Copyright Ashe Lord, March, 2008
Protectors of the Moon: Silver Genesis
Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon in any way, shape or form. Sailor Moon is the creation of Naoko Takeuchi. All original characters and content are my own.
Author's notes:
I have based this story on the manga version of Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon and have done my best to remain true to the spirit of the original story. As you read this, assume that Chibi Usa was born in 2001. I have also given the Sailor Quartet new attacks, since they didn't have many in the manga aside from those they had during their time as the Amazoness Quartet.
The morning sun filtered through the delicate lace curtains surrounding the doors leading from Princess Serenity's bedroom to the balcony beyond. Light and shadow danced across rose-hued walls and crimson silk. Princess Serenity's eyes opened as she stirred from her sleep, awakening Diana, the kitten resting at the foot of the bed. At that moment, a clock of crystal and pearl began to chime the hour, signaling the start of the day. Brushing her thick, pink hair away from her face, Serenity wondered at how distant the horrific battles against Sailor Galaxia, the Animamates and Chaos seemed. In reality, a great many years had passed since then, yet in her experience it had been a matter of months. As she looked around at the luxury of her bedroom and marveled at the beauty of Crystal Tokyo, it seemed as if no such events had ever occurred and were, in fact, but the components of some terrible dream. Since her return, Serenity had gradually become re-accustomed to life inside the Crystal Palace, though she now met with private tutors and trainers nearly ever day at the behest of her parents. She supposed that it was to allow her to make up for lost time, as 20th century schools were lacking in many areas compared to those of the 30th century. Outside in the palace gardens, the cherry trees were beginning to bloom. It was nearly April.
In the royal family's private dining room, the morning began as usual. The King and Queen greeted their daughter with soft smiles as they sipped their tea. As Serenity took her seat, she noticed Luna, the cat who served as the Queen's closest advisor, spring from Neo Queen Serenity's lap and glance almost imperceptibly at Diana, who was resting in her arms. Diana looked up at the princess and, wearing the unreadable expression of all felines, followed the ebony form of her mother out of the room. The Princess began to feel slightly uneasy, though she was unsure of why. As she greeted her parents and began to eat, she became aware of the tangible stillness hanging about the room. An electric, anxious sensation made its way down her spine, interrupted by the low, resonant voice of Neo King Endymion.
"Small Lady, your mother and I have something important to talk about with you."
Serenity felt herself grow strangely defensive, despite her father's use of her pet name.
"Your time in the 20th century has helped you to realize your role as a Sailor Soldier," Neo Queen Serenity began. "You have fought bravely against terrible enemies and demonstrated great courage in the face of overwhelming odds. Your father and I couldn't be more proud of you."
Serenity relaxed somewhat and began to take small, dainty bites of her rice. She did not notice an unspeakably sad expression flash across her mother's face. The king covered the queen's hand in his own and held it reassuringly.
"You are well on your way to becoming a strong, elegant lady." Endymion paused, collecting his thoughts. "But there are many things a princess must know if her kingdom is to be peaceful and prosperous. You are destined to rule the Earth, Small Lady, as well as the Moon and the countless other stars and planets in the galaxy. That is why...that is why your mother and I have decided to send you to study at the Silver Genesis School.
Princess Serenity swallowed hard, her voice beginning to tremble as she spoke. "Wh...where is that? Is it far away?"
"It is on the Moon," the Queen answered. "As of now, the campus is the only place on the Moon where people can live."
"But I don't—" Serenity's voice cracked as tears filled her eyes.
"Small Lady, your father and I aren't sending you only to study. I said that the school is humanity's only sanctuary on the Moon. It is housed beneath an enormous glass dome, just as things were in the Silver Millennium over two million years ago. We want you and your guardians to work to restore our kingdom on the Moon.
