When Usagi's reign as Neo-Queen Serenity began in the thirtieth century she was alone. The four Royal Guards: Minako Aino, Rei Hino, Ami Mizuno, and Makoto Kino were not by her side when she became Queen. The four women that made up the inner core of the Sailor Senshi had lost their lives in a battle a little less than a thousand years before Crystal Tokyo rose. The power of the crystal known as the Ginzouisho vanquished the evil, but in the process a mass of negative energy stuck each one of the Senshi including Sailor Moon. To Sailor Moon each one of her friends was brutally slain as a final revenge by the evil. Usagi was injured, but survived to continue as the remaining Senshi. Even with her closest friends dead, Usagi fulfilled her duty as Sailor Moon though not with the same confidence or joy of her past self. She did eventually discover the outer core, but they couldn't fill the empty space in her soul. Crystal Tokyo rose and Neo-Queen Serenity ruled the land in the way she believed would best please her long departed friends. Courage, Honor, Will, and Strength were the basis of her Kingdom, but above all Friendship, and Love. Serenity didn't know that evil moved against her once more and that the inner Senshi would be needed to fight for her again. The Senshi appeared to have died on that fateful day, but things did not happen as they seemed. The four women were each sent a different place on Earth. They too believed each other to be dead and lived solitary lives, eternally lonely for the past one thousand years. There they remained, isolated until the call for their virtues was heard once more.

Part 1.

The gray water was always a beautiful sight in the early morning. Everyday the woman would awake just before the sun so she could watch the heavenly fire rise above the horizon. The sun reminded her of so many things: a friend's strength, another's beauty, and another's anger, but most of all it reminded her of the light that had pulled her from darkness. Unfortunately, the woman had fallen back into the darkness and all she could do now was look back. The breeze blew gently across the water, picking up her short, blue hair and rustling it gently. What she wouldn't give to have died for her dearest friend, so that she may have been saved. Only she had survived as far as she knew and only barely at that. When the negative energy had torn through her she immediately fell unconscious, but not before she saw her friends slain. When she awoke it hurt, so much that even breathing inflicted pain. She laid there her blood flowing into the sand, the sound of the ocean soothing her desperate mind. How she wished she could've died then, content to be by the beautiful water and join her friends, but they had saved her and she was grateful in a way. Remembering the battle she pulled up the sleeve of her black shirt and gazed upon the scar on her upper arm. A reminder of that day, it never completely healed, but she didn't care, it kept her from forgetting. Her saviors were fishermen; they lived primitive considering the time, but lived well and were kind. It was peaceful with them and she lived well, but the woman could never truly be happy with them.

"Ami-san?" A child's voice drew her attention away from the water. She turned and saw the familiar face of Korin, looking up at her. The child's eyes were black, but shone brightly with curiosity. "Why do you always watch the sun Ami-san? You look sad when you do."

"It helps me to remember things, painful, sad things," she replied softly. Her voice was sweet and full of wisdom. Her intelligence and the years of experience were evident in her gaze and tone.

"Why would you want to remember painful things? If you forget them then they don't hurt anymore, right?" Though an unusual gesture, Korin accepted the offer to sit on the woman's lap and then continued gazing curiously.

"Some things you need to remember no matter how much they hurt you," Ami said quietly. "Think of something that hurt you, tell me about it."

"I broke my leg one day. I don't like to think about it, just remembering how much it hurt makes me shiver." A tremor ran up Korin's spine. She was confused. Ami laughed gently at the girl's confusion.

"You can forget about that and the pain that it caused, but not the lesson it taught. But I mean to think about something that made you hurt mentally or hurt your spirit." Ami knew Korin was smart and would figure out what she meant, so she didn't explain any further.

"It hurt a lot when my best friend drowned, but I don't like to think about that either," Korin sounded sad.

"I'm sure you don't, but think of it this way: It hurt's to think of your friend because he's gone, but would you want to forget him and all the love you shared just to keep from hurting?" Korin ponder this a moment, figuring out he meaning of the words in her head until the logic came clear.

"I think I understand now, I couldn't forget him because of all things we did together." Ami nodded.

"You can see now why there are some things that just can't be forgotten because, they may hurt you a lot, but to forget would be taking away something more important to you than one hundred times that pain," Ami sighed

"Must you remember so much Ami-san? You always look as if the pain of the world is on your shoulders," Korin asked.

"I have a scar that reminds me never to forget." She showed the scar to the small girl. "Even if I didn't have it, because I hoped and loved so much, I can never give that pain up."

"Can you ever be happy?" Korin's question was sympathetic.

"No," Ami replied.

The thin fresh air of the mountains blew gently, rustling the trees around the temple. It was quiet, peaceful and as the sun rose a lone figure was illuminated, sitting on the roof. The woman sat unmoving, no signs of emotion at all her body. All the grace of a Shinto priestess and a skilled warrior were hers. Her eyes, however, raged with anger like a blazing fire. As the wind blew by it caught her raven-black hair and it too seemed to be angry. This morning, like countless others, found the woman on the roof thinking and remembering. She hated the sun, it reminded her of her failure. Whenever a fire burned it reminded her that she hadn't been strong enough and that it was her fault. She missed them; they had understood her and her loneliness. They had succeeded in part at least, dying for the one they loved, but she had lived. The woman longed to see some sign of hope, she longed to see her savior's sweet happy smile again, but it would never be. On that day the others had died for the one, but she had died anyway and the woman remained. The woman had awoken in front of the temple; she had staggered inside and knelt before the fire that was so sacred to her. She had prayed, but too weak to live very long. The Shinto priests had saved her, they were kind and grateful for her teachings, but she was never content with them and they knew it. The woman was alone most of the time, with her memories and the scar. She laid a hand on her side where the scar was located. It wouldn't heal, just like her mental scars, because she wouldn't let them.

The sounds of approaching argument distracted her attention. The woman looked down from the roof and observed a scene taking place in front of the temple. A small boy was holding something behind his back while being cornered by three large bullies.

"Give us the puppy, kid!" one of the bullies shouted.

"No, a special person gave it to me, you can't have it." The little boy's voice trembled with fear, but he was determined to keep his gift.

"Well we want it so hand it over." One of the other bullies shoved the child backwards and he fell on the ground. The woman had had enough. She stood up, jumped agilely from the temple roof and walked silently towards the bullies. The bullies were advancing on the child, but the woman stepped in their path and glared at them.

"This will not be allowed in my sanctuary," she said coldly. The woman was known throughout the town as a mysterious and respected priestess and was not to be trifled with.

"Hino-sama?" The bullies staggered back.

"Leave people smaller than yourself alone. No one tolerates bullies forever." She took a step towards them. "Now, go home!"

"Yes, Hino-sama," they stuttered and scrambled down the temple steps.

"Phoebos, Demos. Make sure they get all the way home." Two crows glided down from the temple trees and chased the boys off the temple grounds. The woman looked at the small child, he was trembling slightly and had his face buried in the puppy's soft fur. "It's alright young man." She crouched down and touched his shoulder. "That was a brave thing you did, standing up against those boys for your puppy." The boy looked up into the beautiful black eyes and relaxed a bit.

"Really?" he asked softly still unsure.

"Yes, " she replied reassuringly. "One of the most honorable things to do is to protect something innocent, something you love." She helped the child to his feet, and then stared off in the distance.

"You don't seem as strange as everyone says." He suddenly realized what he had just said and blushed averting his eyes.

"Really?" she just smiled. "So how do you see me now?" The child looked back up at her. How beautiful she was to him, gentle, yet strong, peaceful, but angry.

"Well, just sad really." He trembled slightly afraid his answer would anger her.

"That I am," Rei replied, "That I am."

The small town was in a nervous hush in the early morning. The town's intelligence, though limited, was accurate enough to confirm the rumor that she was coming. Every few years, the town would become uneasy, the children talked in fear and the adults worried. Her presence was like death, it scared them. The woman lived in the forest among the trees. No one knew exactly where she stayed, but ever so often a cry of absolute sorrow would echo throughout the wood and everyone's blood would run cold. They feared her because she was so different, so alone, and because of what she had done. Everyone stopped what they were doing when the woman entered the town. Carts moved aside, children hid, and everyone else stared with uneasiness. This was how the woman lived, just like she had before alone, conspicuous, but now it hurt more because she had lost something, something that had taken the pain away. She looked at no one, never caring what they thought; she had no reason to. Some of the younger adults, who hadn't seen her before, gasped at her height and strong build. It didn't matter to the woman because the ones she loved hadn't cared what she looked like or how she acted. She carried a backpack, brown and ragged from age, and a dark green cloak covered her black pants and shirt. Around her forehead she wore a bandanna bearing the symbol of 'Divine Wind' the Kamikaze, instead of the victory symbol she had worn so long ago. The woman didn't mind the people, didn't mind their fear and speculation, for she had lost something and that hurt more deeply than any of their whisperings. To them she was a legend, her icy green stare was supposed to frighten even the strongest men away. When travelers went out in to he forest and never returned it was said the demon of the forest took them, when it was obviously wild animals, but the people didn't care, they liked blaming it on her. The tale of the woman's coming was a favorite child's scary story. It said that one night long ago a flash of green light came from the sky and landed in the center of the forest. A curious young doctor ran out into the night to discover what had fallen. He found her and she was injured, so he healed her, but after that she killed him. Only the woman knew the actual truth. When she had awoken after the battle her body burned like fire, she pulled herself up and staggered to a tree. The sound of approaching footsteps caused her to stand up suddenly, but then collapsed back against the trunk, her blood flowing into the tree's roots. The doctor, when her saw her, immediately fell in love with the woman and began to heal her. The woman felt a warm light fill her and as she opened her eyes she saw the beautiful silver haired man looking down at her. He suddenly collapsed onto her and she supported him. He told her he had spent all his energy healing her severe wounds, and that he wouldn't live. She asked him why he had done this and he told her. The woman kissed him once gently and he died. After that she isolated herself, she had lost two people who had loved her and she hadn't been able to save either of them.

Some teenage boys dodged from doorway to porch steps attempting to appear unnoticed. The woman saw them, but continued, uncaring, on her way. Taking up a good position, one of the teenagers picked up a rock and hurled it at the passing woman. Instead of it hitting her, as they had planned, the women put up her hand and caught the stone without even turning her head. The teenager's grins suddenly changed to looks of horror. Without looking up the woman closed her fist around the stone and crushed it to dust. She turned her head towards the boys as the dust was carried away by the wind. They backed up and stumbled on the porch steps, their bold attempt at humiliating her had failed miserably. A young woman broke from the observing crowd and stood in front if the boys.

