Stars in a New Sky

Chapter 27: Promises

Mamoru awoke to the sound of a fierce argument. He cracked open his eyes to find himself back at headquarters. He stared up at the ceiling of the infirmary in confusion until the weight of his memories returned. He gasped in horror as he sat up in bed. A wave of dizziness overcame him. Clutching his aching head, Mamoru took several slow, deep breaths. Usagi had been taken by the Dark Kingdom...and he could now remember his past life as Prince Endymion. Wincing at the poignant ache in his chest, he wasn't so sure if that was a good thing or not. He could feel the loss from his previous life as well as his fear in the present. 

Dismissing such maudlin thoughts, Mamoru focused on the present. Usagi needed him and he was not going to leave her in darkness. Rising from the bed, he headed down the hall towards the heated argument. Just as he rounded the corner into the main room, he saw Minako restraining Rei from attacking Nyx and Selene.

"How could you let this happen?!! You're goddesses! You should have been there to protect her!" Rei screamed through her tears and anger. 

"Rei, calm down." Minako whispered, despite her own tears.

Nyx flashed a severe look upon Rei. "It is not my job or Selene's to protect the Moon Princess. The last time I checked, it was yours, Sailor Guardian."

Rei recoiled as if she'd been slapped. Guilt and anguish warred on her face. Her hands balled into fists, trembled at her side. Each Sailor Guardian looked as if their hearts had been torn out. Mamoru rested a hand over his own chest. He knew the feeling.

"If anything, you all bear the blame for this." Nyx continued coldly.

Eyes narrowed, Mamoru strode into the room. "That's enough." The sharp command in his tone surprised even himself. "We don't have time to play the blame game. We have to rescue Usagi before it's too late." He glared at Nyx. "If you can't offer solutions, please keep your opinions to yourself."

His eyes passed over Selene. She looked odd to him, strangely diminished as if the light of her star were slowly fading. Her silver eyes were haunted with doubt and fear. She hugged her arms around her body as if she were trying to keep herself from falling apart. Despite his agreement with Rei about the goddess' involvement in Usagi's protection, Mamoru approached the Moon Goddess. He rested a hand on Selene's shoulder. "We will bring her back. I promise."

Selene offered him a watery smile. "It's been a long time since I put my faith in a mortal."

He gave her a weak smile in return. "I'll protect her...even if it kills me."

"I believe you." She replied, solemnly.

Turning back to Nyx, he asked "Is there a way for us to go to the Dark Kingdom?"

Nyx sighed. She could see the shadow of the man he once was...and perhaps the man he would be in the future. Given time, he would a formidable leader. If given time. Nyx buried her own guilt and anguish. She should have pushed for the guardians to take a more active role in guarding Usagi. Despite their memories being intact, that didn't mean they weren't still just young girls. 

"Not without alerting every single member of Metalia's court that we've arrived. It's not easy for goddesses to fly under the radar when entering a new realm."

"If we had a fifth, we could teleport." Minako offered half-heartedly. 

Selene shook her head. "Mamoru can stand in as your fifth, but that's not enough. You need a little extra to make it into the Dark Kingdom."

"Not to mention, what are you going to do once you get there?" Takeshi asked quietly. 

Mamoru turned in surprise to see him. He'd been sitting so silently in the corner of the room watching the argument, he hadn't noticed him when he'd walked into the room. Takeshi was eyeing Selene meaningfully.