Identity Crisis
Summary: Diamond has made everyone believe that Rei is Sailor Moon, and Serena is Sailor Mars in order to draw Serena away from Darien, and weaken the group to the powers of the Black Crystal. Will his plan succeed? Which will Darien choose: Love or duty?
I do not own Sailor Moon, its characters, illustrations, etc.
This story takes place in the second season of Sailor Moon, shortly before the Scouts ventures into the future. Please review...
Chapter One:
Prince Diamond approaches the full-length mirror, clad in his usual white apparel. His shoulder-length white hair falls in greasy tendrils around his face, and his silver-blue eyes have the cold, impenetrable look of ice.
He fixes his stare on the glass before him, which does not reflect his own image, but rather illustrates the fight looming beyond his dimension--- his own servants: Rubeus, Catsy, Prisma, Berdy, and Coan are locked in a heated battle against the Sailor Warriors: Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter.
For several minutes, he observes the encounter with cool contempt. Internally, he cringes to see his prize fighters bested by Sailor Moon's radiant pink powers. "But she's special," he thought, turning his gaze to the blonde-haired, blue-eyed Sailor warrior.
Suddenly, a flash of red in the mirror demands his attention. The caped-fighter, Tuxedo Mask stands atop a telephone pole, having thrown a dagger-sharp rose at Catsy. Mask leaps to the ground, landing beside Sailor Moon, and quickly shields her from Catsy's retaliation.
Prince Diamond openly snarls at him--- the man who would cause him so much heartache in the future; the one person that stood between him and his Queen, Serenity. In both the past and future, he had tried to sway Serenity's affections from Tuxedo Mask, but none had succeeded. Prince Diamond had been forced to acknowledge the love she has for him--- something so powerful that, even he, mighty ruler of the Negaverse, could do nothing to obliviate it. "Until now," he amends.
With that said, Prince Diamond reveals his third eye, and a bright light emanates from its pupil. He cast its magic into the mirror, and through to the warriors on the other side.
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In Tokyo, during the battle:
Sailor Moon raises her moon scepter, and levels its power at Rubeus. He dodges its' pink moon beams by a few centimeters, before tumbling into a tummy-roll that steers him towards Sailor Mars.
Sailor Mars fails to notice the oncoming assault from Rubeus; instead aiming her "Mars Fire Surround" at Coan, who blocks the attack with a flick of her hand. Luckily, Sailor Jupiter had finished her hand-to-hand combat with Prisma, who she left gasping on the ground in pain, and so she levels her own attack on Rubeus. The lightening power hits him full on, and he too, falls to the ground, in a heap.
Sailors Venus and Mercury are likewise engaged, battling Catsy and Berdy.
Sailor Moon raises her scepter again shouting "Moon Princess Elimination", and suddenly everyone is engulfed by the warm glow of her powers. The Negaverse servants, also know as the Black Moon family, feel themselves growing weak--- their suspended bodies begin to grow limp, as the evil is washed out of them.
Catsy, who is on the edge of the fight, and was spared the brunt of Sailor Moon's influence, forces herself into action again. Steeling her magic, she runs straight at Sailor Moon, when a brilliant red rose digs itself into her flesh.
She lets out an ear-piercing scream--- the anger that suffuses her transforms into a wave of pure power, which she sends rippling out in currents. Tuxedo Mask protects Sailor Moon with his cape; the others are spared because Sailor Moon's magic is still protecting them.
The fight comes to a standstill. Everyone is heaving, nursing wounded limbs, when suddenly a menacing light shoots through Sailor Moon's protective bubble, and out towards her and Tuxedo Mask. The light attaches itself to Sailor Venus' tiara, and then bounces off that, to grab each Sailor Scout, in turn.
The light grabs Tuxedo Mask by the throat. The Sailor Scouts and Tuxedo Mask all collapse, simultaneously, drifting into unconsciousness.
The Black Moon family leaps to their feet, ready to launch further attacks on the now helpless "warriors of love and justice," when Prince Diamond's booming voice is heard above the clouds. "Return to me," he barks in a voice like the calm before the storm.
"But, master, we can defeat them."
"I order you to spare their lives"
"Why? These love-obsessed pests can be of no service to you."
"Sniveling ingrates---do you not see? I sent you to the past to kill the scouts, to prevent their stronger, future selves from defending Crystal Tokyo; to manipulate Sailor Moon, also known as future Neo-Queen Serenity, into becoming my bride. But what a waste of their potential? Unconscious, as they are, I will simply alter their memories---make them believe that Sailor Mars is the moon princess. Such unstable leadership will lead to discourse among them. Tuxedo Mask will love Mars instead of the true Sailor Moon, since it was always her title he cared for. They will all lose confidence, and I can seize upon their weakness--- turn them into Negaverse soldiers."
"Prince Diamond, your plan seems quite implausible---"
"SILENCE! Do you dare defy my orders Rubeus? I will remind you that you are a dispensable servant, whose life is in my hands...."
"I meant no harm, Your Majesty. I just pray you heed caution. Your affections for the girl may be clouding your better judgment."
"Enough of your disrespect--- any other words you speak will be your last. Understand?"
Rubeus, too scared to utter "yes", or "no", merely nods, and bows in the direction of Diamond's voice.
"Now return". Immediately, said, Rubeus's, Coan's, Catsy's, Berdy's, and Prisma's silhouettes begin to flicker, and then disappear.
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Author's notes: Please read and review. I welcome ANY suggestions or ideas for future chapters.
