Yes, you read this right. A rewrite of a rewritten story. Well, the first chapter, anyway. I've replanned everything, and even though I might not update this, this was more of a thing for fun anyway. Still after Stars, and still combining elements from most, if not all the medias. The live action series is the one I'll be relying on the most, though, as it was the only one that I watched all the way through. I'm disregarding the existence of the second anime, though. Crystal doesn't have much of an allure to it.
Disclaimer: The Sailor Moon manga, and all the variants thereof, including the animes, musicals and the live-action series, all belong to Naoko Takeuchi as well as whomever she gave the rights to. I, obviously, don't own it.
Usagi was quietly walking towards the Hikawa Shrine was, her hands in the pockets of her denim skirt, and her head bowed slightly as she stared at the ground. The blonde chewed on her lower lip as she strolled leisurely through the park, her mind overflowing with thoughts that weren't of the pleasant kind. She remembered much of the final battle between the forces of Chaos and Cosmos, and it shook her to her core. Trying her best to shake away the dark thoughts, she looked blankly at the lush, green grass beneath her white shoes, noting that the brilliant viridian colour hadn't dulled a bit. Her long blonde tails were curling at her calves, brushing past her legs as she walked, and though not nearly the length that her hair was in her previous incarnation as the Moon Princess Serenity, it was still sufficient to remind her of why she was being so melancholic.
You see, as the final battle ended, she had slowly begun to completely recover all of her memories. And by all her memories, I mean all of them, including her memories of the Silver Millennium, and of most, if not all, of the events that had transpired. The gruesome scene of that had brought about the end of the Moon's golden age was lingering in her mind, and she had to fight back the urge to throw up. She swallowed and walked faster, widening her stride to arrive at the Hikawa Shrine as soon as she could.
She wasn't keeping track of time, but she was sure that she had arrived at the temple within a good couple of minutes. Stopping outside the area where the Senshi usually had their meetings - the room that housed the Sacred Fire - Usagi stopped, taking a deep breath to calm her racing nerves. She reached out to open the door, but her intuition, which had grown stronger in the past few weeks, stopped her from making an entrance yet, begging her to wait and listen to the Senshi inside. The voices inside were venomous, and Usagi was shocked at what she heard next.
"The leader is late again," a voice spat, rife with anger and hatred. Usagi recognized it as Rei's cold, aloof tone, albeit doused in a pool and resentment. She shivered at the priestess' voice, and as if in return, she heard the caws of Phobos and Demios, the two encircling her before leaving to perch on a nearby tree.
"Does it matter? She's always late," another muttered, this time being the cool, spunky voice of Minako that spoke. "We should just kick her out already - she's never been useful in a battle anyway. We could probably just destroy the monsters ourselves."
"No." The conversation was cut into by a voice, quiet and sharp. Ami. "She is important. We need her to return the monsters to human form again. Without her, we will be forced to kill them. And the Senshi of the Outer Rings are loyal to the princess. They will protect her if we attempt anything."
Usagi inhaled sharply. Ami's voice was cold, calculating and analytical, just like an android. She shuddered, not recognizing any of her friends in those distant voices. She turned to leave, but two enraged voices broke through her thoughts, and shattered them like brittle glass on rock.
"What do you girls think you're doing?" Artemis bellowed at them, sounding thoroughly enraged. The moon cat then hissed and spat at them, presumably because they were trying to get him to calm down. "Get away from me!" he yowled. "I won't associate myself with traitors to the Lunar Empire! This is treason!"
"I agree." Luna's matron-like voice drifted to Usagi's ears after Artemis had finished hissing at the girls. "This is treason of the highest degree. I will not be privy to this."
Usagi's tears cleared up just the slightest bit, and she managed to choke out in a relieved tone, the names of the two lunar felines. "Artemis, Luna, thank you..." the stricken blonde murmured, hugging herself tighter. She felt a cold, biting wind blowing against her, even thought it was nowhere near winter, and she shivered. Her hand reached into the pocket of her skirt to get her silver phone.
Atsui kimochi wa C'est la vie
Watashi ga watashi de iru kagiri
C'est la vie anata wo aishitsuzuketai
Me no mae ni aru kono shunkan ga ikiru basho
Kakenukete
Michiru's phone rang, playing the lively tune she had always loved on repeat. The aquamarine-haired young woman looked up from her painting, one of her and her lover Haruka at the beach, and looked over to the counter top, where the irritating piece of technology lay. She walked over, wiping her paint-stained hands on her apron as she crossed the distance. The Senshi of Neptune grabbed the dark blue phone and stepped outside, appreciating the fresh air for a brief moment.
"Moshi-moshi," she replied curtly. "Kaiou Michiru."
"Michiru-chan? It's me, Usagi."
The soldier was instantly on alert, her dark blue eyes wide as she straightened. "Princess," her voice had turned cool, the same tone she took while in her form of a Sailor Senshi. "what is it?"
