Mercury looked Usagi over and decided what she needed most was a hot bath, food and rest. Her natural strength would see to everything else.
"I'll take her," Jupiter said. "The last thing she needs is questions, and I know as well as you how to take care of her bruises. The rest of you can see about food and a place to sleep."
"She seems to have regressed to a childish mentality," Mercury cautioned. "I think it's best if she doesn't see Chibiusa-chan till morning."
"I can talk to Chibiusa," Mars volunteered. "If we let her see Usagi after she's asleep, Chibiusa will accept that she's back. Venus can help keep her occupied till then."
"That's fine," Venus agreed.
Mercury nodded. "Then I'll see about food. Can you help, Tuxedo Kamen-sama?"
He watched Jupiter lead Usagi to the bathroom. "I guess so. She'll be okay?"
"As much as can be hoped," Ami answered, now de-henshined.
88888888
Makoto hummed as she helped Usagi wash her hair. The blonde was chattering about random things and the other girl just nodded as she checked for injuries. The bruise on her jaw was obvious enough, and street-wise Makoto knew it was the result of a fist to the face. There were a few mottling her right shoulder and arm, likely from a fall. None were going to hurt much, and the scrape on her leg would heal quickly.
She knew more than she'd admit to the others. There were secrets between them, especially with Usagi and Minako. Rei Saw more than she said. The brunette was sure Ami had information from her computer she'd never shared, be it about the past or their enemies. Well, Makoto knew some things too.
There were times at night when she heard a voice in the stars. Just words, here and there, not much content. Only in a storm, when a break in the clouds showed their bright lights, could she hear anything solid. She couldn't explain it- not what caused it, who she heard. The voice was familiar somehow, like a memory she couldn't reach. It warned her of danger before it struck, though it was never enough to avoid the trouble. It only let her temper it, to make it easier to deal with.
That voice had told her Usagi would need her. She'd assumed it meant she had to rescue her, but she knew now, with her best friend so vulnerable, she'd need Makoto's lack of questions. The others never would have been able to resist asking.
"I'm hungry," Usagi said, interrupting her thoughts. "What do we have to eat?"
Makoto smiled. "I'm not sure. Ami-chan was getting something together."
"No carrots," she said, wrinkling her nose like her namesake.
"Probably not. She knows you don't like them." She helped her friend to her feet. "Get dried off and we can go eat."
Makoto left Usagi's clothes where they were, reminding herself to take care of them later. She handed the blonde pajamas of soft pink flannel and a matching robe before ushering her down to the kitchens.
The palace kitchens were massive, of course, but there was a breakfast nook near the smallest oven. Ami was setting several plates of food on the table as they appeared.
Mamoru got up and set his hand on her jaw. Golden sparks danced against the skin until the dark bruise vanished. "Are you all right?"
Usagi nodded as she tumbled into her seat and reached for the food. "I'm okay." She piled rice and curry onto her plate.
Makoto met his gaze over Usagi's head. "She's fine," she confirmed. "Tired and still acting like a child, but nothing sleep can't fix. There are some bruises here and there, but I doubt any of them really hurt."
In the time it took to say that, the blonde devoured most of her supper. The others sat down and helped themselves. Usagi ate two more servings before her head began to fall on Mamoru's shoulder.
He smiled and helped her up. "I'll get her settled. Chibiusa-chan can come by in a half hour or so."
"Do you want to see her tonight?" Rei asked.
He shook his head. "I have to be with Usako. You understand, right?"
Ami nodded. "We can stay with Chibiusa-chan. She'd enjoy a sleepover."
Usagi murmured something, so he carried her upstairs. Everyone had settled in various guest rooms. The one he'd chosen was done in white with a large vase of roses on a table beneath the window. He set her on the bed, but she reached for him.
"Stay, Mamo-chan," she murmured. "Need you."
He nodded and settled next to her. "Go to sleep, Usako."
Usagi curled up against his side and was out in moments.
