Chapter 25
Wiseman's Evil Hand: Chibiusa Disappears
On the dark planet of Nemesis, Prince Demande, Saphir, and Esmeraude emerged from the corridor of darkness in a chamber of their fortress where Ultimecia was waiting.
"Saphir, set the Malefic Black Crystal Reactor to full power; direct all it's energy at the barrier at the crystal palace. Once the barrier has been eliminated, I will go get the queen myself, kill Sora, along with all their pathetic friends," Demande said.
"No, you mustn't! Brother, get over it, she rejected you in the past as Sailor Moon, and now, as Neo-Queen Serenity," protested Saphir.
"Enough," growled Demande.
"I fear you have lost sight of the ultimate objective of our Black Moon Clan, all because of your obsession with her. Our ancestors resented having to leave this once beautiful world, being forced to live here on Nemesis, and I for one have not forgotten to rewrite our plan to rewrite the other world's history so we can have our revenge," continued his brother.
But Demande lashed out Saphir and blasted him back.
"Sir, what are you doing?" Esmeruade asked with concern.
"Instead of wasting so much time lecturing me, why don't start by making yourself useful and power the reactor?" Demande asked darkly.
"As you command sir," replied Saphir, who recovered from the attack.
"Neo-Queen Serenity, one day, you'll be mine," Demande said to the projection, filling Esmeraude with bitter hatred and jealousy.
Back at the Crystal Palace, everyone was now standing around the Neo-Queen Serenity who was in a deep sleep after the siege of Crystal Tokyo.
"So this is the Crystal Palace," mused Minako.
"It's so quiet it feels like a ghost palace," said Makoto.
"Sure does, Makoto. And it's really giving me an uneasy feeling," replied Goofy.
"Yeah, same here," agreed Donald.
"I find it almost impossible to believe that people once lived in a place like this, before this whole siege started," said Roxas.
"And how those jerks from the Black Moon Clan just ravaged everyone," added Axel.
"If this place had been protected by the Legendary Silver Crystal, there wouldn't have been such extensive loss of life, and this much destruction," said Luna.
"So what happened to the Silver Crystal? Why wasn't it secured safely in the palace?" asked Artemis.
"I don't know Artemis," replied Riku, as Chibiusa dropped Luna P to the ground.
"Are you okay, Chibiusa?" Ami asked, handing the robotic cat head back to her.
"It's been a while, since Tuxedo Mask and Sora went to find Sailor Moon, I hope they're okay," said Luna.
"I'm gonna go look for them," declared Rei.
But she was suddenly stopped by King Endymion's projection who began operating the controls of the palace.
"That will not be necessary. Observe," He said.
They could see Sora, Sailor Moon, and Tuxedo Mask on the screen, making them relieved. Then at last the three of them arrived, tired by triumphant, as everyone rushed to greet them.
"We're back!" cheered Sora.
"Glad to see you, Jupiter, Terra, Aqua, Mercury, Venus, Roxas, Axel, Xion, Donald, Goofy, Mickey, Riku, Kairi, Namine, Ven, Mars," agreed Usagi as tears stung her eyes.
"Now stop crying! Pull it together! We're not out of the woods yet, you know!" barked Rei.
"Why are you so mean, Rei?" Usagi asked through her choked sobs.
"Oh, here we go again. I'm not mad at you, I'm just trying to cheer you up," she said, despite her frustration.
"That's enough, Rei. Can't you see that you're making Sailor Moon feel worse?" interjected Sora.
"But, Sora I was just…" protested Rei, only to see him giving her a firm glare.
"All right, all right! You don't need to be that harsh with me," she said.
"Good," replied Sora, until Minako hugged and kissed him.
"I'm so glad you brought her back to us, Sora," she said.
"Me too, Minako," he replied.
Then Endymion led them to a bedroom where they saw the crystal barrier shielding Neo-Queen Serenity's sleeping form.
"Is that?" Usagi asked.
"She is the monarch of Crystal Tokyo, Neo-Queen Serenity, and she is also my wife," answered Endymion.
"We finally meet, Neo-Queen Serenity," murmured Sora, just as Chibiusa ran to her side.
"I brought Sailor Moon, and all of her friends from the past to help. Mommy, please, open your eyes," she said.
"King Endymion, what's causing her to remain in this state?" asked Mamoru.
"I hate to ask, but will she ever wake up?" Minako asked as well.
'I don't know. But if the Legendary Silver Crystal hadn't been lost, we would still have hope that perhaps, she could be revived," replied Endymion.
