The woman with short black hair locked her hotel room behind her and wandered out into the busy streets of Tokyo, she'd travelled straight to the cheap but respectable hotel after her plane had landed. The woman's passport said her name was Irene Keenan, something quite different to what it would have shown barely two months ago, but then a lot of things had changed for the woman in the past two months. By her reckoning, none of them were for the better.
To anyone watching her her wanderings would have appeared aimless, looking as if she was just another tourist taking in the sights. These wanderings, however, had a most serious goal in mind. As she roamed the busy streets her mind cast about for the familiar taint of the Negaverse, seeking the location of the Dark General who had challenged her. Thinking about him made her grind her teeth with suppressed fury, he'd found the only argument capable of drawing her out and by doing so had sealed his fate. If he could have seen the suppressed violence in her expression he would have feared and rightly but he couldn't and didn't and so would not expect her reaction to his 'offer'.
It was just after sunset when she sensed faint stirrings of dark energy in the vicinity of the old business section of town. There was nothing aimless about her then, the only word that would have described her was 'driven', and as she moved her pace increased, from a walk to a jog to an all out run. She was mere blocks away when she sensed the first explosion of energy, and arrived on the scene minutes after. Sneaking into the complex in her powered down state, she was able to observe the first few moments of battle from the second level, analysing her best plan of approach.
She saw the abortive efforts of Tuxedo Mask, the Scouts, and the Generals against the growing shadow monster, noticing that their magical attacks were having no effect. Deciding, she backed further into the shadows and through an act of willpower she hadn't been capable of at fourteen transformed silently and inconspicuously into the fighter for justice that hadn't been seen in Tokyo for almost ten years, Sailor Moon was back... and in a bad mood.
She moved forward until she was standing within sight of all the players in the drama unfolding and waited for them to notice her. After enduring the Dark General's mocking she shook her head in disgust and spoke up, "Oh you needn't wait on my account..." seeing she'd caught not just the attention of the Dark General she moved further into sight and motioned to the shadow monster. "Oh call off your pet, we're both reasonable people, surely such untidy methods are unnecessary."
She saw him sneer and gesture, noticing that controlling the monstrosity took a lot out of him. The monster froze in place, its growth halted, allowing the tired Scouts to get clear. They gathered together, murmuring to each other but she paid no heed to them, turning her attention back to the Dark General in front of her.
"So glad you could make it Sailor Moon," the evil being greeted her, his voice dripping with poisoned honey, "I really was beginning to think you were going to turn me down."
She smiled at him sourly, "Oh your offer was just too good to pass up, shall we get on with it?"
"Hand me the Imperial Silver Crystal and I shall give you what you desire..."
*****
Tuxedo Mask helped a winded Jadeite put some distance between themselves and the gorgathon, all the while trying to keep the new arrival in sight. Even before the Dark General named her it was obvious what her identity was and he rejoiced to see her facing the Negaverse, confident and strong. As the team regrouped Jadeite followed Tuxedo Mask's gaze and whispered, "That's her isn't it? Sailor Moon?"
Tuxedo Mask nodded and turned to fully face the unfolding drama before him. He observed the differences in the female warrior above them from the young fighter he'd known. She was taller and her looks had matured but apart from that the only major difference in her appearance was the rapier now belted at her side. The passage of time showed in her movements, once she'd been like a gawky foal, not quite sure of her own limbs but now she moved like a hunting cat, every movement graceful and economical.
He was pulled out of his reverie, and the others silenced, when they heard the Dark General utter, "Hand me the Imperial Silver Crystal and I shall give you what you desire..." Sailor Moon, Serena, had the Imperial Silver Crystal over? She was going to give it up to the Negaverse?
"Surely she wouldn't give him the crystal?" Sailor Venus whispered, horrified.
"It looks like it..." Sailor Mars hissed back.
"No... she couldn't..." Tuxedo Mask begged quietly.
Malachite laid a restraining hand on his shoulder, "Quiet," he murmured, "listen..."
*****
Sailor Moon held her hand out flat, palm facing up and a glowing orb appeared floating a couple of inches above her palm. She watched as the Dark General eyed it hungrily and held out his hand abruptly.
"Give it to me," he demanded.
"No," she stated, "not until you've given me what I came for."
"And give you the chance to back out of our deal? I think not!"
"The same could be said of you," she shot back.
They eyed each other, each trying gain the advantage over the other. Sailor Moon broke the silence first, "There is no way I'll give you the Crystal until I'm sure-"
The Dark General broke in, sure that he'd won the round, "Until your sure that your precious little bundle is safe?" He laughed evilly, and gestured. A bundle appeared midair and he looked back to the warrior opposite him, "There, safe and sound, now the crystal."
Sailor Moon shook her head. "Put her down carefully and an oath on the Crystal that you won't cause her harm."
He sneered at her "I have not harmed the child, nor shall I ever do so, this I swear by the Imperial Silver Crystal, now I'll let her down as soon as you give me the Crystal and swear that you won't try to take it back from me once the girl is safe."
She nodded and the crystal flashed brilliantly as she intoned, "I shall never try to take from you by force the Imperial Silver Crystal which I now hand into your keeping." The glowing crystal floated across the distance between them coming to rest in front of the evil man. He nodded to her and the floating bundle lowered to the floor of the first level, "Nice doing business with you Sailor Moon," he smiled maliciously, "But you really are a dupe, now I have what I wanted there's nothing keeping me from freeing the Gorgathon. I'll even be keeping my oath it shall not be I who sheds blood today. I believe you're aware of what it requires before it is sent back to the nether realms. Blood of a particular kind..."
*****
Malachite whispered, "It's a child-"
The others realised that the bundle floating above them was indeed a child and Tuxedo Mask was glad to realise she had a good reason to give up something as precious as the Imperial Silver Crystal to the enemy.
"She still has no right..." Sailor Mars muttered angrily.
"And you'd let a child die if you could stop it?" Sailor Venus argued.
"Shh!" Zoisite hissed and they all turned their attention back to the confrontation above them.
"... I believe you're aware of what it requires before it is sent back to the nether realms. Blood of a particular kind..." they heard the Dark General gloating.
The shadow monster started to move again, its massive shape taking on a solid, heavily armoured form. They saw the creature start to move towards them and realised that this was indeed the dark hunger they'd feared and the blood required to stop it had to be Tuxedo Mask's. Malachite and Sailor Venus pushed the protesting Tuxedo Mask behind them as the watched the approaching monster. Suddenly a terrified cry cut through the air.
"Selene!" They looked up to see the frantic Sailor Moon leap down into the path of the monster.
