Chapter Text
Chibi-Usa hasn’t stayed very long after Helios departed.
Her future daughter was still fighting back tears, and Usagi suspected that this was the sort of heartache that only mommy and daddy could comfort. She fought back tears of her own as the little one said goodbye to everyone, promising to visit very soon. Usagi nearly broke down as she hugged Chibi-Usa and whispered in her ear, “I’m so proud of you. I know your mom will be too.”
Chibi-Usa sobbed and nearly choked Usagi as her little arms wrapped even tighter around her neck. Letting go all at once, the girl ran a few steps away from everyone, and held up her time key. One incantation and a crack of smoke and thunder later, she was gone.
Everyone milled about, which was understandable. She and Mamo-chan, the eight planetary Senshi, and the cats had all just experienced something absolutely monumental; no wonder everybody seemed reluctant to leave. The Silver Crystal burned brightly in her chest, and she wanted to gather the whole group into a bear hug and never let go.
Mamo-chan stood a few steps away, his face preoccupied as his hand hovered over his own chest. A wave of concern and affection washed over her, and she reached out for him. “Mamo-chan?”
He looked at her, something very important haunting his deep blue eyes. “Usa. I… I was thinking.” His hand clenched, and he drew himself up to his full height, his pose unconsciously regal. The posture shift immediately drew everyone’s attention. “Serenity,” he said, his gaze unblinking, “I have request– a petition– of you. Of the Silver Crystal.”
Usagi felt bemusement welling up inside of her at his formal manner. “Of course, Mamo-chan! You don’t even have to ask! You know I’d give you anything.”
He hesitated again, his eyes flicking around to the other Senshi. “No, Usa. What I’m asking is something I feel that everyone should agree on. It’s not the sort of thing that should be decided alone.”
There was a discomforted fidgeting among the other Senshi, except Pluto, who was her usual unflappable self. Catching the somber mood, Usagi nodded. “What would you like to ask us?”
Mamo-chan took a deep breath. He closed his eyes, his face tight in concentration. He held out one hand, and four stones appeared in his open palm.
Behind her, someone gasped. Befuddled, Usagi cocked her head. “What are those?”
Mamo-chan opened his mouth, but before he could speak, another voice said, “Kunzite. Nephrite. Jadeite. Zoisite.”
Usagi whirled around to see Venus, her face full of anguish and anger. The inner Senshi all jerked in shock, looking from her to Mamoru’s hand. Usagi blinked, trying to put the pieces together. “What?”
Minako’s blazing blue eyes scorched Mamo-chan as she stalked closer. “The Shitennou. The honor guard of Prince Endymion.” Her chin lifted, her voice still rough and shaky. “Are those their soul stones?” she demanded.
“Yes,” came Mamo-chan’s quiet answer. His eyes sought Usagi again. “With everyone’s blessing, I would like you to revive them with the Silver Crystal.”
Minako looked absolutely devastated for an eye blink, then her face grew hard. “And how do we know they won’t still be traitors?”
“Traitors?” Haruka’s sharp voice inquired.
Mamo-chan scowled, but Minako scowled right back. “They turned on him and helped Beryl and Metallia bring down the Silver Millennium.”
“They also fought as her minions two years ago when they were reborn,” Rei added.
Haruka and Michiru looked at the stones as if debating how exactly to crush them, but Ami’s soft voice spoke up. “They regained their memories in the end, though. Right before…”
“Right before Metallia murdered them,” Mako-chan finished.
“Ten seconds,” Minako scoffed. “Is that enough to trust them?”
“Enough!” Mamo-chan snapped, his voice carrying the full authority of a monarch. Silence restored, he focused his attention on Usagi and the inner Senshi. “I know because they protected me from the Holy Sword’s blow. I know because they told me how to defeat Metallia.” He smile softly. “And I know because I talk to them. They’ve helped me multiple times since then.”
You could have heard a pin drop. “Talk to them?” Minako croaked, her eyes abruptly glistening.
In answer, Mamo-chan carefully placed the four stones on the ground. Stepping back, he closed his eyes, and four shafts of soft light rose up from the stones. The shafts coalesced into the familiar shapes of the Four Heavenly Kings.
Usagi instinctively recoiled, then paused. The four men were dressed differently than she remembered, and their faces were full of kindness, gentleness, and good humor.
The four shades bowed to Mamo-chan. “My Prince,” they intoned. They seemed to sense something was different, and looked about. Kunzite’s white eyebrow rose. “We seem to have company,” he dryly noted.
“Or be company,” Zoisite observed.
“Mm. Well, either way, we seem to have been given a rare opportunity.” Kunzite faced Usagi and gave her a profound bow. The other three followed immediately. “Your Highness,” he said, his voice heavy with respect. “On behalf of myself and my brother knights, we extend our most profound apologies for the countless injuries and outrages perpetrated by us upon you, your soldiers, and your kingdom. It is not within our power to offer any meaningful restitution, but we pledge to you whatever aid and service you wish or require, save that which conflicts with our duty to our Master.”
