Loyalty: Redux

Midnight Battles

Usagi Tsukino-Chiba sighed contentedly, snuggling against her newlywed husband in their small, but quaint apartment by the seaside. A gentle breeze floated over the iron balcony and into the dimly lit bedroom, carrying the lightest scent of salt and ocean waves. Mamoru Tsukino-Chiba was shirtless, holding his freshly married wife to his warm chest. He had gentle, smoldering eyes and he kissed her forehead as she wrapped her bare arms around him. After nuzzling her cooled cheek against his collarbone, enjoying the feel of his velvet skin, she looked up at him and batted her lashes rather cutely.

"Mamo-chan, do you really love me?" she asked precociously, tracing a tiny finger down the center of his chest.
"Yes, of course I do. Always and forever, Usa-ko." He still used the nickname from when she was in junior high, and she never admitted it, but she loved it from the moment it left his lips. She hoped she was always his 'Usa-ko'.
"How much?" Usagi pressed, pouting her bottom lip playfully. She kissed his cheek, even daring to give a little nibble. Her negligee strap slipped off one shoulder, dangling by her elbow.
"Hmm?" He seemed distracted, and she giggled a bit.
"How much do you love me? Tell me, Mamo-chan," she reminded him, before beginning to close in on his mouth to kiss him.
"I love you more than... oh, it doesn't really matter. The important thing is that you should look up." For some strange reason, his voice sounded softer and further away.
"Huh?" she pulled back, looking confused. "What do you mean, look up? What are you talking about?" Mamoru pointed up to the ceiling, encouraging her to follow his lead. She turned on her back and stared at the dim yellow light coming from the chandelier. The light started to get brighter.

"...k up," he repeated, still sounding farther away.

"I am, I don't see anything, except-"
"Wake up, Usagi! Didn't you hear me? I said, WAKE UP!" a woman shrieked in her ear, bringing a sudden end to Usagi's wonderful dream.
"Waaah!" she gave a dramatic scream, sitting upright at a 90 degree angle. Luna, her cat, mewled in terror, jumping off the side of the bed to avoid being struck.
"L-Luna, was that you just now?" Usagi asked, peering blearily around the dark room. Her pink-and-white bunny pajamas were tilted to one side, reminiscent of the dream she had just been rudely awakened from. Usagi gave a childish whine. She realized that she was her normal 14-year-old, underdeveloped and unmarried self again, and that Mamoru was nowhere to be found.

"Augh, Luna! That dream was just getting good! Why'd you have to wake me up like that?" The small cat twitched her tail, giving her a reprimanding look.
"This is no time for arguing, Usagi-chan. I just got contacted by Ami-chan. She and the others are in grave danger! You must get to the arcade. The other senshi need your help. Now transform!" Immediately, the young girl donned a serious expression. She jumped out of bed, braided pigtails trailing behind her. Grabbing the golden brooch from her dresser, she thrust it up in the air.
"Right. Moon Crystal Power, Make-Up!" In a flash of brilliant pink, Usagi transformed into the city-wide famous Sailor Moon. Her white pajamas with pink bunnies were replaced by a white fuku and blue pleated mini skirt. White gloves adorned her arms, as did knee-high red boots to her feet. Two red jewels materialized in front of her odangoes. With a flourish, she climbed onto the window sill, so as to not disturb her family.
"I'll be back, Luna," she shouted over her shoulder, jumping out the window. As she took the familiar path to the arcade, Usagi looked up at the black, starry sky, seeing strange bolts of violet lightning explode over the treetops. They seemed to be right above the game center, just as Luna had indicated. Usagi sprinted faster, arriving there in three minutes flat. Climbing up the side ladder, she saw the other senshi in battle stances.
"Shabon Spray!"
"Fire Soul!"
Sailor Mars and Mercury attacked in unison, a mixture of searing flames and icy bubbles flying through the air. High above them, someone laughed at a piercing decibel unachievable by most women, unmistakably the enemy that Luna had warned her about. As soon as the fire and fog combination vanished, a lithe figure appeared, floating at a safe distance above their heads.
"Missed me, Sailor brats!" she shouted gleefully. Hovering above them was a woman wearing a short, black dress and lime green hair. She held a feathered pink fan in her left hand. Usagi ran to join the senshi, standing in her famous pose.