"The child..." Tuxedo Mask heard Sailor Mercury's whisper with horrified understanding as he watched Sailor Moon dodge the creature's tentacles. He saw her whisk the small bundle out of peril in the nick of time and dart out of reach. She stopped moving and for a minute the watchers feared that some sort of spell had been cast but they followed her gaze and saw what she did. The dark General, having gained what was he was after, had started to fade out of sight.
"Oh come on!" they were surprised to hear Sailor Moon's derisive voice ring out once more, "Surely you're not running off before you get to see your triumph? I mean you do believe that your little double cross is going to work don't you? Afraid that we'll save the day? High tailing it before the spectators over there," she gestured to the scouts, "have a chance to take the crystal off you?"
The Dark General completely rematerialised, "Thank you, you're quite right, this is definitely something I don't want to miss." Once more his devilish laughter filled the area.
Sailor Moon turned away from him as he settled himself, she lept to the gathering of warriors and laid her burden in Sailor Mercury's arms. She looked at the others, evaluating them.
"It's obvious that magic won't work so what physical weapons have you got? I see three of you have swords and you, Tuxedo Mask, have your cane and maybe your roses will affect it but what about you girls? Anything?" when she saw them shake their heads she continued decisively, "Well then you're going to have to stay back and let us handle it. Guard Selene, if things get out of hand take her and run. Do not let her be hurt, her life is the most important one in this building." With that grim statement she drew her rapier and dashed towards the monster.
Tuxedo Mask nodded, "There doesn't seem to be any other option." He lept away from his protectors throwing a barrage of roses at the oncoming monster before joining Sailor Moon for close combat. Malachite cursed, following him into danger, Jadeite and Zoisite close behind.
Left behind the Sailor Scouts tried to reign in their frustration and as Sailors Mars and Venus watched the battle avidly Sailor Mercury drew back the cloth that covered the child in her arms. Her soft exclamation of surprise drew the other women's attention away from the battle, they turned to see what had caught her attention and when they saw they too realised the importance of the child.
"I was wrong," Sailor Mars whispered in awe, "This girl is definitely worth our lives or the loss of the crystal."
They all turned their attention back to the fight, the outcome being infinitely more important now that they knew the life of the Moon Princess was at stake.
*****
Tuxedo Mask grunted with effort, his roses did seem to scratch the monster's armour but hardly in any serious way. Even the sword strikes of Malachite, Zoisite, Jadeite and Sailor Moon seemed to have little effect, any cracks healing themselves instantly. They needed a more effectual plan, this slashing and hacking was getting them nowhere. Suddenly a barbed tentacle swung at him. Tuxedo Mask managed to duck under that one but didn't notice the second coming behind him. It was only because of a timely save by Sailor Moon that he survived.
The pair positioned themselves back to back amid the swirl of tentacles, taloned limbs and the armoured bulk of the monster. Tuxedo Mask smiled, if the circumstances hadn't been so ominous he would have enjoyed just being near her. However things were bad and looking to get worse. They could die trying, still not even dent this thing and then it would go on to ravage Tokyo but maybe there was another way....
"Sailor Moon good to see you again," he began as he sent off half a dozen roses at a clawed hand menacing Jadeite. The roses themselves did no harm but their momentum knocked the monster's aim off, giving Jadeite some breathing space. "How much do you know about this thing?"
She slashed at a tentacle, actually managing to slice a centimetre off of it, before answering, "It's a gorgathon, comes from the Nether realms. Only idiots would want to disturb it and it's never been defeated in combat-"
"Great!" he muttered
"It'll rage until it tires or it's blood lust satisfied. The blood it would require is any royal blood of Earth, Moon or Sun within its vicinity. In the two previous rampages that I know of both times the area was cleared for a two kilometre radius and a royal sacrifice sent in alone. Once it had eaten the poor sod it disappeared." she shrugged, "Nothing much that'll help us now."
They were both sent flying when a tentacle flicked in their direction. Tuxedo Mask gasped as he crawled to the winded Sailor Moon. The Generals saw that both were temporarily out of it and circled around them to try and create a barrier between the two and the horror. Seeing that even his capable defenders wouldn't be able to hold out for much longer Tuxedo Mask helped Sailor Moon sit up.
"If we provided a royal sacrifice it'd go away?" he asked
"Yes of course but... NO!" she looked at him angrily, "You will NOT! I will not all-"
"We don't have a choice," he insisted, "If my blood will stop this then it is up to me to provide it."
"...You're blood?"
"Of course. Who else's? I'm the prince of Earth and that means I'm of a correct bloodline. If it'll stop this thing my dying'll be well worth it-"
Malachite had neared them enough to hear the last of this conversation and predictably reacted negatively. "Don't even think of it your Highness. Nor you Sailor Moon, he is our charge to guard and we'll not let any harm come to him if we can prevent it."
"That's just it Malachite, you can't prevent it, no matter what we do we're not going to beat this thing. It's the only solution and by doing it I ensure that you all survive. I'd prefer a less drastic method but I don't know of one with even half a chance of succeeding." Tuxedo Mask released Sailor Moon and staggered to his feet. He shrugged of Malachite's efforts to restrain him and took a step towards the monster. He didn't get any further than that before a strong hand yanked him back.
Sailor Moon turned him to face her, "No." She looked at Malachite, "You needn't worry, I wouldn't let him do this even if it would work." He nodded at her and she turned back to Tuxedo Mask, "Look you idiot, yes, if we wished to just send it away feeding it any of the appropriate bloodlines would work, but there is no way you are going to get me to allow you to feed Selene to that thing. If you want it to work ALL of royal bloodlines who are in the vicinity must be fed to it otherwise it'll have a reason to stay and the death'll have been for nothing. Aside from that little detail there's also the fact that this thing has been used to terrify people for centuries, don't you think it's time for us to stop it, permanent like?"
Both males looked at her and spoke at the same time, "Selene's the child? What's she got to do with it?"
"Did you have anything specific in mind? We don't seem to be very effective against it..." Malachite questioned her intently.
Sailor Moon looked up at the gorgathon, specifically at what passed for a mouth on it. She nodded, "Yeah I've a vague idea...You notice it's got no teeth?"
"As big as it is it doesn't really need them, but I don't see how that'll help," Malachite answered.
"Ever wonder what the other side of its armour might look like?" she spoke casually as she stood up and seemed to pull a knife out of nowhere.
"Can't say that I did." Malachite answered dryly, while wondering what she was up to. Tuxedo Mask's eyes widened as she held knife and rapier in front of her hilt to hilt blades facing opposite directions. She whispered something and the hilts of the two weapons merged magically reforming the two blades into something more useful.
