View source for 1479/Dimension Past: Yours Truly Angry Mob

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2024/04/24
|Location=The Golden Kingdom
|Synopsis=Dancing, laughter, the end of one world, and the beginning of the end of everything.
|Cast of Characters=38,33,43,226,58,96,107,122
|Tinyplot=Operation: Past
|Tinyplot2=Rainbow Crystals
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>Through the looking glass once more, and it's a summer evening, hot but dry, and it's late enough that the sun's down but early enough that fireflies glow on and off like little moving signals in the gloaming. There's a river close by, very close, with weeping fig trees trailing leaves and branches in the lazily moving water.<br><br>The sound of laughter and splashing is in the near distance, and a squint through the gathering dusk will reveal a Serenity in a shift, her gown draped over some bushes, up to her ankles in the shallows and dancing with Endymion, who's out of his armor and wearing only an untucked mintan and trousers rolled up to his knees. Yes: they are in the water, dancing.<br><br>Right here, keeping watch on this side of the river, are Sailor Jupiter and Jadeite. Jupiter's attention is firmly looking out for danger, tasting the air for the flavor of thunder in the offing; now and then she'll look at her companion in arms for the night and eye him a little suspiciously. Jadeite's attention is split between keeping a watch out for anyone who might be on the approach, his hand generally resting on his sword hilt, and keeping an unhappy eye on the happy couple.<br><br>"What's the matter with you, anyway?" she finally asks, trying to keep her voice in a higher register that won't carry like her usual depth does. "The last few times you've come with him you've been such a sourpuss. If I didn't know any better I'd think you were jealous, but you don't even ''like'' girls." A beat, and slightly uncertainly, "Right?"<br><br>"Indeed. I do not like girls," says the Jadeite of the past, as cold as the ice he wields. "You need not worry. I do not intend to lure fair princess away from the arms of her beloved." <br><br> His hand curls tighter around the hilt of his sword; he has remained split between his watch for outside dangers, assassins in the woods or wild beasts, and internal dangers, like the silver-haired hussy currently getting her grubby paws all over HIS prince. <br><br>Which is good, because the current Jadeite, poor Tamaki, is hiding behind a nearby bush, his face in his hands because, unfortunately, the only thing that's going to be more embarassing than listening to his past self is getting into a fight with him and potentially reopening that old wound.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Hope Witch (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hope Witch walks out of a portal and into a scene that is clearly ''not'' something she'd want to interrupt. Her own feet step into the waters and she gives a cursory look around at...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oh my gosh they are ''dancing''.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka covers her mouth and then blushes. Sio peeks around her shoulder to ask, "What is it? Did you find a sale on cookies?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka covers her fairy's mouth and tries to duck behind a tree. Oh geeze, this is not what she expected to find today. Maybe she can make a graceful exit somehow. Before she gets spotted.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Sailor Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Filled with delicious treats, the satisfaction of not being murdered by Kunzite, and buoyed by the sight of her beloved, Usagi is honestly ''pretty pleased'' with herself, as she makes her way through the next portal. She's changed into another dress loaned by Endymion, if only because fresh clothes make a girl feel great, and she's feeling a little.. not optimistic, but, happy? Relieved? <br><br>And then she sees - <br><br>It's herself, but she's never ''seen'' the princess, before. She's never seen herself, in this shape. After all, from her perspective, this has always been her body, right? But now, she sees the Princess Serenity she was, dancing at the river's edge, and she remembers this dance, had remembered it at Princess Dia's ball, though she hadn't remembered the dress draped to keep dry, the loose shift that protected her modesty, wet from splashing feet. Hadn't quite remembered the sight of Endymion, dressed down without his armor, the happiness on their faces. <br><br>"We were so insufferable," she coos, delightedly. <br><br>And then she takes note of Past Sailor Jupiter, even taller, even stronger, and - Jadeite? Sour-faced and chill, and she shivers at the memory of the Jadeite that had been, instead of awkward, sometimes adorable Tamaki. <br><br>Speaking quietly into her communicator, she whispers, "Hey, sound off, who's seeing me being peak adorable with Endychan?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:226|Bow (226)}} has posed:'''<br>--- OUTSIDE THE PORTAL ---<br><br>There are those that are still trying to figure out the portal, it's effects, and most importantly, how to bring those that were trapped within. Among those is Bow - who has experience with these portals. "Should we send a probe first?" the teenager is asking of his companion, the AI of Crystal Hope (not to be trusted, shh don't tell Bow) who is linked to the tech pad, the pair of them looking at Beryl's portal in the constrution zone. <br><br>"I do not think a probe would send up readings back, Bow. I am picking up temporal energy, and some... this is not like our portals that took us from Etheria to Earth. I advise caution." she reports. <br><br>There's a sigh as Bow looks at the tech pad, the sine wave on it reacting with the strange energy. "If you're telling me not to step in blindly, I am well aware of the fact that..." And that's when it happens. Up above Bow, one of the I-beams that was on the construction site that had been damaged when Beryl first opened the portal wobbles dangerously and starts to fall towards the Etherian archer. <br><br>Hearing the clattering of metal and crashing noise, Bow realizes he can't dodge backwards and there's only one direction to go. "Bow do not..." Crystal Hope warns just as Bow jumps into the barrier and the I-beam slams into the ground where he was once standing. <br><br>--- The Peaceful Pond --- <br><br>From suddenly, off to the side of the bushes, a large form comes out of a portal, Bow drawing a grapple arrow to fire back through it before it closes - but it snaps around the grapple wire and cuts it off. <br><br>More importantly, there's a sudden, loud ''crash'' of bushes, birds and other noises as the armored Etherian lands in the brush, taking a tumble and rolling on the ground before landing face first in the dirt of the clearing. <br><br>"I'm okay!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kunzite (58)}} has posed:'''<br>No cookies this time. Usagi is out of luck. Unless there's a picnic basket, which is not entirely impossible, but Kazuo is intent on avoiding anyone trying to raid it. Mind, he's also intent in not looking in the direction of the happy couple, because never mind that that shift shows less skin than some people do in their school uniforms, it is ''Princess Serenity in her shift'' and ''Usagi is also here'' and augh no if necessary he will put out his own eyes first. Well, maybe not, because Mamoru would never let him hear the end of it. Maybe they'll be lucky and another portal will crop up before Tamaki actually implodes from humiliation.<br><br>... maybe they won't be lucky. "Less murdery Kunzite," he murmurs back to the communicator. "Though maybe thinking wistfully about an exception."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:96|Jadeite (96)}} has posed:'''<br>"I'm on the other side of the clearing," Tamaki hisses into the communicator, uncurling a little from his instinctive cringe to reply. "PLEASE don't jump in, this was a nice moment in a nice night and if I have to hear past me say one more mean thing about this date, I'm going to jump out of the bushes and shut him up myself." <br><br> Unfortunately for him, this is when Bow crashes into the bushes.<br><br> CRASH! The other Jadeite jumps to his feet, unsheathing his rapier with one hand as he forms an icy shield with the other. "Who goes there?!" <br><br> His bruised eyes spark white and purple as he looks for the intruder.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy steps through the portal and... Oh. It's the prince and princess. And whatsisname is gay. And Jupiter is missing the obvious unsaid thing. Amy start's to awkwardly back away, and then remembers they can't see her. And she looks over as she hears Usagi. "Gosh, are Hannah and I like that?" For the sake of anyone else here not in her line-of-sight, she answers the radio call too. &lt;"Amy here."&gt;<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then there's a crash in the bushes and a shout. Whether that's a memory intruder or someone else from the present, she walks over that way to check it out. "''Bow?'' Have you been stuck in the past this whole time and we just never bumped into eachother, or...?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy glances over at Past-Jadeite, then back to Bow. "Oh shoot, you broke stealth!" she warns, not very helpfully without context.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Sailor Mercury (122)}} has posed:'''<br>"Here." Comes the update from Ami after Usagi uses the communicator to update everyone. She, too was here, but somehow inexplicably on the OTHER side of the water fromwhere the lovebirds guards were. Ami is dressed in a, well, a dress that fit the Earth court era while leaning one hand up against a tree trying not to trip. This long skirt was becoming more and more problematic as these shifts went on.<br><br>Moreso she was busy gazing at the couple. It was her first time seeing Princess Serenity this way. It's the first time her blue eyes fog over with a sadness as the feeling of familiarity rushes back to her leaving an unpleasant ache in her chest.<br><br>After another moment she murmers, "I'm here. If anyone else needs communicators I can pass them out. Just ..." Her voice trails off again but this time it's because Bow is crashing through the brush causing her attention to jerk his direction.<br><br>"Bow? Shush!" She urges only to wince with a wary look cast back toward the players of the past.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"It's a three-step-- no! Like this, hahaha," Endymion's saying, grinning like his face is going to break, showing Serenity how their feet shouldn't mirror each other's in this part of the dance, but in the water. The water's not helping, but it's absolutely making it more fun. "Here, you can stand on my feet-- ow! Not yet! Hahaha--"<br><br>Meanwhile, there's a distinctly unimpressed Jupiter turning her head slowly to ''stare'' at Jadeite, still missing the obvious unsaid thing. "Well ''something'' has your knickers in a twi--"<br><br>Yes, there is now a Jupiter with her crackling dukes up, eyes flashing, antenna on her tiara risen to attract the thunderbolts the air had promised for later. The lightning's glow isn't a steady thing, but an angry flickering reality, lighting everything up wildly in shifting dappled patches. "Okay?" she asks incredulously. "You won't be okay for long if you don't state your name and affiliation!"<br><br>The splashing and laughing have stopped, and the prince and princess are absolutely not visible any longer. But neither is the princess's dress.<br><br>"If you guys are losing your minds over a really big deer I will lose my mind laughing," Endymion's voice calls from... somewhere back there.