Act I
The Nijzuishou
* "Blue for your wisdom, red for your passion, green for your courage, orange for your love; yellow for your golden hearts, indigo for your vigilance and violet for your sacrifices, my seven Nijzuishou {rainbow crystals} each very dear to my heart," - Princess Serenity [her final thoughts before the battle that ended the Silver Millennium began of the seven princesses sworn to protect her, her mother and the Moon Kingdom each in their own way be it by her side or from a distance.] *
~ Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon ~
"Ami, wait up," Makoto said as myself and Shirai who was at my side drew to a stop. "Mako-chan, Akai-san, you two are up early this morning," I said teasingly causing them both to laugh. "Very funny Ami-chan," Mako-chan said after recovering form her laughter with a roll of her eyes. "You two are impossible at times," Shirai said and despite his words his tone of voice was very soft and caring. "Which is most likely why we love them Shirai," Akai added before either myself or Mako-chan could say anything causing us both to giggle. "So are you two still planning on visiting that poor girl who is in that coma again," Mako-chan asked me. "Hai, you and the others can still come along if you want," I said. "Well, I am curious, it is strange that even Haruka-san and Michiru-san are interested in this," Mako-chan replied referring to our two upperclassmen friends who were in a relationship together; though none of us here truly cared, love was simply that in all of our eyes be it between man or woman, two women, or even two men.
The school day went by quickly enough, faster than it normally did, and afterwards we went to the Hikawa Jinja {shrine} where we were going to meet with Rei-chan, Hanako-chan, Minako-chan and Hirose-san. I had told stories about the mysterious comatose girl in the hospital many a time within the shrine and the four of them were just as interested in meeting this girl as the rest of us; though none of us truly understood why, it was if she had somehow captured our imaginations. Even though mama was a senior member of the Juban Medical Hospital even she couldn't allow all of us to visit her mysterious Jane Doe at the same time, so we went in pairs; myself and Shirai who had visited her many times before taking the last turn as none of the others had ever had the chance; each finding it hard to believe that someone the same age as many of us besides Haruka-san and Michiru-san was in such a condition.
"She reminds me of a koneko, just as sweet and innocent," Haruka-san had said. "Should I be jealous," Michiru-san had asked jokingly causing Haruka-san to actually laugh. "Iie, she just has this natural beauty to her, the dangerous kind that draws you too her, even if she herself does not realize it," had been Haruka's reply and strangely enough it was Rei-chan who agreed with her, as Hanako softly nodded her head in agreement. "I know this sounds strange, but did any of you get the feeling that she was….familiar, as if we should know her," Minako-chan asked. "Oddly enough yes, Hirose replied. "I agree, but whenever I try to think about it; my mind seems to drift in another direction," Akai said as the rest of us either nodded or said something to confirm the same was true for each of us as well. "I wonder who this mysterious Mr. and Mrs. Mau are, the ones who pay for her upkeep," Mako-chan asked. "Who truly knows, but they must be very well off to do so; this is one of the best hospitals in all of Tokyo after all," I said; giving us all food for thought as we went our separate ways thoughts of the mysterious coma patient on all our minds.
~ Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon ~
"How strange," I thought folding the deck and placing the cards back into their pouch. "Why would the cards lead us here," Ann asked me coming to stand beside me her eyes as mine have going to the young blond woman laying before us who was in a coma the only things keeping her alive being the various machines of this world hooked to her. "I do not know; the Makaiju needs energy to survive, but she can not be this desperately in need," I said as Ann giggled. "Growing soft Ail," she asked me her pink eyes meeting my blue. "We take energy for the Makaiju and in essence us to live, but we have never killed anyone Ann; taking what is left of this young woman's energy…." and here I drifted off as Ann gasped realizing I was right. "Step away from her," a voice in the shadows said as a young woman with black hair, cat ears, and a tail wearing a yellow and black dress said determination in her ruby eyes, a golden boomerang clutched in her right hand.
