Sailor Moon: A Different Generation
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon or any related characters. I do own the different generation though.
Author's Note: I won't lie this was inspired by Angel Rei's chibi senshi series of stories and is mostly being written so that I can eventually crossover into that series. It's something of a different take on the future she's created. Forgive me if it seems like a cop-out, I'm going to try to make it mine as much as possible. Yes this will be very similar to "The Next Generation" by Angel Rei, it's supposed to be. You'll understand why by about chapter 2.
XxXxX
Chapter 1: The Coming of the Void
Mamoru stalked the bustling streets of Tokyo in daze, his mind racing quicker than he could focus in on. Two months, two wonderfully peaceful months had passed since Sailor Moon's apocalyptic showdown with Sailor Galaxia. There hadn't been a foot set out of line, a hair out of place since that day. While he wished he could be enjoying the peace, it all seemed too easy to last forever.
Perhaps it was the warrior within him, the soul of Prince Endymion of the Golden Earth Kingdom, who refused relaxation. Perhaps it was the lover within him, the man who wish nothing more than for the safety of his beloved Usagi, who kept his feet ready. Or maybe it was the man, who learned too soon that tranquility was a fragile thing, who took no comfort in inactivity. Regardless of the source, Mamoru knew only that he'd been increasingly restless as the days dragged on.
"It all just seems, almost easy...and it never is," He mused, stopping to take a look at the afternoon sky. Overcast, with just a touch of blue showing through the dull white clouds. His hands slipped into his pockets, a sigh escaping his lips. Deep within him, he felt the mystical Golden Crystal pulsing, echoing Mamoru's concern in the planet Earth itself. A familiar musical tone fluttered along the breeze, drifting by his notice. Where it failed, the cell phone's vibrate function succeeded. Mamoru mindlessly withdrew the offending device, glancing listlessly at the caller identification. His chilly demeanor melted away.
"Usagi..." He chuckled and flipped open the phone, returning to his stroll, his spirits higher, "Hey Usako, how are you this afternoon?" Mamoru chuckled again as his princess babbled on the other end detailing her horrendous—at least in her eyes—experience at school, turning to the meeting at Rei's temple shortly thereafter. Mamoru perked up, his eyes narrowing and his walk coming to a halt, "Has Rei sensed anything? Or was this just a friendly get together?" He breathed a sigh—whether it was of relief or exasperation he didn't dare question—upon Usagi's reassurance that nothing was up.
"That's good, glad to hear. Hm? Of course we can have dinner tonight, what time would you like me to pick you up?" He smiled and resumed his walk, "That sounds wonderful, I'll see you tonight Usako," His smile softened and his normally intense eyes grew careful and light, "I love you too," Mamoru closed his phone and returned it to his pocket. His mood had improved greatly, most of his apprehension had melted just hearing her voice. Usagi had always held that power over him.
Of course...it was only most of his apprehension.
XxXxX
The depths of space, an endless realm of frigid darkness, grew darker still as a great force seemed to come—as if from nowhere—and struck a hole in the fabric of space itself. The hole, no more than a pinpoint of deeper black in a sea of black, moved with the cautious tenderness of a child, all the while consuming any and all things that dared to cross its path. As it traveled, it slowly but assuredly began to grow larger, by such minuscule proportions that not even a powerful computer could calculate its maturation.
In the depths of that pinpoint, all light surrendered to the grip of darkness. And all darkness was choked by an even deeper black, a kind of black that writhed like a thousand tendrils. That great blackness, eye-less yet all seeing, mindless yet all knowing, lay in the depths of a dreamless sleep. From within it, a figure emerged, or perhaps simply appeared as if from nowhere at all. It, like the black, was featureless, yet distinct in appearance. Tall, lithe and menacing, it gazed out through the hole in space, deeper still to where their target lay.
"An Earth without the sanctuary of Crystal Tokyo, a world in which the great Queen Serenity holds no power," The black squirmed and twisted, as if laughing in a deep, drowning voice that flowed like a thick sludge. Were it to possess eyes, the figure would have narrowed them. Had it possessed hands, it'd have held them out to cradle the distant silhouette of planet Earth. Here, in this long forgotten time, there was no one who could—even in dreams—stand against the dark infinity of the black pinpoint. Here, no one could resist the power of the Void.