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:226|Bow (226)}} has posed:'''<br>Lowering his hand that he had stuck up in the air in a ''thumbs up'' to reiterate that he's indeed, fine, Bow lifts his head and spits out a tuft of grass to take in the situation. And that's when he notices what he assumes is Mamoru and Usagi and some guy he hasn't met yet. And hey, there is... another Usagi as Amy speaks up. <br><br>There's a groan as he rolls over onto his back and looks skywards. "...wait, this isn't Tokyo." he rumbles softly, confusion showing on his face. "And this isn't Etheria. Did the I-beam hit me... am I..." It's pretty, it's quiet and Usagi and Mamoru are dancing and seem happy. "Oh no." he whispers. "I died, and because I must have gone to..." Nope. Why is Jupiter is charging up. Whoa whoa, why is Makoto charging up, she just helped him with Prom! <br><br>This is totally because he didn't ask her to dance. Oh noooo. <br><br>And then there's others calling to him in soft hisses of voices, and he sees Amy and Ami both, and they're telling him to shush and and... he is so utterly confused. But how does he calm Makoto down and figure out where he is - this is not his first time being in a simulation of a life that wasn't his, and he glances down. <br><br>Bare midriff. Nope, this is real him. "Makoto?" he asks, why are people telling him to shush?? Especially when people are approaching and he's typing. "Uh, it's me, Bow. We met a bit back at a dance... uh... you know? Archer? Musician? Present lover? I'm sorry for interrupting, but I..." think, Bow, think. Improv is your strong suit! "I brought a lute! Music for the occassion... whatever this occassion may be, have coin, will compose!" <br><br>And to prove his point, he gets out his lute - and strums it a few times, "Memememe... love song... love song at a pond, write a love song about a pond..." <br><br>"Down by the pond where the bullfrogs croak,<br>I met my love, it was no joke.<br>She had a smile as bright as the sun,<br>And I knew right then, she was the one."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy's back in her T-shirt and slacks for the moment. Easy to walk in, at least!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Upon realizing Bow is new here, she tries to explain concisely: "You're in the past. The people from this time are like echoes, they won't notice you until you do something to attract their attention... they'll forget about you after awhile, but... we probably ''can'' be hurt here."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oh he's acting like he knows past Makoto already. Fudge. This could become a problem. "That's ''past'' Kino-san from like 14,000 years ago! She doesn't know you! She reincarnated!" Amy is reasonably sure that her talking to Bow won't draw attention, although Bow responding to ''her'' might. But that's a problem for 10-seconds-from-now Amy, Bow needs to be filled in ''now!''<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Uhhh, I was gonna say tell the truth but I guess now we see if your plan works and hope she doesn't zap you!" She turns to watch Jupiter, ready to... okay she's not exactly sure just what action she could leap ''into'', but she's ready to leap into action!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Hope Witch (33)}} has posed:''' <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I am," whispers Hope in response to Usagi. "I don't know whose idea that dance was but it was a good one. I'm a little jealous."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then Bow arrives, which is both good and bad. Good because there's another friend here, and bad because he's gonna be stuck with the rest of them. Also somewhat bad because now stealth is broken and Bow is possibly spotted.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oh geeze. What to do? She'd almost hate to break up the date but the past-selves are looking testy and Bow might not know the rules of this place yet...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bow starts talking to Past-Jupiter as if she were Makoto and Hope Witch just places her face inside her palm. Oh no. No, no no.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;''Start singing 'Kiss the Girl!''' says Gretchen's intrusive voice in the back of Madoka's mind.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What? No. I couldn't...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;''I bet you would if Lydian was here.''<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Bow... just... if they get mad, just hide! Just hide and they'll forget you exist!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:96|Jadeite (96)}} has posed:'''<br>The Jadeite of the past stalks forward to the intruder, lowering rapier to Bow's neck before he can try anything funny. "Don't move or I shall have to perforate you." <br><br> He doesn't as much look back at Sailor Jupiter as twitch his face at her as he questions her, voice raised. "Is what he said true, Sailor Jupiter? Is this.... 'musician'," he says, the quotes holding the word as a housewife might hold a cockroach in tongs, "presently a lover of yours? That you invited?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kunzite (58)}} has posed:'''<br>There is no Kazuo. Clearly. There is only a pale shadow hiding among the trees, with both hands over its face. If a portal won't open up to swallow them, maybe he'll be lucky and the earth will.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Sailor Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Aw fuck," Usagi says plaintively, as Bow crashes out of a portal, through the brush, and face down into the clearing. They've got two options here, as far as she can tell - play hide and seek with two extremely cautious guardians until they regain stealth or expose themselves, trusting that things will go well. <br><br>And, she's got the Silver Crystal, so, worst comes to worst, she can ''always'' prove what she's saying. <br><br>Bringing her communicator to her wrist, she says,"&lt;So, Bow is here now, and he's - oh, that is ''not'' going to go over well- oH NO IT'S NOT GOING OVER WELL -&gt;" <br><br>And the Usagi of the present, sharply distinct from the Serenity of the past, but most certainly as close to being her body double as a human girl can get, steps out beside Bow, pulls her sleeve down over her hand, and slaps the rapier away from Bow's neck. There's an expression of utter seriousness as she glowers up at Jadeite. <br><br>"If you perforate him, you'll regret it more than you already regret your choices. Now, back up, and we'll explain ourselves, ''Jadeite''. Or don't, and look incredibly stupid. Didn't anyone ever tell you the overprotective guard-dog routine is ''not'' cute?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Sailor Mercury (122)}} has posed:'''<br>"Oh, asteroids," Ami mutters using a swear she hasn't used in this lifetime. It's fitting at the moment however. Though she's across the way from all the near-stabbing about to go down (oh dear did he say present lover? Jupiter is going to murder him), and she decides it's time to move. Dress or not.<br><br>The Mercury rod comes to hand only for her to JAM it into the fabric of the dress with an audible rip. Just enough and she can grasp it in both hands to sheer it along the length turning it more knee-length--er..ish. It's not exactly even and there's a trailing end that drags along. It's ignored as she splashes down into the water herself with a sigh. <br><br>"Can we not murder one another please?" She calls out loud enough that she hopes she's seen as the voice of reason that Sailor Mercury of her time hopefully was. <br><br>That sense of familiarity to older times has her already drawing her power toward her so that the water she stands in sworls around her preparing to... to what? It's held in place as she just stares at Usagi slapping a rapier away-- "Usagi-chan no that is a *REAL SWORD* you'll cut yourself-!" <br><br>Hand to face. Just. Hand to face.<br><br>"PLEASE can we calm down? No one is here to harm anyone else."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"Gods-- you-- have ''absolutely'' mistaken me for someone else, SOMEHOW, I am not... 'Makoto'? And you are most certainly not my lover, present past or future!" Sailor Jupiter sputters and huffs, eyes wide, face going ''crimson'', hands losing their lightning all of a sudden. "No I did ''NOT'', Jadeite -- for all the oaks, mind your situation! If this is a distraction-- get back, your Highnesses!"<br><br>"I am ''not'' getting back. Jadeite stand down! He's just a bard," says Endymion, still out of armor but wearing at least his jacket over his mintan, and he's got his boots back on.<br><br>And then. And then.<br><br>Jupiter stares at Usagi. Endymion stares at Usagi.<br><br>Endymion bearhugs Jadeite, arms and all. "Do NOT move," he tells his guardian. And then he puts his chin on his guardian's shoulder and he says to Usagi and Bow, "Explain fast. Jadeite's big mad and Jupiter's going to electrocute you and Serenity's going to cry."<br><br>There's a muffled voice from behind Jupiter. "I am not going to cry! This fastening is stuck--"<br><br>Endymion drops his hands and turns from his bear-hugging of Jadeite to where Serenity needs help with a dress fastening, and now Jupiter's half-turning to see Mercury in the river behind them. "He is NOT my LOVER!" she tells Ami, not seeing how much younger she is in the twilit firefly-laden evening. She turns back to Usagi and crosses her arms. "Vee, what are you ''doing'' with this guy?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Hope Witch (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hope Witch steps into her Labyrinth, and then steps out next to Bow. The portal is open behind her. "Our bard friend here got lost, stumbled into something he shouldn't, and mistook you for someone else. It's our fault, we'll be on our way soon, and out of your hair. We apologize profusely and sincerely hope you enjoy the rest of your evening."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hope Witch places a hand on Bow's shoulder and tries to tug him away. "Come on, Bow-san. We need to leave. We'll explain everything later."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She is, notably, not trying to drag him into the Labyrinth, but... the portal is right there in case things get to heated. Or electric. She's just trying to pull him away before things get worse.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Sailor Venus," she addresses Usagi, because this isn't the first time the body double thing has come up, "... Sorry about this. We'll get out of your way."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Whispering to Bow she says, "Come on, let's just go. We'll explain later."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:96|Jadeite (96)}} has posed:'''<br>"You would know what trying too hard to be cute is, wouldn't you, Venus?" Jadeite sneers - and then he's tackled by Endymion. He de-manifests the rapier and shield, relaxing in his embrace even as he stutters out - <br><br> "Your highness, we don't know who this is or how he got here! And he's making untrue claims about the moon court! We cannot let him simply waltz out - " <br><br> But they are waltzing out, and no one is making a move to stop them. <br><br> "My prince," and it's pleading, "you're not just going to LET them let strangers into our kingdom, are you?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:226|Bow (226)}} has posed:'''<br>"Skipping stones and chasing geese,<br>In this sanctuary, our hearts find peace.<br>With every ripple, our love grows strong,<br>In this pondside serenade, where we belong." <br><br>And the song suddenly comes to an end because... there's a blade at his throat. "Kind... of hard to sing when you have a blade at my throat." Bow is pointing out to Jadeite. "I mean... if you are a critic, you try to come up with a rhyme for geese on the fly. "It was either peace or niece?" <br><br>"Wait. Wait. Whaaaaaaaat?" Bow's blinking at Jupiter's sputtering and confusion. "No! I mean. You're cute and all. But no! Presents! Like gifts! Not like you! Again, not that it would be weird! But I'm seeing someone and uh.. you love baking?" he offers in confusion, just as Usagi is coming to his rescue, quickly joined by Ami. <br><br>"I'm clearly missing a context clues..." And Amy, bless her hear, is trying to explain everything, and then there's the joining in of Madoka and they are all trying to lead him off, and just he looks even more confused. "Wait, you were all..." And finally, you can see where the light turns on, realization setting in his features as he puts away the lute. "Right. Explain later. Got it." <br><br>And he's trying to back up and be lead away by the others that are trying their best to get Bow out of there before he makes things so much worse.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Sailor Mercury (122)}} has posed:'''<br>"Oh for--This is why these dresses are so impractical." Ami--some fleeting recollection of Mercury past having spurred her on, turns toward Serenity at mention of being near tears and unable to fasten a clasp. Curtly she orders Endymion, "Eyes forward, Prince." As she steps over to assist Serenity.