She was completely restrained. Those pale, thin arms, with ribbon-like scratches dancing across them, ached in surface and deep pain. What was holding them in place was unknown. Her legs, in the same condition, with even a few blossoming bruises developing, were restrained by something similar. A foggy daze was the only thing that was firm in her mind. Golden strands of hair, that had fallen from their resting place behind her shoulders, captured the only exposed rays of light from who knows where. Where was this place? What had happened?
The last thing Usagi could remember was clear: Minako, Rei and herself had been fighting some monster. The origin was uncertain; A feminine being, voluptuous and deadly. Rei, or Sailor Mars at that point, screamed something, incoherent and foreign to Usagi's ears. Why had Usagi just stood there and let the monster attack? 'I'm so stupid.' Usagi thought to herself. Had she been captured by a new enemy? No, no… Minako and Rei would never let that happen. Unless… Usagi went pale. They weren't dead. No. That was impossible.
Usagi shook her head, hearing a sure jingle of chains linked to the choker around her neck. It felt like metal. "Where is this place?" No answer, of course. Her lips were chapped, and each word had a tinge of a blood taste to them. Usagi tried to pull her arms, only to find herself becoming extremely dizzy from the motion. Relaxing herself, Usagi closed her eyes. What am I going to do? How am I going to get out of this?
The sound of a worn door opening broke the silence. Something pulled the chain around her neck. Harder and harder it tugged until Usagi was on her hands and knees. Before her was someone. Straight black hair, cropped short. Her fingers held the chain firmly. This woman was tall, though any defining features were shadowed by the light behind her. The one thing that was for certain was she was wearing a Sailor Soldier uniform.
"I created you, I'll destroy you, Serenity." Such a coarse, seductive and harsh voice; There was not a single delicate syllable.
"Who are you?" Usagi questioned, looking up into the dark face, questioningly.
"A princess overshadowed by you."
"Neherenia?" Usagi asked with a confused shock tinting her voice.
"No. I am Princess of that what gives you that glow. You are my reflection." The Sailor's fingers traced a hot circle on Usagi's cheek. "Those who have been your equal in strength but your opposites in intentions have been reincarnated. They are now Soldiers belonging to stars, under my command. It is another Sailor War. I will not rest until you are dead." She smacked Usagi hard.
"Usagi! Usagi! Wake up, Usagi!" Rei's panicked voice pounded.
"Rei-chan?" Usagi's whisper inquired.
"Thank goodness." Minako said tearfully. Usagi opened her eyes. Rei and Minako, both in their civilian forms, joined by Makoto and Ami were all huddled around Usagi. They were at Rei's.
"Usagi-chan, what exactly happened?" Ami asked, whipping her own tears away.
"I…" Usagi remembered the woman. And what she had said. "Another Sailor War…"
"What?" Makoto asked.
"She wants me dead. Another Sailor War over me." Usagi whispered. She looked down, in a saddened guilt.
"Who wants you dead?" Makoto asked, her voice more threatening.
"I don't know." Everyone was taken back by Usagi's answer. The exchanged glances, all of them worried. One by one, each of the inner Soldiers looked at Usagi with the same passion to protect her they had in them all along.
Rei placed a hand on Usagi's shoulder and smiled, "No one can be a threat to us, Usagi. Everything will be alright."
The next day, Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna, Hotaru and Mamoru came to the shrine, as requested by Rei. All of them, excluding Usagi and Mamoru, sat around the low table, each of them having a cup of green tea before them. Hotaru, who had recently been more upbeat and carefree, as a child should be, was once again saturnine. All of the inner Soliders, obviously troubled, still had sparkles of hope intermingled in their eyes.
"Hotaru had a vision last night. We couldn't entirely make sense of it, however…" Michiru began
"You're in trouble, kitten." Haruka finished, glancing over at Usagi, who met the glance with curiousity.
"Time and space are fluctuating again. The once set future is distraught. But, instead of by something dark, it is blindingly bright. I don't know what to make of it." Setsuna said, with an exhausted look on her face. It was clear this situation was troubling her. Setsuna looked down in her tea, as if hoping the simple liquid would answer this problem with a basic answer.
With no warning, Makoto slammed her cup against the table, spilling the tea.
"We've done enough fighting! Usagi-chan has been put in enough danger. We defeated Galaxia, didn't we? Then why must we have another War?" Electrifying passion sparked from Makoto's voice, as shocking tears crept into the corner of her emerald eyes. "Why?! Can't we have peace?!"
"Mako-chan…" Minako placed a comforting hand ontop of Makoto's and leaned her forehead against the taller soldier's, "Our duty as soldiers is never over. We must always be ready to sacrifice ourselves to save our Princess. It isn't fair, but it is our duty, as Sailor Soldiers. We're stronger now more than ever." Makoto looked into those eyes, full of love, hope and strength; Minako was a wonderful leader for the Sailor Soldiers. Makoto nodded, earning a gentle smile from Minako.
Usagi, who had previously been lying motionless on the bed, sat up.
"Everyone…" Usagi whispered delicately. All their attention turned to the princess.
"Usa-ko, how're you feeling about all of this?" Mamoru asked, gently combing the bangs out of her face.
"I don't know." Usagi sounded melancholy. "But, Ami-chaaaan, I need help on my homework! I don't understand it!"
Ami, taken back, stuttered out a shocked response, "Usagi-chan, you don't mean that huge assignment that we were assigned before break? That would take all night to finish!"
"No way! I'm deeeead!" Usagi sighed and leaned her head forward.
"You'll never be successful if you procrastinate so much.." Rei mumbled under her breath.
"Rei-chan, you're so cruel!" Usagi jabbed, crossing her arms and pursing her lips into a solid pout. Haruka and Michiru sighed, both carrying a small smile.
"Somehow, I think no matter how old these girls get, some things will never change." Michiru commented with a small giggle. Usagi and Rei continued to bicker, growing in volume.
"Yeah, but, some things are better never changing." Haruka commented with a smile,
"Don't bring that sort of talk into the bedroom." Michiru whispered lowly, causing Haruka's cheeks to fill with a rosy pink.
Setsuna smiled lightly to herself, and spoke softly to Hotaru, who was sitting next to her, "Our future queen is something special, with just a smile carefree phrase, she has restored a feeling of happiness among everyone. " Hotaru nodded in agreement, smiling slightly before sipping her tea.