A/N: Just to warn you, in the first section I get a little 'experimental' with the pronouns of some characters. Hope that doesn't throw anyone off.
Many thanks to SinJazz and disaster_bi_jupiter for betaing this fic! You can find them on Ao3 and Instagram under the same names.
/users/SinJazz
/users/disaster_bi_jupiter/pseuds/disaster_bi_jupiter/works
sinjazz1327/
This fic is a gift for Queen Risa and Danni-bunni
Through what passed for its eyes, the ebony entity watched as the young maiden approached.
With its 'ears' it heard the maiden agree to the offer it had whispered to her in the dead of night.
Reaching out with a talon of purest darkness it filled the maiden's soul with wicked energy.
The maiden's skin dulled in colour. Spike-like protrusions began to grow out of her shoulders. Sharp fangs formed within her mouth. Finally, her eyes became cold and cruel.
She was perfect.
She would be its great servant. Its champion. Its representative in flesh and blood. Through what passed for its mouth, Queen Metalia grinned.
Beryl would be its voice, bewitching any Earthlings susceptible to its influence. The Shitennou would be its hands, striking down all those who weren't so malleable to its will. And with the Youma, they'd soon have an army. An army capable of snuffing out the light of the Silver Millennium forever!
But there was an order to these things.
First the humans of the Earth kingdom would fall.
Second, their Prince, the oh-so-handsome Endymion, would fall thereafter.
Third, the Lunar army, alongside the Sailor Senshi.
And then, finally, Queen Serenity herself!
With her gone, and the Silver Crystal in its grasp, not only would the Moon Kingdom be its, but perhaps the entire galax-
Frustration flared within Metalia. Frustration at its newly anointed servant. Frustration over her hesitation and indignation. They were linked now. What one of them felt, to some extent so too could the other; especially when they were in such close proximity. Metalia peered into Beryl's mind and saw the root of her displeasure.
But of course, how careless of it to have forgotten. It had been the very first promise it'd whispered to its new acolyte.
Before the galaxy, before the Kingdom, before the Crystal, and even before the Queen Herself… Princess Serenity shall fall!
Jadeite emerged from the portal, returning to the security of the Dark Kingdom's stronghold.
Once more his scheme to gather energy had been interrupted. This time however, he didn't feel particularly as frustrated. Nor, he suspected, would Queen Beryl. For this time he had at last uncovered the source of their recent problems.
It appeared they had a new enemy. One who could clearly be troublesome, but who was ultimately just a girl. A girl whose best efforts were obviously no match for him. He smirked, recalling the horrified look on her face when he had made her tiara simply stop.
She wasn't alone, though. There was clearly someone else backing her up, an unseen ally intent on protecting her. It was they who had prompted Jadeite to retreat for the time being. It was, after all, better not to battle an enemy until you knew more about them.
And soon enough, he would. Jadeite was constantly in the process of setting up potential scenarios to gather energy for the Great Ruler. He already had another plan in place, this one exploiting the humans' insecurities about their weight and outward appearance. Now he knew of his adversaries, he could work in a few contingencies to account for them. And, even if they did somehow succeed, he'd still be able to observe and learn more about them. The same would be true of his next plot involving the Chanelas, and all the ones after if necessary.
Whether it was at the gym, the pet store or some place else, sooner or later…
Sailor Moon shall fall!
Nephrite's hair billowed in the wind as he stared down from the rooftop.
His inhuman gaze zeroed in on the tennis court, taking in the proceedings there. Exempting the terrified male players (and one concerned girl with a green bow in her auburn hair), the surrounding crowds cheered Saionji Rui as she felled yet another challenger. Slowly, inexorably, he could feel her energy level building ever higher. His Youma Tesui kept him informed as she gradually pushed the girl's competitive drive further and further.
So far, his scheme was going perfectly. Indeed, he didn't know how he could possibly fail. Jadeite's plots had been too broad, too impersonal, too wildly variant. His methodology possessed no such weaknesses!
The stars would continually reveal a singular prime target to him. He'd use his charm in the guise of Masato Sanjouin to get close to them. Then it would be child's play to implant a Youma in one of their possessions before letting his servants work up the target's energy. And once their energy level had peaked, every ounce of it would be his to take. After that, all he had to do was repeat the process.
The real beauty of his plan, though, was that it was unlikely to attract the attention of the Sailor Senshi. Jadeite's own schemes often involved creating or exploiting popular trends, inevitably spreading awareness throughout the city, making it likely to attract the three Senshi. But by targeting mere individuals, the only way Nephrite would run into the Senshi is if he were exceedingly unfortunate. The best part of it, though, was that, even if the Sailor Senshi noticed something amiss, they would be powerless to stop him. No matter what, he would possess the human's energy.