"We believe that this will be invaluable experience for you as a future ruler while you are furthering your education as both a princess and as a member of society," Neo King Endymion said. "We will still be able to see each other on holidays and you will soon make lots of new friends, so you won't be lonely." He smiled comfortingly. "Diana will be accompanying you as your roommate and will be able to attend classes with you in human form until you graduate. We are also sending your guardians, the Sailor Quartet, to look after you.
"Classes begin in two weeks," said Neo Queen Serenity, "so you have a little time before you have to go. But, Small Lady, it is very important that you attend school as a normal girl. No one is to know that you are the Princess. This is not only for your protection, but to make sure that your classmates and teachers treat you no differently from any other student. Likewise, you need to keep your identity as Eternal Sailor Chibi Moon a secret. So while you are on the Moon, all of your teachers and classmates will know you only as Usagi Tsukino. You and the Sailor Quartet are to keep your work for the Moon Kingdom separate from the rest of your lives."
"We're counting on you, Small Lady."
"We know you'll do your best," the Queen smiled.
Looking at the gentle expressions of her parents, Serenity felt her inner resolve rise within her. With a determined look on her face, the Princess nodded.
"I will definitely restore our kingdom and become a great princess and, one day, a great queen. I promise."
Two weeks later, Usagi Tsukino found herself on a private shuttle flying to the Moon accompanied by her guardians and Diana, in human form for the first time in a great while. The Sailor Quartet snored loudly in their seats, their limbs sprawling over their chairs and each other. Every few minutes, Palla Palla would murmur in her sleep while Ves Ves kicked softly, occasionally landing a blow to Cere Cere's head. Remarkably, Cere Cere did not stir, but continued to clutch Jun Jun's arm like a pillow. Usagi shook her head and smiled at the scene, then turned to Diana, who was clearly not used to her new body. The lavender-haired girl sat with her feet on the chair, her knees nearly touching her chin.
"Diana, you really shouldn't do that in a dress."
Diana looked up quickly and realized her rather undignified posture. A bright flush spread across her face.
"Sorry," she squeaked. "It's been a while since I've been a human."
Usagi laughed. "Maybe you should just say that if anyone asks."
"They'll totally believe it. It's a perfectly airtight story! How could they not believe the truth?" Diana repositioned herself and grinned.
From the corner of her eye, Usagi noticed a strange, dark flash outside of the window. A moment later, a raucous crash shook the shuttle cabin, knocking Diana, Usagi and the Sailor Quartet from their seats.
"What on Earth?" Diana screamed.
Usagi shot her a withering glance.
Rolling her eyes, Diana corrected herself. "What in space, then, does that make you happy? Everyone transform!"
Usagi lifted her brooch while her four guardians raised their transformation pens. In an impassioned chorus, the five girls cried out their transformation phrases.
"Pink Moon Crystal Power, Make Up!"
"Ceres Crystal Power, Make Up!"
"Juno Crystal Power, Make Up!"
"Vesta Crystal Power, Make Up!"
"Pallas Crystal Power, Make Up!"
In an instant, the Sailor Soldiers were ready for battle. The force outside of the shuttle thrashed violently at the door leading out of the airlock chamber. Sailor Chibi Moon was silently grateful that the shuttle used an autopilot, and immediately took charge.
"We have to stop it from destroying the airlock! Juno, you open the door and let whatever is out there inside. Then, the second it's completely in the chamber, hit the switch to close the door. Everyone else, get outside of the chamber and hold on to something!
The Quartet nodded in unison. Chibi Moon, Pallas, Juno and Vesta formed a human chain and held onto the benches bolted to the floor of the cabin. Sailor Juno wrapped her legs around a steel ladder attached to the wall of the airlock chamber and hit the switch. Immediately, a large, blood-red demon clawed violently through the open hatch, nearly knocking Sailor Juno into the vacuum of space. Holding on to the ladder with one hand, she summoned the strength to smash the switch to close the hatch.
In the cabin, the large, horned half-beast leapt toward Sailor Chibi Moon, tearing at her torso with its claws.
