Sorry it's been a while... I genuinely just kept forgetting to write, lol xD You'll have to remind me if I'm taking too long in future x
Thanks once again for the people who take the time to give me some feedback, it's greatly appreciated :)
Chapter updated 21/07/2014 - Beyond this point, chapters without this prefix will not follow on chronologically.
There was a cold rush of air through the wind and Usagi glanced up as Ami transformed. Using the unexpected light as a distraction, she leapt into action, shooting her tiara at Jadeite who was red with rage, his eyes wide, pupils dilated. Nephrite moaned, his hands clutched to his face which was now covered in blood.
"We'll be back scouts," Jadeite hissed, "Count on it." He grabbed Nephrite's shoulder and they vanished.
"Thank Selene for that," Usagi moaned, slipping onto the floor. She blinked in surprise as Ami knelt before her on one knee. Minako, seeing what was happening, dived in.
"Ami, no need to be so formal! She's only the head of the guard after all," her eyes flashed meaningfully as she spoke and Ami nodded very slightly as she stood.
"We should get going before they wake up," Usagi said brusquely, giving her head a shake. "Makoto, mind if we regroup over at yours?"
"Sure," Makoto laughed a little shakily, "I think you just saved my life."
"Maybe, but you definitely gave Nephrite something to remember you by," Minako winked, "Come on, I'll carry you."
"Carry me?" Makoto's voice rose a little.
"You'll never get there quick enough if you walk," she sighed, darting forwards and scooping up Makoto, who was a good half foot taller than Minako, before jumping out the window.
"She's just showing off," Usagi said, rolling her eyes and then grinning at Ami, "Come on, we'll talk at Makoto's." Ami watched as Sailor Mars and Sailor Moon followed Minako out of the window and headed over, taking a deep breath as she looked down to the street far below. She had wonderful, if hazy, memories of a life so long ago in which she would have followed them in a heartbeat, but this first time was going to take a little courage.
"Why did you leave?" Nephrite asked, twitching his nose before the mirror, checking that it was straight; healing powers could only do so much it appeared. Perhaps the golden crystal, he thought idly.
"They were going to kill you," Jadeite shrugged.
"And now Queen Beryl will to significantly worse to you," Nephrite pointed out.
"Not yet," Jadeite shrugged, "I have until the end of the day and I intend to use the time wisely."
"Go on then, what will you do?"
"I will call the sailor scouts to fight with me, properly and on my terms."
"As much as I hate to say it they're not stupid," Nephrite said, turning to his comrade, "They'll either beat you senseless or just not show up."
"They will show up," Jadeite sighed. "Beryl will expect a spectacle, and I have to provide." He strode past Nephrite to a relatively smooth patch of the dark stone walls and pressed his hand against it, humming a single note as he did so. The stone rippled and became transparent, showing an image of Tokyo city. "Sailor Moon," he said, his voice echoing across the tops of the buildings, "Sailor Venus, Sailor Mars, Sailor Mercury, and Tuxedo Mask. Come to the airport at midnight tonight and we shall finish this. Fail to turn up and…" he let the sentence hang as Tokyo city burnt.
"You can't take all of them on alone," Nephrite said flatly, "it's suicide. Beryl would know that as well."
"Maybe if there were one fewer I would try," Jadeite shrugged, "But as it is I have no intention of going alone."
"Who will you take."
"Zoisite. He's weaker than you, and he'll go along."
"He hasn't gone before. It will be hard for him to see Minerva and have... that take over."
"It'll happen eventually, either way."
Minako screamed, reeling back from the window.
"It's alright," Usagi said quickly, "It wasn't real, just a vision he sent us. We'll fight him and it won't happen." She put an arm around Minako and fished her phone from out of her jeans pocket, speed dialling the number two.
"See that? Yeah. Well we're gonna have to go. Time? Earlier the better, gives us a chance to scope out the place first. Ten sound good? See you then," and she hung up.
"Tuxedo Mask?" Minako asked.
"Yeah. Guys, is it alright if I go?"
"Sure," Rei smiled, "we might actually get something done." Usagi ignored her and left.
"Right," Ami said, turning away from the now calm city, "Why doesn't Usagi know she's the princess?"