"But how could something as powerful as that be lost?" asked Makoto.
"I wish I knew, the only possible explanation that I can think of is how it was removed from the palace, just before the Black Moon Clan's all out attack began," answered Endymion.
"Sailor Moon, why don't we see if your Silver Crystal will work?" suggested Rei.
"But she's been like this for such a long time, does my Crystal really have enough power to wake her up?" Usagi asked worriedly.
"You have to try," insisted Luna.
"Yeah, give it a shot," agreed Artemis.
"Have faith in yourself, Sailor Moon," added Tuxedo Mask.
"You can do it," finished Sora.
"All right," replied Sailor Moon.
Then she activated her brooch and used the Silver Crystal upon her future self. At first, Chibiusa was hopeful that it would work as the light of the Crystal shone down upon Neo-Queen Serenity, but nothing happened.
"It looks like nothing's happening," said Ami.
"It's no use, even Sailor Moon isn't strong enough to save Mommy," Chibiusa said softly.
The young girl soon ran out of her mother's chamber, as everyone called to her after catching Sailor Moon in their arms.
"Let's leave her alone for now. She'll be safe as long as he remains inside the palace," said Mamoru.
"Right," sighed Sora.
But Mamoru was wrong. Instead of staying safe and sound in the palace, Chibiusa had gotten out from behind the barrier, and went out to a ruined playground where she could spend some time trying to collect her thoughts on why her mother didn't awake after Sailor Moon's crystal shone down on her. Sitting on the swing, she was wondering what to do next, when a dark malevolent chuckle echoed nearby.
"Who is that?" she asked, glancing around nervously.
"I foresee, our stars are aligned with one another at this very moment, thus fate has brought me the Rabbit's capture," Wiseman said as he emerged from the darkness.
Chibiusa tried to run, but she was suddenly caught in Ultimecia's stop spell making it impossible to run away.
"It's useless, thanks to Ultimecia's magic and my power," chuckled the dark hooded man.
Then he caused the area around them to go dark.
"I see fear preying on your heart, memories of the Silver Crystal remain hidden in the far corners of your mind, under a clouded veil of sadness," continued Wiseman.
Chibiusa didn't want to listen, she knew her mother was a good queen, who ruled with kindness and compassion in her heart, but then soon heard the voices of many attendants telling her how she behaved poorly and would never become an elegant lady if she acted so childish as well as her own arguing about how she would grow into a beautiful but elegant young lady of her own making, just like her mother. Then, she saw for the first time, herself walking to the Crystal Chamber where she saw her mother's Silver Crystal glowing brightly, just so that she could borrow it for a short while. But when she saw it being taken out of the altar, and being held in her hands, it vanished in a flash of light, never to be seen again. Then from up on high, she heard the sound of thunder, followed by the sound of explosions as her mother searched desperately for her, only to be saved at the last moment by the Guardian Deities from Demande's attack, and her father suddenly being attacked as well. Last of all, she saw the entirety of Crystal Tokyo under siege by the Black Moon Clan, and the Heartless under their command, and Wiseman saw the truth.
"So, Legendary Silver Crystal vanished, and because you were traumatized by what you had done, you hid that memory deep in your mind." he said.
"You're wrong! I didn't do anything! It's not my fault!" cried Chibiusa.
"I wonder what your Sailor Guardian friends would say," remarked Wiseman.
Chibiusa looked up and saw everyone she knew berating her for the loss of the Silver Crystal, including images of Sora and his friends telling her she was nothing more than an impulsive child who deserves to be punished for what she had done, despite her protests, as they all said it was all her fault.
"I didn't do anything wrong! I didn't make it disappear! All I did was touch the Silver Crystal! It's not my fault!" Chibiusa wailed in denial.
"It is your fault!" her friends said, until another voice called to her.
Chibiusa tried to beg Wiseman not to let her see anymore of what she'd done.
"That's true, Rabbit, don't let those so called friends blame you. It's not your fault, use your power to prove to them you are right," he said to her.
"You really think I can do that? What if no one believes me?" asked Chibiusa.
"You will make them understand. Now, come and take my hand," replied Wiseman.
Chibiusa nodded, and took the hooded man's hand. As she did so, Saphir and Esmeraude noticed the reactor core suddenly activate.
"My, I have never seen the Malefic Black Crystal reactor brimming with so much energy," she said.