<br><br>Nevermind HER princess was over there. For just a moment it seemed more practical to fall into line with the urges of a memory from long ago. "Here, we'll get it, it's fine," she assures with quiet soothing to Serenity.<br><br>A bit louder toward Jupiter she adds, "I know he's not. He meant he loves getting and giving presents. It's a play on his name, 'Bow.'"<br><br>A light cluck of her tongue comes as she has to quietly admit, "It is a clever play on words but this is not the time or place."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Sailor Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Right! She keeps being mistaken for Venus in this time, and that's the perfect cover, honestly, because while Usagi is a bad liar, she can generally mimic her friends, decently well. She stands up straight, channeling all of Minako - all of Venus' - poise, and manages to look down on Jadeite even though he's got at least six inches of height on her. <br><br>"Jealousy is an ugly thing," she says coldly, and though there's a softness in her eyes as she looks at Endymion, when she turns back to Jadeite her eyes are hard, remembering the terror of 'Fire Eyes', remembering the fear of the general named Jadeite, remembering a forced battle at an airport and an image blasted in the city, and as Madoka handles Bow, and Ami draws closer with all the calm of Mercury, she looks the Jadeite that was in the eye. "I pity him, for having to live with you. You're going to break his heart." <br><br>And then she turns to the Sailor Jupiter of the past, as she says, "Sorry for the intrusion. I was considering relieving you when I noticed these ''humans'' coming by. Given the nature of things, I didn't want to use force to turn them away... but I suppose Jadeite didn't consider hurting one of his own when he overreacted." <br><br>Is she being petty? Maybe. Is it good, to vent some of that recaptured frustration on the one who ''deserves'' it? Yes. <br><br>And meanwhile, in the shelter of bushes and branches, Princess Serenity is not near tears, but she is having trouble with a fastening, and is greatly relieved when help comes, even if she pouts about 'eyes forward'. They were dancing! While she was ''in'' the shift! It's not like he hasn't seen it! <br><br>"What's going on out there, Mercury? Did Venus actually bring someone to serenade us?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oh no this is all going to Hell! Usagi and Ami step up... well, with Usagi here, they have a better chance of explaining things, right? Amy transforms, and this time her outfit looks like a sailor senshi outfit (The usual white-and-red, with a black bow; she retains her usual gloves and boots, though the boots are recolored red to match.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hopefully confusing her for possibly an unknown senshi will help buy time? Red steps up beside Usagi and tries to think of something to say...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then Jadeite's words get a response from her mouth before her brain can answer, as she looks at Usagi incredulously. "Why does he think you're ''Venus''?!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then she turns and looks at the Past People with an expression of... oh gods I hope they didn't hear me, as she realizes her costume strategy ''and'' her words are not exactly going along with Usagi's improvisation. Uh-oh.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>Endymion rolllllls his eyes at Mercury, and starts to turn back to the others -- Serenity really does glow like the moon in the night like this -- and then clearly gets an Idea because he says cheerfully, winking to Serenity, "How about eyes closed, Sailor Mercury?" and he closes his eyes and leans in to kiss Serenity. While Mercury is fastening her dress. While there are intruders causing a kerfluffle and Jadeite is whining about them and Jupiter is being huffy and Venus is being mean to Jad--<br><br>"Hey!" he breaks off the kiss to glare at Usagi a little bit, but only a little because he can't be actually mad at Venus when she looks so much like Serenity?? "Don't be so mean! He wouldn't break my heart! And don't you dare pity me."<br><br>That 'don't you dare' could be more of a DON'T YOU DARE!! but really isn't, it's kind of more of a chin-setting scowl of pissiness instead of anything resembling righteous wrath.<br><br>A portal, rainbow glowing and softly bright in the middle, lights up the clearing over there.<br><br>Good thing, too, because while "Venus" has an explanation that has Jupiter's eyebrows lifting, it at least makes Venus-sense, and Hope Witch is mildly alarming but has another good piece of the puzzle that is ''that the fuck is happening at this riverside dance date''. She lifts a gloved hand and starts to wave it, GLARING at Jadeite then looking back to Hope Witch and Bow, "Just... try not to do that? Especially not with magic? It's really hard to sneak up on us, so--"<br><br>--"You're not going to just ''be an asshole the whole time tonight'' are you, Jadeite? Seriously?" Endymion's saying and Jupiter's attention is partially on him and then Amy steps up out of nowhere, a strange senshi who's talking to Venus and asking why they think she's Venus and Jupiter's eyes widen again and her antenna crackles and she tucks her chin, planting her feet, and she brings her fingers together in a diamond shape and she says, "Prince, Mercury, get Serenity out of here. Jadeite, stop being an asshole. SUPREEEEEME--"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Hope Witch (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oh great. It's an attack. Hope Witch sighs. In a move that's going to make things one hundred times worse, she extends a hand and moves her portal forward, releasing a huge Familiar (not quite as big as the one that Beryl aced the other day, but still big enough to tank at least one solid hit). The monstrous benotafraid screams and splashes water and does everything it can to look threatening without ''actually'' attacking.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hope Witch, meanwhile, shouts, "We gotta go ''now!'' Just run!" She grabs Bow by the arm, drags him closer to the portal. Weird symbols and edlritch protrusions suddenly surround her arm as she yeets him through, hopefully to safety, and then follows along into another era.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka is pretty sure that she just made things even worse somehow. If such a thing is even possible. Hopefully her minion will take all the attention off of everyone else long enough to slip away. Maybe killing a monster will be a bonding experience for Jadeite and Jupiter?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once she has a moment, Madoka takes the communicator off of her ear and hands it to Bow. "Here. Mercury made these. You can use this one. I'll just get another one from her later."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kunzite (58)}} has posed:'''<br>SUPREME indeed. Kazuo exhales hard, and ''moves'' for the portal, to take up a station beside it, and his crystalline earring gleams on the way --<br><br>-- and Kunzite, in the wrong uniform for this time, lifts his hands.<br><br>A dark sphere blossoms around Amy and Usagi.<br><br>At least this time it's not trying to eat ''them''. Or the benotafraid.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:96|Jadeite (96)}} has posed:'''<br>The present Jadeite has seen enough. The portal is open? His ass is THROUGH. Sorry, Usagi, he'll stick with you through danger and destruction and even Kunzite's black hole attack, but seeing what he was before? Nope! He won't! Goodbye! He's gone! <br><br> The past Jadeite, meanwhile - is glaring between Ami and Usagi and all their little friends. If looks could kill, the Earth-Moon War would be kicking off right now. <br><br> "I'm not trying to be an asshole, I'm trying to keep you safe! People aren't supposed to be wandering in when you are - let me GO, my prince, I have to help Sailor Jupiter!" <br><br> Come on! Let! Him! Kill!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:226|Bow (226)}} has posed:'''<br>As everything is falling apart as Amy comes out, Bow is still trying to de-escalate, "I can use a different word than geese...!" he starts to say, but nooo... we're in the worst timeline and there's a whole new situation that's developing and he knows a powerup attack when he hears one! Madoka finds him a lot more willing to go along. <br><br>"What... how... what?" Bow was perfectly willing to go along until Madoka reaches into her magic purse that Sayaka has one of and pulls out an Eldritch craft horror to sic on the people of the past. "WAIT CAN SAYAKA DO THAT TOOOOOOOO-----" <br><br>And that's all that Bow gets out of his mouth as he's flung into the portal and goes flying into whatever situation that they are going to end up in next. <br><br>We'll worry about that commincator once we know what's on the other side.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The 'strange senshi''s tiara has Venus and Mars's symbols superimposed. Clearly, Venus has her own group of senshi, Venus-Jupiter, Venus-Mercury, Venus...Venus? And here is Venus-Mars, thus the red color theming!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes that is clearly the logical explanation here. Jupiter et. al. can puzzle over it for the fifteen minutes or so until this is all forgotten.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Puella Magi Razza Rossa's eyes widen as she realizes Jupiter is starting an attack callout, and a portal appears in her peripheral vision; she glances around to confirm everyone is moving towards the portal and<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;shoves an empty rocket launcher at Jupiter's hands to try and disrupt the attack<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and runs for the portal!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Sailor Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Amy-chan," Usagi says calmly, as her thorough and successful lie crumbles, "I'm going to kick you in the shins ''so'' hard for this." <br><br>This is what her life has become. Kicking people in the shins for messing things up. Also, being trapped in the past and threatened by past versions of friends and allies alike. <br><br>"Now run!" <br><br>As the giant benotafraid crashes into the area, she grabs her compact, light and ribbons flashing over her body as she calls out, a bubble of darknerss covers her, shielding her from danger - <br><br><span style="color:#ff5fdf">"Moon Prism Power, Make Up!"</span> <br><br>At least the thunder gets gobbled away, and when the dark orb falls, it reveals Sailor Moon to Sailor Jupiter, Endymion, and Jadeite. Her tiara is askew, her face flushed - clearly being inside the orb had sparked a bit of a ''reaction'', but the tiara being askew reveals the symbol of the moon on her forehead, unmistakable. <br><br>"Sorry, Jupiter," she says quietly, in the aftermath of a boom of thunder, "I had to give it a try. And Jadeite? You ''are'' an asshole. You're going to be one of the ones that ruins the world. Endychan forgives you... but I don't." <br><br>And then she turns and bails, running for the portal, and the Moon Stick is in her hand, shining off the unmistakable Maboroshi no Ginzuishou.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Sailor Mercury (122)}} has posed:'''<br>Ami Mizuno finishes helping to fasten the dress with the skilled fingers of someone who may have done this task a time or two before in her life--past life. Already she was rather glad that some of the clothes in modern times were more functional even if they admittedly weren't as cute. "It's a long story, Princess Serenity, and one without a happy ending. We're just passing through on to somewhere else and hadn't expected to run into any of you-- Eyes closed? Seriously, you're as bad as Zoisite," she utters with reproach to the Prince leaning in to kiss Serenity though there's a hint of amusement to her tone at the entire thing. At least until everything goes COMPLETELY WRONG.<br><br>Kazuo seems to have the lightning handled at least so she sighs softly. "I'm sorry your date got ruined." Right before planting a hand between Serenity's shoulderblades to give her a good solid nudge toward Endymion.<br><br>With that little thing done she waits until all others have gotten through the portal, especially Usagi. Then she moves toward it too pausing only to glance toward Jupiter. It won't do any good she knows, but a stubborn, angry part of her says, "Jupiter! Be wary of him and the other Shittenou, their minds have been poisoned."