"It's about time, Usagi-chan!" Rei chastised, breathing hard from her recent exertions.

"Did you have a good rest, Sailor Moon?" Minako asked, indirectly reminding Rei of how they were supposed to avoid saying Usagi's name in front of the enemy. Rei groaned, not liking being corrected in the middle of battle.

"Oh sure, until SOMEBODY had to disturb my rest and interrupt the best dream I've had in weeks," she said, half-scowling, half-exasperated.

"Sorry, Sailor Moon, but it was, and still is urgent," Ami apologized, pointing directly above their heads.

"I see that," she replied, getting annoyed at the mysterious woman. She pointed a gloved finger at their enemy, the other hand on her hip, and met her eyes with a fierce gaze that only a sleep-deprived teenager could achieve.
"Hey you! Stop right there! Who exactly do you think you are?" she shouted at the levitating woman. The woman gave another high pitched cackle, making the girls wince in irritation.
"I am Esmeraude, Prince Demando's most loyal subject. And I want that Silver Crystal!" With that, she formed a concentrated sphere of dark energy in the palm of her hand, then hurled it without pretense at Usagi. She managed to dodge it easily, leaping out of the way. Esmeraude growled in frustration and created another energy ball. She pitched it at Usagi's feet, blowing an immense crater in the roof. Usagi was thrown to the ground, clutching her right knee.
"Sailor Moon!" the senshi cried, rushing to her side. Makoto scowled at Esmeraude with animosity.
"How dare you attack our leader! I'll show you our true power!" Suddenly, thick bolts of jagged electricity crackled in her hands, lighting up the remains of the roof in an eerie green glow. The others quickly carried Usagi out of the way, letting her lean on their shoulders, while Makoto carried out her deadly attack.
"Sparkling Wide Pressure!" Makoto heaved the ball of electricity with surprising speed, accurately hitting Esmeraude in the mid-section. She yelped and fell from the sky, hitting the concrete hard. The woman lay there, then curled herself into a ball, clearly in great pain. Her emerald hair tossed and tangled in the wind, obscuring her face as she looked up at the five girls, not wanting to be defeated.
"I'll get you! Someday, I'll get you!" she seethed as the senshi closed in on her.
"Unfortunately for you, that day has already passed. We're gonna finish you now!" Minako shouted. The rest nodded, and initiated their attack sequences. Esmeraude winced, trying to stand and gather dark energy at the same time, but was failing miserably. "No... no no!" she began pleading, desperately wanting to avoid the shame of losing.

"It's too late for you," Usagi whispered factitiously, unveiling her Moon Scepter. "Accept defeat!" Power from all elements began to gather and swirl around the five senshi.
"Shine Aqua..."
"Mars Fire..."
"Sparkling Wide..."
"Love Chain..." Esmeraude could only watch in horror as they gathered their powers, prepared to attack. Usagi gripped her weapon.
"Moon Scepter..." She lowered her emerald head and closed her tear-filled eyes, unwillingly accepting her defeat.
"Forgive me," she murmured, "I have failed you, my love. Demando!"
"Illusion!"
"Ignite!"
"Pressure!"
"Encircle!"
"Elimination!" A brilliant array of rainbow lights flew straight at Esmeraude, her body completely encased in the explosions. The night sky was light with bright blues and greens, neon yellows and crimson reds. The wind howled and whipped around the roof of the arcade. After a few moments, the gusts died down and everyone was left standing in the dark, catching their breath. That woman... was finally defeated. Usagi sighed, dropping to her knees, and her friends hurried to her, concerned for their leader's safety. She was completely exhausted after this excursion. Middle-of-the-night escapades were just not her style. She stood up, ignoring the pain in her knee from her injury.

"That was... easier than expected," Makoto commented, dusting herself off.

"Yes, it was quite a bit faster than our usual battles. Perhaps this one was not as skilled as we thought her to be," suggested Ami, who was inputting data into her pocket-sized computer.

"Well, it's over with. I'm ready for bed... Anyone else want to join me?" said Rei, giving a smile.