But, if his own stars were unlucky and he did alert the Senshi, he was ready for them. Jadeite's monsters had lost to the trio multiple times. Early on they'd even been dispatched by Sailor Moon alone. But his Youma were not the pathetic specimens Jadeite's had been. Sailor Mars would be overpowered. Sailor Mercury outsmarted. And as for Sailor Moon…?
Nephrite let out a derisive chuckle.
He didn't need to consult the stars to know that… she shall fall!
"How do I look?"
Zoisite gave a little twirl, his skirt gently fluttering as he did so.
"Far less beautiful than usual."
Zoisite let out a tiny gasp and stared at Kunzite in disbelief.
"But that is only because you are doing such a good job of impersonating that plain girl."
Zoisite's spirits lifted. He positively glided across the floor to embrace his lover, his faux blonde pigtails trailing behind him.
"This is it, isn't it?" Zoisite's green eyes locked with Kunzite's own grey orbs. "By this time tomorrow night, I'll have obtained all seven Rainbow Crystals."
"And dispatched our enemies," added Kunzite.
"All thanks to you, Kunzite."
"No, Zoisite…" Zoisite blushed as his lover reached out and stroked some hair away from his eyes. "The impending glory shall be all yours. This was your plan after all."
"Yes, but if not for you speaking up before Queen Beryl…"
"I merely wanted to lend a hand. To help fortify your success. You were the one who suggested masquerading as our enemy and accepted that indignity onto yourself."
"I want to win!" Exclaimed Zoisite. "I want to make sure we succeed this time."
Kunzite shot a knowing look at him. "Because of your grudge against Tuxedo Mask?"
"Because I want to please you."
A small, satisfied smile crossed Kunzite's lips.
"But…" began Zoisite. "I won't pretend that ending Tuxedo Mask won't be delightful."
Kunzite smirked. "I'm sure it will be."
"I hope I can see the look on his face when he realizes I'm not his beloved Sailor Moon."
"Well…" Kunzite's tone was careful and considered. "Don't lose sight of the mission."
Zoisite, however, wasn't listening.
"I have it all worked out. I'll stab him in the back or his shoulder. And then, just before the light fades from his eyes, I'll let him know that his lover… shall fall!"
Zoisite smiled up at Kunzite.
However, the silver-haired general couldn't bring himself to return the gesture. Instead, he merely reached out and stroked the photo. The glass was cold to his touch. But then, everything was cold to him nowadays.
Everything, apart from his burning hatred for those who had taken Zoisite from him. He was not foolish enough to challenge Beryl, knowing his powers would never be a match for hers. By extension, harming Endymion, her new favourite 'pet', would be suicide. Zoisite deserved more than him simply throwing his life away. So, he'd have to settle for crushing the Senshi, and their Princess. That would please Beryl, break whatever remained of Mamoru Chiba within Endymion, and give Zoisite's memory a little justice.
For the umpteenth time, his own memory replayed the events of those last couple of days before Zoisite's demise. His misjudgment in disobeying Beryl. Sailor Venus's interference at the docks… The touch of Zoisite's faux blonde… hair…
… Of course!
The most distinguishing feature of Sailor Moon was those ridiculous buns and pigtails she sported. Surely in some of their battles she must have lost a lock or two. In fact, he was sure she had during their last encounter in the Starlight Tower.
Jadeite had once considered using hair salons as a means of gathering energy for their Great Ruler. If Kunzite could find even a single strand of Sailor Moon's hair, he could adapt Jadeite's plan to his own purposes. He could use it to sift through the human females of Tokyo until he found out who she truly was.
And once he did… "She shall fall!"
Queen Beryl's talons swirled around the dark orb floating before her. As she gazed into the artefact a cruel thrill pulsed through her. Minutes later, it was followed by yet another pulse. And then another. And one more after that.
They were dead.
The Sailor Senshi were dead!
It had demanded the sacrifice of her most elite Youma, but that was a meagre price to pay for the feast Beryl's eyes now enjoyed.
Sailor Jupiter hunched over, her lower body encased in ice.
Sailor Mercury collapsed upon the wall of a frozen crater.
Sailor Venus suspended limply from twisted branches.
Sailor Mars resting upon a bed of large, cold spikes.
Sailor Moon…
Beryl's eyes hardened, her mouth soon forming into a thin line.