She gave the two males a quick salute with her newly formed moon glaive and smiled grimly as Tuxedo Mask inhaled in sudden comprehension. Malachite still looked confused so she quipped as she stepped away from them, "If it worked for the Men in Black then it's good enough for me. Just remember if you get a chance blast it."
Tuxedo Mask hurried to follow her but Malachite prevented him, "Trust her to know what she's about, it's our only chance. Malachite motioned for his fellow Generals to fall back and watched Sailor Moon stride closer to the monster as he pulled Tuxedo Mask back to join the Sailor Scouts.
"Guys we can't let the thing win, Sailor Moon was right this child is too important..." Sailor Mars said as soon as they got close enough.
Malachite looked at her strangely but Tuxedo Mask pulled his attention back to the battlefield, motioning to Sailor Moon who was now with in reach of the creature.
"What's she doing?" Sailor Venus asked in a whisper.
"I have no idea, she spoke in riddles and told us to be ready-" Malachite was interrupted by the clear voice that they were now becoming familiar with.
"Well here I am slime ball, what are you gonna do about it? You're tenta-thingie still hurting from where I cut it? Poor baby!" it seemed understand her words and it's complete attention was centred on her. The destruction it was causing on its surrounding stopped as it concentrated on the small form before it. "Well what are you waiting for, my blood not good enough for you? Or is Sailor Scout too much for you to bite off? Well eat me-" she was cut off as the main portion of the creature lunged at her.
From where they were watching the scouts and their allies gasped as she lept to meet it though she didn't raise her weapon to strike.
"She wouldn't..." Malachite hissed finally understanding what she meant to do.
"It's got no teeth remember?" Tuxedo Mask said bitterly, "She pointed it out... we should have stopped her, it's suicidal."
They all saw the monster's mouth open wide, Sailor Moon's leap taking her directly to it. With in seconds Sailor Moon was gone, swallowed whole by the gorgathon.
"Or maybe brilliant..." Sailor Mercury trailed off thoughtfully. She carefully laid the child in her arms down on the ground behind and then activated her VR visor. Carefully scanning the monster she snapped at her teammates, "Be ready our chance won't last long-" Even as she spoke the area around the creature's midsection, bulged outwards. Suddenly the armour cracked and bodily fluids leaked out around the area the silver blade now showed. The blade slashed from side to side and the wound widened.
Sailor Moon could soon be seen trying to pull herself out of the creature's midsection through the opening she'd created. She looked towards the scouts and they saw her mouth, "Now!"
"Guys this is our one chance, shoot for the wound, every thing you've got and hurry, it's healing even as we speak..." Sailor Mercury informed her fellows.
"But what about Sailor Moon? She's in the line of f-" Sailor Venus started
Mars interrupted, "We have no choice, she knows that!"
Tuxedo Mask saw the answer to their dilemma, "Give me five seconds..." and within a instant he lept to where the frenzied creature thrashed and helped pull Sailor Moon out of the closing wound.
"NOW!" they both shouted as they fell away from the monster. Six separate attacks slammed into the gorgathon's wounded abdomen. They slammed the monster back and widened the hole further but didn't put an end to it. The creature's convulsions began to shake the ground but it showed no signs of weakening. The scouts and their partners continued to pour energy into the wound but it was only enough to keep it from healing. Even with the six of them working in concert they were not powerful enough to extend the wound far enough to make it mortal.
*****
Tuxedo Mask watched as Sailor Moon gasped, bruised everywhere from the muscles in the creature's throat as it swallowed her. Aside from the bruising and possible cracked ribs she was being burnt from the stomach acids which still covered her. She groaned in pain as he dragged her further away from the monstrosity . They both felt the power of the attacks aimed at the gorgathon and the injured woman struggled to sit upright. Strong hands helped her and soon she could see for herself that the scouts wouldn't be enough.
"Gotta help..." she muttered. Tuxedo Mask looked at her in concern, "They need help." she repeated.
He nodded and stood, his attention riveted on the creature before him as he began to send dozens of roses into in the fray. They helped nevertheless it was still obvious that even with his aid they would all be exhausted before the creature died. Behind him he heard Sailor Moon battling to get up but he could not take the time to help her. He was beginning to despair when a hoarse whisper reached his ear, "MOON GLAIVE ANNIHILATION".
A silver stream of destructive energy joined the assault and within seconds the wound had become mortal. All the combatants put in a last surge of energy and ceased. All that remained of the previously undefeatable monster was a pile of smoking intestines. Tuxedo Mask turned to see Sailor Moon leaning wearily on her weapon and staring steadily at where the shaken Dark General gaped in astonishment.
"Looks like you stayed for nothing!" Tuxedo Mask called mockingly as he offered support to the exhausted Sailor Moon.
The Dark General shook his head, what Sailor Moon had done, allowing herself to be eaten, was unthinkable. He began to fade away, escaping from a warrior whom he'd finally realised he'd underestimated. He stopped, transparent when her voice, faint with pain, reached him.
"Before you go I have three things to say to you..." she trailed off and he nodded cautiously for her to continue, "First is that no matter what you do only those of Moon Royalty, be they princess or queen can use the crystal, I am the exception which proves the rule." she paused, waiting for him to comment. "Even if you do find a way to pollute the Crystal with Nega energy and try to use it as a battery you're simply not strong enough to control it. It is infinitely more difficult than your gorgathon and you barely had that in hand. Second is that no matter what you do to it or who holds it it will always answer the call of the princess or the Keeper, myself." she stopped again leaning her head against the staff of her glaive as if it were too heavy to hold up any longer.
"And third?" the General's voice was no longer mocking but held instead a trace of... fear?
"Oh the third!..." she raised her head from her weapon but did not look at him. Instead she lifted the glaive and with a curious twist she once again held a knife and her original rapier. The knife disappeared and she sheathed the rapier before looking back at the general. "Third is three simple words..." She straightened and even Tuxedo Mask backed away from the fury now shown in her face. " COSMIC..." The general gasped as the Crystal in hands began to glow, "MOON..." He realised what she was doing and threw the Crystal away from himself, "POWER!" The glow became blinding but even so Tuxedo Mask was able to see the Dark General disappear before the wave of destructive energy reached him.
Tuxedo Mask turned in time to see Sailor Moon's legs give out, and moved forward to catch her. Even as his arms encircled her to keep her upright she held out a hand and the still glowing crystal floated over to her. She looked up at him and smiled weakly, "You saw, he threw it out, I didn't take it from him, he just didn't want it anymore."
He smiled down at her gently, she'd fooled everyone, "You never intended that he should keep it did you?" he asked softly as he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the others. She struggled for a moment but stopped, too tired to protest.