<br><br>It won't make a difference. It won't change, but... Her fists clench and she steps through the portal with a bit more grace than the others because no one is attempting to outright murder her. So far.<br><br>But really, Jupiter was one of her closest friends. She had to at least warn. Or. Try to. She was getting far too emotionally involved in all of this.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"--THUNDAAAGHTHEFU--" the lightning still comes down and it's everywhere, it's a MESS because there's a disintegrating empty rocket launcher in the way and a BIBLICALLY ACCURATE ANGEL getting FEATHERS everywhere and LOOKING and Jupiter's well and truly pissed now, and the lightning meant to hit Usagi and Amy hits Kunzite's bubbleshield instead, and Jupiter sees ''another'' new Senshi but she's-- she's-- her head, there's a moon, her head, and it's too much and Jupiter breaks into furious tears, and she gestures like she's flipping a table but it's ''at them'' like 'get OUT of here' from the ''soul'', at Ami and Amy and Usagi and Kunzite and as they leave, it's only Jadeite and Jupiter and the huge benotafraid there, and they are not gonna bond over killing that monster.<br><br>---------<br><br>When they come through the next portal, all together again, it's into fire and screaming and the sounds of fighting -- but it's familiar streets for most of them, this time, it's Earth's capital, it's that beautiful subtropical city by the water with the warm wet winters and the hot summers, with the ocean breeze and the brightly-colored clothes and the well-kept houses, that city with the Golden Palace at the top of the hill and the bay at the bottom of it. There are no ships a-sail, but there are some burning. There are no markets, there are no children playing. There's not even a sky so much as there is endless smoke blotting out the sun-- even the Golden Palace is aflame, and it's--<br><br>--it's just as bad as it was on the moon. Maybe worse, in some ways, because there are no invaders here. These are neighbors screaming at each other, fighting to get away, fighting to get back, fighting, breaking windows, emptying houses into the street, killing each other--<br><br>--and barrelling through the streets away from the burning palace is a now-familiar tousel-headed figure, running full tilt in his armor, face smudged with that awful mixture of soot and tears that says where he's been and doesn't say where he's going. Someone tries to stop him, maybe two-thirds again his size, and Endymion doesn't even look. He kicks the guy's knee in and SHOVES, and keeps running. Someone else starts running after him, and he throws a rose behind him and it instantly grows up into a tangling mess of thorny vines and blooming roses in the firelight. He's headed down toward the bay.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Hope Witch (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I miss the part where we were eating snacks and watching Usagi flirt with--," starts Hope Witch, cutting herself off as she starts to look around.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oh. Oh no. No this is bad.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hope Witch turns to Bow and says, "Get to safety if you can. As long as you don't interact with anyone or try to talk too loudly, they'll mostly ignore you, but... you don't want to end up as collateral damage, either. Oh, and as for Sayaka-chan... I actually don't know. Our powers are fundamentally different on some levels."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Looking out past the city, and seeing Endymion off in the distance, Hope Witch guesses out loud. "This must be the fall of the Earth Kingdom, from 14,000 years ago. Someone else can explain this better than I can."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then Madoka starts looking for a convenient place to jump to, a rooftop that isn't on fire. If worse comes to worse, she supposes that she can always pull something else out of her pocket dimension.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After a moment she decides 'oh what the hey' and starts following the echo of the prince. He looks like he knows where he's going and it worked out well for them last time.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Sorry!" is all Amy has time to shout back at Sailor Moon as they run for the portal!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I thought it would be a good-- and then I was surprised--" Amy starts to explain once they're through, and then she realizes where they are:<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The burning Earth.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"W-why are they fighting eachother ''heere''?! Did Beryl turn everyone into... mindless monsters?!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Of course, they've appeared near Endymion. Usagi said the memories centered around the two of them and Beryl, right? "Wha... He's down ''here?'' What's he gonna ''do?''" Follow him, or not, she'll stay together with the group, of course. There isn't really an obvious... good place to ''go'', to her.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:96|Jadeite (96)}} has posed:'''<br>Jadeite is one of the first through portal, and thus one of the first into the screaming crowds. At least they're coming out somewhere a little out of the way of the worst of it - <br><br> As if that's not where the screams are still almost enough to blot out thought, enough to overwhelm with the smell of ashes and cooking meat. <br><br> He remembered. (He wouold not remember.) It was too much. (He had to press on.) <br><br> "This is just before the end," he tells the others as they gather outside of the portal. "The Golden Kingdom is falling, torn apart by Beryl's lies and illusions. It consumed itself to give Beryl enough power to break through the sky and reach the moon." <br><br> And as Endymion passes - "He got out last time. We should go with him - " <br><br> And he is! Going to go with him, his icy rapier lashing out as he cuts through those humans trying to attack Endymion, his face suddenly as cold and hard as ice.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kunzite (58)}} has posed:'''<br>Kunzite waited just a moment - just long enough to be sure the others are through, that he doesn't need to shield them, too -- then came through on the heels of the last. And looked up at the sky.<br><br>"The thing Beryl serves is in their heads," he answers Amy, his voice absolutely flat. "Is making them kill each other, for power, or maybe just for its idea of fun."<br><br>He draws a breath, and forces himself to look down, to start moving - following Hope Witch. "Do ''not'' interact unless you absolutely have to. You can't rescue anyone; if you try, the person you rescued will attack you in turn. Worse, the thing that's in ''their'' heads may try to get into yours. And if it makes it, ''it might be able to leave with you.''<br><br>"The only person here who's free of it is the Prince. He made it to the Moon somehow - so he survived at least that long. Our best chance to make it to a portal is following him." Amplifying Jadeite's explanation, and ... right. 'Do not interact' is wise. Jadeite is not in a state to be ''wise'' right now. Kunzite can't blame him.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:226|Bow (226)}} has posed:'''<br>After landing on the ground, Bow rolls to a knee, flipping out the lute and grabbing his archery bow, this seems to be more appropiate, considering that the world's on fire, shops and ships are burning - Sea Hawk is not here, thankfully - and Madoka is explaining things to him as he is clipping the communicator onto his ear, opposite of Crystal Hope. <br><br>"Fall of the Earth Kingdom?" he echoes as he starts to moving with Hope Witch. As they pass by a building that had laundry on a line drying, he grabs a cloak, throwing it over his shining golden armor, dulling it so it doesn't draw attention to them. <br><br>For now, there's no questions, a glance to Jadeite as the shittenou goes on the attack, a frown, even if they aren't real - well, not real anymore, just cutting them down seems to be... like something that they shouldn't be doing. But he keeps it at the ready, just in case this turns into a whole escort mission and the conditions for victory are: <br><br>PROTECT PRINCE ENDYMON. SURVIVE.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Sailor Mercury (122)}} has posed:'''<br>"We're in the past," Ami explains further as she appears near Bow and reaches down to offer him a hand up. The others were already urging to follow after Endymion and it was an *excellent* idea. "They're--brainwashed, is the best term I know to describe it. Seeing each other as enemies--" It hurt to watch. It hurt HER to watch all of this death and destruction.<br><br>Mercury of the past may not have been here to see it but she was also Ami of the present: Future Doctor. Seeing people murdering one another tore at her. She tugs at Bow, then lets him go to simply run along herself. The Mercury wand comes out again as she declares, "Mercury Power Makeup!" <br><br>She changes mid-run because there was going to be no stopping this time. If they were so close to the end it would only get worse and pretty dresses to fake fitting in weren't going to help anyone.<br><br>"Tamaki!" She calls out to the one she'd helped tutor, and helped work to fit in as she sees him start to just crumble. "Flowers?" She calls out trying to remind him of his OTHER attacks. Ones he'd come up with recently. Maybe more modern magic wouldn't leave him remembering so awfully.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Sailor Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>On the other side of the portal is another shade of hell, and Sailor Moon grimaces to see it, the burning world, the screaming people - <br><br>"Do you remember that time at Hikawa Shrine, when everyone went crazy?" She asks Amy, "It's like that, probably." <br><br>And then she leaps into the air, and she would tell Jadeite not to fight, not to draw attention to himself, but with his past self's vitriol in his ears? <br><br>It's the least he can do. <br><br>And yet, that's anger, and spite, drawing that thinking, and they need to be better, need to be wiser, need to ''survive without getting infested again'' - <br><br>So she chases after Jadeite and as soon as she gets close, to him and the people rapidly noticing him, grabs him around the front, swings to get under his legs, crouches as he no doubt protests - and leaps to a nearby rooftop. <br><br>She grabs him by the back of his collar, scruffing him the way she would Luna when ''really'' annoyed. "''Stop,''" she barks. "You can't protect him like this. He survivies ''this'', and we both know it, and this is a memory. Don't risk getting hurt - or worse, letting that thing back in your skull - for a memory." <br><br>Sailor Moon's lip wobbles. <br><br>"Not even this memory. Now come on. Let's follow him."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>There are still places for Hope Witch to land on those rooftops, but she'd best be light on her feet because the houses and shops are burning, burning; weight on the wrong place might collapse a roof earlier than otherwise. But mahou are light on their feet as they follow, and Endymion is fast on his feet below, with Jadeite now following him-- he'd better not see Jadeite, or he'll entangle Jadeite and hope to the gods that Jadeite forgets he can teleport. He'd better not ''feel'' Jadeite, unclouded and unobscured by the demon in the past Jadeite's head...<br><br>It's expertly he weaves through the rioting, shoves where necessary, flips out his dagger finally and ''stabs'' where necessary, singleminded and grim-faced and ''not'' crying, he's ''sixteen'' he's-- not thinking about what he's coming from, only what his mission is. Another rose, another impromptu hedge or tangle, another lack of looking back.<br><br>Such good explanations, all: so succinct, so easily illustrated, so ''well'' illustrated by examples from the past or exhortations from the past few minutes-- and all the explanation in the world isn't enough to make hate riots okay.<br><br>They're all heading for the harbor now, and the crowds are thicker, and broken glass is everywhere, and then it's too thick for Endymion to run through people anymore, and he stops and dives to one knee, shoving his bloody dagger back in his boot and putting his hands on the ground--<br><br>--and the ground ''shakes'', and the cobblestones rumble and rattle and push themselves up out of it, and people fall, and a path is cleared simply by dint of ''enormous rose hedges growing up out of the suddenly broken earth'' ahead of him, lining the way down-- somewhere. Somewhere.