Though she couldn't see her beloved princess, she could hear the absolute heartbreak in the blonde's voice, which shook like a trembling leaf. "Please, Michiru, I need some help - I-I -"
"Oi, Michi, who's on the phone?"
Haruka's charming, boyish tone rang out as the sandy blonde strolled out of their shared house. The taller woman covered the distance between them, and stood right next to her. Her dark blue jacket made her eyes stand out, especially with her complexion and pale hair, Michiru noted with a sense of satisfaction.
"Haruka-chan?" Usagi's voice drifted to them, just as Michiru turned to her partner.
"Ah, koneko-chan," Haruka teased, leaning in closer to the phone, though she knew that Usagi had no way of seeing her, and putting on her most dazzling grin - the one she usually wore for Michiru. Normally Michiru would have raised a brow at the action, but then she knew that Usagi was more important. "Have you been thinking of us?"
"Please, Haruka-chan, Michiru-chan, I need someone, please!" Usagi's voice seemed even more heartbroken than it had been only seconds ago, and Haruka was instantly on guard as well.
The Senshi of Uranus straightened up, her eyes narrowing and turning icy. "Koneko, we'll be right over," she promised. "Just tell us where you are, and we'll -"
"Stop! Please!" The sound of the phone clattering onto the ground could be heard. The line went dead not long after that.
Haruka and Michiru both looked at each other, and without saying anything more, both Senshi whipped out their transformation wands. They nodded, in complete seriousness, and their eyes hard with anger, raised the magical items.
"Uranus Crystal Power!"
"Neptune Crystal Power!"
"Make Up!"
Brilliant flashes of navy and sea green filled the area, blinding all those that happened to pass by, and at the same time, removing memories of the transformation and leaving them dazed for a while, which was all the time it took for the newly appeared Super Sailor Uranus and Super Sailor Neptune. The two guardians then leapt into the air, intent of finding their princess and saving her from whatever monster than was hurting her right now.
Uranus and Neptune soared in the air as the duo crossed rooftops, their heeled boots making small 'clacking' noises as they ran hastily. "Where is she, Michi?" Uranus yelled, her blond hair ruffled by the incoming current. She was moving faster and faster by the second, almost becoming a blur of deep navy and yellow.
Neptune's brow furrowed as the elegant Senshi jumped from another rooftop. She tried to search for her princess' but before she could, both heard a cry for help with their above average hearing. The woman didn't even have to speak a word - Uranus was already heading for the Hikawa Shrine.
"Koneko!" Neptune heard her partner yell. "Hang on, I'm coming!"
Neptune silently cursed her blond partner's attachment to their princess and sprinted after her, her hair flowing gracefully in the wind as she leapt from building to building. When the elegant Senshi arrived at the Hikawa Shrine, she was met by the two Senshi of the Outer Rings, Super Sailor Saturn and Super Sailor Pluto.
Saturn had her glaive pointed at Uranus, and a barely visible barrier was up, preventing the angered blonde from attacking the Senshi of the Inner circles. The child looked impassive, and spoke in a soft tone, "Usagi-san needs all of us. Together." The girl spoke in a soft tone, albeit it was firm, mature, and unlike a child. The short girl looked up at the tall, older woman beside her, and the dark-skinned Pluto nodded.
The Senshi of Time took a step forward, leading the four as Saturn lowered her barrier. Uranus snarled and stormed forth, Neptune gracefully taking up the last position. The three that possessed the Sacred Talismans gave the youngest a look, and Saturn spun her Silence Glaive around, just as the scream of "Mars Flame Sniper!" reached their ears. A barrier sprung up between their blond princess at the other four Senshi, plus the tuxedo-wearing masked crusader.
Super Sailor Mercury stood at the edge of the group, her blue eyes hard and icy as she looked on emotionlessly at her former leader and friend. Her blue visor covered her world in a shade of lovely blue, and her Mercury Computer was in her hands, though she had no need for it. She knew all Usagi's weaknesses, after all. When Mars' attack splashed harmlessly off a gossamer barrier, Mercury wasn't surprised in the least. She simply raised her hands, and intoned in a cool, flat tone, "Shine Aqua... Illusion." There was no energy in her tone, and the attack reflected this, the torrent of water rushing at the Moon Princess turning a dull, polluted-looking grey as it struck the same barrier, and shattered.
"Deep Submerge!" An energy blast came hurtling towards them, and this time, Tuxedo Kamen stood in front of them, whipping his cape around them to act as a sort of deterrent to the attack.
From the other side, Mercury watched impassively as the Senshi of the Outer Rings appeared, their weapons at the ready. Pluto raised her staff at them, the Garnet Orb glowing furiously. "Do not hurt my princess again, traitors," she ground out, her voice sharp like glass. "Outer Guardians," she continued. "At the ready."
That confused Mercury, for since when had the Senshi of the outer-most planets been called the 'Outer Guardians'? She shook off her thoughts as Venus took charge, as was dictated by her position as the leader of the Senshi of the inner-most four planets, excluding the Earth. Hearing the blonde call for them to attack, Mercury summoned her Mercury Harp. "Mercury Aqua Rhapsody."