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Mamoru slipped out of bed the following morning just after what would've been dawn if there was anything other than darkness in their future. He went into the adjacent bathroom to wash up when Usagi started to scream.
He dashed back and grabbed her arms. "Usako, wake up! It's a nightmare, a dream; it's not real. I'm here. You're all right."
"No, it burns, and everyone stares, and it's evil! Don't make me stay here! Help!"
"Usako, come on," he pleaded. "You're in the Crystal Palace. You're not with the Black Moon Clan. You're safe. Wake up, Usa. Chibiusa-chan will be looking for you soon, and the Senshi. You're not alone."
"Mamo-chan! Mamo-chan, where are you? Mamo-chan!" There were tears rolling down her cheeks. "Don't leave me here!"
"I didn't. I couldn't. Wake up. Usako, you have to wake up." He anxiously brushed away the tears. "The curse broke, remember? You're not trapped. You're safe."
Usagi shuddered against his hands. "No, don't touch me! Mamo-chan!"
Rei appeared at the door, pale with worry. "What happened?"
"She's having a nightmare. I can't wake her up."
"Move." She knelt at the bedside, taking Usagi's hand. Her eyes closed. "She's reliving what happened, though I think you guessed that. The curse went deep, even with the steps we took to help ease it. We can't pull her out of it by talking and I don't have any charms on me. Either she'll watch the entire thing again, or she'll break free herself."
"Can you reach her?" Mamoru pressed. "You see her dreams. Can you interfere?"
"I can't stop her nightmares. I can change them, but she needs to be able to break free on her own."
"So make it something she can fight. There has to be a way to make this easier."
Rei's free hand clenched to a fist. "If I forced it to the Silver Millennium she'd be able to slip free, but that's be a lot more torment to add. She's fragile right now. I don't know if she can handle it."
"Would it be better if she went through her entire ordeal again?" he demanded. "We don't know what happened. I can help if she's dreaming of the Silver Millennium."
Usagi was weeping now, and the look on her face broke his heart. Rei saw it too and sighed. "You're right. Better something long gone than a new torture." Her eyes closed again and her face went blank. After a minute, she snapped back. "It's done, but hurry. I don't know how much she can take."
"No!" she cried. "Endymion! Don't die! You can't leave me!"
"I didn't leave you," he soothed. "I'm here, Usako. The Silver Millennium is gone. We're alive. I'm sitting right next to you."
She tore free of the dream and her eyes flew open, looking around wildly until they met his. An instant later she was in his arms, clinging to him.
"Mamo-chan," she cried. "Mamo-chan, Mamo-chan, Mamo-chan… You're here, you're really here. I'm not alone, right?" Rei slipped out as she wept against his chest. "You were gone, and there was so much pain, Mamo-chan. Don't leave me alone!"
Mamoru winced. "I won't. I wouldn't have left at all, but I had to save Chibiusa."
"Chibiusa!" Usagi bolted upright. "She's here! Is she all right? Oh, she must've been so scared!"
"She was at first, but we promised we'd bring you back. She'll be at breakfast if you think you'll be able to come down."
She nodded. "I'm fine." Her stomach growled. "…And hungry."
"There are some clothes in the closet," he told her as he went back to the bathroom. "They should fit."
The selection similar to what she'd been given the day before. Woolen slacks or skirts, cashmere sweaters in soft pastels, simple clothing she'd like. Usagi changed into grey slacks and a pale blue sweater before searching out a comb. Her thrashing had made a mess of her hair.
"Let me help."
She turned to smile at him. "Thanks."
He took it and sat behind her on the bed. "Are you really ready to be up? You lost a lot of energy. It'll take time to recover."
Usagi shook her head slightly. "There's a lot of healthy energy here, so I'm all right. I'll probably sleep a lot for a few days, but I avoided any permanent damage."
"What about that dream?" Mamoru asked in a low voice. "I couldn't wake you up."
She shuddered, not willing to discuss her captivity. "It'll go away. I'm fine."