<br><br>Endymion bolts down this avenue and lands in front of a nondescript warehouse, locked all up. He takes out another rose and stabs the doors with it, and a very neat and thorough illusion flickers and shatters, leaving open a door in a rock face, which the gasping prince scrambles for.<br><br>"LET ME IN!" he yells, and a golden glow suffuses his hand, which he slaps on the door, and it opens, and he tumbles inside.<br><br>Better go after him.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Hope Witch (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hope Witch gives Kunzite a mortified look. "It could get into ''our'' heads?! Geeze. Gretchen's voice is bad enough."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;''Hey, what is that supposed to mean?! I'm way more cute than whatever that thing is!''<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ignoring the objections that only she can hear, Hope Witch frets, "I could help others resist mind control from a Witch, but probably not whatever this thing is. Not if it's strong enough to control magicals."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jumping from roof to roof quickly turns out to be a bad idea, and Madoka can't help but flail a little as she runs. Flying, she thinks, would be a bit too slow if she did it on her own, so she summons another benotafraid big enough for her to climb on its back, and the large thing with too many wings flaps as hard as it can to keep up with the fleeing prince.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She watches, with pity, as the world burns around them. An image of tragic horror. "This is what happens when hate wins," she thinks out loud. When everyone turns upon everyone else...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka watches as Endy opens a hidden door, breaking the illusion hiding it. Judging by what others have said, this is probably a safe path. When she gets close enough, she hops down to the ground, sends her minion home, and hops through the door. Wherever he goes has to be better than this, right?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Hikawa shrine... "That was the sun demon?!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy stumbles. "The entire Earth... is like that?" She gets up and keeps running. They ''have'' to keep moving. She runs after Endymion, for now.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Could the ''memory'' of the demon infect them? A chilling thought. Amy would hope that her resistance to stuff like a Witch's Kiss would apply here, but... best not to chance it.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They approach the harbor. There are too many people now.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No. Not ''people''. Just echoes, and echoes of things consumed by that ''thing''. Amy stops, conjures her rocket launcher, takes a breath as she takes aim. Just treat it like a videogame. ''Just treat it like a videogame.''<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Endymion is faster. He doesn't hesitate. ''Gods.'' That nice boy from the other memories... must have been through hell.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She follows his path, dismissing the launcher again as she follows through the door with the others.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:96|Jadeite (96)}} has posed:'''<br>Jadeite, luckly enough, is not seen by Endymion. Is not seen by enough of the furious humans to get worse than a few scratches and bruises. Is promptly scooped up by Sailor Moon like a misbehaving kitten, and he kicks and pushes at her on instinct - <br><br>"Let me down, I have to help him! They'll tear him apart! They've all got HER in their heads and they won't stop until they catch him! Put me down, put me down! Serenity, put me down, I can't leave him there!" <br><br> His voice cracks around her name. <br><br> He put him through this, he put Endymion through this hell, they all want to hurt him and he cant, he can't, he can't -<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:226|Bow (226)}} has posed:'''<br>With the others filling him in, Bow is nodding to Ami and Madoka as they further fill in the blanks. "Right, so this is like some... simulation of something that's happened, and we can't change it, but it can change us." he answers in understanding, as if this is exactly something he's gone through before. With everyone seemingly on track now - a glance over his shoulder to make sure that Sailor Moon has policed up the stragglers, he summons another grapple arrow, firing it to grab a hold of the building that Endymion entered. <br><br>He turns around to face Jadeite and Serenity. He wants to say something, but he's unsure of himself - he doesn't know the whole story. He doesn't have context. Finally, he offers. "Focus on the one you ''can'' save, not the one that has already been." he points out, before he gets a hold of the grapple line to let it withdraw him and slides along the line with the bow to make his way into the building, following after Madoka.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kunzite (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"I ''like'' Gretchen," Kunzite answers Madoka, with a brief flicker of Kazuo's amusement in his eyes ... very brief. Then they're moving again. And it's a flat answer to Amy. "The entire Earth. Everyone but him is either infected. Or dead. Or both."<br><br>There are things he tries very hard not to remember from his previous life. Lighting the fuse on ''this'' is one of them.<br><br>He can't risk trying to get near Moon and Jadeite. Not with the way that supports may be burning through. He can lend her a hand in a different way. "Jadeite. ''Stand down.''"<br><br>He'd be going with those following Endymion on the instant but -- he waits, again. To make sure Moon can wrestle Jadeite into coming with them, instead of fighting. Rear guard anytime people will let him be. If they don't want him at their backs, well. He can understand that too.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Sailor Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Someone should probably correct Amy on the sun demon part, but Usagi has her hands full as Jadeite kicks and screams and ''fights'' - <br><br>"You already did!" <br><br>And it's so cruel it even makes ''her'' breath catch, but her hands are strong and tight in where they grip him and she ''shakes'' the way you're not supposed to shake a kitten, hard enough that he may bite his tongue. <br><br>Before anything else can be said, Bow is there, for the briefest of moments, offering his wisdom, and then he's gone. "He's gone, Tamachan," she says in the silence that follows. It's not a true silence. Below them, the people of Earth scream and sob and kill and die, burning in all their rage and fury, in their fire and blood. "He's already gone." <br><br>Kunzite's voice crackles over the speaker, a command, a bite, and it's not properly Kunzite, it's Kazuo, but it still makes her shiver. <br><br>"They won't tear him apart. She won't get him. This isn't where he dies. ''This'' is not where he falls." <br><br>She knows. She knows to her bones where he falls, because it's the last crystal clear memory she has of her past life. <br><br>"If you won't come with us, I'll knock you out and drag you with us. I'm not telling him I left you behind. I'm not telling him you died here, fighting for a memory. ''Endymion'' is dead, and ''Mamoru'' still needs you." <br><br>Her mouth twists, her jaw sets. <br><br>"Your prince, remember? He's still there. Can't you feel him, in the back of your head? He's waiting for us to come home." <br><br>And one way or another, she and Jadeite will be following Endymion.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:96|Jadeite (96)}} has posed:'''<br>Jadeite screams. <br><br> Then he shudders, face in his hands, his body curled like a bow. In an instant, the fight is knocked out of him. <br><br> "...As you speak, my princess," he says, and his voice is dull. "Lead the way, and I shall follow." <br><br> She's right. He cannot fall here, when he has to come back to Mamoru in the future. But it is an effort not to rip himself out of her arms and go back down there, to right what once went wrong.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Sailor Mercury (122)}} has posed:'''<br>That was harsh. Harsher than Mercury had ever seen Usagi be, and in some small way she's proud of her friend for doing it even though it quite clearly sucked. Everything about this sucked and though she was doing her damndest to be the cool, level headed one, the one that *did not remember* she...<br><br>Was failing. A lot.<br><br>Mercury reaches out to lightly clap a hand to Jadeite's shoulder when he calms down giving a solemn nod. "This way," she instructs continuing down the path that Endymion had created in the roses.<br><br>"I think," she calls out louder to all around, "The way these are going, we HAVE to follow to the end. I don't know what might happen if we fall behind but the readings are growing increasingly..." Unstable. Uncertain. The visor was feeding her information she barely had time to comprehend. <br><br>"However he survived, we have to as well."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>Through the doorway-- and they ''will'' make it through, even if it takes a moment-- Hope Witch and Amy Faust are the first through, so they're the first to see the stairs, lit from the bottom by... daylight? There's the sound of a door slamming as the light goes out, and then the sound of Endymion biting out a curse word as his hand lights up brightly, the soft golden glow making him a target but also making sure he doesn't trip--<br><br>--and then his voice, flat and thick. "I don't have time for you, whoever you are. If you try to stop me I'll kill you. If you're trying to hide--" step. step. step he goes down "--then just stay out of my way."<br><br>Down into the dark, and he knows they're there, because no one else was supposed to be able to see the door even though he burst the illusion of the building. Someone, he must think, must have seen him gone in.<br><br>There's some time to ask him questions, though the end of the stairs is approaching, an enormous door that looks like it was grown there before time began.<br><br>At the bottom itself, after everything's said and done, Endymion puts his hands on the door and says, "By order of Endymion, King of Earth and Elysion, open."<br><br>The door swings open, and there's the source of the daylight: a pristine forest glade with a white stone temple in the background, and a boy something like Endymion's age standing there, white-haired and dressed in white and blue and so very delicate, he could almost be a denizen of the moon himself. "It won't open even for you, my King," the boy says.<br><br>"Good," says Endymion dully. "If I survive I won't be what I've been. Keep it safe, priest. Scatter the ashes for us."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&gt; The entire Earth. Everyone but him is either infected. Or dead. Or both.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;''"Jesus."'' Amy fulfills the American Says 'Jesus' Or A Swear Word quota for the episode.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Seriously though wow. What a nightmare. The last human on Earth. Surrounded by hordes of demons or demon-possessed humans.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yeah, this reminds her of something. It's so much more horrifying to contemplate when it's not just words on a screen while a MIDI plays before you go on to the next level.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And the demons are trying to kill his beloved bunny, too...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But wait! He shouted 'let me in', so... who let him in???<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They won't find out just yet. Endymion calls out to them, and Amy freezes. "...Understood."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then there's the awkward silence of walking down the stairs.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She wants to say something, but.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What can she ''possibly'' say to someone in this situation?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She can't give him false hope.