AN: I said I would post this story since I hit 400 followers on Tumblr. And since a lot of you are on here, I guess I'll post it here too. But, don't be surprised if I stop and only post to AO3 at some point. I'm also going to try and say this one more time for those of you who missed it (aka skipped over the ANs), you might notice that some of my fics are missing or have recently been updated with less there? That's because I'm moving my works off this site. I've left little bits for you guys to get you interested or so you can see the story exists. But the majority of the story will only be available on my other site, which you can find the link to on my Tumblr. Apparently, this site isn't allowing you to link your Tumblr page anymore, so you'll have to search me out. The name is the same on there as it is on here. I hope all of you catch this note this time but we'll see I guess.

Chapter 1

"Much I marveled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,

Though its answer little meaning— little relevancy bore;

For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being

Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber door —

Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,

With such name as 'Nevermore.'"

― Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven

She ran as hard and as fast as she could, but no matter how hard she pumped her legs, Usagi felt as if she was moving at a turtle's pace. No amount of running would save her at this point, and if she were anyone else, she probably would have given up and walked the rest of the way. But she was never known to be a pessimist.

The steps appeared before Usagi, and for the first time in the past fifteen minutes, she stopped, only to lean over her knees and breathe. Her chest was killing her, tight against her raging heart. Sure, Usagi ran to school almost every day, but not like this.

Looking up, she took in the stairs yet again, and she swore her heart skipped a beat, begging her not to put it through this. But she had no choice.

Her thighs burned with her lungs once she reached the top, stumbling the rest of the way. It was silent behind the paper wall, truly telling as any sound would have easily traveled through the door if there was any. She half expected the place to be empty, that they had given up on her, but when Usagi opened the door, she found all three of them sitting in silence, waiting.

Rei didn't even look at her, arms crossed in silent defiance. Ami gave her a sheepish glance, the only one in the room that seemed to understand her. And Luna sat on the table, tail twitching in agitation that appeared to be aimed at Rei just as much as it was at Usagi.

Slowly and silently, she took her seat, glancing around at the people within the room, people she considered dear to her. She didn't delight in making them cross or disappointing them, but it seemed like she did that more than anything else these days.

Her breath was still ragged, the only sound in the room as she waited for the shoe to drop. "Where were you, Usagi?"

She cringed at Rei's tone, hesitating with the thought of just telling a lie, so she didn't let them down yet again. Instead, she just hung her head with the truth. "Detention."

"Rei-chan, I already told you where she was…."

"I want to hear it from her!"

Usagi popped her head up, hoping to salvage the situation. "I'm really sorry, guys. I promise I tried this morning…."

"Save it, Usa. What's done is done. We will just have to live with a leader who is incapable of being on time or taking anything serious!"

"But...Rei…"

Rei had yet to look at her, now glaring at Ami. "Let's begin this meeting already."

Slowly, Usagi made her way home, a stark contrast to her earlier pace. She was too lost in thought for it to be safe going any faster; Usagi was sure she would trip and fall into traffic if she did.

Why was she always letting people down? It seemed as though no matter how hard she tried, she was a disappointment. Even to those, she loved the most. Her Senshi, her Sensei, even her parents. Every tardy, every low score, every missed homework assignment. No matter how hard she tried, it ended in her failure. Was this to be her fate, letting people down?

Watching the pavement under her feet (her mind a million miles away), she bumped into someone. Luckily, her slow pace allowed her to bounce off the hard person, give an apology, and go around. But for some reason, they weren't satisfied with that, grabbing her arm and holding her back from her escape. With her thoughts swept away, she turned around to them, fist in the air and ready to knock the pervert's hand off her.

But she was frozen by dark blue eyes that pierced her. "Whoa, whoa! Chill Odango!" Mamoru released her, almost causing her to fall given her using him to fuel her punch. "No need to resort to physical violence!"

She quickly dropped her fist and righted herself. "I'm...I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention."

Mamoru's usual frown when he spoke to Usagi was in place. "Yeah, I noticed that when you bumped me and then mumbled some lame apology."

"It wasn't lame. It was sincere! It was my fault, and I said I was sorry!" She cried, trying to hold back her angry tears.

He looked away from her, agitation rolling off him as he sighed. "Then you need to work on your sincerity."

"Fine, I'll add it to the list."

She turned on her heel, hoping to get away, not sure she could handle letting down yet another person she cared about. But he grabbed her again, stopping her. "What? No 'you're a baka, Mamoru'?"