There were a lot of big words in there, but Usagi was used to reading the intention behind words. A warm feeling welled up in her heart, and she looked at Mamo-chan. His eyes drifted from his friends to her, and she read in them everything she needed to know. She stepped up to the shades, and smiled brightly. “Let’s start over, shall we? I’m Tsukino Usagi! Pleased to meet you!”
Four pairs of eyes blinked at her in astonishment. Then, ducking his head, Kunzite chuckled. Drawing himself up, he gave a regal bow. “I am Kunzite, Knight of Purity and Affection.”
Next to him, Zoisite’s bow was accompanied by a flourish of his hand. “Zoisite, Knight of Purification and Healing!”
Nephrite crossed his right arm over his chest, resting a fist over his heart as he bowed. “Nephrite, Knight of Intelligence and Comfort.”
Jadeite raised one hand over his chest, angled sharply vertical with his thumb pressed against his sternum, and bowed his head until his lips almost touched his fingers. “And I am Jadeite, Knight of Patience and Harmony.”
Zoisite coiled a tendril of curly hair around his finger. “Though why Nephrite was named Knight of Intelligence is beyond me,” he stage-whispered to Usagi.
Nephrite gave Zoisite a cheerful smile. “You’re gonna have fun healing yourself some new teeth.”
Kunzite shut his eyes and let out a strained sigh. “Guys!” Jadeite hissed. “Can you wait to do this, like, until we’re back in our box?!”
Usagi had her hands pressed against her mouth in an unsuccessful attempt to contain her giggles, but she stopped at that last comment. “Do you want to go back there?”
The four shades looked at her, confused. She touched her brooch. “Mamo-chan asked me to try and revive you with the Silver Crystal. I’m more than happy to, but… but do you want to have bodies again?”
They stared at her. “Are you serious?” Zoisite asked.
Kunzite blinked. “I… beg your pardon?”
“Is she serious?!” Zoisite demanded of Mamoru, his voice shrill.
“HELL yes!” Nephrite blurted. He flushed, and added in a more subdued voice, “If it pleases you, Your Highness.”
“Endymion…?” Jadeite looked at Mamo-chan like he might cry.
Kunzite’s pale grey eyes bored into her. “Why would you do that?” he quietly asked.
Usagi cocked her head to the side. “Because Mamo-chan misses you. And because you’ve changed.” Her face softened with affection. “Everyone deserves a second chance.”
“We had a second chance,” Kunzite replied, his voice harsh.
She considered. “What would you do with a third chance?”
The air was thick with the weight of the Shitennou’s emotions. Kunzite looked over to Mamo-chan, and addressed his answer to his prince. “We would not waste it again,” he rasped, trembling. “We would serve you with every breath in our bodies, every second of our lives.” His grey eyes blazed. “We would not fail you again.”
“All we want,” came Jadeite’s unsteady voice, “is the chance to serve you once more.”
“You’re our whole purpose,” Nephrite said bluntly. “You shouldn’t even have to ask.”
“But do we deserve it?” Zoisite whispered. His anguished eyes implored Mamo-chan. “Can you forgive us?”
“You should know the answer to that already,” Mamo-chan immediately replied, his eyes glistening. “You are my best friends; I would give anything to have you back.”
Tears flowing down her face, Usagi turned to face the Senshi, silently questioning. Rei, Ami, and Mako-chan all nodded their heads, their own eyes wet as well. Michiru glanced at Haruka, who shrugged. Setsuna and Hotaru gravely nodded, though their eyes were warm. And Minako…
Usagi’s gaze lingered on Minako, who was still staring at the Shitennou. Her chest heaved, and she looked at Usagi, her expression desperate and pleading.
Pleading for her generosity.
Glowing with happiness, Usagi removed the Silver Crystal from her brooch. It attuned to her intention, and a rush of power swept through her, revealing Princess… no, Queen Serenity. The power welled up in her hands, and she faced the Shitennou.
“Wait,” Kunzite’s voice cut through the ritual.
The other three Heavenly Kings looked at him in confusion and trepidation, but Kunzite’s brow was furrowed with thought. “Your Highness, can this be done with the Silver Crystal? We are not the Moon’s people; we are of Earth.”
Slowly, she lowered the shining gem. “You’re right,” she said. The four shades seemed to wilt; Zoisite actually buried his face in his hands. But she serenely looked over to her future husband. “Endymion?”
Mamo-chan blinked, then he gave a little amused breath. “Of course,” he murmured, “You’re right.” Closing his eyes, he cupped his hands over his breast and the light of the Golden Crystal burned into existence. King Endymion gave his friends a reassuring smile. “The Silver Crystal will purify any lingering traces of Beryl or Metallia, and grant you rebirth. My Golden Crystal will guide you as you reconnect to our mother world.”
