Author's Note: In this story I combine elements from the original Sailor Moon Anime (Japanese & English versions) as well as elements from the new Crystal Anime/Manga. This story centers around the events of Sailor Moon R/Season 2/Black Moon Arc. Please note I use the Japanese versions of first names for the sailor senshi. Enjoy! :-)
Chapter One
Old News
It's been five years since the Black Moon took over Tokyo. The Sailor Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen haven't been seen since the last great battle against the Black Moon Clan. The battle destroyed the Door of Space and Time, the only way to return to Crystal Tokyo. The city fell under the rule of Prince Demande, who instantly cut Tokyo off from the rest of the world to impose his rule and to get rid of any threat to his reign. He and the Black Moon Clan are biding their time, waiting to return to Crystal Tokyo, or to stop it from ever existing. They, along with the rest of the world, believed that the Sailor Senshi had been defeated but instead their memories had been erased, the work of a spell cast by Sailor Pluto before the door was destroyed. The spell was intended to be temporary, lasting just long enough for the senshi to regain their strength and draw closer to the time of Crystal Tokyo, where they could all be reunited.
"Wake up princess." A man's voice echoed.
"I'm so tired." She replied. "I want to keep sleeping."
"You're the strongest of us all." The voice said to her, more urgent this time. "You have to wake up. You have to remember. It's nearly time."
"Remember? Remember what?" She asked.
"Tokyo. The Moon. Luna. Artemis. Mercury. Venus. Mars. Jupiter. Me…"
"I don't understand." She said. "What should I remember?"
"We need you. We must reunite before they discover us." The man's voice sounded softer, as if he were walking away. "Everyday they draw closer. Each day that passes is another that we lose."
"Wait." She pleaded. "What am I supposed to do? I don't understand!"
"Find me." He said as his voice faded away. "Remember—"
"Usagi." Ms. Tatsuo said sternly as she walked down the length of her classroom. Her black heels clicked loudly against the tiled floor until she came to a stop beside a worn wooden desk.
A girl with long blond hair was fast asleep, her head resting against her open textbook, a pencil still in her hands. Her hair was gathered into two balls on either side of her head, both of them sprouting a long ribbon of golden hair that fell to the floor. All around her were other students, busily working on their assignments but watching their classmate from the corner of their eyes.
"Usagi Tsukino!" Ms. Tatsuo bellowed as she slammed her ruler against the edge of the desk.
Usagi's head jerked up as her brilliant blue eyes popped open. "Wha… what?"
"Get out of my class! NOW!" Ms. Tatsuo shouted as she pointed at the door.
Usagi glanced around herself, keenly aware of her classmates' eyes following her movements as she rose. She closed her textbook and slid it into her bag as she pushed her hair out of her face. This was the second time this semester she had fallen asleep in class.
"IF I catch you sleeping in my class again, I'll report you to the headmistress!" Ms. Tatsuo said as she caught the edge of Usagi's elbow and ushered her to the door.
The young girl felt her cheeks flush as she was all but pushed to the door. "I'm sorry, I stayed up late last night finishing my homework—"
"I don't want to hear your excuses." Ms. Tatsuo said as she threw the door open and pushed her into the hallway. "This is your last year of high school. If you are not ready to join Prince Demande's Black Moon Academy then you're not useful to Tokyo… and I don't need to tell you what happens to those who aren't useful."
"No Ms. Tatsuo." Usagi said as she hung her head. "I'll do better."
"You'd better figure out just how important your future is to you." Ms. Tatsuo said as she slammed the door on Usagi's face, leaving her alone in the hall.
"Again?" A soft voice asked from behind her.
Usagi turned around to face another girl, dressed in the same uniform as she was. She had short blue hair and light blue eyes that twinkled as she smiled.
"Akari." Usagi said, relieved. "I don't think you can save me from this one. Ms. Tatuso caught me sleeping… again."
"If the headmistress finds you in the hallway she'll kick you out of the school for good this time." Akari said worriedly as she glanced down the hall towards the glass doors of the front office. "Class five is about to leave on a day trip, come with us."