"You mean you remember?" Rei asked a little jealous, "No fair."
"Only hazily," Ami said, thinking hard, "But that last evening is sharp as anything." She shuddered and her hand involuntarily flinched towards her neck.
"Do you guys mind if I have a private word with Ami?" Minako asked.
"Of course not," Makoto said, smiling sympathetically.
"Nah, I've got to get to the shrine anyway."
Minako lead Ami through into her room and sat her down at the end of the bed. "Makoto still doesn't know," she said, getting straight to business, "Who she is, I mean. Rei doesn't remember the past but I've filled her in on the essentials. Usagi knows nothing about the past and we're going to keep it that way."
"You didn't tell Rei about Jadeite, did you?"
"No. I thought it was kinder not to."
"Jadeite and Nephrite are still here. It's only a matter of time before Zoisite and Kunzite come as well."
"I know," Minako's voice broke as she looked down at the floor. "and with them…"
"Beryl." Ami's face was stony, "that bitch."
"Ami!" Minako gasped, "You never swe-" she stopped mid-sentence. "I'm sorry. It's just that Minerva never swore."
"I don't usually," Ami sighed, "But I'll make an exception for Beryl." She reached forward into the air, towards the pocket in which she had stowed her transformation pen, pulling out a blue hand held console.
"You know you could probably get away with tell people that's a DS, so you can still use it in public."
"Except that if Mercury is seen with it people may connect the two," Ami said absently, bringing a visor across her eyes by twiddling a blue earring she had not been wearing that morning, "and my mum's going to flip when she sees these," she indicated her ears, "she exploded when I took the dye out of my hair."
"You are definitely the most recognisable scout," Minako sighed, "Especially if you hang around with me all of a sudden."
"Unless we start a trend."
"Start a trend?" Minako's eyes gleamed, "I think I can manage that in my new official role as contact with the outside world," she winked. "Blue hair and mini skirts sweep the streets of Tokyo, I can see it already."
Usagi slid into the stool at the bar and smiled over at Mamoru as he did the same. "Hey," she said, a little distracted.
"You alright?" he asked, frowning a little in concern.
"What? Oh, no, nothing wrong." She brushed him off and smiled tentatively at Motoki, who smiled back.
"Hey Usa," he came over, "Time for a shake?"
"No," she shook her head, "I just wanted a word."
"Well here I am," he smiled.
"I just wanted you to know," she said slowly, "That, no matter what happens next, right here and now I care for you more than anyone." She looked up at him and he was surprised to see tears sparkling in her eyes. Before he could respond, however, she had jumped from the stool and ran out of the arcade. She ran until she was home and locked herself in her room, curling up in the corner by the window. Luna, who had been disturbed by the slamming of the door, jumped off the bed and moved over to Usagi.
"What's wrong?" she asked softly.
"It's just getting the way it used to be," she replied, "I want to tell Motoki but I can't, and now there's the girls as well who are keeping secrets from me I just know it."
"You are keeping secrets from them too," Luna pointed out.
"The same secret you mean," Usagi laughed. "Artemis has shown Minako the past life, I just know it. I've seen the way she looks at me since she was 'ill' and it's different, as though I'm not just Usagi anymore." Luna did not speak for a moment, as though trying to decide the best way to approach the problem, but Usagi continued before she even had the chance. "Add to that the fact that I'm pretty sure Ami remembers the past all by herself…"
"You still cannot remember Endymion himself clearly?" Luna asked tentatively.
"You know I can't remember any faces, and I don't want to. But I'm pretty sure I've found him anyway and it sucks. Why should I love a guy just because someone whose memories I have rattling around in my brain loved him thousands of years ago?"
"There is no law saying that you have to," Luna told her, "Your mother gave her life to give you this chance to live the way you want to."
"Well this isn't how I wanted it," she sniffed, "And she wasn't my mother."
"Very well then, Queen Serenity gave you this life whichever way you look at it, and the memories you have are not going to feel right until you accept them as part of who you are."
"I don't even want these memories."
"And I don't want you to have them either. Selene if I'd had a clue exactly who you were I'd have backed off and allowed Artemis to awake Venus instead."