"Mars Flame Sniper!" Mars launched her flaming arrows at the group, her dark purple eyes narrowing in anger.
"Venus Love and Beauty Shock!" Venus cried out as she unleashed her chain-whip, looking somewhat irritated at Mars for attacking first.
Jupiter seemed to be the only one that was unaffected by the clear rivalry between Venus and Mars; like Mercury, she apparently understood that both the princesses of the two planets closest to the Earth were vying for the Earth Prince's attention. "Jupiter Oak Evolution!"
The four attacks launched themselves through the air, hurtling towards the five Senshi, and struck another barrier that Saturn summoned. When the light generated from the attacks hitting at the same time vanished, the youngest Senshi could be seen with her Silence Glaive out and her brow deeply furrowed, her hands shaking slightly. The girl looked up at them, her cold purple eyes shimmering in annoyance. "Attack," she only echoed, as the other three leapt in front of her, their Talismans glowing powerfully.
"Space Sword Blaster!" Uranus yelled, the Space Sword in hand as she lunged at them, her dark eyes full of unrestrained fury, at them, no doubt.
"Submarine Reflection!" Neptune held up her Deep Aqua Mirror at them, unleashing a blast of energy.
Pluto's Garnet Rod was up in the air, the Garnet Orb shining powerfully from atop the key-shaped staff. "Dead Scream!"
Mercury had enough of the three Senshi as she released her own attack at them. "Mercury Aqua Mist," she intoned, her tone dead and flat. A dull grey fog spread over the Hikawa Shrine, enveloping all ten in a thick grey mist that obscured their vision. Mercury took control of the mist, clearing the line of vision for her and her companions so that they could see the opposing five, who had now formed a half-circle around the still untransformed Usagi.
They looked to still be discussing something, and then, one by one, they nodded. Finally. Uranus curled one arm around Usagi, and Neptune grabbed her other arm, gently shielding her from whatever they were going to do. Uranus raised her arm, with the Space Sword in the other. "World Shaking!" she roared, the sphere of energy in her hand slamming forcefully into the ground. Cracks formed in front of them, and spread out wide, literally shaking the ground until it reached Mercury's feet, upon which the shaking intensified.
"Jump!" Mercury made to call out, but her reaction was just a fraction too late.
The other four, who had been preparing their attacks to stop Uranus before she could turn the tables, released most of the built-up energy, however Mars' fire arrow had already been unleashed when she was thrown off balance, and a sharp, steel-tipped rose from Tuxedo Kamen had found its way into the air, flying at at awkward angle at the other five.
A scream tore through the air, and Mercury's fog was quickly lifted as the Senshi of Wisdom looked for what had happened. She found Usagi lying in the arms of an enraged Uranus, with blood soaking through the back of her white blouse, and a large, third degree burn on her chest, and her left arm seemed to be twisted, dangling uselessly in the air. "Uranus," Usagi rasped, and then the girl coughed violently, spitting up blood, which trailed from the corner of her lips. She raised her right arm to the Senshi. "Please," she forced out. "Just get me... away from them..." she trailed off, her hand dropping onto her chest as she went limp in the older woman's arms.
"Koneko!" bellowed Uranus. There was anger in the blonde's eyes, but Neptune quickly rested a gloved hand on her partner's arm, shaking her head, and using the other to gesture to the other Senshi, Saturn, in particular, was already applying pressure to Usagi's wounds.
"We need to leave," Pluto spoke, her tone serious. "A wound by the powers of a Senshi is not easily healed, and the steel in her back will cause her death if not removed quickly. With another gesture, all four of the Senshi ran off, leaping across rooftops.
Mercury finally lifted her visor, feeling her heart stop beating in her chest as she stared at the small pool of blood on the grass. Usagi's blood. How could such a small projectile give her a cut big enough to make that much blood in the short time it had taken for her collapse? The dark blue-haired Senshi stared blankly at the thick, viscous liquid, while she could hear Mars and Venus arguing in the background over who had done the most work.
"What have you done?" The question was uttered by the two Lunar cats, both of whom now stood behind the five, with their eyes wide in horror and fur frizzed. Venus made to scoop Artemis up, but he, along with Luna, shrieked and hissed at the blonde, bounding far away from her. "Get away from us!" Artemis spat, his claws out.
Luna had already turned and was running after Usagi and her protectors, but Artemis stayed behind to snarl one last sentence. "You have a lot to think about," he hissed, running after his black partner.
The five of them only watched as the two advisers left their sight. Suddenly, all four of the Senshi collapsed, screaming in pain and clutching at their heads as their tiaras shattered to reveal their planetary marks. Tuxedo Kamen disappeared, replaced by Chiba Mamoru, who could only watch as the Senshi staggered upright, releasing their transformations, but the marks still remaining on their brows. "What have we done?" Ami managed to force out before her world turned black.
And we're done! Better grammar, a more believable turn of events, well, at least, in my eyes, anyway, and an aftermath scene.