"It's like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. My brother doesn't realize how dangerous the power of the Malefic Black Crystal can be. He blindly does whatever that dubious sorcerer Wisman wants. I fear we may be taking the wrong path, by using the reactor," remarked Saphir, earning a sadistic chuckle from Esmeraude.
"Oh please, what makes you think any of us trust Wiseman? I'm sure Prince Demande is fully aware of the man's trick nature," scoffed Esmeraude.
"Sap Hr, is the reactor ready?" Demande asked via holographic communication.
"Prince Demande, there's no need to waste the Malefic Black Crystal on this mission, allow me to handle it for you instead," interjected Esmeraude, but the holographic image faded away.
"My brother has become too emotional. If he hadn't fallen in love with Neo-Queen Serenity, this new mission wouldn't be necessary, and we would have already killed Sailor Moon by the way" said Saphir.
"Enough of this! That blasted Queen is always in my way! I'll do Wiseman's bidding as long as I get rid of her! I'm not sure what Wiseman's after, but after all this is said and done, I"ll be the one using him to grant Prince Demande's wish for a new future! However, Neo-Queen Serenity won't be the one who builds the future with Prince Demande, It will be ME!" snapped Esmeraude.
Then she stormed off to Wiseman's fortress through the dark corridor, and demanded that Wiseman reveal himself to her. But suddenly she heard the sound of dark cold laughter echoing through the hallowed halls around her, causing Esmeraude to look around, until Wiseman appeared from the shadows.
"In the words of the ancients, anger emerges to give one power, but it is a double edged sword that confuses the mind and ears at the same time," he said.
"Are you trying to tell me I'm hearing things? Whatever. Wiseman I want to make a deal with you. I will attack the Crystal Palace myself, and destroy it once and for all, but to do that I will need strength, unlike any who have seen before. I'm sure you are a capable of giving me plenty of power," sneered Esmeraude.
"Are you doing this on the Prince's orders?" Wiseman asked curiously.
"No, but if the outcome of this battle is to your liking, that looks like a pretty good deal for you, wouldn't you say?" remarked Esmeraude.
"I foresee another future reining over the future with Prince Demande, and that queen is Queen Esmeraude," he said.
Esmeraude's eyes widened with excitement.
"Right now, Neo-Queen Serenity possesses more power than you, because of her position. But if you take in the full energy of the Malefic Black Crystal, You can become a queen with even greater power," continued the cloaked man.
Esmeraude was pleased to hear that, until she saw what looked like a crown slowly materialize before her, and passed it to her.
"Don't assume I'm buying into this idea of yours, but I'll do whatever it takes to win Prince Demande's heart, even if I have to make a deal with the devil," she said.
She took the crown, and soon felt herself being engulfed in it's power by a blinding burst of light. When it cleared, she was now dressed in a regal outfit, that made her look like a true queen as her laughter became more unhinged.
"My body's overflowing with power! I am the true future queen! Prince Demande will be mine! And we shall rule the world together!" she laughed maniacally.
"Oh really?" asked Ultimecia.
"I wouldn't be so sure," added Wiseman.
"What!?" gasped Esmeraude.
Then suddenly she felt herself being overwhelmed with darkness, making her feel afraid.
"Did you really think someone like you could control the Malefic Black Crystal's true power?" Wiseman asked rhetorically.
"Now you shall open your heart to the darkness within you, and let your whole being become darkness itself," said Ultimecia.
"Cursed fools!" cried Esmeraude as she collapsed to the ground.
Then in her final moments, she wondered if Prince Demande would be with her at this very moment, until the darkness overwhelmed her.
"Such a pathetic fool," sneered Wiseman.
Then he watched calmly, as Esmeraude had now become a great firebreathing dragon, and flew towards the Crystal Palace after breaking out of the dark fortress. As she did so, Sora, Sailor Moon, and all their friends rushed the control room to see a dragon on the screen, making them shocked and dismayed at how they could defeat such a terrible creature.
"Hold on, something's not right," said Endymion.
He punched in a series of controlled sequences to show them the data on the dragon's weaknesses, which impressed Sailor Mercury immensely about the technology.
"Observe, if these energy readings are correct, to fight this creature, you must see it's actual form. That creature must have been created using an enormously amplified life-energy. energy initiated by a human mind," he stated observantly.
"Are you serious?" Rei and Sora asked.
"What kind of sick ugly mind would think of making a huge ugly monster like that?" Usagi asked worriedly.