"Well maybe you should have done that!"
"I'm beginning to think it might have been for the best," Luna sighed, "but look at the young woman you've grown into Usagi. No matter what you say, I'm proud of you."
"What is there to be proud of?"
"I heard Jadeite's message. We both know he won't fight fair and that the chances of you walking away will be slim, but we also both know that won't stop you from going."
"No," Usagi sniffed, "I suppose not."
"If you go down, I think your mums making pie again."
"I'm not really very hungry. I think I'll just try and get some sleep before I have to head over to the airport."
"I'll call in with Artemis then," Usagi could imagine that if she could, Luna would have smiled when she said that. She changed quickly into her pyjamas and slipped under the covers, yawning a little. Luna moved under the bed where she kept her communicator.
"Artemis," she hissed into the microphone, "Artemis are you there?"
"Yeah, it's me."
"Good, can you talk?"
"Yeah, Rei and Ami have gone and Makoto and Minako are in the other room."
"Anything to report."
"Well… I guess you have to find out sooner or later," he sighed. "Usagi is…"
"The Princess?"
"How did you know?" Artemis responded, flabbergast.
"Of course I knew idiot," Luna growled, "I've spent the last two years fighting at her side."
"How much does she remember?"
"Most things, but not faces. She couldn't recognise any of the senshi if they were in front of her, but she thinks she's found Prince Endymion."
"It's quite possible. Minako knows who he is."
Luna sighed, "She's determined she won't fall in love with him just because Serenity did, but I still think there will be something there."
"I'd be surprised if their wasn't," Artemis shrugged, "Their love beat back the borders of the silver millennium. A little thing like a new life won't stop that."
"I know." Luna sighed, "Don't tell Minako that Usagi knows about her heritage. She's still touchy about the subject."
"I won't," Artemis said seriously. "I'll see you tonight at the airport."
"Very well."
"It's freezing here," Usagi shivered, "You'd think we'd at least stay warm in these damn things." She picked at the edge of her fuku, scowling a little.
"The cold is the least of our worries."
"Says the senshi of water," Usagi rolled her eyes.
"And wisdom," Ami said absently, "There are guards surrounding the airport. They're obviously going to try and stop us getting in or something."
"Pity lame ass isn't here," Minako winked, "We could use him as a distraction."
"He should be here any minute," Usagi complained, "he's already late." Even as she spoke a figure clad in black jumped down and landed on the pavement beside her.
"Sorry I'm late," he panted, "got held up by a friend."
"Boyfriend?" Minako teased. Mamoru shuddered, wondering how Minako would react if she ever found out she was talking about himself and Motoki. Granted she didn't know them all that well, but still.
"So Mercury," Usagi said firmly, "Found us a way in yet?"
"Nothing so far," Ami replied, "but I think if we wait another ten minutes we may get a clear run which'll allow us to jump up to the roof and across to the runways."
"What's the plan when we get there?" Mamoru asked, looking around at the nervous faces.
"We spread ourselves out and hide," Ami said instantly, "To try and provide ourselves with a tactical advantage over Jadeite and anyone with him. If we're lucky they won't have arrived yet."
"And if they have?" Minako asked.
"Then the fight starts a little early I guess," Usagi shrugged. They waited silently for a while, their breath misting in the cold night air before them, Tuxedo Mask (the only one with a watch) checking the time every thirty seconds. At exactly eighteen minutes past ten, Ami nodded and lead them as they made a break towards the airport. Usagi, who was the quickest by far, was the first to make the jump, shortly followed by Tuxedo Mask, Rei, Minako and Ami. Luna and Artemis jumped up together, moving slowly behind the scouts and Tuxedo Mask.
"You two stay back," Usagi called to them, "I don't want you getting hurt." They moved to the other end of the building and glanced down at the runway. It was pitch black, but with her visor on Ami could see anyway.
"There are two of them," she whispered, her stomach churning. "Jadeite and… someone I don't know." She had so nearly said Zoisite.
"Well we could try surround them," Usagi said, "Where are they standing?"
"Usagi, just use your goggles," Luna hissed.