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The door opens, shedding light on Sailor TSko and the others. She just stares, open-mouthed. ''What'' is ''this'' place?!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"S-so... what happens now...?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Hope Witch (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I love Gretchen-chan as if she were my own family," responds Madoka to Kunzite, "but I can hear her when I'm in henshin and she keeps telling me to do silly things and honestly right now isn't the time to go into de--"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;''I still think the Gundam reference was a good one.''<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Gretchen-chan I don't care how much you like that show I'm ''not'' going to tell the echo people here that I'm a Witch from Mercury!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oh great. That one was out loud. Madoka blushes from embarrassment and just... pushes on. Tries to pretend that didn't happen. There's so much more important things to do right now. Gretchen sits smugly in her mind and leaves her alone because, actually, staying alive is actually the much more important part.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Well, if I have to have a backseat driver, better Gretchen than the sun demon," she mutters.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once inside, Hope Witch spends about 1.7 seconds wondering if the prince has spotted her again before he polite answers the unspoken question.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We're just trying to get through to safety, Your Highness. We don't want to get caught up in all of that," admits Hope Witch. "It all happened so fast. We're kind of confused. How did it come to this?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eventually she makes it out to... what almost looks like a whole other world? She steps out and looks around. Something about this feels so... strange. Like it touches her in a way she doesn't expect.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Scatter the ashes?! Wait... what does that mean? Are they going to burn something?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka looks between Endymion and this other boy curiously. "Did anyone see this moment other than these two, and now us?" she stage whispers.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kunzite (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"No." Kunzite's answer to Madoka's question is as quiet as the question itself, and it's the only sound he lets slip. Not about to show his identity to Endymion. Not remotely sure the priest can't see them. Not anything, except numb. The difference between knowing ''everyone was gone'' and hearing Endymion call himself King of Earth is ... unexpectedly great.<br><br>He doesn't answer Amy directly, either. No-one saw this. That means no-one knows what happens now.<br><br>Except maybe the priest. He's still not sure there.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:96|Jadeite (96)}} has posed:'''<br>No one knows what's happening. No one has seen this. No one byt the dead, and all of them here, hiding and waiitng and hoping Endymion doesn't see the wrong person... <br><br> ....Jadeite. Is the wrong person. To be here. <br><br> He takes Usagi's side, a step behind her, a position eh often took as bodyguard to Endymion. If nothing else, he can - he can - <br><br> He can do his job and protect her this time around.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Sailor Mercury (122)}} has posed:'''<br>Sailor Mercury follows along quickly, quietly. So far she knew that if they remained quiet they wouldn't be noticed. Except he does which causes her to shiver involuntarily. Moreso when she hears the title he announces for himself. Moreso when the sunlight arrives, and they move into a glade that should theoretically not exist at the bottom of a long stairway.<br><br>"We ... no one, should be seeing this," she breathes in a single time only to look toward Usagi with a bit of concern. "Does Mamoru know...?" Did he? Their memories were more intact than many of them. Mostly.<br><br>Her head shakes quickly. "Nevermind. Questions for later."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:226|Bow (226)}} has posed:'''<br>Once he reaches the entrance, Bow waits. He waits for Usagi and Jadeite to come through before he falls into a support role, but he's got no real questions to ask. He's already interferred more than enough for one day. <br><br>Even with Amy and Madoka going forward to ask their questions and to interact with the King of Earth, the Etherian is not so blind as to go interferring now. <br><br>As he notices that the Senshi and Shittenou have decided to remain out of sight for this part, Bow joins them for the moment to hunker down into the shadows, but he does ask of the group. "So. You've been going through portals for one place to the other..." he starts off, and then gestures. "If we were supposed to follow him, want to bet the portal we need is on the other side of that door, and once it closes..." he glances to the others to get their thoughts.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Sailor Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"We'll see him when this is over," she says, so soft, but Jadeite is sore and aching, and so is she. <br><br>Usagi follows, and she feels more of Serenity with every step, and she is glad for Ami, for Mercury, because this place, she has never seen. No one should ever see it. <br><br>But to hear Endymion call himself the King of Earth - <br><br>A tear falls slides down her cheek, then another, and another. She remembers his mother, vaguely, a titan of a woman, charismatic and brave and ''strong'', and she thinks of the palace in flames, and she takes Jadeite's hand, and clenches it tight. <br><br>Bow is asking questions, practical, and she whispers, as quiet as she dares, "The portals show up whenever and wherever, and we follow them when we can. He's at the center of this, and whatever we see... it's important. It's important enough to be a part of this."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>The only answer for Amy is a brief exhalation and a, "Last resorts is what happens." Hope Witch gets herself a headshake. "There's no through, here. You can't go in, and there's no other exit but for what's behind you. You can hide in this stairwell. There's a demon more powerful than... than anything should ever be..."<br><br>But then they're there.<br><br>As Endymion's saying to scatter the ashes, his bloody, sooty, dirty hand reaches out to the priest's pristine and fragile-looking hand, and the priest takes it, and again there's a glow. "The ashes will eventually be earth, and new life will blossom, even where there was salt," the priest tells him, voice soft and firm. He takes his hand back and now there's an intricate golden key in it, which he holds up in front of Endymion. "You bury hope in safety, King."<br><br>"I don't--" want to, he doesn't finish. He can't be sixteen right now. Instead, he exhales, then asks tiredly, "Is there anything else you need from me?"<br><br>The priest shakes his head. "I'd ask you to stay, Majesty, but you won't. Go, save them if you are able." Then he turns, and four women and three men come forward, also all dressed in flowing white, some of them with moon-bun-hair variations. Endymion takes a half step back, but still watches, as the priest takes the key apart into--<br><br>Brilliant. Rainbow. Gems.<br><br>Each of them gets handed one, and they start to filter up the stairs, moving past the hiding mahous and Hope Witch and Amy Faust, and a portal opens on the stairs side of the door, glowing familiarly.<br><br>Endymion laughs out a sob, and he and the priest bow to each other in unison. "Fare well, priest."<br><br>"And you, King," says Helios, and then Endymion vanishes in a sudden bright gold flash.<br><br>The door slams shut and it looks, in the rainbow light of the portal, like the rock face wall was never broken. There's nothing there.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Last resorts, huh? Amy nods somberly.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She might just barely be able to think on the scale of what that means.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She stares at the mysterious people taking the gems, and then looks back to the pair. "Good l--"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She starts to speak, but Endymion is gone, and the door slams between them.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"--uck." Amy blinks at the door. And turns to face the people hiding in darkness. "Who ''was'' that?! ''Where'' was that??"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Sailor Mercury (122)}} has posed:'''<br>Sailor Mercury watches quietly, solemnly. This was a solemn occasion that causes her attention to rivet on the priest and on Endymion. The key that comes out --was that part of Endymion himself? It very well may have been. The readings from her visor, whatever they are, cause her to blink rapidly as she realizes she's quietly crying.<br><br>This was the end. Of everything that had been. The beginning of what they knew would start again at some point, but this was the end.<br><br>Instinctively her hand reaches for Usagi's free hand to grasp tightly, firmly, hoping that her presence would help her friend a bit as well. "We should... go." Somehow. Was there another portal or could they, too, follow into the light and up to the moon?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kunzite (58)}} has posed:'''<br>Kazuo does not answer Amy. Kazuo - Kunzite - only ''moves''. Till now he's been the rear guard through this series of portals. Now he's putting himself through the next one, moving first and fast.<br><br>If only so that if what is on the other side is ''worse'' ... he can keep anyone from getting hurt before they have a chance to see what's going on.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Hope Witch (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hope Witch only responds to Endymion with silence when she's told what her options are. The thought of being from this timeline, of only having the option to hide here in this place... She covers her mouth and looks away, caught between wanting to throw up and wanting to cry and wanting very desperately to do neither.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her mind flashes back to an unpleasant moment. One that can't exist in her current timeline, thankfully, though she expects to see others of its like.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There is a somberness to this moment. A feeling that both she and Gretchen know, yet both in a very different context. For once their inner dialogue is silent.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As the quiet settles, Gretchen pops out of Madoka, ending the henshin at least temporarily. Her mask is down, covering her face. The Witch fairy looks at Helios, at the Rainbow Gems, and at the rock face they just came through. A black flower appears in her hands. Not a rose, not any kind of recognizable species. Something of her own unique creation, something that will likely fade away after a while. She sets it down at the face of the rock. "I don't have many tears left, but for this kingdom and the one on the Moon, I'll spare a few."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka adds, "They deserved better. You all deserved better, to be happy."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Both she and Madoka stand silently for a few moments, reflecting upon the disaster that they left behind. Gretchen then looks around for a moment. "Something is odd about this place. I can't tell if I like it or not. Let's just go."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's no henshin phrase this time. Madoka simply makes the hand gesture and then the two of them are one again, heading into the next portal.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Sailor Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Usagi watches the key appear, and more - watches it disappear into glittering, rainbow, crystals. <br><br>So that's what they are. So this, is what they're for. <br><br>Would Endymion have lived, if he stayed here? She thinks he would have - but in body only, with his heart torn to ribbons, his guardians devoured from the inside by a demon, the world and every world burning. <br><br>She cannot speak. She nods, at Mercury's quiet suggestion, and she follows Kazuo - Kazuo, Kazuo, Kazuo who ''is'' Kunzite, she cannot deny it - through the portal, tugging Jadeite and Mamoru alone. <br><br>She has no answers to offer, and no words. She's - emptied out.