Managing to rip herself from his grasp (hating how just his touch made her heart rush), she didn't even turn around. "Not today, okay?"

Now facing home instead of the confusing man, she still couldn't make her feet move, and Usagi was sure he left her there after a few moments of silence. "Do you want to talk about it?" She remained silent, surprised he was even still there. "Is it….was it a boy?"

Glancing behind her, she glared at him, even with his sheepish look. "NO, of course not!"

He shrugged, "Is it so crazy for me to think that?"

Turning back around, she stared at her hands, wringing them with her nervous energy. "Like I would let something like that get me down. Come on, Mamoru-senpai."

"Alright, then what is bothering you?"

Dropping her hands, Usagi turned to face him; the genuine concern on his face shocked Usagi a bit. "Do you think a person can be cursed?"

He chuckled, and she nearly left him there, but he stopped her again. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Just what do you think you are cursed with?"

The hand he used to grab and stop her rested on her elbow, making sure she didn't bolt. "I don't think I'm cursed."

"Then what are you talking about?"

"I think…. everyone… those I care about, are cursed with me."

She finally dared to look up from her hands again, and he looked pissed. "What the hell does that mean, Usagi-chan?"

Quickly, she put her eyes back to the pavement, shaking her head. Mamoru's anger was pulsing from him, yet another person cursed by her. "I let people down, Senpai. No matter how hard I try. I am just a curse on those around me. I am a disappointment."

Tears burned her throat and eyes, trying to keep them from spilling or showing. "You never disappointed me." She let out a huff as she tried to wiggle out of his hold. But he held tight, somehow not hurting as he did. "I'm serious."

His voice was soft and sincere, sending an unwanted chill down her spine. "Look, I get it, Baka. But you don't have to feel bad for me. I don't need your pity."

"Then…. what do you need, Usagi-chan?"

Refusing to look at him, she gently tugged on the arm of the hand that gripped her elbow. "I need you to let me go." He did (at her request) and took a step back as he did. Then with all her strength, Usagi mustered up a big smile that she was sure looked very fake. "I'm fine. Really. Sorry to bother you."

This time, Mamoru didn't stop her when she turned away. Now walking a little faster towards home, Usagi prayed he didn't follow her or stop her again. She couldn't handle his pity or his jabs, whichever he decided to hit her with should he come after her again.

Of course, her mother was shocked. Usagi goes to bed without dinner or a snack of any kind? She was honestly not hungry, her thoughts still racing. Luna wasn't home either, probably at the Center trying to find something on the enemy. That was for the best; Luna would just pry at Usagi until she spilled her guts as she had so quickly to Mamoru-baka on the streets earlier. Why had she even told him all that? Mamoru must think Usagi was a real nut case now.

The cool breeze of the late spring night wafted over her, leaving her window open so Luna could come home if she did. Usagi really didn't deserve such a guardian, Luna constantly having to take care of her. Or the other Senshi, they didn't deserve such a 'leader'. Why was she the leader anyway? She didn't want it and didn't deserve it. So why did Luna pick her? Just because she was more powerful didn't mean she was worthy of decision-making.

Rolling over, Usagi squeezed her pillow tight in her arms, the moon shining down on her in all its glory. Sailor Moon. That was her name—the Senshi of an empty, tiny, and barren satellite. Mars and Mercury were larger and far more treacherous. Why was someone (not even a Senshi of a planet) more powerful than them? Did it simply have to do with the Moon Princess? Was she somehow tied to her? Maybe she was the Moon Princess's personal guard in the past? That would explain why she died, her failure and curse starting as far back as then.

Her communicator beeped in the night, flashing and filling her room with its tiny light. She swiftly rolled over, snatching it off her nightstand, and flipped it open to find Luna's face.

"Usagi-chan, Youma in Shiba Park."

Usagi leapt up off the bed, her brooch in her fingertips. "I'll be right there, Luna!"

"Wait, Usagi, I can't get a hold of the others."

Now even Luna doubted her. "It's fine, Luna; I can handle it on my own."

"But Usagi-chan…."

Snapping the communicator shut, she cut the feline off, determined to prove her worth to herself if no one else. Ribbons wrapped her up and released her, no longer Usagi. Sailor Moon climbed out her window, sweeping around her for prying eyes, and then jumped out into the night.