"We can not allow you to harm her," this time a masculine voice said as a young man the same age as the girl said stepping out of the shadows, he had white hair, cat ears, and a tail as well, and was wearing a white suit a bow staff clutched in his grasp. "Why is she so important to you both," I asked the two who smiled softly. "She is more precious to us than you could ever realize," "Like a rare jewel whose brilliance we can never allow to fade from this Earth," first the young woman then the man replied. "How dare you…." Ann said before I placed my hand on her arm to stop her. "They would give their lives for her Ann; and we do not have the energy to face them, they are more powerful then they appear," I said to her as she looked up at me her soft green skin like my own seeming to sparkle in the soft silver light of the moon of this world. "Very well," she replied. "Let the cards chose another," she said and I nodded taking both her hands in my own and vanishing from the room.
~ Returns ~
"They're gone," I said to Luna who at last relaxed her white knuckle grip upon the golden boomerang in her hand. "Hai, for now; you felt it; right," she asked me as I softly nodded my head. "They are very powerful, and are seeking to collect energy for something known as the Makaiju….we may have to awaken them once more Luna," I said as with a heavy sigh Luna took the chair by Usagi's hospital bed. "The princess….iie, Usagi-chan lives within the hearts of the senshi; if they remember her," Luna said to me. "the Ginzuishou reformed, the princess would reawaken, the cycle would begin again," I replied. "I was thinking, Setsuna first," Luna said. "We could use her guidance in this; ok….let's visit her tonight," I said in agreement and with a determined nod Luna agreed holding out a hand I helped her stand and together the two of us dashed in feline form towards Setsuna's apartment.
"How strange," Setsuna said seeing myself and Artemis on her window balcony. "How did you two get all the way up here, you must be very special cats," she said leaning down to pat us on the head. "We are Setsuna," Artemis said causing her to gasp, though a look of recognition shimmered behind her eyes. "Luna, Artemis….she….our princess she needs us," Setsuna said her voice far away, somewhere else as tears fell from her eyes. I shared a look with Luna who with a nod took her humanoid form and her hands glowing with a soft silver light placed her hands on either side of Setsuna's head. "Forgive me," she said as the glow brightened and Setsuna gasped as the symbol of the planet Pluto glowed upon her forehead for just a moment before vanishing; none of us noticing as a beautiful violet colored princess cut crystal flew through the night sky, towards a hospital room; before coming to rest within a sleeping blond with closed baby blue eyes.
"Luna, Artemis," Setsuna said as her left hand went to her right wrist. "It is not their," she whispered with a knowing smile. "The princess, Serenity, where is….Usagi-chan," Setsuna said barely whispering the last name as tears fell silently from her eyes. "In a coma, you are the first to be reawakened Setsuna, iie Pluto," Artemis said. "Ah, you needed my guidance, I do not have the link to the time gates; but I think our next course of action is clear enough," Setsuna said. "Haruka and Michiru," I said as Setsuna looked at me with a grim nod. "Hai, we are used to watching over her from a distance; to awaken the Royal Court…." "They would go to her side at once," Artemis said with a hallow laugh finishing as if reading the time guardians mind as she simply smiled. "What of Mamoru," Setsuna asked the question that had been on all of our minds. "We may as well discharge Usagi-chan today if we reawakened her prince," I said as Artemis and Setsuna silently agreed. "Now tell why this was necessary," Setsuna asked and myself and Artemis began to explain to her what happened in the hospital just barely an hour ago.
Setsuna was the one to approach Haruka and Michiru for myself and Artemis; she was studying to be a medical researcher, studying diseases and in the process trying to find their cures; a scientist in the truest sense of the word. Because Haruka and Michiru were studying for their entrance exams into High School, she easily convinced the two that she was a recruiter for her collage. Once Setsuna had the two alone myself and Artemis approached them, and as soon as I spoke a look of knowing came to them in the same way it had come to Setsuna, and as I took my humanoid form I could not help the tears that fell from my eyes as I apologized to them both as I restored their memories. And as they all comforted me saying that they understood; none of us noticed the yellow and indigo diamond cut stones that came from the two and flew towards a sleeping princess' room at Juban Hospital.