"Sorry, Rei-chan, I don't swing that way," Minako laughed, brushing her long hair behind her shoulder.

"Baka, you know that's not what I meant," Rei protested, blushing slightly.

"I know, I know, I'm just kidding!" Behind them, Usagi was silent. She wanted to go back to sleep. However, something kept her awake. It was a feeling that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.

"Hey... I think something's wrong," she said softly. Her friends turned back to her, worried that her injury was more serious than they thought.
"Usagi, what is it?" asked Rei, "Is your knee--?"

"No, it's not that. It's just... something is strange."

"What do you mean strange?"
"Shh! Listen." They obeyed, even so much as holding their breaths in order to hear better.
"I don't hear anything," whispered Minako after a few moments had passed. Usagi nodded and stood up carefully, making sure to put her weight on her good leg.
"Exactly. She didn't scream or cry out. Nothing."

"Yeah... usually after we finish off the enemy, that last scream they always let out is still ringing in my ears," said Rei, rolling her eyes.
"Do you think she could have faked us out?" Makoto pondered.
"I don't know, but I say we check it out. She seemed powerful, and it wouldn't be a good idea for this one to get away." The senshi cautiously walked to the other side where they had launched their attacks. The smoke had just begun clearing away, carried on the light wind. Suddenly, there was a collective gasp from the group at what they saw.
Crouched on the ground in a fetal position, hands covering her green hair, was Esmeraude. Not a single scratch could be seen on her. She didn't seem to notice them, and continued to whimper softly.
"No way! We got her. She should've been blown to bits," shouted Minako angrily. Ami took out her pocket computer and scanned the area. A high-pitched beeping emitted from it, becoming faster by the second.
"Dark energy is rising at an alarming rate!" Mercury said quickly. Looking closer, they saw a faint, black energy dome protecting her, though she did not seem to notice it. In fact, she seemed certain that she was dead at the moment.
"I thought she was drained of her energy," said Usagi. "How can she be protecting herself like this?"
"She isn't. This is coming from somewhere else, much stronger and more powerful than hers. Hang on, I'll try to locate the source." The blue-haired senshi studied the tiny screen, then looked straight up at the dark sky.
"There!" She pointed up to a white silhouette floating against the stormy clouds. The senshi held their breaths as the figure hovered over Esmeraude's curled up body. It was a man in white garb, standing with his arms crossed. He stared down coldly at the scantily clad woman. His eyes flashed violet.
"What do you think you are doing, Esmeraude?" he demanded. She jerked her head up at the sound of his voice and blanched, the blood rushing away from her face in fear.
"Y-Your highness?" she stammered, "What are you doing here?" It was the wrong question to ask, and she knew it immediately by his expression of dissatisfaction.
"No. The question is what are YOU doing, besides making a fool out of yourself. I specifically sent you here to get the Silver Crystal, not to waste time trying to kill these pathetic girls. Such a simple task for a simple woman. And yet you couldn't even accomplish such a menial mission?!" he roared, his face livid.
"I-I was, but they had caught me off guard. Just give me another chance, my prince, and I swear you won't be disappointed! I swear it!" she pleaded, completely bowed in penitence. The White Prince's face darkened and he looked at her with disgust.
"No. You have failed me for the last time. Sayonara, Esmeraude." With a flick of his hand, he detonated the energy dome around her and it imploded violently, killing her in front of the senshi's eyes. Esmeraude shrieked in agony and dissipated. Usagi gasped, her blue eyes wide. She had never seen such cruelty and mercilessness! Such power... it truly frightened her. As she looked to her left and right, she saw the other girls frozen stiff. Usagi bit her lip... she had to be strong! If not for herself, then for her friends. So she had to confront this new enemy, however scared she might be.
"Pathetic? W-who do you think you are, calling us pathetic? Hey, I'm talking to you!" Usagi yelled. The strange man whirled around and faced her. She inhaled sharply as two violet eyes pierced through her gaze. For a split-second, she felt drawn to his eyes, making her knees weak. It must be her injury... it had to be!
"I? I am the leader of the Black Moon, Prince Demando. And who might you be, girl?" he demanded.