"Please forgive my sons!" she said, frightened. "They were wrong and… and…" The mother couldn't think of anything to defend her children. The woman fixed her icy gaze on the frightened, desperate girl.

"I will not harm your sons," the woman said. Her voice was low and full of wisdom. "But tell them this:" The mother looked up and met the cold gaze, "Do not find humor in others pain. Do not torment saddened souls."

"What do you mean?" the mother asked curiously.

"I am alone and solitary, so you shun me, but what do you understand about me. Only they understood me, them and the doctor that saved me." The woman turned away and began to leave.

"No one has to be alone!" the mother called after her. "Why do you choose this?"

"Because I mustn't forget." The woman ran a finger along the scar under her right eye. "I won't let myself."

Wind blew at frightening speeds across the flatlands, whipping and tearing at the tall grass. Despite the wind, the sounds of laughter could be heard echoing through the air. In front of a small house were several small children running and laughing with several older children, they were completely enjoying themselves in the windy afternoon. They tugged at a woman's pant legs and pulled her one way then another and she followed with a smile on her face. She loved the children and they adored her, but her smile was only skin deep. Inside she was hurting, crying, raging, and dying because of her loss. Once she had given confidence and shone like an everlasting light to her friends, but now the light of her life had been extinguished in death; so she couldn't shine anymore. The woman pulled away from the giggling children and sat on the fence to watch them. The wind tore at her long blond hair, making it glisten in the sun, she shivered, not from the cold, but from the memories. The wind was cold and cruel it seemed to whisper hurtful words of the past. The woman didn't like to remember, but she wouldn't forget either. She had been the first to have the dark energy tear through her, but she remained conscious even when in agony from the exquisite pain. The woman had watched as each of her dearest friends were crucified before her eyes. Then the one more precious to her than life, the one who she had promised to die for, was slain. Something had then pulled her away and she was laid gently in the clearing that the children now played in. The woman had hurt so much that the wind and even the heat of the sun seemed to cause pain to shoot through her battered body. The children that had found her were the ancestors of the ones she watched now. Had it not been for them, she would've allowed herself to die alone and cold. The woman had helped take care of this family for a thousand years. They never questioned how she stayed with them for so long, and though she loved them she could never truly be a part of their family. Her family was dead and she blamed herself for it. The woman had been the leader it had been her duty to see them triumph and live, but they had died anyway; so she could not forgive her failure. As her mind stumbled and cried over things of the past one of the younger children approached her.

"Everyone! Minako-san looks sad again!" the child shouted and the other children immediately surrounded her with worried looks. The first child climbed up beside Minako and tugged at her arm. From the house watched a young couple; Minako had been with them since they had been born, a mother, a sister, a friend to them. They smiled as the children showed their concern for her just like they had at that age, but Minako wouldn't reveal everything about her past to them, no matter how old they were. She chose to keep a part of her always alone and they respected that.

"Where did you get this scar, Minako-san?" The child touched the scar stretching from her shoulder, down her collarbone, and across her chest.

"This," Minako laid a hand on the scar and sighed, "This is what I have of my old life.

"Did you fight in a war?" another of the children asked.

"Sort of," she replied.

"Did it hurt?" another asked.

"More than anything." Minako's voice expressed two meanings to the answer, but only the older children recognized it.

"Did you fight for someone special?" one of the older children asked curiously. He studied Minako's face, trying to understand her sorrow.

"Yes, someone so special I would've died for her." The children's eyes went wide with amazement. They didn't think it possible to love someone so much as to die for them, but they believed anyway because Minako never lied.

The room was made of crystal and almost nothing else. The throne, the windows, the walls, and even the floors were made of crystal. When the sun shone just right it reflected in the room like a prism and set colors dancing across the walls. The Queen grew sad as she watched the colors spread across her throne room. They reminded her of her departed friends. Serenity had grown tired of her crystal palace, not bored, but without the energy to enjoy it. She had her love, her daughter, and a peaceful kingdom, but none of it completely made up for those who had died for her. The other members of her court had become aware of her creeping depression, she had always been sad, but it was steadily getting worse. When Crystal Tokyo had risen the last bit of happiness that had been so much a part of Sailor Moon died when Neo-Queen Serenity was born, but the sadness hadn't died with Sailor Moon, the loss was always apparent on her face. Endymion and the outer core, which had become the personal guard to the Queen after the inner core's demise, were ever concerned for the welfare of their Queen. They had wanted to search for new warriors to replace the inner core, but they found this was a mistake. Seldom did their Queen become angry, but when they proposed the possibility she promptly stated that no such thing would be done or mentioned again. After the incident she stayed in her room for three days, refusing both food and her royal duties. The subject was never mentioned again. For Serenity, these times of the day were hardest, usually there was little to do and she didn't desire to talk with anyone, so she was alone with her sadness. It was times like this that she remembered what had happened, replaying every horrible detail over and over again in her mind. The power of the Ginzouisho had destroyed the evil that had threatened the Earth, combined with the powers of each of the Senshi so no one's life would be sacrificed. From out of nowhere the destroyed evil released a blast as final revenge and then disappeared into oblivion. The black energy surrounded them and the Senshi surrounded Sailor Moon to protect her. Venus was first to fall as the energy cut through her chest. Jupiter pushed Sailor Moon back as the blast came towards them, and then it ravaged the tall girl's body. Mercury didn't stand a chance as the blast struck her from behind. Mars was last to die and gave Sailor Moon a final smile as the energy tore through her midsection. When only Sailor Moon was left standing the energy surrounded her and the world went black. When she awoke Mamoru was by her side. Her body hurt, but the concern for her friends override it. She listened with horror as Mamoru confirmed what she had seen her closest friends were dead. From that day on a more vicious and sorrow driven Sailor Moon was created. Every youma and evil that threatened Earth regretted ever crossing Sailor Moon's path. After an especially destructive battle Sailor Moon called on the Ginzouisho to heal the world, Crystal Tokyo rose and the reign of Neo-Queen Serenity began. Serenity heaved a sigh as tears rolled down her cheeks, she missed them. There was a sudden commotion in the hall and the great doors to her throne room began to open. Serenity dried the tears from her eyes quickly and put on a serious confident face.

"I'm sorry to burst in to rudely Serenity-sama." A blond short, haired woman dressed in a yellow and blue sailor fuku strode down the length of the throne room and bowed before the Queen.

"Not at all Uranus, what is the problem." Serenity tried to hide the sadness in her voice.

"A small disturbance has broken out in a small town several miles from the city. It appears a youma is to be blamed." The woman's features were set hard, her grey eyes shined with eagerness.

"A youma?" Serenity sat up straight in her throne.

"Yes, you Majesty," Uranus replied.

"Do you know where it came from?" Serenity's agitation by the news was obvious.

"Our sensors have been distorted, but it seems a strong negative force is advancing from space in the form of a black pillar."

"Black pillar?" Serenity was trying to understand its meaning.

"We think it's acting as a fortress connecting a stronger force to Earth. Every now and then it discharges a blast of energy that can travel for miles, when the first one landed the youma was released," Uranus paused a moment. "It's after the Ginzouisho, Majesty," she said gravely.

"What?" Serenity almost stood up. Fear ran up her spine.

"It keeps howling for it," Uranus continued. "We ask permission to engage and destroy the threat, your Majesty."

"Permission is granted, but be careful. Don't take any unnecessary risks, and don't underestimate it, Uranus." Serenity's voice was burdened with concern.

"Don't worry, your Majesty," Uranus bowed. "We'll take care of it."

Serenity smiled lightly. "I'm sure you will." Uranus pivoted on her foot and strode out of the room. Once she was gone Serenity's smile melted back into a worried frown. She couldn't bear to lose anyone else.

Something worried Minako as she, Satsuki, the second youngest daughter, Satsuki's brother, Wren, and their parents walked into town. Every few days they would take a trip to town to gather food and tools for the rest of the family. It was an exciting trip for the two children. They pulled Minako along each holding one of her hands, laughing happily.

"Okay, okay, I'm coming," Minako laughed and caught up with the children. The siblings suddenly let go of her hands and rushed over to a store window, gazing longingly at the toys within. Minako bent over to see what had caught their attention. It was two figurines standing side by side. The first was a blond haired girl wearing red glasses in a Sailor Fuku. The second was blond and wore a fuku as well, but her hair was up in strange buns and pigtails. The sign read, "Collectable Sailor V and Sailor Moon dolls." Minako felt emotion form in her throat, but she swallowed it and refused to be sad in front of the children.

"Was Sailor Moon real, Minako-san?" Wren asked still gazing at he figure.

"Yes, she was," Minako replied, "she was a great warrior from the Moon. She protected Earth for many years."

"Really? What about Sailor V?" the children asked curiously. "Did she fight with Sailor Moon?"

"She did for a time along with the other Sailor Soldiers," Minako explained.

"I wish I could've known them," Wren said. "What happened to them, Minako-san? Are they still around?" Minako tried to hide her sadness, but couldn't think of an answer to give to the children. A sudden explosion left the question unanswered and drew Minako's attention away from the store window. A blast of dark energy crashed into the middle of the street and sent people running in every direction. As the smoke cleared from the crater, a large beast could be seen emerging from the center of the pit. The youma was reptilian in appearance, standing about eight feet tall, its eyes searched maliciously. Once from the crater it commenced sending air blasts into buildings, reducing them to rubble. It swung its tail around throwing panicked people into trees and buildings.

Minako got the children behind her and started to back away.

"Mommy, Daddy!" Minako looked to where the children were pointing. Their parents had been cornered by the youma and it was preparing to attack them. Minako quickly found a sharp piece of glass from a broken window and, using all her experience, threw it with astonishing speed at the beast. The piece of glass struck the youma directly in the right eye, one of the only two vulnerable spots on its body. The shard lodged deep and the youma howled in pain as blood gushed from what remained of its eye. It turned around quickly, searching frantically with its remaining good eye for the attacker. The eye fell on Minako who stood a distance away returning the glare. "What are you doing Minako-san? You can't fight that thing!" Wren cried. The youma let out a deafening roar that forced even Minako to step back and cover her ears. It was a mistake; the youma took her confusion to his advantage and released a blast towards her. Wren ran in front of Minako to protect her and when she looked up, she saw him struck by the powerful blast. Minako caught Wren as he fell back and laid him gently on the ground. He was breathing rapidly and didn't respond to her voice. Minako's anger flared as she looked at his battered face.