"Luna, onegai don't cry," Haruka's soothing tenor voice said in my ear as she drew me into her arms. "We may not know why you have reawakened our memories; but we can understand the reasons why," Michiru added patting the top of my head as Haruka let me go causing me to actually purr; which made me turn pink as Artemis laughed. "So you two are Mr. and Mrs. Mau aren't you," Haruka asked and it was Artemis' turn to blush as I smirked at him. "Hai," he said. "It was a promise we made to each other," I said speaking where Artemis could not, showing them all the smooth and plain silver band on my left ring finger; Artemis doing the same. "We never thought anything would ever require your awakening, so we made a promise to always watch over her in your stead," he whispered. "Usagi," Michiru whispered as Haruka took her hand the two clearly thinking of when Ami had taken them to see the mysterious blond girl in a coma that they now knew for who she was their princess Serenity, their friend and confidant Usagi.
"So tell us, what has happened," Haruka said and myself and Artemis with Setsuna's help told them of the two mysterious aliens who were collecting energy for something known as the Makaiju. "Why do we not have our henshin bracelets," Haruka asked as Setsuna sighed. "Our powers our tied to Usagi, it is she who he have always protected. Her body lies in that hospital, that is true. Yet her soul…." "The Ginzuishou, what happened to it," Michiru asked. "We are not sure," Artemis began. "She used its light to destroy both Beryl and Metalia, and yet…." here he trailed off holding a hand to his eyes to keep from crying. "We think she made a wish; one that gave you all a second chance at life at the expense of her own," I said as Haruka let out a hallow laugh. "That does sound like something koneko would do," she whispered as Michiru placed her arms softly around her middle from behind in support, Haruka laying her hands gently over Michiru's embrace letting her know without words that she appreciated the gesture.
"What of the Royal Court," Haruka asked. "For now we think it best that they remain unaware; the prince and the reborn Shitennou as well," I said as the two guardians of the Outer Sol System nodded in understanding. "There is a festival in the park near Hikawa Shrine tomorrow; it will present an opportunity for these aliens," Setsuna said. "Then we will be there as well henshin's or no," Haruka said speaking for herself, Michiru and Setsuna; the two simply nodding their heads in agreement. "Then we need a plan," Artemis said, "we aren't the advisors to the senshi for nothing Artemis, and with Setsuna, Haruka and Michiru I am sure we can think of something," I said causing him to truly smile. "Your right as always, so lets get started," he said as I chuckled and nodded my head in agreement as we began to brainstorm over various possibilities that could play out the next day.
~ Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon ~
"I don't like this," I whispered looking around at all of the festival attractions as Michiru's gently touched my shoulder in support. "I know," she said just as softly seeing as I did that we were all gathered here. Mamoru had come with Setsuna, who despite all her attempts to dissuade him from being here could not be talked out of it, and as she looked towards us we could see her trying to apologize with her eyes; though truthfully she didn't have anything to apologize for. All of the girls were here, the Shitennou (though could they truly be called the four heavenly kings when one of their number was now female) at their sides, it was like one big powder keg waiting for a single spark to ignite it. "Come on lets go talk to them, I can tell Ami is worried about how distant we are being," Michiru said taking my hand causing me to smile at her. "Sure," was my simple answer as we walked towards Ami and Shirai making sure to genially smile to ease their worries; those two even now, were far to perceptive at times.
Despite our worries the day was going by smoothly, but as day gave way to night and people set out blankets to watch the fireworks display that had been planed I felt uneasy, and looking towards Michiru who was at my side, I could tell she felt it as well. Setsuna, had made sure to introduce Mamoru to all of the girls and in turn the prince's former guardians as well, they bonded quite easily with him and of course because Hanako, Akai, Shirai and Hirose liked Mamoru so did Rei, Makoto, Ami and Minako. "Was that really necessary," I asked Setsuna gesturing to the large group who was speaking with Mamoru causing the time guardian to actually giggle. "Hai, it is what Usagi would want for us; I could do no less," Setsuna said taking all of the wind out of my sails so to speak as Michiru giggled as well. "She has you their Haruka dear," she said causing me to sigh and roll my eyes. "Why do I love you again," I asked of her. "Because no one else understands as I do," she replied as I made an ah sound before with a soft smile whispering "of course," taking her hand in my own.
