Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was an autumn day far in the future from the present. On this day, Crystal Tokyo was about to reach a major historical milestone. A slightly chilly autumn breeze blew through the gardens of Crystal Palace. It shook the warm leaves of the trees and scattered the petals of the peach and white cosmos flowers in the flower beds. The twilight sky on this day was tinted with the same deep lavender gradation as the mantle of the king who rules this land. Many of the city's residents quietly gazed up at picture-perfect sky, as if it were a performance to bid farewell to those about to depart.

"We are sorry. There is nothing more we can do," said Crystal Palace physician Sailor Mercury.

 She bowed her head to Neo Queen Serenity. Mercury's face clouded over and her eyes welled up with tears that were about to overflow. Sailor Venus, standing beside Neo Queen Serenity, put her arm around Mercury's shoulders. Then Mercury spilled a tear.

"All right. Thanks for everything, Mercury. Venus, Jupiter, and Mars, thank you for everything you've done for us. You can leave this room now."

Neo Queen Serenity said as she dispelled her composure. Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Mercury bowed deeply and left King Endymion and Neo Queen Serenity's bedroom. Shortly thereafter, the four of them each let out a cry in the hallway. Normally, the palace was busy with a flurry of squires and full of activity, but on this occasion, the voices of those who were sobbing echoed in an unusual silence.

"Papa ......." A woman with pink chignon hair called for her father, looking forlorn.

She was on her knees on the floor beside a canopied bed placed in the center of the bedroom. His hand was firmly clasped in her hand, which was one size smaller than his. Her eyelashes were moist with tears and glistening in the orange sunlight.

"Lady, you can't cry forever. You are going to be the queen of the earth and the moon. Protect the earth and the moon with Sailor Quartet."

Neo Queen Serenity stands by the next queen, Usagi Lady Serenity, and gives her a pep talk. Neo Queen Serenity then touches the back of Lady Serenity's hand. Her daughter's hand is in hers and her husband's. Her daughter's hands are the warmest, while the hands of her parents above and below are gradually getting colder. Lady felt a chill run down her spine and a shiver run down her spine at the fact.

"Mom, oh, I'm ......!" Lady looked at Neo-Queen Serenity and tried to speak, but it didn't work. Her bright red eyes were blurred with tears and she could not hide her sadness. She wanted to say something witty and cool so that the two of them could leave for the other side in peace, but she couldn't say it because of the tears that kept flowing down her face.

"Lady, thank you ...... " her father King Endymion, lying in bed, smiled at her in a faint voice. The smile of her father, who had always been gentle and whom she had always loved and respected, disturbed the Lady greatly.

"I'm sorry, lady. And thank you for everything. I love you. Let me be alone with Endymion in my last moments," Neo-Queen Serenity told Lady.

The lady made eye contact with her parents and removed her hand from between theirs. She then proceeded to the bedroom door, where she held the hem of her dress in both hands and bowed her head lightly.

"Papa and mama, Thank you for everything. I love you. You can count on me to take care of the Earth and Moon in the future."

Lady said with a big smile on her face. It was her best intention as the next queen. Then she opened the bedroom door with a mighty bang and ran out of the bedroom.

"Thank you, our sweetheart," Neo Queen Serenity murmured.

She could hear the Lady's heels tapping on the hallway floor. Surely, the footsteps were headed for the Sailor Quartet, or the Guardian Priestess. Serenity smiles as she imagines this. Then, bending down by the bed, she took Endymion's hand.

"Endymion, we are alone at last."

"Yes. We have spent so much time together, Serenity."

Endymion squeezed Serenity's hand. His hand was always as warm as the sun, and even though it was about to lose its heat, it still warmed Serenity's heart.

Their large bed is in the center of this bedroom. It was part of their daily routine, where sometimes the three of them slept together, and sometimes they spent the whole night together. And now, this is the place where life is coming to an end.
Endymion and Serenity were about to put an end to their lives. Although the power of the silver moon crystal had made them eternal youth, they were not "immortal" and had a life span.
They have not aged since their accession to the throne as king and queen. Although they are about to die, their appearance is no different from when they ascended to the throne, and they retain their form as if time has stopped.

"I've had some tough times, but I'm happy with my life. Are you?" Serenity asked, smiling at Endymion.

"Me too. Thanks, Serenity. I love you ...... with all my heart."

"Endymion!"

His hand holding her hand did not twitch. With his stiffened hand, closed eyelids, and stopped breathing, She knew everything. He had breathed his last with a beautiful face, as if asleep, without suffering. And here, for the first time, she shed the tears she had been holding back unbeknownst to others and let them fall on the back of her husband's stiffened hand.

"Endymion...... has gone before me, hasn't he?"

This was not the first time she had seen him die. The moment had always been one of tragedy, and she had felt her heart break many times. But this time was different. Serenity's heart was filled with happiness as the days they had spent together ran through her mind in a world at peace.

Chapter Text

"I'm going too, Endymion."

Serenity puts her back to the mattress, snuggles up against Endymion, and closes her eyes. Her breathing becomes deeper and deeper, and she gradually loses all sensation in her body, becoming one with the air in the room. My existence as Serenity fades away here. And that meant she would have to take on a new destiny, she prepared herself.

"It's been a while, Neo Queen Serenity. It has been a long time since I met in the Galaxy Cauldron. I came to pick you up. " someone said to Serenity.

Serenity closed her eyes and saw a vision of a small Guardian wearing a veil of white light. She had a memory of seeing that Guardian long ago.

"You are the Guardian Cosmos, correct?"

"Exactly. You have completed your long life as Neo Queen Serenity."

The Guardian Cosmos smiles gently in honor of Serenity's achievements as Queen.

Serenity, through the power of the silver moon crystal, has extended the lifespan of earthlings tenfold or more, making them eternally young. However, no matter how much their lifespan is extended, they cannot escape the fate that will eventually destroy them. And nothing is eternal - except the fate of Serenity that awaits her.

"Yes," she replies. "but my life is a moment in this galaxy. And a long, long battle against Sailor Chaos awaits me ahead."

She came to the end of her life as Neo Queen Serenity. Then she stood at the door to become a new sailor guardian.

"Now, cast off your old body and be born anew. And transform your holy crystal into the Cosmos Crystal."

Taking the Guardian Cosmos's words as a cue, she opened a new door.

Then a sphere of white light appeared from the body of Neo Queen Serenity. The sphere then gradually formed a human shape and transformed into a white Sailor Guardian. Her long silver hair fluttered in the wind from her heart-shaped chignon. Dressed in a white sailor suit and holding a silver-white walking stick, she was nothing short of divine. At the sight of her, Guardian Cosmos quietly knelt down.

"I have been reborn as Sailor Cosmos," she murmured.

 She was no longer dressed in her queen's long white dress, but in the appearance of a Sailor Guardian ready to go into battle. Seeing her own reflection in the full-length mirror installed in the bedroom, she thinks that the day has finally come. She feels a strong power welling up from within her body one after another. And in exchange, she knew full well that she would lose the things she cherished.
　Sailor Cosmos looked at the remains of the king and queen cuddled up on the bed. She could see them happily sleeping, holding hands, in a shadowy place, yet it was so dazzling to Sailor Cosmos.

She looked at him and said, "Farewell, Endymion. I too 'loved' you."

 She kissed him on the forehead.

Chapter Text

More than 980 years before King Endymion and Neo-Queen Serenity met their end, a slightly chilly wind was blowing through the streets of Tokyo at night. The moon, the day after the Mid-Autumn Moon, floated shyly in the night sky.

Under such moonlight and orange streetlights, a man was walking home. He was wearing a gray long-sleeved shirt and black slacks. The sound of him walking on the tiled sidewalk echoed. Just as he was about to approach the crosswalk, an electronic “beep!” sounded from his left wrist. He pressed the switch on his wristwatch communicator.

"Hi! Mamo-chan!!"

A familiar, high-pitched voice came over the communicator. It soothed Mamoru's heart.

Mamoru once gave up his plans to study in the U.S. after a strong attack from Sailor Galaxia two years ago. However, he returned safely from the Galaxy Cauldron, and with the strong recommendation of his advisor, he studied abroad a few months later. And in April of this year, he completed his one-year study abroad program and is once again attending KO University School of Medicine. With high expectations from his advisor, Mamoru, a special student with study abroad experience, was the center of attention at the university and often felt tense and pressured. Coming from a progressive school, Mamoru was used to it, but sometimes he needed a break and wanted to be free from tension. At such times, Usagi always contacted him in good time.

"Hey, Usa. What's up, at this hour? How's your midterm studying going?”

"Uh, uh, ...... yeah.”

Mamoru sighed at her  evasive reply.

He said, “Next spring, you will graduate from high school, right?　If you get a failng grade and stay in school, I'll be in trouble.

After his statement, Usagi let out a giggle.

"You say that because you're going to marry me later!　I'm going to get married and move in with you right after I graduate from high school!”

She slumped on the bed in her room and smiled thinly. After he returned from the U.S., he asked her to marry him. It was something he had been thinking about before studying abroad. She accepted the engagement without hesitation. They stepped up from lovers to fiancées. Later, they went to greet her parents again and were allowed to marry on the condition that she finish high school.

"Oh, I can't believe that I've become your fiancée!”

Luna, who had been listening to her buoyant laughter on the bed, dropped her shoulders in disappointment. It was quite realistic that Usagi, who never seemed to study, would get a red mark and stay in school, and both Luna and Mamoru were worried about her.

"If you fail to graduate from high school, I will be forced to consider breaking off our engagement.”

The weight of the word “breaking off the engagement” caused Usagi to let out a bizarre cry of “yeow"!

"Oh no, no, no!　I'll do my best to make sure that doesn't happen. ......”

He said, “Oh, go for it. I'm rooting for you.”

By receiving encouragement from him in this way, she has been able to overcome anything. His words always give her strength, not only in her weakest studies, but also in her battles against strong opponents. She renewed her mind to study a little harder with his support.

"What are your plans for the weekend?　You said you've been busy lately.”

When she asked him, he thought, “This is no time to be talking about others. On weekdays, he often came home late at night due to training, research, and writing papers, and there were many days when he could not get in touch with Usagi. However, Mamoru worked hard to get a date with Usagi on the weekends.

"I had a lot of training and assignments this week, but I finished them all just now. I can take tomorrow and the day after,” he replied.

"That's great, Mamo-chan."

Her honest praise made Mamoru feel a little better. The two looked forward to their date tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.

"Eek! Help!!!!"

While they were talking, Mamoru suddenly heard a shout. He could not see a figure, but judging from the pitch of the voice, the owner of the voice appeared to be a woman or a child. The sound of clattering footsteps came from nearby.

"Sorry, Usa. I'm going to have to disconnect for a moment."

"What's wrong?"

"Earlier, I heard someone yelling and at the same time I felt a killing intent."

"What, you mean the enemy?"

"I don't know. I'm going to check on them. If anything happens, I'll call everyone right away."

"Okay, be careful."

　When Mamoru hung up the phone, he was nervous. The most important thing to keep in mind is that even though the powerful enemies have stopped appearing, the monster are still out there. Therefore, it was an everyday occurrence for them to deal with the monster when they appeared.

　It was from a park with few pedestrians that the cry was heard. Mamoru went to the park and hid in the plantings to see what was going on.

Chapter Text

“No! Don't come here!!”

The boy shouting was a boy with short black hair, about 6-8 years old. He was neatly dressed in a white shirt and blue plaid slacks.

"Fugyahhhh!”

It was a human-like blue shadow that was chasing the boy around. In the center of it's face was a large single eye moving and focusedon the fleeing boy. It punched at him, trying to corner him. He avoided it's attack and escaped a direct hit. However, the ground where it's fist hit was dented as if a soccer ball-sized steel ball had fallen.

"Somebody, help me!"

He stumbled, his foot caught on a pebble. The blue shadow was about to attack him.

"Tuxedo La Smoking Bomber!!"

Just then, Mamoru, transformed into a tuxedo mask, stood in front of the blue shadow and instantly held his right palm out toward the monster. A ray of light covered with white gunpowder shoots out from his right hand. It went straight ahead and pierced through the eye of the blue shadow.

"Ahhhh!!"

The blue shadow let out a cry as it held its eyes with both hands. Its body cracked, and in an instant it shattered and disappeared.

The boy was out of breath. Perhaps he was too afraid, but he sat up for a while and did not seem to get up.

“Are you okay?　Can you stand?”

Tuxedo Mask extended his hand to the boy. The boy took the offered hand and slowly stood up, supported. The boy's face, seen up close, was striking with deep blue eyes. For some reason, Tuxedo Mask felt a strong sense of déjà vu with the boy, even though they had never met before.

He said, “Yes. Thanks for your help, Tuxedo Mask. No, I should call you Mamoru Chiba."

Suddenly, the boy's innocent smile changed to a face that radiated a strange calmness. 

"What are you talking about?　Are you alone at this hour?　Where's your guardian?”

Thinking he must have heard wrong, Tuxedo Mask asked the boy.

"Hey, don't change the subject on your own. I know you're Mamoru Chiba,” the boy said, smiling.

"What?"

"It's good that you're wary of me.”

Tuxedo Mask felt as if the boy could see right through him. The tuxedo mask could no longer hide his agitation because of the unexpected things he was told in rapid succession by a boy who did not seem to have lived half his age.

"I'm here to see Mamoru,"  the boy said.

“Are you kidding me? I have nothing to do with Mamoru Chiba."

"You're lying. I can see your eyes are shifting even though you are hiding behind a mask. And what if I told you that I called the monster that you just saw?　I could call the monster again, cause a ruckus, and even reveal your true identity.”

To Tuxedo Mask, what the boy said did not seem like a lie or a joke. The boy must have been putting on a show to get in touch with Mamoru. Besides, when he was staring into those deep blue eyes, Tuxedo Mask realized that childish jokes and petty deceptions were not going to work.

"I don't think you're just a boy. I can't leave you out in the open,” said Tuxedo Mask.

"A wise decision."

The corners of the boy's mouth relax as he realizes he has the upper hand. There was no hint of hostility in his smile, but he was still shrewd type.

Tuxedo Mask clenched his fists, “What is your purpose?” he asked the boy, trying to find out his true intentions.

"Call your girlfriend, Usagi Tsukino and take me to your house. Then I will tell you and her the details."

The tuxedo mask tilted his head at the boy's unexpected request. If he were an enemy, it would be a cliché to say, “I will rule the earth,” or “Give me the silver moon crystal. On the other hand, the boy's purpose seems to be somewhere else entirely, and he does not intend to talk about it here. However, Tuxedo Mask thought that he should not follow the boy's lead and involve Usagi here.

"What would you do if I didn't call Usa?”

Perhaps caught off guard by Tuxedo Mask's question, the boy opened his eyes wide. Then he looked up at the slightly chipped moon in the sky.

He said, “I will bring out another monster and this time it will attack the people of this city. I swear by the moon that if you listen to me, I won't hurt you and your lover, not to mention the people of this city.”

Even though Tuxedo Mask talks back, he is talked down by the unidentified boy from beginning to end, and he is swallowed by the pace of the other party. He had to think that there was no use in resisting.

"Who the hell are you?"

The boy looked at the face of the tuxedo mask again. The blue pupils of his eyes were filled with the light of stars and street lamps, and the boy smiled. It was the look of an innocent angel.

"My name is Ao Chiba. I'm sort of a relative you don't know.”

“Ao ...... is a relative of mine?　I've never heard of you."

“Really?　You lost your memory and your parents in an accident when you were six years old, so it wouldn't be surprising if you had at least one relative you didn't know."

"I can't believe you know so much about me."

Tuxedo Mask is completely unreadable as to the true meaning of Ao, the self-proclaimed “relative of Mamoru”. It would make sense if Tuxedo Mask thought he had seen Ao before because he was a relative. Not only that, he knows the name of Mamoru's girlfriend, and he also knows that Mamoru lost his memory and relatives in an accident when he was a child. If Ao is the new enemy, nothing could be more frightening. Tuxedo Mask was strangely nervous in front of Ao.

Ao smiled and hurried the Tuxedo Mask, “Undo the transformation and contact Usagi as soon as possible.” Tuxedo Mask let out a big sigh, closed his eyes, and instantly released his transformation. He then did as Ao asked and pressed the call button on his communicator.

"Hi! Mamo-chan, are you all right?” As soon as the call connected, Usagi responded.

"Yeah, a monster showed up, but I took it down without incident. But there was a little trouble...”

"What's the trouble?”

Ao, who is beside Mamoru, giggled the moment he heard her voice. He didn't mind at all when Mamoru told her that he was the cause of the trouble.

"A boy who claimed to be a relative of mine showed up. He said the monster had been summoned by him. He also knew that I was the Tuxedo Mask and that I had an accident when I was six years old."

"What does that mean!?"

When Mamoru told Usagi what had happened, Usagi did not seem to understand the situation. In her confusion, she spilled her drink.

"I don't know what's going on either," Mamoru said, "I'm sorry to rush you, but could you come to my house now?　He wants to see you. He seems to have something on his mind, but he won't talk to me unless he's with you."

"Okay! I don't know what it is, but wait for me. I'll be there as soon as I can."

Yeah, I'll wait for you. Be careful, it's night time.

"See you later."

Mamoru was in a state of confusion, but hearing his girlfriend's voice calmed him down a little. With a little less tension than before the call, Mamoru pressed the button on the communicator again.

"Is this alright?"  Mamoru asked him.

"Yeah! I thank you, Mamoru", Ao nodded.

Ao smiled with satisfaction. His expression gave Mamoru a headache. It had been a long time since he had been pushed around by a small child like Ao. Mamoru had never even imagined that he would be talked down by a child other than his future daughter, Chibiusa.

"I've been wondering about you for a while now, you're just a kid, right? You look arrogant," Mamoru complained to Ao.

"I can be bossy with you, you know. Well, that's not important, let's go to your house now."

Ao put his hands in his slacks pockets and started walking towards the park exit.

He did not ask Mamoru for directions; he knew how to get to Mamoru's house. It was strange that Ao knew so much about Mamoru, no matter how much of a relative he was. But Mamoru did not know anything about Ao. Mamoru was suspicious of Ao, but walked silently behind Ao.

Chapter Text

"It's been a long time since I've been here."

 As soon as he entered the doorway of Mamoru's house, Ao seemed to be immersed in nostalgia. He quickly took off his black loafers and went inside Mamoru's house.

"Have you been here before?　You seem to know where my house is."

 Mamoru asked Ao as he took off his leather shoes. Ao turned on his heel halfway down the corridor to the living room and smiled.

"Hey, I don't care about that, I need a cup of coffee now," Ao demands of Mamoru.

"You're so bossy," Mamoru complains to Ao.

"I'm your valued guest. Treat me with respect."

"You're an uninvited guest!!"

Mamoru was annoyed with his little guest. It was unusual for the usually calm man to show so much emotion. He would have handled the situation rather more maturely when he was dealing with Chibiusa.

Trying to regain his composure, Mamoru immediately fired up the kettle and filled two mugs with instant coffee as soon as he entered the kitchen.

When Mamoru walked into the living room with a mug of coffee in each hand, Ao was sitting deep on the sofa. Ao picked up a newspaper from the side table and read it seriously.

"Here you are," Mamoru said to Ao.

"Oh, thanks. Leave it there," Ao said, turning his gaze from the newspaper to the side table. Mamoru frowned and placed the blue mug on the side table.

Mamoru sat down on the sofa a little further away from Ao and put his mouth on the black mug. Looking intently at Ao, who was reading the newspaper with a straight face, his small arms outstretched wide, Mamoru thought again that he was still ‘not a normal child’. Ao, without paying any attention to Mamoru's condition, turned a page of the newspaper, reached for the mug on the side table and dexterously took a sip of coffee.

"This newspaper uses a lot of Kanji, can you read it?" Mamoru asked, right after Ao had taken a sip of coffee.

"Yes. I like reading. When I see something in print, I want to read it."

"Oh, I see."

Mamoru empathised with Ao's words. Mamoru himself has been an unparalleled book lover since he was a child and finds it blissful to read the printed word.

Every time Mamoru sees Ao in this way, he feels more and more that he remembers seeing Ao somewhere. But he doesn't know where Ao saw it. Since he lost his memory after his parents died, he was not involved in any ‘relatives’ gatherings, and it is also hard to imagine that he saw Ao in the city.

Even on the way back home, Mamoru asked Ao, "Where did you come from?　What happened to your parents?" but he could not get any clear information, only ‘I can't answer that right now’.

After a while, Ao folded up the newspaper and put it on the side table. He then drank his coffee in one gulp and leaned back against the backrest.

"Oh, Usa-chan, I can't wait for her to come."

"Usa-chan?"

Mamoru's eyebrows twitched, not liking Ao's sudden nickname for Usagi, whom he had probably never met before.

"Usa and Usako are special nicknames you call her, so I'm careful to avoid them. That's why I call her ‘Usa-chan."

"You even know that, you?"

Mamoru could not hide his surprise, as Ao knew that he used to call Usagi ‘Usako’. To begin with, the nickname ‘Usako’ had been used by Mamoru for a short period of about a year four years ago. Judging from his estimated age by his appearance, Ao probably hadn't even been able to remember anything about him four years ago. Ao's many words and deeds, which did not resemble his small appearance, made Mamoru's sense of discomfort even stronger.

"Ah, Usa-chan is here."

After the doorbell rings, Ao signals to Mamoru with her eyes. Mamoru let out a sigh, sat up from the sofa and went to the door to meet Usagi.

As Mamoru opened the front door, "Mamo-chan, are you okay!?" Usagi asked, out of breath. When she heard that Mamoru was in trouble, she rushed over.

"Thanks for coming. He's in the living room. Stay on your guard."

"Yes, I'll be careful."

Mamoru pushed Usagi back and invited her into the room. Having heeded his advice, she proceeded down the corridor with a strong sense of caution towards the boy, a self-proclaimed ‘relative of Mamoru's’. And when Usagi entered the living room, Ao stood up in front of the sofa and greeted her with a full-blown smile.

"Ah! Is this the boy you were talking about earlier? So cute!"

The moment she saw Ao's smile, all of Usagi's nervousness had blown away somewhere. Because he had beautiful blue eyes and a well-defined face with clean, short black hair, and he was just the type of guy that Usagi liked!

"Nice to meet you, Usa-chan. I'm Ao Chiba."Ao held out her right hand to Usagi to shake her hand. She shook his right hand with both of hers.

"Nice to meet you too. I am Usagi Tsukino!　You're a relative of Mamo-chan, you're kind of cute like him!"

Usagi's heart was won over at once by Ao. This was because the little Mamoru she had seen in a vision by Zirconia a few years ago bore a considerable resemblance to Ao.

"I think you are the cutest. No flower, no matter how pretty, can match your cuteness."

Ao's romantic words caught Usagi completely off guard.  

"Ao, you really do sound like Mamochan."

Her face turned red at his words. Mamoru, who was watching the scene beside her, frowned and was quite annoyed.

"Hey, Mamoru. Don't just stand there, bring Usa-chan some cocoa. And while you're at it, get me another cup of coffee."

Ao crossed his arms and ordered Mamoru to do it. The wrinkles between Mamoru's eyebrows were furrowed at him.

'Why are you giving me such orders!?" Mamoru asked Ao.

"Because Usa-chan ran all the way here. You want to warm up with some cocoa, don't you, Usa-chan?"

Ao winked at Usagi. His kindness and concern for her made her open up to him.

"Yes, I'd be happy to get some cocoa from you, Mamo-chan," Usagi said to Mamoru.

"All right, Usa. I'll get ready now."

Mamoru decided to turn a blind eye to Ao's many rudenesses, spared by her cute smile. Mamoru reluctantly took the mug from Ao and went to the kitchen to heat the kettle again.

Chapter Text

While Mamoru prepared drinks for the two of them, he could hear Usagi and Ao talking as they sat on the sofa in the living room.

"Usa-chan, your hands have long fingers and your nails are shiny and beautiful. Let me touch them."

(What is that guy doing?)

Even though Ao is a small child, Mamoru would not be happy if he were to imitate touching his fiancée.

"But, Mamo-chan will get angry with you."

Usagi, as expected, was aware of her position as a "fiancée" and replied to Ao. Mamoru was relieved here, but listened carefully to what more Ao had to say.

"Usa-chan, let me touch your hand just a little!"

"Okay, just a little bit then."

'Wow, your hands are so warm, Usa-chan!"

"Ao's hands are small and so cute!"

"But even if I touch Usa-chan directly, I can't see her", Ao murmured.

"Ao, what's wrong?　What can't you see?"

"No, it's nothing."

Usagi tilted her head at Ao's words and actions, but seeing his innocent smile made her forget such questions. After she giggled at Ao, an irritated Mamoru burst out of the kitchen into the living room.

"Ao, how long are you going to keep touching Usa's hand!?"

"Don't be boring, Mamoru."

Ao took his hands off her and folded them behind his head.

"Usa, I told you to be on your guard!"

"Oh, sorry. Mamo-chan."

She put her hands together and apologized, but she lacked any tension. Mamoru involuntarily pressed his brows.

"Hey, did you make Usa-chan's cocoa and my coffee properly?　You're late!"

Ao complained to Mamoru, not caring about his feelings.

"Yes, yes, I'll bring them soon!　You wait at the table."

Immediately after Mamoru said this, a sizzling sound of steam being released from the kettle's mouth could be heard from the kitchen. Rushed by Ao, Mamoru returned to the kitchen and immediately poured hot water into their mugs.

Since meeting Ao, it has been a series of uninteresting things for Mamoru. It was as if he had no idea what Ao was thinking, but he seemed to see through everything about himself. Moreover, Usagi was kind to Ao. His many such behaviors bothered Mamoru.

***

"Ao, please, tell us your request in detail. Besides, you've been too goofy with Usa earlier!"

Mamoru was finally numb to Ao sitting across the table from him.

He was irritated by Ao's refusal to talk about himself at all. Mamoru was more concerned about Usagi next to Ao, who was talking to Ao and smiling.