"And if the Sailor Senshi should try...they too shall become likened to the future they wish to preserve. Wrapped in black, so wicked and so deep that even darkness seeks the light," The pinpoint was still merely atomic in size...but within time it would grow. In the time it would take their journey to complete, it will have reached maturity and the Void could be free once again. The blackness gurgled and a great, soundless moan echoed throughout its depths. Mirthless, it'd have nodded if it had a head, and faded away, returning to the blackness. Its subordinate would be arriving on this primitive Earth shortly.
XxXxX
Just within the limits of Earth's atmosphere, a blinding flash of light gave birth to a great crystalline palace, something vaguely resembling a twenty pointed diamond. The palace gave off an eerie, iridescent glow. Deep within this futuristic structure, a tall, powerful woman wrapped in a slick, latex like black garment with long purple hair sat on a throne of silver, encrusted with a thousand shades of amethyst and lapis lazuli. Behind her throne, a crystal altar had been constructed, a great pillar that rose to form a circle. At the center of the circle floated a small fragment of a stone so wicked, it devoured the light that came near it. The woman, Lady Lavender the Mistress of the Vile Crystal Palace, steepled her fingers as her minions appeared before her, one by one.
The first, Tanga, was a slight woman, appearing to be little more than a prepubescent girl. She had bright orange hair, chopped off haphazardly at her shoulders. She wore what was the standard uniform of Lavender's generals, a white leotard with knee high black boots, elbow-length black gloves and a gold-rimmed black chest plate. She bowed promptly upon making her appearance, frowning deeply and gulping.
The second to appear, Lima, was a lanky woman with blue hair cropped short and spiked, in an almost masculine fashion. She was far taller than Tanga, though perhaps shorter than Lady Lavender herself. She too wore a general's armor, and bowed with a bit more of a leisurely pace, a lazy smile on her lips. The third, Jezal, stood only to Lima's shoulder, with light green hair that came to the middle of her back, though her bangs had been spiked up completely. She wore an arrogant smirk, bowing curtly before standing up straight and putting her hands on her hips.
"Lady Lavender, we've successfully arrived one thousand years in the past. Long before the construction of Crystal Tokyo," Tanga reported, standing up straight and wincing under the Lady's dark glare. Lady Lavender rose, her alien uniform writhing almost as though it were a living creature, and approached a massive window at the far side of the throne room. From there she looked down on Earth, her scowl curling up into a vicious leer. Her three generals joined her side, also gazing upon Earth in a predatory fashion.
"Perfect...the 20th century...so long before Neo-Queen Serenity stood in our way. These...pitiful and immature senshi will be no match for us now," Jezal smirked and crossed her arms, huffing.
"As if they were truly a match in our time, we're simply cutting back on energy by doing this the easy way," Lady Lavender's smirk grew more devilish, her costume tightening and changing ever so slightly. Though her generals didn't notice, the suit extended, covering her neck and rising up to cover her ears as well. Then a fierce rasping sound echoed in Lady Lavender's ears.
"Yes, in this world we can nourish the Black Vile Crystal, here we can go all but unopposed in seeking the luscious spirit force it desires," Tanga perked up from her place at the translucent crystal window, her hand pressed firmly against it.
"Perhaps we could even...find the Princess Soul, and feed Serenity herself to the Black Vile Crystal?" Lady Lavender's suit tightened and hissed louder in her ears, though still only she could hear it.
"That's brilliant...find the future queen and her soul should be more than enough to completely mature the Black Vile Crystal. Then we'll see the power it relinquishes..." The three generals trembled. Lady Lavender infused with the true power of the Black Vile Crystal...not even a thousand Sailor Senshi could stand against that kind of might.
XxXxX
Hotaru Tomoe sighed and kicked her feet as she made the trek home from Juuban Elementary School. The days had gone by like years recently, and seemed to be growing ever longer as the distance between when they last met fell even further away. Her new life was far from miserable, but still held a certain degree of loneliness that a thousand years without her best friend brought about. Her parents were wonderful, more than she'd ever thought she could deserve. Pharaoh 90 was light years away, Galaxia was quickly becoming a distant form vanishing over the horizon and it seemed as though the peace was impregnable. But that meant so little when facing the sunlight alone.