The soft sound of a flute put myself Michiru and Setsuna on edge as the two mysterious aliens appeared causing many of those gathered to flee, and though I was worried for them I was proud of the former Royal Guard and guardians of the prince as none of them fled but only helped others to flee making sure no one was harmed. "The cards have never led to so many my dearest Ail," the girl said her soft pink hair with blue highlights said her dark red eyes surveying the former senshi and Shitennou I noticed. "Indeed Ann my love; so go ahead pick a card," he said holding out a mysterious looking deck of what I recognized as taro cards, as I had had my fortune read by a friend interested in it long ago, the boy with blue hair and pink eyes looking lovingly with his electric blue eyes towards the girl. "Very well, she said flicking a finger in the air causing one of the cards to rise in the air. "Ah, is it fate or chance that guides your hand Ann; I can never tell;" Ail said with a sad smile. "Come forth CARDIAN: VIII REGRET," he said as the card took form of a strange faceless creature wearing a well tailored, but musty and tattered medieval dress suit that one would have found worn by one with wealth and power; though not royalty. It was a demon but unlike those used by the Dark Kingdom, but a danger all the same.
"Those four helping all the people, they are your targets Regret," Ail said confirming my fears. "Stop right there," Luna in her humanoid form said causing the four to gasp as they looked at the young woman with cat ears and a tail. "We will not simply stand by as you harm these two," Artemis added and I could see a tear falling from Minako's eyes, this wasn't good all of the guardians both of the princess and prince as well as Mamoru himself had a haunted look in their eyes, their memories I realized, could very easily come back this night; koneko could reawaken. Sharing a look with Michiru I realized that what we and Setsuna were about to do wouldn't exactly help things. "We do not know why you need energy for this Makaiju," Setsuna began. "But there are those on this Earth who will not stand by and allow innocents to be harmed," Michiru added. "We are of that number," I said gently taking her hand into my own.
"Such determination," Ann said. "But this is a necessary evil," Ail added. "The Makaiju only lives when given life energy; we were born of her, if Makaiju dies, so do we," Ann whispered so softly I wasn't sure if we were suppose to hear it but now we at least had a reason. "But you are taking others lives to live, that isn't right," Luna said softly as Ail laughed. "What else can we do, little feline, can you tell me,' he asked her and Luna fell silent as she truly didn't. "Stay away from us creature," I heard Hirose say and even though they he and the other former Shitennou where trying to protect the girls the former senshi where right by their sides refusing to leave them. The creature called Regret only tilted its head before lunging at the girls, and I watched amazed as if my instinct alone Makoto moved forward and lifted the creature over her head a familiar symbol blazing to life on her forehead as she easily tossed him, none of us noticing the green jewel that flew through the air.
"It's reflexes are slower than our own," "Rei," Minako said as the priestess nodded moving to flank the creature as familiar symbols blazed to life upon their foreheads as a red, orange and blue jewel soured through the air causing my jaw to drop and Michiru to gasp as we had both seen them. "They truly think they can win," Ann said sadly. "They will win," Luna said with a soft smile as Rei pulled out an ofuda scroll as she moved behind the creature that when it turned she slapped the scroll onto its forehead immobilizing it. "Rin, pyou, tou, sha, kai, jin, retsu, zai, zen. Akuryö Taisan," Rei chanted her spiritual energy causing the creature to set on flame before being reduced to a pile of dust. "Rei," Hanako asked softly taking Rei's hands the priestess smiling to see the look of recognition with her girlfriends eyes. "Jadeite," she whispered. "Alexa," Hanako said just as softly; as similar conversations happened around the field as the senshi truly reconnected with the Shitennou once again.
"Where is Usagi, Setsuna," Mamoru who was holding his head asked stepping next to the time guardian who was about to explain when a shot of blue and pink energy sent all of us flying through the air. "You are not like the others of this planet," Ail said. "Who are you," Ann added both sounding scared but determined to learn the truth. "Enough, I have had enough," a voice said as a large tree, old withered and dieing appeared in the sky causing Ail and Ann to drop to their knees. "Mother," Ann said tears in her eyes. "You can speak," Ail added the surprise just as evident in his own voice. "This is not the way….corruption, no more," the large tree cried out as its roots shot through the air and wrapped around the two causing them to scream out in pain. "We have to help them," Minako said. "But how," Ami said holding her wrist she like the other girls noticing that their bracelets where not their. "Henshin or no, we are the Sailor Senshi….we must protect this world, we must protect our princess," it was Rei who spoke these words and we all nodded with determination our wills set, our minds truly as one….
~ Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon ~
Inside the body of young blond coma patient the seven Nijzuishou pulsated with light as one being drawn to each other their lights blinded together until they glowed a soft silver that shook the entire room as with the fading light as the Ginzuishou synchronized its pulse with the heartbeat of the young woman whose soft baby blue eyes shot open. "Minna," she said putting her hands on her chest the soft silver light enveloping her form and replacing the hospital gown with a familiar royal garb a golden crescent moon mark appearing upon her forehead as she vanished from the room following the link that she forever held with her senshi….
~ Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon ~
As a group we all moved towards the Makaiju determined to try to help Ail and Ann, who were not evil, the two had simply wished to survive, the way they had gone about it had been wrong but we could all understand the will to live; as we had a reason to survive as well. But as we moved soft silver light enveloped all of our wrists and we all gasped as familiar silver and golden bracelets appeared upon our hands, though I noticed that the charms on mine Rei's Ami's and Makoto's bracelets were gold and not silver like those upon the Haruka-tachi's {A group honorific. That in this case refers to Haruka, Michiru and Setsuna} bracelets. "Minna henshin yo," I yelled out and we everyone quickly nodding their heads. "Venus Star Power," "Mars Star Power," "Jupiter Star Power," "Mercury Star Power," "Uranus Planet Power," "Neptune Planet Power," "Pluto Planet Power," "Make-Up," we all yelled out the last words as one.
The new words had simple come to us, but I could tell that myself, Rei, Makoto and Ami all felt more powerful than we had before. "Mars," I said to Rei who nodded and closed her eyes. She moved her hands in a circular motion as nine Japanese symbols appeared around her that represented Rin, Pyou, Tou, Sha, Kai, Jin, Retsu, Zai and Zen. "Burning Mandala," she cried out as the nine symbols became flaming orbs that moved towards the tree the flames doing what we had intended and causing the tree's grip on Ail and Ann. "Mercury, Jupiter," I said to the two who nodded. "Shine Aqua Illusion," as what I could only describe as liquid ice seemed to swirl around Ami before shooting out towards the trunks of the trees freezing them. "Sparkling Wide Pressure," Makoto added as a disc of compressed electricity sparking with energy flew from the tall brunette's hands causing the frozen trunks to shatter. "Venus Love-Me Chain," I yelled out as a golden belt of heart shaped charms wrapped safely around Ail and Ann allowing Haruka and Michiru to safely catch the two and lower the now freed aliens safely to the ground.
"There is pain in your heart Makaiju," a familiar voice said softly causing us all to turn tears freely falling from all of our eyes. "Usagi-chan," Ami said through her tears. "Hime," Haruka added causing Usagi to giggle. As she brought the Moon Stick with the Illusion Silver Crystal resting in its top to her hands. "You….can end my pain, give me; and my children peace," the Makaiju said as Usagi softly nodded. "Of course but you must all truly wish to be free of the evils you have committed. "It would give us a chance to begin again," Ann said softly to Ail. "Then I agree," he said taking her in his arms the two going over to their mother and softly resting a hand against her trunk. "We will do things right this time," "we swear," first Ail and then Ann said. "Help us moon princess, give us peace," the Makaiju asked of Usagi who nodded as the Illusion Silver Crystal floated in the air as a golden compact formed around it.
It looked like her old broach but was gold with a silver five pointed star with the symbol of the moon kingdom in the center a pink jewel resting in the upturn of the crescent moon. Tucked in each of the bottom four open points of a star were jewels red, in the top left, orange in the top right, green in the bottom left and blue in the bottom right; while tucked into the bottom three corners on the outside of the silver star where three new jewels. The first on the bottom left was amber in color, the one tucked into the bottom center was aquamarine and the one on the bottom right was garnet; the entire outer rim of the golden compact was outlined just as the five pointed open star was in silver.