"Mamoru, are you jealous of a kid like me?'"

Mamoru sighed loudly at Ao's use of "child status".

"Usa is my fiancée.  I'm jealous even if the other is a child."

Mamoru crossed his arms and furrowed his brow. Ao smiled and drank his coffee, then slowly placed his mug on the table and exhaled.

"Sorry, I teased you too much. Let's get to the point of the story. I'm looking for someone."

"What kind of person are you looking for, Ao?" Usagi asked Ao.

"I don't know her name, what she looks like. All I know is that she is a woman."

"It's absurd to try to find someone like that. What is the purpose of looking for her?"

Mamoru had to say this because the idea of looking for someone whose name and appearance he did not know was so inexplicable.

"I made a promise to her. But I don't even remember that promise. I only remember clearly what I promised."

Ao had a calm and gentle face at this time. It was different from his cunning face, which took advantage of his position as a child, and from his mature face. For Mamoru, this was the first moment he could see Ao's true feelings.

"Do you know where she is?" When Mamoru asked this, Ao nodded.

"Probably somewhere near here."

"How do you know if you don't know her name and what she looks like?"

"I've been following the light from a long, long way. And it led me here. If I look for it in this city, I'll find clues."

"The light?"

Ao's story became vague again. Mamoru thought that Ao deliberately did not want to say anything important.

(Don't trust this boy so easily.)

It was the moment when Mamoru thought so again.

"Hey, Ao, let's go look for her together tomorrow!"

Despite Mamoru's concern, Usagi suddenly asked Ao to do so.

"What, is that okay?"

Ao's eyes lit up and he took her hand. She looked at his face and had a big smile on her face.

"Hey, Usa, are you going to help him find people with such vague information?" Mamoru asked her.

"Yeah! I'm glad Ao is relying on me. Besides, he's not a bad guy," she replied confidently.

Mamoru was suspicious of Ao. Usagi, on the other hand, said that Ao was not a bad person. Opinions were split down the middle.

Mamoru pondered what he should do, based on his experience with her. Never before had someone she said was 'not a bad person' really been a bad person. Mamoru was uncomfortable with Ao but had to accept Usagi's opinion.

"If Usa says so, then ....... Okay!"

"Thank you, Usa-chan and Mamoru."

Ao gave Mamoru and Usagi a carefree smile. That face was somewhat comforting to Mamoru.

When Ao finished telling them what had happened, the clock was ticking eight o'clock and it was long past the time for the child to go home. Mamoru was thinking over his leftover coffee about what to do next, as he repeatedly asked Ao where his guardians and home were, but Ao refused to tell him anything.

"Is Ao going home now?"

Mamoru asked, and Ao immediately shook his head.

"I'm not going home. I want to look for people early tomorrow and I'm staying at your home."

"Ehh, well, I want to stay at your place too." Usagi said to Mamoru in a sweet voice.

"Then I want to sleep with Usa-chan."

After Ao said this, Mamoru slammed the table.

"No," said Mamoru, "you can't!　Usa is my fiancée!　I'll get you a blanket, Ao, sleep on the sofa!"

Ao chuckled at Mamoru, who was angry and emotional. Usagi looked at them and tilted her head slightly.

"Just kidding! Haha! You're seriously jealous again, Mamoru. I get it."

Ao held the mug with both hands and drank the coffee.

Chapter Text

Someone was standing in the direction of Ao's head, who was lying on the sofa. The white haze was so thick that Mamoru could not catch a clear image of the figure. However, he could make out a long, shiny rod in the person's hand. After that someone kneeled down on the floor, a shadow fell on Ao's forehead.

(Perhaps someone is kissing Ao's forehead.)

Mamoru thought it must be so. Then, as the shadow was lost from Ao's forehead, the white haze gradually disappeared.

"What the hell was that?"

Mamoru opened his eyes just as he muttered this.

The scene he had just seen was a dream. Perhaps it had to do with the person Ao was looking for. But Mamoru had no idea who it was in the white haze.
He was having a hard time coming out of the aftermath of a dream that implied something that he hadn't seen for a long time. Meanwhile, beside him, Usagi was sleeping in the dim light. Mamoru was calmed by her usual sleeping face, and then he woke up his body and put his feet down from the bed.
As soon as he did, Ao and Mamoru's eyes met. Ao had already finished getting ready and was looking towards the bed, crossing his legs on the sofa. Ao was already in his shirt and slacks. The blanket he used was neatly folded and placed on the couch.

"Good morning, Mamoru. I'm hungry. Come on, let's wake up Usa-chan and go find someone."

"Where are we going?"

"We're going to the library to gather some information."

As if it was perfectly natural, Ao answered that to Mamoru. Certainly, Mamoru thought, considering Ao's words and actions up to then, this was the first sane idea. He could easily accept it.

A few dozen minutes later, Usagi finally awoke to the smell of tasty toast that Mamoru had prepared in the kitchen.

"Good morning, Mamo-chan,......, is Mamo-chan getting smaller!?　How cute!"

After waking up, Usagi tried to jump on Ao as soon as she woke up.

"Wait, Usa!"

Mamoru stopped her.

"Good morning, Usa-chan!"

Ao smiled at her.

At that moment, the morning became unpleasant for Mamoru. It seemed, Mamoru thought, that he would be caught up in Ao's pace again today, just like last night.

After a somewhat late breakfast,  they went to the library near Mamoru's house. The area around the library was a former estate of an old family and there was a Japanese garden on the grounds. Yellow and red leaves fluttered from the trees and gently rippled the surface of the pond in the garden. Among the autumn-colored trees were pink, red, and white cosmos swaying in the autumn breeze. They walked through the fall scenery to our destination.

"Ah, this place brings back memories."

Ao mumbled a few words as he entered the library entrance. Mamoru was curious about Ao's words again.

"Have you ever been here before?"

Ao said, "Sort of. Come on, let's look for clues about her."

After brushing off Mamoru's question, Ao went to the reading room on the first floor with great enthusiasm.

Mamoru and Usagi watched behind Ao to see what means Ao was going to use to get clues. If he wanted to split up and search for books and newspapers, Mamoru and Usagi were willing to help. However, Ao did not seem to pick up any books or newspapers. He would touch the bookshelf in the reading room, but he would always let out a sigh and move on to the next place. Finally, he walked from the first floor to the third floor, without opening any books or newspapers.

"Hmm, I think I'm done."

Ao said and headed toward the elevator.

"What, are you finished already?"

Despite being in the library, Usagi shouted loudly in response to what Ao said. Mamoru and Ao frowned at her, and she hurriedly covered her own mouth when she realized, "Oh." Mamoru coughed lightly and asked Ao what was going on instead of her.

"You just walked around the library and never picked up a book or newspaper. You said you liked to read, so how could you not read books and newspapers?"

"I didn't come here to read books and newspapers. Besides, I found out that there are no clues about her here."

"Why?"

"Why do I have to answer that? Let's get out of here and go look for clues in a nearby park."

Ao did not answer Mamoru and Usagi's questions, but got into the elevator as it arrived.

***

"Hey! Over here, Usa-chan!"

"Wait, Ao!"

As soon as they left the library, Ao ran with Usagi by the hand to the open space where there was a children's playground. Mamoru was momentarily startled by Ao's sudden action and hurried after them.

"Wow, a slide and a swing! I miss these!"

Ao ran alone to the slide. And when he reached the top with his hand on the railing of the slide's stairs, he took a nice deep breath and slid down in one go. Then he lost his balance and stood up, putting his hands on the ground when he landed.

(Is it my imagination?　Did the ground just move?)

Mamoru looked around involuntarily. It was no earthquake. But Mamoru felt something pulsating from the earth. But he could not figure out what it was.

"What's wrong, Mamo-chan?　You look a little pale."

Usagi asked, noticing Mamoru's confusion.

"...... No, it's nothing."

Mamoru shook his head. He may be mistaken. He was tired, he thought, from the hectic days at college and being pushed around by Ao.

"Hey, Usa-chan, let's go to the fountain plaza next!"

While Mamoru was upset, Ao pulled Usagi's hand again and started to run.

"Wait, Ao!" 

Mamoru had no time to think after witnessing the inexplicable phenomenon and once again followed their backs.

A few minutes after running, Ao arrived at the fountain plaza with a satisfied look on his face, as if he were cutting the finish-line tape. As soon as they arrived at the plaza, Usagi put her hands on her knees and tried to catch her breath. Ao looked around the plaza and became interested in the plantings around the fountain.

"Oh, Usa-chan, there's a golden osmanthus in bloom," he said.

"Oh, it's true."

Usagi managed to get her breathing back to normal. He reached for a branch of a golden osmanthus planted in the garden, closed his eyes, and smelled its fragrance.

At that moment, Mamoru felt the ground move with a "thud". He hurriedly looked at Usagi and the people around him, but there was no commotion. Apparently, it was not caused by an earthquake. He grew alarmed at the inexplicable phenomenon that had occurred again.

(Again. No way, did Ao do something?)

Mamoru was sure that Ao had something to do with this strange phenomenon, but he did not know why.

"Yeah, no clue here either. For a moment, I thought I saw a clue about her."

Ao looked disappointed.  He said he was looking for someone, but to Mamoru it looked like he was just playing around.

"Usa-chan, let's go to the arcade next."

Ao took Usagi's hand again. Mamoru and Usagi followed him to the Azabu Juban shopping street.

Chapter Text

"Wow, a crane game!　And there's the Sailor V game!　I miss it!"

Ao's eyes sparkled as he looked at the game machines set up at the Game Center Crown. Ao kept saying "I miss it" everywhere he went. Mamoru wondered why Ao would say such a thing and repeatedly asked him why. But every time he got no real answer, Ao either ran away from Mamoru or changed the subject.

Ao said, "Hey, Mamoru, I want to play the Sailor V game!"

Ao tugged at the hem of Mamoru's chinos and looked up at him. Ao must have guessed that Usagi had very little money.

Mamoru frowned at Ao's reliance on him at a time like this.

"Don't you have any money?"

"I don't have any money. Hey, give me a 100 yen!"

When Mamoru made eye contact with Usagi, she asked Mamoru to let Ao play the game.

"Just one play!"

"Thank you, Mamoru."

Mamoru took a 100 yen coin from his wallet and placed it in Ao's palm. Ao happily sat down in front of the Sailor V game cabinet and started the game. He moved the joystick at a phenomenal speed and began to hit the buttons in rapid succession. Mamoru and Usagi were astonished to see Ao's play screen. It was no wonder; Sailor V in the game was defeating her enemies with the most agile movements they had ever seen.

"Hey there, Usagi and Mamoru."

While watching Ao play, they were approached by someone.

Usagi said, "Hello, Motoki!"

It was Motoki who called out to them. He had graduated from college a year and a half ago and had been working at the arcade as a full-time employee. Even now, when Usagi comes to the arcade, it is commonplace for him to call out to us like this.

"Who is this boy?"

Motoki asked because Usagi was with an unfamiliar boy.

"This is Ao Chiba. He is a relative of Mamo-chan," Usagi answered Motoki.

Motoki laughed and said, "Wow, Ao, you are really good at games. I think you might beat the highest score in this game."

Ao said, "Yes, this game is very interesting!"

Ao glanced at Motoki behind him and responded. Motoki squatted down beside him to meet Ao's eyes.

"Ao, next is the last boss, can you beat him?

Ao looked at Motoki and said, "Really!　Alright, I'm going to win!"

Ao, cheered on by Motoki, was in a good mood as he took on the last boss battle. From the side, it was a smiling scene, as if two brothers, far apart in age, had come to play in a game arcade.

Usagi and Mamoru were sitting on a bench by the wall, a short distance away from Ao, watching Ao and Motoki.

Usagi said as she looked at Ao, "This is so nostalgic."

"Why?"

Mamoru asked why, and Usagi closed her eyes and smiled.

"Because I remember when Chibiusa was here."

Several years ago, Usagi was living with her future daughter, Chibiusa, in Azabu Juban. Chibiusa, who had just arrived from the future, did not reveal her true identity, which worried them. Later, Chibiusa grew up through training as a Sailor Guardian and became an important member of the family for Mamoru and Usagi, who came to consider her their "proud daughter".

Mamoru said, "It's been two years since she returned to the 30th century. I didn't get to say goodbye properly".

After hearing about Chibiusa, Mamoru was overcome with a sense of nostalgia.

"Chibiusa left right after you were attacked by Galaxia, and even though we met again in the Galaxy Cauldron, she disappeared from us. That's why I missed her."

Usagi and Mamoru had never seen Chibiusa since their meeting at that place. They smiled to themselves, imagining that she must be busy in the 30th century as the successor to Neo-Queen Serenity.

"If we had a son, would we go out to play like today?" Usagi asked Mamoru.

He thought about it. This situation was so similar to when they met Chibiusa. If Ao was their son from the future, it would not be surprising if Ao knew Mamoru.

"I guess you're right. Though he's even more of a troublemaker than Chibiusa."

Mamoru crossed his own arms and dropped his gaze.He felt that Ao was not his son, but something much closer to him. Mamoru felt this strongly, although he had absolutely no evidence to support it.

"Mamoru, you called me a troublemaker, didn't you?"

When Mamoru looked up, Ao had his hands on his hips and was giving Mamoru a sullen look.

Mamoru said, "That's what I said! By the way, did you clear the game?"

"Yes! Come to think of it, you are an adult, but you do show emotion towards me." Ao said.

Mamoru was showing so much emotion that it was hard to believe that Ao was a "stranger" to him.

"Oh, yes, I do!　Because I don't know what you are!"

Mamoru complained to Ao and let out a big sigh.

"Well, that's not important, are you hungry?　Let's have lunch."

Ao smiled and pointed to the floor above where the Fruit Parlor Crown was located. Mamoru picked up his pocket watch from his jacket pocket and saw that it was half past eleven o'clock.

"That sounds great!"

Usagi raised her hands and immediately agreed to Ao's suggestion. Seeing Usagi like that, Mamoru thought she was more childish than Ao. Mamoru was just starting to get hungry, so he decided to head to Fruit Parlor Crown with them.

Entering Fruit Parlor Crown, they were seated in a four-seat box by the window. Ao and Usagi were sitting side by side in front of Mamoru, happily looking at the menu. After ordering and waiting for their food, Ao, sitting by the window, glanced out and let out a small sigh.

Then, the food ordered by everyone was delivered. Ao deftly wrapped the Bolognese spaghetti around a fork and popped it into his mouth. She was eating her omelette with grains of rice around her mouth, perhaps because she was so hungry. Mamoru leaned on one elbow and stared at the two opposites, thinking that appearance of age is never proportional to behavior.

"Usa-chan, it's delicious!"

Ao finished his spaghetti and then ate his chocolate sundae.

"Mamochan likes it too. He doesn't really like sweets, but he likes chocolate." Usagi also took a bite of her strawberry sundae.

After talking to Usagi, Ao looked at Mamoru and smiled. Ao was so carefree that Mamoru hung his head in disappointment.

Since entering this restaurant, Mamoru had not talked much with Ao. Ao's childish expression changed to a serious one at Mamoru's obvious dissatisfaction.

"I'm sorry. You may not understand, but I've been looking for her. There is one last place I want to go. When I get there, you can leave me."

Ao's face was somewhat sad as he looked at Mamoru. It was as if he had been searching alone for years, or even decades or centuries, for someone whose name and appearance he did not even know.

Mamoru did not want to criticize Ao's search in the first place. Mamoru just did not like the fact that Ao did not know who he was looking for until he threatened Mamoru. Ao's serious expression changed from before, and Mamoru changed his mind.

"Where are we going?"

Mamoru asked, and Ao closed his eyes and opened them slowly. Then, taking a deep breath, Ao told him where to go next.

"It's Ichinohashi Park."

Chapter Text

A gentle breeze was blowing in Azabu Juban in the late afternoon of the day, carrying the warmth of the sun. Although autumn had arrived, the street trees within the shopping district were for the most part green, with the tips of their leaves just beginning to turn red and yellow. A white airplane crossed the clear blue sky, gaining altitude without being blocked by clouds.

After leaving Fruit Parlor Crown, Mamoru, Usagi, and Ao crossed the pedestrian crossing over the street in front of the station and headed for Ichinohashi Park under the highway. Until they reached their destination, Ao silently held hands with Usagi.

Just before leaving the restaurant, Ao's attitude clearly changed. Perhaps it was because he had said, "I have one last place I want to go," but he looked nervous. Mamoru put one hand in the pocket of his chinos and quietly watched Ao's steps.

"Ao, is there anything you're interested in?"

As soon as they entered the entrance to Ichinohashi Park, Usagi bent down and looked Ao in the eye. Ao looked around and stopped in one direction.

"There!　I'm curious about that place. Mamoru, follow me for a minute."

"Ah, yes."

Ao pulled Mamoru's hand. At that moment, Mamoru saw tiny stars shining in the galaxy, a black hole that sucked everything in, and a big white light.

(What was that vision?　A cosmic vortex or ......?)

Through Ao's hands, Mamoru saw a mysterious vision. He was not using psychometry. If so, was Ao trying to tell him something?　And for what?

With a great sense of discomfort, Mamoru went deeper into the park with Ao. And there they stood in front of a wooden boat object in the park. The ship object was a slide, and it was a famous spot in this city as a playground for children.

"I can slightly feel her energy from here."

Ao touched the side of the ship and closed his eyes. Then, as in the morning, the ground trembled slightly.

(Again, the earth was reacting to him).

Mamoru thought that. Ao may not be an enemy, but he is an unusual boy. Ao knew that Mamoru had noticed something unusual, and he chuckled and let go of Mamoru's hand.

"I'm going up on this ship."

Ao climbed up a ladder made of tires that led to the deck of the ship. Then he squatted down and touched the floor of the ship.

"I can see ...... and hear something ....... Cos……mo?"

Ao muttered and looked up at the sky. Then he stood up quickly, went down the slide to the ground at once, and ran to Mamoru and Usagi, who were waiting by the ship.

"Mamoru, Usa-chan, listen to me!　I could see her, just a little bit!　And then I remembered her  a little!"

Ao looked up at Mamoru and the others and shouted excitedly.

"What do you remember about her, Ao?"

Usagi asked, bending her knees to be at eye level with Ao.

"I just remembered the name of someone I'm looking for."

"Wow, tell me who that person is! "

"Her name is Cosmos."

Usagi blinked after Ao's answer.

"Cosmos?"

Mamoru tilted his head. Except for one person, he had no idea of the name of such a person. But it couldn't be the person Ao was looking for, he thought. When Mamoru looked at Usagi, she had noticed something.

"Are you looking for Sailor Cosmos?" Usagi asked Ao.

"Do you know Cosmos?"

Her question made him sound even more excited. After making eye contact with Mamoru, she answered Ao's question, "Yes".

"I met her two years ago. She called herself 'Chibi Chibi' and appeared to me. Chibi Chibi was close to me as my sister, protecting me and guiding me."

Chibi Chibi, Sailor Cosmos, is Usagi's far future form. She was the one who stood by Usagi when she lost Mamoru and her friends.

She came to Usagi to ask Sailor Moon to end everything in this universe in order to end her endless battle with Sailor Chaos. But as it turned out, Sailor Moon chose neither to end the universe nor to start a new one. Sailor Cosmos then gained the courage to fight again from Sailor Moon and went back to fighting Sailor Chaos.

Whatever Sailor Cosmos' purpose for coming to see Usagi, Usagi was truly grateful to Sailor Cosmos. Because there is no doubt that it was thanks to Sailor Cosmos that Usagi was able to become Mamoru's fiancée.

"I finally have a lead on her."

Ao let out a big breath. He really didn't know anything about her until this moment. In the short time he had been in the park, he had not only gotten the name of the person he was looking for, but also the information that Usagi had met her before. For him, that was quite an accomplishment. But soon Ao slumped and sighed deeply.

"But I still don't know what Cosmos looks like and what promise I made to her."

Ao shivered, unable to control the rush of emotions. Usagi put her hand on his shoulder and looked into his eyes.

"Ao, you're lying about being related to Mamochan, aren't you?　A boy looking for Sailor Cosmos is very unusual. I have exactly the same impression of you as I do of Mamochan.

Ao's eyes widened. Usagi knew that Ao was "the same person" as Mamoru. Ao smiled gently at her.

"You always see through my lies, Serenity."

"Eh, what did you just say?"

Suddenly, he called her "Serenity," which upset her. Shortly thereafter, she had a strong sense of déjà vu with his smile. The gentle, dignified, powerful, and receptive face of "a certain man" overlapped perfectly with Ao's face.

"Serenity, I am the reincarnation of King Endymion." Ao said.

The moment Ao told her who he was, Usagi looked strangely convinced. Mamoru, on the other hand, could not hide his surprise. He had never imagined that Ao was his distant future self, given his small appearance.

'If you know who I am, is it any wonder I knew all about Mamoru?'

When Ao said this to Mamoru, Mamoru reflected on Ao's past words and actions. He knew everything about Mamoru, he was arrogant to Mamoru, and he was calm. It made sense, because Ao was Mamoru in the distant future.

"Oh ......, but I don't understand your purpose. Why are you looking for Sailor Cosmos?"

When Mamoru asked him that, Ao walked to a nearby bench and sat down. As Mamoru and Usagi stood in front of Ao, Ao held out her small hands in front of them.

"Mamoru, Usagi, take my hands. Let me show you why I'm here. Seeing is believing, right?"

Ao was trying to show Mamoru and Usagi something through his hands.

"What do you think, Mamo-chan?"

Usagi was watching Mamoru's reaction, wondering if she should reach out to Ao.

"If Ao says so, let's see."

Mamoru and Usagi made eye contact and signaled to each other, simultaneously holding hands with Ao.

Chapter Text

At the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, the Zero Star of Sagittarius, is the birthplace of all stars. Not only fixed stars like the sun and planets like the earth, but also small celestial bodies such as comets are born from this place as "seeds," which flow to where they belong, sprout, and grow into "stars. These star seeds are called "Starseeds," and selected star seeds among them become "crystals" and possess strong power.

The place where the stars were born was called the Cauldron. In the primordial sea of the Cauldron, a formless source of stars was dissolved, from which, like a fountain, the seeds of stars were constantly being born and gushing out of the Cauldron.

One day, a star was about to take shape in the cauldron. The light of a small blue star convected around and around in the primordial sea, gradually increasing in size. Eventually, it took the form of a transparent rose with a bluish tinge and was enveloped in golden light.

It was not often that such a strong light appears from the Cauldron. The guardian of the cauldron sensed the strange light and swam through the primordial sea to confirm its true nature. Soon after, she arrived at the source of the light.

A blue rose-shaped crystal floated in the golden light. Beneath it was a man lying on his back with his eyes closed. The Guardian drifted directly above the man and looked at him. He had short black hair mixed with blue, a white mask, white gloves, and a dark blue tuxedo and cape with a white tie. Although different in color, the man had the same appearance as the king who once ruled Crystal Tokyo.

(This man has a special Starseed.)

The Guardian sensed the name and identity of the mighty star that had just been born from the golden light.

As the blue rose-shaped crystal was taken into the man's body, he slowly opened his eyelids.

"Have you awakened? It's amazing to be born in human form in the Cauldron. You must have a very strong will and power."

The Guardian spoke softly to the newly awakened man.

It was unusual for a newly born Starseed in the Cauldron to immediately take on human form. Furthermore, the man was born with a strong will and power. For Guardian, this could only be described as a "miracle".

The man sat up and looked around. He knew he was in white sea, but strangely enough, he did not feel wet. Besides, this sea was filled with pure energy. For some reason, the man felt nostalgia for such a scene, which he must have seen for the first time in his life.

"Where are we?"

The man asks the white veiled Guardian.

"This is the Cauldron, where all the stars are born. I am the Guardian of the Cauldron."

The Guardian bowed deeply to the man. The man was intelligent, so when he heard the Guardian's answer, he immediately understood his situation. He had visited this place once before. Once he had melted himself into the Cauldron, but his lover had restored him to his form. But not this time. Like that time, "he" has not been resurrected; "the man" has been reborn and become a different being.

The man wondered who he had become.

"Who am I?"

The man asked the Guardian about his own existence.

"Your name is Aeon. In honor of your past life, you have become a divine being who governs time, space, and eternity."

Aeon was born aware that he was the reincarnation of King Endymion. King Endymion, along with Neo-Queen Serenity, has been instrumental in maintaining peace on the planets of the solar system. According to the Guardian, the Cauldron allowed Aeon to be reborn as a "god" in recognition of his achievements in his previous life.

"I see. So that means I have become a 'god'."

Aeon chuckled. Because Prince Endymion did not like gods.

Long ago, the god who had brought peace to the earth had laid down certain rules. Earthlings and moonlings must not mingle. Prince Endymion, who fell in love with a moon princess, broke this rule and met with her repeatedly. When he asked everyone why he was not allowed to fall in love with her, they invariably replied, "Because God decided so." Therefore, he recognized that the existence of God was unreasonable and only a harmful force that interfered with their love.

And now he became the "god" he once did not like. Aeon's face clouded at the ironic awakening.

"Is there any problem?　The awakened star must leave the Cauldron immediately."

The Guardian tilted his head at Aeon, who stood silent.

For some reason, soon after his reincarnation, Aeon felt strongly that he had to fulfill a promise he had made when he was born again.

(But to whom did I promise?　What did I promise anyone in the first place?)

He did not know anything vital about the important promise. Aeon hesitated to get out of the cauldron because he had so many thoughts about where to go and who to look for.

"Yes, I intend to leave here at once. But before I leave, I have a question for the Guardian."

"What is it?"

The Guardian looked up at Aeon with a smile.

"To fulfill my promise, I must find a certain woman. But I have forgotten her name, her appearance, and even her promise. If the Guardian knows my name, does he not also know the name of the one I must seek?"

"I cannot tell you who it is you are looking for," the Guardian replied

"Why can't you?"

"Because it is forbidden."

"Who is it forbidden by?"

"I cannot tell you that either. Sorry, Aeon."