"It's not fair...by the time I see her again, I'll be grown up and she'll be just a baby," Hotaru pouted childishly, though she knew she should at least try to act somewhat mature. Still, one key ingredient to loneliness was a lack of companionship, which meant no one was going to reprimand her behavior. May as well get it out of her system before arriving home.
A dazzling flash of pink flew across her eyes, snapping Hotaru back to reality. She gasped and quickly spun in the direction of the flash, spotting it just as it whisked around the corner. Hotaru sprang into action, rushing with an unfamiliar sense of adrenaline that even her battles scarcely awakened in her. Though she was breathless and tired upon rounding the corner, her efforts proved in vain. The figure had long since vanished. Still, Hotaru knew that brief sparkle of pink by heart.
"Chibiusa..." Maybe she wasn't as alone as she had previously thought she was.
XxXxX
"Mamoru..." Mamoru winced and tiredly forced his eyes open. He awoke with a start when greeted by empty blackness. He tried to stand but the black was so thick, he couldn't tell which was was up, down, even left or right. He felt weightless, yet weighed down by a thousand tons. And the longer he stared into the blackness, the more he could swear the blackness was staring back.
"What is..." When he breathed, it felt as though he was breathing in oil. The blackness shifted and a great groan rang out, assaulting all of his senses. Mamoru fell to his knees, or rose to his feet, and grabbed his head, screaming. No sound escaped his lips even as blackness descending on him, seeking to destroy him.
"Mamoru!" Mamoru's eyes snapped open and he woke with a start, breathing heavily, grateful that air filled his lungs instead of heaviness. He cautiously looked down at the loving, concerned blue eyes staring up at him. He relaxed visibly and smiled, regaining his bearings. He and Usagi were at his apartment, on his couch watching a movie. He must have fallen asleep. "Mamoru are you alright? You were moaning in your sleep...I was getting worried," Mamoru chuckled and wrapped his arms around Usagi, pulling her close and pressing his lips against hers.
"Everything is fine Usako, I must have had a bad dream...but it's all over now that I'm with you again," Usagi blushed and snuggled into Mamoru's embrace, giggling gleefully.
"Aw, you're so sweet! You always know just what to say to make a girl feel special!" Mamoru held her close and smiled, his mind already miles away. Something about his dream had felt familiar. The entire time he had felt something pulsing inside him. The Golden Crystal, it had shown him that dream. The Earth was in danger and was trying to warn him. Just what the danger was, he hadn't the foggiest idea.
"Mamoru! You're so spacey lately!" Mamoru blinked and looked down at Usagi. He laughed sheepishly and scratched his head.
"I'm sorry, did you say something?" Usagi huffed childishly and puffed her cheeks out.
"I was just asking about your dream...do you want to talk about it?" Mamoru honestly considered her offer, but in the end shook his head.
"No Usako, nothing to worry yourself over," Usagi looked ready to protest, but another kissed cut her short. Before his lips ever left hers, Mamoru's nightmare had long been forgotten.
XxXxX
Rei knelt before the sacred fire, deep in prayer. Though on the outside there seemed to be nothing ill at ease with the world, she'd had a nagging suspicion tugging at the back of her mind for several days now. Less than twenty-four hours ago, she'd spoken to Mamoru, who had voiced his own concerns in regard to the current wave of peace. His troubles had matched her own, and in hoping to prevent their being caught unaware, Rei sought the mystical flame's guidance.
"Great Fire...what is this feeling that troubles not only myself, but also the once and future prince of this world? I implore you, show me the answer!" Rei opened her eyes and gasped as the floor beneath her gave way and she plunged through a sea of fire into an empty realm of darkness. No not darkness, black pure and simple. No light could be found, nor could Rei so much as get a sense of being in the dark. All around her, it seemed as though the void itself was alive and moving.
'What is this place? Is this...' Rei gasped, pulling the black into her lungs and nearly choking the life from her. Deeper still in the void, Rei could see a distant shape. The planet Earth, once shimmering and beautiful, was now cold and dead, completely devoured by the blackness. Rei began to feel safer when a great and powerful silver light spread out and began to force away the void. The Earth began to glow, casting on the void a mighty golden glow that joined with the silver light.
