Disclaimer: I don't own sailor moon (sigh.)

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Alternate Destiny

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An Opportunity Arises

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Usagi didn't know why he didn't want her anymore, just that he didn't. What had she done so wrong to make him not love her anymore? Their love was supposed to be unbreakable, to able to withstand to forces of space and time. A Destined Love.

Not so much anymore. Was destiny really shattered that easily? Perhaps it had always been meant to end, Usagi pondered. Serenity and Endymion's love had been indestructible, but he wasn't Endymion and she was no Serenity. She cringed when the image of his face assaulted her mind, the way he looked at her last when he so blatantly denied their love would be forever burned into her brain. No, Chiba Mamoru was indeed not her prince and this life of hers was no fairytale.

She shouldn't think of him, it was for the best. It was better to be numb, there was always tomorrow to think of it. Usagi had decided it was more important to think of what she did have, a loving family, friends she would die for, yes there were always other things to live for.

As she continued her idle walk through the park, Usagi watched as the sun set to what she considered a terrible day. Soon it would be dark and the moon would rise to its place in the night sky. Just the thought of it brought a little warmth to her heart, home. Usagi wondered if she could go back, perhaps she could even restore her kingdom somewhat and leave his behind. But her life was here, her family and friends.

Then a familiar shrill beep snapped Usagi from her melancholy thoughts and forced her to tend to the communicator on her wrist.

"Rubeus is at the shrine, hurry!" Was all that Mars had said before cutting off the message. The blonde jumped up from the bench she had sat down on with a new bout of determination. She could still save her friends, and other citizens of the earth, she did have purpose.

Running behind a particularly dense group of trees, she called out her transformation phrase before running off toward the Hikawa shrine. When she got there however, she was not expecting to see the sight laid out in front of her. Sailor Mercury was out cold, and Jupiter did not look much better collapsed next to a tree.

"Burning Mandala!" Mars cried out at Rubeus, only for her attack to get uselessly absorbed into his forcefield.

"Where is the rabbit?" The red headed member of the Black Moon clan demanded, before grabbing Venus's chain and throwing her into Mars.

"I won't let you have Chibiusa, you would leave her alone if you knew what was good for you," Sailor Moon advised, making her moon scepter appear within her grasp, but Rubeus only smirked at her threat.

A little unsettled by his reaction, the moon senshi called out her attack but was surprised when nothing happened.

"What?" She whispered to herself, feeling her heart drop in her chest for the second time that day. "Moon Princess Halation!" Sailor Moon cried out again more desperately, her voice hitching.

A smug look met her confused daze, then the red haired man was pulling something out from under his shirt. A necklace? It looked like a strange contraption indeed. Hanging on a silver chain, a rather large black gem glinted mockingly at her.

"Your power means nothing in the presence of the black crystal, Sailor Moon, you're useless."

Useless, it reminded her of Mamoru's harsh words earlier, it was as if the rest of the world faded away and she was only bombarded by his memories. Maybe not taking the proper time to grieve afterwards wasn't such a good idea. Seizing his great opportunity the Black Moon clan member stalked up to an unsuspecting Sailor Moon and tore her brooch from her fuku.

With a shriek and flash of bright light, Tsukino Usagi was left on the ground in the sweater and skirt she had been wearing earlier.

With a look at the girl on the ground something occurred to Rubeus.

"This has been most interesting indeed, but I'm afraid I have more important matters to attend to, until next time," He mock saluted before teleporting out of the area.

Usagi laid on the ground taking short, ragged breaths, that forced de-transformation was painful, and the loss of the silver crystal had also left her mostly drained of energy.

"The silver crystal!" Sailor Venus called out, their only chance against the enemy had been stolen.

"What were you thinking? How could you?" Mars yelled out at Usagi, limping over to her.

The reincarnated moon princess just laid on the ground in silence, trying to take everything in.

"Why did you just let him get away with the crystal, you really are useless, aren't you?" Mars narrowed her fiery eyes at the blonde. As if she were finally registering her surroundings, Usagi flinched at her friends question.

"We could have all died! Answer me damn it!" She shrieked at the shell shocked princess.

Died, it was her fault, she was useless. Even they didn't want her now, Usagi reached for her brooch to hand it over in resignation but remembered that she didn't even have it anymore. Instead she dropped her communicator and Luna pen to the ground before getting shakily to her feet. Taking one last look at the senshi she turned to walk away, then a thought occurred to her, she was leaving this whole chapter of her life behind her now, they had no use for her anymore.

As she walked away from her past life she felt a strange sort of relief, no more fighting, no more loss. She could forget all about Princess Serenity, and only be Tsukino Usagi, just like it used to be. After all, she had a life before all of this, with other friends and her family as well, she would focus on that now. This was just the beginning.

The walk home was only a vague memory for a dazed Usagi, she got a confused look from her mom as she walked in the door. When she was in her bedroom with a carefully shut door she realized it was because the state of her appearance. The stray twigs and leaves that decorated her pale gold hair and the knit of her ballerina pink sweater brought a humorless laugh to her lips. She did look rather silly, like she had rolled around in the dry leaves outside. Before she could stop it, more laughter bubbled to her lips and she fell to her knees at the ache in her chest. If anybody were to see her right now they would think her hysterical, but then the laughter morphed into heart wrenching sobs. Mamo-chan, everyone, I'm so sorry that destiny has cursed you to be tangled up with me, if I could undo our fates I would do it this instant.

Be careful what you wish for.

For the rest of the night she planned to lay on the floor and stare mindlessly at the texture on the white ceiling. But like a magnet her gaze was drawn to the night sky framed by her window. The stars glittered like little diamonds and she thought it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, in a moment of weakness she even let her eyes slip to the moon, feeling that a new moon would be most appropriate for her new beginning.

But instead what stared back at her was the full moon, its meaning; signed, sealed, and stamped. Was her destiny already sealed? It gave her an ominous feeling that she couldn't shake. Something was going to happen, but what? Usagi let her eyes rest for a moment, she could always think about it tomorrow.

Yes, tomorrow.

All will be better, love.

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