"Damn them," Minako growled. She reached into her pocket and pulled out an object she hadn't used in decades. Minako grasped the pen tightly and her tears fell on the little boy's face. Satsuki was afraid; she didn't know what to do as the youma approached. "Damn the evil that takes away everything I love and leaves me forever alone!" Minako raged and the pen began to glow. The light covered the youma and it screamed in pain. The light became so bright it was blinding and disintegrated the beast. As the light cleared people started to approach, the monster was gone, only Minako stood there holding the small child that had saved her life.

Minako's mind raced over the day's events as she waited with Wren's parents for the doctor to come out. She thoughtlessly fidgeted with her long bond hair as she watched the concerned looks on her friends' faces. Minako blamed herself for what had happened and she couldn't find anything to say to comfort the young couple. The doctor finally came out giving her an excuse to avoid the subject.

"I'm afraid the news isn't very good," the doctor said solemnly. Fear entered the faces of the parents, but Minako kept her features stern. "Your son has been injured severely internally by the attack. He is damaged beyond the help of any scientific medicine. There isn't anything that I can do for him." The parents held back their tears; one thing Minako had taught them was not to except defeat easily.

"Is there nothing that can save him?" the man asked shakily.

"Nothing that I can do," the doctor hesitated, "but there was rumor long ago about a doctor that lived in the village by the large forest some ways away from here. Supposedly he had the ability to heal using his own spirit and even the severest wound could be treated. It's an old legend, but if it's true he could possibly save your son."

"How long does Wren have, Sensei?" Minako asked.

"Depending on his strength, a week, a day more maybe, but I wouldn't count on it," the doctor said with a sigh.

"Then I'll search for this doctor and be back before the seventh day," Minako said firmly. The parents looked up in surprise at Minako's statement.

"Minako-chan, you don't know where to go and the journey would be treacherous," the woman said urgently.

"This was my fault and I wont let Wren die if there is a chance to save him. I'll go to the forest village, in the mean time don't let him give up until I return. I'll be back I promise." Minako strode out of the room without another word.

"She must be kidding," the doctor said with disbelief.

"No, I'm sure she has every intention of doing what she said she would do," the man replied.

"How do you know?" the doctor asked.

"Because Minako-chan never lies," the woman finished.

From on top of the hill, Minako could see everything for miles in every direction across the flatlands. The doctor had said the doctor was in a village near a large forest. She trained her sights on a vast dark forest several miles east of where she stood. Minako didn't like the look of the forest it caused a chill to sweep through body and left her feeling empty.

"It doesn't matter. I have to go," she whispered to the wind. "Wait for me Wren." The symbol of Venus showed brightly on her forehead, then lessened and disappeared again. Minako made her way down the hill and began her journey.

A trip that would've taken an average person a week to complete took the former leader of the Sailor Senshi two and a half days to travel. Minako didn't stop to eat or rest until she reached the small town outside the forest. It was late in the afternoon when Minako arrived at the town, people came out and greeted her, but they seemed reserved and cautious. She searched around and found that the town was primitive with no cars, just simple people that didn't go further than the market each day. Finally allowing herself a moment, Minako took the time to have decent meal and rest. She met a man in the restaurant and discovered some important information.

"So you're a stranger," he said scooting up next to her. "Where you from?"

"From the flatlands to the west," Minako replied unwilling to give away too much about herself.

"The flatlands! It must have taken you at least a week to travel from there! Dangerous journey too," he was surprised.

"Yeah," Minako lied.

"So what do you want with our poor little town?" the man finally asked.

"I'm looking for someone," Minako said. "A doctor. I heard that he could heal any injury." She raised her eyes to the man. He moved back at her stare. He looked at her in surprise.

"A spirit healing doctor you mean? I'm afraid he's been dead for years, before my great grand parents were even born," the man said.

"What happened to him?" Minako asked coldly.

"Died as far as the legend goes. The soul in the forest killed him." The restaurant went silent as the mysterious woman was mentioned. Minako took notice to it.

"Soul?" Minako's voice became very serious.

"Yes, she lives in the deepest part of the forest, but comes out every few years. They say when the woman fell from the sky hundreds of years ago, she landed in the forest and the doctor found her. She was injured so he healed her, but then she killed him." To Minako it sounded like the man was elaborating, but something about he story caused her memories to stir.

"And she comes into your town? Does she bother you?" Minako was curious.

"Hell yes, she came in just about a week ago. I saw her crush a rock into dust with one hand. She also threatened some children; their mother managed to beg for their lives. That woman frightens the entire town because people go into her forest and never come out." The man was getting into the story.

"So she didn't hurt the children?" Minako knew she wasn't being told the entire story.

"Well, no," the man said slightly confused.

"You ever consider perhaps lonely people don't like to have rocks thrown at them?" Minako rested her head on her hand. "I think I might want to meet her." The restaurant was dead silent.

"She's not normal, no matter what happened, she can't be human. You go into her forest you'll die," the man stuttered in disbelief.

"I'll keep your warning in mind." Minako didn't like the way the man had portrayed this woman, but she carefully examining the information and preparing for what she might encounter. She passed the tables of silent observers and left the restaurant.

"Crazy woman." the man muttered. "You go in her forest you're going to meet the devil."

Early the next morning, Minako set out for the forest intent on discovering the truth behind the doctor and the woman. Before she got out of the town the man she had spoken with the other day confronted her.

"You must be a warrior if you can go into that forest without fear. We propose this to you: If you can kill her, we'll give you the reward so many others have died for," the man said confidently.

"I'll decide that." Minako was disgusted and pushed passed the man. Once outside the figure that had been following Minako all morning finally showed herself.

"Forgive me for following." It was a young woman with soft eyes. "I don't know how much about what she's done is true, but you were right, my children did provoke her. Even after that she didn't intend them any harm, she said she was alone and could be nothing more." Minako cut her off.

"It's alright, thank you for telling me. Don't worry yourself on it, I understand," Minako said softly.

"Are you an angel?" the woman asked innocently. "You can understand her, you must be special to be able to do that."

"I'm not an angel, I just understand loneliness. I make others happy, but I must keep myself alone," Minako said sadly.

"You are just like her you know," the woman said and walked back into the town. Minako turned away and entered the sad forest.

The forest was silent; the sun sent beams of light through the thick canopy, blotching the ground. The woman sensed something had entered the forest that she had claimed as her home for the past one thousand years. She sighed a sad, mournful sigh. It was probably another foolish hero searching for glory by killing the monster of the forest. Most didn't make it past the vicious beasts that lurked in the shadowy part of the forest, but those who did regretted it. How she hated her existence.

Minako came upon a circle of cherry blossom trees around a small clearing. They were truly beautiful and reminded her of the many timed she'd spent with her friend in the park by their school. Minako scanned the edges of the trees for signs of movement, her heart raced with anxiety. She had never liked having unknown variables in situations like this, so many things could catch her off guard. Minako was just about to step out into the clearing when she saw the figure sitting motionless, gazing at her position. In a flash, she was behind the trees again.

"She couldn't have seen me come. It's not possible," Minako whispered to herself. She slowly looked around the tree. The woman sat there staring, she was covered completely by a dark green cloak, the hood shadowing her face. She wore a bandanna around her forehead and her stunning green eyes shone from underneath it. "She knows I'm here," Minako breathed.

"Why have you entered my forest?" The woman's voice resonated lowly across the clearing. Minako emerge from her hiding spot and made herself visible in the clearing.

"You knew I was here"? Minako asked cautiously. The reply was a lowering of the woman's head, her eyes darkened more. She then stood up and her height impressed Minako. "I've heard quite a bit about you, " Minako said. "I've come here looking for someone, a doctor, they said you killed him." Minako realized once again that her big mouth had gotten her in trouble as the woman quickly approached her. Minako barely dodged the punch thrown at her. The woman's hand struck a tree instead, splintering its trunk to pieces. Minako took a step back, intimidated by the woman's apparent strength. "Did you kill the others too?" This further enraged the woman as if she was releasing built up pains and Minako decided to keep quiet until a truce could be called.

"Why can't you leave me be with my loneliness? What do you know of my life?" the woman said angrily. The two fought fiercely, exchanged kicks and punches, each out doing the other with their own talents. Minako avoided the woman's strength with extreme speed and the woman defended herself with strong attacks and blocks. "You're just like the rest, they shun me because I'm different. They can't even understand when I tell them."

"They say you terrorize their town." Minako attacked again.

"I cause no one misery except myself!" The woman's cloak fell to the ground and revealed her body. She wore black pants and shirt; her build was strong and rigid. She was extremely lean and every tensed muscle looked as hard as iron. Minako studied her face: her eyes were a brilliant green and just below the right eye was a long scar running parallel to it. The headband bore the kamikaze symbol and Minako wondered as to why she wore it. The woman's hair was tied up in a high ponytail that swayed gently in the cool breeze.

"Why do you do this?" Minako asked almost sympathetically.

"Because I couldn't save them. Leave me alone with my failure!" the woman raged, but to Minako, her voice seemed to plead as well. The woman threw two punches at Minako's face; she dodged them, then swung a kick at her opponent's chest. The woman leaned back and avoided the attack, then kicked high, turning her hip over, and driving her foot straight down towards Minako. Minako turned away so her back was to the woman. The kick missed her by a centimeter at most. Minako finished her turn and struck upwards with a knife hand. The woman stopped her foot before it even touched the ground and unintentionally turned into Minako's advancing strike. It took her by surprise, as she moved back it whisked past her eyes, but grazed the headband tearing it in two. As the two pieces fell away the woman grabbed Minako's hand and threw her over her shoulder. Minako rolled and regained her feet, but suddenly stopped and stared. The woman stood ready for another attack breathing slowly. Burning with a brilliant green light, the symbol of Jupiter crackled with electricity on the woman's fore head. Minako gazed at it with disbelief.

"J-Jupiter?" she stuttered. The woman lowered her fists. "Mako- Mako-chan?" Minako took an unsteady step forward and her eyes brimmed with tears. The symbol of Venus glowed on her forehead and on sight of it tears escaped as Makoto's eyes turned glassy. Minako approached Makoto, slowly beginning to recognize her friend for the first time. Minako reached out and brushed aside some of Minako's golden hair uncovering the yellow symbol of Venus.

"Is it you Minako?" Makoto dared.

"Yes, Mako-chan I thought you were dead!" Minako cried. The two hugged each other tightly for the first time in decades.

"Kami-sama!" Makoto cried mournfully, "It hurt so bad."

"I know Mako-chan, I know all to well," Minako whispered in reply.

"What happened Haruka-chan?" Serenity was in her throne room the leader of the outer core before her.

"The youma was easily defeated, your Majesty," Haruka replied. "Other youma are appearing in many places on Earth. Several are causing great amounts of damage and death. We can't possibly stop them all we have to stop the source of them."