Even after taking twenty minutes to get to the park, she was still the only one there. The Youma was tearing up anything it came across. It was a giant beast covered in spikes from head to toe, landing a punch or kick impossible. As soon as her foot touched the ground, it turned on her. Even though she hadn't made a sound, it sneered, blood staining its lips and teeth, making her shiver.

"Took you long enough, Sailor Moon. Forgive me; I got bored waiting for you."

"Excuse me?"

It didn't answer; it just charged at her. It took Sailor Moon a second longer than she liked to get her wits about her, jumping up and over the creature a second too late. Its spikes grazed her leg, a deep slash marking where it had been. She bit down on her tongue to keep from crying out. The last thing she wanted was for this beast to have the satisfaction of her screams.

Usagi landed well enough, but pain burned through her from the cut and the weight she put on it. Shifting, she took as much weight off it as she could without it being obvious. It would heal to the point of a slight sting soon enough; she just had to be patient and wait. But the Youma wasn't waiting.

It charged her again, but this time she was ready. However, her leg made her slow. It got her arm, cutting her from her elbow to the back of her hand, her white glove splitting and turning red quickly.

When she landed again, the pain in her leg had yet to subside. Looking down, she saw it was not healing at all, and the creature let out a sick chuckle. "Not healing, is it? That's because, with each scratch, I am poisoning you." She blanched, unable to control that part of her fear. "Oh, don't worry, it won't kill you. Well, not like that anyway. No, it will just keep your wounds open long enough for you to bleed out slowly. It will be a painful death, just as my Queen desires."

"Your Queen? And just who the hell is that?"

"Why, Queen Beryl, of course!"

Her eyes darted up to the new voice, in the air, a man hovering them -watching. "Who are you?"

"I am one of the Kings of Heaven... but you can call me Jadeite."

The Youma was almost on top of her again; the two were working together to distract her. Jadeite cackled as the Youma placed another cut on her back. Not as deep, but still painful. She buckled when she landed. The pain and blood loss made her a bit weak as Usagi fell to a knee and slid backward.

Before anything more could happen, Sailor Moon pulled her tiara from her brow and slung it at the creature. It managed a dodge, but she still sliced off a few spikes, falling to the ground and becoming harmless. It let out a scream, full of pain and anger. She could do this; she could win even if she had to tear the beast apart piece by piece. When the others arrived, it would be harmless, and they would be safe. Usagi wouldn't fail them again.

The two of them danced; for how long she wasn't sure, her pain burning through her and her blood loss-making her brain spin. Sailor Moon cut off more spikes, and it got in more cuts. She was covered head to toe in scratches, dents, and slashes to her body. Surely, she looked a fright, also covered in blood at this point as well. As much blood that covered her, Usagi was also sure she wouldn't survive this night; not even Sailor Moon could live with this little amount of blood.

No one helped her either. But she didn't want their help; this beast was meant to kill and nothing else. It wasn't here to drain energy; it was to kill her and probably the others if they showed themselves. So she was thankful it would only be her that died tonight. Ami and Rei would be fine (better even without her), and Tuxedo Kamen could help once he didn't have to waste his time saving her. Maybe that's why no one was coming: they had given up on her.

Her only regret would be her family. Leaving them behind was the only thing that made her second guess this choice. But one less Youma meant one less creature that could kill them and everyone else on this planet. Her sacrifice would be more than worth it if she could save at least one life with it. One innocence that didn't deserve the darkness that threatened this world.

With only a few spikes left, the Youma was getting desperate, circling her in a dance, assessing its prey. "How are you still alive? You should at least be immobile by now!"

Usagi smirked, doing her best to hide her raspy breaths. "I can't die until I have taken you down!"

The truth was, Usagi wasn't sure she could move again. The creature was circling her… it was a struggle to follow it with her head. Her lack of blood drained her. Made worse by not eating like a fool, the continuous use of her tiara, and she was more than exhausted already. But Sailor Moon couldn't stop, not while this monster was still breathing.

A yawn came from above them, and she glanced up to see Jadeite looking bored. "As much as I am enjoying this, I have grown tired of this dance. Necromancer, hurry up and kill her!"

He shimmered away with that, considering the job well done. Sailor Moon's eyes still on the beast, she tried to lift her arm as it charged her again, the spike in its hand aiming right for her heart this time. So much for a slow and painful death.