He removed the last of the tangles. "If you insist, but be careful. You scared us."
Usagi quickly arranged her hair into its customary style. "I just want to move on, Mamo-chan. To be with you, Chibiusa-chan, and the girls. To visit Motoki-onii-san at Crown for a milkshake, to make fun of Luna and Artemis."
"Well, I don't know if Motoki survived to this era, but the rest of us are here."
She followed him down to the kitchen, but she only saw the room for a moment before Chibiusa was in her arms laughing and crying all at once.
"You're here, you're okay!" she cried against Usagi's sweater. "I was so scared."
"Oh, Chibiusa-chan," the older girl soothed. "It's okay to be scared; I was too. I'm back though, and I don't want to leave you again."
"Mama's hurt, and Papa is just a picture, and the Senshi don't hear me when I try to talk to them! Everyone's gone!"
Usagi looked at the others. "What happened?"
"The queen is comatose," Mamoru answered reluctantly. "It was the only way for the Senshi to save her, but they have to protect the palace so they can't release her. The king was hurt in the fighting. He linked his mind to the computer and uses a hologram to communicate. He's helped us while we've been here."
She stroked her daughter's hair. "We'll find a way to help them," Usagi promised.
"Breakfast's ready," Makoto contributed, setting a platter of pancakes on the table before turning back for the eggs and bacon. "We can talk more about what's happened later. For now let's be normal."
Everyone dug in, though Chibiusa refused to be away from Usagi and ate sitting on her lap. Usagi devoured more than any of the others, prompting the usual jokes about her piggish behavior. She responded in kind and laughter filled the room. Finally, everyone set aside their plates. Makoto whisked them away and began to clean up.
Chibiusa looked up at Usagi. "Help Mama. Please? You can do that, right?"
The young heroine frowned. "I don't know if I can, sweetie." Her hand pressed against her chest. "I don't have my broach. I can't be Sailor Moon."
"Actually," Kunzite told her, "the Crystal Star does not enable your transformation. That ability is in your Sailor Crystal, and you retained that. You only lack the knowledge of how to do so without the broach channeling the power."
Silence reigned for a moment before Minako spoke. "So how does she do that?"
"I am not familiar with the specifics of the Ginzuishou, of course, but it cannot be too different from what she does already. Should she wish it, the crystal will grant her request and endow her with a Senshi's power."
"That easily?" Usagi asked. "If it was so simple, why have I never transformed without a broach before?"
"At times you did not possess the Crystal Star or another transformation item, you also did not possess the Ginzuishou and were thus incapable of henshining," he said. "I would not recommend doing so in your current condition."
She nibbled her lip before smiling. "I'm fine, Kunzite. At least, I am while I'm here. The palace is full of positive energy, so I think I'd be able to use the Ginzuishou."
"Can you help Mama?" Chibiusa pressed. "Please?"
"You really shouldn't," Mamoru argued. "Not yet. Wait a day or two."
"How long has the queen been unconscious?" Usagi asked quietly.
"Since the Black Moon Clan arrived," Endymion said as his hologram appeared. "More than three months."
"And you haven't healed either?"
"There's not enough power left in the planet. When the battle is over, I'll recover."
"Do you know what's wrong with her?"
The king shook his head. "If I did, I would be doing everything in my power to bring her back. If she was well… The war would be finished. Dark Moon does not have the strength to fight her."
"So if I can revive her, we could go back to our normal lives."
He inclined his head. "I would assume so."
"But you don't know if I can succeed," she guessed.
"As the past is right now, you did not, but you know it is possible to change that."
"Then I should try." Usagi got to her feet. "Where is she?"
"She's in their chambers," Rei answered. "Minako-chan and I saw her. Usagi, she's not just asleep."
"What do you mean?"
"She's frozen," Minako said. "She's sealed in crystal and doesn't move, breathe, nothing. It's like being dead."
