**Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the majority of the characters used in this story. Those rights belong to Naoko Takeuchi.
This story is my own version of a continuation on Naoko Takeuchi's original storyline of Sailor Moon. It is to be used for Fanfiction only.
Please note, I do not describe or go into detail about who the "known" characters are. I am writing this story with the hopes that most of my readers will know about the last story arc in the Sailor Moon anime/manga and what the main characters all look like. Enjoy!
Prologue
It was a beautiful April day in Tokyo. The sun was shining directly overhead and a slight breeze was playing through the trees in Azabu Juban park. Usagi Tsukino sat in the grass looking up at the sky. Her long blonde tresses were blowing around behind her quiet and peaceful form. Although she was too humble to notice, many people were watching her. They were attracted to the strength and innocence radiating from the natural beauty. There was just something about the young woman sitting alone and watching the clouds.
It had been over a year. Usagi was sitting in contemplation and reviewing all that life had become. Mamoru had left for America not long after returning to her arms. He had told her that it was important for their future that he learn all that he could. She did not have the heart to tell him no, even though it was the last thing that she wanted. So, with a few tears and a long kiss she saw him off for a second time. Her friends, seeing the maturity and strength that their leader was growing into did all that they could to rally around her. It was hard for her to stay sad for long. Every day Mamoru contacted her. Some days she would get love letters to accompany the phone calls, other days she received roses and gifts. Everyone at school was amazed at how many gifts Usagi's boyfriend showered upon her. They all had noticed the ring on her left hand, including her father. Kenji was not pleased with the fact that a boy had given his daughter a ring. He knew very little about the relationship because his wife did her best to keep him out of it. The one thing that stuck out to him was that Usagi's grades were improving. In the past year she had gone from barely pulling off a passing grade in school, to making mid-level marks and a few that were high. It was not what he desired, but it was better. So, he kept his grumbling to a minimum and only scowled when a gift showed up on the door step.
Ami, Rei, Minako and Makoto were all there with Usagi, every day. In the past year, there had been no fights for the Sailor Senshi. This meant that they actually had the time to live life and enjoy each others' company. On every school break there had been a trip. The four single girls were dating off and on. Rei had transferred to the same school as the others and they had become the most popular girls at the school due to their generous and pleasant natures. It did not hurt that they were all gorgeous and outgoing. School had just started again for them. It was their final year of senior high. This was it for their adolescence and they did not know how long it would be before the Earth was placed into a deep sleep by the silver crystal. All they knew was that it would eventually happen and they would awaken with their new liege, Neo Queen Serenity.
Usagi leaned back, placing her arms behind her head. She loved her current life. The only thing that would make it better would be having her Mamo-chan with her. Tomorrow she was going to meet him at the airport. He had just finished his final term in America and was coming home to start medical practicum full time. Usagi rolled to her side and looked out at the park. All of the kids running around and playing made her miss Chibiusa. Of course, Chibiusa was probably too grown up for all of that now. She had been back in her century getting trained as the heir apparent. As Usagi looked around she noticed a rose bush growing next to a tree. There was exactly one flower that had bloomed on the entire bush. With a smile, she got up and walked over to it. Cupping her right hand under the bloom, she leaned in to inhale the scent that she associated with her love.
Something gleamed down inside of the rose bush. Usagi was curious and tried to see what it was. Very gently, she pulled some of the thorny branches aside and saw that it was a slim gold bracelet with an intricate design. She managed to get down on her stomach and pull the bracelet out from under the bush. As she turned the bracelet in her hands to get a better look at the designs, Usagi heard a voice behind her.
"Oh! You found it! I was hoping that this was where I had lost my bracelet!"
Usagi turned around and saw a young woman approaching her with a smile. The young lady was taller than Usagi with long black hair and big green eyes. She was wearing a dark green, knee-length dress and black flats. Over her arm she had a white woven basket with green bundled herbs and little wrapped packages.
"I can prove to you that it is mine," the woman stated, grabbing for the back of her necklace.
"Oh, are they a set?" Usagi asked with a smile.
"In a sense," the young lady replied, "They both have my initials carved into the clasps. There should be a small 'MS' on the inside. My name is Sato, Mai by the way." She finished, holding out her hand.
Usagi shook the woman's hand. "I am Tsukino, Usagi."
"Nice to meet you, Usagi-san."
"Likewise."
"So, I see that you too are a fan of the roses?" Mai asked.
"They are my absolute favorite!" Usagi replied brightly.
"Which color do you prefer?"
"Red, of course. The color of passion, sacrifice and beauty."
"Ah, well I prefer the fun and cheerful yellow rose. Have you been to the newest pavilion?"
"No. I saw that it was being constructed last year. I hear that they have thousands of imported flowers." Usagi said whimsically. "I cannot wait to visit it, but I have put it off so that I might go with my boyfriend."
"Where has he been? Overseas studies?" Mai inquired.
"Yes. He went to America to complete a year of medical school."
"Ah. Well, that is something that will prove to be beneficial for his future and maybe yours?" Mai said with a smile, nodding towards the ring on Usagi's hand.