"Aside from the fact that I'm supposed to protect princess and crystal, I'm not crazy! Only a nut would give such an object to the Negaverse and expect to see their next birthday... Put me down, now!" She stood shakily and looked down at her red, goo covered limbs, "Other than being seriously gross this stuff burns."
Tuxedo Mask watched as she tottered away, heading he saw to where a water main had been broken during the fight and was now gushing uncontrollably. She stepped under the torrent and Tuxedo Mask would have followed to make sure she didn't faint when Malachite grabbed his arm.
"Dare... there's something you oughta see..." He led Tuxedo Mask over to where the Scouts and his two fellow Generals watched over a small bundle and Tuxedo Mask remembered the child caught in all this. As the pair approached them Zoisite looked up from beside Sailor Mercury on the ground and brushed blonde hair away from the small forehead. Tuxedo Mouth was stupefied when he saw the crescent moon symbol on the child's brow.
"The Moon Princess..." he whispered.
Zoisite nodded, "The girls showed us just before Sailor Moon pulled that last pyrotechnic display."
"It explains why she said your sacrificing yourself wouldn't work Darien," Malachite murmured softly, "With her here the gorgathon wouldn't have just been satisfied with you..."
"It would have wanted both of us..." Tuxedo Mask finished, horrified at how close he'd come to letting himself be killed for no reason. His horror faded, to be replaced by wonder and a tinge of frustration. They finally found his soul mate and she was only a child, some times he wondered if the universe hated him. The girl began to stir, whatever spell she'd been under had worn off.
"Serenity," he whispered as he knelt next to the child, noticing that though she felt precious to him she didn't feel as if she was the one who would one day be his other half.
"No not Serenity..." a dripping wet Sailor Moon said as she carefully bent down to join him, her battered body obviously protesting her treatment of it. "Her daughter, this is Selene," as she uttered those words she brushed her fingers along the child's cheek. At her touch the girl's eyes opened and fixed immediately upon her. Tuxedo Mask watched as the girl suddenly threw herself into Sailor Moon's arms crying. Sailor Moon murmured to the child, not looking at any of them while she tried to calm her hysterical sobs. As Selene began to settle Sailor Moon took her face in a hand and wiped the tears away with the other.
"Selene I'm here, like I promised. I told you I would always come for you if you called didn't I?" the watchers saw the child shakily nod, "Well you called I came, it just took me a little while to catch up, that's all. I didn't forget you, I'll never forget you. I'll always help you if you need it, all you ever have to do is ask..." with that she placed her forehead against the child's and rubbed her nose against Selene's. At this Selene giggled and moved back a little. A couple of drops of water rolled down her face to mingle with her drying tears.
"You're all wet Cap'n Moon, Ma'am!" she chortled, the past forgotten for the moment.
*****
Sailor Moon shook her head, her brief dousing having restored some of her energy but the recovery of her charge, safe and sound, completely renewed her. She knew it was temporary but she didn't care, Selene was safe and back with her. The Selene wrinkled her nose as the water droplets flew off of Sailor Moon and onto all those around her. Sailor Moon just grinned as everyone flinched away, the Sailor Scout in the red skirt muttering.
"I took an unexpected bath Rat. Nothing serious." She pulled Selene to her again, hugging her tightly, "I love you Rat, never forget that." She felt the girl nod against her chest and stood, swaying a moment as she balanced Selene's weight. The magical resilience that she'd found had come with being a Sailor Scout had already caused much of the bruising and burns to have partially healed. So instead of being painful holding her princess was merely uncomfortable, not that it would have mattered.
Her attention was drawn away from Selene when one of the men cleared his throat. He had longish pale hair with eyes that were a very light blue and was looking at her and Selene intently.
"You said she's not the Princess Serenity," he stated, waiting for her to explain.
She nodded, "She's Serenity's daughter Selene, born a little over five years ago and placed in my care a year after her birth-"
"Where's the Princess then?" the Sailor Scout in the gold skirt broke in eagerly, "Can you take us to her?" Sailor Moon looked at them, keeping her face expressionless. The females all looked excited and Tuxedo Mask, too, had a hopeful expression on his face, the other men, looked expectant but distant. As if thinking that it wasn't their place to lead in this. Sailor Moon didn't know who they were. She didn't know any of them except her old rescuer, Tuxedo Mask, but she guessed the women were the Princess' guard, the Sailor Scouts, what the men represented baffled her. She shook her head, first things first.
"No I can't take you to her... Princess Serenity is dead!"
They all reacted with various levels of shock, the generals just looked surprised then sad, the Scouts went white and Tuxedo Mask's face shuttered, allowing no emotion to show.
"She died shortly after Selene was born." Sailor Moon kissed the Selene's hair as she waited to see what they would say. She expected it to be the Scouts who spoke, thinking them to have the closest connection with the Moon Princess but to her surprise when they all regained their colour they looked at Tuxedo Mask sympathetically. One of the men, the pale haired one, placed his hand on Tuxedo Mask's shoulder but was shrugged off. Tuxedo Mask wouldn't meet any of his friends' eyes and when Sailor Moon managed to catch his gaze she saw a pain there that she would never have expected. She would have commented on it but it was obviously private and she would wait and see if he would explain why he would care so deeply for a woman he'd never met.
She saw that all of his companion's pity was getting on his nerves and decided to change the subject. "So, I know he's Tuxedo Mask and I guess you girls are the Sailor Scouts but who on Earth are you lot?" she asked nodding towards the three men.
The pale haired one, apparently the spokesman, answered proudly, "We are the protectors of the Earth Prince Endymion. I am Malachite, he is Jadeite," motioning to the blonde man, "and that is Zoisite." pointing at the brown haired man in turn. "The ladies are Sailors Mercury, Mars and Venus... Welcome back to Tokyo Sailor Moon."
Sailor Moon matched the scout's names with the correct bodies, Mercury to the petite blue haired woman in the blue skirt. Mars to the black haired beauty in the red skirt and Venus to the blonde in the gold skirt. She was about to comment on the absence of the Scout for Jupiter when Malachite's last words penetrated.
"Oh we're not staying," she corrected.
"What?" Sailor Mars shouted.
"But you must-"Sailor Mercury began.
"The Moon Princess must remain here so we can guard her..." was Sailor Venus' input.