"The most appropriate term would be 'suspended animation'," Ami contributed. "She's not dead, but she's not truly alive. What troubles me is that your current powers would be sufficient to break such a seal. I don't know why the queen hasn't."
"There's always an answer," Makoto frowned. "Maybe it needs to be Usagi, or there's some other condition to be met."
"It doesn't matter. I have to find out if I can help her for Chibiusa's sake if nothing else." She met each of their gazes. "You know I'll try no matter what. At least if you're with me you'll be able to help."
Makoto nodded. "I'm with you, Usagi-chan."
Rei sighed. "You're a reckless girl, but I'm with you too. Just keep in mind I'll stop you if you do too much." Ami and Minako nodded.
Mamoru stood and took her hand. "I think it's too soon, but I'd never let you go alone. I'll be with you, and I'll help however I can."
"Kunzite?" she asked.
"I stand with you."
"No reprimands for being foolish?"
He shook his head. "You saved my life, and I vowed to follow you. You know the potential repercussions of your actions."
They entered Endymion and Serenity's suite together. There in the front room lay the queen. In a way, the scene was lovely. Neo Queen Serenity had retained the beauty of youth while adding maturity, and the crystal shrouding her was clear. Were it not for the absolute stillness, she could've been asleep.
Endymion and Mamoru saw it differently. The image was failure. They'd failed to protect her and she'd been reduced to a lifeless shell. There was no heartbeat, no breath, no signs of life at all. Mamoru sent up a silent prayer that he'd never have to see Usagi sealed beneath the crystal surface, beautiful and altogether beyond him.
Usagi trailed her hand over the smooth facets. "This is strange. I'm here, but I'm in there too."
"Can you help?" Chibiusa asked.
"I don't know. Nothing I learned as Princess Serenity explains something like this. Where's her Ginzuishou?"
"We don't know. It vanished just before the Black Moon Clan attacked," Endymion informed her.
"That's impossible," she muttered in frustration. "She'd be dead. Even the Senshi can't hold her without the Ginzuishou." She took a deep breath. "How do I henshin? Would saying the words be enough?"
"If you reinforce the words with a wish, that should prove sufficient," Kunzite said.
"Here goes." She closed her eyes. "MOON CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE-UP!"
The Ginzuishou appeared in her hand before settling against her chest as it would in her broach. When the henshin was complete, there was no Crystal Star on her bow and the gem had vanished. She ran careful hands down the sides of her fuku.
"So Sailor Moon does exist without the broach," Makoto contributed. "We should henshin too. If necessary we can give you some of our power."
Sailor Moon nodded, so the others raised their Star Wands and henshined as Mamoru drew his rose.
"Try it," Mars urged.
She stepped toward the crystal tomb again. "MOON CRYSTAL POWER!"
The beams of light flared like usual, and the Senshi's tiaras glowed until the energy filled the room. It sparkled against Neo Queen Serenity's face, but nothing seemed to be happening. Sailor Moon wouldn't give up and tried harder, but the Ginzuishou began to demand energy she couldn't give and she had to stop.
"She didn't respond to it at all," Mercury said.
"So, she can't…" Chibiusa whispered. "Even Sailor Moon can't save Mama." She turned and fled as Sailor Moon fell, her Senshi catching her.
"Chibiusa!" she cried, getting to her feet, but Tuxedo Kamen stopped her.
"Let her be by herself for now. She'll be safe as long as she's inside the palace."
88888888
Chibiusa didn't know how to cope with knowing Sailor Moon- powerful, beautiful Sailor Moon- couldn't help her mother. She'd been told stories of the Moon Senshi all her life, and to find out she'd fail when Chibiusa needed her most… Crying, she didn't notice when she crossed the Senshi's protective barrier. Chibiusa went to an old swing of hers with Luna-P and sat down.
"Mama, what should I do?" A strange laugh echoed through the deserted city and she looked around wildly. "Who's there?"
A cloaked figure appeared, hands moving endlessly about a crystal orb. "I foresee that the star of my fate is at its most ideal. That is to say, the capture of the Rabbit!"