"Oh, yeah…" Usagi blushed and reached into the air, pulling back a pair of red goggles, "you all should have a pair too," she said to Minako and Rei, who both nodded and reached for their own. Minako's were blue while Rei's were the same colour as Usagi's. "I'd forgotten about these," Usagi said, "I just haven't needed them in years." She scanned the runway before she spoke again, "We could surround them. Mask, can you see?"
"I can," he said, tapping his white mask, "Must be some magic in this that lets me do it."
"Right then, you stay here. You and Sailor Moon can be our eyes in the sky, as it were," Ami said, tapping away at the console. Mars, Venus and myself will go to the runway level."
"Why am I stuck up here with the lame ass?" Usagi asked.
"Because you two have the best long range attacks," Ami replied, "It makes the most sense."
"Alright then. Let's get this over with, shall we?" Rei nodded and lead Ami and Minako down onto the runway.
"So you decided to come after all," Zoisite said softly, "I must tell the truth, I thought you would stay away."
"Is this piece of shit Zoisite then?" Rei asked through bared teeth, "or Kunzite?"
"Shame on you, Princess Bellona, not remembering the past life. Your companions do, I can see it pouring off them, and your friend on the rooftop too. I can feel the desperation in her heart, seeing memories she can't place as her own." Minako glanced uneasily at Rei. "And to think you hadn't even noticed. Some friends you turned out to be…"
"Says you, you bastard!" Ami burst out.
"So, Princess Minerva," Zoistie's voice had changed. It was husky and he moved forward until he was offensively close to Ami who seemed frozen on the spot. He leant forward and whispered in her ear. She closed her eyes and shuddered as his breath brushed against her neck, jumping back and slapping him hard.
"Bitch," he hissed, spitting blood. "I killed you once and I can do it again." He raised his hand to the sky, but not before Rei had begun to chant, "Rin, Pyo, Tou, Sha, Kai, Jin, Retsu, Zai, Zen!" she had conjured an ofuda from thin air and threw it straight at Zoisite.
Even as Rei whooped in triumph, a great roar behind them made them turn. A jet was moving along the runway towards them at ever increasing speeds. "Shit!" she shouted, and then "run!" Minako and Ami did not need telling twice.
"We're going to run out of runway soon!" Minako panted as the sea got nearer and nearer. Then there was a flash of red light. Turning, they saw a red rose embedded in the run way before the plane.
"Do you enjoy fighting with girls more than half your age?" Tuxedo Mask asked as he jumped to the ground. Jadeite snarled and jumped at him, the air around the two of them lighting up silver and gold as Jadeite's lightening fought with Mamoru's golden power. The two of them were blasted from the ground and into the water. "I can't locate them with the console," Ami gabbled, typing away as she scanned the deep water. Even the ripples were gone.
Then, a single rose floated to the surface. Usagi felt her heart contract and a scream was ripped from her. Suddenly she knew she had to get to Tuxedo Mask, had to make sure that he survived because she knew that if he didn't neither would she. She ran, faster than she ever had before, and dived into the cold unforgiving water. Her goggles allowed her to see through the murk but bubbles still obscured her vision as she struggled towards the flashing lights down below.
Tuxedo Mask was losing, she could tell that much, and Jadeite was forcing him deeper and deeper while his own sodden suit and cape weighed him down at the same time. Usagi kicked against the water, pushing herself lower and lower while her lungs screamed at her that she needed to breathe.
As she pushed herself deeper into the water, a soft glow began to flow through her body. It felt warm, powerful but above all else it felt familiar. It gave Usagi the strength she needed to push down and yank Jadeite away from Tuxedo Mask, her eyes flashing silver as she kicked him in the stomach, sending a stream of bubbles to the surface as she winded him. With all her leftover strength, she dragged Tuxedo Mask up to the surface and heaved him onto the ground before the power drained from her limbs and she herself slipped below the surface.
Sailors Mars, Mercury and Venus had not even noticed when Usagi dived in after the pair, for Zoisite had finally managed to tear the ofuda from his uniform and was fighting the three of them alone. "Fire soul!" Rei shouted, but he merely waved a hand and the flames vanished.
"Crescent Beam!" Minako shouted, but the same happened again. "We need something that'll stop him seeing us!" she shouted.