"You can't leave Serena," Tuxedo Mask broke in, distracted from his grim thoughts by the thought of loosing what might be his only chance to end his loneliness. He stepped closer to her and watched sadly as she backed away from him suspiciously. "It's your duty, your... destiny to lead the Sailor Scouts and now that Selene is heir to the Imperial Silver Crystal she too must be trained to accept her destiny as-"
"Destiny?" Sailor Moon spat. A portion of the rage that had been directed towards the Dark General was suddenly aimed at them. "Destiny be damned. I won't allow any to force her along a path that will only bring her pain. You're all as bad as the Negaverse, trying to compel us to do things that we want no part of. Well just leave us alone. Don't come near us, ever!"
"Sailor Moon you must agree that you can't fight the entire Negaverse alone. You need our help, if they found you once they can do it again-" Sailor Mercury pleaded.
"They won't be able to find us, I know what they did and I can shield against it in the future..." she trailed off and as the others opened their mouths to argue the crescent moon on Selene's forehead flashed and disappeared, "There, she's now indistinguishable from an ordinary child."
"You are doing to her the very thing you condemn in us. You would force her into a life of mediocrity just because you don't like your own fate?" Sailor Mars argued fiercely.
"I will give her the chance to choose..." Sailor Moon moved Selene to ride on her back before continuing, "When she is sixteen I will tell her everything and then I will let her take as long as she wants to decide whether to live a life of normalcy, like an average woman, or whether she would take up the mantle that is her birthright. If she chooses to take the crown, then I will train her in the use of the Imperial Silver Crystal and then send her to you. If, however, she chooses not to have anything to do with this kind of life then I will set wards around her, appoint a Guardian to watch over her in case she is found and do everything in my power to see that she never again witnesses a version of today's events."
Sailor Moon looked directly at Tuxedo Mask and he recoiled from the horror and pain he found in her gaze. "I will never inflict upon anyone, let alone Selene the burden of destiny. Because of destiny I have seen and done things no one should ever have to do and will NEVER put Selene in that position." with that last emphatic statement she raised her hands and the Crystal shone between them. Its glow enveloped the pair and when it faded they were gone.
To anyone watching her her wanderings would have appeared aimless, looking as if she was just another tourist taking in the sights. These wanderings, however, had a most serious goal in mind. As she roamed the busy streets her mind cast about for the familiar taint of the Negaverse, seeking the location of the Dark General who had challenged her. Thinking about him made her grind her teeth with suppressed fury, he'd found the only argument capable of drawing her out and by doing so had sealed his fate. If he could have seen the suppressed violence in her expression he would have feared and rightly but he couldn't and didn't and so would not expect her reaction to his 'offer'.
It was just after sunset when she sensed faint stirrings of dark energy in the vicinity of the old business section of town. There was nothing aimless about her then, the only word that would have described her was 'driven', and as she moved her pace increased, from a walk to a jog to an all out run. She was mere blocks away when she sensed the first explosion of energy, and arrived on the scene minutes after. Sneaking into the complex in her powered down state, she was able to observe the first few moments of battle from the second level, analysing her best plan of approach.
She saw the abortive efforts of Tuxedo Mask, the Scouts, and the Generals against the growing shadow monster, noticing that their magical attacks were having no effect. Deciding, she backed further into the shadows and through an act of willpower she hadn't been capable of at fourteen transformed silently and inconspicuously into the fighter for justice that hadn't been seen in Tokyo for almost ten years, Sailor Moon was back... and in a bad mood.
She moved forward until she was standing within sight of all the players in the drama unfolding and waited for them to notice her. After enduring the Dark General's mocking she shook her head in disgust and spoke up, "Oh you needn't wait on my account..." seeing she'd caught not just the attention of the Dark General she moved further into sight and motioned to the shadow monster. "Oh call off your pet, we're both reasonable people, surely such untidy methods are unnecessary."
She saw him sneer and gesture, noticing that controlling the monstrosity took a lot out of him. The monster froze in place, its growth halted, allowing the tired Scouts to get clear. They gathered together, murmuring to each other but she paid no heed to them, turning her attention back to the Dark General in front of her.
"So glad you could make it Sailor Moon," the evil being greeted her, his voice dripping with poisoned honey, "I really was beginning to think you were going to turn me down."
She smiled at him sourly, "Oh your offer was just too good to pass up, shall we get on with it?"
"Hand me the Imperial Silver Crystal and I shall give you what you desire..."
*****
Tuxedo Mask helped a winded Jadeite put some distance between themselves and the gorgathon, all the while trying to keep the new arrival in sight. Even before the Dark General named her it was obvious what her identity was and he rejoiced to see her facing the Negaverse, confident and strong. As the team regrouped Jadeite followed Tuxedo Mask's gaze and whispered, "That's her isn't it? Sailor Moon?"
Tuxedo Mask nodded and turned to fully face the unfolding drama before him. He observed the differences in the female warrior above them from the young fighter he'd known. She was taller and her looks had matured but apart from that the only major difference in her appearance was the rapier now belted at her side. The passage of time showed in her movements, once she'd been like a gawky foal, not quite sure of her own limbs but now she moved like a hunting cat, every movement graceful and economical.
He was pulled out of his reverie, and the others silenced, when they heard the Dark General utter, "Hand me the Imperial Silver Crystal and I shall give you what you desire..." Sailor Moon, Serena, had the Imperial Silver Crystal over? She was going to give it up to the Negaverse?
"Surely she wouldn't give him the crystal?" Sailor Venus whispered, horrified.
"It looks like it..." Sailor Mars hissed back.
"No... she couldn't..." Tuxedo Mask begged quietly.
Malachite laid a restraining hand on his shoulder, "Quiet," he murmured, "listen..."
*****
Sailor Moon held her hand out flat, palm facing up and a glowing orb appeared floating a couple of inches above her palm. She watched as the Dark General eyed it hungrily and held out his hand abruptly.
"Give it to me," he demanded.
"No," she stated, "not until you've given me what I came for."
"And give you the chance to back out of our deal? I think not!"
"The same could be said of you," she shot back.
They eyed each other, each trying gain the advantage over the other. Sailor Moon broke the silence first, "There is no way I'll give you the Crystal until I'm sure-"
The Dark General broke in, sure that he'd won the round, "Until your sure that your precious little bundle is safe?" He laughed evilly, and gestured. A bundle appeared midair and he looked back to the warrior opposite him, "There, safe and sound, now the crystal."
Sailor Moon shook her head. "Put her down carefully and an oath on the Crystal that you won't cause her harm."
He sneered at her "I have not harmed the child, nor shall I ever do so, this I swear by the Imperial Silver Crystal, now I'll let her down as soon as you give me the Crystal and swear that you won't try to take it back from me once the girl is safe."