Aeon rubbed the back of his neck and looked bitter as the Guardian did not answer any of his questions.

"If you go in the direction of the brightest light, you will surely find her one day."

The Guardian quickly raised her right hand and pointed out of the cauldron. Aeon saw the light of a white star shining brightly in the direction she pointed.

"Should I follow that light and look for her?" Aeon asked Guardian.

"Yes, you should. Then I wish you good luck on your journey."

"Thank you for all you have done for me."

Aeon bent down a little on the spot. Then, like a bird, it spread its great white wings from its back. Then he looked up at the white light and flapped out of the Cauldron.

The Guardian Cosmos watched the blue starlight emit from the Cauldron with a languid smile.

Once outside the Cauldron, Aeon saw his birthplace.

Around it, countless newborn stars formed a vortex. The stars that had emerged from the vortex scattered throughout the galaxy, accelerating as if guided by something and forming straight orbits.

Aeon, however, was not one of those stars. He can decide for himself where he wants to go and go on his own wings. He is a special star. Therefore, no one provides him with a specific destination.

The great white light seen from the Cauldron was the only guide for Aeon.

"'Go to the brightest light.' ...... Guardian is too abstract in her explanation."

Aeon rubbed the back of his neck and looked again for his destination.

The destination given by the Guardian was vague, "in the direction of the brightest light." He had no idea how far he would have to fly to reach his destination. Immediately after entering the vastness of space, he was at a loss. But he had to go on anyway, or he would get nothing. He looked around for a light to guide him. Then he saw a large white light shining above him.

"I think I saw a big light over there. If there is a planet with people on the way to that light, let's gather information."

Aeon spread his wings and went straight toward the white light.

Gradually the luminosity of the light increased and Aeon realized that he was getting closer to her. As he was going toward the light, he replayed in his mind the memory of his time with Neo Queen Serenity in his previous life.

He fell in love with her after their fateful attraction to each other after their encounter in Azabu Juban. Since then, they have fought together, helped each other through hardships, and overcome difficulties. Even after being reborn, he could recall it as vividly as if it were yesterday.

However, there was one thing he could not recall at all, even though he tried. It was the "post-incarnation talk" he had with Serenity before his final days. Endymion had heard from her that his far future had already been determined. However, Aeon could not remember what kind of future it was. And even though he was certain that he had promised her something at this time, he could not remember what he had promised her at all.

He was sure that he would remember everything during his journey, so he kept on moving his wings without any pessimism.

Chapter Text

"I finally see my destination," Aeon said.

He continued in the direction of the brightest light and finally arrived at the desert planet. He had stopped at nearby planets and satellites before arriving here, and had been informed that "a planet ruled by the evil dark forces had apparently been blanketed by a great white light".

Aeon had an idea about "the evil dark forces" that were destroying the stars. It must be by Sailor Chaos's minions, he thought. He remembered that in a previous life, Serenity had told Endymion that Sailor Chaos was responsible for all the enemies they had fought.  And the light that blanketed the evil dark forces, he thought, might have something to do with what he was looking for.

He eventually landed on a desert planet. Because his wings and clothes were conspicuous on the planet, he covered his entire body with black cloth after his wings were erased by his magic.

On the first planet or satellite he came to, he would land on a high hill or mountain a short distance from the center of town to avoid being seen and to get a bird's eye view of the city.

"I had heard that this planet was on the verge of being destroyed by the minions of Sailor Chaos, but I see no such signs. This is strange." He wondered.

On the planet ruled by evil dark forces, Sailor Chaos' minions are engaged in massacring the inhabitants and destroying everything in their path. The people of the nearest satellite he stopped by before coming to this planet all said, "That planet is on the verge of destruction, and it is horrible to see".

But when Aeon came to this planet, he did not find such a horrible sight. He moved to the city and saw the people of this planet, but no one was injured or dead. There were no signs of buildings being destroyed at all. It looked so peaceful that it was doubtful that Sailor Chaos's minions had really invaded this planet.

Although not affluent, the people of this planet lived their daily lives unaffected by the collapse of the planet. Seeing the lively marketplace, the halls where children chased each other, and the streets where carriages passed by, he realized that this planet was truly at peace.

He stopped in front of an old stone building. A sign depicting a mug of liquor was propped up at its entrance.

"Maybe in this bar", he thought, "I could gather some information."

Aeon opened the door to the bar and sat down at the counter. In front of him was an elderly bar owner wiping glasses with a cloth.

"What can I get for you?"

The curt barkeep asked Aeon.

"Give me a glass of that green bottle of liquor."

Aeon did not know what kind of liquor this bar served, so he pointed to a long, thin glass bottle that caught his eye at first.

"Yes, sir."

Without making eye contact with Aeon, the barkeep picked up a glass bottle from the cupboard behind him and gently poured it into a glass.

At the bar, there were man enjoying drinks alone at the counter and soldiers on their way home from work chatting at tables, mugs in hand. It seemed to Aeon that they were not inhabitants of a planet on the brink of collapse, but living a peaceful life.

"Here you go."

The barkeeper held out a glass filled with vermilion liquor in front of Aeon.

"Thank you. And I'm sorry to bother you, but I have a question. I've sensed a strong light response from this planet. Do you remember anything about it?"

"I don't know.　What are you talking about?"

Seeing Barkeeper's reaction, Aeon thought his question was not a good one, so he decided to ask for information about this planet.

"I have heard that this planet was on the verge of collapse. Do you know who fought the forces of evil darkness and brought peace?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? This planet was never on the verge of collapse."

"What!"

Aeon was puzzled by the barkeeper's answer.

Because the barkeeper was looking suspiciously at Aeon, Aeon apologized for asking such a strange question. After Aeon took a sip from his glass of liquor, the bartender began wiping the glass again with a cloth.

Aeon had no idea what was going on at the time, but then he crossed several stars and realized something.

In the direction of the "brightest light," there is always a star that is being invaded by the minions of Sailor Chaos. Miraculously, those stars have escaped the danger of destruction and have all regenerated to the point where they were before they were invaded. And all the inhabitants of those stars have forgotten that they were invaded by the minions of Sailor chaos, and none of them remembers the "brightest light. All traces and facts of the battle have been erased, as if the battle never happened in the first place.

Perhaps it was fortunate for the people of a planet ruled by the evil forces of darkness that the tragedy was offset. But it also prevented him from finding clues to the person he was looking for.

Then, Aeon walked across hundreds and thousands of stars, but he seemed to reach the brightest light, but never reached it. He repeated such a thing endlessly. It was as if he was searching in the dark for the person he wanted to meet, whose name and figure he did not know.

"Where are you? I'm sure I'd remember everything if I could see you. Am I doomed to look for the unknown you again, Serenity?"

He found himself in the exact same situation as Mamoru, who was looking for Princess Serenity. The only difference with Mamoru was that he was searching for the person in a vast galaxy.

Aeon never stopped looking for her. He never stopped believing that since a miracle had happened in his previous life, it would surely happen again.

He then wandered the galaxy for a long time, following the trail of the brightest light.

"There was no clue about her, even on this planet.　... Huh?"

After escaping from a star, Aeon noticed an anomaly in the galaxy. He closed his eyes and had a vision about the anomaly. 

From the center of the galaxy, countless bundles of stellar light were being emitted. The two brightest of these lights were moving at high speed toward somewhere.

"What the hell happened!?”

He followed with his eyes the whereabouts of the two brightest lights in his field of vision. And he was astonished at where they went.

"Those two lights are moving toward the solar system!"

The two lights were moving in orbits toward the solar system. Then one of them disappeared into Earth, the third planet of the solar system, and the other disappeared somewhere in the galaxy.

Aeon was excited when he opened his eyes. He had finally grasped the first clue that would bring him closer to the person he wanted to meet.

He quickly turned its course to Earth and moved its wings. Twisting space-time with its own power, it exceeded the speed of light and reached the earth in no time. At that moment, a white, shining light was seen from Tokyo. Then he understood why he saw two of the brightest lights.

"One of the sources of that light was you and the other was Sailor Moon."

He looked at the spinning earth and wondered what to do next.

"I feel no sign of you, but I feel your trace from the earth. It is expedient that I search for your traces on this planet.”

Earth was the planet that had protected him in a previous life. He knew this planet well. Besides, he was absolutely certain that Sailor Moon knew something about the brightest light.

He had a bright idea to approach the person he wanted to meet in a different way than before.

"Mamoru seems to be in Tokyo. Then I will ask for their help again.”

At this point, Aeon remembered that King Endymion had borrowed power from Mamoru and Usagi. Surely they could work miracles again, just as they had done then. Aeon decided to entrust his fate to them. He then landed in Tokyo at night and transformed into the form of a boy.

Chapter Text

"This is a memory of my journey."

The vision that had been replaying in Mamoru and Usagi's minds was interrupted when Ao's voice rang out.

In the endless darkness and the brightness of countless stars, Aeon was searching for the reincarnation of Serenity, whose name and appearance he did not know. The vision seen through Ao's small hands was far beyond Usagi and Mamoru's imagination.

"Ao ......"

When Usagi removed her hand from Ao's, she saw his fragile smile in front of her. When she shrugged her shoulders, Mamoru's warm hand touched her there.

"Aeon, have you been looking for the reincarnation of Serenity for a long, long time?"

Mamoru asked, reasserting his attitude toward his far future self.

"Oh, yes. I remember memories of my previous life. But somehow I have forgotten the name of Serenity's reincarnation, her appearance and her important promise. And I have traveled across thousands of stars to find her."

Ao replied in a calm tone like King Endymion.

"Do you have any idea why you forgot your memories of Sailor Cosmos?" Mamoru asked Ao.

"No. I've been thinking about it for a long time, but I still don't know. I don't even know if I erased it myself or if someone else did. "

"Is it possible that it was the enemy who erased your memory?"

"No, I don't think so. If it was the enemy, I don't think they would go to the trouble of erasing only the memories of Sailor Cosmos. If they wanted to do that, they would have erased all memories from me."

Ao smiled gently at Mamoru and Usagi, who looked puzzled.

"I'm sorry for taking Mamoru and Usa-chan around all this time. It may look like I've been playing with you, but I've been searching for memories of Sailor Cosmos with my hand."

Ao raised his right hand to the level of his face and showed it to Mamoru and Usagi.

So Mamoru finally understood the reason for Ao's inexplicable behavior. The fact that he was touching the shelves and walls of the library instead of picking up books and newspapers, his visits to the park and the crown game center, and the mysterious ground rumbling that Mamoru felt. All of these were caused by Ao's use of psychometry to search for Sailor Cosmos.

Mamoru confirmed to Ao, "Were you using psychometry at various locations to try to read the memories of Sailor Cosmos? "

"Yeah, I was careful not to let anyone notice, but even so, you seemed to notice right away."

Ao lowered his right hand and looked at Mamoru with melancholy eyes.

Psychometry is a unique ability of Mamoru, the guardian of the earth. If he touches the earth, he can see visions from the earth and can also read past memories. Since Ao is a Mamoru from the far future, it is not surprising that he has the same ability. However, even with his special ability, Ao recalled only the name "Sailor Cosmos". 

"Why did you only know her name as Sailor Cosmos? If you have the same ability as I do, shouldn't you be able to get more information?"

After Mamoru asked, Ao shook his head without a pause.

"I could see fragments of her memory of being with Sailor Moon, but the noise was so bad that I couldn't see her figure and couldn't recognize her voice. The only thing I could barely make out was her name, which I could hear through the noise."

"Are you saying that your memories about Sailor Cosmos were buried in the noise?"

"Yes. But considering how many times we used psychometry before coming to Earth and got nothing, that's still a big step forward in my search for her."

Ao had no means of finding her again. Having done this many times in his long journey so far, Ao was so used to this kind of situation that he could only laugh bitterly.
However, neither Mamoru nor Usagi were satisfied with Ao's situation.

Mamoru closed his eyes and thought about the characteristics of his ability.
Is there any problem with Ao's method of reading the memories of places in order to find Sailor Cosmos? In places where an unspecified number of people come and go, there can be too much noise to use psychometry. To bring out strong memories that are not buried in noise, Ao should take a different approach. Mamoru thought of something, then opened his eyes.

"Usa, do you have anything related to Sailor Cosmos?"

"Mamo-chan, what are you talking about?"

Usagi was blatantly surprised when Mamoru suddenly asked her about it. Although she had been spending time with Chibi Chibi, she did not know much about her and did not think she could help Ao.

"Places certainly tend to be inscribed with people's memories. But if there are many people, the memory about a single person in a place accounts for only a small amount of information. However, if there was a personal item that Sailor Cosmos always had by her side, Aeon might be able to read her memories more clearly there."

Mamoru took Usagi's feelings into account and told her the intent of his question.

"I wonder if I have any of Chibi Chibi's personal belongings."

When Usagi returned home from the Cauldron in Sagittarius Zero Star, there was nothing left of Chibi Chibi's belongings in Usagi's room. Her clothes, shoes, and the umbrella she had used when she landed on this earth, all disappeared as if Chibi Chibi had never existed in the first place. 

After thinking for a while and absently taking note of the golden blossoms on the trees in the park's plantings, Usagi remembered the only personal belongings of Chibi Chibi that were left behind.

"Oh, yeah! I remembered!"  Usagi shouted loudly.

"Do you have any ideas?" Mamoru asked her.

"Yes! I'm pretty sure there's only one thing Chibi Chibi left behind in my room, and I remembered someone who knew Sailor Cosmos better than me!"

"Really?"

Usagi's comment lifted Ao's depressed spirits. If what she said was true, he would be able to obtain information about the Sailor Cosmos. Ao could not help but have high hopes for the possibilities offered by Mamoru and Usagi.

"I'm going to get it now, so Mamo-chan and Ao, please wait for me at the command center!"

"Ah, Usa!"

Usagi left Ichinohashi Park at a fast pace without telling Mamoru the details. He tried to keep her back, but she was already running as fast as she could. He stood there looking at her back.

"We have to trust Usa-chan now and wait for her. So let us head for the command center."

"......Ok."

Mamoru sighed heavily. Then they decided to walk to the crown game center again.

Chapter Text

Arriving at the command center located in the basement of the crown game cente, Ao sat in a chair in front of a large monitor. On the screen were images from surveillance cameras all over Tokyo, and he was watching them.

Ao crossed his arms and wondered vaguely why Usagi had told Ao and Mamoru to wait in the command center. If they wanted to talk about something that could not be overheard by others, they had the option of returning to Mamoru's room. Did he choose the command center, which was closest to Ichinobashi Park and had the best security? No, there must be a reason why it had to be here. He did not know what she was thinking, but he had no choice but to trust her now.

"This is for you."

Mamoru called out, and Ao half-turned his chair. Mamoru went to give Ao a can of black coffee.

"Thank you, I'll take it."

Ao accepted the coffee from Mamoru.The surface of the can was a little hot because Mamoru had just bought it from the vending machine for Ao. Ao opened the lid of the can and took a sip of coffee. Mamoru followed Ao and quietly drank his coffee.

Since leaving Ichinohashi Park, Ao felt uncomfortable. Mamoru had obviously become less talkative. Besides, when Ao spoke to Mamoru, Mamoru responded to him with honorifics.

"What's wrong? You've been distant toward me." Ao teased Mamoru in the same tone as before he revealed himself. But Mamoru put the can on the console without changing his expression.

"You were the king. It is only natural that I should pay my respects to you."

After hearing the reason from Mamoru, Ao was convinced. Mamoru seemed to think of Ao as "King Endymion" and treated him as such. Ao recalled how Mamoru had paid his respects to King when he was younger. However, Ao is like King, but a different being. Ao chuckled at the young prince's seriousness.

"I'm not a king now. You can talk comfortably," Ao told Mamoru.

"Oh...... I understand."

Mamoru changed his mind again when Ao seemed to want him to talk to him rather casually. 

Mamoru pulled out a chair placed in front of him and sat down in it beside Ao.

"Sorry for causing you trouble."

After turning the chair around so that Ao could talk to Mamoru face to face, Ao apologized to Mamoru.

"......No, don't worry about it anymore."

Mamoru had not yet released his tension. It was natural for him to be reserved about his presence in the distant future. Ao decided to ask Mamoru a question to relieve his tension.

"Do you know why I appeared to you in the form of a child?"

When asked by Ao, Mamoru pondered. He then anticipated what he would think if he were Ao, and quickly came up with the answer.

"Because you knew that if you suddenly appeared to me in your true form, I wouldn't listen to you, right? So you came up with the idea of taking the form of a child like Chibi-Usa. That way, if you were to be suspected, you wouldn't be treated ill by us."

Ao shook his head at Mamoru's perfect answer.

Ao said, "Exactly! If I were a child, you would forgive me for lying about my identity and being a little selfish, right?"

Ao laughed innocently like a child. Mamoru snickered at Ao.

"Yes, I agree. But I think you were very bad at pretending to be a child."

"Yes, pretending to be a child is surprisingly difficult."

Ao laughed along with Mamoru. It was the moment when he could finally talk properly with his past self. It was the same person anyway. There was no point in putting up a wall to talk. They faced their different selves from different eras while thinking about this.

Ao made an apologetic face after they warmed up to each other.

"Mamoru, there is one more thing I want to apologize for. I am sorry for touching Usa-chan's hand so many times."

Last night Ao wanted to touch Usagi's hand, and today he took her around the park and plaza hand in hand. Mamoru frowned many times at Ao's selfish behavior. Ao knew this, but he was still trying to achieve his goal.

"That was also done to read Sailor Cosmos memories from Usa, wasn't it?"

"Yeah, although I didn't get anything at all."

Ao looked away from Mamoru. Mamoru looked at Ao quizzically.

"But did you really touch Usa's hand to read only the memories of Sailor Cosmos?"

Ao's eyes widened at Mamoru's question.

"My purpose is to get the memory of Sailor Cosmos ....... But I can't deny that I missed her hands. I was very happy that she was kind to me," Ao said honestly.

"She was certainly very accommodating to Ao."

"Of course, I know I shouldn't touch her so easily. I understand your jealous nature. Besides, the only person I love is Sailor Cosmos"

Mamoru was not satisfied with Ao's answer. He is Mamoru in the far future, so it is no wonder Ao loves Usagi. Mamoru, however, felt strong jealousy toward Ao. Although his motives were impure, Mamoru's desire to have Ao meet Sailor Cosmos grew even stronger.

In any case, it would not be good for either of them if Mamoru asked Ao about his feelings any further. To change the subject, Mamoru decided to ask Ao one question.

"By the way, if Ao is me in the future, can we exist at the same time in this time?"

When too close to Neo Queen Serenity, Sailor Moon's body became transparent. This was because they existed in the same time period, King Endymion had said. However, there is nothing unusual about Mamoru and Ao's bodies now. Mamoru felt a contradiction in what King Endymion had explained to him.

"I am the reincarnation of King Endymion. So Mamoru and I are, strictly speaking, different beings."

Ao's answer seemed like a guess, but it made sense to Mamoru.

"You are reincarnated as a different person from me," Mamoru said. "That's why we can exist at the same time."

"Well, that's about it. Besides, when I was reincarnated, I became a god who controls time and space. So even if I am the same being as you, it is possible for us to exist at the same time."

"God's power is a strange thing. So, were you happy in your life before you became a god?"

Ao chuckled at the serious question from his past self.

"I can't tell you that, because that would be breaking a taboo."

"God can be mean."

"I used to think the same thing as you."

They laughed aloud at the same time. Ao did not give a clear answer, but Mamoru thought he could imagine what the answer was.

Chapter Text

As Mamoru and Ao were conversing, they heard the door to the command center open. Usagi appeared with a black cat on her shoulder with a rhythmic sound coming down the stairs.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Ao and Mamo-chan!　I brought Luna here from home!”

As soon as Luna arrived at the command center, she got off Usagi's shoulders. She seemed a little grumpy.

"Luna, did you get involved too?"

Mamoru got up from his chair, got down on one knee, and stroked under Luna's chin. Luna moved her head in ticklish circles and looked up at Mamoru.

"Yeah," she said "Usagi-chan suddenly asked me to come to the command center, so I was brought here without knowing why! Oh......, Who is that boy? There's a big Mamo-chan and a little Mamo-chan!"

Right in front of her is Mamoru, and behind him is Ao, a boy who looks just like Mamoru.

Seeing them, Luna was so surprised that her eyes popped out of her head.

"Usa, did you give Luna a proper explanation!?"

Mamoru glared at Usagi with a miffed face.

"Uh......, I didn't tell her anything because I brought her straight here after I forced her to wake up Luna from her nap."

Mamoru sighed loudly, and Usagi scratched the back of her head and smiled awkwardly.

"All right, I'll explain it to Luna."

Mamoru then briefly explained to Luna how he had met Ao, Ao's true identity and purpose. Luna was confused when she was suddenly brought to the command center, but with Mamoru's appropriate explanation, she soon regained her usual composure and began to understand the situation.

"Well, Ao, are you the reincarnation of King Endymion and are you looking for Sailor Cosmos?"

Luna summarized Mamoru's explanation and confirmed it with Ao. She was still puzzled that such a small child was the reincarnation of King Endymion.

"That's right. But I wonder if it would be difficult for you to speak properly with me in this form. Since there is no longer any need for me to be in the form of a child, I shall return to my original form."

Ao jumped down from his chair and took a few steps forward.

When Ao closed his eyes, white wings appeared from his back. He flapped his wings wide open and then wrapped his entire body in them. The wings gradually grew in size and soon exceeded Usagi's height. When the size of the wings approached Mamoru's height, his wings spread out again and a man wearing a white mask appeared from within.

"Tuxedo Mask? ......No, he's King Endymion."

Usagi muttered as soon as he saw Aeon.

Aeon had the same appearance as King Endymion, wearing deep blue clothes and a cape.

Although he was no different from Mamoru inside and out, he exuded a fatherly dignity that Mamoru did not have, which made Usagi's heart beat involuntarily.

"I'm Aeon, a god of time, space and eternity. It is an honor to meet you."

Aeon bowed with his right arm across his chest and said his greetings. From head to toe, his manner was dignified, as befits a former king. Mamoru and Luna gulped at the air he created.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Aeon! I understand that you are the god of time and space, but how are you different from Sailor Pluto?"

In contrast to Mamoru and Luna, Usagi responded lightly to Aeon's greeting and asked him a question.

Sailor Pluto is the keeper of the space-time door. Usagi and Mamoru wondered what the difference was between Sailor Pluto and Aeon.

"Sailor Pluto is a guardian and warrior of time and space. I am a god, so consider me of a higher rank than she is. " Aeon explained simply.

In fact, Aeon did not know exactly why he had become a god of time, space, and eternity. After Sailor Pluto's death in battle with Black Moon in the 30th century, King Endymion temporarily assumed the role of keeper of the space-time door in her stead. Aeon speculated that his experience as a temporary “keeper of the space-time door” at that time may have given him the power to control space-time after his reincarnation.

But Aeon decided that there was no need to share speculation with them and quickly got down to the main point.

"So what is it you brought from home?"

Asked by Aeon, Usagi pulled out a white rabbit-patterned handkerchief from her bag. Something seemed to be wrapped inside it, and she carefully removed its contents.

"This is the incense burner that Chibi Chibi treasured."

In the palm of Usagi's hand was a round incense burner, the one in which the wounded Princess Kakyu had hidden herself two years earlier. After Chibi Chibi and Princess Kakyu left the earth, the incense burner was the only one of theirs left with Usagi. Thinking to cherish their memory, Usagi kept the censer in a desk drawer for safekeeping.

"Thanks for bringing it. I will borrow it for a moment."

Aeon took the incense burner from her, closed his eyes and began to read the memories it held.

The first thing he saw was a small umbrella gently descending from the clear blue sky toward Ichinohashi Park. The owner of the umbrella was an innocent little girl with pink hair and big round eyes. On her young face, there was a trace of the Serenity he knew so well. He was certain that the girl was Sailor Cosmos.

Aeon then pulled up another memory, relying on the memory he had read. The next thing he saw was Sailor Cosmos, the white winged Sailor guardian, silently gazing at the meteor shower that was falling to earth. But she was not as dignified as he had imagined; she was lonely and deeply troubled. He was heartbroken at the pained expression on her face.

He finally understood the real reason she had come down to earth.

When he finished reading memories of her, he opened his eyes and gave Usagi a friendly smile.

"Thanks to you, I finally know what Sailor Cosmos looks like. She came to you as a little girl, just like Small Lady."

Usagi nodded. Aeon was finally able to know what kind of person Serenity's reincarnation was. The fact brought tears to Usagi's eyes as she was moved to tears.

"Sailor Cosmos was in so much pain that she wanted to end it all. But you gave her the courage to fight again, didn't you, Sailor Moon?"

"That's true."

"The Sailor Cosmos I saw was the brightest and most beautiful in this galaxy."

Usagi and Mamoru were as pleased as if it were their own that Aeon had seen Sailor Cosmos' memories.

"But I did not know what I had promised her. The only way to find out is to meet her and ask her directly."

Aeon remembered only the name Sailor Cosmos and her figure, but could not remember anything about the promise he had made to her.

"Do you know where Sailor Cosmos is?"

Mamoru asked Aeon, who smiled bitterly.

"No, I don't know where she went. I'll have to search all over the galaxy again."

Aeon looked down at the incense burner in the palm of his hand.

He hoped to leave Earth soon and begin his journey to find Sailor Cosmos again. For him, just remembering the name and appearance of Sailor Cosmos was a great accomplishment. So he believed that he could get closer to her by traveling to the stars, even though it might take years, even decades.

Mamoru wanted to help Aeon but was frustrated with himself for not being able to do anything.

"I knew you would say that, that's why I brought Luna! ."

Luna was stunned by Usagi's statement.

"Usagi chan, what the hell are you thinking?

Naturally, Luna had no idea where Sailor Cosmos was and was again confused. Mamoru and Aeon also had no idea what Usagi was thinking.

Usagi smiled confidently and looked expectantly at Luna.

Chapter Text

Usagi crouched down in front of Luna and clasped her hands together.

