Disclaimer: I don't own Sailormoon
A/N: Thanks for the awesome reviews. Though I can't deny I had hoped for more review...oh well beggars can't be chosers. Anyway let's get on with the story.
The group has arrived at the entrance of Crystal Tokyo. "Well how do we open this gate," Venus asked as Mercury examined the gate.
"This is where I come in," Chibi-usa said. She walked up to the gate and held up the key and yelled out the incantations. The group watched as the gate began to open and a white light came out of the gate to envelop the group. When the light faded, the group found themselves looking at a city completely made of crystals.
"So this is the future," Jupiter said.
"Yes, but the future can always change," a voice said.
The group looked toward the source of the voice and saw a figure approaching them. Immediately the senshis surround Chibi-usa expecting an attack. "Who's there," Tuxedo-Kamen demanded.
"The King sent me to take all of you to the Crystal Palace," the small figure replied.
The group noticed that the figure was actually quite small and was walking on all four. "Diana," Chibi-usa shouted as she pushed through the surprised looking senshis.
"I'm so glad to see you're well Small Lady," the little purple cat said as she nuzzled Chibi-usa's face.
"Uhh...Chibi-usa who's this talking cat," Venus asked.
"Yeah it has a crescent moon on its forehead just like Luna and Artemis," Mars said as she looked between the little kitten and the two cats.
Before Chibi-usa could answer, Diana jumped out of her arms and faced the rest of the group. "I'm sorry that I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Diana and the King had sent me to escort you to the Crystal Palace," Diana said bowing her head, "we really must get going before the enemy tries to attack us. I promise to answer any questions I can once we arrived at the Crystal Palace."
"You guys can trust Diana," Chibi-usa put in.
Sailor Moon and the rest of the group nodded their head. "Any friend of Chibi-usa is our friend. Lead the way Diana," Sailor Moon said smiling at the kitten.
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Demando sat on his throne in present time twirling his wine with an upset look. 'Where is that Esmeraude,' he thought as he put down his wine and got up.
'I did sense the use of dark crystals a while ago,' Demando thought as he suddenly realizes how the dark crystals could have been used for, 'she wouldn't!'
He walked out of his throne room and entered another room where a giant computer like device was. He furiously punched buttons as the screen turned on. "Sapir," Demando yelled.
"You called brother," Saphir said as an image of him appeared on the screen.
"Tell me, did Esmeraude returned to Dark Crystal Palace," Demando asked with a furious gleam in his eyes.
"Yes, I had just ran into her moments ago. She mentioned something about how the senshis of the past would arrive in Crystal Tokyo shortly," Sapir replied.
"Where is Esmeraude now," Demando asked.
"The scanner says she's not in the palace right now," Saphir said.
"I'm returning to the palace now. Make certain no attacks are launched by ANYONE, especially Esmeraude, until I arrive and give the order to do so," Demando said.
"Don't worry brother, I'll keep an eye on Esmeraude," Sapir said with a bow of his head before the screen turned blank.
'All my efforts to distance that Earth prince from Serenity is ruined. That Esmeraude has a lot of nerve,' Demando thought darkly as he tightly clenched his hand into a fist, 'Whatever it takes, Serenity will not fall out of my grasp!'
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"Welcome to Crystal Palace," Diana said as the group entered into a massive hall, "We will not have to worry about an attack since there is a barrier surrounding the palace and the palace gardens. As long as you don't step out of the palace gates, you will be safe."
"This place is incredible," Venus said as the group looked around to see a staircase leading up and more hallways leading else where.
"Excuse me Diana, but where is this King you and Pluto spoke of," Mercury asked.
"We would like to meet him. I'm sure he can give us important information on the Dark Moon Clan," Mars said.
"I'm sorry, but the King said it is not yet time to reveal himself as he felt there is still a matter to be resolved although his highness said he's confident the matter will be settled soon," Diana said as she looked up at Tuxedo-Kamen at the last statement.
No one took notice of this since they were still in awe of the Crystal Palace, except for Tuxedo-Kamen who had kept his attention on Sailor Moon wondering if she's getting her strength back.
"In the mean time, the King has prepared rooms for each of you knowing all of you must be tired. You're free to explore the entire palace grounds, just remember to stay within the barriers," Diana said, "I will meet all of you in the conference room down that hall tomorrow to inform you of any information the King may give me. Lets meet after breakfast. Now let me show each of you to your room after a tour of the palace. I'm sure Small Lady can help me with the tour."
"Of course," Chibi-usa said excitedly feeling anxious to see if anything has changed since her departure to the past.
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After insistence from Diana and assurance from Chibi-usa about the safety within the Crystal Palace barrier, the senshis and Tuxedo-Kamen agreed to detransform until the meeting in the conference room. At the end of the tour, everyone went to explore the palace on their own. Makoto went to the kitchen insisting she'll cook dinner and breakfast. Ami wanted to look at the books in the Crystal Palace library saying she may learn more about their enemy. Diana agreed on the condition Ami won't look at any important events in history that their present had yet to experience. Rei and Minako decided to stay with Diana and Chibi-usa since Chibi-usa had wanted company to show other parts of the palace to. Luna and Artemis decided to tag along with Ami as they too wanted to learn more about the enemy.
Usagi stood at one of the palace gardens admiring the different flowers. She reflected over the day's events and hoped she will be able to help Chibi-usa's mother with the Ginzuisho. Usagi was too absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't notice how Mamoru was following her.
'I wonder what's on her mind,' Mamoru thought as he watched Usagi in the shadows.
He had been worried that Usagi has not fully regained her strength so he decided to follow her to keep an eye on her. Mamoru was also struggling to find the courage to talk to Usagi. Ever since Usagi's outburst at him, Mamoru had spent every moment wondering if he should tell Usagi the truth. He finally comes to the decision that he can't stand to cause Usagi any more pain and will explain his action to her as well as ask for her forgiveness. This feeling only increased when he heard Hiroshi's love confession to Usagi. Mamoru had wanted to talk to Usagi that day after school and overheard Hiroshi's confession. Afraid of what Usagi's reaction would be, he ran away before he could hear her answer.
'Did you accept his love Usako,' Mamoru wondered with a pained face.
Then he shook his head thinking, 'I can't worry about that now. I have to talk to Usako and hope she'll forgive me. The pain I've put her through is not worth it. I don't even know if the dream's prediction is real.'
Taking a deep breath, he stepped out causing Usagi to look up noticing his presence. "We need to talk," Mamoru said as he and Usagi looked at each other.
A/N: Ohhh...finally the confrontation scene in the next chapter. Still thinking of how to do that, but I do know what I want the result to be...any thoughts on this chap. or the next? Thanks again to those who review. Hope to see more reviews for this chapter! 'Til next time.