She nodded and the crystal flashed brilliantly as she intoned, "I shall never try to take from you by force the Imperial Silver Crystal which I now hand into your keeping." The glowing crystal floated across the distance between them coming to rest in front of the evil man. He nodded to her and the floating bundle lowered to the floor of the first level, "Nice doing business with you Sailor Moon," he smiled maliciously, "But you really are a dupe, now I have what I wanted there's nothing keeping me from freeing the Gorgathon. I'll even be keeping my oath it shall not be I who sheds blood today. I believe you're aware of what it requires before it is sent back to the nether realms. Blood of a particular kind..."
*****
Malachite whispered, "It's a child-"
The others realised that the bundle floating above them was indeed a child and Tuxedo Mask was glad to realise she had a good reason to give up something as precious as the Imperial Silver Crystal to the enemy.
"She still has no right..." Sailor Mars muttered angrily.
"And you'd let a child die if you could stop it?" Sailor Venus argued.
"Shh!" Zoisite hissed and they all turned their attention back to the confrontation above them.
"... I believe you're aware of what it requires before it is sent back to the nether realms. Blood of a particular kind..." they heard the Dark General gloating.
The shadow monster started to move again, its massive shape taking on a solid, heavily armoured form. They saw the creature start to move towards them and realised that this was indeed the dark hunger they'd feared and the blood required to stop it had to be Tuxedo Mask's. Malachite and Sailor Venus pushed the protesting Tuxedo Mask behind them as the watched the approaching monster. Suddenly a terrified cry cut through the air.
"Selene!" They looked up to see the frantic Sailor Moon leap down into the path of the monster.
"The child..." Tuxedo Mask heard Sailor Mercury's whisper with horrified understanding as he watched Sailor Moon dodge the creature's tentacles. He saw her whisk the small bundle out of peril in the nick of time and dart out of reach. She stopped moving and for a minute the watchers feared that some sort of spell had been cast but they followed her gaze and saw what she did. The dark General, having gained what was he was after, had started to fade out of sight.
"Oh come on!" they were surprised to hear Sailor Moon's derisive voice ring out once more, "Surely you're not running off before you get to see your triumph? I mean you do believe that your little double cross is going to work don't you? Afraid that we'll save the day? High tailing it before the spectators over there," she gestured to the scouts, "have a chance to take the crystal off you?"
The Dark General completely rematerialised, "Thank you, you're quite right, this is definitely something I don't want to miss." Once more his devilish laughter filled the area.
Sailor Moon turned away from him as he settled himself, she lept to the gathering of warriors and laid her burden in Sailor Mercury's arms. She looked at the others, evaluating them.
"It's obvious that magic won't work so what physical weapons have you got? I see three of you have swords and you, Tuxedo Mask, have your cane and maybe your roses will affect it but what about you girls? Anything?" when she saw them shake their heads she continued decisively, "Well then you're going to have to stay back and let us handle it. Guard Selene, if things get out of hand take her and run. Do not let her be hurt, her life is the most important one in this building." With that grim statement she drew her rapier and dashed towards the monster.
Tuxedo Mask nodded, "There doesn't seem to be any other option." He lept away from his protectors throwing a barrage of roses at the oncoming monster before joining Sailor Moon for close combat. Malachite cursed, following him into danger, Jadeite and Zoisite close behind.
Left behind the Sailor Scouts tried to reign in their frustration and as Sailors Mars and Venus watched the battle avidly Sailor Mercury drew back the cloth that covered the child in her arms. Her soft exclamation of surprise drew the other women's attention away from the battle, they turned to see what had caught her attention and when they saw they too realised the importance of the child.
"I was wrong," Sailor Mars whispered in awe, "This girl is definitely worth our lives or the loss of the crystal."
They all turned their attention back to the fight, the outcome being infinitely more important now that they knew the life of the Moon Princess was at stake.
*****
Tuxedo Mask grunted with effort, his roses did seem to scratch the monster's armour but hardly in any serious way. Even the sword strikes of Malachite, Zoisite, Jadeite and Sailor Moon seemed to have little effect, any cracks healing themselves instantly. They needed a more effectual plan, this slashing and hacking was getting them nowhere. Suddenly a barbed tentacle swung at him. Tuxedo Mask managed to duck under that one but didn't notice the second coming behind him. It was only because of a timely save by Sailor Moon that he survived.
The pair positioned themselves back to back amid the swirl of tentacles, taloned limbs and the armoured bulk of the monster. Tuxedo Mask smiled, if the circumstances hadn't been so ominous he would have enjoyed just being near her. However things were bad and looking to get worse. They could die trying, still not even dent this thing and then it would go on to ravage Tokyo but maybe there was another way....
"Sailor Moon good to see you again," he began as he sent off half a dozen roses at a clawed hand menacing Jadeite. The roses themselves did no harm but their momentum knocked the monster's aim off, giving Jadeite some breathing space. "How much do you know about this thing?"
She slashed at a tentacle, actually managing to slice a centimetre off of it, before answering, "It's a gorgathon, comes from the Nether realms. Only idiots would want to disturb it and it's never been defeated in combat-"
"Great!" he muttered
"It'll rage until it tires or it's blood lust satisfied. The blood it would require is any royal blood of Earth, Moon or Sun within its vicinity. In the two previous rampages that I know of both times the area was cleared for a two kilometre radius and a royal sacrifice sent in alone. Once it had eaten the poor sod it disappeared." she shrugged, "Nothing much that'll help us now."
They were both sent flying when a tentacle flicked in their direction. Tuxedo Mask gasped as he crawled to the winded Sailor Moon. The Generals saw that both were temporarily out of it and circled around them to try and create a barrier between the two and the horror. Seeing that even his capable defenders wouldn't be able to hold out for much longer Tuxedo Mask helped Sailor Moon sit up.
"If we provided a royal sacrifice it'd go away?" he asked
"Yes of course but... NO!" she looked at him angrily, "You will NOT! I will not all-"
"We don't have a choice," he insisted, "If my blood will stop this then it is up to me to provide it."
"...You're blood?"
"Of course. Who else's? I'm the prince of Earth and that means I'm of a correct bloodline. If it'll stop this thing my dying'll be well worth it-"
Malachite had neared them enough to hear the last of this conversation and predictably reacted negatively. "Don't even think of it your Highness. Nor you Sailor Moon, he is our charge to guard and we'll not let any harm come to him if we can prevent it."
"That's just it Malachite, you can't prevent it, no matter what we do we're not going to beat this thing. It's the only solution and by doing it I ensure that you all survive. I'd prefer a less drastic method but I don't know of one with even half a chance of succeeding." Tuxedo Mask released Sailor Moon and staggered to his feet. He shrugged of Malachite's efforts to restrain him and took a step towards the monster. He didn't get any further than that before a strong hand yanked him back.