The gems took shape atop their royal scepters, and the monarchs held hands as they raised the crystals high. The four shades snapped to attention, but Kunzite’s eyes briefly focused on something behind Serenity. Then golden light enveloped them, and the four stones blazed with light. Then the Silver Crystal added its own power, and the light gave off a blinding flash.
Blinking the afterimages away, Serenity looked for four figures. But as her vision cleared, there was nothing but a ring of scorched grass.
The stones were gone.
His royal regalia gone in a heartbeat, Mamo-chan dropped heavily to his knees, staring at the empty spot. Squeezing his eyes shut, he hunched over in despair, the Golden Crystal clenched in his fist. Usagi draped herself over him, wrapping him in her arms as if she could absorb his pain. His hand captured hers, and he drew it to him, his hot tears falling on her skin. “I’m so sorry, Mamo-chan,” she wept.
He shook his head, squeezing her hand– trying to thank her for the attempt. But his grief was still too raw, so she just held him while he weathered the worst of it.
In a quiet, sterile room, four heart monitors beeped with mechanical regularity. Four beds were occupied, but doctors and nurses only visited occasionally. The doctors made notes then left, the nurses attended to hygiene concerns. None of the patients complained, but of course, coma victims weren’t very demanding.
Suddenly, one of the patients– a broad-shouldered man with wavy brown hair– bolted upright. Choking, he ripped the ventilator off his face with a deep, harsh gasp. “HOLY SHIT!” he croaked before dissolving into coughs.
The heart monitors sped up in a jumbled cacophony of beeps as the other three patients also began removing the ventilators amid coughs and gasps. A deep voice sliced through the noise. “Who’s here? Sound off– Zoisite?”
“Here,” one of the patients groaned, dragging a weak hand through his curly, dark blond hair.
“Jadeite?”
A dry cough preceded a rasping, “Here.” The pale blond man massaged his throat.
“Nephrite?”
“Here, Commander,” the brown-haired man croaked. “You okay?”
“Getting there,” the deep voice answered. This patient had silvery-white hair, but was clearly still young.
“Where in Gaia’s name are we?” Jadeite whispered.
“Kunzite! I can’t move my legs!” Zoisite screeched in a panic.
“You have been in a coma.”
The four men turned to face the calm voice. A tall woman in a lab coat stood in the doorway, the hall behind her strangely silent. She had dusky skin and dark green hair, and her eyes were a deep garnet.
Kunzite’s eyes narrowed. “You… you were with–”
“I am with Chronos Research and Holdings. You four have been in a coma for the last three years. The circumstances were unexplained but your cases were similar, so you were placed together for observation.” She glanced over to Zoisite. “You seem to have experienced an unusual but rapid healing, so the full use of your limbs should return in a moment.”
Kunzite stared harder. He was certain he had seen this woman just a moment ago, standing at the back of the group of Senshi. He considered her calm and assured attitude. “Are we in your debt, my Lady?”
The enigmatic face softened into a smile. “Not at all. It was my pleasure.” She turned for the door, then paused and turned back, pulling a clipboard from… somewhere. “Sign here, please,” she instructed Kunzite.
He didn’t wish to feel suspicious towards someone who’d clearly done so much for them, but signing something blind was never a good idea. He took the clipboard, perused through the papers, and frowned. He glanced at the date next to the signature line and blinked. His eyes narrowed as he looked up at her. “Chronos Research and Holdings, you say?”
She held his gaze, but could have been a statue for all she reacted. With a tired, fatalistic feeling, Kunzite decided that he had just embarked on his third lifetime, and was officially all out of fucks. He scribbled on the line, and frowned at the unfamiliar name his hand had automatically written.
Nodding her head in acknowledgement, she flipped a page over and held the clipboard out to Jadeite. The younger knight looked over at him– “Don’t think, just sign it,” Kunzite ordered, pressing a hand against his forehead and wishing he had a stiff drink.
Zoisite followed, then Nephrite, and then the woman left the room as silently as she’d entered it. The Shitennou looked at each other. “I am so fucking hungry,” grunted Nephrite.
“I’m thirsty,” Jadeite retorted. “Does anyone have ice chips or something?”
Kunzite shifted his limbs, testing the mysterious Senshi’s promise. Sure enough, though a bit shaky, his muscles did not seem atrophied. Carefully, he shifted his legs around to hang off the edge of the bed, and slowly transferred his weight. His brothers watched his efforts closely.
A piercing scream almost sent him right over the edge, and the four of them looked at the hysterical nurse in the doorway. She ran down the hall, screaming for a doctor.
“Guys,” Zoisite said, frowning as he stared into the middle distance. “I think I know how to play the cello.”