The little girl bolted, frightened by the stranger, but she found herself frozen in place. "I can't move…"
He laughed again. "It's no use! This place is already within our territory." The world seemed to turn dark and eyes glowed in the shadowed face. "I see it. The terror lurking in your heart. Abandoned in a corner of your mind, wrapped up in a veil of oblivion, your memory of the legendary Ginzuishou…"
"No… No!" she shouted, covering her ears as Luna-P fell to the ground. He was in her mind, hearing her most private thoughts, seeing her memories…
'My wonderful mama. A great queen loved by all.'
There was a broken vase at her feet as servants shouted at her.
"Small Lady, you were up to no good again, weren't you?"
"If you keep acting like that, you'll never be a fine lady!"
"Ha! I will, too!" she answered defiantly before running off.
"Small Lady!" the first called after her retreating back.
"I want to hurry up and become a lady, too. Hurry up and… Hurry up and become a real lady! Just like Mama!" She went to the center of the palace, where the Silver Crystal lay on a velvet cushion beneath glass. She lifted Luna-P. "Just for a little while… I'll only borrow it for a bit. Because if I hold the legendary Ginzuishou, I'll get to be like my wonderful mama."
Luna-P disengaged the security and she lifted it into her hands, marveling at its warm glow. Her face lit with happiness. Then the crystal flared.
"NO!" she cried as it vanished from sight. "Oh, the Ginzuishou… No, please don't disappear!"
Lightning crackled outside the palace and explosions devastated the city. Neo Queen Serenity searched for her daughter, calling her name. That attack flew at the vulnerable queen, who was saved only by the quick actions of her Senshi as the little girl cried for her mother. She shouted for her father too as he was injured in the assault.
"NO! Papa! Mama!"
"I see. So, the legendary Ginzuishou vanished. And fearful of the crime you had committed, you erased the incident from your own memory."
She shook her head violently. "No! It… It wasn't my fault!"
"Well, let's see what they say about it then," Wiseman taunted.
"What?" Chibiusa asked, surprised.
An image of the Senshi appeared, shouting accusations with dark expressions on their normally cheerful faces.
Chibiusa curled up on the ground, hands over her ears once more. "No! No!"
They all pointed. "It's your fault! It's your fault!"
"I did nothing wrong! I just touched the Ginzuishou for a second! It's not my fault!"
"It's your fault!"
"Small Lady!"
The figures of the Senshi faded away, and again she saw the queen under attack as the Senshi sealed her away.
"No! It's not my fault!"
"That is right, Rabbit," Wiseman agreed. "You are correct. And you must assert your innocence by force."
"I can do that? I can get everyone to understand me?"
"You will make them understand that you are correct. Now, take my hand."
She was desperate to be believed, to not be blamed, not realizing it hadn't been the Senshi who condemned her. Luna-P rolled away as Chibiusa took those fateful steps.
88888888
Prince Diamond paced in agitation. "I need Serenity," he snapped.
Saphir sighed. "She is within the bounds of the palace and not likely to leave. I do not see how you could hope to reach her."
"Then there must be a way to draw her out."
"She is not a fool, nii-san. She will stay where she is safe until she has healed, and then there would be no way to capture her again."
"So force her out. She cannot be Sailor Moon, which means she is vulnerable."
"You mean attack the shield?" Saphir asked. "That is suicide. No one would accept such a mission."
"Unless she had no other choice," Diamond countered. "Because of Esmeraude's treachery Serenity escaped. It would be most fitting if she was to retrieve her."
"I cannot believe you would sacrifice Esmeraude for this. Nii-san, we had a goal when we came here."
Diamond ruffled his brother's hair in a rare show of affection. "I remember. We will be able to live freely on Earth. I believe Serenity is the way to achieve our dream." He settled back in his throne and took a sip of wine. "Esmeraude."
The general appeared at once, kneeling before him. "Diamond-sama."