'The Silver Crystal and Golden Crystal, they're chasing away the black...no...no!' The void collapsed on the silver and gold lights, engulfing and devouring them as it had the entire planet Earth. Rei screamed until her eyes opened again, and she found herself sitting before the great fire.
"No...no this can't happen," Rei sucked air into her starved lungs, doubling over and coughing, "No we're all in danger, I c-can't allow this to come to pass!"
XxXxX
Usagi, Ami, Minako and Makoto were all en route for the temple upon the completion of the school day. The fiery senshi had called for an emergency meeting, and had seemed terribly frantic. Despite this, the princess herself managed to remain relatively unfazed, yawning mightily as she stretched.
"What do you think this meeting is about? I seriously doubt we have a new enemy all ready...that just wouldn't even be fair!" Ami rolled her eyes and clutched her book bag tighter, narrowing her eyes and taking a deep breath.
"Rei seemed...frightened when she contacted us. It would be unlike her to make such a fuss about nothing," Minako frowned and slumped, groaning pitifully.
"That's true...but maybe she could, just this once? I'm really not ready to let go of being normal yet," Makoto rolled her eyes and wrapped a friendly arm around Minako's shoulders.
"Oh c'mon, being normal is overrated! Besides I could go for a could fight about now! I still can't find a boyfriend and need something to take my frustration out on!" Makoto punched the air and Minako laughed, lifting a finger and waggling it in Makoto's face.
"You know Makoto, you should be careful what you count before it leaps!" The other three senshi came to a complete stop, staring at Minako who slowly became aware that she must have said something crazy. Usagi scratched her cheek and tug her toe into the ground.
"Minako...was that supposed to make sense?" Minako huffed and crossed her arms, puffing up her cheeks.
"What? You know what I meant," Ami blinked and sighed, giggling.
"We know what you meant Minako...but I don't think one should require a degree in Minako-isms to make conversation," Minako shrugged and hurried ahead of the others.
"Whatever! C'mon let's not keep Rei waiting!" The others traded bemused glances before hurrying after the blond senshi
XxXxX
Juuban Square grew colder as a faint burst of light, unnoticed by the casual passersby, revealed Tanga, arms crossed and lips pursed. She bit her thumb and looked about the location, nodding slowly.
"This place should be good as any to begin...oh of course, we're to be searching for the Princess Soul now," Tanga sighed and frowned, unfazed when a dark mass leaked from her shadow and grew into a dark beast in the shadows.
"Soldier, begin gathering the spirit energy needed to nourish the Black Vile Crystal. You'll be handsomely rewarded should you locate the Princess Soul," The creature gave a crackling, snarling response as it faded back into the shadows. Tanga bit her thumb again—out of habit rather than nerves—and gazed down at Juuban square. Even if Soldier failed to find the Princess Soul, it would more than assuredly attract the Sailor Senshi. Then they'd at least be out of the way. Tanga nodded and win another faint flash of light, was gone.
The Soldier; however, had not returned to the Crystal Palace. Lurking in shadows, it had begun to stalk a young girl with curly blond hair and big blue eyes, a reasonable fact simile for Queen Serenity. Occasionally, she came to a halt and nervously peered about, at least subconsciously sensing its presence. The Soldier, nonplussed at the idea of discovery, continued to track her, merging with her own shadow.
The young girl stopped again and looked around, her lips trembling. She knew someone was watching her, following her, but she couldn't see anyone. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she clutched her book bag tighter and hustled on her journey home. Just as she passed by the alleyway where Tanga had stood just moments before, the Soldier made its move. Leaping from her own shadow, it viciously tugged her into the black alley, its crackling snarl intermixed with her own screams of horror.
"Let me go! What are you?!" The girl managed to inquire between screams. The Soldier had pinned her down, its face dangerously close to hers. In the darkness, she couldn't make out its features, but knew just by that crackling, animalistic growl that it wasn't human. All thought ceased in her mind when she felt a set of freezing tendrils sink into her chest. She screamed, but it was quickly cut short when an icy glaze rushed through her entire body. The Soldier rose, and with it rose a shimmering, dull white mist.
