"It's over, Your Highness."

"We've lost everything. Half of Earth was wiped out, the Sailor Guardians are gone..."

"No, Luna." The blond woman knelt to pick up the black cat. "We may have lost, but it is not the end of the war."

"With all due respect, you don't have the Sailor Guardians anymore." The other, white cat shook his head. "And without them..."

"I know, Artemis." She told the cat. "I lost the ability to transform, and I can't protect my kingdom alone."

She set Luna down, continuing, "My Guardians may be gone, but their star seeds aren't. If we want to protect the future, we must choose a new set of Sailor Guardians from the past."

"A new set?" Luna repeated, incredulous.

"Neo Queen Serenity, this will throw off the reincarnation cycle!" Artemis protested.

"Not for long, it will not. That is why I will have to choose temporary Guardians that have already passed."

Her gaze went to the large, silver door at the end of the hall. "Sailor Pluto had to choose an already living reincarnation to preserve her place as the guardian of time. But this will not be necessary."

"But Your Highness-"

Neo Queen Serenity held up a finger to silence Luna. "I believe that if this were to happen, those new Guardians can then prevent the evil that attacked us."

"And then those temporary Guardians can pass on their soul." Artemis nodded.

"This is a very risky plan." Luna flicked her tail disapprovingly. "This could result in a catastrophe!"

"It could." Serenity agreed. "But the chances are very low."

She gripped the four pens in her hand, holding them up to the light. They dissolved into four colorful sparks of light, then flew away.

"The future is in danger. Awaken."