Sailor Moon turned him to face her, "No." She looked at Malachite, "You needn't worry, I wouldn't let him do this even if it would work." He nodded at her and she turned back to Tuxedo Mask, "Look you idiot, yes, if we wished to just send it away feeding it any of the appropriate bloodlines would work, but there is no way you are going to get me to allow you to feed Selene to that thing. If you want it to work ALL of royal bloodlines who are in the vicinity must be fed to it otherwise it'll have a reason to stay and the death'll have been for nothing. Aside from that little detail there's also the fact that this thing has been used to terrify people for centuries, don't you think it's time for us to stop it, permanent like?"
Both males looked at her and spoke at the same time, "Selene's the child? What's she got to do with it?"
"Did you have anything specific in mind? We don't seem to be very effective against it..." Malachite questioned her intently.
Sailor Moon looked up at the gorgathon, specifically at what passed for a mouth on it. She nodded, "Yeah I've a vague idea...You notice it's got no teeth?"
"As big as it is it doesn't really need them, but I don't see how that'll help," Malachite answered.
"Ever wonder what the other side of its armour might look like?" she spoke casually as she stood up and seemed to pull a knife out of nowhere.
"Can't say that I did." Malachite answered dryly, while wondering what she was up to. Tuxedo Mask's eyes widened as she held knife and rapier in front of her hilt to hilt blades facing opposite directions. She whispered something and the hilts of the two weapons merged magically reforming the two blades into something more useful.
She gave the two males a quick salute with her newly formed moon glaive and smiled grimly as Tuxedo Mask inhaled in sudden comprehension. Malachite still looked confused so she quipped as she stepped away from them, "If it worked for the Men in Black then it's good enough for me. Just remember if you get a chance blast it."
Tuxedo Mask hurried to follow her but Malachite prevented him, "Trust her to know what she's about, it's our only chance. Malachite motioned for his fellow Generals to fall back and watched Sailor Moon stride closer to the monster as he pulled Tuxedo Mask back to join the Sailor Scouts.
"Guys we can't let the thing win, Sailor Moon was right this child is too important..." Sailor Mars said as soon as they got close enough.
Malachite looked at her strangely but Tuxedo Mask pulled his attention back to the battlefield, motioning to Sailor Moon who was now with in reach of the creature.
"What's she doing?" Sailor Venus asked in a whisper.
"I have no idea, she spoke in riddles and told us to be ready-" Malachite was interrupted by the clear voice that they were now becoming familiar with.
"Well here I am slime ball, what are you gonna do about it? You're tenta-thingie still hurting from where I cut it? Poor baby!" it seemed understand her words and it's complete attention was centred on her. The destruction it was causing on its surrounding stopped as it concentrated on the small form before it. "Well what are you waiting for, my blood not good enough for you? Or is Sailor Scout too much for you to bite off? Well eat me-" she was cut off as the main portion of the creature lunged at her.
From where they were watching the scouts and their allies gasped as she lept to meet it though she didn't raise her weapon to strike.
"She wouldn't..." Malachite hissed finally understanding what she meant to do.
"It's got no teeth remember?" Tuxedo Mask said bitterly, "She pointed it out... we should have stopped her, it's suicidal."
They all saw the monster's mouth open wide, Sailor Moon's leap taking her directly to it. With in seconds Sailor Moon was gone, swallowed whole by the gorgathon.
"Or maybe brilliant..." Sailor Mercury trailed off thoughtfully. She carefully laid the child in her arms down on the ground behind and then activated her VR visor. Carefully scanning the monster she snapped at her teammates, "Be ready our chance won't last long-" Even as she spoke the area around the creature's midsection, bulged outwards. Suddenly the armour cracked and bodily fluids leaked out around the area the silver blade now showed. The blade slashed from side to side and the wound widened.
Sailor Moon could soon be seen trying to pull herself out of the creature's midsection through the opening she'd created. She looked towards the scouts and they saw her mouth, "Now!"
"Guys this is our one chance, shoot for the wound, every thing you've got and hurry, it's healing even as we speak..." Sailor Mercury informed her fellows.
"But what about Sailor Moon? She's in the line of f-" Sailor Venus started
Mars interrupted, "We have no choice, she knows that!"
Tuxedo Mask saw the answer to their dilemma, "Give me five seconds..." and within a instant he lept to where the frenzied creature thrashed and helped pull Sailor Moon out of the closing wound.
"NOW!" they both shouted as they fell away from the monster. Six separate attacks slammed into the gorgathon's wounded abdomen. They slammed the monster back and widened the hole further but didn't put an end to it. The creature's convulsions began to shake the ground but it showed no signs of weakening. The scouts and their partners continued to pour energy into the wound but it was only enough to keep it from healing. Even with the six of them working in concert they were not powerful enough to extend the wound far enough to make it mortal.
*****
Tuxedo Mask watched as Sailor Moon gasped, bruised everywhere from the muscles in the creature's throat as it swallowed her. Aside from the bruising and possible cracked ribs she was being burnt from the stomach acids which still covered her. She groaned in pain as he dragged her further away from the monstrosity . They both felt the power of the attacks aimed at the gorgathon and the injured woman struggled to sit upright. Strong hands helped her and soon she could see for herself that the scouts wouldn't be enough.
"Gotta help..." she muttered. Tuxedo Mask looked at her in concern, "They need help." she repeated.
He nodded and stood, his attention riveted on the creature before him as he began to send dozens of roses into in the fray. They helped nevertheless it was still obvious that even with his aid they would all be exhausted before the creature died. Behind him he heard Sailor Moon battling to get up but he could not take the time to help her. He was beginning to despair when a hoarse whisper reached his ear, "MOON GLAIVE ANNIHILATION".
A silver stream of destructive energy joined the assault and within seconds the wound had become mortal. All the combatants put in a last surge of energy and ceased. All that remained of the previously undefeatable monster was a pile of smoking intestines. Tuxedo Mask turned to see Sailor Moon leaning wearily on her weapon and staring steadily at where the shaken Dark General gaped in astonishment.
"Looks like you stayed for nothing!" Tuxedo Mask called mockingly as he offered support to the exhausted Sailor Moon.
The Dark General shook his head, what Sailor Moon had done, allowing herself to be eaten, was unthinkable. He began to fade away, escaping from a warrior whom he'd finally realised he'd underestimated. He stopped, transparent when her voice, faint with pain, reached him.
