DISCLAIMER: THIS STORY IS HEREBY DECLARED A "FANFICTION." AS SUCH, THIS MERE AUTHOR HAS NO RIGHTS TO SAILOR MOON, SAILOR V, OR THE SEVERAL MEDIA REFERENCES MADE FORTHWITH, AND INSTEAD IS COPYRIGHT NAOKO TAKEUCHI, MIXXZINE, SMILE, TOEI ANIMATION, AND ALL OTHER PARTIES RESPECTFULLY.

With that out of the way, I hope you enjoy my fic and provide me with feedback, as this is my first Sailor Moon fan fiction.

Happy Reading! :D

Prologue

Deception at the Cauldron

Being an Account of the Origins of the Three Divine Stones of Power from the Analogues of the Multiverse from the journals of Hades, first Senshi of Time and former Queen of Tartaran, Solar Date 2525 in the Year of High Queen Selenity:

As I look upon the visage of my newborn daughter Setsuna, I fear it has fallen to me to write the history of our people. With Selenity's rise to power over two thousand solar revolutions ago, I fear it shall be lost, especially since we two are the last of the original Senshi to know the truth of our origins. Origins that have been hidden from the newborn Senshi of the colonies of the Inner and Outer planets, that was hidden from the now defunct planet of Elysian, whose rubble lies between Mars and Jupiter, its descendents scattered amongst the Terrans.

So do I leave the following account for my daughter to reveal to the new Senshi when the time is right:

Once upon a time, the universe was a place of purity, filled with life and love, protected by the Guardians of the many planets and stars.

Then one day, two of the Universe's most powerful Guardians were playfully fighting, and in their efforts to outdo one another, accidently sent their most powerful attacks toward the binary stars orbiting their home planets, destroying them.

Without the light from the two stars, their planets and their neighbors fell into despair as their homes withered and died. Never before had such a terrible event occurred before in the Universe; the death of a loved one usually meant they would be guided by Those Who Ferried to the heavenly realms. However, such massive deaths were too much for Those Who Ferried, and the souls of the two Guardians' home system were left to wander in sorrow, fear, and anger at what had occurred.

The other Guardians were shocked and appalled at such a gross misuse of their sister Guardians' powers, and left them in a bind as well. They had never been instructed how to deal with such a situation, especially with the new independent factor that had arrived most suddenly in their universe.

For the destruction of the binaries had given birth to a new, unknown entity, one who fed upon the fears and sorrow and anger of the deceased whom Those Who Ferried could not guide as of yet, and slowly it grew stronger, corrupting the hearts of many. It eventually gained a name, one that would haunt the two Guardians for eternity and beyond:

CHAOS.

This was not merely an entity who wreaked its havoc upon the hearts and minds of the people, but a conqueror of worlds. As Chaos began to consume many worlds and their people, the Guardians deliberated the correct actions to take. Summoning the two Guardians responsible, they asked them to account for their actions. However, Chaos was strongest in these two Guardians, as their destruction of the binaries had given birth to it, and it set the two close friends upon each other.

Trading harsh words and blaming each other, their brother and sister Guardians were shocked at their irrational behavior, never having seen such phenomena before. Debating how to decide the case fairly, soon the influence of Chaos spread throughout them all, and they too turned on each other.

All but one was influenced by Chaos; heartbroken to see her siblings fight amongst each other, she raised her voice against them.

"STOP!" she cried out.

She was the youngest of them all, the Guardian who had then been called Hope.

"Can't you see what this new entity is doing to us?" she pleaded, "It is destroying the careful balance our worlds once had! As its caretakers we must find a way to restore that balance!"

Many heeded the words of the Guardian of Hope, and for one galactic year and a day, the Guardians deliberated carefully. However, while they reached many solutions, they implemented none, a sign of Chaos' influence, as none of them could be compelled to agree to any of them.

Then one day, the Universe spoke to the Guardians, and revealed three remarkable items. These items, the Universe told the Guardians, were the hearts of the binary stars that had exploded, and the third was the heart of a star yet to be born.