The Illusion Silver Crystal went from the compact to back within Usagi who softly smiled and held the compact over her head. "Moon Crystal Power, Make-Up," she yelled out as pink ribbons enveloped her body replacing the white gown of the princess with a familiar dark blue and white fuku with pink bows the compact resting in the center of the bow on her chest, the golden tiara on her forehead still holding a pink jewel in its center but two small three pointed white wing broaches lay in her bangs . "Usa," Mamoru said softly. "Mamo-chan," she replied just as softly as rod appeared in her hands that had a golden handle with silver hearts and stars inlayed within it as decoration a red and golden crown, like those worn by British royalty set upon the top. "The Cutie Moon Rod," "born of our bond Mamo-chan," first Mamoru and then Usagi added her cheeks a soft pink.
"Moon Princess Halation," she said as a soft silver light with golden sparkled within it enveloped Ail, Ann and the Makaiju the light purifying and not destroying the three. The body suits that Ail and Ann were wearing where now white though their vests remained the same and the Makaiju was now a baby sapling surrounded by a soft white light that floated suspended above the two aliens outstretched hands. "Thank you," Ail said softly. "Now we understand," Ann added. "Love not hate, joy not pain, it is our feelings our positive energy that will now give the Makaiju life," Ail said. "Thank you moon princess," Ann said; "we shall never forget you," Ail added as the three took flight into the night sky. Mamoru walked towards Usagi thumbing a familiar magical red rose that he placed within his pocket before reaching her.
"Usa," he said before causing Usagi to gasp as he took her into her arms; though once she had gotten over her shock she wrapped her arms around him middle and the two simply stood there. "Together again," Hirose who was wearing a familiar set of armor said coming to my side. I looked to see the other Shitennou were the same, though the uniforms that had once been black where now white the trim on each was still orange, red, green and blue though each color now matched that of our fuku's perfectly and where not dulled in any way. "Jadeite," I heard Rei say as the lone still very much female Shitennou came to her side. "Alexa," she softly whispered and I couldn't help the giggle that escaped me. "What is so funny Hippolyta," Kunzite asked me. "Can you still call yourselves the Shitennou when one of your number is a female," I asked him. "Of course, male or female Jadeite is still one of the Four Heavenly Kings," he replied causing me to pout. "Spoil sport," I said with a pout. "I try," he said putting an arm over my shoulder the smile on his face showing he wasn't going to fall for my little trick.
"So we are together once again," Usagi said breaking up all of our personal moments. "Usagi," Ami was the first to say rushing towards her though in truth we were all right on her heals, Haruka, Michiru and Setsuna included as we rushed her and Mamoru who wisely stepped back just as we all swarmed her happy tears falling from all of our eyes as we talked with and over each other, still able to understand each other; as only women truly could. ["Women," I heard Nephrite say. "Hey," Jadeite said with a huff catching the taller Shitennou in the ribs with a good jab of her elbow. "You kind of deserved that one," I said as he looked at me. "Well said master," Zoicite said causing me to roll my eyes as I looked towards him to see he was smiling. "Ha, ha, ha," was all I said as Kunzite placed a hand on my shoulder in a sign of support. "It truly is good to be at your side once again, my prince," he said as I shook my head but laughed the tension broken as we all left the girls alone to their own devices, soaking in the….peace….yes that was the word of this moment willing to take things now one day at a time.]
Note 1
And so begins my sequel Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon: Returns. I hope you enjoyed the way that I not only awakened Usagi from her coma; but how she and the other girls all reawakened as the senshi. Ail, Ann and the Makaiju gave a reason why the senshi would have to have their memories returned to them and the Nijzuishou a reason how the Illusion Silver Crystal could be reformed; while I gave my own little bit of uniqueness to both of these anime only plot devices.
Still I hope you enjoy reading this story just as much if not more than you did PSSM: Origins. And so it is with those words said I think I shall wrap this up before this note begins to resemble my story in length. *LOL*
So until the next Act,
I still humbly remain a . . . .
KuRSeofTime
PS
There is no copyright infringement or profit being made from me writing this story. As with Origins, Returns is simply a reflection of my own personal love of this beautiful and amazing world given to us by Naoko Takeuchi-sama in anime, manga and live action, and soon a brand new anime that grows closer to its release with each day that passes.
It is because of the love and support that you showed to me my dearest readers that convinced me to write this sequel so I wish to thank each and every one of you for helping my muse to inspire me once more . . . .
Live, Laugh, Love!
KuRSeofTime