"Let me," Ami replied, "Shabon spray!" bubbles erupted from her palms, bringing with them a thick white mist that, with their goggles and visor the senshi could see through with ease. The same however could not be said for Zoisite, who had by now been joined by a sopping wet Jadeite, whose blond hair was plastered to his forehead, his eyes flashing with anger. "This is more like it!" Minako squealed gleefully, getting ready to launch another attack.
"Sailor Mercury, quick! Sailor Moon is still in the sea, I think she's drowning!" Ami's head snapped around at the sound of Luna's voice and she ran as fast as she could towards the water, not even stopping before the motionless form of Tuxedo Mask as she dived. Ami knew she was a good swimmer and each kick propelled her closer towards Usagi, she could feel it. When finally Usagi did come into view, she was no longer wearing her fuku. Instead, there were pink ribbons draped loosely across her body. Ami did not think this was a good sign. She put an arm around her friends waist and pointed the other hand down, shouting in a spray of bubbles. The force of the attack pushed them straight to the surface, where Ami pulled herself onto the shore and then dragged the limp form of Usagi after her.
"Usagi," she whispered, pushing strands of wet hair back from Usagi's closed eyelids, "Usagi, wake up." Tears stung at her eyes as she struggled to think. She had read so much so why the hell could she not remember how to do CPR?
"Get out of the way," she felt someone push her to the side and blinked as she realised that it was Tuxedo Mask. He had thrown his hat and mask to one side was already compressing Usagi's chest. Ami put a hand to her mouth, watching Usagi for any signs of life. Tuxedo Mask put his mouth to hers, forcing air into her lungs before compressing her chest again and again and again.
Then, miraculously, she coughed and water spattered across her chest. The ribbons tightened around her body and her fuku was there once more. "Endymion?" She paused for a brief moment. "Mamoru?" she said blearily and then he kissed her, his arms holding her tight as he cried in relief.
"I thought you'd died," he whispered.
"Takes a bit more than that to get rid of me," she coughed, leaning her forehead against his. Minako and Rei ran up to them, panting. "We got rid of them," Minako said triumphantly. "We turned the planes on Jadeite and once he'd gone Zoisite just left."
"What happened here?" Rei asked, taking in how wet everyone was.
"We went swimming," Usagi giggled. Mamoru moved over, removing his jacket and draping it about her shoulders.
"Mamoru?" Minako's eyes widened. "You're Tuxedo Mask?" She had known before, of course, but he didn't have to know that.
"Well yeah," he shrugged.
"God no wonder you were such a lame ass," she winked.
"Come on," Rei said, "The shrine's nearest and you guys can warm up there." She lead the way as they headed back out of the airport, stopping on the rooftop for about two minutes to make sure that the way was clear before making a break for it."Minako," Usagi said quietly. "It's alright. I know."
"You know what?" Minako asked, turning to look at her, eyebrows rising slightly.
"I'm the Princess. I've known since the beginning."
"Of course you have," Minako sighed. "Come on, we can talk about this later. We need to get you dry."
Rei didn't need to find any dry clothes as when the three of them undid their transformations the ones they had been wearing previously were still dry, but she showed them the bathroom and gave them towels. Usagi took the first shower and Mamoru the last, but when they were done they all headed to Rei's room.
"Right, I've called Makoto so she knows we're OK. She's gonna call your parents," she looked at Ami and Usagi, "And tell them you're sleeping over there. She also says that you are free to stay there if we get done here."
"Can I talk to you for a sec?" Usagi asked Mamoru quietly. He nodded and they headed outside. No one tried to stop them. Usagi settled herself on the ground, leaning her head against the wall and was unsurprised when Mamoru sat beside her. "What do we do now?" Usagi asked, turning to Mamoru.
"What do you mean?"
"You can't say this isn't complicated," Usagi pointed out. "I'm dating your best friend; I definitely have some feelings for him even if I'm not sure what they are right now. Add to that that I may only love you because Serenity did in the past life then please paint me confused."
"I thought Sailor Moon might be the princess," Mamoru said after a moment, "But I never thought that you were Sailor Moon, not even for a moment."