But Usagi couldn't move, no matter how much she pushed her body to. Necromancer (nearly on top of her) sneered as his spike touched Sailor Moon's shoulder, the knife digging into her skin almost to the bone and narrowly missing her heart. His weapon was still in her flesh. He intended to drag it across her, cutting her open wide. Her eyes widened as he grinned in victory.

A blur of black, a screech, a few howls and curses, and the spike left her flesh. She fell to her knees, struggling to breathe and see. Looking back up, she caught Luna's body in her sights as the monster slung the feline off its face. She tried to call out to her dear friend but lost the ability to make any sound at all.

Her tiara sat lifeless in her palm, unable to so much as glimmer without her energy. All around Sailor Moon and under her knees were the spikes she managed to cut off, the only one remaining in the palm of the Youma.

It rallied, glaring over at her now but turning it back into a sneer. "Well, this is no fun. But I guess it is time to stop playing and follow orders."

It was slowly walking over to her, their eyes never leaving one another. "SAILOR MOON!"

A voice in the distance was calling her, but she couldn't so much as turn her head. So she kept it focused on Necromancer, picking up its pace now that someone was here to stop it. Flames hit its legs, fog filling the air and blinding it, while several roses pierced its neck and shoulders. All of it caused it pain (Necromancer roaring), but none of it stopped it. She was only causing it to stumble and then fall on top of her.

Sailor Moon whimpered while the Youma stiffened, pulling back to look her in the eyes. Now she smirked. Necromancer was so busy with getting to Usagi; it hadn't noticed when she picked up one of its own spikes. Now it stuck deep in his chest, and the last thing that registered on Necromancer's face was confusion before he turned to dust.

It was over. Usagi could rest now, which was good because she still couldn't move. The moon hung high above her still; it hadn't been long since she looked at it from her bed. But it had still been long enough for her to lose this fight nearly.

Faces blocked it now from her sight; Mars, Mercury, and even Tux coming to her side and looking her over.

"She has lost a lot of blood….NO! Don't touch that!" Mercury screamed.

Confused, she looked down, finding the Necromancer's parting gift. His remaining spike sticking out of her stomach. Usagi let her head fall back to the ground heavily, not having the strength to keep it up any longer.

"Why is none of this healing?!"Tux asked frantically.

Usagi tried yet again to speak, to answer him, but nothing came out. "There appears to be some kind of poison in the spikes. They are slowing her healing down to even slower than a normal human." Mercury answered for her.

Tux hovered over Usagi, searching her face. "We have to do something; we have to close her wounds."

Her leg burned, so much so she cried out. Mars's face found Usagi's, tears brimming and falling over as she spoke. "I'm so sorry, but I have to close your wounds."

The burning returned. Mars used her powers to cartelize Usagi's cuts, focusing on the big ones first. But then it stopped; the group pausing over what to do with the spike still embedded in her.

"We can't remove it." Tux said.

Mars cried. "We can't leave it in!"

Things were getting fuzzy, the Moon starting to look more like a blob than a circle. This time, Usagi took notice of the dark blue eyes piercing her. "Sailor Moon, hang on. Please, hang on!"

She managed a smile that much she was sure of, and she opened her mouth, hoping something would come out this time. "It's….o..okay….I...love you...guys….tell my..par…."

"Stop it! Save your strength."

She listened to Mercury, even though she knew (deep down inside) there was no point. She could feel her heart start to slow. It had no blood to pump; it was considering its job done. There was some kind of screeching: a strange wailing that didn't sound human, and she forced her eyes back open with what little strength she had left.

But it was pointless, her vision so blurred, now it all looked like cut glass, the light of the moon bouncing off the edges. Her friends had stepped back from her, shadows and shimmery figures in her vision now. Even they had given up. So she let her eyes close again, for the last time.

It was shaking... Usagi was shaking.

Slowly, she opened her eyes, finding them stiff with sleep. She tried to blink the rest of it away. Her vision was terribly blurry. But no matter how many times she blinked, her image would not clear.

Not sure what to expect, she attempted to lift her arms. They were weak and stiff but able to do as she commanded and rub her eyes. However, she still couldn't see.

She decided to try and sit up. After several trial and error moments, she finally got up, her arms aiding her abs and back. Just like the last time she had her eyes open, her vision was messed up. It was like she was peering through cut glass. Looking around, she could tell two things; it was dark and damp where she was, and she wasn't on the ground, more like on a table or dais.