The Soldier stared into the mist for several minutes before crackling and opening its maw, ready to pull the mist into its self, and into the Black Vile Crystal. It halted when a searing disc collided with its back, knocking it forward slightly. Crackling and snarling the Soldier slowly turned, the mist returning to its host body.
"Hold it you...whatever you are!" The Soldier, still cloaked in the shadows, faced down the five teenage girls now standing across from it. Its predatory growl grew heavier as it glared them down. The middle one, clearly unnerved by the lack of determinable response, gulped and narrowed her eyes.
"We will not forgive you for harming an innocent girl on her way home from school! I am the soldier of love and justice, Sailor Moon! And in the name of the moon," The girl struck a pose, pointing an accusatory finger at the Soldier, "I will punish you!" The other four readied themselves, also taken back by the lack of response from the Soldier.
"And we're the Sailor Team!" They chorused, "We will punish you too!" The Soldier's growl grew louder and slowly it began to walk to the edge of the shadows, until finally stepping into the light. The Sailor Senshi gasped and drew back from the monstrosity. The Soldier was at least eight feet tall, perhaps more because it was slouched over, its arms dangling near its knees. Its skin was all black, built like jagged and powerful armor. Its hands had three bone talons, each nearly a foot long, its feet were sheathed in boot-like armor, and its head appeared to have taken the shape of a dark helmet, long points rising from the top like ears. It bore no eyes, and no visible mouth.
"W-What in the world is this thing!? Is that a daemon?" Sailor Venus stuttered out, tightening her focus, all of them on the edge and ready for anything. Sailor Mercury was already hard at work, attempting to scan the Soldier, but as it stood her visor couldn't make heads or tails of the monster.
"This doesn't make sense...I have no idea what it is!" Sailor Mars jumped forward when the Soldier made a sudden movement.
"Look out! Mars Burning Mandala!" The Soldier fell apart like water and melted into the ground before the blazing attack could connect. It leapt up from Sailor Mars' shadow, striking her from behind and knocking her to the ground, breathless.
"Sailor Mars! Jupiter Sparkling Wide Pressure!" Sailor Jupiter's fist, glowing with sparking electricity, collided with the Soldier, an explosive flash blinding everyone around them. Her scream was heard when the light faded and revealed her on her back, her uniform torn across the stomach.
"Venus Crescent Beam, Smash!" The Soldier melted into the ground again before Sailor Venus' attack could hit. It rose up from Sailor Moon's shadow, and prepared to bring its claws down on her. A sharp sound rang out and the Soldier stumbled backward, howling in an unearthly voice. Sailor Moon looked down at the rose then gasped as Tuxedo Mask landed in front of her, shielding her from the now enraged Soldier.
"Tuxedo Mask!" The hero in question narrowed his eyes as the Soldier regained its composure, now snarling once more.
"Stay on guard Sailor Senshi! This monster...its presence alone has the Earth trembling!" The Soldier splashed into the ground, leaving the six heroes on guard, wondering just whose shadow it would rise up from this time. The question was answered just as Sailor Mercury's visor gave a beep of confirmation.
"I think I have an-" She screamed and dove forward, whipping around and staring up at the Soldier, its mask pulled back and deadly maw open, revealing an infinite number of fangs.
"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!" The aquatic attack slammed the Soldier, who advanced undeterred on its decided prey. Mercury climbed to her feet and backed away slowly, her hands up and ready to defend herself.
"Mars Flame Sniper!"
"Jupiter Oak Evolution!" The twin attacks, spiraling fire and lightning, came flying at the Soldier, who barked out a vicious howl before melting into the ground, avoiding the attacks.
"Dammit! He's too fast! How are we supposed to beat this thing!?" The Soldier rose up, directly beneath Sailor Jupiter, hefting her into the air and hurling her across the street, colliding with a street lamp. Dazed she dropped to the ground, groaning in pain.
"Sailor Jupiter!" Mercury glared at the monster, her visor having finally come up with a reasonable solution. Unfortunately the Soldier wasn't ready to cease its strike, and had advanced on Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask.
"Venus Love Me Chain!" The attack wrapped around the Soldier, bringing him to an abrupt stop. The Soldier screamed, a hideous and painful sound, before melting into the ground. It rose up within the same second, backhanding Sailor Venus and knocking her through a glass window. Now snarling and howling it advanced on her with the speed of a cobra.