With a blush, Usagi clasped her hands together in front of her. "I still have a year of high school. We will see where things go after that."
"Beautiful and practical, I see." Mai stated with a gentle smile. Suddenly her eyes widened as she looked down at her basket and grimaced. "It was nice to meet you Tsukino, Usagi. Unfortunately, I have an appointment with a sick woman. She needs one of my tinctures."
"Oh, do you practice medicine?"
"I am an herbalist, not a doctor. I love to use my knowledge of plants to help people. Natural remedies, I believe, are the only way to truly cure an illness." Mai replied.
"Wow, that is both noble and very interesting. I am sorry to keep you, Mai-san. Hopefully, we will meet again?"
"Most definitely," Mai responded. "If you would like, I have coffee at the Sunny Café downtown every morning and would love for you to join me one day."
"I will have to stop by. Good luck with your herbs. I hope that the woman you are going to see gets better soon." Usagi said with a smile.
"Thank you!" Mai replied and turned around to leave with a friendly wave.
As Usagi watched Mai walk away, she was struck by an odd twinge. Gasping, she realized that her crystal was responding to the woman that she had just met. "That's odd." She said softly. "I wonder what that means."
A low chuckle rose into the black abyss far below the ground of Tokyo. "It is time," the voice stated. With a loud rush of screaming wind, three forms took shape with glowing red eyes. They were three youmas inside of swirling cyclones. The three cyclones came together, with all three monsters clasping hands. The word "Freedom" hissed out from their mouths and their mass grew until it encompassed the entire space. Rock started crumbling and falling down around them. Suddenly a small stream of water shot down from the crashing stone.
"STRONGER!" a husky feminine voice screamed over the sound. "Bring the ceiling down so that my portal out will be completed!"
"Yeesss" the youmas hissed, adding more power to their attack.
Within a matter of minutes, the underground cyclone was filled with water and churning at a steady pace. A dark form stepped away from a crevice at the corner of the hollowed out space. The dark cloak around the individual kept anything from being seen in what light was cast. As the shape stepped forward, the same husky voice that had been giving commands emerged. "PORTAL! I command you to open! May the waters of the Earth cast me forth to the shore!" A hand shot out and suddenly the watery cyclone was lit up in a blinding light. The dark shape merged with the light and disappeared, leaving just the cyclone once again. The voice came through one last time "Stay here my dears, for I will return once I have found the stone that we need. Do not let this portal close!"
"Yes, mistress," came the reply.
"Wind, water, earth, fire. Wind, water, earth, fire," the chanting continued as Rei sat in front of the sacred flames. Her face was a perfect picture of concentration as she moved her hands to make the symbols of the elements. Every morning Rei sat in front of the flames for meditation. Most of the time it was a calming and quiet scene with the flames licking around her arms as she become even more efficient with her element of fire. After much practice, Rei could command fire in just seconds. She could produce it and control it with little to no effort. There were instances every now and then when Rei would have a premonition. It was in these moments that her flames raged out of control. Just the day before, she had almost set the temple on fire. Rei was having some dark premonitions of the future and was concerned that a new enemy was coming forth.
As she continued to chant, the room began to grow dark and cold. Even with her flames in front of her, Rei could feel the chill seep into her skin. Before she knew it, Rei was standing in front of a dark figure. There was a part of her that recognized this as a premonition, but it was different. The dark figure was looking into her eyes and with a start she realized that this was not a normal prophecy, it was the use of dark magic. The cloaked figure in front of her started to smile. Rei could see features, but there was a shadow cast over the figure's face from the hood over its head. Time seemed to be suspended as the two figures stood facing each other. "What do you want?" Rei finally asked. Here in this realm, she was unable to control her projected spirit. If she took too much time getting back to her body, she might be split from it completely.
"Psychic, what do you think that I want?" a woman's deep voice responded.
"I think that you want something that is not rightfully yours." Rei countered. "You are looking for the powerful crystal on this planet. Unfortunately for you, you have no idea what you are playing with."
"Oh, darling, I know that I am playing with FIRE," the woman hissed. "Your element is only as strong as the one wielding it. I have the use of all four elements. In fact, your chanting is what helped me to find you."
"You are not after my powers." Rei stated matter of factly.
"No, I am not. I came here to warn you, young psychic, to stay out of my way."
Rei looked defiantly into the woman's eyes. "Why should I allow you to do anything on this planet, witch? I am a guardian of this universe."
"Your power is not half as old as mine," the woman declared. "I have been waiting many lifetimes for this moment. Nothing will stop me from taking control of what is destined to be mine. Wind, water, earth, FIRE!"
Suddenly Rei slammed back into her body inside of the temple. Her flames were extinguished and not even a wisp of smoke remained. With a groan, she went to lift her hand to her head and stopped short. An ancient symbol was marked on the back of her hand. "Oh no," she whispered. The ancient symbol was one of magical containment. "Mars crystal power!" Her body quickly transformed into her senshi form. "Burning Mandala!" Nothing happened. "Fire soul!" Still, nothing happened. Dropping to her knees, Rei de-transformed. "This is not good."
End Prologue
