Three days later – Tuesday, July 20th
Making a sandwich, Usagi sighed as she thought about the nightmares. Why was Mamoru disappearing like that? Why was she dreaming of marrying him? Did he even think of her in that way? They still hadn't discussed the dreams they believed they were possibly sharing. He knew she might not have been able to meet him, but he didn't know about this Black Moon Clan or Chibiusa. He didn't know Chibiusa had convinced her parents to pack up and cut the trip short. They had left the very next morning to return home. She was glad summer break had started so she didn't have to deal with school on top of this.
Looking out the window, she wondered when Prince Diamond would come to her for an answer. It was already after two. She still hadn't decided what to do and she still wasn't sure if he was being honest. She needed someone else's opinion on it. Chibiusa was out with her friend, Shingo was out with his friends to check out the new game being released today, her father was at work, and her mother was about to leave to buy groceries. As soon as her mother left, she would call Minako and run everything by her.
Usagi heard someone knock on the front door and as her mother answered it, she thought about how if Chibiusa wasn't here then she wouldn't be grounded, she would be spending time with Shingo. That stupid brat just had to appear and put herself into their lives with the intent of stealing the Silver Crystal! Her blood ran cold when she heard her mother cry out. No. Not again.
The rest of the day was a blur and now Usagi stood in the park, holding a bouquet someone had given her. Tears filled her eyes as she glared at the dimming sky. She wanted to scream. She was here because there was no point in staying at the hospital. He was gone. Again. Angry, she whirled around, swinging the bouquet.
WHACK!
Petals flew as the flowers impacted the tree. It was a large tree, providing shade for people, but right now, it provided her with something to beat the bouquet against.
WHACK!
Petals continued to fly into the air as she repeatedly swung. Why did Shingo have to die again?
Her mother said. "Usagi, you're reaching the age where you will notice boys. One day, you'll start bringing your boyfriends around." Shingo beamed. "Don't worry, I'll fight them off and keep them away!" Everyone chuckled. Usagi shook her head. "You don't need to do that." Shingo crossed his arms. "I'm your brother. Brothers are supposed to protect their sisters." Their father asked. "How long are you going to protect her?" Shingo beamed. "Forever." Usagi said. "Forever?" He nodded. "Forever and ever. I'll always be here for you."
"Usagi! Higher! I want to go higher!" Shingo laughed as she pushed the swing harder, making him go higher. Usagi shook her head when he jumped off. "Shingo, one of these days you're going to get injured doing that." He stuck his tongue out at her.
While visiting a relative, it snowed and they had a snowball fight. Usagi smiled. "Ha! I win!" Accepting his defeat, Shingo said. "Let's make snow-angels." She nodded and got to work on her snow-angel. When Usagi got up out of the snow, Shingo laughed. "Ahaha! Usagi! Your snow-angel has antennas!" Usagi placed her hands on her hips. "That's her hair. Not antennas." Shingo nodded. "You're right. They're not antennas… they're horns!" He laughed as he ran and she chased after him. Their mother chastised them saying if they kept behaving that way whenever it snowed, then they can forget about going to the snow festival in February.
Shingo swished his cape. "I have slain the dragon!" Lifting her hand, he kissed it. Usagi scrunched up her face. "Eww." Shingo bowed. "Until we meet again, milady."
Usagi looked around. She was surrounded by trees and fog. The silence that greeted her was deafening. The forest made no sound. Shingo stood in front of her. She spoke. "Why?" He smiled. "This is my destiny." Shaking her head, Usagi said. "I'm not understanding." Shingo placed a hand over his heart, still smiling. "This is where I belong." She shook her head, still confused. "Why?" Her brother remained silent and she said. "I don't understand. If you will explain it to me..." Shingo said. "This is my destiny." He walked backward, slowly disappearing into the forest.
Usagi breathed heavily as she fell to her knees, crying and still holding the bouquet. Only now, the bouquet was nothing but stems. Even the leaves were gone. They had worked so hard to be there for Shingo. They did prevent his suicide. Mikami never gave him the gun this time. Unfortunately, Mikami was determined to see him die. When bullying Shingo into taking his own life didn't work, he grabbed a knife and did it himself. She wiped her tears away and stood as Mamoru approached her. "We should have taken care of Mikami. Maybe we can try again… I don't know..."
He asked. "Are you suggesting resetting time again?"