"You disobeyed me and your actions resulted in the loss of a valuable prisoner. As payment for your crime, you are now to place the Crystal Palace in a state of siege until you capture Serenity and return her here. Am I clear?"
"Diamond-sama, I apologize, but I do not possess such power. I would only exhaust myself against the barrier."
"See Wiseman for something to aid you. It is this or a far more severe punishment. Do you understand?"
Esmeraude inclined her head. "Yes, Diamond-sama." She teleported away.
The hologram podium activated and two images appeared- Neo Queen Serenity and Sailor Moon. The prince smiled as he planned.
88888888
"Wiseman!" Esmeraude called as she appeared in his workroom. "Where are you? Show yourself!"
A strange laugh bounced across the crystal walls and the general narrowed her eyes. When she asked who was there, the sound only repeated. Wiseman phased through the floor and into view.
"The dead say, 'Anger comes from within and gives you strength, a double-edged sword that bewitches what you hear and what you think'."
"Are you saying I just imagined hearing that?" she demanded. "Well, never mind. Wiseman, I need your help! I will be personally taking charge of attacking Crystal Palace, and to do that I need power greater than anything ever before. I'm sure you'll be able to give me that."
"Is this an order from the prince?"
"Yes, as punishment for my crimes. Since it helps you it shouldn't matter."
Wiseman caressed his crystal ball. "I foresee the image of the queen reigning over the coming future. That is Queen Esmeraude."
"Queen?" she whispered.
It wasn't the first time Wiseman had used Esmeraude's desire for Diamond against her. That was how he'd been able to make her attack Sailor Moon. She wasn't a foolish woman, but anger clouded her thoughts. She believed what he said.
"The difference in power that sets you apart from Neo Queen Serenity is very slight. In short, with the power of the Jakokuzuishou, you will surpass the queen."
"I will be queen…"
A gem formed in the depths of the orb before pulling free and becoming a crown of the same black crystal as the walls. It flew to Esmeraude. Though she reached for it automatically, she didn't touch it.
"I don't want you to think I can be lured to take the bait so easily, but if it's to win Diamond-sama's heart I would even make a deal with the Devil himself." She took the crown but screamed as its energy flowed. Wiseman watched, unmoving, as she laughed when the light cleared, gowned as a queen might be. "This power brimming within my body! I am indeed the queen of the future! The ruler who will govern the world together with Diamond-sama!"
The sorcerer spoke once more, eyes glowing. "Are you quite certain of that?"
"What?" Esmeraude demanded. Smoke rose around her. "What is this?"
"Do you think someone like you could handle the true power of the Jakokuzuishou? You shall sacrifice your life for me."
"Damn you, Wiseman," the general managed as she collapsed. "Diamond-sama… I wanted to rule the country of the future with you…" She passed out and the smoke began to form a cocoon around her.
"Foolish woman," Wiseman sneered.
The cocoon grew and grew until a dragon appeared and smashed out of the base before teleporting to the Crystal Palace.
88888888
When the palace began quaking, the Senshi ran for the computer center. Endymion was there looking for answers. One of the screens displayed the dragon as it attacked.
"What?" Sailor Moon squeaked.
"You're kidding me, right?" Jupiter demanded.
"We're going to fight that thing?" Mars asked.
"Wait!" Endymion intervened. "Do not panic, my friends!" He activated another portion of the console and the image changed to an analysis of the beast. "This is… Look. Do not be deceived by its appearance. That dragon is formed by amplified life energy. In other words, the energy of a person's heart."
"A person's heart?" Mars repeated.
The moonchild grimaced. "What person's heart would create that monster?"
Luna and Artemis joined them. "At this rate, it's going to break through the barrier!" Luna said.
"We have no choice but to go outside and draw the dragon's attention away," Jupiter decided.
"I knew it…" Sailor Moon moaned. She had to go since her Halation was needed to destroy a droid, but she didn't know if her power could stand another drain so soon.