"I-I am Sailor Moon, defender of Love and Justice! And you had better explain yourself before I kick your-- hey, listen to me when I'm talking to you!" The self-proclaimed Black Moon Prince had looked away, seemingly bored of her.

Speaking to this insolent girl was certainly not in his agenda. Why should he care about some no-name heroine on Earth, especially in this time. His only goal at the current moment was to track down his life-long dream and love, Neo-Queen Serenity. Once she was his, only then would he have reached true happiness. However, she could only be acquired by having the legendary Silver Crystal. Only then could he travel back to the future and release her from her quartz imprisonment. Unless... this girl before him actually owned the Crystal. If so, then...

"You say you are Sailor Moon? Then you must have what I seek."
"That's right. But you won't get it so easily. I'll protect this Ginzuishou with my life... you'll never have this Crystal, Demando!" Usagi yelled. She clutched her brooch tightly and glared at him from the arcade roof. The other senshi nodded in agreement, determined to help keep her word.
Demando blinked, amazed at what he was hearing. An angelic voice echoed in his mind, overlapping Sailor Moon's words.
"You will never have this Crystal, Demando!" Suddenly an image of the angel known as Neo-Queen Serenity appeared in his mind's eye, merging with the girl standing below him. She was the same! The hairstyle, the stance...
"Those eyes. It is her. My Serenity," he whispered to himself. Usagi shifted uncomfortably under the intense gaze of this new enemy. What was he thinking? She half-wished for him to say something or even attack her. But he did not move; only stared at her quietly.
"I will have you, no matter what the cost," he breathed. Unexpectedly, a beam of purple light flashed from his eyes, blinding Usagi. She stepped back, shielding her face and trying to blink away the brightness in her vision.
"We shall meet again," he declared loudly, disappearing into the clouds. Everything was silent once more.
"Come back here, you coward!" shouted Rei, finally finding her voice, although it echoed emptily into the night. Usagi flinched, forgetting that the senshi were still behind her.
"What... just happened?" Usagi asked weakly, pressing the heel of her palms into her eyes, trying to make the flashes of light go away.
"Well, he got away, we know that," said a disheartened Rei, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration.

"The important thing is if you're okay though, Usagi-chan," Ami said, clearly worried about her friend's health.
"No, I mean... yes, I'm okay."
"Good. I say we go home and get some rest, just in case he attacks again. Let's not get caught off guard again, okay?" suggested Venus. They all nodded and detransformed, heading to their homes. Ami, however, stayed behind.
"Ami, what's wrong?" asked Makoto. She did not reply, but typed rapidly on her mini-computer. Her head snapped up at her friends' acknowledgment.
"What? Oh, I'm just doing one last scan of the area," she answered.
"Okay. But go home soon, all right?" Minako said. Ami nodded. As the others left, Ami directed her scanner at Usagi, who was rounding the corner to her street below. On the screen was a small outline of her body. Ami studied it more thoroughly, and gasped. All throughout Usagi's body were small traces of dark energy, spreading like wildfire through her system. She had thought something had transpired between her and this Prince of the Dark Moon, but she never imagined...
"Usagi! Wait!" Ami's cry echoed through the night, unheard.

To Be Continued...

Author's Note: Hello all, this is Mooniestar. I'm back with some new material, but not necessarily a new story! If you have been reading the story called Loyalty (formerly known as Faithful), then you know this particular story already. However, since it is quite quite QUITE old... I decided to refurbish it a little. So far, I've done one chapter (Yay!!) and I plan on re-doing the following chapters, as well as continuing with the story itself as well.

I hope this attracts new fans, as well as old ones. It is my first major fanfiction, and I'm not embarrassed to say that I'm proud of it. However, it's from my high school days, so I think it needs a bit more touching up. I would like to develop the friendship that Usagi and Saffiru hold later in the story, as well as the one-sided love between Usagi and Prince Demando. But do not fret, for I am going to keep the basic foundation of the story intact so that it's at least recognizable, heh. I hope that these changes can be welcomed with open eyes, ha ha. Anyway, please enjoy! And remember, RNR, better known as READ AND REVIEW! I love you guys... thanks for sticking with me all this time.

Oh, and I don't own Sailor Moon or any of the characters featured. That's all Takeuchi-san!