"Each item is the Sailor Crystal and starseed of a high guardian, each who will restore balance." Every Guardian was eager to be the High Guardian chosen, and begged the Universe to tell them whom each High Guardian would be. However, sensing the greed that had amassed within them due to the influence of Chaos, the Universe instead bestowed the items upon several Guardians to protect the items until their true bearers came.

The first item, a sapphire of the deepest blue set in gold, was gifted to a Guardian and her Senshi. "Guard this instrument of my power well," spoke the Universe, "for within this is the power to judge the Guardians."

The second item, a most intense silver-crystal, was gifted to another Guardian and her Senshi. "Guard this instrument of my power well," spoke the Universe, "for within this is the power to cleanse and restore that which has been corrupted or destroyed."

The third item, a golden gem possessing an inner fire to rival a star, disappeared, for it was the heart of the star not yet born. "This gem, much like its brethren, holds a power of its own. However, unlike the others, this instrument I have given my own power: the power to create and to nurture.

"Go forth, my children, and work to restore the balance!"

So did the two who possessed the Sapphire and Silver Crystals go forth as commanded.

Yet an unforeseen event occurred. The Guardian of the Silver Crystal soon crossed swords with the entity known as Chaos, as did her Senshi. They fought long and hard, but much to their anguish, their efforts failed. Dying in the arms of her sister, Selenity, the Guardian of the Silver Crystal begged her sibling to protect it with her own Senshi and to leave this place to avoid the influence of Chaos. Agreeing to her sister's final words, Selenity left with her Senshi and a contingent of her people to a far away star system with a young star named Sol.

New with the beginnings of live, she and her people, myself amongst them, eventually established an outpost on the third planet from the star's satellite, and thus established what would become the Lunarian Kingdom and the beginnings of the Silver Millennium, so named for our young queen's new mantle.

The Galaxy Cauldron

Present Time

Floating through space and time, Usagi wearily opened her eyes, gasping as she saw the renewed Galaxy Cauldron emerge before her.

"Congratulations, young Serenity," an ethereal voice, sounding like a small bell, chimed from around her. A pulsing light grew, and from its brightness emerged the minute form of Guardian Cosmos. "You have managed to delay the return of Chaos and restored the Galaxy Cauldron, thus restoring the Balance of your destiny. However, now you have a choice; would you have your world reborn with the other fallen stars, or resume from where you and your comrades once lived?" came the innocent query.

Normally, Usagi would have immediately agreed with the second option, but some prompting from around her made her hesitate. For years, she had had many questions—about her former mother, Queen Selenity, the origins of the Silver Crystal, and so much more! Now was the chance, she knew, to get some answers.

"Well…actually, before I decide anything, I have a few questions," she said timidly, her face unusually serious as she wrung her hands in front of her.

Guardian Cosmos looked at her curiously, "Very well. You may ask!" she beamed, grateful that the Silver Carrier was asking her, Guardian Cosmos, a question!

"Well, you seen, it has to do with…"

A few minutes later, a high-pitched shriek emitted from the tiny Guardian, who promptly passed out in her savior's arms.

"Oh dear," Usagi sighed worriedly.

A while later, after patting the cheeks of the passed out Guardian, Usagi used her crystal to try to wake the stressed little one from her self-induced sleep. Rousing from her fainting spell, the Guardian, once calm, cool, and collected, promptly flung her arms around Usagi's neck and began to cry wholeheartedly into the short white chemise dress that Usagi had awoken in.

"H-how c-could sh-she?" she sobbed, her crystal grey eyes watering with tears.

"What on earth are you talking about?" Usagi asked gently, very bewildered.

Guardian Cosmos sniffed, "Q-Queen Selenity. Didn't she tell you anything?" she demanded, desperately staring Usagi in the eyes.

Seeing no comprehension, she wailed again and clutched the Moon Queen tighter. "There, there," she said soothingly, drawing circles on Guardian Cosmos' back. "Now perhaps you can tell me what has you so upset?"