"Mars Celestial Fire, Surround!" The Soldier howled again when the attack collided with it. Melting into the ground it vanished from sight, though they could still hear its crackling snarl, coming from every direction.
"It has an aversion to all sources of light! Mars, with Venus and Jupiter out of commission you're the only one that can slow this thing down for Sailor Moon to finish it!" Sailor Mars nodded, then screamed and fell backward. An arm shot from the shadows of the alley and caught her tight in its grasp, lifting her high into the air.
"World Shaking!" Mars gasped in air when the attack hit the appendage, causing it to completely melt away. Sailor Moon looked up with a grateful smile, seeing the last half of the team coming to their aid.
"The Outer Senshi!" Sailor Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Saturn joined the fray, standing protectively around Sailor Moon. Mars, now helping Venus stand, and Mercury—providing the same relief to Sailor Jupiter—joined them all as the Soldier began to howl, enraged and perhaps even frightened by its predicament.
"What in the world are we fighting?" Sailor Neptune questioned, grimacing and steadying herself as the Soldier stalked out of the shadows once again. Sailor Saturn gulped and took a step back, holding her glaive up defensively.
"This creature...I sense unimaginable evil within it," Sailor Mars muttered, while Sailor Pluto placed a hand on Saturn's shoulder, calming her fears.
"Tuxedo Mask...said something...about the Earth," Sailor Venus managed to stammer. Tuxedo Mask nodded, brandishing another rose.
"Its presence alone has the entire planet trembling. This thing should not be," The Soldier howled and prepared to charge them one final time when a new cry rang out.
"Moon Tiara Magic Trap!" A shimmering disc of light shot out, as if from nowhere, and expanded, wrapping itself around the Soldier. The creature began to scream, violently struggling against the tie that now bound it.
"What are you waiting for?! Finish it Sailor Moon!" Sailor Moon yelped, looking around for the source of the voice. Tuxedo Mask placed a hand on her shoulder. Nodding, Sailor Moon brandished her scepter and leveled it with the Soldier.
"Starlight Honeymoon Therapy Kiss!" The Soldier's scream was unbearable, as the glimmering moonlight completely tore it apart. The threat gone, the Sailor Senshi turned to their savior. A young girl—perhaps fourteen years old—with long pink pigtails wearing a Sailor uniform with a pink skirt. Sailor Saturn broke free from the fold and nearly tackled the heroine in a crushing—or as crushing as the frail girl could manage—hug.
"Chibiusa! You've come back!
XxXxX
"Chibiusa you came back? But why...and how are you so much older?!" Usagi stared in shock at her future daughter, who now looked only a little younger, if not the same age, as Usagi herself. Chibiusa grinned and brushed her bangs out of her face. The Sailor Team, along with Tuxedo Mask, had adjourned to Rei's temple to discuss the recent turn of events. Chibiusa's sudden appearance, along with the appearance of that creature. Luna and Artemis were contacted and had been waiting for the team's return. Now the inquisition was underway.
"Well, it's only been a few months to you since I left; however, I'm a Chibiusa from even further into the future, I'm fourteen now," Hotaru sat close to her best friend, awestruck by her sudden maturation. Luna was seated on Ami's lap, looking over the Mercury computer's scans of the enemy that they had just finished fighting. Artemis was seated in Minako's lap, watching his partner carefully.
"Why have you returned Chibiusa? Surely it must have something to do with that...thing the senshi were fighting!" Chibiusa nodded and tapped her chin, thinking back to the specifics of the monster.
"Yeah, it does have to do with that thing...it's from the future," Mamoru narrowed his eyes, glancing away. He felt suddenly ill, perhaps something to do with that creature.
"What exactly was it? Just who is this new enemy?" He finally asked, moments before Haruka could ask the same question. Chibiusa crossed her arms, a similar expression to the one Mamoru wore on her features.
"That particular monster...I think it was called Soldier. I've had very little actual encounter with the enemy, Mother has tried to keep confrontation at a minimum," Makoto leaned forward, noting the similar looks of discomfort on Chibiusa and Mamoru's face's.
"What was it after? When we arrived there was this mist coming from the girl it had attacked," Chibiusa grinned—a forced, painful grin—and sat up straight.