"No. I wont risk it yet. We don't know enough about the enemy. What about our scanners? Are they working yet?" Serenity asked.

"I'm afraid something's interfered with the entire computer, nothing is working on it," Uranus said.

"Has there been any other activity by this enemy? Anything from the pillar besides the youma?" Serenity wasn't sure what to do.

"No Majesty, but there was an odd event in the flatlands to the far South," Haruka said.

"What was it?" Serenity asked nervously.

"The town's people say a youma wrecked havoc on the town two days ago. Supposedly a woman was threatened by it; a bright light then destroyed the monster. The woman then disappeared on a journey. They said a child was injured in the attack and she went to find a doctor," Haruka told in detail everything that she knew.

"There's no explanation then?" Serenity was deep in thought.

"No, Majesty," Haruka replied.

"We'll wait then, see what happens before we decide our course of action," Serenity said firmly.

"Yes, your Majesty," Haruka bowed.

"Do you know what happened to us?" Makoto asked quietly. The two sat in Makoto's small house in the middle of the forest. Minako was surprised and sad to see the conditions her friend had forced upon herself. The house contained very few items: some furniture, a stove, and some other necessities, but over all there were no warm articles to make living even a little more bearable. Although Minako noticed that Makoto kept a trunk that held the few items Makoto had on her person when the battle took place. Her old brown and white school uniform was tattered and frayed after a thousand years, a picture of everyone that had been taken the day of the battle, they had graduated from junior high that day Minako remembered.

"No, I don't. All I remember is getting struck by the blackness and seeing everyone die. It hurt so badly and somehow I ended up on a plain. Some children living there saved me. They found me and I managed to survive after nearly a year of recovery. I've lived with their family for the past one thousand years; we seem to be immortal. They never question my immortality and I'm sort of like a permanent member of their family." Minako smiled lightly while remembering the family that had saved her.

"So why are you here?" Makoto sounded sad. "It made me mad when you entered my forest because you seemed like the rest, eager to condemn me for a crime I didn't commit."

"Never!" Minako said quickly. "I didn't know what to expect. You know me better than that Mako-chan" Makoto brightened as she realized the truth in Minako's words. "As for why I'm here, the youngest child in my family was seriously injured while protecting me from a youma. He's only five years old, but he took a blast from the monster for me. The doctor in our town can't help him, but said there was a doctor who could heal with spirit spoken of in legend. I need to find him to save Wren's life."

"So youma have returned?" Makoto said softly.

"It was easily defeated. I think our powers have grown immensely in strength over the decades even though we haven't used them." Minako wondered why Makoto had avoided the subject of the doctor. That's when Minako noticed the scar under Makoto's eye for the second time. It seemed to blend with the sadness of her friend's features and Minako felt despair. "Mako-chan how did you get that scar?" She had a feeling she knew all too well. Minako reached out towards her friend's face, but Makoto put her hand up and touched the scar before Minako could.

"This?" Makoto turned away slightly, putting the scarred side of her face in shadow. "This was the only thing he couldn't heal. He tried though I know he did because he asked me to forgive him for not being able to make it disappear. He said, 'Forgive me for not having the strength to take away the last bit of pain on your beautiful face.' I suppose it remained so I couldn't forget."

"He loved you, didn't he?" Minako said sympathetically. "It was the doctor and he fell in love with you." Makoto tilted her back and rubbed her face with her hand trying to hide her emotion.

"He saved my life a thousand years ago. Like you said, it hurt so badly when I woke up in the forest. I was injured beyond help, dying with nowhere to go. I didn't want him to get near me, but I was to weak to keep him away. His spirit cured everything that hurt, I was filled with warmth, and I begged him to stop. He used all his strength to heal me and just before he died he confessed his love." The tears fell and Makoto gave a small laugh. "I didn't even know his name." She paused and got control of herself. "This scar," she ran a finger under her eye, "was a cut caused by the attack, it wasn't serious, but it has never healed completely. I consider it a reminder of what happened. I guess I'm afraid I'll forget or something."

"No, I don't think you'll forget even without it. I too have a reminder." Minako pulled down the collar of her shirt and revealed the long scar across her chest. "This wasn't minor. The evil tore through my chest here," she pointed to the scar. "You saw it, and I guess that's why it took me a year to recover. I didn't speak with anyone that year and it still remains a mystery to my family even now. They fear me sometimes I think."

"I remember what happened to you, just before I was caught by it." Makoto shuddered and Minako replaced the collar of her shirt.

"I failed as leader that day," Minako said mournfully. "Poor Usagi-chan."

"You were first to fall there was nothing you could've done. I should've at least been able to attack, but I was frozen and weak as it went after Usagi." Makoto spat out the her last words as she thought of how she'd been weakened to a condition that only allowed her to watch her best friend die. Minako didn't know what to say, she had watched, after she was hurt beyond help, each one of the Senshi's demise and Makoto had felt no exception to the pain the evil had inflicted upon them. Her anger at her own failure burned just as painfully as Makoto's and she couldn't offer any comfort for something she couldn't help in herself.

"I miss Usagi so much and everyone else too. I'm so glad I found you. I guess I should thank Wren, but I must save his life because his injury was my fault," Minako sighed.

"I'm sorry about the doctor. I hope you don't believe what they say about me." Makoto's voice wavered unsure of what the answer would be.

"I didn't know what to expect, but once I heard the elaborated story of your coming about a week ago. I understood then and when the woman from the village told me the true story," Minako said with reassurance.

"She did seem to understand a bit, but not much. More like wondering about my position instead of fearing it." Makoto didn't think to hard over it. It didn't mean much to her. "So where will you go now?" She got up looking happier and went to her kitchen. Minako recognized the look in Makoto's eyes and the grin on her face and realized she was in for some of Makoto's best cooking.

"It has been along time," she mumbled happily to herself. Makoto gave Minako a smile. Minako wasn't sure whether Makoto had actually heard the comment. "I figure I'll head further west then turn south towards the ocean, maybe I'll find someone there. I've only got four days left. Now that we're together again I couldn't bear to lose you. You'll come with me won't you?" Minako gazed at Makoto while she cooked.

"Of course, I have no desire to stay alone when I can be with you and I'm tired of it," Makoto said seriously without looking up. "Maybe one of these days he'll be able to rest peacefully." Minako wasn't sure exactly what Makoto meant, but it was enough for her to know Makoto wouldn't be leaving her. The rest of the evening was spent eating and sharing the last thousand years. The two reunited friends exchanged laughter and tears as they told their miseries and joys. Once again, each found something to live for, though they couldn't be whole, they finally had something other than loneliness.

She woke up screaming from the nightmare as usual.

"Rei-san! What's the matter?" A young man quickly opened the sliding door to Rei's room. She breathed heavily, terrified by her vision.

"Nothing…just a …dream." She tried to calm her fear.

"Are you sure? Want to talk about it?" the man asked.

"Thank you, Soichiro," Rei said and accepted the glass of water he offered her. "It was so frightening." He studied the priestess's face, never had he seen such discomposure and fear in her features.

"What was it about?" he asked softly again.

"Just memories put together," she replied.

"Memories?" He didn't understand.

"People I once cared for, I saw them again. They were surrounded by darkness. It swallowed the world and they were taken as well." She covered her face with her hands. "But they're all dead now," she said coldly. Soichiro looked at her puzzled. "My friends," Rei explained, "they were all killed a very long time ago. I dream about them sometimes, and it hurts."

Early the next morning, Minako and Makoto set out from the forest to continue their search for a doctor. Makoto had packed everything in her house and left it to be taken with them when they returned to Minako's home. Minako had asked her to come live with her in the flatlands once the search was complete. Makoto had happily agreed. They passed by the village on the edge of the forest on their way. People stopped doing things as they passed and gazed at the pair. Makoto didn't wear her cloak and so the villagers, for the first time, saw the woman, Makoto Kino. Makoto didn't like it, after years of solitude and being emotionless, she was suddenly conscientious of the people's glances. Minako put a reassuring hand on her friend's shoulder to ease her discomfort.

"What they think doesn't matter, my friend," she whispered. Makoto felt better and ignored the gazes. Minako suddenly remembered something, and looked around, pinpointing the man who had spoken to her the other day. "You," she said darkly and pointed him out. "I don't want your reward." She then turned on the speculating town's people. "All of you disgust me!" she spat venomously. As the people turned away from her accusing stair her eyes fell on the woman, she had also encountered the previous day. "You were the only one who at least tried to understand and because of it I found a dear lost friend, I thank you." Minako gave the woman a smile and then left the village never to return.

"Excuse me Ami-san," Korin asked politely from outside Ami's office door. Ami looked up from her papers, and smiled at the girl. Ami knew Korin was the only child that would speak to her because she was so reserved with the other residents of the village. Ami had been changed from a sweet supportive character to a closed hermit due to the deaths of her friends. She was still kind and caring, but she didn't allow anyone, except Korin, to get close to her, she feared being hurt again. The town had made her the residential doctor and she gave her talents willingly, her emotions and feelings were a different story though.

"What is it Korin-chan?" Ami asked in her sweet, soft voice. "Kensuke was on the pier and was cut by a scaling knife. His grandmother requested your help." Korin explained exactly what happened in detail and expressed the importance of Ami's presence.

"Alright Korin-chan. Don't worry, let's go see him." Ami got up from her chair and followed Korin out of the building onto the busy streets. The streets were crowded with travelers and buyers as Korin and Ami made their way to a small house. There was a sudden commotion in the crowd and someone was roughly shoved into Ami as she passed. She stumbled back, but caught herself before falling tot he ground. The man that had been knocked into her crashed to the ground, blood flowed from his mouth and nose.

"Don't you ever touch me again, you bastard!" A voice shouted from somewhere in the crowd. Several other men came and helped their fallen comrade up. Ami recognized some of the men as bandits that had been disrupting the town for several weeks. The crowd parted and revealed the woman who had delivered the blow. The hood of her cloak was back to reveal long blond hair and a thin face with stunning blue eyes. Her body had great poise as she glared at the men. Ami watched with wonder as the mysterious warrior turned to leave.

"God damned bitch!" one of the men shouted and charged her. Ami stepped in, tripped the man, and he fell face first into the dirt. The blond woman turned and grinned; her eyes laughed at the scene.

"You'll not disturb my town like this!" Ami said with authority. "If you have a disagreement, take it somewhere else." Ami glared at the man in the dirt.