"Luna, I need to contact Princess Kakyu of planet Kinmoku."

"What?　You're saying you're going to contact planet Kinmoku?"

Luna was startled by Usagi's words. She wrinkled her brow and began to think of a way to fulfill Usagi's request.

It was then that Mamoru and Aeon finally understood why Usagi had told them to come to the command center. It was to contact Princess Kakyu, who would know more about Sailor Cosmos than she did. The reason Usagi brought Luna, who was napping, was to help her as the operator of the communicator.

"I wish I could, but it would be very difficult.”

Luna replied and sighed.

"Why is it so difficult?”

Mamoru asked Luna.

"Well, if we gather the information from the meteor shower and Sailor Star Lights two years ago, we should be able to pinpoint the coordinates of planet Kinmoku, but I don't think we can communicate from here. Because planet Kinmoku is too far from here and the communication signal would be buried in the noise.”

"Oh no! I can't talk to Princess Kakyu!"

Luna's answer disappointed Usagi. She was confident in her idea, but within a minute her confidence was shattered and she could only smile bitterly.

Meanwhile, while listening to Usagi's idea, Aeon was calmly considering means of communicating on Earth with stars outside the solar system. In the 30th century Crystal Tokyo, Endymion and Serenity were able to communicate with distant stars outside the solar system. At that time, they used a special communication device developed mainly by Sailor Mercury, but there is no such thing here. However, Endymion had heard the principle of that communication method from her. Taking into account his memories of that time and the technology of this era, Aeon came up with one means of communication.

"Luna, can you control the communication facilities of Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto from here and synchronize them to send communication signals to the far side?　Even if we can't increase the output of the signals, we should be able to send signals to the other side by matching the timing and phase."

"Sure, that could work."

Luna thought his idea was theoretically feasible and not reckless.

"Luna, Aeon, what do you mean?”

Usagi had no idea what they were talking about and a big question mark appeared on her head.

"From Saturn to Pluto, castles on the outer planets of our solar system have facilities for sending communication signals. By operating them sequentially at the appropriate timing, energy can be focused and communication signals can be sent to planet Kinmoku.”

Aeon chose the simplest possible words to explain the process so that even she, who was not familiar with science and technology, could understand it.

If the frequency, timing of transmission, phase, etc. of communication devices from Saturn to Pluto could be controlled from the command center, a giant virtual antenna with energy to send communication signals could be formed. Then, a mighty radiant energy for communicating with distant exoplanets could be obtained. That was his idea.

"Hmm, but Luna, can you?”

Usagi looked expectantly at Luna, although she did not understand the theory.

"I don't know if someone from planet Kinmoku would respond, but I'll give it a try anyway."

Luna hopped up on the console table and made a gesture as if to roll up her arms. Then she began typing quickly on the keyboard of her console, preparing to communicate with the planet Kinmoku.

She immediately contacted Ami and Artemis. Unfortunately, Ami was at cram school and Artemis was out with Minako and could not come to the command center immediately. So Luna asked them to help her, as they did not have to come to the command center, and they readily agreed. Luna asked Ami to calculate the various parameters for operating the exoplanet's communications equipment, while Artemis asked her to locate the coordinates of planet Kinmoku. Then, after about 10 minutes, they told Luna that their work was complete.

Mamoru and Usagi contacted Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna, and Hotaru to cooperate with Luna, told them what had happened, and received permission to remotely operate the communication devices in their respective castles.

And in no time at all, 30 minutes after Luna began her work, the communication preparations were complete.

"Thanks to Artemis and Ami, I'm ready. I'm going to send a bunch of 'Kinmoku, come in' messages." Luna said.

Luna explained this to Aeon, Mamoru, and Usagi, then pressed the enter key on her keyboard.

"I hope this works.”

Mamoru said, and Aeon nodded.

Aeon, however, was not optimistic, but rather was vaguely considering his next move. This is because, although he had come up with the idea himself, he knew that the probability of getting a response from the other party in this way was low. Even if the other party was lucky enough to detect the communication signal, the idea would fail if the other party did not respond. And this was a communication with an extraterrestrial planet. Even if we call out to them one-sidedly, the chances of them responding with the words we want are extremely low.

"If I don't get any response from planet Kinmoku after an hour, I will leave this planet. I am very grateful to you all.”

Aeon was smiling, but his face showed signs of resignation.

"Don't worry, I'm sure we will get a response back.”

Usagi grabbed the sleeve of Aeon's jacket and said. To him, she looked like Neo Queen Serenity. She had always performed countless miracles in critical situations. No matter how many times Endymion had come close to giving up, she had always encouraged and inspired him. Remembering this, Aeon smiled.

"Is that your intuition?"

"Yes!"

Usagi confidently answered Aeon's question. Beside her, Mamoru looked at Aeon with a hopeful face.

Aeon decided to pull up a chair and sit in front of the big screen and wait for a response from Planet Kinmoku.

* * *

Then more than 50 minutes passed.

Usagi, Mamoru, Luna, and Aeon were sitting in front of the monitor in the command center, waiting for a response from planet Kinmoku.

Luna and Usagi were having a casual conversation while drinking juice and coffee that Mamoru had bought at a nearby convenience store. Mamoru was happily listening to the conversation beside them.

As he watched them chatting and laughing, Aeon kept a constant eye on the time displayed on the monitor. An hour seemed like a long time, but it passed much more quickly than expected. They are in a situation where they are doing something that has a low probability of success in the first place. For once, it was no wonder that Usagi's intuition was off. Aeon watched the time counter on the main monitor increase as he thought about this.

"It's been an hour. I am leaving this planet. Luna, Usa-chan, Mamoru, thank you for everything.”

An hour had passed since the start of the communication signal transmission, and Aeon sat up from her chair.

"Wait, Aeon!”

Usagi tried to hold him back, but he turned his back on them without a care and continued toward the stairs leading out of the command center. And just as he put his foot on the first step of the staircase, he heard a buzzing noise coming from the speakers in the command center.

Chapter Text

"Who the hell are you?”

Someone's voice came over the noise from the speakers.

"Luna, did you just hear someone's voice?" 

Mamoru was the first to recognize the voice and asked Luna. Aeon quickly turned on his heel and returned to the monitor. Luna hurriedly turned on the intercom and listened to the transmission.

"Who is it that keeps sending the same transmission to our planet?　Answer me!!!!”

This time, a voice, probably female, came over the speaker again. It was clearly audible. Judging from the voice's statement, the other party seemed to be warning Luna against her continuous messages, “Kinmoku, come in". 

"Luna! I recognize that voice!”

Usagi patted Luna on the shoulder. Luna looked at Usagi and nodded broadly, realizing who the voice was.

"Wait, I'm switching to voice communication mode now.”

Luna typed hurriedly on the keyboard. After vigorously pressing the enter key with her paw, Luna signaled to Usagi with her eyes.

“Sailor Star Maker, it's me, Sailor Moon, Usagi Tsukino!”

"What? Sailor Moon?"

Sailor Star Maker was quite surprised.

"It's been a while.”

"Yes, it's been a while, too. I didn't expect a transmission from Sailor Moon. I had never seen such a communication method before, so I thought it might be from a foreign enemy. We have been analyzing your communication method at a rapid pace, and just now we were finally able to respond to you."

The voice was Sailor Star Maker, one of the Sailor Starlights on the planet Kinmoku.

The computer-savvy Sailor Star Maker seemed to be the first to detect the “suspicious transmission” from Earth and replied.

"You've come back from the Cauldron.”

Usagi was filled with emotion at the sound of her distant friend's voice, which she had not heard in a long time. The Sailor Starlights and Princess Kakyu lost their lives in a fierce battle against Shadow Galactica. After the battle was over, Usagi never saw them again, nor did she know where they were. That is why Usagi was happy to hear Sailor Star Maker's voice again.

"Thanks to you and Sailor Cosmos, our Princess and we have been revived.”

Aeon's eyes widened lightly as Sailor Star Maker said, "Sailor Cosmos". Sailor Cosmos saved the Princess and the Guardians of the planet Kinmoku. Aeon's hopes were quietly rising that by talking to them, he might be able to find a clue to finding Sailor Cosmos.

"So why is Sailor Moon communicating with our planet?" Sailor Star Maker asked Usagi.

Usagi then replies, “I want to talk to Princess Kakyu.”

"Understood. If Sailor Moon asked me to do this, I have no choice but to comply. I will contact the Princess now. Also, Sailor Star Fighter and Sailor Star Healer both said they would like to speak with you again, so I will contact them as well. Please wait a moment."

After a few seconds of silence, Sailor Star Maker replied to Usagi.

"Thank you, Sailor Star Maker.”

Usagi's voice was bouncy.

A few minutes after communication with Planet Kinmoku was established, Sailor Star Maker again communicated to the command center.

"Luna, are you there?　Since voice-only communication is inconvenient, please set the communication signal so that image communication is possible with the various parameters I am about to instruct you. I will set the image compression and decompression method to earth standard."

"Yes, okay."

Luna hurriedly began to operate the communication device as instructed by Sailor Star Maker.

Usagi did not know what Luna was doing, but she was thrilled that she would soon be able to talk face to face with Princess Kakyu and the Sailor Starlights.

"I'm all set up. Can you see the images from the camera over here?”

Luna stopped typing and immediately wiped the sweat that had formed on her forehead with her paw.

"Yes, this one's all set up. The princess is here too. I'm sending you the camera feed now.”

As Sailor Star Maker responded to Luna, a high pitched electronic “beep” sound echoed from the speakers in the command center. The image was then displayed on the large screen in the command center.

"Good day, Sailor Moon.”

In the center of the screen was Princess Kakyu. To the left of the throne on which she sat were the Sailor Star Fighter and Sailor Star Healer, and to the right were Sailor Star Makers. After Princess Kakyu's greeting, the Sailor Starlights bowed.

"Long time no see, Princess Kakyu.”

Seeing the calm expression on Princess Kakyu's face, Usagi responded with a smile as well.

"Yes, I've been wanting to talk to you like this for a long time."

"Me too."

The reunion of the Princesses, who were once again at peace after a fierce battle, struck a chord not only with them but with all who witnessed it. Usagi also smiled kindly at the Sailor Starlights.

"The Sailor Starlights has come back to life, thank goodness.”

"Sailor Moon is the reason for all this. Thank you.”

Sailor Star Fighter winked and smiled with her best smile. Her cool appearance reminded Usagi of Seiya from the Three Lights.

"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have made it. Let me be the one to thank you.”

Usagi was so moved that she was on the verge of tears. Mamoru noticed Usagi's feelings and offered her a handkerchief. She took the handkerchief, wiped away the tears that had flowed down and continued the conversation.

"How are you?”

"Yes, I am well. Our planet Kinmoku has been reborn to the state it was in before it was destroyed. Our Princess's fiancée also came back to life.” Sailor Star Fighter replied.

Then Sailor Star Healer said, “But, Not everything is back to normal, though. We are working for the restoration and development of Planet Kinmoku and supporting Princess Kakyu, the next Queen of the Kingdom of Tankei".

At her words, Princess Kakyu and Sailor Star Maker nodded quietly. Seeing their expressions, Usagi was struck.

After a while, Sailor Star Fighter folded her arms and tilted her head.

"So let me ask you one question, Sailor Moon. Are there two Mamoru?”

At her question, Usagi also nodded his head.

"What are you talking about?　Of course there's only one Mamo-chan!”

"Which one of you two with the same face is Mamoru?”

Sailor Star Healer pointed to Mamoru and Aeon. On either side of Usagi were two men exactly the same height and face, and Sailor Star Healer looked at them curiously.

"No way, are you two-timing them, Sailor Moon!?”

Sailor Star Fighter gave Usagi a dubious look. Princess Kakyu smiled beside her, but released a silent pressure as if to say, “Please explain what's going on in a way that makes sense to us, Sailor Moon".

"No, I'm not two-timing! I'm faithful to Mamo-chan!"

Usagi tried to argue with Sailor Star Fighter, but she was having a hard time explaining this situation.

"Perhaps Mamoru and I should explain the situation to them.”

Aeon smiled and suggested to Mamoru.

''All right.''

Mamoru was urged by Aeon to explain the situation to the Sailor Starlights to clear his fiancée's suspicions. He patted the excited Usagi on the shoulder and said, “I'll take care of it,” then he looked straight at the camera and started talking.

"Glad to meet you, Princess Kakyu and the Sailor Starlights. I will tell you the details of the situation. First of all, I am Mamoru Chiba, the guardian of the third planet of the solar system, Earth. I would like to thank you all for helping Sailor Moon on my behalf."

Mamoru greeted Princess Kakyu and Sailor Starlights calmly. Sensing from Mamoru the demeanor of a man worthy of supporting Sailor Moon, the strongest warrior in the universe, Princess Kakyu smiled.

"You must be Mamoru. This is the first time we've had a chance to talk. Pleased to meet you."

Sailor Star Fighter bowed smartly to Mamoru. It was the first time they had ever spoken properly face to face. When Mamoru was attacked by Galaxia at the airport, Seiya had seen it happen, but had never had direct contact with him.

"Sailor Star Fighter, I've heard about you from Sailor Moon. Thank you for taking care of 'my partner'."

Mamoru smiled and thanked Sailor Star Fighter.

"Hmmm."

Sailor Star Fighter looked away from Mamoru and scratched her head.

(That guy went out of his way to call Sailor Moon "my partner." No way, does he know I was in love with Sailor Moon?)

Mamoru's mild smile made Sailor Star Fighter feel quite uncomfortable. She knew that while his expression and words and actions were so calm, his true feelings were quite the opposite. 

"Hey, are you sweating funny?"

Sailor Star Healer, noticing something wrong with Sailor Star Fighter, poked Sailor Star Fighter with her elbow.

"No, I'm not!"

"Yeah, right."

Sailor Star Healer snickered at the flustered Sailor Star Fighter.

"Who, then, is the man next to Sailor Moon?"

Sailor Star Maker coughed and asked Mamoru to explain about Mamoru's look-alike.

"He is Aeon, a reincarnation of me from the far future."

Introduced by Mamoru, Aeon lightly bailed. Sailor Star Maker then looked at Mamoru and Aeon at the same time.

"I see. So his appearance is similar to yours," she said.

She seemed to understand the situation more easily than Mamoru had imagined.

"Aeon has been traveling throughout the galaxy in search of Sailor Cosmos for many years, and we have been working with him to find her. We are communicating with the planet Kinmoku to help him."

When Mamoru's explanation was over, Aeon bowed his head smartly with his right arm on his chest.

"I am Aeon. I'm glad to meet you. I apologize for startling you earlier. Princess Kakyu and Sailor Starlights of the Tankei Kingdom, please give me a clue to find Sailor Cosmos. I must see her," Aeon said.

Hearing his statement, Princess Kakyu looked puzzled. Usagi tilted her head at Princess Kakyu for a moment, but quickly realized why.

"Chibi Chibi rescued you and sheltered you in a golden osmanthus incense burner. Her true identity is Sailor Cosmos. So tell me about Chibi Chibi," Usagi asked Princess Kakyu.

Princess Kakyu had never seen Sailor Cosmos in person. However, she had spent time with Chibi Chibi, a temporary form of Sailor Cosmos. That was why Usagi thought she could get a clue from Princess Kakyu as to the whereabouts of Sailor Cosmos.

"So Chibi Chibi's true identity was Sailor Cosmos."

When Princess Kakyu met Chibi Chibi, she immediately saw that Chibi Chibi was a Sailor Guardian. However, it was the first time she knew that Chibi Chibi was Sailor Cosmos.

"To tell you the truth, I don't know much about Chibi Chibi either. Still, I want to help you. So I will tell you everything I know about Chibi Chibi."

Princess Kakyu said, and began to tell a story from two years ago.

Chapter Text

About two years ago, Princess Kakyu's home planet, Kinmoku, was attacked by the Shadow Galactica. The people who adored her, the places she loved, and everything else were instantly consumed by the flames of war. Even her lover, who had pledged his future to her, lost his body when the Starseed was taken from him in front of her, protecting her. Finally, she and Sailor Starlights were the only survivors on the devastated planet Kinmoku.

Just before the end of the planet, Princess Kakyu and the Sailor Starlights were hiding in the throne room of the castle of the Tankei Kingdom.

"We're the only survivors? Damn!” 

Sailor Star Fighter cracked her fist against the wall.

"We've barely escaped this far, but there's nothing more we can do.”

Sailor Star Healer crossed her arms and sighed deeply.

"Princess, how are you feeling?"

Sailor Star Maker asked Princess Kakyu, who was sitting on her throne. Princess Kakyu looked down. No matter how you looked at her, she looked pale. She was delirious after having loved ones and things taken from her one after another in front of her eyes.

Princess Kakyu squeezed her eyes shut and then quickly shook her head from side to side. Then, after opening her eyes, she slowly raised her face.

"I'll be fine. The Sailor Starlights, thank you for everything. All of you should flee here to a safer planet.”

Princess Kakyu's gaze on each of the Sailor Starlights showed a strong will.

"Why do you say that!!”

"We can't just run away without you!!"

"Are you thinking of sacrificing yourself in order to let us escape!?”

Sailor Star Fighter, Sailor Star Healer, and Sailor Star Maker were greatly upset.

They thought that their princess had finally made up her mind to sacrifice her life to let them escape and end her life with this planet. But Princess Kakyu shook her head, maintaining her strong gaze.

"No, I'm not giving up anything. So I decided to ask for help."

After calmly denying their words, Princess Kakyu sat up from her throne. She then turned the white curtains that blocked the window on the side of the throne and looked out. Outside the window was a city engulfed in flames and the gray smoke rising from it. There was no place on the planet where she could go for help.

"Who are you going to ask for help? ...... Don't tell us you're going to Earth?"

As Princess Kakyu was looking at the sky, Sailor Star Maker realized Princess Kakyu's idea.

"Yes, I am going across time and space to Sailor Moon to ask for help."

Princess Kakyu answered with her back to the window. Sailor Star Maker frowned at the expected reaction. The sight of the Princess standing against the dark clouds outside the window caused great concern among the Sailor Starlights.

Sailor Moon with the Silver Moon Crystal, the most powerful crystal in the galaxy, and Tuxedo Mask with the Golden Crystal, a crystal of comparable power.  Their “miracle,” which took place on a blue planet far away from the Planet Kinmoku, moved the Princess. She thought that the crisis on this planet could not be solved without their “miracle”. Besides, it was an obvious fact that Galaxia's ultimate goal in her quest for the strongest power was Sailor Moon. For Princess Kakyu at this time, she felt it was her destiny to seek help from Sailor Moon.

"Please don't go to Earth, it is too dangerous!” 

Even though Sailor Star Fighter disagreed with Princess Kakyu, her resolve remained unwavering.

"I must go to save this planet and the galaxy.” Princess Kakyu said.

Sailor Star Healer and Sailor Star Maker also thought about trying to persuade her, but quickly gave up when they felt her strong determination.

"Come on out, Princess! I know you are near!”

A woman's loud voice was heard outside the throne room. The voice must have been that of a fake Sailor Guardian wearing Galactica Bracelets. It seemed that the enemy had not yet located Princess Kakyu, but it was only a matter of time. The voice made Princess Kakyu think that she was finally in a tight spot.

"There is no time to spare. I am leaving now.”

Princess Kakyu held out her hands and summoned white wings on her back.

"Princess, you are our only hope to save our planet."

Sailor Star Maker bit her lip hard. She then looked at Sailor Star Healer and Sailor Star Fighter and silently confirmed what they should do now as warriors.

"We will hold off the enemy. Princess must go to Earth!”

Sailor Star Healer stood in front of the door. Following her, Sailor Star Fighter and Sailor Star Maker braced themselves for the enemy's entry outside the throne room.

"We will catch up with you, Princess!　Even if we lose you, we will find you. So please wait for us!"

"Sailor Star Fighter....."

"It is our mission to protect you. Please trust us.”

Sailor Star Fighter turned his head toward Princess Kakyu behind him and smiled gently. Sailor Star Healer and Sailor Star Maker did the same, smiling at the Princess.

"Thanks, Sailor Starlights! Be sure to catch up with me!”

With tears streaming down her face, Princess Kakyu opened the window vigorously and flew out of it. Immediately thereafter, there was a loud sound of the throne door being kicked down. The sound of Sailor Starlights attacking the enemy all at once rang out. Still, the Princess did not look back and accelerated out of this planet. She passed through the dark clouds and stratosphere as quickly as a shooting star.

However, the fake Sailor Guardian, sensing Princess Kakyu's movement, also followed Princess Kakyu from the planet Kinmoku. Despite repeatedly grazing the enemy's attacks, she continued to accelerate even straighter toward the solar system. When she finally reached the solar system after fending off the enemy's pursuit, she was fully wounded. Her body could not move freely due to the wounds she received from the enemy and the load of time-space travel.

Soon, she was swallowed into the Sagittarius A meteor shower. Then she saw a beautiful blue star.

(Did I finally make it to Earth?)

On a small patch of land on the blue planet, there was a slight glimmer of white light. At that moment, Princess Kakyu lost consciousness. Then, along with countless meteors, she fell to Earth.

* * *

A short time later, Princess Kakyu woke up. The first thing she saw was a large, white space. It was an endless space with no walls. She thought she was dead, but she knew she was alive by the pain all over her body. Her whole body ached in places, and it was all she could do to raise herself up by the strength of her arms.

"Where am I?”

There was no sign of anyone in this space. But there was a sweet, nostalgic scent of fragrant osmanthus in the air. And for some reason, this place felt very cozy and warm to her.

"Good morning! You have arrived on Earth!"

Suddenly, she heard a voice in front of her answering her question. Then a little girl emerged from the white mist. She was a little girl with pink hair and a sailor suit.

"Did you save me?"

"Yes, Chibi Chibi did!"

Chibi Chibi raised her tiny right hand high in the air and smiled.

"Thank you. Is Chibi Chibi your name?"

"Yes, it is!"

"I am the First Princess of the Kingdom of Tankei on planet Kinmoku, and my name is Kakyu. I'm very happy to meet you, Chibi Chibi."

"Nice to meet you, too!"

Chibi Chibi's innocent smile soothed Princess Kakyu's heart. Before she knew it, the pain in her body had eased from an intense pain as if she had been stabbed with a blade to a tingling sensation.

"How strange. When I am with Chibi Chibi, I feel like my body is healing. Moreover, I feel my power come back a little. Is this your power?"

Chibi Chibi nodded in response to Princess Kakyu's question. Princess Kakyu thought Chibi Chibi was a mysterious little girl, but understood that she was not an enemy.

From that day on, Chibi Chibi would often appear at the incense burner where the princess was hiding and talk with her.

Princess Kakyu told Chibi Chibi all about Planet Kinmoku and her purpose for coming to this planet. She wasn't sure how much the young Chibi Chibi could understand. But Chibi Chibi listened to her earnestly, saying, "Yes, yes," and her depressed feeling became a little lighter. Thus, for Princess Kakyu who came alone to a strange planet, the time spent with Chibi Chibi became irreplaceable.

Chapter Text

Days have passed since Princess Kakyu woke up on Earth. On that day, all of a sudden, Chibi Chibi said, “You know what!” appeared in front of Princess Kakyu.  Chibi Chibi moved her arms like a bird and looked excited.

"Seiya, Yaten, and Taiki are singing about you!"

Princess Kakyu, who had fallen asleep to heal her wounds, was awakened by Chibi Chibi's voice. Chibi Chibi said, "Look!" and pointed directly to the side. Then a hologram of the Three Lights appeared in the direction indicated by Chibi Chibi. They were singing a song, illuminated by spotlights and lasers. After seeing their faces, Princess Kakyu covered her own mouth and shook her shoulders.

"They are the Sailor Star Lights, aren't they?　They're alive!"

Since parting ways with Sailor Star Lights on planet Kinmoku, Princess Kakyu has been concerned for their well being. Since her arrival on Earth, the words of Sailor Star Fighter, "Even if we lose you, we will always find you," have replayed in her head many times, and each time she has dropped a tear all by herself. They had never forgotten their promise and are searching for Princess Kakyu on this earth. She could not stop sobbing at that fact.

"They are singing about me and I still can't get out of here. My wounds haven't healed enough, and I don't have enough strength to fight."

Princess Kakyu slumped down and covered both eyes. When the Three Lights called out in song, “ Answer  for me,” she dropped tears.

Princess Kakyu's wounds had not healed sufficiently and she had not regained her strength to fight Galaxia. She wanted to get to the Sailor Star Lights right away, but felt frustrated that she could not.

As Princess Kakyu was pessimistic about her situation, the hem of her dress was tugged lightly. When Princess Kakyu took her hand away from her eyes, Chibi Chibi was smiling.

"Chibi Chibi, are you trying to cheer me up?"

"Yes!"

Chibi Chibi's voice was as bright as the sun. Princess Kakyu's mind, which had been greatly disturbed by self-loathing, was strangely trying to calm down.

"Thanks, Chibi Chibi."

If Princess Kakyu fought on without recovering at all, she thought, she would fall into Galaxia's trap. She decided to hide here and wait for the right moment until her body had recovered perfectly.

Thanks to Chibi Chibi, Princess Kakyu understood what she had to do now.

Chibi Chibi acted like a child and did not say much to Princess Kakyu. Nevertheless, Chibi Chibi always encouraged Princess Kakyu and healed her mind and body.

Princess Kakyu then made it a priority to heal her body in preparation for the coming day. Kakyu was healing her wounds in the incense burner, Chibi Chibi told her that Sailor Moon and her guardians had been attacked by Shadow Galactica and that Sailor Moon's lovers and friends had lost their Sailor Crystals.

The tragedy that occurred on planet Kinmoku was about to be repeated again on Earth. Princess Kakyu did not feel as if it were someone else's problem. And there was no guarantee that the Sailor Star Lights, who were searching for Princess Kakyu, would be safe tomorrow. The situation was getting worse day by day. 

Then time passed, and it was the day before Princess Kakyu appeared before the Sailor Star Lights. On that day, Princess Kakyu was sitting Chibi Chibi shoulder to shoulder in the space inside the incense burner, talking about other things as usual.