She shrugged. "Yes and no... I mean, it won't be fair to everyone else who has lost someone. Why should I force them to relive losing their loved ones just so I can keep mine? They won't remember losing someone, but that won't change the fact they already have." Sighing, she said. "I don't know... I just... need some time alone for a little while."
He nodded. "I understand and I'm here if you need anything." She nodded and watched him walk away. She should tell him about Prince Diamond and the Black Moon Clan. She should tell the senshi too.
Usagi was about to call out to him and ask if she could go to his apartment with him. There, inside, she'll tell him what happened while at the resort. She'll tell him about Rubeus and Prince Diamond. She'll get her time alone afterwards. However, she heard that brat's voice in the distance and saw red. This was all her fault. If not for her, Usagi could have been with Shingo. She could have saved him. Prince Diamond still hadn't come for an answer, but she knew he was watching, waiting for her to be alone. Once Mamoru was out of sight, she said. "I know you're there."
Prince Diamond appeared and he looked her over. She wore white shoes, a grey skirt, and a pink tank top with a light grey button down shirt over that. The grey shirt wasn't buttoned and would occasionally open even more whenever the wind blew. "What is your answer?"
She said. "I'll go with you."
He grinned like a cat with its prey cornered. He held out his hand and she took it. Pulling her to him and wrapping his other arm around her, he said. "Going to the 30th century isn't like teleporting from one place to another. Hold on tight."
She nodded and wrapped her free arm around him, closing her eyes. When he told her they were in the 30th century, she let go of him and looked around. The bedroom was huge. He stepped back. "This is where you'll stay." He caught her as she lost her balance. "You might need a day or two to get used to this place. The negative energy can be difficult to function in if you're not used to it."
She shook her head. "No, we need to strike now."
Prince Diamond said. "I need to check with my brother to find out her location. Then we strike. So, rest until I return." Usagi nodded, letting him lead her to the bed. She laid down, closing her eyes as he promised he would be back shortly.
Diana had reported to the King everything seemed fine and nothing was amiss. He told her to get his past self up to speed and let him and Sailor Venus take the lead. She was to tell Chibiusa to let the senshi use Luna-P to keep in touch since she would be going back to the 30th century to monitor things there. That's where she had been headed now that everything was in order here, but she heard Prince Diamond speak. Peeking through the bushes, she couldn't believe what she was witnessing. Their encounter was only seconds, clearly, they had spoken before. Running, she quickly caught up to Mamoru and told him what she saw. He transformed and told her to continue with her plan of going to the future. She was to tell the King and Pluto what has transpired and tell them to expect him and the senshi shortly.
Usagi woke up and was shocked to see Prince Diamond sitting on the bed. "Why didn't you wake me?" She tried sitting up but didn't have the energy. How was she weaker? Then she noticed she was in a dress. "Why are my clothes different?"
He smiled. "You looked so peaceful, I didn't want to disturb you. As for your clothes, I used magic to change them. You're less likely to stand out now."
Usagi finally managed to sit up. "Fine. Now how do we go about defeating Esmerald..." Her voice trailed off. "...what is that?"
He smirked as she stared at the hologram. "The queen."
She shook her head in disbelief. "That's... me."
He nodded as she slowly caught on. "Yes. You will become Neo Queen Serenity."
Usagi said. "But… if I'm the Queen and that child is the Queen's daughter… does that mean that brat is my child!?" Prince Diamond nodded. She continued to stare at the hologram. Crossing her arms, she said. "Then I won't have children. I will not be that brat's mother."
Prince Diamond shook his head. "No. There is no need to go to that extreme. That child is the product of you and Endymion. Children like her are the reason why love between the Moon and Earth was forbidden. Their magic isn't compatible and brats like her are the result."
She said. "So, I can still have a child as long as it isn't with anyone from Earth." She frowned. "Everyone is from Earth now."
He chuckled. "You would have to find out if they resided on Earth in the past, but that's too time-consuming and dangerous. You could be with someone ordinary, but would they understand your disappearances when the world needs saving? I'm your only option. I'm from the moon. It's why my hair is silver. I understand you have to protect the world and that duty comes first." She leaned back as he leaned over. Her heart was pounding as the rage, the anger she felt toward Chibiusa disappeared and was replaced with fear and the realization of how incredibly stupid her actions had been. She shouldn't have taken his offer. She should have contacted Sailor Venus and Tuxedo Kamen. She should have told the others about this. Leaning too far, she fell back and he climbed on top of her. Smirking, he caressed her cheek.
As he leaned in, the doors flew open. "Prince! The sailor senshi have come here and are on their way to the Queen's palace!"