Minako didn't like the atmosphere around the men; they brought trouble that she didn't want to have to deal with alone. Makoto was taking care of some shopping for supplies and Minako suddenly desired her company in this situation. The blue haired woman intrigued Minako though. She was soft and sweet, but also held authority and potential power. Something about her made Minako feel a sense of familiarity. The man looked up at Ami menacingly.

"All right, fine," he said, but Minako didn't believe him. He made a movement as if to get up, but instead grabbed a handful of dust and threw it in Ami's eyes. Ami took a step back trying to clear the dirt from her vision.

"Look out!" Minako shouted as the men advanced on Ami. Before she could make move to help Ami, two men got in front of Minako. "Damn you, get away from her!" Minako shouted as Ami disappeared behind the circle of men. The man that had been on the ground drew back his fist and prepared to strike Ami, but before he had the chance there was the flurry of a cloak, and someone grabbed his fist pulling his arm behind him. A noticeable crack resounded through the air as the man's arm broke and he was flung backwards.

"I'll not allow you to hurt her." The commanding voice of Makoto came from underneath the rim of her cloak. The man grabbed his arm in pain and didn't get up again. Minako didn't hesitate to thrash the men standing in her way and advance on the remaining three. Makoto rammed the face of another foolish man into the dirt as he tried to attack her. The rest backed off, intimidated by Makoto's height and strength, as she stood up and resituated her cloak. She stood in front of Ami to protect her, and fixed her icy stare on the attackers.

"Perfect timing, Mako-chan," Minako said with a laugh. Her voice then became angry. "Get the hell out of here and don't come back!" she shouted at the remaining men. They collected themselves quickly and departed.

"Are you all right, Miss?" Makoto pulled back the hood of her cloak and turned to look at the woman she had just protected.

"Yes, thank you, both of you. What you did was very kind and brave." A considerable crowd had gathered as Ami talked with the strangers. "Those bandits have been robbing and disrupting our town for the past several weeks. Maybe they won't come back now." Several shouts of thanks came from the crowd and Ami smiled.

"It wasn't anything. Anyway, you're the one who stood up to them. We were just passing," Minako explained.

"Thank you anyway. If you're traveling, I can show you a place to get some food and rest if you like. Perhaps we can talk a bit too," Ami said as the crowd began to break up.

"You saved Ami-san's life!" Makoto looked down to see a small girl looking curiously up at her. "Thank you so much, Miss," Makoto crouched down to look at the girl and she moved away slightly.

"You're very welcome," Makoto replied to the girl. "So what is your name?"

"My name is Korin, Ami-san is going to teach me to be doctor someday," the girl replied eagerly.

"Really?" Makoto looked up at Minako.

"You're a doctor?" Minako asked.

"I help the town how I can. That reminds me I have a patient to see. I hope the two of you don't mind, but I have to stop off and see someone," Ami said and started towards a small house.

"It's all right." Makoto stood up again and the girl took her by the hand, leading her through the streets. While they were walking, Ami looked over at the pair; they reminded her of something. She got the distinct impression she had met them before, but in a different life. The blond woman's confident attitude and the brown haired woman's strength so reminded her of…

"Ami-san, thank you for coming." An old woman greeted them at the door of the small house. Minako noticed how formal and distant the old woman acted around the doctor. "He's in there, sensei," she pointed to a room towards the back of the house. The old woman glanced at the two strangers, but didn't say anything.

"It'll be fine," Ami said and went to the room.

"What's happened?" Minako asked curiously.

"One of the boys cut himself while on the pier. If you'd like you can watch," Ami replied. Minako gave Makoto a puzzled look then followed Ami into the room. Inside, lying on a bed was a teenage boy, moaning quietly. His right arm was laid out from his body and blood soaked bandages covered a deep cut on his elbow. On sight of the blood, Korin turned her face and buried it in Makoto's pant leg. Makoto gave her a smile to reassure her. "Just wait here, please," Ami said. "Don't worry, Kensuke you'll be okay," she said to the boy and he ceased moaning. The old woman appeared behind Minako to watch as well.

"What can she do without any instruments?" Minako asked curiously.

"Ami-san doesn’t share much about her life with us, but she helps this town with her special power. She's a good person, but she doesn't like anyone to get close to her. When someone is injured, Ami will come and she can heal anything by merely touching the wound," the old woman whispered. "Korin-chan is the only one that really talks with her. I 'm surprised that she took to both of you so easily."

"Really?" Makoto asked.

"Shhh…" the woman said quickly, "She's beginning." They watched as an orb of blue light grew from Ami's hands and encased them. As she brought her hands close to the child's arm the bandages burned off. Minako and Makoto watched with wonder as the deep cut was closed and the lost blood flowed back into his arm. Even after the cut was closed, the light healed every scar and scratch on the boy's arm until the arm looked untouched by anything. The power was incredible and that's when Minako noticed the scar on Ami's arm. It puzzled her and once again, Minako felt the sense of familiarity.

"There, all finished," Ami said and the light died down and disappeared. The boy's eyes fluttered open and he sat up. He moved his arm back and forth, once convinced everything was as it should be, he hopped off the bed. "Now you be more careful while on the pier," Ami said sternly.

"Thank you, sensei," he bowed politely and ran from the room.

"I've never seen anything like that before," Minako said with disbelief. "Makoto has, but this is my first time and that was amazing." Minako sat with Ami in her house, while Makoto was outside playing with Korin.

"It's a gift. I do what I can to help people," Ami replied. "So your friend's seen it done. Not many people can do it."

"It's a story you're going to have to ask her about. I have no right to tell it," Minako said a hint of sadness in her voice. "Anyway, can you heal most anything?" Minako said changing the subject.

"Just about, but if it's extremely serious I have to be careful. It takes a lot of strength," Ami replied. "Enough about me though, why have you two come to my town," she asked curiously.

"I came looking for a doctor in the village North-West of here, but I learned he died a long time ago. I was lucky though I found Mako-chan while I was there." Minako looked out the door at her friend playing with the small child.

"She means a lot to you, doesn't she?" Ami sighed sadly.

"I mean a lot to her too. Is something wrong?" Minako returned her gaze to Ami.

"No, well I suppose I'm just lonely. I guess I should be used to it after all this time," she said quietly. "Oh well." She shook the appearing tears from her eyes. "If you're looking for a doctor, I'm sure I'll be able to help you."

"Really?" Minako almost stood up. Ami nodded. "Thank you so much. I was afraid I was going to run out of time. You see a youma attacked my town to the far north-west in the Flatlands."

"I heard of it from travelers," Ami said.

"A member of my family, the youngest child, was severely injured during the attack and doesn't have more than a few days to live. I was told I could find a type of doctor that could heal anything," Minako explained.

"I'm sorry to hear about that and I will come with you if you like," Ami gave her a smile.

"Thank you so much, Ami-san!" Minako was overjoyed.

"Call me Ami-chan, It's what my friends used to call me," Ami said.

Korin liked Makoto a lot. She was like a big sister to her and Ami liked her as well. Korin had never met anyone like either of the two women who had saved Ami and, yet they seemed a lot like Ami to her.

"So you want to be a doctor?" Makoto asked the girl on her lap.

"Ami-san said that if I had her gift she'd teach me how to use it, but if I didn't she'd teach me how to be a normal doctor anyway," Korin explained.

"I had a friend named, Ami, once a long time ago." Makoto looked at the sky. "She was very smart, but so kind also. In some ways Ami-san reminds me of her and in other ways she's nothing like her. It's strange."

"Ami-san is always alone, and you remind me of her in that way. She doesn't think I realize it, but her face can't hide her pain. No one else can see it because she hides it from them, but she can't hide it all the time and I can see it," Korin said sadly.

"You care for her a lot, Korin-chan." Makoto looked back down at the girl studying her young face. For one so young, Korin was extremely perceptive.

"Ami-san saved my life when I was six. My best friend and I were on the pier one day; we loved to play on the pier in the early morning. Ami-san would sit and watch the sun rise, but we never bothered her. One of the boards on the pier gave way underneath us and we fell in the ocean. We knew how to swim, so it shouldn't have been a problem, but there was an abandoned fishing net under the pier and it caught hold of us and pulled us under. Everything after that was a blur, Ami-san jumped in and pulled us out as far as I remember. She was so graceful in the water, like an angel of the water. She got us to land, but I was half drowned already. She healed me quickly and I recovered, but my friend was dead and nothing Ami-san could do could bring him back. After that, Ami-san didn't leave the beach for a week, never eating or resting. I finally gained enough courage to go and talk with her one morning, and she told me that it was her fault my friend had died and she hadn't been strong enough. I begged her not to believe that and that's how our relationship began. I think she still blames herself for my friend's death, along with other unknown things." Korin finished her story and silence fell over the two.

"That is an awful thing for both of you to have lived through. I'm very sorry," Makoto finally spoke.

"Don't be, you look as if you've enough of your own sadness. Don't be sad for Ami-san as well. That's why I'm here," Korin smiled. The girl's maturity and sense of responsibility impressed Makoto.

"You can tell?" Makoto asked.

"You are a warrior, obviously, but I sense inner conflict and anger from you as well. Something you've been dealing with alone for far too long," Korin replied thoughtfully.

"I don't know if you have Ami-san's healing talent, but you certainly have a talent for understanding people that is amazing." Korin blushed at the comment. "It's true," Makoto continued, but before she could say another word, the house across the street erupted in flame. "What the hell?" She got up quickly and stood in front of Korin. A youma flew overhead, breathing spouts of flame down on the town. It resembled a red lion, but was far larger than any normal lion, and had enormous black, feathered wings with which it flew. Instead of paws, it had talons on its feet, like a bird and would fly by and grab things tearing them to pieces. It landed and commenced breathing fire on everything in sight.

"What is that?" Korin stuttered.

"Korin-chan, go inside tell my friend there is a youma here, then stay with Ami-san," Makoto said quickly her eyes didn't leave the beast. The beast suddenly caught sight of them, launched itself back into the air, and sped towards them. "Get back!" Makoto shouted and pushed Korin out of the path of the youma. Makoto, on the other hand, was in a perfect spot for it to attack and it took the opportunity to leap upon her. "Damn it!" Makoto swore as the youma pinned her down.

"Makoto-san!" Korin screamed in fear.

Ami and Minako rushed outside as they heard Korin's scream, and their eyes fell on the reason for the commotion.

"Mako-chan!" Minako said in surprise as she saw the situation her friend was in.