"I lost so many loved ones back home, and the Sailor Star Lights and I are the only survivors on the planet Kinmoku.  So they are the most special and important people to me now. They would be angry with me, but I feel like I would do anything for them. I can give my life for them."

Finally, her physical and mental wounds had healed, and she was ready to fight. Instead of being swallowed by the sea of sorrow, Princess Kakyu showed Chibi Chibi her determination to encourage Sailor Moon, who had fallen into the same situation, to join hands with the Sailor Star Lights and stand up to Galaxia. Chibi Chibi responded to her as usual with a "Yeah".

"I was wondering if there was anyone important to you, Chibi Chibi?　Sailor Moon, perhaps?"

Princess Kakyu asked Chibi Chibi, just curious as the conversation progressed.

"......."

Suddenly, Chibi Chibi's expression changed, as if she had gone from a child to something else. She was silent for a while, her eyes looking somewhere far away.

Since meeting Princess Kakyu, Chibi Chibi had never talked about herself. Where did she come from, why did she shelter Princess Kakyu, and why did she have mysterious powers? No matter what Princess Kakyu asked Chibi Chibi, she was always evasive or just said, "I don't know". But for some reason, for this one time, Chibi Chibi remained silent.

"Chibi Chibi, what's wrong?"

Princess Kakyu lightly tapped Chibi Chibi on the shoulder. Then Chibi Chibi looked blatantly surprised.

"Let's see, everyone! Everyone is important to me!"

Chibi Chibi insisted, flapping her hands like a little bird.

"Is it true?　You don't have a 'special someone'?" Princess Kakyu asked Chibi Chibi.

"No, I don't! I like everyone!"

Chibi Chibi puffed up her cheeks and got angry like a child. Princess Kakyu naturally smiled when she saw Chibi Chibi's reaction.

And the day after this day. Finally, Seiya, Yaten, and Taiki noticed that Princess Kakyu was inside the incense burner held by Chibi Chibi. With Princess Kakyu appearing to them from inside the incense burner, they fulfilled their promise on the planet Kinmoku. At the same time, it meant that the days of  Princess Kakyu talking with Chibi Chibi in the incense burner were over.

Chapter Text

Even though Usagi knew that Chibi Chibi had encouraged Princess Kakyu in the incense burner, everything she had heard about Chibi Chibi was new to Usagi. As Princess Kakyu spoke calmly, Usagi began to want to meet and talk with Sailor Cosmos again.

"Chibi Chibi was always there to encourage me. She was always there to talk to me, to listen to my stories. But only when I asked her a question about someone special did it seem as if she became a different person."

Aeon wondered at the strange discomfort that Princess Kakyu felt for Chibi Chibi.

Who is the "special person" for Chibi Chibi? Aeon still did not understand what Sailor Cosmos was thinking.

"I think Sailor Cosmos must have someone special to love. Just like you think your partner is special, Sailor Moon."

Princess Kakyu on the screen looked brightly at Usagi and Mamoru.

"Chibi Chibi may have someone special in her life."

Usagi put her hand on her chest and thought of Sailor Cosmos, who was lonely.

Sailor Cosmos, whom Sailor Moon met in the Cauldron, shone dazzlingly as if she had gathered all the light of this universe. But beside her light, she had no companions or lovers. If so, what was she fighting for? If I were Sailor Cosmos, Usagi thought, I might break down fighting in a situation like this. Even though Usagi was alone, Chibi Chibi was by her side, so she was able to fight and not give up.

"This is all I know about Chibi Chibi. I am sorry I cannot help you."

Princess Kakyu looked at Usagi apologetically.  Usagi shook her head and smiled.

"Thank you," Usagi said, "for telling us something about Chibi Chibi that we didn't know. By the way, do you have any idea where Sailor Cosmos is?"

"Sorry, I don't know."

After Princess Kakyu answered, silence fell. Usagi looked bitter and felt down, as if she had finally reached an impasse.

"Maybe Sailor Cosmos is still fighting Sailor Chaos somewhere in time and space."

Mamoru muttered with a sigh.

"Wait a minute! I know where the evil forces by Sailor Chaos appear!"

Sailor Star Maker reacted immediately to Mamoru's words.

Sailor Chaos manipulated Galaxia, seeking the strongest power in the galaxy, to take the Silver Moon Crystal from Usagi and take control of the Cauldron. The power of Sailor Moon and the Silver Moon Crystal thwarted that plan, and Sailor Chaos was supposed to have melted into the Cauldron and become smaller.

"No way! Sailor Chaos has regained her power?”

Hearing the name of the source of the tragedy that engulfed the galaxy made Usagi uneasy.

Sensing Usagi's feelings, Sailor Star Fighter said, "Sailor Chaos' body has melted and become smaller, and she has not regained her original strength. But she plans to release a tiny seed of evil power from the Cauldron and re-create a warrior like Galaxia. She must be scattering those seeds around the galaxy like dandelion fluff, trying to gather power by letting them take root on some star somewhere."

Sailor Chaos was purified by the Cauldron and became smaller, but it did not disappear. Even though they knew that she would eventually take some action, everyone present was uneasy at the reappearance of her power less than two years later.

"We call the evil seeds that Sailor Chaos is spreading 'Chaos Seeds'."

Sailor Star Healer said this with a serious face.

Chaos Seeds are star seeds under the influence of Sailor Chaos. Knowing that Sailor Chaos was quietly plotting something somewhere in this universe, Usagi was terrified.

"Where the Chaos Seeds appear?”

Mamoru asked Sailor Star Healer.

"Sagittarius A*, it's the area around the Cauldron in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. After the battle with Shadow Galactica, we have been keeping a close eye on the area around the Cauldron. Then recently, the number of Chaos Seeds has been increasing."

"Could it be that people ruled by Sailor Chaos are already everywhere in the galaxy?"

Usagi's chest was almost constricted with anxiety. Her body trembled with anxiety and fear as she imagined that the tragedy would be repeated. Mamoru silently placed his hand on Usagi's slightly trembling shoulder.

"So far, the Chaos seeds have remained within Sagittarius A* and have not spread throughout the galaxy. I thought the reason for this was caused by black holes, but there must be another, stronger force at work."

Sailor Star Maker looked at Usagi and Mamoru, smiled and answered Usagi's question.

Aeon and Mamoru looked at each other at the same time, guessing why the Chaos Seeds had not yet spread throughout the galaxy.

"Someone is fighting there. Surely a strong warrior, like Sailor Cosmos."

Hearing Sailor Star Fighter's guess, Usagi was relieved of her anxiety. Aeon muttered, "I see."

"Thanks, the Sailor Starlights. That's useful information. I shall go to Sagittarius A*."

Aeon's voice was calm and a little low. Then Princess Kakyu looked at him with a languid face.

"You're going to go look for Sailor Cosmos?" Princess Kakyu asked Aeon.

"Yes."

"Each Chaos Seed is a weak seed, not powerful enough to rule a planet. But it is said that they can take advantage of people's darkness and amplify their power. The sheer number of Chaos Seeds in Sagittarius A* is extremely dangerous."

"Still," he said, "I must go there."

"I see. Take care. And please, I wish you much luck on your journey."

"Thank you, Princess Kakyu and the Sailor Starlights."

Seeing Aeon filled with determination, Princess Kakyu's worries disappeared. Feeling the powerful blue aura emanating from his body, Princess Kakyu guessed that he was much stronger than she was. Surely he could stand shoulder to shoulder with Sailor Cosmos, Princess Kakyu thought.

"Sailor Moon, I wish you many years of happiness with your special partner."

Princess Kakyu smiled at Usagi and Mamoru.

"Happy for you too, Princess Kakyu." 

Usagi winks at Princess Kakyu. They exchanged bright smiles at the same time. As distant friends, they wished each other happiness.

Meanwhile, Sailor Star Fighter, who was listening to the Princesses' conversation, said, "Hey," and pointed toward Mamoru.

"If you can't make your partner happy, we'll fly to Earth again!"

Mamoru was taken by surprise by Sailor Star Fighter's statement. When Sailor Star Fighter stopped moving, her face turned red because it was so quiet. Sailor Star Healer erupted with a "pfft" and struggled to hold back her laughter. Mamoru smiled coolly, knowing the intent of Sailor Star Fighter's statement.

"We will continue to protect our solar system and make us happy. Please watch over our solar system from Planet Kinmoku."

When Sailor Star Fighter heard Mamoru's decision, she turned away from him and scratched her head. 

(That guy is trying to tell me to give up on Sailor Moon, isn't he? Well, as frustrating as it is, I have to admit that he and Sailor Moon are perfect lovers.)

Usagi, beside Mamoru, smiled cheerfully at Sailor Star Fighter. From the beginning, Sailor Star Fighter had no intention of competing with Mamoru. "The princess of moon is out of my reach", she told herself in her mind.

"Well then, I hope we meet again somewhere."

Princess Kakyu waved her hand. Then the Sailor Starlights bowed.

"Thank you, Princess Kakyu, Sailor Star Fighter, Sailor Star Healer, Sailor Star Maker. It was nice talking to all of you."

Usagi also waved her hand. It was a short time, but Usagi understood enough to know they were fine. She was so happy about it that tears began to well up in her eyes little by little.

"Thank you. Please take care, everyone."

As Mamoru conveyed his thanks, Luna operated the keyboard and ended the communication with Planet Kinmoku. The large monitor in the command center quickly switched to a black screen.

Thanks to Usagi, Mamoru, Luna, and princess Kakyu and the Sailor Starlights, Aeon was able to obtain information about Sailor Cosmos. With his back to the monitor, he smiled with satisfaction.

"Usa-chan, Mamoru, and Luna, thank you so much. Finally I will be able to find Sailor Cosmos. I'm going to Sagittarius A*. It was nice meeting you."

Aeon thanked them and turned to leave the command center. But Usagi stood in front of him with her arms outstretched.

"Wait, Aeon. I'm coming with you. I need to see Sailor Cosmos and make sure of something."

He stopped when he saw the look in Usagi's eyes as she looked at Aeon.

"Usa-chan, what do you want to ask Sailor Cosmos?"

Aeon asked Usagi with a smile, hiding his surprise.

"If Sailor Cosmos is me in the far future, I don't understand why she doesn't meet you. There must be a very good reason. That's what I thought when I heard from Princess Kakyu. I'm sure she's doing it because she still loves you. That's why I want to know the details."

Usagi put her right hand on her chest and answered.

Usagi was right, Aeon still did not know why he had forgotten about Sailor Cosmos and why he could not see her. Given Usagi's personality, it seemed understandable that she would be concerned about Aeon.

But Princess Kakyu had warned him so strongly, he thought, that he could not involve Usagi in his own convenience any longer. 

"If Usa's going, I'm going too."

Following Usagi, Mamoru looked at Aeon with a similar expression. Aeon frowned at Mamoru's words and actions.

"Absolutely not! I can take Sailor Moon, who has the power to purify even Sailor Chaos, but it is too dangerous for you, Mamoru."

Aeon stepped forward to Mamoru and told him her honest thoughts.

"Why can't I?"

"If what Princess Kakyu says is true, the Chaos Seeds is too dangerous!"

"I'm well aware of the risks!"

"I know your power and I'm stopping you because you are the past me! You cannot compete with Chaos Seed! Not only that, but the evil power of the Chaos Seed may amplify the darkness within you and take control of your body and your power!"

"But I won't allow Usa to go to such a dangerous place! I must protect her with my life!"

Their voices grew louder and louder. Hearing their arguing, Usagi shouted loudly, “Stop it!"

"Please, let Mamo-chan go with me. We want to see Aeon meet Sailor Cosmos!"

Aeon and Mamoru stopped arguing. 
Usagi, being the most good-natured person in the universe, wanted to do what she could for Sailor Cosmos and Aeon. Aeon looked into Usagi's clear blue eyes and was speechless. 

"I know I might slow you and Usa down. But you know best that I will go with her even if everyone stops me, don't you?"

Mamoru took Aeon's words to heart and tried to persuade Aeon.

Aeon rubbed the back of her neck and let out a sigh. Mamoru was right, it was none other than Aeon who understood Mamoru's character the best. However, considering the risk of going to a dangerous place, he could not easily change his mind.

"Are you sure you're ready for this?　Half-heartedly, you could die.”

"Yes, I'm going!"

Aeon tried to intimidate Mamoru, but Mamoru's determination did not change at all.

"I will definitely protect Mamo-chan. So, please take us with you.”

Usagi pleaded with Aeon. No amount of words from Aeon seemed to be able to change their resolve.

"Okay, I'll do what you want.”

With Aeon's agreement, Usagi and Mamoru looked at each other and smiled at the same time.

"However, I have a condition. You must protect yourselves. I cannot guarantee that I will be able to protect you all while I search for Sailor Cosmos. ”

Aeon warned Usagi and Mamoru.

"Yeah, I understand.”

"Me too."

Mamoru and Usagi accepted his condition. Aeon nodded to them, looked at Mamoru and thought about something for a few seconds.

"By the way, Mamoru, I need to talk to you alone. Luna, can I borrow the back room for a minute?”

''Sure.''

Luna granted Aeon's request. He smiled at her and patted her head. Luna let out a charming “meow” as his hand touched her.

"Now, Mamoru, follow me.”

Aeon walked to a room at the back of the command center.

"Okay."

Mamoru followed Aeon's back, not understanding why Aeon had summoned only him. And when they entered the back room, the door slammed shut.

"What are Mamo-chan and Aeon talking about?　Can you guess, Luna?”

"I have no idea.”

Looking at the closed door of that room, Usagi and Luna tilted their heads. 

"As Aeon strongly stated, the area around the Cauldron still seems to be a very dangerous place. Let's be careful.”

Thinking of Aeon's serious expression, Luna cautioned Usagi.

"Okay, I'll be careful."

Hearing Luna's warning, Usagi nodded.

Chapter Text

Five minutes after Aeon and Mamoru entered the back room of the command center, they returned to the room where Usagi and Luna were waiting. Mamoru's shoes sounded somewhat heavy as he came out after Aeon. His face was tense and stiff.

"Are you okay, Mamo-chan?"

Usagi asked worriedly, noticing the change in Mamoru's appearance.

"Yeah, no problem."

Mamoru smiled at Usagi and patted it on her head. She laughed back at him.

"Now, let's go to Sagittarius A* right away. Mamoru, Usa-chan, transform yourself."

Aeon signaled Mamoru and Usagi with his eyes.

"Yeah, okay."

After responding to Aeon, Mamoru offered his right hand to Usagi. She took his hand firmly in hers, and they raised their clasped hands upward in unison.

"Moon Eternal, Make-Up!"

A chalice of white feathers appeared on Usagi's chest and a crystal in the shape of a golden flower on Mamoru's chest. The light emitted from their chests instantly enveloped their bodies. Usagi's outfit changed from a brightly colored one-piece to a white sailor suit, and large wings flapped from her back. At the same time, Mamoru changed from his black shirt and beige chinos to a black tuxedo, his cape flapping. When the light surrounding them disappeared, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask stood coolly in front of Aeon and Luna.

Seeing them transformed, Luna felt the same sense of helplessness she had felt when she lost her power in Sailor Tin Nyanko's attack.

"Take care, everyone. I wish I could do something for you, but Sagittarius A* is too far away for me to do anything to support you. So I'll be praying for your safety from here."

Luna narrowed her eyes and tried to smile. But her shoulders were shaking slightly.

"Don't worry, Luna. We will get what we came for."

Tuxedo Mask sensed Luna's feelings and told her so.

"I'll be right back, Luna, just wait here."

Sailor Moon smiled at Luna.

They were confident, even though the place they were heading to was extremely dangerous. The heavy anxiety that had been on Luna's shoulders earlier became a little lighter. Luna said, "Be sure to come back!　That's a promise you made to me!" And then she smiled, showing her teeth.

"So, how do we get to the Sagittarius A*?"

After being asked by Tuxedo Mask, Aeon noticed something and laughed lightly.

"Come to think of it, you don't have wings."

"Wings?"

"You need wings to cross to the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Sailor Moon and I have wings to cross the galaxy, but you don't."

Eternal Sailor Moon has magnificent white wings on her back. In the vision shown to me by "Ao," Aeon also had wings. However, Mamoru, as well as the transformed Tuxedo Mask, do not have such wings.

Tuxedo Mask sighed loudly to Aeon. Aeon turned his gaze to Sailor Moon without paying any attention to him.

"Sailor Moon, will you lend Tuxedo Mask your power? I can give him wings temporarily, but I have no intention of returning to this planet. He needs your help to return to earth with you."

Sailor Moon was very surprised by Aeon's request. Because she did not believe that she could give wings to the Tuxedo Mask.

"What should I do?"

"Imagine giving wings to the Tuxedo Mask. You can definitely do it, Sailor Moon."

Aeon told Sailor Moon. She felt her heart pounding in her chest. Because his “You can definitely do it,” gave her a great deal of confidence.

"Yes, I'll try!"

Sailor Moon held out her right hand in front of her, causing the Eternal Tiare to appear. Then, raising it upward, she prayed.

"Please, give Tuxedo Mask wings to go to the center of the galaxy!"

Sailor Moon closed her eyes and poured energy into the Eternal Tiare. Then light radiated from the Eternal Tiare and enveloped the entire body of Tuxedo Mask.

Tuxedo Mask felt comfortable, as if Usagi were hugging him from behind. He felt something push out from his back and he turned his body over. Then, after the sound of wings flapping from his back, he looked at his back.

"Sailor Moon gave me these wings!"

Large white wings, too large to be covered by the cloak, were attached to the back of the tuxedo mask. He could not help but be amazed at the strange sensation. He could move his wings freely if he conjured up the image of flapping like a bird.

"I seem to have succeeded,' she said. "Hey,  Tuxedo Mask with wings is so cool!"

Sailor Moon whispered this as soon as she saw Tuxedo Mask. With a sparkling heart mark in her eyes, as if she were looking at a hero who had just gained new powers, Sailor Moon was captivated by him with his wings. He tried his best to hide his embarrassment from his lover, who stared at his entire body from toe to head.

Aeon smiled quietly at the sight. He was delighted to see Sailor Moon pull off the feat of “giving wings to the Tuxedo Mask,” a feat impossible for ordinary people, with ease. He hoped that if he went to Sagittarius A* with them from now on, some miracle might happen.

"Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask, let us go then. I will take you as far as Sagittarius A*. Now, take my hand.”

Aeon held out her right hand to Tuxedo Mask. Tuxedo mask then linked his right hand with Sailor Moon and his other hand with Aeon.

As Aeon crouched in place, pure white wings emerged from his back. He spread his wings wide and flapped them, and their feet floated softly in the air. Then, as Aeon looked up to the heavens, and Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask, and Aeon instantly disappeared from Luna's presence.

"Wow! Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask, and Aeon were gone from here in no time!"

Luna was stunned as they departed so quickly. Then she let out a sigh and looked up to the sky.

"Usagi-chan, Mamo-chan, make sure you come back. And may Aeon meet Sailor Cosmos.”

Luna closed her eyes, put her paws together, and prayed to the heavens.

Chapter Text

Guided by Aeon’s ability to traverse spacetime, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask sped toward Sagittarius A*, the heart of the Milky Way Galaxy.

In the past, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask used Chibiusa’s "Space-Time Key" to travel to Crystal Tokyo in the distant 30th century. This time, however, though the temporal shift was minimal, they needed to traverse a vast galactic distance far beyond Earth and the Solar System. While still referred to as crossing spacetime, it was fundamentally different from their previous journey with Chibiusa.

As the god who governs time, space, and eternity, Aeon needed no tools like the Space-Time Key. Effortlessly manipulating spacetime, he surpassed the speed of light and warped instantly to his destination with the beat of his wings. Tuxedo Mask held tightly onto Aeon’s hand, trying to observe their path, but the surroundings became a blur, moving at speeds unimaginable to the human eye. He had no sense of how far they had traveled or how much time had passed.

Suddenly, Aeon came to a halt, ceasing the beat of his wings. Before Tuxedo Mask lay an endless expanse of darkness, dotted with red and blue stars, with swirling black holes visible in the far distance.

“Is this Sagittarius A*?” Tuxedo Mask asked.

No familiar planets of the Solar System were in sight. In that moment, Tuxedo Mask realized just how far they had traveled and held his breath. The scenery confirmed what Luna had mentioned—that this place was far too remote for any form of communication to reach. The sheer vastness of the sight before him left no doubt.

“Yes. Earthlings might better know it as a radio source at the center of the galaxy,” Aeon replied calmly to Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask.

“Radio source? What does that mean?” Sailor Moon asked, tilting her head in confusion.

Aeon chuckled softly, covering his mouth as if to stifle his laughter. Sailor Moon’s reaction was exactly as he had anticipated. “I suppose it’s a bit too technical for you, Sailor Moon. That’s alright.”

“What—wait! Is it supposed to be common knowledge?!” Sailor Moon stammered, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment as she turned to Tuxedo Mask for reassurance. However, all he could offer was an awkward smile.

Located approximately 27,000 light-years from Earth, Sagittarius A* is known among Earth’s physicists and astronomers as a bright, compact radio source at the galaxy’s center. Its discovery sparked widespread observation efforts with radio telescopes, unveiling the mysteries of black holes and celestial phenomena. Tuxedo Mask had read about it in news reports, but witnessing it firsthand was an entirely different experience. Even knowing of its existence, the sight carried a gravitas beyond words. Although he could see no concrete enemy in front of him, his fear only deepened in this vast unknown space.

“Aeon, can you sense Sailor Cosmos’ presence here?” Tuxedo Mask asked, knowing that lingering too long in such a perilous environment would be unwise. 

“Yes,” Aeon replied firmly. “From the moment we arrived, I’ve felt the presence of a radiant light—brighter than anything else in this space.”

“Does this mean Sailor Cosmos is nearby?” Sailor Moon asked eagerly.

“Indeed. I’ve never felt such a strong, close light before,” Aeon responded, his eyes shimmering like stars as he sensed the powerful energy. The certainty of approaching Sailor Cosmos made Aeon’s anticipation grow. Yet, according to Princess Kakyu and Sailor Starlights, this region was riddled with countless Chaos Seeds. With Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask here, Aeon took a deep breath to steady his thoughts before speaking again.

“This space is riddled with Chaos Seeds and scattered black holes. They’re extremely dangerous. If you’re swallowed by one, not even light can escape. I’ll guide us carefully, avoiding the black holes and debris. Do not lose track of me,” Aeon warned with gravity in his voice, filling Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask with unease.

“I got it,” Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask replied firmly.

With that, Aeon released Tuxedo Mask’s hand and began flapping his wings vigorously, moving toward the radiant light’s source. Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask followed closely behind, their own wings fluttering as they struggled to keep pace with Aeon.

Aeon adjusted his speed to accommodate them, though navigating the unfamiliar expanse of space still proved challenging for Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask. They focused intensely on staying close to Aeon.

Minutes later, as they advanced toward the light’s source with Aeon leading the way—

“Ugh!” Tuxedo Mask suddenly cried out in pain. Something had struck his left arm. Glancing down, he saw his sleeve torn open, a faint trail of blood staining the fabric.

“Tuxedo Mask, are you alright?!” Sailor Moon asked, worry clouding her expression.

“I-I'm fine. It seems a piece of debris grazed my arm. It’s just a minor wound,” Tuxedo Mask reassured her. He possessed healing abilities and was confident he could remedy the injury. Though the pain grew sharper, he forced a smile to keep Sailor Moon from worrying further.

“If you’re alright, then we should press on,” Aeon said, glancing back. Tuxedo Mask responded with a firm “Yes,” placing his right hand over his wounded left arm as he flew. Using his healing powers, he quickly stopped the bleeding and closed the wound.

After a while, another anomaly occurred. Suddenly, Tuxedo Mask clutched his supposedly healed left arm and stopped moving his wings.

“Haah… haah…”

Tuxedo Mask hunched over, nearly collapsing. His breathing was labored, as if his body no longer obeyed him.

“Tuxedo Mask!?”

Noticing the anomaly, Sailor Moon stopped flapping her wings and came to a halt. Tuxedo Mask, clutching his left arm, shrank back, unable to proceed further.

“Wait, Aeon! Aeon!!”

Sailor Moon shouted loudly toward Aeon, who was moving straight ahead, trying to alert him to Tuxedo Mask’s condition. However, Aeon quickly disappeared from sight, leaving only the faint afterimage of the blue light he emitted.

“We’ve lost Aeon!? What should we do…”

After being sternly warned not to stray from Aeon, Sailor Moon felt her chest tighten with anxiety. It was as if she had been thrown into the vastness of space, unable to discern right from left, or even up from down. Meanwhile, Tuxedo Mask remained hunched over, clutching his left arm, his breathing erratic.

“Tuxedo Mask, are you okay?”

Sailor Moon stood directly in front of Tuxedo Mask and called out to him.

“Sailor Moon…”

As he uttered her name in a low voice, Tuxedo Mask’s erratic breathing abruptly ceased. Then, a sinister chuckle escaped from right in front of Sailor Moon.

“Huh?”

Tuxedo Mask raised his face to look at the startled Sailor Moon. His eyes were dyed a blood-red hue, devoid of light. The moment Sailor Moon realized something was wrong, Tuxedo Mask grabbed her neck with both hands.

“Hahaha! I’ve been waiting for you to come here with bated breath!”

Tuxedo Mask lifted Sailor Moon by her neck, a wicked grin spreading across his face. Sailor Moon struggled to break free from his grip, but it wouldn’t budge.

“Ugh! What are you doing, Tuxedo Mask!?”

“What am I doing? Isn’t it obvious? I’m going to strangle you and take the galaxy’s most powerful sacred stone, the Silver Moon Crystal!!”

“Ngah… stop… it…”

The strength in Tuxedo Mask’s grip around Sailor Moon’s neck intensified. Her face contorted as she opened her mouth, but she couldn’t breathe properly.