Sailor Moon sat upon the snowy ground, her head resting upon her knees.
So, the D.D. Girls hadn't finished the job after all. Were they still alive, Beryl might have banished them to eternal sleep like Jadeite, or simply dispatched them as she had with Zoisite.
However, her temper soon settled, enabling her to coldly calculate the situation. Once she had, she permitted her regal demeanor to falter for a moment, running her tongue through her fanged teeth and violet lips.
She had been patient. She had been dutiful. She had kept her own emotions in check. She had followed the will of the Great Ruler to the letter and, despite her deepest desires, sent her servants forth to face those she loathed. But now all her best servants were gone, and the object of all her hate was practically upon her doorstep.
After millennia, fate had finally given her everything she'd ever wanted. Endymion's loyalty and the Moon Princess utterly helpl-
Frustration flared within her, frustration for Metalia's insistent commands. Beryl peered into Metalia's mind and saw the root of its concern. But of course, how careless of her to have forgotten. It was the very first vow she had made to her Great Ruler all that time ago.
She was to remain close to her Mistress at all times. That was especially necessary in Metalia's current weakened state. Beryl might leave Metalia's chambers and wander the stronghold, but the Great Ruler demanded she remain inside of its walls, forever on hand to carry out its will.
What passed for Beryl's heart raged. She would send more Youma. Even her weaker servants could overwhelm the lone Senshi now. But it would mean the girl's death would merely come at her word.
That wasn't what she wanted. That wasn't what she craved. She wanted to do the deed herself. Her talons clenched, half in frustration, half in the sweet fantasy of choking the life out of the girl!
It wasn't fair! The one whom she despised was so close and yet just out of her clutches!
She primed a command on her tongue, ready to demand a Youma step forth to finish what the D.D. Girls had begun. However, the command never came. Beryl had caught a motion out of the corner of her eye. Turning her attention back to the artefact she witnessed Sailor Moon finish rising to her feet. A second later she had wiped away her tears, making haste across the tundra.
Beryl almost gasped in delight. She was coming. She was coming to the stronghold. She was coming to her. The Queen focused her mind upon her Great Ruler. There was a pause before she got what she desired. Permission.
Then she felt something else. Endymion. Her beloved Endymion. He had finally awoken!
An idea slithered into Beryl's mind, but it was far from cold or calculating. On the contrary, it caused yet another cruel thrill to pulse within her.
Yes. That is how she would do it. That is how she would show this little girl what Hell was.
A wicked smile creeped across her purple lips as she appreciated the irony.
The Prince had arisen. And by his hand, his beloved Princess shall fall!
They had never come up with a name.
Beryl had been in too much pain and utterly desperate to avenge herself once and for all. Metalia's attention meanwhile had been divided between salvaging its servant and continuing its assault upon the Sun itself.
As such, neither had even considered what they might call themselves now. Perhaps they had presumed there would be time enough for that later. Time after the world was shrouded in their darkness. Now though, they suddenly regretted their lack of a title. Indeed, they felt nothing but regret within their once beautiful body. Nothing… except pain.
The pain of their body burning.
Regret that the world would see yet another sunrise.
The pain of realizing the full weight of their humiliating defeat.
Regret for the way they had tried to fight.
The pain of what passed for their very soul coming undone.
And above all, regret for their arrogance.
Before their eyes vanished completely, they were able to take one last glimpse at their destroyer. She stood alone atop the ice spire, her white dress fluttering in the wind and the pink-and-gold wand brandished before her.
Of course, they must've been arrogant. How else could they have believed that… Sailor Moon would ever fall?
A/N: So confession time. I am HOPING to do fics that celebrate Queen Beryl and the Shittenou individually, possibly even fics for their manga and anime versions respectively. But that depends upon my own schedule.
I've already celebrated Jadeite twice ( the anime version in 'Legacies' and the manga version in 'The Day Before…'). However, I figure since he is literally the first ever Sailor Moon villain he was owed that honour, whereas the rest of the Dark Kingdom might just wind up with this one to mark their anniversary.
As for the fic itself though, I'm honestly not sure where the idea came from. I think one day I just watched that AMAZING scene where Usagi slowly walks up to Super Beryl in the snow. Just this lone, tiny figure against this literal giantess… and she WON!
Also just to let you know I am involved in a discord called 'Moonlight Legends' which is dedicated to sharing all sorts of Sailor Moon fanworks, including other fanfics. If you would like to join so you can share your own work, get help with your current projects or just connect to other fan creators shoot me a PM and I'll send you an invite. All are welcome!