Sniffling, the Guardian began hesitantly, then like a breaking dam, the story poured forth.

"I am upset, Serenity-sama, due to the injustices done by your mother. She swore she would protect you, swore she understood what she was getting into, and now it appears she did not. If you knew…I will tell you. You see, your mother, Queen Selenity, was in actuality, not the first bearer of what you know as the Ginzuishou. In the early days of the Universe, after the birth of Chaos, the crystal was one of a set of three powerful items. I believe you know them," Cosmos stated, her usually jovial eyes dark with disbelief and pain.

Reddened eyes focused upon the trembling Guardian in her arms, Usagi looked down at her in comprehension. "Mamo-chan's Kinzuishou and Galaxia's Seikinseki?" she said, voice hoarse. Cosmos nodded, "Oh yes. What made them so special was that they were unlike any seen before due to their nature: they were both Sailor Crystal and starseed."

"What do you mean?" Usagi asked nervously, her mind refusing to connect her knowledge with what Guardian Cosmos was saying. Surely she's not implying—no. Oh no!

Guardian Cosmos' eyes began to tear again. "In a moment; there's something I must first tell you about Sailor Crystals and starseeds. Tell me, have you always wondered why it was you and your friends who became Senshi? I believe Galaxia mentioned something about it to you earlier…"

"Hai; she said that the starseeds of Senshi are brighter than others in the universe."

"What she speaks is the truth. But did she tell you about the Order of the Senshi? How they are chosen?" Slowly untwining herself from Usagi, Guardian Cosmos floated toward the reborn Cauldron. "You see, while it is true that a Senshi's starseed shines brighter than others, it is also true that certain starseeds resonate with one another, causing certain types to attract to each other, some stronger than others. This is the reason for Senshi Families—or groups, as you know them—forming across the Universe. It is also true that no Senshi is ever truly alone; their group, their family will always lie in wait for them. It is how you and your friends came to be together, and it will continue into your next lives. All of you are bound to each other at such a deep level, that you will never be truly alone."

"A scary thought, yet a comforting one," Usagi said, her thoughts weighing heavily on her mind as she stared at the calm, flowing pool of starseeds below. "But what of Galaxia's family?"

"She was awakened from the Cauldron too early; it will be millennia more before her sisters and brothers join her. The Wiseman's actions do prove one thing, however; the Families are sacred, and as such, to purposely ruin a Senshi family—like reawakening one of them before the others, for instance—is tantamount to treason, as it defies the very heart of the Senshi way, the Universe's way.

"This is what makes your mother's actions so heinous. In effect, she purposely separated you from your Senshi—Venus, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, and Pluto. They are your Starseed sisters, your true family in all but blood! And your mother assumed the Ginzuishou was merely an instrument such as the Talismans that kept Saturn locked away for millennia. It was your Sailor Crystal, your starseed! In essence, not only did she prevent you from becoming a Senshi as is your unalienable right, but abused your soul to a degree that is so horrible I can hardly bear to think about it! She corrupted the purpose of your friends and family, separating them from not only you, but their soul mates, their own families and friends!"

Usagi's skin turned grey, her eyes dark with horror. "But why would she do such a thing? The mother I remember—she was so kind and gentle to all of us!" Usagi pleaded, the weight of what Guardian Cosmos was relating to her settling heavily on her shoulders.

"Perhaps it was to protect you—perhaps it was so she could finally feel powerful. She was the youngest of three sisters, you know. The eldest was taken in the blast that created Chaos; you knew her as Nehellenia. And, her middle sister...she was the original Guardian of the Ginzuishou, her guardians the ancestors of the Senshi that guard you today, hence their innate devotion to you. They unconsciously feel the call of the promise they made, to keep the Ginzuishou out of Chaos' hands. However, for whatever reason Selenity did what she did—it is a perversion of what should have been."

