Stars in a New Sky

Chapter 30: Resolve

Shrouded in the mists at the Door to Time and Space, a lone Sailor Guardian stood guard. Her long hair hung like a black river down her back. Her eyes searched the mists, waiting. While time ran differently in this realm, Sailor Pluto knew eons had passed since Silver Millennium had fallen into ruin. Her duty guarding the Door to Time and Space had kept her away from the destruction Metalia had wreaked. She felt the ache in her bones when the futures of all the citizens of Silver Millennium had suddenly vanished. 

Metalia's wrath had damaged their timeline. Princess Serenity was meant to take the throne alongside her earth prince. Theirs was supposed to be a rule of peace and harmony in the solar system. That fateful day, their destinies had been thrown into chaos. Despite the terrible agony in her soul, Sailor Pluto knew that the Universe had a way of self-correcting. She knew deep in her heart that the day of reckoning was at hand.

The ill fate of the reincarnated stars was drawing to a close. Princess Serenity had been given a second chance to alter their fates. To restore the balance to their timeline. Sailor Pluto smiled ruefully to herself. Even though she was aware that there were countless Moon Princess' across different dimensions. The Princess Serenity from her timeline would always be her favorite. She managed to get herself into and out of some of the stickiest situations constantly. Her escapades had brought her to the Door of Time and Space more times than Sailor Pluto could count, not that Usagi would ever remember.

For the first time since taking up her post, Sailor Pluto felt impatient. Her Princess...her future Queen was about to take center stage in the first cosmic conflict of her human life. The first of many. Once she wielded her awesome power, the darkness inherent in the Universe would sit up and take notice. Usagi would need more than just the inner guardians to protect her and their collective future. She yearned to fight at her princess' side, but this was a fight she must finish herself.

"Good luck, Princess Serenity. Do Silver Millennium proud."

***

Usagi awoke, tears streaming down her face and a sob caught in her throat. She'd had another nightmare. The past and present had been jumbled together in a horrifying kaleidoscope of death and misery. Drawing her knees to her chest, Usagi pressed her face against the duvet. She hugged herself tight in an effort to quell the fear that threatened to overwhelm her. If they couldn't defeat Metalia, she would invade their dimension and kill everyone. Every single human being on earth was in danger. Her chest tightened with the immense weight on her shoulders. Despite the hours she spent on training and fighting the demons Metalia sent to torment them, Usagi didn't feel ready to take on the evil entity. 

"What if I can't do this?"

You can. 

Usagi stiffened at the sound of the familiar voice. She raised her head to see Selene leaning against the wall near her window. Her body shimmered like silver starlight. "Are you..."

She smiled gently. Still unconscious at HQ. This is a psychic manifestation of my consciousness. 

"Why are you here?" Usagi asked, sniffling. 

I can feel your turmoil. I know you don't feel ready for this fight. Selene's glittering image moved from the window, drawing close to Usagi's bedside. And it's not fair that a young girl must shoulder such a burden. For that, I'm deeply sorry. I didn't want you caught up in all this. I wanted you to have a safe and normal life...far away from all this ugliness. Unfortunately, we don't always get what we want.

Usagi nodded as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. 

But, that being said, I think you are more than ready to meet this challenge and face your enemies. 

"What? How can you think that? I can barely keep up with the others. I'm flying by the seat of my pants most of the time!" Usagi wailed in frustration.

Selene rested a shining hand on Usagi's head. While she couldn't feel the physical presence of her hand, Usagi felt a warmth fill her soul. I know you are ready because I see the determination within you to stand every time you fall. The power is within you, but you must stop doubting yourself. Have faith in yourself and in the Sailor Guardians. 

Usagi offered a weak smile. "Thank you, but I just can't stop thinking about the past. About how I failed everyone...how we all died." Her voice broke.

Selene rested a hand on Usagi's cheek. The past is a good teacher, but you cannot allow it to control you. You cannot change what happened in Silver Millennium. The future meant for that moon princess is lost. There's no going back. But you have a chance at a new future...for yourself, for the Sailor Guardians, and for Mamoru. The kind of future it will be is entirely up to you.

"I can't leave Mamoru alone in that dark place." Usagi wiped away her tears. "I can't let the Dark Kingdom come here." Whether she liked it or not, the only people who could stand against Metalia and her army was her and the Sailor Guardians. If she didn't pull herself together, her home would be destroyed once more. Everything precious on this earth would die.

"Than--" Usagi began, but Selene was gone. The shimmering outline of her body had vanished. She sighed and stared out her window at the moon hanging high in the sky. Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful moon princess who fell in love with a handsome earth prince. They should have lived happily ever after, but darkness destroyed them. The beautiful paradise on the moon was reduced to rubble. "Not this time." Usagi promised the moon. "Not here."

As she curled back into the warmth of her bed, Usagi slipped into a dreamless sleep. For the first time since Mamoru was taken, Usagi felt at peace.

***

Ikuko Tsukino regarded the plate of food in front of her with trepidation. She exchanged hesitant looks with her husband across the dinner table. While their daughter had many admirable qualities, cooking was not one of them. All of her previous efforts had been disasters. The last time she decided to cook dinner, there was a small fire and the house smelt like burnt seaweed for a week. 

"So have you tasted it? What do you think?" Usagi asked, a wide smile on her face as she brought in a plate of her own.

"Mom! I'm not eating this! It's toxic sludge! Usagi's going to give us all food poisoning." Shingo complained.

Usagi's eyes narrowed. "It will not!"

"Then you taste it first!" Shingo shot back.

"Fine! I will!" She stabbed a mouthful of what Ikuko thought might have once been a potato and shoved it in her mouth. They watched her vigorous chewing eventually slow and her forehead wrinkle in distress. To her credit, she swallowed the bite. "There see...delicious." She grimaced as she spoke.

"Yeah, no. I'm still not eating it." Shingo sat back in his chair and folded his arms. "No way."

Before Usagi could lay into her brother, Ikuko interrupted. "Honey, you didn't have to cook dinner for us."

Her father nodded. "Yes...you really...shouldn't have." He added, a tight smile on his face as he gingerly stirred the mixture on his plate.

Usagi forced a bright smile. "I wanted to." She couldn't tell them the real reason. That after last night's visitation from Selene, Usagi decided it was time to take the fight to Metalia. Tonight, it was all coming to an end. An end that she might not be able to walk away from. This was goodbye. All she wanted was one last memory of them all together before she went off to face pure evil. 

She spent the rest of the evening watching them laugh and talk, basking in the warmth of their love. It soothed her nerves and gave her a reminder of why she had to fight. She had to protect this no matter the cost.