"I think I have a good idea, because it's knocking on our door!" Axel said, when they felt the palace rumbling.
"It's trying to destroy the barrier!" cried Luna.
"We'll have to go outside and distract it before it's able to break through. We have to do whatever we can, the main reason we came to the future was to help, and that's what we need to do right now," said Makoto, despite Usagi's dismay, while everyone nodded in agreement.
"Please look after Chibiusa, I mean, Small Lady," added Mamoru, as he hurried outside to join his friends.
"Good luck, everyone," replied Endymion, as he and the two cats stayed behind.
When they emerged outside, they could see that the dragon was doing everything it could to break through the barrier, but Sailor Moon was afraid of seeing it's massive size at a close range, but Sailor Mercury encouraged her friend to do her best.
"Here it comes!" cried Sora.
The dragon swooped down towards them sending a rush of air towards them, which they were barely able to dodge.
"Any right ideas on how to fight that thing?" asked Sailor Mars, as everyone recovered.
"Yeah, we hit it with all we got!" replied Roxas.
"That's right, so let's go for it!" agreed Sailor Venus.
But the dragon endured both the Love-Me Chain attack, as well as Roxas' Steller Inception, causing them to crash to the ground. Luna and Artemis looked upon the screen to see that it's injuries were healing, as they offered their encouragement to their friends.
"Serenity, if you can hear me, please give those people strength," Endymion said as he entered her chambers.
But then he noticed the Luna P appearing in a battered and beaten state, and he realized that Chibiusa was gone. Back outside, everyone was still unsure of how to beat the dragon as it tried to strike them with it's tail. Thankfully they were able to dodge it in time, but Sailor Moon collapsed to the ground, and recovered quickly. Using her Sparkling Wide Pressure attack, Sailor Jupiter was able to injure it, and sent it crashing to the ground.
"I think I got it!" she said.
"Yea! I knew you could do it!" cheered Sailor Moon.
"
Don't get cocky, Sailor Moon," warned Riku.
But Sailor Moon ignored him, until Tuxedo Mask warned her it was still alive. As the dust settled, Sailor Moon saw that he was right, and jumped back.
"Help her Tuxedo Mask!" cried Sora.
The caped crusader nodded, and managed to get her to safety, while Sailors Mars and Mercury used a combination of Burning Mandala and Shine Aqua Illusion on the dragon, but it retaliated with it's fire breath.
"This is taking forever it's useless!" Sailor Mars said.
"I'm afraid we're incapable of stopping it," agreed Sailor Mercury.
"Don't give up now!" Tuxedo Mask and Sora said together in a tone of voice that brooked no arguments.
"Believe that the power of Justice will always prevail. Remember King Endymion's words, see it's true form," continued the crusader.
Now they knew that the dragon was made entirely of dark energy, from Esmeraude. The dragon tried to strike at them again with it's fire breath, but Tuxedo Mask pushed Sailor Moon out of the way, and motioned for her to follow him. Tossing a rose at the jewel in the crown, everyone saw the dragon's power being disrupted, and gave Sailor Moon the go ahead to deliver the finishing blow.
"I'm counting on you, Moon Rod," she said.
Concentrating with all her heart, Sailor Moon focused her power upon the rod for her ultimate attack just as Sora prepared to make a leap of faith.
"Moon Princess Halation!" she cried out.
"Here I come, Esmeraude!" called Sora, as he jumped towards the dragon.
As Sailor Moon's attack struck the crown, Sora landed on the now transformed Esmeraude, plunged his Keyblade into her back, and ran up towards her head, and performed an upward reverse cut instantly destroying her. To Sailor Moon's surprise, Sora was right about the dragon being Esmeraude, who cried out in fear as she fell into the darkness, never to resurface again, as Sailor Venus looked up at Sora with an admiring smile on her face, as he landed beside Sailor Moon, with his back to her. At the same time, Prince Demande heard Esmeraude's voice calling out to him for the final time.
"They did it, they won Luna!" cheered Artemis.
They all turned towards King Endymion as he now had a somber look on his face, as he told them about how Chibiusa was gone, and not inside of the Crystal Palace. In his dark fortress, Wiseman and Ultimecia stood silently with each other.
"So Esmeraude has fallen to her demise into a dark void. Well, it was inevitable. After all, my true objective is not to help the Black Moon Clan get their revenge, and eventually Prince Demande and Saphir will be forced to give up their lives for the cause as well. The true power that I seek, is already in my possession," he said, as dark laughter echoed behind him.