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka doesn't have many tears left? The hell does that mean?!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It sounds so sad.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy approaches to offer her a hug before walking through the portal with the others.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:96|Jadeite (96)}} has posed:'''<br>He holds Usagi's hand tightly. He's grateful for her. Grateful for Mercury, coming to stay by her side. Grateful for Kunzite going ahead to scout. Grateful for the help of their friends... <br><br> He feels empty. The end is coming. If the portals continue this path, they'll see - <br><br> The thing he saw before he died. <br><br> He follows Kazuo, being pulled by Usagi - <br><br> Please, please, please don't be that final day - !<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:226|Bow (226)}} has posed:'''<br>There's a nod to Sailor Moon as she speaks of the portals. "Got it." Bow says quietly as his attention is on the solemn ceremony that is carried out. And just as he was about to ask her if those were the same crystals that they had been chasing after back home, he sees it in her face. <br><br>He sees it in all of their faces. Those of this world. Those of this history. The trauma, the shock. The hurt. They're all being forced to relive this moment, even if they had not been present when the history was made to begin with. <br><br>It's something he had seen too often on the faces of those affected by the war back on Etheria. And he knows that this is not the time nor place to ask. Or to make light of it. <br><br>Pushed to his feet, and tugged along with the rest, Bow's fingers rest on his weapon, ready to summon and draw as soon as he follows the rest through the portal, pausing one more time to look behind him - at a scene that for him, is familiar in a different way. A war still being fought. <br><br>"Blessed Brightmoon... we have to win."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>What they step into is a top-stair view of chaos, but it's not the same chaos; it's grim, but it's not burning. It's the Moon, and it's not dying yet -- but the air itself is tense, no one is smiling, and everyone is in a hurry. The pale marble pillars of the palace frame the stairs that Endymion is running up, filthy in this clean place, covered in the evidence of fire and battle and great sorrow.<br><br>Nobody stops him.<br><br>At the top of the stairs -- in front of our adventurers, coming out of the portal -- at the top is Princess Serenity, worried, elfin face taut with it--<br><br>"We have to see your mother. My mother is-- is-- I'm the King now, and I don't-- she's burning the cities for the power to bring the madness ''here'', she's going to invade, we have to tell your mother," he says breathlessly as he reaches her and starts to reach for her hands, then hesitates because of the blood, the soot, the dirt. He is of Earth.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Hope Witch (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka's, and Gretchen's, private pain was something she thought only Homura could understand. Now, she's starting to realize more fully that everyone has their own problems, and there are likely a great many different tragedies. Maybe it's better, Gretchen thinks, for Madoka to get a wider perspective. To stop thinking about what she wants and to start thinking about what she can do.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As for Hope Witch, she accepts Amy's hug briefly, with a smile, but doesn't linger on it. She's still in stress mode, and they have to keep moving.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We do," she agrees with Bow. "No losses, no failures. We can't afford them."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Hope Witch watches King Endymion race ahead, she follows at a distance. The tension in this space remains, and for a moment she wonders if they wouldn't be better off remaining with the angry Jupiter and Jadeite. ''No, don't be silly, that wasn't an option and you know it. In each moment you did the best you could, even if it was less than perfect, and this is what that led to.''<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hope does not interfere or speak out as Endymion entreats with Serenity. Instead, she simply watches. Observes as someone else's trauma, and the sins of the past, unfold in front of her.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka knew from the moment Gretchen started opening up to her that, no matter how happy or peaceful you may be, it can all fall apart in an instant. Now that instant is happening for the players on this stage.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Sailor Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>The air is thick with tension, people scurrying, hurrying, and though they can't be seen from the stairway everyone has landed in, there are guards hurrying into position, guardians drilling soldiers, people scurrying to carry out the business of defense. <br><br>Princess Serenity reaches bridges the gap between them, grabs his filthy hands in her own, and drags him close, drags him in. <br><br>She holds him for a brief, stolen moment, and doesn't care that her white dress shows the filth. <br><br>"She's in the Chamber of Prayer," she answers, earnest, "I'll take you to her. I know she's preparing, but she has to - Endymion - I'm so ''sorry'' -" <br><br>And then Usagi is through the portal, with Jadeite and Sailor Mercury and Kunzite, and hisses, to everyone coming through, "We absolutely cannot be seen."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:226|Bow (226)}} has posed:'''<br>Following the others in, Bow's arrival is muted, a simple nod to Madoka as she speaks, but as history unfolds before the group, he finds himself observing it all, before his attention returns to Usagi as she speaks. <br><br>There is a reason that she is making it more than clear that she doesn't want this moment interrupted. This was, after all, some of the last moments that she... Serenity... had with Endymion. Before everything was ripped asunder. <br><br>The least he could do was respect the wishes of the young woman that had to experience it all to have to live it all over again to remain silent, though he reaches to give her shoulder a small squeeze of support, before his attention returns to the rewind of their past.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Sailor Mercury (122)}} has posed:'''<br>"We really can't. Not this time," Mercury agrees with Sailor Moon as she looks over all the others. Hope Witch, and Bow, and Amy. Kunzite and Jadeite who were also as wracked with guilt and the horrible ghost of memories that were coming to life in front of them all.<br><br>"Kunzite is right. The power that is behind Beryl may very well be able to do something to us if we aren't careful. She would be strongest here, during..." This time it's her voice that falters.<br><br>The Guardians of the moon that were rushing around brings back her own memories as her head hangs forward with eyes squeezing shut tight.<br><br>"The defenses-- They couldn't ... I tried to stop them from coming here. I remember now." And she was right. She was right the entire time. Forgetting was a blessing.<br><br>Mercury raises her head again with a quickly drawn breath as she tries to shove that ache down inside her. "If we get to the inner chambers we may be able to wait most of this out." Unless another portal opened.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They're still following Endymion... seemingly right afterwards?!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy thought that was the end. She thought they could rest, and process.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She stares as Endymion runs past, then sighs and follows him.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Seeing him talking to Usagi's past self, so soon after seeing the two happily playing in the water together, is just... It would throw the shock and awfulness of everything happening into sharper relief, if it were possible.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At his hesitation, she narrows her eyes and mutters, "Oh, come on. Like she cares if you're dirty." It's muttered, softly; The other travelers from the future can easily hear it, but she's not ''actually'' trying to provide advice to Endymion, in this moment. She nods as the Princess takes the hands anyway.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She also nods to the Princess's current self, and hangs back a little more, just behind Usagi, as they follow, summoning her usual costume's cloak around her.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It obviously can't help her ''hide'', not in this situation, but... it feels like it does, and also she can wrap it around herself for just a tiny bit of comfort as she watches the world's last moments.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kunzite (58)}} has posed:'''<br>Moon has Jadeite in hand. Mercury is supporting Moon. Gretchen is ... sort of supporting the Hope Witch, in her fashion. Kunzite keeps an eye on Bow and Amy, to the extent that he can. It's not up to his usual standards. He's short on ability to answer questions or provide information; he's short on the ability to speak, or to process happenings as thoroughly as he should. But that will wait till later, if it needs to. And if something strikes the area as a whole, he can still lend protection. He can still react to things on the edge of his vision. He can do that. For long enough, he can do that.<br><br>And he holds on to Moon's advice to Jadeite, before. Mamoru is still waiting for them. Could tell that Usagi was all right, that Jadeite was. May be able to tell whether Kunzite is alright. Therefore he is not allowed to fall to pieces. Not till they're back, and safe, and there's a little while without work to be done.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:96|Jadeite (96)}} has posed:'''<br>Jadeite can't look.<br><br> He has to look. <br><br> This is the chaos their selfishness begat. Endymion's mother - the earth burning - the moon in turmoil - the couple embracing for what may be the last time, bount together in mutual agony. <br><br> The words of the others is like noise in his ears. He did this, he did this, he did this - <br><br> He holds Usagi close, sweeping his cloak off one shoulder for both Usagi and Ami to share. (And Kazuo, if he's willing to take the other shoulder.)<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"Maybe we can still save your world," Endymion's voice comes out a choked little thing, the only answer he has for her condolences, and he's squeezing Serenity's hands and trying not to squeeze them too tightly, trying not to cry, it's too visible on his dirty face when he does that, the tracks show, a king shouldn't-- not until real privacy, and if it never comes, then--<br><br>He says, "Elysion is sealed." That seems like a weightier statement than it is on the surface, but then, they just saw the solemnity, the finality of it.<br><br>And then they're going, hurrying, to a tall tower across a plaza -- everything here is so beautiful! And the last time they saw it it was all engulfed in flames. It's not a difficult journey, it's not far, and when they get inside there's an absolutely enormous and lovely set of crystals glowing a bright pure blue. And there's Queen Serenity--<br><br>Endymion does not kneel, but he hesitates. "Your Majesty. Beryl is burning our cities to fuel an invasion of your world. I do not know how close they are to completion of the power massing. I had to stay long enough to seal Elysion, Earth's heart, or the demon would have gotten the rest of our magic as well. I am sorry I was not faster."<br><br>He takes a hitching breath. "I fear our wishes for-- for--" His voice cracks. "I'm sorry. Any power I have left is yours. Please let me help."<br><br>He's braced for rejection.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Hope Witch (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gretchen does comfort Madoka, in her own way. Not so much as shoulder to cry on, but as someone who bears her pain with her. As much as the dark fairy may act the child, in truth her role is to be Madoka's mentor. Especially in times like these.