“I’m sorry, Ms. Mizuno. Mama never told me how you died.”

  Ami sighed.

  “I didn’t think she did, but I had to ask.”

  The sun cast a golden glow over Arisugawa Memorial Park. A fall breeze rustled through the trees and dislodged some leaves. A gentle shower of gold, brown, and orange fell to the ground. There was a seasonal chill in the air; it was a fine morning for a walk.

  Ami and Chibiusa strolled along a winding path. Chibiusa tucked her hands into the pockets of her coat. It had seemed like such a good idea to take the day off and question Chibiusa about her future. She realized, to her great frustration, that the girl knew very little about Ami.

  She sensed Chibiusa longed for a connection between them. Ami was her mother’s best friend, after all. That she had died before Chibiusa was born weighed on her.

  “Please, Chibiusa, call me Ami.”

  Chibiusa’s cheeks flushed.

  “I don’t really know you that well.”

  Ami’s heart ached at her words, but she reached over and put her hand on the girl’s shoulder.

  “Then let’s change that. Mamoru is at work. Usagi has to meet Naru at Crown Karaoke. Let’s you and I make some memories today.”

  Chibiusa’s face broke out in a grin.

  “I think I’d like that.”

  They passed through a small grove of trees and entered a clearing where a few older men sat at folding tables and played chess. The clink of chess pieces filled the air. The distinctive call of a kingfisher echoed in the distance.

  Ami smiled.

  “Chess in the park? I’ve not seen that since my stay in America.”

  Chibiusa’s eyes lit up.

  “I always wanted to learn how to play chess. My friend Momo plays a little. Her dad taught her.”

  Ami chuckled, her mind flashing back to her own youth. Chess had been a source of comfort after her parents divorced.

  “I love chess. Maybe I can teach you sometime.”

  Chibiusa’s face brightened.

  “Really? I’d love that! When I get back home, I can finally put Momo in her place!”

  Ami laughed. There was a fire in Chibiusa that reminded her of Usagi.

  She felt a chill run down her spine and looked around for the source of her sudden discomfort. Berthier stood just a few feet away, her eyes fixed on Chibiusa. She wore casual clothes. Her white, braided hair shone in the sunlight. This time, she did not conceal the black crescent moon emblazoned on her forehead.

  “Hello, Mercury.” Her voice was pleasant. “Bonding with Serenity’s brat, I see.”

  Ami stepped in front of Chibiusa and took a fighting posture.

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  “Stay away from her.”

  Berthier tilted her head.

  “I don’t want to hurt you, but I will take the girl. She’s interfered quite enough, don’t you think?”

  Ami’s heart raced.

  Every decision I make, I wonder: ‘is this the decision that gets me killed?’.

  “You can’t have her!”

  Berthier’s smile faltered.

  “I will not spare you for the sake of our friendship, Mercury. Those days are long past, and as you are now, you are no match for me.”

  Ami’s mind raced. She couldn’t lose Chibiusa. Not without a fight.

  “Then I challenge you to a game of chess.”

  Chibiusa blinked at her, confused. Berthier raised an eyebrow. There was a twinkle in her eyes.

  “A game of chess?”

  Ami suppressed a smile. Berthier had a competitive side. She could use that.

  “If I win, you leave Chibiusa alone. Forever. If you win…” She hesitated. “I’ll let you take her.”

  Berthier laughed.

  “You think that’s how this works?” Berthier thought it over. “If I win, I will take the girl. I can’t promise to leave her alone if you win, but…I will let you both leave here and provide you with some knowledge you want.”

  Ami didn’t hesitate. What choice did she have?

  “Agreed.”

  Berthier’s smile stretched wider.

  “First, you need to beat me.”

  They sat across from each other at one of the folding tables and set the chessboard between them. Chibiusa stood next to Ami, her eyes wide as she wrung her hands. To her credit, she remained silent even though it was her life at stake.

  The world faded into the background as the game began. The only sounds were the quiet clink of chess pieces and the rhythm of Ami’s heartbeat pounding in her ears.

  Berthier had a ruthless play style. Piece by piece, she chipped away at Ami’s defenses. Her smirk grew with each captured piece. Ami’s mind raced as she attempted to predict moves and countermoves. As they played in silence, it became clear to Ami that she was losing ground.

  Berthier chuckled.

  “You’re losing, Mercury. Again.”

  Ami locked eyes with her opponent.

  “What?”

  Berthier took another of Ami’s pieces, a bishop.

  “You’ve lost the memories of your past life and your powers. You lost that patient just the other day. Soon, you’ll lose your life.”

  Ami reached out to move her rook, then hesitated. Her hand trembled. Berthier saw it and continued her verbal assault.

  “You’re a failure. You’ll lose this match and you’ll lose the girl. What will your precious princess, your Usagi, think of you then?”

  Tears blurred Ami’s vision, but she refused to wipe them away. She could feel herself sink into despair. Berthier was right. She couldn’t protect anyone, not even herself.

  Then a voice cut through her thoughts.

  “Ami, mama always said you’re the smartest person she’s ever known. You can beat her.”

  Ami looked up, startled. Chibiusa stood there, her small face full of hope. She took Ami’s trembling hand into her own.

  “I believe in you.”

  Ami blinked to clear her vision. She looked at Chibiusa, and it was like she saw the girl for the first time. Chibiusa believed in her. Usagi believed in her. They all did.

  She had stumbled from crisis to crisis, filled with doubt and despair, but never once did she confide in her family, lean on the people who leaned on her. It was time that changed. They would never let her down, if only they knew what she had been going through.

  She wasn’t about to let them down, either.

  Ami straightened her back and focused on the board. Her hands stopped shaking. A new determination steeled her eyes.

  She launched into a counterattack. One by one, Berthier’s pieces fell under her precise, calculated assault. Her moves were swift and decisive. Her brilliance was on full display. Berthier’s smile faded.

  As the game entered its last phase, Ami did something she almost never did while she played chess: she spoke.

  “You know what, Berthier? You’re right. I’ve lost a great deal, and I’m poised to lose even more. That won’t stop me, though. I promise you this: as long as I draw breath, you will not take Chibiusa.”

  With a triumphant maneuver, Ami trapped Berthier’s king. The game was over.

  “Checkmate.”

  Berthier stared at the board for a long moment, surprise etched on her features. Then she smiled a thin smile.

  “Well played, Mercury. I knew you could do it.”

  Berthier’s voice was soft. Ami looked at her in confusion.

  “What?”

  Berthier met her gaze, her eyes serious.

  “Crimson Rubeus, a powerful member of my clan, is coming for your princess, Mercury. He intends to kill her. Right now. Go save her.”

  Ami froze. Berthier seemed so sincere. Had she orchestrated this entire encounter to provide her with a pretense to warn Ami?

  “Thank you.”

  For a moment, her gaze lingered on Berthier, who cast her eyes down to study the chessboard in front of her. A small smile played over her lips.

  Ami grabbed Chibiusa’s hand and ran.