"No one ever does," Usagi shrugged, "Perfect cover. Minako knew of course, but it's better that it's out in the open I suppose." She sighed heavily.
"It's funny, because I thought there was something wrong with me."
"What do you mean?"
"I was developing feelings for two people at the same time, and then they both turned out to be you."
"I… I just don't know." Usagi bit her lip. "How much do you remember about the past?"
"Very little," Mamoru shrugged, "Mainly bits and pieces from what Serenity... you, told me me in my dreams. But don't worry, I won't pressure you. I get that you need some time to think. I'll give you that and I'll respect your decision when you're done."
"Thank you," she smiled up at him. "It's funny," she said, "When I met you as Tuxedo Mask, I thought you were such a dumb ass."
"And you let me know," he nodded, smiling.
"But then the whole time I actually knew you, and you're not that much of a jerk once people get to know you. I mean you could tease Minako about her grades a little less and stuff like that, but still," she paused, "I think it may have been the suit. It did look kinda stupid."
Mamoru laughed and nodded, "the hat's a bit much for certain."
"And the mask's a little girly."
"Hey, no insulting the mask."
"I'll insult the mask if I want to insult the mask."
"Oh you did not just go there."
"I am… disappointed," Beryl's voice rang through the cavern and the three men before her flinched visibly. "The energy collected today was less even than pitiful, Jadeite, despite the help of your comrades."
"If I may, majesty…"
"Silence!" Beryl's eyes swept across the three men and lanced on Jadeite, who had shut his mouth and was now looking determinedly at his feet. "You have been warned in the past, and now it has come to this. I sentence you to eternal sleep-"
"No, highness please!"
"Do not presume to interrupt me," her eyes flared with anger as Jadeite spoke and she raised a pale hand crackling with invisible power. Jadeite screamed as he was encased slowly in a dark, crystalline substance which then slowly disappeared, taking him with it. "Jadeite now suffers a fate worse than death," Beryl said silkily, looking from Nephrite to Zoisite, "but you will both be given the chance to redeem yourself for your failures today. Zoisite, you will concentrate on finding and eliminating the sailor scouts. They are turning out to be far more of a nuisance than I could have envisioned. You are dismissed." Zoisite bowed stiffly and turned, heading straight for the door.
"Nephrite," Beryl positively purred, stepping down from the platform from which she kept watch on the dark chasm. "You are to be given a special task," she reached into her dress and drew out a black crystal on a long chain, unfastening it from around her neck and passing it to him. It was still warm from the contact with her skin. "This will lead you to the rainbow crystals which form a part of the greater silver crystal. Collect them and bring them to me. Zoisite, your failure today was shameful. Nephrite shall take over active duty for now." Zoisite did not react.
Beryl fastened the chain around his neck, her soft fingers brushing against his chin as she pulled back. She rested them there for a moment and then kissed him deeply and passionately, allowing him to enjoy it for a moment before she pulled away. "Now go." She watched as he left, thinking just how easy it was to manipulate these men.
"We should probably go back inside," Usagi said at last, turning to look at Mamoru.
"I guess so," he shrugged, standing and offering her a hand.
"What, think I can't stand up alone?" she smirked, taking the offered hand any way. Mamoru opened the door and stood aside to let her in first. Usagi sniffed the air and looked towards the plate of clearly warm cookies sat upon the table.
"Help yourselves," Rei said to them as they came in, "I don't know about you, but I find beating the crap outta people always leaves me more than a little hungry."
"Definitely," Usagi laughed, taking one of the cookies and passing one to Mamoru. There was silence for a moment until Usagi swallowed. "So what do we do now? I mean it's going to be really obvious that we're the scouts if we hang around each other too much."
"Yeah, that kinda sucks," Rei sighed.
"And it's my fault," Minako sank onto Rei's bed.
"Don't say that," Usagi said sharply, "if you hadn't transformed then who knows what would have happened. What we need," she said slowly, "Is a way to convince the public that we aren't the senshi." A grin began to spread across her face.
"What?" Minako asked guardedly.
"This," Usagi said, reaching into the air, "is the Luna Pen. It conjures disguises."
"That," Minako said after a moment, "is genius."