“Sailor Chaos was really defeated by someone like you? Such a weak guardian, hahaha!”

Tuxedo Mask mocked Sailor Moon as she struggled in pain. The image of Tuxedo Mask from two years ago at the Galactica Palace vividly resurfaced in Sailor Moon’s mind.

—Could it be… Mamochan is being controlled by the Chaos Seed!? Did it happen when he got injured earlier?

From Tuxedo Mask’s injured left arm, black energy rose like smoke. It enveloped his entire body, and the dark energy seeped from his hands .

“Mamo… chan… no…! Snap… out of it…”

Sailor Moon’s consciousness began to fade. The pain from being strangled and the sensation of dark energy crawling over her body left her gasping for air. She couldn’t bring herself to attack the man she loved. But even if she wanted to call for help, Aeon wasn’t there. She closed her eyes tightly, unable to bear the sight of Tuxedo Mask consumed by darkness.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Aeon and Sailor Cosmos’s reunion across time and space struck the heart like the climax of a romantic film, leading Sailor Moon to believe it would undoubtedly bring happiness to the two of them.

However, Sailor Cosmos’s response shattered those sweet expectations, chilling the air around them.

"What do you mean, you don't know?"

Aeon and Tuxedo Mask widened their eyes simultaneously and murmured.

──Sailor Cosmos recognizes me as Tuxedo Mask. And Aeon has a striking resemblance to me, so there's no way she doesn't know him. Could it be that, just like Aeon, some of Sailor Cosmos's memories from her past life are missing?

Tuxedo Mask rested his hand on his chin, trying to make sense of the situation, but he couldn't predict what might have happened to Sailor Cosmos.

"Sailor Cosmos, Aeon is Mamo-chan... the reincarnation of Endymion!"

Sailor Moon, her face flushed red, shouted at Sailor Cosmos. She wanted to believe—had to believe—that Sailor Cosmos simply hadn't realized Aeon was her beloved.

"I see," Sailor Cosmos replied, her expression wistful yet indifferent. The person Aeon had traveled countless stars and endless time to reach—his beloved—only offered a cold smile and stopped in her tracks.

"I'm sorry, Sailor Cosmos. I forgot about you for so long and couldn't come to find you until now. All this time, I’ve been chasing after your light, searching for you," Aeon began, weaving together each step of his journey and the weight of his feelings into his words. He blamed himself for forgetting her name, her face, and even the promises they had made. Finding her was the only way he could atone for his guilt, the only way to redeem the years she might have waited for him. He had refused to stop searching, clinging to that belief.

"Thanks to Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask, I was able to remember you. And now, I’ve finally found you, Sailor Cosmos!" To speak her name aloud in front of her, after imagining this moment countless times during his journey across the stars—he had envisioned her smiling in response. But now, she remained utterly still, as if his words passed through her without reaching her.

"No one is searching for me. The only thing that remains for me is my mission to continue fighting Sailor Chaos," Sailor Cosmos said, her smile filled with a cruel yet merciful grace that left no trace of joy in reuniting with her beloved.

"Sailor Cosmos..."

Aeon was at a loss for words. Overwhelmed with shock, he couldn’t think of what else to say. Was this the miserable end of his long journey? His face clouded as that thought began to sink in.

"I’ll tell you one thing, Aeon. It was I who erased your memories of me when you were Endymion."

Gripping her rod with both hands, Sailor Cosmos gazed coldly at Aeon as she delivered her confession. Her words stunned Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon.

"Could it be true!?"

"No way, that can’t be!"

Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon bombarded Sailor Cosmos with questions.

"It's the truth," Sailor Cosmos replied with calm composure.

──This can’t be true! It’s a lie!!

Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask were bewildered, their minds going blank in confusion. Meanwhile, Aeon looked down, his thoughts racing as he rapidly replayed the events leading up to his encounter with Sailor Cosmos. Even though he vividly remembered everything from his past life as if it had happened only yesterday, his memories of Sailor Cosmos alone were missing, erased completely. No traces of her could be found even when he used psychometry to search for her. Not a single clue emerged. The faint visions he had seen were riddled with noise, obscuring anything connected to her. If this was the work of an enemy, it made no sense. But if Sailor Cosmos herself had deliberately erased her existence from his memories, everything fell into place.

"So that's it... If the reason I forgot about Sailor Cosmos was because of you, then everything makes sense. My memories of my past life remained sharp and intact, yet every memory involving Sailor Cosmos—whether from Serenity or elsewhere—had been erased."

Aeon dropped his shoulders and tilted his head toward the sky. It wasn't as though the thought had never crossed his mind. But to hear the unthinkable truth confirmed directly from her lips—that she was the cause of his erased memories—was enough to break his heart.

"Sailor Cosmos... Just like in our past life, I accepted my fate to wander the universe in search of you, with no knowledge of your appearance. I crossed countless stars and journeyed through this cosmos. All of it was to fulfill the forgotten promise we once made."

Aeon pressed his hand against his restless heart and continued to speak to Sailor Cosmos. Yet, within himself, the meaning and significance of his long journey began to crumble. As the Guardian had once told him, he had pursued the brightest light in the cosmos—only to be met with this result. His wings drooped limply, and he let out a bitter smile at the irony of his fate.

"That’s a sad story. But I have no need for such promises. My mission to fight Chaos has no place for someone like you. That’s why I erased your memories of me. Forget about me, Aeon, and please, live your life in peace."

"You’re rejecting me...?"

"Yes. I’m sorry."

To Aeon, the smile Sailor Cosmos directed toward him felt like countless sharp knives and swords. Each blade pierced his being, delivering an agonizing pain he couldn’t truly feel.

Aeon remained frozen, unable to move from where he stood. Tuxedo Mask, sensing his anguish, clenched his fists tightly, his body trembling. He didn’t want to see Aeon like this. Feeling a mix of frustration and helplessness, Tuxedo Mask bit his lip and cast his gaze downward.

Suddenly, he felt a gentle tug on the sleeve of his left arm. When Tuxedo Mask turned his eyes to the left, he was met by Sailor Moon’s powerful, unwavering gaze. In her determined eyes, he felt something stir within him, and he nodded deeply.

Releasing her grip on his sleeve, Sailor Moon stepped forward—one step, then two—approaching Sailor Cosmos.

“Please, Sailor Cosmos, listen to what I have to say.”

“Sailor Moon?”

Draped in her white wings, Sailor Moon placed a hand over the heart-shaped article on her chest, her gaze locked firmly onto Sailor Cosmos.

“Do you truly mean it when you say you neither need Aeon nor the promises you made to him?”

“…You must understand as well, Sailor Moon. The battle against Sailor Chaos is relentless. Unnecessary doubts or hesitation cloud one’s judgment, disrupting peace in the universe and leading to the destruction of countless stars.”

Maintaining harmony and order in the cosmos—this was the mission, the duty, of one bearing the name “Cosmos.” To uphold order and balance, she had to continue fighting the Chaos that sowed discord, even if it meant battling loneliness itself. It had been Sailor Moon, two years ago, who gave Sailor Cosmos the courage to face such a burden.

"But if you’re truly me from the future, then you’re a liar! If it were me, I could never reject someone important or erase them from my life as if they didn’t exist. I came all this way because I wanted to hear your true feelings, and now you’re telling me this? That’s not fair!"

"Sailor Moon..."

Sailor Moon's voice carried her raw emotions, hurling them at Sailor Cosmos. But Sailor Cosmos's expression remained steadfast, revealing no trace of wavering feelings.

"You’re forgetting the promise you made to Endymion!"

Even as tears threatened to spill, Sailor Moon continued to throw her feelings toward Sailor Cosmos. Endymion... To Sailor Cosmos, he was once her lover and a husband with whom she shared vows. And yet, it wasn’t as though she had forgotten her past life’s partner. But those memories were now part of a bygone era. He was no longer her husband.

Seeing Sailor Moon on the verge of tears, Sailor Cosmos slowly raised a hand to cover her mouth.

"Sailor Moon, I’m grateful that you gave me the courage to fight Sailor Chaos. But I had to let go of the memories of the time I spent with Endymion, as well as the promises we exchanged. Please, don’t try to make me remember what happened back then! If I let myself dwell on it, I’ll fall into doubt once again—and regret will follow..."

Sailor Cosmos's voice began to lose its composure, trembling under the weight of emotions rising within her.

In her fight against Sailor Chaos, there was no room for the past. She couldn’t afford to feel lonely or allow herself to grieve that loneliness. Suppressing her emotions was the only way she had been able to carry out her mission. She had repeated these battles, alone and seemingly endless, while telling herself this countless times.

"Sailor Cosmos…"

Thinking of Sailor Cosmos's emotions, Sailor Moon felt as if she could hardly breathe.

A lonely battle against Sailor Chaos—that was Sailor Cosmos’s path. But Sailor Moon couldn’t bring herself to believe that such a future awaited her. Without a loved one by her side, what was the purpose of fighting? Surely, it wasn’t driven by something as intangible as destiny. There had to be something more—someone more important—that made it all worth it. Sailor Moon struggled to understand the feelings of her future self. It seemed to her that Sailor Cosmos was struggling to become someone else entirely.

As the two Sailor Guardian exchanged words, Tuxedo Mask noticed a subtle change in Sailor Cosmos. The starlight reflected in her eyes began to waver. Even though she tried hard to maintain her composure, it was clear that Sailor Moon’s words were stirring a storm of inner conflict within her.

Right now, neither Sailor Moon nor Tuxedo Mask could reach her closed-off heart. There was only one person who could—someone caught in the storm of despair.

“Aeon!! Listen to me!!”

Tuxedo Mask raised his voice, calling out to Aeon, who stood with his head down.

“...Mamoru?”

Aeon lifted his face, still looking disheartened, and met Tuxedo Mask’s gaze. The clarity and determination in Tuxedo Mask’s eyes struck a chord within him.

“If I were you, would I let something like this stop me?! Think, Aeon! Remember! Never stop moving forward!!”

Faced with the passionate encouragement of his younger self as a prince, Aeon recalled the kind of person he had been as Prince Endymion. Whenever the princess was in danger, both Endymion and Tuxedo Mask had acted with nobility and courage, risking everything to save her. Even when walking into obvious traps, they did so without hesitation for her sake.

──How could I have forgotten what it means to be “me”? If I hesitate now in front of Sailor Cosmos, then what was the point of meeting her at all?

Aeon’s drooping wings spread wide, and he let out a soft laugh.

“Mamoru… Who would’ve thought it would be you to remind me of this?”

Receiving such fiery encouragement from a younger version of himself was something Aeon had never expected. As the future god that he had become, he couldn’t allow himself to continue showing such disgrace. Aeon met Tuxedo Mask's gaze with a newfound determination in his eyes.

“Yeah. Go for it.”

Having done all he could, Tuxedo Mask quietly watched the fates of their far-off future selves unfold, standing by Sailor Moon’s side.

Aeon began to walk slowly toward Sailor Cosmos, one step at a time.

"Sailor Cosmos... Am I such a burden to you? Would you truly be happier without me by your side?"

"Yes," she replied softly, her eyes glistening with light. Yet, even as her seemingly heartless words threatened to tear him apart, Aeon refused to stop moving forward.

"If that's the case, then you can cast me aside. But no matter what you do, I will always love you. Just as I did in our past life, I will continue to search for a way to be with you—Serenity, the Usagi you once were—for all eternity."

With unwavering resolve, Aeon carried his dignity in his heart and steadily closed the distance between them.

"Stop... Please, don't come any closer. Don't look at me," Sailor Cosmos pleaded, her voice trembling. Yet, despite her words of rejection, she neither fled nor moved from her spot. Aeon didn’t rush toward her; instead, he poured his feelings into each deliberate step, gradually narrowing the space between them.

"Then why are you crying... without looking away from me?"

Five steps remained between Aeon and Sailor Cosmos. Her eyes reflected his figure, wavering like a mirage.

"You're crying too..."

Four steps. The light in Aeon's eyes shimmered as it mirrored Sailor Cosmos's glow.

"Well, after finally finding you, how could I not cry?"

Three steps. Aeon offered her a warm, bashful smile.

"Stop... This can't be..."

Two steps. Tears streamed down Sailor Cosmos's cheeks as her voice faltered.

"I love you, Sailor Cosmos."

One step. Aeon’s cape fluttered as he reached out his hand toward her.

"Ae... Aeon...!?"

At last, Aeon's hand touched Sailor Cosmos's. It was the moment he had waited for—decades, centuries, an eternity. Her delicate hand, soft and warm as ever, was finally within his grasp.

"I’ve finally touched your hand. But if you truly reject me, then let this be our last kiss."

Sailor Cosmos and Aeon gazed into each other's eyes. Aeon pulled her into an embrace, and as they closed their eyes, their lips met. In that instant, a powerful blue and white light burst forth from their chests, radiating in all directions. Like fireworks celebrating their reunion, the light illuminated everything around them.

"Ugh! It's so bright!"

The dazzling light emanating from the two caused Tuxedo Mask to shield his eyes.

"That light... It's pouring out of them!"

Sailor Moon could barely keep her eyes open. From the center of the radiant glow, a warmth like sunlight emanated, enveloping Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon in its gentle embrace.

Chapter Text

Far into the future, in the realm of Crystal Tokyo. It was a day several weeks past King Endymion's birthday celebrations.

Having finished her morning duties ahead of schedule and enjoyed an early midday meal, Neo-Queen Serenity sat on a bench in the palace garden. She rested her elbows and gazed dreamily at the scenery—the trees and flowers subtly altering their hues as summer neared its end, the azure sky still carrying traces of summer’s warmth, and the soft, floating cotton clouds.

“Autumn is almost here…”

Serenity’s voice dissolved quickly into the humid air.

Now that Small Lady had grown in body and spirit and blossomed into a true lady, Serenity had begun to reduce her burden as Queen. Small Lady, with her intelligence and capability, reminiscent of her father Endymion, excelled remarkably. While Serenity had been guiding her in preparation for inheriting the duties of the next Queen, Small Lady quickly surpassed her in internal governance, diplomacy, and overall aptitude. Even her one lingering concern—Small Lady’s lack of combat experience against external threats—was quelled. The results of her past training shone brilliantly, and Small Lady, leading the Quartet, faced external adversaries head-on. Bolstered by newfound confidence, Small Lady even managed to reunite with Helios, the priest guardian of Earth whom she had met long ago, now present in this era. Today, Helios supported Small Lady and played a key role in Crystal Tokyo’s internal affairs.

In the flowerbeds of the garden where Serenity sat, the proud sunflowers had begun bowing their heads, dropping petals onto the soil. In their centers, seeds, entrusted with life’s baton, were preparing for the next season. Serenity found herself identifying with the wilting sunflowers. Her time to shine was surely coming to an end; the era of passing on to the next generation was inexorably approaching. The abstract notion felt unshakable, looming closer with each passing moment.

As Serenity dwelled on such thoughts, the resonant chime of noon bells echoed throughout Crystal Tokyo.

“It must be Endymion’s lunchtime soon. Hehe, I’ll go pay him a little visit!”

With a hint of playful mischief, Serenity decided to surprise Endymion, hard at work in his study. Buoyed by this whim, she rose from the bench.

“Hmm…”

Suddenly, a subtle but sharp headache struck her. Her vision wavered, her strength drained from her legs, and her body tilted dangerously to one side.

Reflexively, Serenity grabbed the bench’s backrest to steady herself. For months, she had experienced these occasional bouts of dizziness. Initially infrequent, once a week or so, they had grown steadily more common—now occurring nearly daily. The intervals between them were shrinking. Wishing not to cause unnecessary worry, she had kept this secret from Endymion and the Sailor Guardians, but she knew time would soon reveal her condition.

Regarding the dizziness’s cause, she had initially suspected an attack by external enemies. However, with the combined vigilance of the Sailor Guardians and Small Lady, the solar system remained well-protected. There was no pain as with a curse, only a sudden feeling of weakness and no other symptoms.

Thus, Serenity understood the cause of her body’s changes.

It was the inescapable law of nature.

Leaning her weight against the bench, she slowly stood upright. The dizziness had subsided for now. Serenity took a deep breath, collected herself, and headed briskly toward Endymion’s study.

When Serenity arrived at Endymion’s study, the aged wooden door was firmly shut.

She imagined herself bursting through the door without knocking, exclaiming in a playful tone, “Endymiooon! I missed you!” as she adorably leapt into her husband’s arms. With this thought in mind, Serenity held her breath and reached for the doorknob. Just as her hand was about to touch it, the door moved on its own.

As the door opened, Endymion stood there silently, gazing down at Serenity.

“Oh, E-Endymion, what a coincidence!”

Caught off guard, Serenity blurted out an awkward remark. Endymion couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

“I knew you were there, Serenity. It’s hardly a coincidence, is it?”

“A-ahaha…”

Serenity scratched the back of her head, laughing nervously at Endymion’s observation.

“But you’ve come at just the right time. I was hoping to see you. Come in.”

Endymion gently ushered Serenity into the study. As she entered, she noticed the antique desk piled with stacks of documents and files. As King, much of Endymion’s duties involved reviewing materials and applications prepared by his subordinates. While Small Lady and Helios had helped distribute the workload, Mercury and others often persuaded Endymion to provide his final approval, making him the ultimate authority on many matters.

Endymion guided Serenity to the guest sofa before returning to his desk. He reached for the unfinished documents and began flipping through them.

“Have you had lunch?” Serenity asked, concerned about Endymion’s busy schedule.

“I had a quick bite earlier. I want to finish all my work today, so I’m sorry for talking to you while I’m working.”

“That’s fine.”

Endymion glanced briefly at Serenity before returning his focus to the papers. Serenity watched him intently as he worked. She admired the way he diligently carried out his duties, even though she sometimes felt lonely when he couldn’t spend time with her. His unwavering dedication to his people was a model of kingship.

But Serenity, having observed Endymion for years, could tell something was amiss. His work was slower than usual. The amount of paperwork on his desk was something he would typically finish efficiently, wrapping up by morning at the latest. Yet today, he had barely taken a lunch break and was still working.

“Ah…”

As Endymion attempted to sign a document, his dark blue fountain pen slipped from his fingers. It rolled off the desk and landed near Serenity’s feet. She rose from the sofa and picked it up.

“Endymion, you dropped this. Are you alright?”

Standing across the desk from him, Serenity handed the pen back to Endymion.

“It’s nothing, just a slip of the hand. Thank you.”

Endymion smiled warmly as he accepted the pen from Serenity. Yet, his smile made her heart ache.

“Is that really all?”

“Yes.”

Even as Serenity frowned, Endymion maintained his smile. His unwavering expression only deepened her concern.

“Don’t hide it from me. I know. Your energy has been gradually weakening day by day. Just now, you couldn’t grip the pen properly and dropped it.”

Serenity had deduced that Endymion’s slow pace was due to repeatedly dropping his pen. Though they were ageless, they were not immortal. Endymion’s final days were drawing near. She knew this because the same signs were manifesting in her own body, whether she wanted to acknowledge them or not.

“You’ve always seen through me, Serenity.”

Endymion chuckled wryly, rubbing the back of his neck. Serenity sighed deeply, her expression troubled.

“That’s right. Oh…”

Serenity’s vision tilted again. Another dizzy spell. Endymion rose from his chair and steadied her as her knees gave way.

“So, Serenity, you’re in the same condition as I am?”

Endymion whispered softly into her ear.

“You always see through me, don’t you?”

Serenity replied weakly, leaning on Endymion’s shoulder as she sank back onto the sofa.

“After all these years together, it’s second nature.”

Endymion touched her nose gently with his finger, his face softening into a smile.

Serenity thought that perhaps Endymion had known for a long time. Neither of them wanted to admit that their “end” was approaching. They had simply avoided saying it aloud.

But now, there was no denying it. In this moment, they shared the fate of their inevitable end.

* * *

That night, Endymion and Serenity spent time together in their private bedroom, sharing their moments on the bed. After they came together, they lay side by side, gazing at the canopy above. How many more times would they be able to see this canopy? And after they were gone, what would happen to the Earth and Moon? Though pondering such matters was futile, Endymion’s mind was filled with endless questions.

“Hey, do you think we’ll be together again if we’re reborn?”

Wrapped in the sheets, Serenity asked Endymion.

“What’s this, so sudden?”

“I just got curious about what you think, Endymion…”

Endymion, preoccupied with thoughts about how to spend the remaining days of their lives, didn’t have the capacity to worry about the far future. Yet, seeing Serenity’s melancholy expression, he couldn’t brush her off with a joke. Endymion gently touched her cheek and conveyed his heartfelt response.

“I believe we’ll find each other again.”

Serenity’s lashes glistened with tears, and her lips trembled as she began to sob.

“What’s wrong? You look so down.”

“I can’t help feeling anxious. What if it isn’t true?”

Her feelings finally overflowed. Overwhelmed by waves of uncertainty, Serenity couldn’t keep her voice from shaking.

“Why do you feel so anxious, Serenity?”

Endymion asked gently, his voice calm and kind.

“Because… when I met Sailor Cosmos at the Galaxy Cauldron, she was all alone.”

The mention of the legendary warrior stirred a sigh from Endymion.

“Sailor Cosmos… the strongest warrior in the universe and the future you, right? So seeing her made you worry?”

“Yes.”

The thought of battling Sailor Chaos frightened her. But more than that, the idea of being separated from Endymion, Lady, and the Sailor Guardians, and being left alone terrified her. Knowing what lay ahead, Serenity felt as if the fear might crush her.

“Serenity, do you think I would ever leave a lonely, crying you all alone?”

Endymion extended his hand and gently clasped hers. Her hand felt slightly cooler than usual, nestled in his warm grip.

“But! That future feels inevitable!”

Serenity’s face contorted, her fear of what lay beyond their deaths making her body tremble uncontrollably. Endymion pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

“No, I believe there’s a destiny waiting for both you and Sailor Cosmos that you can’t yet see. I feel certain that even if I’m reborn, I’ll find my way back to you.”

“Endymion…”

Serenity let herself be enveloped in Endymion’s embrace, and gradually, the trembling subsided.

“Serenity, even if I’m reborn, I want to fall in love with you again. In our previous life, our love was painful and tragic, but in this life, we found each other and were united. I believe in miracles, even in the future.”

When Serenity raised her eyes, she saw Endymion’s confident face. He was the partner who had always inspired her and given her courage. No matter how challenging the destiny that awaited them, she felt sure they would be alright. A bond forged over nearly a millennium held undeniable strength.

“That’s true. Even now, I look back on the days when I met you and fought by your side. When I close my eyes, I can remember those days as clearly as if they were yesterday.”

Even if death separated them, she was certain she’d meet this man again. The fear of death and the solitary future beyond it could be overcome, just to encounter him once more. Looking into his deep, ocean-blue eyes, Serenity decided to embrace the destiny of becoming Sailor Cosmos.

“Serenity, I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“When we’re reborn, we’ll fall in love all over again. It’s a promise.”

“Yes, it’s a promise.”

Endymion and Serenity closed their eyes and sealed their vow with a kiss.

* * *

About a month later, under a waxing moon shining over the skies of Crystal Tokyo, Endymion and Serenity departed from this life.

They rested peacefully on the canopy bed where they had once made their promise. Sharing the room with their motionless forms was Sailor Cosmos, the reborn Neo-Queen Serenity, accompanied by Guardian Cosmos. Together, they took in the sight of the two as if etching it into their memories.

Standing beside Endymion's lifeless form, Sailor Cosmos leaned over the bed, resting one hand on its frame.

“Farewell, Endymion. I too 'loved' you.”

Sailor Cosmos closed her eyes and kissed Endymion’s forehead. A faint white glow emanated where her lips met his skin. As she withdrew, a small sphere of light floated upward from Endymion’s forehead. It shimmered for a brief moment before bursting and vanishing.

It had worked. Sailor Cosmos gazed with satisfaction at the fading remnants of the light.

“What have you just done, Sailor Cosmos?” Guardian Cosmos inquired, her voice calm yet curious.

Sailor Cosmos rose to her feet and, with a melancholy expression, answered, “I erased all of his memories of me—of Sailor Cosmos.”

“Was that truly necessary?”

Upon being questioned, Sailor Cosmos smiled faintly and covered her mouth with her left hand.

“Yes. For someone like me, destined to battle Chaos, any ‘hesitation’ brought about by thoughts of him is unnecessary. If he is reborn, I want him to forget me and find happiness.”

Guardian Cosmos regarded Sailor Cosmos for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle.

“Is that really the only reason you did this?”

Her relaxed smile deepening, Guardian Cosmos pressed further. Sailor Cosmos lowered her hand from her lips and met Guardian Cosmos’s gaze. Matching the chuckle, she replied with a faint laugh of her own.

“You see right through me, don’t you?”

“I am your guardian, after all. Naturally, I can tell. The true reason you erased your memories from King Endymion—there’s more to it, isn’t there?”

Faced with Guardian Cosmos’s understanding eyes, Sailor Cosmos blushed deeply. Then, with a playful demeanor reminiscent of her time as Neo-Queen Serenity, she gently patted Endymion’s head.

“Indeed. If Endymion is reborn, I’d like to experience a new love with him again. For that, his memories of me aren’t necessary. Besides…”

“Besides?”

“A love that you can’t predict will blossom is far more exciting than one you know is already destined to succeed, don’t you think? That kiss was a charm for a new love.”

The whimsical remark, full of charm and youthful romanticism, left Guardian Cosmos momentarily speechless. Despite the daunting prospect of a harsh and prolonged battle with Chaos, despite the uncertainty of whether Endymion would even meet and fall for Sailor Cosmos in his next life, the radiant smile Sailor Cosmos wore somehow dispelled doubt. Guardian Cosmos found herself believing that the future awaiting Sailor Cosmos wasn’t filled solely with hardship.

“Especially for you, Sailor Cosmos, I imagine you’d feel that way.”

Guardian Cosmos silently sympathized with Endymion’s future reincarnation, who would surely struggle to find Sailor Cosmos again.

“Promise you won’t tell Endymion’s reincarnation about any of this!” Sailor Cosmos said with a wink, placing her index finger on her lips.