"It breaths fire, Minako don't get close!" she shouted. Makoto struggled against the talons that held her, but the youma was strong and she couldn't break free. Neither, Ami nor, Minako knew what to do, but neither of them where about to let Makoto die either, especially Minako. Ami was also enraged by the youma's presence, something inside of her burned as, once again, she was faced with a situation in which she must save someone from death. Minako saw the rage on Ami's face and then saw her close her eyes as if making a difficult decision. Ami pulled something from a chain around her neck at the same time Minako pulled an object from her pocket. Their two respective symbols glowed brightly as they prepared to transform. The youma turned its attention away from Makoto and looked up at them. It tightened its claws around Makoto's arms and emitted a low mocking laugh.

"I'm hungry, but I'll be back." In a flurry of feathers, the youma lifted in to the air, still holding onto Makoto, and sped away from Minako and Ami.

"Damn you, let her go!" Ami shouted after the beast. A blue light formed in her hands and she released a blast at the youma without being transformed. The blast missed and the two watched as the youma flew farther away. "Damn it." Ami was angry at her failure. She turned towards Minako who watched the youma disappear with her friend, tears in her eyes. The two then stared at each other their symbols glowing brightly, Minako's eyes went wide as she saw the symbol of Mercury glowing fluidly on Ami's forehead.

"Ami-chan?" Minako sunk to her knees and began to cry.

"Minako?" Ami quickly went to her. Before another word could be said, a huge explosion shook the ground from several miles away. Ami and Minako shielded their eyes against the brilliant, green sphere of light that formed where the youma was in the sky. The sphere exploded with immense power and as it died down, something fell and struck the Earth.

"Mako-chan, don't die!" Minako cried and Ami knew.

"Let me go," Makoto growled at the youma.

"If I let you go you'll fall and die, when we land I'll kill you and you'll die, so either way I'll eat you after your dead," the youma explained calmly. Makoto found his reasoning extremely annoying. "Be quiet and enjoy you last moments." They were traveling fast, already they had passed over the forest Makoto had once lived in and were rapidly approaching a mountain range.

"I'm not going to let a pathetic youma like you kill me now!" Makoto raged. "Not after I found Minako after all this time!" She pulled one arm free and threw her cloak in the youma's face. "Damn youma, that's why you could never beat us. Always thought you knew what you were dealing with." She punched the youma fiercely in the chest, "But all you ever did was enrage us by hurting the ones we loved!" Makoto grabbed his wing as he let go of her. The two plummeted towards the ground.

"You'll kill us both!" It had lost all the reason and composure in its voice.

"I've been alone for a thousand years, you think I care now!" Makoto yelled. Her eyes burned with hatred, but she did not intend to die either. "Jupiter Star Power Make-Up!" The electricity burst from the pen, encircled Makoto and the thunder Senshi was alive once more.

"Sailor Senshi?" The youma stuttered.

"Jupiter electricity globe," a sphere of electricity emanated from Jupiter's body and enveloped her and the youma, "Explosion!" she yelled. The globe condensed slightly, and then exploded outwards electrocuting the youma to ashes. The light was brilliant and the explosion echoed across hundreds of miles. The light lessened and Makoto began to fall. As she fell the sphere shrunk to merely cover her and slowed her fall slightly. The globe struck the ground, causing another huge explosion and a crater in its wake. On impact with the ground, the globe stopped Makoto's descent and she was laid gently in he center of the crater in a pile of ashes. Her body weak from not using her powers in decades, Makoto passed out.

"What do we do now, Minako-chan?" Ami turned away from the explosion and helped Minako to her feet.

"Please come with me to help my family member." Minako got up and wiped the tears from her eyes. “He'll die without you."

"I will of course, but what about Mako-chan? She could be hurt," Ami wasn't sure what to do.

"After Wren is better we'll head for the mountain and search for her until we find her," Minako said firmly.

"Is Makoto-san going to be alright?" Korin asked softly. Minako and Ami turned to look at her; neither of them knew how to answer.

The explosion was so bright that even Queen Serenity witnessed it so many miles away.

"What was that?" she whispered to herself. "Another youma? What do they want with my crystal?" She watched as the light grew dimmer in the sky then disappeared and everything was returned to normal.

"Majesty?" The voice caused Serenity to turn away from the window. "Are you alright?" Saturn had approached silently as usual.

"Yes, Hotaru, just wondering what that explosion was." Serenity gave her a weak smile.

"I can have it investigated, your Majesty," Hotaru felt despair. She missed how cheerful her Queen had once been, though not as happy as she had been with her inner core, once long ago Serenity had been happier.

"It's not necessary," Serenity changed the subject. "What has your analysis told you?"

"It's not good, Serenity-sama. The pillar has begun releasing countless youma, and it's expanding, consuming the city where ever it covers it."

"Is there no way to stop it?" Serenity swallowed her fear.

"Uranus suggests we attack it. I find this ill-advisable, but we don't have much other choice," Hotaru said with a sigh.

"I suppose, but I still don't like it. This thing is so powerful and evil. Be careful what ever you do," Serenity chewed her lower lip in worry.

"Yes, your Majesty." Hotaru bowed and left the room. Serenity sat on her throne trying to understand her fear of this unknown evil. Normally she would gladly send her outer core out to destroy it, but this threat caused something in her to stir. A thought came to her mind; preposterous as it was it kept surfacing in her mind.

"It can't be. It was destroyed," Serenity whispered with horror. "It wants revenge." Tears came to her eyes at her sudden realization. This evil was unique because it was the only one strong enough to have taken the lives of her inner Senshi and now it was back for her.

The ground shook and Rei had to shield her eyes from the blinding light. The explosion was no more than a mile from her temple and the sound was deafening. As it cleared something fell from the center of it and impacted with the ground causing another loud explosion.

"What the hell?" Her interest peaked; Rei got up from the sacred fire and walked out of the temple, still looking at the sky.

"Rei-san, did you see it?" Soichiro ran from behind the temple excitement in his eyes.

"Idiot! How could I not see it?!" she shouted at him. He looked away, embarrassed by his ignorant question. Soichiro had always reminded Rei of Yuuichiro, the man she had once secretly loved. He was definitely dead after all this time so Rei tried not to think of him, but Soichiro so reminded her of him, she tended to wonder if he was Yuuichiro's posterity. Rei suddenly couldn't control her curiosity any longer. "Something fell from the explosion, I'm going to see what it is. If you like you can come, Soichiro." She then hurried in to the temple to get prepared.

"Really?" Soichiro followed close behind her.

"Hurry up!" she barked.

Rei moved quickly through the sparse trees on the side of the mountain, eager to discover what had fallen from the explosion. Soichiro kept falling behind, unable to keep up with the priestess's agility and speed, so Rei finally left him to find the crater on his own. The trees became denser and Rei slowed as the smell of burning wood filled her nostrils. She noticed the air had a charge to it and crackled with electricity making it clear and fresh. Rei came to the crater's edge and stopped. The crater was at least fifty feet across and six feet deep; a pit of barren exposed earth burnt black and smoking. Rei slid down the side into the crater and silently crept towards the center. Her awareness heightened as the presence of another washed over her being, and she knew it had been a person who had caused the explosion and fell from the sky. As she moved closer, Rei made out the form of someone lying in the crater, their features softened by a mound of ashes. Rei knelt beside the person and brushed some of the ashes away from the woman's face, and she gasped in recognition. Had it not been for the familiar Sailor fuku, Rei wouldn't have recognized the woman because of the years of separation. The person breathed slowly and Rei conclude she was all right, just unconscious. Her green Sailor fuku was untouched and had protected her, but it was charged with the remaining electricity and Rei couldn't touch her without being shocked. Rei covered her mouth with the back of her hand as the tears streamed from her eyes. Disbelief raged in her eyes, her mind screamed for her to turn away from this hallucination, but Rei's heart beat differently. She held her breath and reached out towards Sailor Jupiter, a sudden shock from the charged fuku caused Rei to fall back in surprise. She laughed at her own foolishness.

"Mako-chan, what were you doing fighting without me?" Rei smiled through her tears.

The ceiling was familiar, but from a long, unremembered happiness that was no more than an illusion in her mind now. A time of lost love and carefree days. The ceiling was wooden and flat, with darker boards cross hatching lighter boards. Her eyes followed the large squares created by the light and dark planks and she saw the precision with which the structure had been built. To her it was like a dream, she didn’t even realize she was awake until the creek of floorboards resounded softly in her ears. It thrust her back to reality and she suddenly remembered what had happened.

"The youma," she whispered to herself as someone approached and knelt beside the bed she was laying in. A beautiful priestess in white and red robes gazed down at her with a look of concern on her face. The priestess caused Makoto's memories to stir. Makoto gazed at the priestess's soft features and into her dark, angry eyes. The anger wasn't directed at Makoto, but was turned inwards because of defeat and failure. Makoto sat up and noticed she wasn't transformed anymore. The priestess opened her mouth as if to speak, but then closed it again and remained silent. Makoto looked around for her transformation pen, still wondering how she had got in her current situation.

"It's here," the priestess said softly and opened her hand to reveal the pen bearing the sign of Jupiter. Makoto wasn't sure what to do, the Senshi had been dead for the past thousand years, but this woman understood the pen's significance. "Once the electricity from your attack dissipated you reverted back to your normal self." The priestess hesitated a moment, then wrapped her arms around Makoto had pressed her cheek against hers. "Mako-chan you're alive," she cried softly. Makoto had missed something and sat dumbfound as the woman hugged her. "I know it's you, Jupiter." Despite the fact she was crying, the priestess's voice remained calm and soft. "I saw something fall from the sky and when I searched I found you. I found you." Makoto thought a moment and memories flooded her mind. A Shinto priestess…a beautiful priestess…Rei. The symbol of Mars burned brightly on Rei's forehead. Rei let go Makoto caught sight of the symbol, and she knew for sure that it was Mars.

"Rei-chan," Makoto's voice came as nothing more than a cool, soft whisper.

"Yes," Rei replied. Makoto didn't think it possible, she had found Minako, then been taken from her by a youma, now Rei was suddenly alive also. She had been afraid after the youma died, afraid she would lose her only friends again. Makoto allowed Rei to draw her in close and she rested her head against Rei's shoulder. Rei was happy to oblige, but the sudden insecurity in Makoto was abnormal for her strong character and it caused concern to rise in Rei.

"What's wrong Mako-chan?" Rei gazed down at her frightened friend.

"I was afraid after I killed the youma. I thought I would be alone again because it took me so far away. I couldn't suffer to be alone again after Minako found me," Makoto said like a frightened child, gazing nebulously up at Rei. Rei didn't grasp everything Makoto was saying, but one thing stuck out in her mind.

"Minako-chan?" Rei asked her quietly.

"Yes, Minako-chan saved me from the forest." Tears fell from both women's eyes, "Minako is alive."