"Anyway, let's do whatever we can!" the stormy Senshi encouraged. The others nodded.
"King, please take care of Chibiusa… no, I mean, Small Lady," Tuxedo Kamen requested. The king agreed as they raced from the room.
"Be strong, brave ones," Endymion said.
88888888
The dragon's assault was fierce, and the Senshi who fought to maintain it felt every single strike.
"It's huge!" Sailor Moon cried.
"We'll lose if we're scared," Mercury responded.
The creature turned on them, and the wind of its passing threw them off their feet. Venus caught Sailor Moon, sheltering her.
"But how should we fight it?" Mars asked.
"Well, we just have to take a chance!" Venus said. "VENUS LOVE-ME CHAIN!"
A large gash was scored in the dragon's flank, but another gust threw her to the ground. The others raced to her side as the mark vanished.
"Mars," the Moon Senshi shouted, "try to read its mind! The dragon won't show damage because it's amplified energy. There's a person in there who'll be hurt. I need to know if we can help them."
"What if it's one of the ones who hurt you?" Tuxedo Kamen asked. "Why should we help them?"
"If we don't, we're no better than they are."
Mars didn't argue. "Rin, Pyo, Tou, Sha, Kai, Jin, Retsu, Zai, Zen!" Red flame stretched forward, and at first it seemed like it would fail. At the last moment it touched the center of the crown and held. "They're crying…"
"Crying?" the girls repeated.
"Like they suffered a broken heart again and again… Like they were betrayed… This person was hurt somehow."
"Then I can save them?" Sailor Moon asked.
"Maybe. I don't know if you can use that much power."
"Mercury, find out how to destroy the dragon-form," Venus ordered. "Jupiter, we need it grounded."
"Got it. SPARKLING WIDE PRESSURE!"
"How do we hold it?" Sailor Moon asked. "If we're not careful we'll kill them."
Mercury tapped on her visor. "Jupiter, use a low-grade attack to keep it paralyzed. To destroy the dragon, destroy the object amplifying their energy- the crown."
"Who is it, though?" Mars wondered.
It was Esmeraude. It had to be Esmeraude. Attacking the barrier was suicidal and the general had lost Diamond's favor for what she'd done. Sailor Moon didn't know where the crown was from, though she had suspicions on that too.
"Hold it," she ordered. "Venus, destroy the crown if you can. Your Crescent Beam doesn't spread as widely as my Halation. Will it work, Mercury?"
"It should," the Senshi of Knowledge answered. "The dragon is powerful. The crown is just an amplifier."
The Amazonian Senshi threw out a hand, electricity crackling in her palm. "SUPREME THUNDER!"
"Keep it steady," Mercury warned. "Hurry, Venus."
Venus leapt onto the dragon's snout and pressed her finger to the jewel at the center. "CRESCENT BEAM!"
At first there seemed to be no response to the attack. Sailor Moon was about to try when a crack formed. An instant later the crown shattered and smoke shrouded the form. When it faded, a woman fell unconscious to the ground.
"Esmeraude!" Tuxedo Kamen hissed.
The Senshi recoiled. All but Sailor Moon. The blonde knelt and brushed her hair from her face before checking for a pulse. "She's alive. We have to get her inside."
"She kidnapped Chibiusa," Venus said, disbelieving. "She helped keep you there."
"She's also the one who tried to kill me," Sailor Moon said. "She's not evil. She's hurt. Should I let her become another Beryl? Should I kill her? She's been forced to watch the man she loves chase someone else. No one deserves that."
Jupiter shrugged, slinging the woman over her shoulder. "How do we get her in?"
"The barrier prevents anyone with ill intentions from entering," Mercury told her leader. "I don't know if we can take her inside."
Mars sighed, not liking the idea but going along with it. "It blocks ill intentions. Esmeraude is unconscious, so she has no intentions."
Tuxedo Kamen frowned. "Do you really think this is a good idea, Usako?"
"No, but I have to try."