Usagi glanced at the glass doors. The bamboo blinds were closed, at least for the moment. The headmistress liked to roam the hallways and check on the senior classes, scoping out which students needed to be flagged for the Academy and kicking out those that weren't worthy. Ever since Usagi had started high school, it seemed the headmistress had taken a personal interest in her, jumping on every failure that seemed to befall her. "Won't your teacher notice?" Usagi asked.
"She's out, we have a substitute today, Ms. Tanaka." Akari said quickly as she took her arm and led her down the hallway, joining the end of a line headed for the bus just outside the school doors.
Usagi instantly fixed her uniform jacket, making sure the navy collar settled down correctly around her neck and that her white shirt was tucked in properly to her gray skirt.
"Hurry up ladies, you're going to miss this bus!" Ms. Tanaka shouted as she spotted the two girls emerge from the school.
Akari and Usagi sprinted to the bus as the engine turned on, rumbling as it sat ready to go. "Sorry Ms. Tanaka." Akari breathed as she and Usagi reached the steps.
"Get in!" Ms. Tanaka said as she stood aside and the two girls climbed in, settling on the back row as the bus doors shut.
"Alright boys and girls, we are on our way to the Black Moon Museum. It has just been finished and we are one of the first classes who will get to visit!" Ms. Tanaka said as the bus bumped along the road, heading for downtown. "The museum will highlight the great contributions that Black Moon has made to our city, including their great triumph in the battle for Tokyo against the Sailor Senshi."
Usagi leaned against the window of the bus, watching the city pass by. She saw a billboard of Prince Demande as they passed, his brilliant white hair nearly shimmering in the morning light. She found his light blue eyes striking, almost comforting.
"He's so dreamy." One girl with thick black hair said in the row before them. "When I get to the Academy, he'll notice me right away—"
Another girl beside her chuckled. "Notice you? Everyone knows he's dating Esmeraude… and even if he wasn't, he still wouldn't be interested in you."
"Esmeraude? She's just a glorified secretary." The black-haired girl scoffed. "All she does is relay his messages on TV or do interviews and the things he can't be bothered with."
"Look." Akari said, interrupting the chatter as the bus bumped past the massive black stone skyscraper, the renowned Black Moon Academy. It stretched sixty stories into the air, higher than any of the other buildings around it. The sunlight only highlighted the darkened windows and dark stone, making it appear as if it were glistening.
"You think any of us will make it there?" Usagi asked softly as the bus fell into silence. Everyone watched in awe as the bus passed.
"You never know. The Academy takes all sorts of people— this is the location for the scholars. There's still the military campus on the south side and the medical campus to the north." Akari replied softly as the building disappeared. "I hope to join the medical campus."
"I don't know where I'd fit in." Usagi sighed as she slumped against her seat. "I'm not good at anything."
"Everyone has a talent." Akari pressed as she turned to face her. "You're smart Usagi, and fast… maybe you're military material."
"Me? Fighting?" Usagi laughed nervously. "I'm not strong enough."
"Military isn't just fighting." Akari replied as she leaned back against the seat. "There's an intelligence division and then there's the mystical division. The Black Moon can give you powers."
"Powers…" Usagi repeated softly, wondering what type of power the Black Moon gave to those that weren't part of their clan. They were easy enough to spot on the streets, the black crescents shining on their foreheads. Nemesis had opened their planet to the Earth, allowing in more members of the Black Moon clan while not allowing any Earthlings to their own planets. In fact, regular humans were treated like second class citizens. Past nine at night no one was allowed outside unless they were part of the Black Moon. Holidays now followed the Black Moon calendar and only the highest government and military positions went to their own ranks.
"Do you ever wonder what it would be like if we didn't live under the Black Moon's control?" Usagi asked softly. "Don't you remember how it was? How free we were?"
"Shh." Akari said worriedly as her eyes flashed to Ms. Tanaka's back, hoping she hadn't heard. "Talking like that will get you thrown in jail or worse… kicked out of school!"
"If there's a Black Moon clan… then there must be a White Moon one too right?" Usagi asked as she glanced into the morning sky, her eyes searching the heavens for the moon.