"Minako-chan! You've returned!" The woman ran up and hugged Minako around the neck.

"Please, tell me I'm not to late," Minako said quickly.

"No, there's time," the woman replied. Minako sighed deeply and led Ami, through the streets, to the hospital. "He's been wanting to see you despite his condition, Satsuki as well. The whole family missed you while you were gone." The man informed her of everything that had taken place in her absence, including the visit of two women from the far North. He explained that they had been asking about the youma attacks, and wanted to see the person who had destroyed the last one, they had told them you had gone on a journey. Minako didn't understand what it meant, but she had other things to occupy her time now. "You found the doctor, then?"

"No, I discovered he had died sometime ago, but I found a friend and together we traveled to the ocean. There I met Ami-chan, and she turned to out to be another old friend of mine. Ami has the same sort of abilities the doctor did, so she agreed to come help Wren." Minako introduced Ami to her family.

"Thank you for coming, Sensei," the couple said. "How can we ever repay you?"

"There is no need, I never would've found Minako if she hadn't gone looking for a doctor and she's more important to me than any payment," Ami replied softly.

"Thank you," they replied again. They came to the hospital and met up with Wren's doctor.

"So you did find someone," the doctor said with disbelief.

"I said I would," Minako replied and followed the doctor to Wren's room. Once inside, Minako went to the bedside and took Wren's hand. Ever so slowly his eyes opened and focused on Minako.

"Minako-san," his voice was weak, "I missed you."

"I missed you too, I'm glad you waited for me," Minako said softly. "I brought someone to help you, trust her." Minako moved away and allowed Ami to approach the child.

"My name is Ami, and I'm a good friend of Minako-chan's. Don't be afraid Wren-chan, you'll feel much better real soon, I promise." Ami laid a hand on Wren's forehead and he closed his eyes. As Ami assessed the boy's condition a frown came over her face, she sighed if making a difficult choice.

Minako saw the sigh and it worried her. "Will it be alright, Ami-chan?" she asked.

"Yes, Yes, he should be fine when I'm done. There's no risk to him." Ami didn't look up afraid Minako would figure her predicament out.

"What about you? Will you be alright?" Minako asked again. Ami gave another sigh. Her friend had figured it out; she should've expected it. "Makoto told me that the doctor that healed her died because he exhausted his powers healing her and was too weak to live." Minako tried to look at Ami's face to understand, but Ami turned away.

"Mako-chan's wounds had to be extremely serious, for him to have died healing her. It wont be the case for Wren," Ami said and gave a reassuring smile.

"Be careful, Ami-chan," Minako said warily.

"It doesn't matter there's no choice anyway," the two went silent. Minako and Wren's parents watched as the blue light flared from Ami's hands and started to cover Wren. "It'll take sometime," Ami said without breaking her concentration. Unlike before, Minako watched as the blue light traveled up Ami's arms and she began to glow. Ami concentrated harder and the light grew brighter until Wren's parents had to shield their eyes. Minako remained gazing at Ami's form within the near blinding light, fear in her eyes. They watched for twenty minutes as Ami healed Wren and finally the light died down and Ami removed her hand from Wren's forehead. "He'll be fine now," Ami said with a faint smile.

"Thank you, Sensei." The parents bowed respectfully and went to Wren's bed. Minako approached Ami, studying her face.

"Are you alright, Ami-chan?" Minako asked cautiously.

"Yes, I'll be fine," Ami said weakly and looked over a Minako, her face pale.

"Ami-chan!" Minako said quickly as she saw Ami's sudden pallor. She caught Ami before she collapsed onto the floor.

"Just tired," Ami whispered weakly as Minako laid her gently on the floor.

The wind swept down the mountain side bring a chill to any that were outside, but there wasn't any need for wind inside the temple to chill the two women's souls. As each shared their lives, the other listened with serious horror to the miseries of their closest friends.

"Minako-chan's alive," Rei heaved a sigh.

"I don't know where she is now, she was searching for someone to heal a member of her family. Not her real family, but the one she's been living with for the past thousand years. Together we had found a doctor, in a town near the ocean, that could heal like the one who saved my life." Makoto had already shared her tragic story of what had happened to her after the battle.

"I've heard of spirit healing. I always wondered, since Ami-chan didn't have any real offensive powers, if she might develop that talent as a Sailor Senshi. It is dangerous though," Rei replied.

"Yes," Makoto said gravely.

"Three of us survived. I could've sworn I saw each one of you die and Usagi…" Rei hesitated. "Damn my failure. Damn this scar." Rei placed a hand on her side.

"That seems to be one thing we all have in common." Makoto touched the scar under her eye.

"If only I'd been stronger," Rei said darkly. "I couldn't do a thing as the darkness took the most important things in my life. I woke up here, it was early morning, but I hurt too bad to care. The wound through my side was quickly taking my life, ready to deprive me of the pain of my failure. I stumbled inside the temple and knelt before the sacred fire like so many times before. I prayed that what I saw wasn't true, that my dearest friends weren't dead and Usagi… My blood stained the floor in front of the fire and is still there today. It reminds me, everything reminds me." Rei turned away ashamed of her tears.

"You didn't fail Rei-chan, you did everything you could. If only I had died to save at least the doctor. How foolish for him to fall in love with a dying woman," Makoto laughed lightly.

"Love is not foolish, no matter how it turns out. It tends to be tragic," Rei said softly. "Anyway, had Minako-chan not found you we would've never been reunited. Perhaps the doctor knew," Rei's voice slid softly through the air holding untold meanings that only she understood. "I wonder why we were separated?" Rei quickly changed the subject to avoid any of Makoto's questions.

"Maybe our Senshi powers saved us by taking us away," Makoto replied.

"If it really saved us," Rei mumbled. "But if certain things didn't happen we still would've died," she continued louder.

"Perhaps that's why we were brought to those certain places because we would be saved there," Makoto said thoughtfully.

"I saw everyone die, but now I know that two of you survived. I wonder, maybe, could Ami-chan have survived as well?" Rei wasn't going to mention the other possibility. It was too much for either of their lost souls to hope for.

"I suppose we should go find Minako-chan," Makoto said.

"Knowing her she'll come to find you," Rei replied. "I think we should wait a bit before searching for her."

"She'll be alright, just needs to rest," the doctor whispered to Minako. They had put Ami into a hospital bed to let her sleep.

"Kami-sama, thank you," Minako sighed. Wren's parents could see the concern on Minako's face over her friend.

"She mean's a lot to you Minako-chan?" the woman said quietly not wanting to disturb their child's savior.

"Yes," Minako replied deeply. They left the room so they could talk more easily.

"You said you had found another old acquaintance while in the forest. Did she not come with you?" the man asked. Minako was silent a moment.

"She was more than an acquaintance and because of that I have to go find her. She was taken from me by a youma similar to the one that attacked Wren. When Ami-chan is better, we must go find her no matter what may have happened." Minako feared the worst for her friend, although she knew Jupiter was capable of handling such a weak youma, but it had caught them off guard and that could've allowed anything to happen.

"You are leaving again?" they asked slightly fearful.

"She's too important to me to not search for her. An explosion occurred just after she was taken. It's tearing me apart not knowing what happened to her." Minako walked from the room.

"Be careful when you two go, Minako-chan. I fear the evil in the air," the woman called after her.

"I do too," Minako replied darkly.

The dream came again, it never finished, and she couldn't let it because of her fear. The pillar grew wider and the Crystal City crumbled into dust. In the center of the blackness was a light that glowed fainter with every passing second. It cried out to the four unknown warriors and the warriors that had fought desperately and died. Their lights shone brightly surrounding the pillar: Yellow, Blue, Green, and Red. They shone out against the mass of evil, struggling to hold it back and reach the white light within. Four dark forms were silhouetted against the four lights and everything went black.

"What the hell is happening?" Rei yelled over the roar.

"Everyone, protect Sailor Moon!" Minako shouted through the swirling dust and clouds to her companions.

"No, everyone, go!" Sailor Moon protested desperately. The Senshi encircled Sailor Moon and warily watched the blackness drawn in on them. "You'll die!!" Usagi screamed. The evil attacked sending shards of black crystals through the sir in every direction.

"Minako-chan!" Sailor Moon watched as a shard cut through Minako's chest. She collapsed to her knees coughing and clutching her chest in pain.

"Jupiter, it's after her!" Minako managed and collapsed the rest of the way to the ground. Makoto looked over in surprise as the evil advanced further on Sailor Moon. It attacked and Makoto pushed Sailor Moon out of the way, but was caught by the evil. It struck her repeatedly with shards until she no longer screamed.

"Mako-chan!" Sailor Moon watched as her friend fell to the ground. Ami saw and turned to Rei a look of horror on her face, but something grasped her arms. She didn't have a chance to even struggle before there was a sharp pain in her shoulder, then it felt like her back was on fire as the negative energy from the dark shards consumed her.

"Rei-chan, don't die please!" Sailor Moon cried as the evil turned from Ami's motionless form and plowed through Rei. Rei side burned, then she felt cold as her strength left her. She watched with despair and anger as the remaining evil surrounded Sailor Moon, as she called for her friends, and the world went black.

"Rei-chan! Rei! Wake-up!" Makoto shook her screaming friend in hopes to wake her from the nightmare. "It's alright Rei-chan."

"Ma…Mako-chan?" Rei stuttered in utter fear.

"Yes, I'm here," Makoto's voice came from somewhere in the darkness. A low lamp sent shadows dancing on the wall as it was turned on and the world suddenly had depth again. Rei made out the strong features of her friend, who was studying her contorted face. Rei breathed heavily, trying to calm herself, while Makoto got up to go turn on the lights in the room. Fear surrounded Rei the moment Makoto left, but it left her when the lights switched on and she saw Makoto coming back.

"Mako-chan," Rei gave a deep relieved sigh and covered her face with one hand.

"A dream, Rei-chan?" Makoto tried to see her friend's face.

"Yes," Rei replied and in a burst of rage at her weakness, slammed her fist into the floor. Makoto put a strong hand on her should to calm her anger.

"It's alright, Rei-chan. I'm here," Makoto spoke in a soft soothing tone.

"I keep seeing it over and over," she clenched her teeth, hating the images that repeated themselves in her mind. "Our deaths, I see them over until it's unbearable. I'm sorry."

"It is alright, it isn't your fault, Rei," Makoto said sympathetically. "We all have dreams."

"This one frightens me so much." Rei quietly described everything that happened in her vision and by the end of it even Makoto felt fear creep up her spine. The dream disturbed her and she realized the reason for Rei's fear.

"It's memories, Rei," Makoto tried to comfort the priestess.