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yet here the only comfort the Witch Chara can provide is her own fellowship. There are no jokes being cracked. One may laugh in the face of danger, but never at a funeral.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hope Witch keeps following Endymion, watching, waiting to see what happens next. She glances around to keep track of the others in their party, to make sure that everyone's safe, but most of her attention is what on they've been brought here to see.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If she has anything to say, she's saving it for later. Usagi did say they absolutely should not interrupt this moment, after all.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Sailor Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>This time, they see the Moon Palace, up-close rather than in the distance, and it is in splendor, it is a beautiful place even with tension, not opulent but stunning nonetheless, though they have to hurry through it all, to keep pace with the prince and princess. <br><br>They pass buildings of marble and basalt, ornate architecture, delicately, perfectly carved and decorated, the work of a pure love of art, of decoration. <br><br>But as they make their way through, they get to the center of the palace - the Chamber of Prayer, where that tall, blue crystal shines, and they see the woman there. <br><br>Queen Serenity is a fairly tall and slender woman whose white hair shines with the sparkle of snow. Like her daughter, like all Lunarians, she has a literal glow about her, a soft light truly reminiscent of seeing the Moon from Earth. Her hair is pulled up in two odango buns, the remaining length forming long twintails - like mother, like daughter. Queen Serenity truly bears the golden symbol of the Moon on her forehead, not as a mark emblazoned on her skin, but rather as a decoration piece, held by golden baubles. <br><br>Queen Serenity wears a sleeveless white dress, the bodice and skirt of which cling to her curves and shapely legs. A bow at her chest bears the golden crescent moon at its center, while another bow, at her back, trails long lengths of gossamer fabric. <br><br>Looking at her now, they see worry and concern on her near-ageless face. In her hands, the Moon Stick, and softly glowing, the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou. The Silver Crystal. <br><br>"King Endymion." <br><br>And she stops, and there is sorrow in her eyes. <br><br>"I am sorry, the dreams you two shared - the dreams we had all begun to wish for - cannot come true." <br><br>There is pain in her voice. She tightens her grip on the Moon Stick, and it glows, lengthens, becomes a staff, with gleaming crescent moon awash with the glow of the crystal. <br><br>Princess Serenity grips Endymion's hand. There's pain in her face too, tears in her eyes, as her mother continues. <br><br>"I will try to hold it back, that demon. You - I entrust you with my heart. Protect my daughter, Endymion."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:226|Bow (226)}} has posed:'''<br>Following after the group, Bow puts his weapon away, attaching it back to the quiver. It's all he can do now as he watches the interaction between Serenity, Endymion and Serenity's mother. And as he does so, he feels it. He feels it all too well. <br><br>He is taken back to a place he had remembered well, even if he was not there. <br><br>Queen Angella, preparing to step into the chamber to retrieve the Sword of Protection, knowing that she may be sacrificing herself to save Etheria. A glance back to Adora, and her last words. <br><br>"Take care of each other." <br><br>Reaching up, he rubs at his eyes, feeling that profound sadness. But why... why is he just now remembering that?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kunzite (58)}} has posed:'''<br>Here, at last, is where Kazuo falters.<br><br>Entering that chamber would be a desecration. He cannot bring himself to do it. He can only stay - close. Nearby. Listening. But not - not there. Let Usagi see, let Mercury, even let Bow. Only not him. Not even in an echo.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:96|Jadeite (96)}} has posed:'''<br>Jadeite takes to Kunzite's side. <br><br> They cannot go in. They cannot ruin this moment. But at least they will not be alone. <br><br> He breaks the handhold he has with Usagi and goes to Kunzite's side instead, entwining their arms and fingers.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hurrying across the Moon Palace(?) to a tower, to see... Usagi's past-mom.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy glances at Usagi. She can barely imagine what that girl must feel at this. She lived this, and... while she still has ''a'' mom, Usagi remembers this one raising her too, right? And she's gone.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...However distant Amanda's own mother may be, she should find a way to re-establish contact. It would be too sad to never see her again.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As for what to do right now: Amy's on the same page as Hope and Gretchen. Don't interrupt. Stay quiet. Watch and learn. (Elysion? Earth's Heart? They can ask later.)<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Also: Huh, that bow from the Senshi's uniforms is part of the Queen's outfit. Amy looks down briefly at the bow on her own imitation; black, with no symbol in the middle, only a gem matching her soul gem (the real one is still on her glove). ''Is that why it's part of the Senshi uniform?''<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She looks back at the Queen as she speaks, and a little bit of her heart falls at the words that their dreams cannot come true.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If Endymion and Serenity move on, Amy stops briefly passing the Queen. Speaking softly, words she knows she daren't say loudly enough to disrupt the memory. "Good luck. ...We'll make a better future. I wish you could know that."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Sailor Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Usagi steps into the hall, but only just. Enough to see her mother. Her Moon Mama, as she's put it more than once. <br><br>Her namesake. <br><br>Is there anything words can say? She can't. Instead, she commits their words to memory as best as she can - Elysion. The magical heart of the Earth. The Rainbow Crystals are for.... Elysion. <br><br>The door to which is in the Golden Kingdom, so, at least, hopefully, Riventon couldn't get there, even if he had one of the crystals. <br><br>It's easier to think of modern problems instead of ancient tragedies. It's easier to think of this, than to remember her own failure, to live up to her mother's hopes.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Sailor Mercury (122)}} has posed:'''<br>Sailor Mercury leans in against Usagi's side trying to offer support in what way she can. When Jadeite moves to wrap part of his cloak around them both, she glances over toward him offering a small nod of thanks. <br><br>Her mouth opens to speak but... nothing comes out. Nothing. There was nothing she could do or say to begin with at this point so she just shifts to rest her head against Usagi's slightly with a little bump from the side. It wasn't like her to be cuddly. She could for this moment though.<br><br>"We should leave," she murmers after a long moment of watching. Not to see what happens but because there would be nothing to see here that wouldn't cause more heartache.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"With everything I have left," whispers the boy king of a burning world.<br><br>As he bows deeply to the Queen of Silver Millennium, then looks to Serenity (whose hand he has not let go), the two of them hurry away.<br><br>One more portal opens -- outside the Chamber of Prayer, out there where Kunzite can easily get to it, where all of them can get to it.<br><br>On the other side is the same river that they started off in, just during the daytime and with no one in sight.<br><br>The smell of salt in the air means the sea is still close, and it's the same river -- the city must be on the other side of the trees.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Sailor Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Queen Serenity watches them go, and then, when they are gone, she sinks, praying. <br><br>Usagi draws in a breath, and if it's a sob, no one will fault her. The portal is open. The portal is open, the river, the sun, the clean air, free of smoke and smog and ash and burning, beckons - <br><br>"Come on," she whispers, and squeezes Mercury's hand, walking, walking - <br><br>And then she stops. And she turns, not to the echo of her moth, but to Kunzite, and Jadeite. Her eyes glitter. <br><br>"He's waiting for us," she tells them, "Because he loves us. He loves ''you''. Even with everything that we see here. This isn't - he remembers this, you know?" <br><br>Her voice might hang in the air, quiet. <br><br>"He still loves you. So just - we all have to hold it together, until he gets us out."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Hope Witch (33)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hope Witch watches, and waits, as this moment happens. It's too powerful a moment for her to interrupt, to do anything but observe what this echo world wants to show her. When Mercury, and then Moon, indicate that they should leave; only then does Madoka turn to follow them. They know this world better than she, and they know the dangers.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She follows them to the portal, to a place of relative safety. A part of her wonders if there's anything left of her Familiar, but no. Of course there isn't. She didn't make that thing to last, and she doesn't even know if this is the same "room" she was in before.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kunzite (58)}} has posed:'''<br>Kazuo's fingers tighten a little on Jadeite's, not hard, not painful. Twice. Once, while they wait, appreciation of the gesture. The second time, when Usagi speaks to them.<br><br>"We will," he says quietly, utterly unafraid to speak for Jadeite. "For him. And because we can lean on each other." He glances to Hope Witch in passing, and to Bow, and the others. Not just the two of the Shitennou he's talking about.<br><br>Besides. Someone has to keep watch while Usagi gets help washing the awful out of her hair.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:226|Bow (226)}} has posed:'''<br>Bow nods as he hears the order to depart. There's a glance to the small group, but with his thoughts distracted for the moment, as he heads through the portal... <br><br>...he's seperated from the others, off in his own direction once again. Who knows where, but once again, the party is short one.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Well, okay, they're not following the star-crossed lovers, but Amy says those words (quietly) to the Queen anyway.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She then turns and follows Usagi and everyone through the portal.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then drops to her knees and lets out a breath.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They all probably need a moment after that.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:96|Jadeite (96)}} has posed:'''<br>"We will. I won't leave him alone like this again," Jadeite says, and squeezes Kazuo's hand back. He hears him. He understands. <br><br> For once, Kazuo is the more talkative of them - but he's said everything that needs to be said. Jadeite can entrust his voice to him while he stands mutely in the shards of his prince's first life.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Sailor Mercury (122)}} has posed:'''<br>Sailor Mercury braces herself for what might come next when she steps through this next portal. Dread has her shoulders tight and tense as she starts to recount in her mind different points in history that were coming to her mind. The invasion. What each did. And trying to calculate the best hiding places...<br><br>The green grass, trees, the sea breeze. It all hits her enough that she nearly staggers from surprise as she stops to just breathe in deeply. <br><br>"We should." Should what? A light tug is given to Sailor Moon's hand toward the banks of the water. "Clean up. Eat. Rest." This causes her to look around wearily. "When was the last time any of us slept? We should if we can for a bit."<br> <br>
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