"They were the Sailor Senshi." Akari replied in a hushed voice. "They were from the Moon… the one up there." She said as her finger pointed to the sky. "At least that's the rumor… no one knows for sure. There was speculation they were regular humans with ties to the moon. Neither story seems true. The Moon can't support life—"
The bus shuddered as it came to a stop before a large white stone building. Immediately Ms. Tanaka exited the bus, her students forming a line behind her. Usagi trailed at the end, her eyes taking in the magnificence of the museum, standing four stories tall with the front completely made of glass.
"Stay together class!" Ms. Tanaka said as she raised a red folder into the air. "Follow me inside!"
Akari and Usagi joined the line of students following Ms. Tanaka's red folder, climbing the crisp new stone steps to the magnificent glass entrance of the museum. Two guards stood at the door, their gray uniform bearing the dark mark of the black moon on their chests. They eyeballed each student that entered the building, their silver swords glittering hauntingly against their hips.
"Good morning and welcome to the Black Moon Museum." A sharp woman's voice said from the entrance. She was dressed in a from fitting short, golden dress complete with matching heels. Her light brown hair was tied back in a tight bun though her bangs partially obscured the mark of the Black Moon on her forehead. The only jewelry she wore was a pair of black crystal earrings. "My name is Calaveras and I am the curator of the museum. Today is our grand opening and I'm pleased to lead this tour myself. Follow me inside and stay close so you don't get lost."
Akari tugged on Usagi's sleeve as they passed a large sculpture of a man, his short hair and sharp eyes unmistakable. "Blue Saphir." She whispered to her.
"His eyes scare me." Usagi admitted as they passed, feeling as if his eyes were following her.
"He knows all and sees all." Akari said in a hushed voice as Calaveras began to talk. "The dark mark on his head." She inclined her head towards Calaveras who also bore the black moon insignia on her forehead. "It gives him more power than the others… though I suspect it is not the only source."
"Five years ago the Black Moon clan saved Tokyo from a terrible fate at the hands of the evil Sailor Senshi." Calaveras said loudly as they came to a glass section of the museum. Usagi paused as her eyes followed Calaveras to a portrait of five girls, all dressed in sailor uniforms of various colors. She felt the hairs on the back of her head raise as her eyes settled on the one in the middle. Her eyes were a striking blue, the same hue as her own.
"That's uncanny." Akari whispered as she glanced at the girl in the picture. "She has the same hair as you…"
"The Sailor Senshi had the power of the Legendary Silver Crystal. A power that was evil, corrupt… and unnatural." Calaveras continued as she walked past the portrait to a display of wax figures. The same girls were now engulfed in a battle, their hands glowing with power. There was one amongst them, the same girl that had drawn Usagi's attention earlier, holding a large crystal in her hands. She no longer wore the bright blue and red sailor uniform from earlier but was dressed in a long, flowing gown of white silk. A golden crescent moon rested upon the middle of her forehead and her dark eyes were bent in concentration.
"The Black Moon Clan came from the planet Nemesis, at the edge of the solar system, to help fight the threat the Sailor Senshi posed to the planet. They battled for many weeks, and one by one, picked off the Sailor Senshi." She guided them to the next display. A ruined city was around them, only one, the same girl in the white dress remained. Her eyes were wide with fear, her dress tattered and torn. Her fingers still grasped the brilliant silver crystal.
"It was in this battle that the Sailor Senshi were defeated, but not before Sailor Moon, the leader of the Senshi, made one last stand. She destroyed the city with the crystal and disappeared. The Black Moon still searches for her, certain that she still lingers in the city, biding her time until she can fight again." Calaveras continued.
"Ms. Calaveras!" One student said as she rose her hand. "What happened to the Legendary Silver Crystal?"
"No one knows." Calaveras replied as her eyes narrowed. "It hasn't been seen since that battle. Our city will never truly know peace until the Crystal has been found and destroyed."
"And that is why, it is so important for all of you to study hard to make it to Prince Demande's Academy." Ms. Tanaka said with a smile. "And join the search for Sailor Moon and the Crystal."
"Did the other Senshi die?" Usagi asked before she could stop herself.