"Oh Kami-sama," Usagi breathed out in horror, her eyes dark and wild, "So—from what you're saying, I could have had the power to…the power…" Guardian Cosmos nodded gravely, her tiny, serene face a mask of sorrow and anger. "Yes. Without question, you could have possessed the power to defeat Metallia and Beryl. The purpose of the Ginzuishou is to heal and cleanse, to restore the balance between what you deem "good" and "evil." For where there is one, the other will be. Always."

By this time, Usagi's breathing was unsteady, her eyes unseeing as panic set in. "…oh Kami…we could have all lived…why…why would she…how could she!" she screamed at last, her heart mind clouded by regret, anguish, and utter despair.

How could the maternal figure she had once clung to, done what she had done? To separate the Ginzuishou—her own daughter's Sailor Crystal and starseed—from her body, and use her very life force, bend it to her own whims—even for what she claimed was the greater good!—Was still unbearably cruel.

"So many things could have been different," Usagi choked out, tears cascading down her face. "I could have become a true Senshi, with no divisions between us such as my being Princess Serenity always felt like. Being with them, fighting side by side and being normal with them, was the only thing that kept me going with our enemies in the 20th Century. And to know that I could have been with them, prevented Metallia's destruction of entire civilizations…it's no wonder everyone kept targeting us," a fresh wave of tears came from her reddened eyes,

"But you know what hurts worse? That she twisted their purpose," she spat, ire, dark and vicious consuming her eyes, "They could have been reassured that I wasn't all they had to live for—do you know how twisted that is?! To be told your hopes and dreams are futile because of one person! How they must have hated me! And I reinforced it!" she screamed, half sobbing as Guardian Cosmos hovered at her shoulder to rub her back in consolation. "They could have led fully individual lives while still maintaining peace as Senshi! They could have had what Mamoru and I had! And she took that freedom away from them! I took that freedom away from them."

Wiping her eyes viciously, she suddenly stood, forcing Guardian Cosmos away from her. Licking her chapped lips, she took a deep breath, glaring down at the Cauldron. "Well, listen up! If they can't be free to live and love the way they want, THEN I DON'T WANT THIS ANYMORE!" she screamed.

Guardian Cosmos squeaked, staring at the heavily breathing Silver Carrier in horror as the world around them began to fluctuate and shudder, sending them both careening to the edge of the Cauldron. Grabbing onto some of the debris from earlier, Guardian Cosmos held on for her life. Craning her head as the world turned sideways, she shrieked in horror as Usagi went over the edge into the Cauldron below.

"NO!" she screamed, "What about the ultimate destiny? Crystal Tokyo? The return of Silver Millennium?"

The world around her shuddered one long, last time, the Cauldron bubbling before giving a large burst of light, then all faded to silence and soft twilight.

"What will become of us now?" Guardian Cosmos said hollowly, her eyes vacant as she tried to accept what she had just witnessed.

Inside the Cauldron…

What would become of them now? Usagi wondered at the same time as Guardian Cosmos.

When she had fallen into the bubbling Cauldron moments before, she found herself immersed in what felt to her like a bubble bath, or a warm hug. It was warm, warm, warm, all around her, without any stinging of bubble bath soap of the need to breath for air.

What is your wish? A smoky voice filtered through her mind.

Who are you? She replied as she felt her mind and body begin to fall asleep, her eyes heavy with exhaustion.

What is your wish? The voice asked again, seeming to wrap around her body in opaque, pink tendrils. Coming to a start, Usagi opened her eyes with a jolt, seeing the pink tendrils float lazily from the depths of the Cauldron, wrapping themselves gently around her limbs and tug her downward.

Letting herself be guided downward, Usagi gave a silent gasp as she found herself floating in the center of several glowing balls of light. What is your wish? The voice echoed a third time.

Usagi's eyes became hard and determined. Ah, the voice said with satisfaction, so that is your wish. Farewell then, Silver One, and good luck to you…

The balls of light circled her, before drawing together and intensifying as they closed in…

A large burst pushed her upward, and she was immersed in light.

Mukashi mukashi…Once upon a time, a Senshi looked at her destiny defiantly and said, "No more!"