"Protect the Princess at all costs," Sailor Ceres yelled. "Golden Scythe!" As she spoke the words, a scythe formed of golden energy slashed at the monster's arms.
"Got it," Sailor Pallas called back. "Meditation Waterfall!" A torrent of icy water appeared in the air over the massive demon and pummeled it to the ground, forcing it to release its prisoner.
Sailor Chibi Moon clutched her side, blood seeping between her fingers. As she struggled to her feet, the demon struck out at her with a mighty arm. Sailor Ceres sprang into action, grabbing Chibi Moon an instant before the demon's claws could strike her, taking the brunt of the attack herself. The pair tumbled into the wall.
Sailor Chibi Moon groaned, "Sailor Ceres..."
"Never mind me. Sailor Vesta, Sailor Juno, drive it back!"
In unison, Vesta and Juno launched their attacks.
"Jungle Inferno!"As Sailor Vesta uttered the words, trees of flame surrounded the enemy, cutting off its movements.
"Forest Union!" Sailor Juno's attack called two thick vines to twist around the enemy's legs and torso, constricting its lungs. The beast began to struggle for breath, clawing at its neck and chest.
Sailor Ceres cried out, "Sailor Chibi Moon, now!"
The five Sailor Soldiers called out to the heavens in unison. "Pink Lady's Freezing Kiss!"
The monster was engulfed in pink light, its body seeming to freeze from the inside out. The monster let out a piercing shriek as its body broke into a million pieces that disintegrated into nothingness. The Sailor Soldiers breathed a collective sigh of relief and surveyed the wreckage of the shuttle cabin.
Sailor Juno noticed a small pile of space suits strewn about the floor. "You know, in retrospect, we could have just used those and saved ourselves that whole crippling-fear-of-being-blown-into-the-abyss thing."
Sailor Vesta smacked her hand against her head. "Yes, those probably would have been helpful. Why wasn't the trunk for those things marked?"
"Who knows? Maybe they didn't think we would need them," Chibi Moon replied, her face grim. "...So, do you think this is a sign?"
The Quartet stared at the spot in space from which the demon had appeared.
"Do you want a lie for now?" Sailor Ceres asked.
"Sure."
"Then this was definitely not a sign," said Sailor Juno.
"Right. That battle was totally a fluke," Sailor Pallas chimed in.
"Yup. This is for sure the last battle we will have to fight for a long time, and there is no way that any enemies would want to come and attack the Moon or the heir to the Silver Millennium." Sailor Vesta smiled wanly.
"Honestly, Chibi Moon, how could you even think such a thing? You have way more important things to worry about. You're finally starting junior high! On a completely unrelated note, I'm thinking of taking some self-defense or martial arts classes once we get to Silver Genesis..." Diana straightened the buns in her hair.
"Of course. And since this was a one-time thing, there's definitely no need to let Mom and Dad know about this. And I shouldn't wonder how the Soldiers in the outer solar system missed this enemy. We should all just go to school and pretend like nothing happened," Sailor Chibi Moon said, examining her wound.
"Yes...I wish it could be that way, too, Chibi Moon," Sailor Ceres said, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder.
"This is our Moon, and Silver Genesis is our school. We will protect them no matter what," said Sailor Vesta.
Chibi Moon smiled and nodded resolutely. "You're right. We are the Protectors of the Moon. We can defeat any enemy as long as we fight together."
Diana pointed out the window excitedly. "Sailor Chibi Moon, everyone, look!"
"Oh for the...what now, another horror from beyond," Sailor Juno exclaimed.
Sailor Pallas moaned piteously. "Oh, I miss being asleep! Why did the King and Queen have to wake us up?"
"No, look!" Sailor Chibi Moon stared out the window to the shimmering dome glowing in the distance on the lunar surface. "It's the Silver Genesis School."
The six figures pressed their faces to the glass of the shuttle until it docked. After the shuttle landed, Usagi walked down the lowered stairway onto the paved walkway below and looked around.
"I'm home."