Looking below her, she was shocked to find what she sat on, and her body was clear: no blurred vision. Holding up her hands before her eyes, she could make out her skin clearly. There was not a cut or scratch on her. Looking and touching frantically, she searched her body; even the spike was missing from her gut. But she still ached, more from a stiffness than from a battle.

Even with her body clear in her vision, it was still obscured when she looked back out at her surroundings -like fractured glass containing Usagi's view from her.

With a tentative hand, she stretched out her arm. Her fingers touched a solid surface. She was surrounded by glass! But at Usagi's tips, it cracked, the glass splintering under her gentle touch and spreading outwards. She watched as it raced around her and above her. One last loud pop and she covered her head and eyes as the glass fell around her harmlessly then turned to dust.

Now that her view was clear, she looked around again just as her world shook once more. The walls and ground made her whole body jump from the motion. Something above her filtered down, landing and laying on her skin. It was dirt. The dark dampness hid it from her for a minute, but she was underground.

A few more tries and Usagi got her legs to swing over the side of the table she sat on, looking down at the short distance between her and the ground. Something wasn't right, other than the obvious. She was still in the same clothes she wore out (last she remembered), but they looked different. Somehow it was almost like her clothes were too small.

Her pants now came up mid-calf instead of to her ankles, turning them into 'high waters'. Now Usagi looked herself over again, this time taking note of her body. Her shirt was the same too, but it fit tight on her chest, as did her bra. And the sleeves were too short, not reaching her wrists.

Her hair was down too, billowing over her shoulders and touching the ground, a good ten inches longer at least. What the hell was going on?

She heard footsteps; looking up and searching for the sound, she found a staircase cut into the dirt, boards of wood holding the ground back in places. It was man-made, but where in Japan did such a place exist? She had never heard of such an elaborate human-made cave or tunnel.

Her thoughts were cut short, a gasp filling and replacing her thoughts. Now a woman stood before her, relatively short in stature and homely, round in motherly places. "Oh my...the Goddess…..the Goddess is awake!"

Her words started out at a whisper but by the end was almost screaming before the woman disappeared back up the stairs. She hopped down as best she could, wanting to go after the woman, but her legs were jelly as soon as she touched the ground. Falling to her knees, she barely caught herself from face planting on the hard dirt beneath her. It took a few moments to get herself up right again, still struggling to get any of her muscles to respond to her.

More footsteps came, far more people coming down the staircase this time. They grew silent just as she pulled herself up to look at the bottom. Now the woman stood with two others; a woman, long black hair flowing down her back and loose, worn clothes on her, and a man, short white hair that just reached his shoulders and clothing similar to the other two. All of them looked like they worked hard; their clothing reflecting years of heavy work in which the condition of their dress was the least of their worries.

"Usagi-chan…."

Her eyes went back to the woman, her black hair and eyes seeming familiar somehow. "You...you know me?" Slow and careful steps brought the woman to crouch before her, helping the fallen girl to her knees as the woman knelt before her. Bright green eyes now pierced hers. "...Luna…?"

Tears flowed without care as Luna, somehow human, smiled and nodded at her. Pulling her in tight, Luna now squeezed her with long human arms, and she found she had even more questions than she woke up with.

The man joined them, crouching down across from her, next to Luna. "I suppose you have a lot of questions, don't you, Usagi-chan?" Luna was squeezing her so tight; she was finding it hard to breathe, let alone speak. So she gave the strange man a nod.

He chuckled, giving Luna a pat on her shoulder and gaining her release. Luna wiped a few tears away, regaining herself a little. "I'm so sorry, Usagi-chan...I should have...protected you better."

"Protected me? I'm alive, aren't I? Oh...wait...I'm dead, aren't I? This is heaven or something?!"

Luna and the man quickly grabbed her, consoling her. "Usa no, no! You are alive! Thank the Goddess; you are alive!"

Her heart slowed, confusion wrapping her up yet again. "But...I don't understand. I remember dying! And this looks nothing like Shiba Park or my bedroom!"

Now, all eyes in the room filled with tears, even the woman that found Usagi first and had yet to say another word. "I'm...we are so sorry, Usagi. We tried….we tried to fight….but, without you…."

"What do you mean? What are you talking about! I've been asleep for a few hours; how badly could you have done without me for such a short amount of time?!"

Luna's head bowed, unable to speak any longer. So the man did it for her. "Usagi….you weren't asleep for a few hours….you were asleep for five years."