"The pillar isn't memories and the unknown soldiers. I fear all of it," Rei replied.

"Does it mean something?" Makoto asked.

"I don't know," Rei said desperately.

"What is that?" Minako looked over at Ami. The two were standing on a hill facing the west gazing upon the black pillar in the distance. Ami had recovered in a little more than a day and the two had prepared and had left to find Makoto.

"I don't know, but I don't like it." Ami pulled out her computer engraved with the sign of Mercury. It had been so long since last she needed it and she doubted its condition. "Hope this thing still works," she mumbled to herself as the screen flickered and turned on. The small computer analyzed the black mass typing its data onto the screen to be interpreted by Ami's superior mind. "I can't get a clear reading on its interior mass, but the computer recognizes the energy patterns it is emitting. I don't know just where this has been seen before, but its energy patterns are negative. It's evil whatever it is." Ami pushed a few more buttons on the keyboard and listed a few more random facts about the evil. "It also appears to be expanding. Consuming everything in its path." Ami closed the computer and slipped it back into her pocket.

"It's evil?" Minako repeated.

"Yes and an extremely powerful evil at that," Ami replied. "Should we deal with it?" Minako hadn't been expecting this question. She hadn't been leader of the Sailor Senshi from the day that she had seen all of her friends die. Their deaths had destroyed her self-confidence and it prevented her from making decisions that involved anyone else's life. "You know Mako-chan. I saw a little of what she's become. Do you think she'll hesitate to seek revenge on this evil for everything that's happened to us?" Ami wasn't stating her opinion; she didn't know and wanted to see if Minako did.

"She wouldn't go by herself," Minako protested.

"I hope you're right," Ami said sadly. Minako looked away a moment then turned back. Ami caught her gaze and stared at her.

"No, you are right. I would do the same thing if I were alone," she sighed. "Perhaps if we head for it we'll find her on the way."

"Things have been unbearable, Minako-chan," Ami touched Minako's arm and smiled, "but now that we've found each other, so we can keep each other, the Sailor Senshi must fight again."

"Kami-sama that's it!" Rei pointed the black pillar in the distance out to Makoto. "I feel it's evil, it's the same as my dream." She wrapped her arms around her shoulders and shuddered. Makoto stood on top of the mountain with Rei, glaring darkly at the pillar of evil. "I bet that's what has brought the youma," Makoto said firmly. "Minako will go there."

"You think so?" Rei looked up. "How can we not, Rei-chan?" Makoto turned and looked at her friend with both determination and understanding in her eyes. "We must find Minako-chan and…" she paused a moment and her eyes turned dark with rage, "And I want revenge for your lives and for Usagi's." Rei's confidence was restored by Makoto's anger. "For everything we went through, I'll destroy it or die trying." Makoto turned away again to glare at the evil.

"You'll not die Mako-chan." Makoto turned back as Rei put a hand on her shoulder. "I won't let you."

As the outer core Senshi prepared for battle, the tension rose and uneasiness was dangerously high. Though Haruka was anxious to fight, she was frightened uncontrollably by the blackness. The Queen had shared something with Pluto before they had left to prepare and it meant nothing but trouble. The fact that Pluto was even there meant that this evil was especially dangerous. Pluto almost never left the stillness of the time stream unless something was extremely threatening. Haruka tried to fill the Senshi with words of confidence as they left for the pillar. Hotaru said a prayer for her friends and her Queen.

"Be careful everyone," Pluto said in her icy tone. The others looked over at her disturbed by her words and seeking an explanation. "Did the queen ever tell you what happened to the inner core?" she continued.

"Only little bits when she was too depressed to hide it all," Haruka replied.

"You're about to meet the evil that stole the lives of her inner core," Pluto replied coldly and went silent. Haruka shot her love a concerned look. Neptune returned the look with a reassuring smile.

"Be at ease, Uranus, we'll be alright. Just be cautious," Neptune said completely hiding her own solicitude. Hotaru wasn't convinced by Neptune's words. She felt that the situation would turn out disastrous. Anything that could kill four Senshi wasn't to be defeated without loses.

The pillar was immense to the outer core as they stood several meters from its base. The base was spreading out more now, slowly at only a foot an hour according to Saturn's calculations, but faster than before and its speed was increasing.

"What do we do now?" Neptune shouted over the deafening howling of the pillar.

"I'm going to try something," Haruka shouted in reply. "Uranus Planet Shatter!" she shouted and the ground glowed below her. Six blasts of light erupted from the ground around Uranus and sped towards the pillar. They spread out as they came in contact with the pillar and were absorbed into the darkness. Nothing resulted from the blast at first, but the ground started to tremble around them. "What the?" Haruka looked around, but couldn't find the source of the shaking. Something burst from the ground in front of her and she leapt backwards as a fist came crashing down in the spot where she had been standing. Uranus landed next to Neptune and shot her a glance of warning.

"Who are you?" A youma stood in the place where the earth had been disturbed. He was tall and had dark black hair that almost reached the ground. His ears were pointed and mostly covered by his black hair. He wouldn't have looked like a youma except for the bluish color of his skin and his eyes. His eyes disturbed Saturn. One was human in nature, but held cruelty beyond comprehension. The other was purely evil with only a slit, like a cat's eye, for a pupil. Everything about him made the Senshi shudder with fear. Haruka suddenly remembered their mission and regained her confidence.

"We are the Bishoujo Senshi and we'll not allow your evil to plague our Earth," Haruka challenged. The youma laughed loudly.

"The Bishoujo Senshi are dead, I saw them all die a thousand years ago. You are like them, but you are not them. You are a nuisance." The youma fixed and evil glare on Haruka. It turned away and blasted her without even looking. Haruka was caught off guard and the blast picked her up and threw her back away from the other Senshi. The youma disappeared and reappeared beside her, she saw a quick movement of his hand, and the world went black.

The youma had ceased following Minako and Ami, but had instead sent two less powerful monsters to try and dispatch them. They had run from the pillar, drawing the attention of the two youma. The youma were fast and easily caught up with Venus and Mercury and the battle began.

"Venus Angel Halo!" A ring of light was produced from Minako's belt and surrounded one of the youma and held it tightly. Mercury released her own offensive attack and the youma was struck square in the chest, knocking him onto the ground. The other youma unsheathed its claws and attacked Mercury. Its claws barely missed her as she leapt away to allow Venus next attack to crash into it. The two youma regrouped but didn't attack. They stood side by side and conjured a spell. Venus and Mercury watched with caution as the two youma melted together and became a single powerful hulking beast.

"What now Minako-chan?" Ami asked as she analyzed the youma.

"It's not going to let us go now. Looks like we have no choice, but to fight it," Minako replied without fear.

"Alright then," Ami replied with equal confidence. The thrill of the battle had awakened something in both of the ancient Senshi. Their powers had gained in strength even while dormant and they intended to use the attacks to their fullest potential.

"Venus Angel Halo!"

"Mercury crystallized fury." The attacks tore through the air and ground and exploded violently in front of the youma and light and ice engulfed it. There was not sound for several moments and Venus and Mercury watched as the smoke and dust began to clear. "Seemed almost to easy," Mercury said without looking at Minako.

"I know what you mean," Venus replied. The ground was suddenly torn open and the youma burst upon the unsuspecting Senshi. Venus couldn't see anything as dust and gravel was thrown into her eyes. There came a deafening roar from the youma and as Venus looked up, she saw it bring its claws down towards her and Mercury. Venus felt someone grab her around the waist and pull her both up and away from the youma. The youma's claws crashed into the ground and Venus looked over to where Mercury had been. There was an explosion of electricity and she could only make out the silhouette of the massive youma.

Mercury fell back, dazed, as the youma came up through the ground. She looked up to see its claws advancing on her. There was a commotion, strong arms suddenly picked her up, and whoever had her jumped high into the air. The youma's claws hit the ground and the person who held Ami as they leapt away released a blast of electricity. A plume of fire then mixed with the electricity and the youma was burned to ashes. They landed with a jolt and Mercury opened her eyes. The person who had saved her stood in a tall tree, still carrying Ami, several meters from where the youma had been. "Minako-chan!" Ami suddenly remembered Venus and for the first time looked up at the one that had saved her, straight into Makoto's strong green eyes. "Mako-chan," she breathed with disbelief. Makoto looked down at Ami and her expression turned to one of equal surprise. "Mako-chan, you are alive," Ami continued and a smile spread across her face. Jupiter jumped to the ground, set Ami down, and took a step back.

"I…I didn't know who I was saving, but I surely didn't expect it to be…to be. Mercury?" Makoto stuttered. "Does this mean…"

"Rei-chan!" Minako grabbed Rei around the neck and hugged her tightly. "You're alive too, Rei-chan!" Rei smiled, tears in her eyes, and hugged Minako back. It was one thing knowing your friend was alive, but actually seeing them after a thousand years meant so much more. "Rei-chan. Rei-chan, you're here, you've seen the pillar, then?" Minako said getting control of herself.

"Yes, We thought you might come here," Rei replied quietly.

"If I could only find Mako-chan, then our team would be finished," Minako cried.

"Minako-chan?" Makoto and Ami walked up to the pair. Rei caught sight of Ami as Minako rushed to Makoto. Ami and Rei gazed a moment, then approached and hugged each other warmly.

"Mako-chan, I was so afraid I'd lost you again," Minako hugged the tall girl. "There was the explosion and I feared the worst. I came to search for you, Ami suggested you might come here," she paused a moment, "But, Rei-chan?" Makoto cut her off.

"I was knocked unconscious by the explosion, the youma had carried me to the mountain range and that is where Rei found me. We thought you might come here looking for me and left a few days ago," Makoto explained.

"Hey, Mako-chan," Rei's voice was full of a false irritation, "why didn't you tell me Ami-chan was alive?"

"What? I didn't know. Ask Minako-chan, she must have found her," Makoto stuttered in protest. Rei replied with a grin.

"You did know, Mako-chan," Ami said quietly. "I guess this makes two times that you have saved me." Makoto went silent and the image of the doctor they had met in the town by the ocean.

"All that time and we didn't know," Makoto's eyes brimmed with tears, but she quickly wiped them away. Minako took step away from Makoto and the Senshi formed a circle. They looked upon one another, not attempting to hide their emotions from their closest friends, and took each other's hands.

"Can this be true?" Ami asked the sky the Earth and the Moon.

"All of us alive?" Makoto asked each of her friends.

"The Sailor Team is whole once again," Rei replied.

"It is," Minako said strongly. Authority and leadership covered both the joy and sadness in her voice, "But it can never truly be one without Usagi."