"No." Calaveras said as she scanned the class until her eyes settled on Usagi's. Her gaze was piercing and intense. "Prince Demande has Sailor Mercury, Mars and Jupiter in his tower. They're his prisoners, until they give us the location of Sailor Moon."
Somewhere inside, Usagi felt as if something were burning a hole in her forehead while her stomach gave an uncomfortable lurch. "Will he kill them when he finds out?"
"They're evil, and all evil must be squashed." Calaveras replied as she turned. "Now, follow me to the second floor. We'll go over the history of the Black Moon Clan—"
"Pssst." A soft voice said from behind Usagi.
Usagi turned, her eyes searching the large room which was quickly emptying as Class Five followed Calaveras up the stairs. "Hello?" She asked, her voice echoing. "Someone there?"
A girl, with long blond hair stepped out from behind a glass display, her dark blue eyes nearly the same shade as Usagi's. She too was in a school uniform with a navy blue skirt and white shirt. Her black shoes clicked softly against the tile floor as she approached Usagi. "You…" She whispered, her eyes narrowed.
"Me?" Usagi asked as she took a careful step backwards. She glanced over her shoulder, as if she were expecting her to be talking to someone else. "Who are you?"
"You need to come with me." She said as she reached for Usagi's hand.
"I need to get back to my class." Usagi said as se took another step back and glanced over her shoulder. "I'll get in trouble."
"Don't you see? They're looking for you." The girl said as she put a hand to her forehead and lifted her golden bangs up, revealing a golden crescent.
"You! You're…" Usagi stammered as her heel caught the edge of a display. She fell backwards, crashing to the floor but the girl was fast. She raced to her side, grabbing her shoulders before her head hit the floor.
"Yours will appear… soon, and with it your memories." The girl warned as the sound of approaching feet grew in volume. "I'll be back for you, but you'd be wise to keep quiet." She said.
"Usagi!" Akari's voice called out.
Usagi glanced over her shoulder to see several students from Class Five descending the staircase, Calaveras behind them. She pushed her way through the students, her light brown eyes narrowed in rage.
"Look what you've done!" She shouted as she came to a stop beside her.
Usagi glanced back to the room before her. The girl with the golden crescent had disappeared but Usagi's fall had cracked the glass of another exhibit. She slowly stood as she looked at the display. It was a scene of Sailor Moon, battling Prince Demande with the rest of the Black Moon clan behind him. Her fall had splintered the glass beside the Black Moon and as they all watched, the light fixture at the top of the display fell, crashing into them.
"I'm so… so sorry!" Usagi said quickly as the fixture took out all four members of the clan.
"Get up!" Calaveras shouted as she took hold of Usagi's arm. "You're coming with me!"
"Where are we going?" Usagi asked as she was all but pulled away from her stunned classmates.
"I think a few nights in the Black Moon jail will be a perfect cure for your clumsiness." She said as she thrust Usagi at the two guards by the front doors. They immediately took hold of her arms.
"No! Ms. Calaveras! I'm sorry… it was an accident!" Usagi protested as she was dragged away.
Calaveras merely stood at the entrance of the museum, her eyes narrowed as she watched Usagi being taken to a waiting vehicle.
"What's this?" A dark voice asked as a man, with brilliant white hair appeared beside Calaveras.
"A troublemaker." She replied simply. "I'm having her taken to the Juban jail to think over her decisions, Prince Demande." She said with a bow.
"For a broken glass window?" Prince Demande chuckled as he looked over at the girl. His smile melted away as he caught sight of her dark blue eyes, wide with fear.
"Stop." He ordered the guards as he descended the steps to the street.
Usagi felt her heart nearly stop as the guards holding her stopped moving, both of them releasing her to stand at attention as Prince Demande approached. She felt a lump grow in her throat as he came to a stop before her. "Prince… Demande." She whispered and bowed to him.
"I'm sure what happened was an accident." He said as he looked her over. "Though… I must say, you look… exactly like someone I used to know."
"Sir?" Usagi asked as she glanced at a bewildered Calaveras.
"Come with me." Prince Demande said as he offered her his elbow. "I have something to show you."