"That much I do know. The enemy is gathering what it calls 'spirit force' for a gemstone called the 'Black Vile Crystal'," Luna and Artemis traded a look, then stared back at Chibiusa with curious glances.
"The Black Vile Crystal? What exactly is that?" Chibiusa pursed her lips, looking away and narrowing her eyes.
"From what little information we've recovered...its a gemstone that started all of this. It's something of a long story, but I'll see if I can tell you everything. During a space exploration mission, a shuttle was knocked out of its path by an unknown force. Only one astronaut survived the impact on a deserted asteroid on the edge of the solar system. Her name was Lavender Ishtar, and it was on that asteroid she came into contact with the Black Vile Crystal. It transformed her and gave her terrible power," Chibiusa stopped and took a breath, looking down.
"She used the Black Vile Crystal to create a massive satellite palace called the Vile Crystal Palace, which is probably now orbiting the Earth in this time period," Chibiusa looked up, her eyes narrowed, "Lavender is gathering spirit force to further increase the power of the crystal. Only my mother has been able to oppose her," Minako nodded, petting Artemis out of habit.
"Using the power of the Silver Crystal...so they came back to our time in hopes that Serenity wouldn't stand in their way?" Chibiusa nodded, then slouched and sighed miserably.
"Unfortunately, this enemy's power is unreal. Though they've retreated to the past, an infinite number of...'starless', creatures like the Soldier, are continuing to decimate my time period. The Senshi and their husbands, the Sailor Knights, have all but given their lives in holding them off. I came back to the past, at the wishes of Sailor Pluto herself, in hopes that maybe, just maybe we could find a way to stop Lavender," The senshi seemed unenthusiastic at the idea of stopping Lavender. An enemy that even their future selves could barely hold off?
"How can we help though? We were barely able to beat that Soldier monster! We can't win this!" Usagi wailed, drawing a small sigh from the temple priestess.
"Relax Crybaby, we'll find a way out of this. We thought Galaxia was invincible and we somehow managed to stop her," Mamoru nodded and wrapped a comforting arm around Usagi's shoulders...yet somehow he felt unmoved at all by Rei's claim. Maybe it was the Earth sickness inside him. It was worse now than it had been in the face of the Dead Moon Circus.
"Alone...I don't think you have a chance at all of stopping Lavender, but Puu had a plan. That's why she sent me to the past. There are reinforcements in the future, whose aid we'll need if we're going to even think about opposing Lavender. The only problem is...for the most part they refused to return because their training isn't complete. I need you to come back to the future with me to help convince them to help us," Setsuna balked and tried to maintain a calm demeanor.
"My...my future self told you this?! That is such a severe violation of the laws of time travel, I can't allow this!" Chibiusa winced and rubbed her head sheepishly.
"Sorry Puu...but there is no other way. If we don't get their help, we have no chance of stopping Lavender," Michiru placed a hand on her friend's shoulder, seeing that Setsuna was ready to argue further.
"Setsuna, I'm sure that this must be the only option if your future self is willing to resort to such a desperate option," Setsuna lowered her eyes and sighed in defeat. Haruka crossed her arms and leaned back, her eyes on Chibiusa's face. Occasionally her gaze drifted to Mamoru. Like Makoto she'd noticed the pained similarities in the two.
"When do we leave Chibiusa?" Chibiusa looked around at the other senshi, nodding. Makoto and Minako in particular seemed to still be recovering from the fight nicely. Still, to leave so soon may draw Lavender's attention. She'd nearly been caught leaving.
"First thing tomorrow morning, we have to...tread carefully this time," The senshi nodded and the meeting turned to further planning. Chibiusa tried to focus, but the pounding in her heart had become nearly deafening. She felt a gentle squeeze on her hand and looked down at Hotaru, who was smiling up at her warmly. Chibiusa smiled back and gave her friend another hug, so pleased to see her as a child again.
Mamoru, even more so than Chibiusa, was distracted. His chest was tight, breath came at a physical expense. Yet he hid it, kept it planted firmly behind a resolute mask. The Senshi needed Tuxedo Mask to be strong and vigilant, Sailor Moon needed her lover to be an immovable pillar of strength. If he could do nothing else, he'd always be the strength she needed to conquer the darkness.