Before she was a Sailor Guardian, Sailor Cosmos was still a woman who yearned for love. Guardian Cosmos realized she had been so focused on her charge’s monumental responsibilities that she’d overlooked this simple truth.

As a guardian, it was her role to support Sailor Cosmos. Whatever command her charge gave, the guardian was bound to follow to the best of her ability. For the first time, Guardian Cosmos had received a personal request from Sailor Cosmos, and she accepted it with delight.

“Very well, I understand. Shall we be off then, Sailor Cosmos?”

Guardian Cosmos floated gracefully into the air. Sailor Cosmos turned away from the bed and opened the balcony window. The autumn breeze swept in, rustling the white lace curtains and Sailor Cosmos’s silver hair. The sky, drained of its blue hue, now matched the colors of the galaxy. Locking eyes with Sailor Cosmos, Guardian Cosmos cloaked herself in light and soared out of the bedroom window, accelerating towards the cosmos. Sailor Cosmos followed close behind, spreading her wings wide as she took flight from the balcony.

From that moment onward, Sailor Cosmos dedicated herself fully to the battle against Sailor Chaos. The unending conflict slowly eroded her spirit, chipping away at her resolve. As time passed, Sailor Cosmos found herself forgetting the promise she had once made to Endymion and even the true purpose of the “charm” she had placed upon him. Lost in the seemingly infinite war, she descended into a profound despair.

In her bid to bring the battle to an end, Sailor Cosmos resolved to destroy the Galaxy Cauldron and bring the universe itself to its conclusion. However, her plan was thwarted by Sailor Moon. This meant that Sailor Cosmos’s solitary fight would continue, unending.

Chapter Text

In this place, about 27,000 light-years away from Earth, two immense energies resonated. One belonged to the strongest Sailor Guardian safeguarding the order of the universe, and the other emanated from a deity who governed time and eternity. The crystals within their chests reacted to their emotions, glowing brilliantly and illuminating the stars of the Sagittarius A* all at once.

The blinding light they produced was too intense to keep one's eyes open. Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask, who had come from Earth to witness the pair's destiny, were also dazzled, unable to make out their forms clearly. Instead, with their eyes closed, vivid visions of King Endymion and Neo-Queen Serenity's final moments—and the birth of Sailor Cosmos—flooded their minds.

In that moment, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask also came to understand the true reason why Sailor Cosmos had erased Endymion’s memories of her.

“What… what just happened?”

After a while, the overwhelming light began to subside. Tuxedo Mask slightly opened his eyes, though they had yet to fully adjust to the brightness. Shielding his vision with his hand, he turned his gaze toward Sailor Moon, who stood beside him, since he still couldn’t look directly at Aeon and Sailor Cosmos.

“Tuxedo Mask…”

Sailor Moon, trembling, let out a shaky voice. Tuxedo Mask gently pulled her closer by the shoulders.

“Are you alright, Sailor Moon?”

“Yes. It’s just… the emotions from those two—Sailor Cosmos and Aeon—they’re overwhelming, and I can’t stop crying.”

“I see.”

Wiping away the tears streaming from her eyes, Sailor Moon noticed several droplets caught on the fabric of her gloves. Tuxedo Mask, too, felt the warm presence of tears beneath his mask. Not wanting her to notice, he averted his eyes from Sailor Moon and instead focused on the distant figures of what would one day become their future selves.

* * *

The kiss shared with Aeon was a whirlwind of joy so intense it felt like soaring, and pain so sharp it pierced Sailor Cosmos's heart like a blade. She hesitated to breathe, unwilling to part from his lips. Yet, the tears streaming down her cheeks sounded an alarm, whispering, "No."

When Sailor Cosmos reluctantly pulled away and opened her eyes, Aeon greeted her with the same gentle smile he had when he was King Endymion. His large hand, firmly holding her delicate one, radiated a warmth akin to sunlight. Sailor Cosmos cherished Aeon deeply, but she feared him just as much.

"I erased Endymion's memories not to fight Sailor Chaos..."

Sailor Cosmos withdrew her hand from Aeon's grasp, lowered her gaze, and bit her lip. The mistake of casting a "forgetting spell" on Endymion was unforgivable. She felt unworthy of Aeon's tender smile and couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes.

"Aeon, I'm sorry... I forgot everything in the midst of battle! Our promises, my selfish desires—everything!"

Sailor Cosmos trembled, covering her face with her hands. Hot tears spilled relentlessly from her eyes. Aeon, still smiling, placed his hands gently on her shoulders.

"It's alright now. Thanks to you, I've met you again and fallen in love with you all over. I've always loved you..."

"No! I trampled on your feelings! And my mistake of trying to end this universe remains unchanged. I toyed with your emotions and caused you pain—those facts won't disappear! I don't know how to atone for my sins other than leaving your side!"

Sailor Cosmos interrupted Aeon, raising her tear-filled eyes. Her voice cracked, her lips quivered, and her emotions were laid bare before him. Aeon cupped her cheeks with both hands and gazed directly into her eyes.

"Sailor Cosmos, even so, I love you! I've loved you all along, even without knowing you."

"But! I don't deserve such love!"

"You may not forgive yourself, but I have already forgiven you. You've endured the punishment of 'loneliness' for far too long!"

"Aeon..."

"If you feel you must atone further, then stay by my side!"

Aeon's shout stopped Sailor Cosmos's trembling. His deep, unwavering blue eyes reflected only her tearful face.

"I won't give up on you over something so trivial..."

As Aeon's cheeks softened with a shy smile, the feelings Sailor Cosmos had sealed away were released. Her face flushed as she became captivated by Aeon's gaze. The emotions she had once cherished most in her past life, but had pushed into oblivion during the battles, were reborn, filling her heart.

"Aeon... I love you. More than anything in this universe."

"Sailor Cosmos, I love you too—more than anything in this universe."

The two closed their eyes and shared another kiss—this time, their feelings perfectly aligned.

* * *

"Uwaaaah, it’s so beautiful!!"

Sailor Moon cried out loudly, overcome with emotion at the heartfelt reunion of the two. Her eyes were red, and she made sniffling sounds as she drew in her runny nose.

"Ahh, I just can’t stop crying! Don’t you think so too, Tuxedo Mask?!"

After wiping away her tears with her hands, she turned to Tuxedo Mask, seeking his agreement, as if they were watching the final episode of a popular romantic drama together in the living room. Tuxedo Mask, glancing briefly at Aeon and Sailor Cosmos and then at the sobbing Sailor Moon, rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"It’s certainly emotional, but... the real reason Sailor Cosmos erased her memory from Aeon—‘to fall in love again even in another life’—that part, well..."

Aeon, who had been tossed about by the "charm" cast by the universe's mightiest warrior, and Usagi and the others, who had been dragged into it. Then there’s Sailor Cosmos, who forgot the true reason for the "charm" she cast and almost brought an end to the universe. If this were just a fictional story, it could easily end with a simple "That’s great." But witnessing a love that unfolded on the cosmic stage, realizing that one wrong choice could have ended the universe, left Tuxedo Mask questioning whether he could wholeheartedly say, "That’s great."

"What? Does that mean you don’t understand, Mamo-chan?"

Sailor Moon pouted in dissatisfaction, her lips pursed, disappointed at not receiving the empathy she sought from Tuxedo Mask.

"If I were in Aeon’s place, I wouldn’t be able to take it."

Tuxedo Mask imagined the trials Aeon had overcome, a glimpse into the future that might await him. But just thinking about it made his stomach ache as if it were being twisted, so he quickly stopped imagining it.

"…But Aeon believed in the one he longed for and kept his promise with Sailor Cosmos. He’s an incredible guy, that one."

Tuxedo Mask let out a small sigh, a soft smile gracing his lips.

Chapter Text

"I see the lights!"

"Such immense power, and from four sources no less."

"Seize it all and offer it to Sailor Chaos!"

From somewhere unseen, an eerie laughter echoes. At the same time, Tuxedo Mask senses a surge of murderous intent. The aura of dark energy, far stronger than before Sailor Cosmos saved him, causes every fiber of his being to tense with vigilance.

"Mamo-chan, what... is that?"

Sailor Moon points her finger toward a massive swarm of Chaos Seeds, a number so vast it blots out the distant starlight. Tuxedo Mask gasps as the dark shadows come into view.

"A swarm of Chaos Seeds far greater than the last one is approaching! Could it be they're drawn to the light of Aeon and Sailor Cosmos?!"

The Chaos Seeds surrounding Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon react to Sailor Cosmos and Aeon's crystalline lights. The overwhelming glow of Sailor Cosmos and Aeon's mighty crystals must have spread throughout the area, prompting a sudden attack from every Chaos Seed lurking nearby.

"And these ones look much stronger than before!"

Though still distant, Sailor Moon can clearly feel the intense energy radiating from the advancing Chaos Seeds.

"Indeed, and it seems they're trying to encircle us."

Even from afar, the Chaos Seeds in the swarm appear to be two or three times the size of a person. The massive gathering spreads, forming an impenetrable barrier and cutting off any escape route for Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask.

Sensing the shift in their surroundings, Sailor Cosmos and Aeon broke apart, their embrace giving way to defensive stances. With a grim expression, Aeon scanned the oncoming swarm.

"Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask—fall back! I’ll handle this!" he commanded, his voice firm with determination.

His words carried an undeniable air of resolve, but Sailor Moon refused to step aside.

"But... we can fight too! Together—"

"No! This isn’t up for debate!" Aeon’s authoritative tone cut through her protest, leaving Sailor Moon momentarily speechless.

Sailor Cosmos, ready to wield her rod, hesitated as Aeon reached out to intercept her motion, gripping the staff firmly.

“What are you doing, Aeon? Let me fight alongside you!” Sailor Cosmos tried to wrestle the rod free, but Aeon held his ground.

“I must face them alone. Please, Sailor Cosmos, you must trust me and stay back.”

Aeon’s voice was firm yet filled with genuine care, his resolve unyielding. Yet, the ominous threat could not be ignored—the lives of Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask hung in the balance. Above all, Sailor Cosmos knew why she could not accede to Aeon’s request.

Sailor Cosmos stood firm, her emotions in turmoil as Aeon pleaded with her to stay back. She tightened her grip on the rod, preparing to refuse, but Aeon’s words, earnest and resolute, struck deep into her heart.

“It’s too dangerous!” Sailor Cosmos protested, her voice trembling with concern. “If you fall… I couldn’t bear it!”

Aeon’s expression softened, his determination unwavering. “Sailor Cosmos, my only wish is to fight alongside you. To stand beside you once more.”

“You can’t be serious, Aeon! Sailor Chaos is far too dangerous. I can’t involve you in this battle—it’s not your fight!”

“But I want it to be my fight!” Aeon interrupted with fervor. “I will protect you—not because you need me to, but because I want you to know you’re not alone. I will face Sailor Chaos with you.”

The memories of her past tragedies flashed vividly in Sailor Cosmos’s mind. The loss of Endymion before Serenity’s eyes, the pain Usagi endured watching Mamoru fade away—those heartbreaks still haunted her. Reuniting with a loved one felt like a miracle she couldn't bear to lose again so soon.

Yet Aeon’s gaze remained fixed on her, his resolve unbroken.

“Even if I’m afraid, I won’t run away. I’d rather risk everything than leave you to fight Sailor Chaos alone.”

“Aeon…” Sailor Cosmos whispered. His heartfelt words pierced through her layers of self-reliance, shaking the solitude she had accepted for so long.

“Besides…” Aeon continued, brushing his fingers gently against her cheek. “There’s something you don’t know, Sailor Cosmos. Something that King Endymion longed for until the very end.”

Sailor Cosmos’s eyes widened as she gazed into Aeon’s warm expression.

“To walk alongside you and ensure you’d never have to fight alone… That wish was so strong that it reached the Galaxy Cauldron itself. I was born anew, with the strength to fulfill that promise.”

His touch radiated a force she recognized—a power that felt divine, impossible to deny. She saw it now: Aeon was no longer the prince or king of his past lives. Through two reincarnations, he had returned as an entity capable of standing beside her in battle, a force bound not by duty, but by love and unwavering will.

Sailor Cosmos studied Aeon’s face, and a moment of silence passed between them. His confidence, his devotion, and his unwavering belief in her touched something deep within her. Slowly, she loosened her grip on her rod and let out a quiet sigh.

"...Alright. I won’t interfere. I’ll stay back and watch over you alongside Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask."

"Thank you." Aeon let go of her rod and gently tousled Sailor Cosmos’s hair, a soft smile gracing his face. The affectionate gesture brought an involuntary smile to her own lips, and a wave of quiet relief washed over her.

Aeon’s expression shifted as he turned his focus to Tuxedo Mask, the warmth in his eyes replaced by a determined intensity. "Tuxedo Mask, if things go south, make sure Sailor Moon is protected with everything you’ve got."

Tuxedo Mask met his gaze, nodding with the air of someone addressing an old ally. "Of course. You stay safe too."

"I will." Aeon’s reply carried a quiet strength, a blend of steadfast resolve and camaraderie that underscored his words.

Aeon turned his back to Tuxedo Mask and unfurled his large wings wide. Placing his hand over his chest, he summoned a crystal shaped like a blue rose and unleashed its power in an instant, enveloping his entire body in a golden light. He bent his knees slightly, then leapt into the air while forcefully flapping his wings. In the blink of an eye, Aeon vanished from Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon’s sight, streaking through space like a shooting star toward the swarm of Chaos Seeds.

Drawn by the intense golden light emitted by Aeon, the Chaos Seed swarm shifted its course. Aeon maneuvered freely through the vast expanse of space, guiding the Chaos Seeds away from Sailor Moon and the others.

"Most of them have taken the bait. Now, I just need to wait for them to close the distance, then wipe them all out at once."

Aeon stopped flapping his wings. His location was free of debris, offering a clear view of his surroundings. Moreover, there were no planets with living beings nearby. Here, he could release the full power of his crystal without restraint.

"Give me your power!"

"Take this!"

Several Chaos Seeds at the forefront of the swarm simultaneously fired black beams from their dark crystals. The beams streaked toward Aeon, cloaked in thick black smoke. Raising his right hand forward, Aeon absorbed the beams into his palm. The black beams collided with the light of Aeon’s crystal and dissipated into nothingness.

"So this is the extent of the Chaos Seeds’ power?"

Musing that such numbers posed little threat, Aeon let out a dismissive snort.

"Then, how about this?!"

The Chaos Seeds emitted thick, black smoke from their dark crystals. The smoke quickly engulfed Aeon, completely shrouding his vision. As darkness surrounded him, what appeared before Aeon was the image of Sailor Cosmos, her chest pierced, lying lifeless on the ground.

"This is…"

Aeon knelt beside her lifeless form. Red blood spread from her chest, staining her white costume into a deep, dark crimson. Her body began to crumble like grains of sand.

"So, this is the kind of attack they rely on... Showing me cheap illusions like this? They truly underestimate me."

Aeon sneered at the false image of her transformed state, mocking the weak illusion.

"What?!"

The Chaos Seeds were confident Aeon had fallen for their illusion attack. Watching a vision of a loved one’s death would normally ravage both body and mind. Yet Aeon’s low, derisive laugh filled the illusion, unnerving the Chaos Seeds who had initiated the attack.

"Did you truly think the strongest guardian in the cosmos could be defeated by someone like you? You’ve chosen your opponent poorly."

With a sweep of his wings, Aeon dispelled the black smoke that surrounded him. He had broken through the Chaos Seeds’ illusion attack by sheer force of will. The Chaos Seeds, realizing the futility of their efforts, shrank back in fear at the intensity in Aeon’s gaze.

"It’s about time to end this. I’ll wipe all of you out in one fell swoop."

As the countless Chaos Seeds swarmed to attack, Aeon saw his chance. Raising the blue, rose-shaped crystal above his head, he declared:

"O Holy Stone, as the ruler of time and eternity, I command you: annihilate these creatures that writhe in darkness!"

From Aeon’s position, a wave of golden energy erupted in all directions.

“Graaaahhhh!”

“Screeeech!”

The Chaos Seeds, consumed by the radiant energy, let out agonized cries before vanishing into the light. Some attempted to flee, but Aeon’s expanding attack engulfed them one by one, erasing every last trace.

"He's so powerful!"

Watching Aeon fight for the first time, Sailor Moon could only gape in awe. The speed at which Aeon obliterated the Chaos Seeds made his power seem almost equal to Sailor Cosmos’s own.

"As expected of a god… He’s incredibly strong."

Tuxedo Mask couldn’t tear his eyes away from the golden light, which radiated an overwhelming energy and unshakable will that far surpassed his own abilities. To stand as an equal beside the strongest guardian in the cosmos required flawless judgment, precise timing, and unparalleled strength. For Tuxedo Mask, Aeon’s battle was a humbling reminder of his own limitations.

Aeon had successfully repelled the swarm of Chaos Seeds. However, suddenly, Tuxedo Mask, who had been watching Aeon, felt a surge of intense murderous intent once again. At that very moment, a piece of debris, roughly the size of a human, spun and drifted near Sailor Moon and the others. From behind the debris, a faint red core began to glow. As the red core became visible, black smoke emerged, revealing a dark crystal.

"Chaos Seed!?"

Sailor Moon exclaimed as the Chaos Seed’s eyes glowed red in the darkness. It seemed the creature had hidden itself within the debris, narrowly escaping Aeon’s earlier attack. Though weakened by the impact of Aeon’s assault, the Chaos Seed began to move slowly, inching closer to Sailor Moon with sharpened claws ready to strike. Up close, the Chaos Seed appeared much larger to Sailor Moon than it had from afar. She gripped her tiara tightly, preparing to defend herself.

"This is bad! I have to defeat the Chaos Seed…"

Sailor Cosmos raised her rod, ready to intervene—but she gripped it tightly and held herself back. If she helped Sailor Moon now, she would break her promise to Aeon to refrain from interfering.

"Usa, get back!"

Tuxedo Mask stepped in front of Sailor Moon to shield her from the Chaos Seed. However, Sailor Moon grabbed his cape and shook her head vehemently.

"No! If you’re consumed by darkness again, I couldn’t bear it!"

"I’ll be fine. I won’t make the same mistake twice!"

The fear of Tuxedo Mask succumbing to darkness again was too much for Sailor Moon to bear, and she refused to move. Meanwhile, the Chaos Seed continued to advance, radiating a sinister energy as it approached the pair step by step. Despite its weakened state, the Chaos Seed exuded a stronger and more malevolent aura than the ones Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask had defeated before.

"If this continues, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask will be in danger… But if I intervene…"

The Chaos Seed closed in on Tuxedo Mask, raising its claws to strike. Sailor Cosmos aimed her rod at the Chaos Seed, ready to attack. Just then, a sharp beam of light shot past Sailor Cosmos from behind, piercing the red core of the Chaos Seed’s crystal.

“Gyaaahhh!”

The Chaos Seed let out a scream as the piercing energy struck its core. Clutching its chest, the Chaos Seed cried out before vanishing without a trace.

"My apologies—I missed one. Are you both alright?"

From behind Sailor Cosmos, Aeon appeared, holding the blue rose-shaped crystal aloft in his right hand. It was Aeon who had saved Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask from danger. Relieved, Sailor Cosmos dissipated the energy she had gathered in her rod.

"Ah… Yeah."

Tuxedo Mask was momentarily stunned by the sudden disappearance of the enemy before him. Sailor Moon blinked a few times, then sighed in relief, saying, "That was so scary!"

"Aeon, have you defeated all the Chaos Seeds?"

"Yes, I’ve taken care of the ones in the vicinity. For now, things should be safe. At least, safe enough for us to say our farewells."

Aeon responded calmly to Tuxedo Mask’s question. True to his promise, Aeon had single-handedly repelled the Chaos Seed army with ease. As Aeon had said, the time to bid farewell to their counterparts from another era was drawing near. Though it had been less than a day since meeting Aeon, Tuxedo Mask felt as though a part of himself was being torn away.

"Aeon… To defeat that many Chaos Seeds in an instant…"

Sailor Cosmos was astonished by Aeon’s power, which far exceeded her expectations. Though there had been a few stragglers, Aeon had single-handedly defeated the Chaos Seed army without her intervention. While his strength might not rival her own, Sailor Cosmos couldn’t help but acknowledge Aeon’s remarkable abilities and his fulfillment of their promise.

Aeon approached Sailor Cosmos and knelt before her. With a confident expression, he looked up into her eyes.

"With this power, I won’t be a hindrance fighting by your side, will I? I gained this strength because I wanted to stay by your side. My abilities as a god may still be rough around the edges, but I want to protect your heart and your being, always."

Aeon extended his hand toward Sailor Cosmos, his gesture reminiscent of his days as a prince or king, expressing his devotion. As his deep blue eyes met hers, Sailor Cosmos felt a warmth radiating through her core, like sunlight on a winter’s day.

"...Aeon. You always manage to grant me more than I could ever wish for."

"Of course."

Aeon’s gentle smile brought a soft laugh from Sailor Cosmos, her cheeks flushing with warmth.

"I’ve made my decision."

"What decision?"

"I’ve decided I can entrust my back to you. So, stay by my side, always."

Sailor Cosmos took Aeon’s hand. Even if she had forgotten him, she realized she had always longed to hold this hand. It was slightly rugged, warm, and large. Holding it made her feel as though she could traverse the entire universe. Even if their journey to battle Chaos had no end, she knew—no, she was certain—that she could only undertake it with him.

—I’m in love with you, Aeon.

Sailor Cosmos felt a lightness in her body, a sensation of joy and embarrassment mingling together.

"Gladly."

Hearing her words, Aeon kissed the back of Sailor Cosmos’s hand. This was a new vow between them, a promise forged anew. At last, they had fulfilled their previous promise and exchanged a new one. Aeon rose to his feet and embraced Sailor Cosmos, sealing their vow with a kiss.

"Well, I guess that’s truly the end of the story."

Watching the scene unfold, Sailor Moon murmured, her face flushed red. The two lovers, unbothered by their past selves, embodied their love so openly that even Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask couldn’t help but blush at the sweetness and intensity of it.

"Yeah, it seems so."

Tuxedo Mask suddenly pulled Sailor Moon close, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. Sailor Moon looked up at his profile, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. She couldn’t help but find his shy expression endearing.

Chapter Text

Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask, and their reincarnated forms in the far future, Sailor Cosmos and Aeon.

Two pairs of men and women stood face to face in a distant part of the universe so far away that even light would take over 27,000 years to reach. Through countless miracles, wisdom, love, and courage, these two pairs, who were never meant to cross paths, gazed at each other with gentle smiles, as if looking into a mirror, seeing versions of themselves from different eras.

"Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask, I truly owe you my gratitude. Thanks to you, I was able to meet Sailor Cosmos once again. Allow me to express my thanks."

Aeon placed his right hand on his left chest and bowed gracefully to Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask. His demeanor remained refined, exuding the noble elegance befitting a former king. However, at this moment, Aeon appeared even more imposing than when he had revealed himself in the command center, his presence illuminated by countless starlights, shining brighter than ever.

"No, it’s because you never gave up until the very end, Aeon."

"We simply lent a little strength."

Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask, humbly expressing their gratitude, drew a soft chuckle from Sailor Cosmos, who covered her mouth as she laughed.

“That’s not true. Without Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask, I would never have been able to hold Aeon’s hand like this. Thank you.”

Aeon and Sailor Cosmos locked eyes and simultaneously narrowed them in a warm smile. The atmosphere surrounding them took on shades of spring, leaving Sailor Moon with shining eyes and Tuxedo Mask slightly blushing. The happiness emanating from these two, far into the future, was so overflowing it made simply observing them joyous and a little flustered.

“Well, Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask—you both need to return to Earth.”

Aeon’s expression shifted into seriousness as he broached their farewell to Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask. Tuxedo Mask met Aeon’s gaze, his face betraying a tinge of nervousness.

"Ah, but are there still Chaos Seeds lingering in the direction we're headed back to?"

What Tuxedo Mask was worried about was the presence of Chaos Seeds that infested the area around Sagittarius A* Alpha Star. Although Sailor Cosmos and Aeon had defeated countless numbers of Chaos Seeds, their forces had not been completely eradicated. Even now, Tuxedo Mask couldn’t help but ponder the possibility that small seeds of Chaos might be scattered among the massive number of Star Seeds being released from the Galaxy Cauldron.

"The Chaos Seeds I just defeated were only a small fraction. It's highly likely that swarms of Chaos Seeds, like the ones you saw earlier, are lurking along the path to the solar system. If you move carelessly, they’ll detect your light and attack you."

As Aeon spoke, his expression serious, Tuxedo Mask mirrored his grim demeanor. In contrast, Sailor Cosmos entered their conversation with a resolute expression on her face.

"Aeon and I will draw in and defeat the Chaos Seeds in the direction of the solar system. We’ll create a path for you both to return home."

Just as Aeon had fought against the horde of Chaos Seeds earlier, Sailor Cosmos proposed using herself and Aeon as a decoy to lure and distract the enemy. This was her strategy. After showing a look of agreement with her idea, Aeon turned his gaze straight toward Tuxedo Mask.

"However, even if we drastically reduce the number of Chaos Seeds, it’s impossible to eliminate them all. We'll try to avoid leaving any stragglers, but achieving zero is a difficult task."

Tuxedo Mask could not rely solely on the powers of Aeon and Sailor Cosmos if he was to return to Earth with Sailor Moon. Aeon’s warning hinted at this reality. Tuxedo Mask met Aeon’s gaze and responded to his words with a sharp, "So, basically…"

"We have to protect ourselves, right?"

"Exactly. Mamoru, when the darkness threatens to consume you, focus strongly on the keyword to guide you forward. I led you here, but for your journey back, you'll have to rely on the guidance of your crystals and use the wings that Sailor Moon gave you to surge forward all at once."

Aeon’s resolute words drew a firm nod from Tuxedo Mask. No matter what awaited them ahead, he would ensure they returned to Earth together. He turned to Sailor Moon and met her gaze, solidifying their renewed determination.

"Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask, no matter what happens, you must not look back until you reach Earth. Keep your eyes forward and press on."

Sailor Cosmos spoke to Sailor Moon with a gentle expression. However, despite her kindness, Sailor Moon’s face clouded with unease.

"But what will happen to Sailor Cosmos and Aeon?"

"We’ll be fine. There’s no need to worry about us."

Sailor Cosmos gripped her rod with both hands, maintaining a calm, reassuring smile.

"If you look back, we won’t be able to properly lure the Chaos Seeds away. For your sake, and ours, you must move forward without hesitation."

Even as she looked at Aeon’s resolute demeanor, Sailor Moon hesitated. It wasn’t that she doubted the extraordinary power of the two standing before her—powers far beyond her own. Yet, the thought of leaving them behind in such a dangerous place while she and Tuxedo Mask returned safely to Earth left her with a heavy weight in her chest.

"Understood. There’s no other choice. Sailor Moon, we must trust them and move forward."

Tuxedo Mask extended his arm to Sailor Moon’s shoulder, gripping it firmly as she hesitated.

"What? Are we really leaving the two of them behind?"

Sailor Moon turned her anxious gaze toward Tuxedo Mask.

"Aeon and Sailor Cosmos will be fine. They must continue battling Chaos for many, many years ahead. There’s no way they’ll lose to those creatures. That’s why I choose to believe in ‘the power of us, far into the future’ and push forward."

Tuxedo Mask patted Sailor Moon’s shoulder reassuringly and smiled with confidence. Sailor Cosmos and Aeon watched the resolute Tuxedo Mask with gentle smiles.

Sailor Moon looked anew at the figures of Sailor Cosmos and Aeon. Both possessed immense power on their own, yet together, their combined strength felt like more than double—it felt infinite. That thought brought calm to Sailor Moon’s heart as she took them in.

"Tuxedo Mask... I understand now. Sailor Cosmos, Aeon, please be careful."

Just as Usagi had once held Chibi-Chibi two years ago, Sailor Moon’s kindness and heartfelt gesture warmed Sailor Cosmos’s chest. At the same time, Sailor Cosmos felt her resolve deepen—to fight for the harmony and order of this universe, and for Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask.

"Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask, stay well and be happy—always."

Sailor Cosmos spoke warmly to the two from her past lives. She deliberately refrained from saying “goodbye,” feeling that it would be strange for a presence from the distant future to utter a farewell to the pair.

"And you, Sailor Cosmos, be forever happy with Aeon."

Sailor Moon also avoided saying goodbye. Knowing that Sailor Cosmos was, in a way, her future self, her expression bloomed into a natural, radiant smile instead of tears.

"See you around, Mamoru."

Aeon addressed Tuxedo Mask in a casual tone, akin to speaking with a longtime friend. In his expression, traces of the carefree boy Ao, whom he had once been on Earth, subtly surfaced.

"Right. You’d better make sure your partner stays happy. If you ever end up having a lover’s spat on a cosmic scale and drag nearby stars into the mess, I won’t be able to forgive you."

Tuxedo Mask suddenly cracked a joke, catching Aeon off guard. Understanding it as his friend’s way of lightening the mood and avoiding a somber farewell, Aeon sniffed slightly and played along in kind.

"Don’t worry. I’ll be careful. You, on the other hand, must 'protect Usa' always."

Aeon chuckled, deliberately repeating the “keyword” Tuxedo Mask had shouted earlier in a moment of determination. Tuxedo Mask widened his eyes briefly before breaking into a grin.

"Of course. Here and now, I renew that vow to both you and Sailor Cosmos."

Tuxedo Mask raised a fist toward Aeon. As a symbol of their shared promise, Aeon met his fist with his own. Though Aeon had never spent a single day with Mamoru on Earth in his form as the boy Ao, the two found themselves connected as if they had been lifelong friends.

Chapter Text

"Look, Earth is over there. From here, just keep looking straight ahead and keep moving forward."

Sailor Cosmos raised her staff toward the direction behind Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask. Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask turned their backs on their distant future selves.

"If the Chaos Seed blocks your path, defeat it with your own strength. You can absolutely do it as you are now."

Aeon's words, spoken from behind them, stirred Tuxedo Mask's heart with determination.

"Got it!"

Tuxedo Mask clenched his fists tightly and replied firmly. The youthful courage radiating from his back made Aeon smile with pride. Aeon then spread the white wings on his back vigorously.

"Let's go, Sailor Cosmos."

"Alright!"

With graceful movements, Sailor Cosmos spread her wings and took off alongside Aeon toward the Solar System. The two accelerated rapidly, accompanied by white and blue lights. Their forms quickly disappeared from Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask's field of vision, leaving behind only streaks of light.

"We're heading out too, Sailor Moon!" "Yes, we'll definitely return to Earth!"

Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon simultaneously spread their wings and began to flap toward the streaks of light. The radiance emitted by Sailor Cosmos and Aeon shone brilliantly, illuminating the entire space. Guided by that light, the massive swarm of Chaos Seeds hidden in the darkness began to move at high speed, tightly packed and colliding into one another as they spun wildly.

"Wow, they're attracting so many Chaos Seeds!"

Sailor Moon exclaimed in astonishment, watching the large black shadow pursuing the two streaks of light. The effect of Sailor Cosmos and Aeon intentionally acting as decoys was tremendous; the Chaos Seeds, driven by a desperate craving for the powerful light, relentlessly chased the pair. As the two coordinated their movements, zigzagging through the space, the Chaos Seeds' erratic actions disrupted their cohesion as a swarm. Thanks to the diversion, Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon advanced steadily toward Earth without being hindered by the Chaos Seeds.

"Indeed, their power is remarkable. ...But I can sense hostility nearby, albeit faint. Let’s proceed while minimizing our presence."

Even though the majority of the Chaos Seed swarm had been drawn away, Tuxedo Mask could still faintly detect the presence of something lurking in the darkness. If he and Sailor Moon were to unleash the power of their Crystals here, it would render Sailor Cosmos and Aeon's diversion futile. To avoid being detected by the Chaos Seeds, Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon dimly lit the Crystals in their chests, flapping their wings toward the direction indicated by the light.

"The Sagittarius A* region is vast. I was so focused on chasing after Aeon that I didn’t realize how deep we’d ventured," Sailor Moon murmured.

She and Tuxedo Mask floated through the space of Sagittarius A*, a realm unimaginably distant from Earth. This void stretched endlessly, filled only with darkness and starlight. If they stopped moving their wings here, survival would be impossible. Stifling the fear that threatened to paralyze her, she pressed on, step by step.

Soon after, Sailor Moon lost sight of the light emitted by Sailor Cosmos and Aeon. At the same moment, a sudden flash illuminated the surrounding space as if a massive firework had exploded. The two had begun their battle against the Chaos Seeds and launched their attack. Although she believed they would be okay, Sailor Moon’s chest tightened, and she felt an urge to glance back toward their direction.

"They’ll be fine. Let’s keep moving forward!"

Tuxedo Mask took Sailor Moon’s hand as doubt crept into her expression. Leading her, he spread his wings and accelerated. Riding the wind generated by his wings, Sailor Moon increased the distance from their distant future selves. And as the gap widened, the energy of Sailor Cosmos and Aeon gradually grew fainter.

Resisting the urge to look back and confirm the two’s safety, Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon continued their flight toward the Solar System. On the way there, Aeon’s power to leap through time-space had effortlessly brought them to Sagittarius A*. However, to return to the Solar System on their own, they needed to release the full power of their Crystals and transcend the bounds of time and space. Yet, the Chaos Seeds that infested Sagittarius A* reacted strongly to the light of Crystals infused with stellar power. Thus, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask suppressed the release of their Crystal's light to the utmost limit, relying solely on their wings to advance to the outer edges of Sagittarius A*.

"Sailor Moon, it’s about time."

The energy of Sailor Cosmos and Aeon was no longer perceptible, but the presence of Chaos Seeds was nearly undetectable. Thanks to their efforts, the Chaos Seeds had been significantly reduced in number. Tuxedo Mask judged that this moment was the perfect opportunity to unleash their power.

"Yes, I’m ready! Silver Moon Crystal!"

As they continued flapping their wings forward, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask released their clasped hands. Simultaneously, they placed both hands on their chests and poured energy into their Crystals. From the Silver Moon Crystal surged silver light, while golden light radiated from the Golden Crystal, enveloping their bodies completely.

Preparing for the dimensional leap back to Earth, the two smoothly unleashed their power.

"I sense the presence of powerful Star Seeds..."

"I want them—your Star Seeds!!"

From behind an asteroid, two Chaos Seeds revealed their glowing eyes. Emerging from their hiding spot, the two Chaos Seeds aimed black crystals on their chests at Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask, simultaneously unleashing beams shrouded in black smoke.

"Ahhhhhh!"

"Ughhhhh!"

Focused on releasing the power of their Crystals, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask were hit directly by the black beams. The impact of the attack forced them to stop flapping their wings and brought them to a halt in midair.

"Ha... ha... Are you okay, Sailor Moon?"

Exhausted from releasing the power of the Crystal and having taken a direct hit from the enemy's attack, Tuxedo Mask was gasping for breath.

"Yes... I'm fine. How about you, Tuxedo Mask?"

Sailor Moon, too, was breathing heavily. The glow of their Crystals had not yet been entirely extinguished, but they flickered irregularly, emitting an unstable light.

"My body was wrapped in the Crystal's power, so the damage was significantly reduced."

"If we take another hit, we won't come out unscathed..." Sailor Moon said, her voice trembling.

Tuxedo Mask turned his gaze toward the direction of the attack and saw the ominous red cores of the Chaos Seeds' black crystals glowing menacingly. Now, the two red lights were closing in, aiming to deliver a point-blank attack on Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask.

"This time, we can't rely on Sailor Cosmos's power. We have to defeat the enemy ourselves..."

Sailor Moon trembled with fear and anxiety. If they took that attack again—especially at close range—they certainly wouldn't survive. If either Sailor Moon or Tuxedo Mask fell here, both of them would face total defeat. The overwhelming pressure and fear threatened to crush her spirit, and the radiance of her Crystal began to weaken.

"Sailor Moon, we're breaking through head-on!"

Tuxedo Mask took Sailor Moon's hand. The grasp was warm, like the gentle rays of the sun. The golden Crystal shining on Tuxedo Mask's chest radiated strong and fiery energy, akin to the sun itself.

---Why am I hesitating? I have to return to Earth with Mamo-chan by my side!

Seeing the expression of courage and nobility that no one else could match on Tuxedo Mask’s face, Sailor Moon regained her confidence. Like a full moon glowing under the sun’s rays, her Silver Crystal began to shine powerfully.

"Yes! We’ll defeat them ourselves!"

As Sailor Moon shouted, Tuxedo Mask intensified the radiance of his Crystal as well. Both of their bodies were enveloped in even stronger silver and golden lights, fueled by the power of their Crystals.

"Hand them over quickly!"

"Offer your strength to us!!"

Undeterred by the change in the two’s demeanor, the two Chaos Seeds approached within five meters. Preparing to release another beam from their black Crystals at point-blank range, the Chaos Seeds stood ready. In response, Sailor Moon raised her right hand while Tuxedo Mask raised his left, aiming simultaneously at the Chaos Seeds before them.

"Golden Crystal, unleash your power!"

"Silver Moon Crystal, grant us your strength!"

From their palms, beams of silver and golden light erupted simultaneously. The Chaos Seeds, nearly at the same moment, emitted beams from their black crystals. However, the two attacks were swiftly overwhelmed by the radiant power of the Crystals. The light surged forward, heading straight for the crystals embedded in the Chaos Seeds' chests, piercing through them.

"Gyahhhh!"

"Ughhhh!!"

The two Chaos Seeds cried out in agony, clutching at their chest crystals. Cracks spread rapidly across the crystals until, with a sharp sound, they shattered into countless fragments.

"We did it! We defeated them ourselves!"

Sailor Moon exclaimed in delight. However, Tuxedo Mask did not relax his stern expression.

"Sailor Moon, there might still be others hiding around us! We must unleash the full power of our Crystals and transcend space-time to return to Earth!"

The situation remained critical. Yet, the Crystals of Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask shone with such intense brilliance that they were nearing their maximum potential. They were now ready, brimming with the power needed to transcend space-time.

"Alright!"

Sailor Moon took Tuxedo Mask's hands once again. Closing her eyes, she sent a prayer to the Crystals.

---Please, guide us home to Earth, Crystals!

The light surrounding Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask grew even more dazzling. As the radiance intensified to the point where their figures were no longer visible, the light enveloping them shot forward in the direction of the Solar System. It accelerated at a speed too fast for the eye to follow, surpassing the speed of light itself. At the very moment they broke the light barrier, their presence vanished instantly from Sagittarius A*.

***

"Looks like they somehow managed to escape from here."

As the silver and golden lights of the two stars disappeared, Aeon murmured quietly. Having purified the massive swarm of Chaos Seeds, Aeon was seated on a small asteroid several meters away, silently observing the actions of Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon from a location where they couldn’t see him.

"You’re still such a worrier, even after being reborn, Aeon."

Sailor Cosmos, sitting with her shoulder leaning against Aeon, spoke in a cheerful tone, contrasting Aeon’s demeanor.

"You weren’t worried?"

"Not at all. I mean, they’re our past selves. There’s no way they’d lose to enemies like that."

Unlike Aeon, Sailor Cosmos was nonchalant. Although she could have rushed to assist Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask during their predicament, she deliberately chose not to intervene.

"Coming from you, that’s convincing."

While Aeon found her statement optimistic, he couldn’t bring himself to refute it. Having spent countless years as King Endymion alongside Neo-Queen Serenity, he naturally accepted the truth in her words, guided by his own experience.

"Alright, it's time to go."

Sailor Cosmos gracefully placed her feet on the surface of the asteroid and gazed upward. Her eyes were fixed on her next destination—the battlefield where the next confrontation with Sailor Chaos awaited.

Even though she was now united with Aeon, her destiny of battling Chaos had not changed. She had resolved to fulfill her fate and head to the next battlefield.

"Of course. Wherever you desire to go, I will follow you, even to the ends of the universe."

Aeon stood up, placing his hand gently on Sailor Cosmos’s shoulder.

What had significantly changed in her destiny was that she was no longer "alone," but "together." In the past, when she fought fierce enemies as Sailor Moon or Serenity, he had always supported her as Tuxedo Mask or Endymion. Even though neither of them could escape their fated battles, they could face them hand in hand.

To escort Sailor Cosmos, Aeon offered his hand with a slight smirk, closing one eye as if in jest.

"You're like a prince charming," she chuckled softly.

"Well, I was a prince, after all. And you, as a former princess, it’s only fitting that I escort you."

With a small laugh, Sailor Cosmos tightly gripped Aeon’s hand. Together, they spread their wings in unison. Immersed in the lingering memories of their past selves, the two took flight toward the next battlefield awaiting them.

Chapter Text

Traveling beyond space and time surpasses the speed of light. The scenery around them blurred into streaks of color, rushing past so swiftly that they could not grasp how far they had traveled. Yet, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask pressed forward, following the guidance of their crystal hearts, striving toward their home planet.

Before long, their crystals sensed the presence of their homeland and, acting of their own will, unleashed a force that gently slowed their descent. Then, the radiant light that enveloped their bodies was drawn back into the depths of their crystals. As the glow vanished, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask, their hands clasped together, materialized in an unfamiliar place.

"Did we... make it?"

The sudden disappearance of the Silver Moon Crystal’s reaction left Sailor Moon glancing around anxiously. She supposed they were somewhere within the solar system, yet all she could see was the endless stretch of darkness and the distant shimmer of faraway stars. Their location remained a mystery.

Then, instinctively, Sailor Moon lowered her gaze. What she saw took her breath away—a vast celestial body, brownish in hue, stretching beneath them.

"What is that?"

Tuxedo Mask followed the direction of her pointed finger. His eyes widened as he beheld the enormous, reddish-brown planet marked with a swirling pattern, reminiscent of a colossal whale.

"That's Pluto..."

The name slipped from Tuxedo Mask's lips, carried on an exhale of astonishment.

"We’re back in the solar system!"

Hearing the familiar name from Tuxedo Mask, Sailor Moon exhaled in relief. He surveyed their surroundings, spotting the distant light of the Sun. Though Earth remained far away, he could feel the faint energy emanating from their home—something he had been completely unable to sense back in Sagittarius A*.

“There’s no trace of Chaos Seed. We have successfully escaped from Sagittarius A*… and now, we seem to be drifting above Pluto.”

A miracle.

Tuxedo Mask could think of no word more fitting to describe what had just happened.

Despite the unknown enemy’s interference, despite the overwhelming odds, the two crystals had carried them across an unfathomable distance in the blink of an eye—back to the Solar System. This was the kind of impossibility that she always made real. Unable to help himself, Tuxedo Mask smiled.

“From here, Earth is just a short distance away. Luna is surely worried and waiting for us. Let’s go!”

Sailor Moon, having just performed a miracle, spread her wings with elegant grace, beckoning Tuxedo Mask forward.

“Yes, let’s go!”

Tuxedo Mask unfurled the wings borrowed from Sailor Moon, stirring the air as he moved. With the outer planets of the Solar System within sight, the two of them set their course for the blue planet—Earth—and soared straight toward home.

***

The time displayed on the monitor in the control room changed from 6 PM to 7 PM.

Four hours had passed on Earth since Usagi and Mamoru had departed for the center of the galaxy alongside Aeon.

"Usagi-chan… Mamo-chan… Are you okay? There’s no way to reach the galactic center… so I can’t even contact them…"

For hours, Luna had been mumbling similar words to herself as she paced back and forth in front of the monitor.

Simply waiting was far more agonizing than she had imagined. Time seemed to stretch unbearably, each second feeling like an eternity. Unable to endure the inaction, Luna leapt onto the console, swiftly tapping the keyboard to send an audio signal through the intercom to Sailor Moon.

She tried several times, but as expected—no response came.

Had they been somewhere within the Solar System, she could have monitored their situation, given guidance, and offered her support as always. But now, there was nothing she could do except pray for their safe return.

"Surely… they’ll be back soon."

Luna settled atop the console, adjusting the intercom snugly against her ears. She pressed the enter key, activating the communication channel once more.

"Usagi-chan, this is Luna. Please respond."

She had lost count of how many times she had sent this same call into the void. Counting would only make the helplessness feel heavier, so she had long since stopped. Instead, every time the unease clawed at her, she called out again. And again.

But still, there was no reply.

Only the relentless crackle of white noise hummed through the intercom, pressing against the weight in Luna’s heart.

“…Right. As if I’d actually get a response.”

Luna slumped her shoulders and let out a deep sigh.

“Luna? What’s wrong?”

Amid the static of white noise, a familiar high-pitched voice rang clear—not through the intercom, but directly behind her.

“…Huh? Usagi-chan!?”

Luna spun around, eyes wide.

Before her stood Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask, adorned in their celestial wings. At the sight of them, the wave of emotion that had been building within Luna swelled, spilling over in the form of tears that shimmered in her eyes.

“We’re home, Luna.”

Sailor Moon flashed a bright smile, lifting her right hand in a wave.

“Welcome back, Usagi-chan!!”

Without hesitation, Luna leapt from the console, soaring toward Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon opened her arms wide and caught her companion in a warm embrace.

“I’m so glad… Usagi-chan.”

“Sorry for keeping you waiting. Thank you for holding down the fort.”

Their cheeks pressed together, skin against fur—an ordinary, familiar touch, yet somehow, it felt warmer than ever.

“We’re home, Luna.”

As Luna reveled in their reunion, Tuxedo Mask smiled gently. Nestled in Sailor Moon’s arms, Luna turned her gaze toward him, returning his expression with a radiant smile of her own.

“Mamo-chan, you made it back safely too! Welcome home.”

“Yeah.”

Both of them had returned—safe and sound.

In an instant, all of Luna’s frustration, unease, and restless worry melted away.

But as she looked around, she realized that one figure was missing.

“What about Aeon?”

At her question, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask met her gaze with brilliant, knowing smiles.

“We met Sailor Cosmos.”

“He looked… happy.”

That was all Luna needed to understand.

Aeon had reunited with Sailor Cosmos. He had fulfilled his promise. And now, somewhere out in the vast universe, the two of them had embarked on a new journey.

“I’m glad… for both of them.”

Luna turned her quiet words to the universe.

***

As Usagi, Mamoru, and Luna stepped out of the command room, the Tokyo night stretched before them, bathed in the soft glow of the waxing moon. The sunlight had faded, leaving a vast canvas of stars above. Against the deep darkness, the crimson-lit Tokyo Tower stood proudly, while aircraft blinked their red and green lights as they passed through the sky.

Luna let out a weary sigh. "I’m heading home now…" Her voice lacked its usual energy as she turned her back on the two and began walking toward Usagi’s house, her steps slow and tired.

Meanwhile, Usagi clung to Mamoru’s arm, insisting with unwavering determination, “Tonight, I want us to be together. Just the two of us!”

Faced with her earnest plea, Mamoru hesitated. The thought of Usagi staying yet another night in his apartment weighed on him—after all, they weren’t married yet, and he didn’t want to jeopardize the trust he had built with her parents. But after everything that had happened with Aeon, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse her.

Thus, Usagi stayed.

After a simple dinner, the two stood on the balcony, gazing at the faint glow of city lights scattered across the night. Compared to the deep abyss of Sagittarius A*, the darkness here felt softer, gentler. The artificial lights outshone the distant twinkle of stars, their glow more dazzling than the celestial bodies hanging in the sky.

Lost in thought, Usagi tilted her head upward, her eyes lingering on the faraway stars.

“Aeon and Sailor Cosmos… I wonder what they’re doing right now.”

Resting both elbows on the railing, Usagi let out a quiet murmur.

She knew that Aeon and Sailor Cosmos had drawn the swarm of Chaos Seeds away to ensure her and Mamoru’s safe return to Earth. But beyond that—she knew nothing. Their whereabouts, their fate, even their survival—everything was uncertain.

Unconsciously, her eyes wandered across the vast sky, searching. Perhaps somewhere among the stars, she might glimpse the two of them.

“At the very least, they’re alive… but they’re not in a peaceful place. Even now, they’re throwing themselves into battle against Sailor Chaos, fighting to protect this universe.”

Mamoru’s pragmatic words painted an image in Usagi’s mind—a vision of Sailor Cosmos locked in battle against Sailor Chaos.

Her fate was unchanging. She would always bear the burden of this struggle, forever clashing against Sailor Chaos and its minions, preserving the universe’s harmony and balance.

Yet, after today, something fundamental had changed.

“That’s true. But at least… they’re not alone anymore.”

Two souls, once bound by solitude, had traversed an unfathomable distance—crossing countless light-years to reunite.

Sailor Cosmos no longer had to fight alone. Aeon no longer had to wander the universe in search of her.

“You’re right. They’re protecting this universe together, just as they once protected Earth before they were reborn.”

Mamoru gently placed a hand on Usagi’s shoulder. When she turned to look at him, he was smiling.

His black hair, tousled by the night breeze, glowed faintly beneath the moonlight—like a halo. His clear eyes reflected the soft lunar glow.

Perhaps Sailor Cosmos was looking at Aeon right now, seeing this same expression—the unwavering warmth of someone who stood beside her, never letting go.

The thought alone filled Usagi’s heart with a boundless joy, soaring high into the endless sky.

“Oh, that reminds me—I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”

As Usagi basked in the warmth of the moment, Mamoru spoke, bringing up a thought that had lingered in his mind.

“Hm? What is it?”

“You realized that Ao was my future self way before I did, didn’t you? When did you figure it out?”

Mamoru hadn’t realized Ao’s true identity until Ao himself had revealed it. He had been too caught up with university responsibilities and too unsettled by the mystery surrounding Ao to even entertain the possibility.

The idea that Ao could be his reincarnated self had simply never crossed his mind. Especially when Ao had summoned those shadowy creatures—ones that resembled dark entities—and had threatened to unleash them upon the city if Mamoru refused to listen. At the time, Mamoru had truly believed a new enemy had appeared.

Hearing his question, Usagi giggled softly.

“Probably when I first met Ao in your apartment. I wasn’t totally sure at the time, but something about him felt so much like the old you. It just… seemed like he had to be you.”

“The old me?”

“He was strong and reliable… but somehow, he also felt lonely.”

“I see…”

According to Usagi, Ao had the same air about him as Mamoru had when they had first met—an undeniable similarity that she had sensed instinctively.

That would explain why she hadn’t seemed uneasy around Ao, even at the very beginning.

Mamoru hadn’t noticed it himself, but Usagi—who had always been by his side—had seen something in Ao that had been invisible to him.

“It’s incredible, isn’t it? Staying together, even beyond reincarnation… A love that transcends time and space—I can’t even begin to imagine it.”

Usagi’s voice carried quiet awe as she thought of the journey Sailor Cosmos and Aeon had taken. The sheer scale of it was beyond comprehension. Even knowing that their story might reflect her own distant future, she couldn’t quite fathom how it had all come to pass.

Even if she had glimpsed their visions, even if she had seen everything they had endured, it would still be beyond human grasp.

Mamoru chuckled softly at her words.

“A grand romance that defies time and space is beautiful… But for us, happiness is within reach. Even if the moments we hold seem fleeting, even if they feel small, they are etched into our hearts and bodies—carried forward, all the way into the distant future.”

Something stirred within Usagi at his words, a quiet yet profound pull in her heart.

The happiness Mamoru spoke of—the kind that was close enough to touch—was exactly what she wanted in this very moment.

She lifted her hand, gently resting it against the back of his neck.

Mamoru silently nodded, wrapping his arm around her waist.

Beneath the moon, just slightly imperfect in its shape, their lips closed the distance between them—drawn together by an undeniable force, merging in quiet certainty.

At that instant, two stars, one white and one blue, emerged from behind the shadowed moon.

Side by side, they glowed softly, drifting across the vast night sky.