But there is no life on Earth.

[waterfell]

Near the north pole of planet Mercury, there are signs of life, all enclosed in a thin, transparent dome that still allows a clear view of the heavens. Inside, the air is clean and breathable, and even stirs itself in artificial breezes.

The entire city is a mass of blue crystal, luminous with the glow of thousands of solar trees both within and without, their blue cels attached to silvery branches and trunks. It makes a striking contrast, and the structures provide the city's energy, veritable solar power farms, bustling and thriving like the city itself. . Everywhere, the roads lead inward towards a palace, attention drawn to it by its height, taller than any nearby building.

The lush sound of splashing water comes from a clear, ornamental pool in the entryway. Tropical fish swim contentedly there, glimmers of golden koi amid and around the stems of water lilies. There is greenery, too, and flowers provide a seasoning of color. Overhead, the ceiling is dizzyingly high, adding to the sense of open space.

Seated at the edge of the pool, dressed in an elegant gown and with the sigil of her planet showing proudly on her forehead, is the Princess Mercury, now queen of her reborn kingdom. She plays a simple, longing melody on the harp she holds in her lap.

Comments

[mooneternal]

"I'm..." she pauses, and looks down, "not sure." The answer is an honest one -- "Maybe... to see you," she looks back up at the other girl again, with that. Ever since the other day -- that other dream... this cold and angry Ami... it was almost as if she was haunted. "I don't know what else would lead me to this place other than that..."

[waterfell]

There's a long moment where she might say anything. To see her, huh? And yet, it's clear there's a hand of Fate here, because reaching this castle isn't simple. Reaching this planet isn't simple.

But the person in front of her wears that mark of the moon princess.

"The princess of the Moon is the reason this planet suffered like all the others," the queen of Mercury says plainly. "Have you come to cause more?"

[mooneternal]

"The princess of the -- " she pauses, taking a half-step backwards, "you mean -- in the past. The Silver Millennium..." it was the only thing that made sense. "But that was... it was never what I wanted! None of us would have wanted it to come to that..." but the feel of the blade going through her flesh -- a memory she couldn't deny, even now. Even though that past was so long ago... they were destined to be forever chained to it.

"We could have all learned to live in peace! To accept one another, and to live together... Even now, from here, it still looks beautiful! The shimmering glass bead in the distance that -- " the princess stops short as she looks up towards the sky. Her eyes scanning the empty space where the Earth should be... Her eyes go wide in horror, and her hands seem to find their way up to cover her mouth. "Where... where is it?!"

[waterfell]

It would have been difficult to see from here, even in the distant past when it shone so brightly. But it would have been right where the princess was looking.

"Whatever you wanted, or didn't want, the fate of the planet and its destruction in the past where what you brought about. That speaks much louder." It's a direct accusation, finally.

There's no taunting now, just a fixed expression. The only explanation the Princess Mercury gives is the most simple. "This time, in this life, that planet now no longer shines at all."

Though it had been a series of natural disasters and calamities, let the moon princess think it's Mercury's own fault. She waits to see whether she will.

[mooneternal]

"Th-that... that can't be!" she can't help the tears from forming, as she slinks down to her knees, her dress speading out beneath her in the process. "Everyone wanted to protect the Earth! Not destroy it! I never would have... Why would I... this isn't what we wanted, none of us!!" her cries seem to grow more and more desperate in her denial. This can't be happening! It's a dream! A nightmare! It has to be!

[waterfell]

Usagi has the luxury to write it off as a nightmare. Mercury is not so fortunate, fated to wake into the knowledge that it happened - all save for this future where the planet is gone once more.

"Don't think I'll listen to those words again," she warns coldly. Usagi's pitifully threadbare denials are old hat - and insulting, next to the reality. "I have eyes to see with, and I know the past more than you ever wanted me to."

She hasn't forgotten, or forgiven, that her memories were even tampered with for this girl's sake.

"If you think I'm going to believe your nonsense, leave now."

[mooneternal]

"It isn't nonsense... " she shakes her head, as she denies it, "It's not! I can't believe that the Earth is really gone! Everyone... our friends and families... I won't believe it! There has to be someway... somethng we can do!"

[waterfell]

No. Sailor Moon did not get to come here, in the face of all that happened, and squawk about love and justice and wanting to fix it when last time, she brought it about.

Princess Mercury looks down at Usagi's height as if she doesn't think very much of it.

"I wouldn't expect it to trouble you," she says, and adds the deliberately cryptic, "after last time."