity. He used Jupiter's energy to send the youma through time as marker for when the Ginzouisho's power was as it's strongest. He didn't count on me sending Jupiter after the youma," Pluto said with great burden. The Senshi looked at her realizing what she was saying. They looked back at Jupiter wondering what she thought if this, but Makoto was still glaring at Archane and they understood that she didn't blame Pluto for anything.
"You'll not disrupt this timeline. You're out of you time here and you'll have to deal with the Sailor Senshi," Venus challenged.
"You're all going to die anyway. Soon my forces will spread out over this land and the lives you protect will end. You, Senshi, have the honor of being the first to have your blood run over this pure ground." Tirade grinned. He took off his cape and revealed his own black armor. Archane stood beside him. He unsheathed a long black sword and Archane drew a blade she hadn't used in years. Jupiter shivered in recognition of the blade that killed her once before.
< My daughter? If what Pluto says is true than Archane killed my daughter. > Jupiter's mind was furious.
"Uranus Sword Blast!" The attack started the battle between the Senshi of Light and the Youma of the Dark.