"Before you go I have three things to say to you..." she trailed off and he nodded cautiously for her to continue, "First is that no matter what you do only those of Moon Royalty, be they princess or queen can use the crystal, I am the exception which proves the rule." she paused, waiting for him to comment. "Even if you do find a way to pollute the Crystal with Nega energy and try to use it as a battery you're simply not strong enough to control it. It is infinitely more difficult than your gorgathon and you barely had that in hand. Second is that no matter what you do to it or who holds it it will always answer the call of the princess or the Keeper, myself." she stopped again leaning her head against the staff of her glaive as if it were too heavy to hold up any longer.
"And third?" the General's voice was no longer mocking but held instead a trace of... fear?
"Oh the third!..." she raised her head from her weapon but did not look at him. Instead she lifted the glaive and with a curious twist she once again held a knife and her original rapier. The knife disappeared and she sheathed the rapier before looking back at the general. "Third is three simple words..." She straightened and even Tuxedo Mask backed away from the fury now shown in her face. " COSMIC..." The general gasped as the Crystal in hands began to glow, "MOON..." He realised what she was doing and threw the Crystal away from himself, "POWER!" The glow became blinding but even so Tuxedo Mask was able to see the Dark General disappear before the wave of destructive energy reached him.
Tuxedo Mask turned in time to see Sailor Moon's legs give out, and moved forward to catch her. Even as his arms encircled her to keep her upright she held out a hand and the still glowing crystal floated over to her. She looked up at him and smiled weakly, "You saw, he threw it out, I didn't take it from him, he just didn't want it anymore."
He smiled down at her gently, she'd fooled everyone, "You never intended that he should keep it did you?" he asked softly as he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the others. She struggled for a moment but stopped, too tired to protest.
"Aside from the fact that I'm supposed to protect princess and crystal, I'm not crazy! Only a nut would give such an object to the Negaverse and expect to see their next birthday... Put me down, now!" She stood shakily and looked down at her red, goo covered limbs, "Other than being seriously gross this stuff burns."
Tuxedo Mask watched as she tottered away, heading he saw to where a water main had been broken during the fight and was now gushing uncontrollably. She stepped under the torrent and Tuxedo Mask would have followed to make sure she didn't faint when Malachite grabbed his arm.
"Dare... there's something you oughta see..." He led Tuxedo Mask over to where the Scouts and his two fellow Generals watched over a small bundle and Tuxedo Mask remembered the child caught in all this. As the pair approached them Zoisite looked up from beside Sailor Mercury on the ground and brushed blonde hair away from the small forehead. Tuxedo Mouth was stupefied when he saw the crescent moon symbol on the child's brow.
"The Moon Princess..." he whispered.
Zoisite nodded, "The girls showed us just before Sailor Moon pulled that last pyrotechnic display."
"It explains why she said your sacrificing yourself wouldn't work Darien," Malachite murmured softly, "With her here the gorgathon wouldn't have just been satisfied with you..."
"It would have wanted both of us..." Tuxedo Mask finished, horrified at how close he'd come to letting himself be killed for no reason. His horror faded, to be replaced by wonder and a tinge of frustration. They finally found his soul mate and she was only a child, some times he wondered if the universe hated him. The girl began to stir, whatever spell she'd been under had worn off.
"Serenity," he whispered as he knelt next to the child, noticing that though she felt precious to him she didn't feel as if she was the one who would one day be his other half.
"No not Serenity..." a dripping wet Sailor Moon said as she carefully bent down to join him, her battered body obviously protesting her treatment of it. "Her daughter, this is Selene," as she uttered those words she brushed her fingers along the child's cheek. At her touch the girl's eyes opened and fixed immediately upon her. Tuxedo Mask watched as the girl suddenly threw herself into Sailor Moon's arms crying. Sailor Moon murmured to the child, not looking at any of them while she tried to calm her hysterical sobs. As Selene began to settle Sailor Moon took her face in a hand and wiped the tears away with the other.
"Selene I'm here, like I promised. I told you I would always come for you if you called didn't I?" the watchers saw the child shakily nod, "Well you called I came, it just took me a little while to catch up, that's all. I didn't forget you, I'll never forget you. I'll always help you if you need it, all you ever have to do is ask..." with that she placed her forehead against the child's and rubbed her nose against Selene's. At this Selene giggled and moved back a little. A couple of drops of water rolled down her face to mingle with her drying tears.
"You're all wet Cap'n Moon, Ma'am!" she chortled, the past forgotten for the moment.
*****
Sailor Moon shook her head, her brief dousing having restored some of her energy but the recovery of her charge, safe and sound, completely renewed her. She knew it was temporary but she didn't care, Selene was safe and back with her. The Selene wrinkled her nose as the water droplets flew off of Sailor Moon and onto all those around her. Sailor Moon just grinned as everyone flinched away, the Sailor Scout in the red skirt muttering.
"I took an unexpected bath Rat. Nothing serious." She pulled Selene to her again, hugging her tightly, "I love you Rat, never forget that." She felt the girl nod against her chest and stood, swaying a moment as she balanced Selene's weight. The magical resilience that she'd found had come with being a Sailor Scout had already caused much of the bruising and burns to have partially healed. So instead of being painful holding her princess was merely uncomfortable, not that it would have mattered.
Her attention was drawn away from Selene when one of the men cleared his throat. He had longish pale hair with eyes that were a very light blue and was looking at her and Selene intently.
"You said she's not the Princess Serenity," he stated, waiting for her to explain.
She nodded, "She's Serenity's daughter Selene, born a little over five years ago and placed in my care a year after her birth-"
"Where's the Princess then?" the Sailor Scout in the gold skirt broke in eagerly, "Can you take us to her?" Sailor Moon looked at them, keeping her face expressionless. The females all looked excited and Tuxedo Mask, too, had a hopeful expression on his face, the other men, looked expectant but distant. As if thinking that it wasn't their place to lead in this. Sailor Moon didn't know who they were. She didn't know any of them except her old rescuer, Tuxedo Mask, but she guessed the women were the Princess' guard, the Sailor Scouts, what the men represented baffled her. She shook her head, first things first.
"No I can't take you to her... Princess Serenity is dead!"
They all reacted with various levels of shock, the generals just looked surprised then sad, the Scouts went white and Tuxedo Mask's face shuttered, allowing no emotion to show.
"She died shortly after Selene was born." Sailor Moon kissed the Selene's hair as she waited to see what they would say. She expected it to be the Scouts who spoke, thinking them to have the closest connection with the Moon Princess but to her surprise when they all regained their colour they looked at Tuxedo Mask sympathetically. One of the men, the pale haired one, placed his hand on Tuxedo Mask's shoulder but was shrugged off. Tuxedo Mask wouldn't meet any of his friends' eyes and when Sailor Moon managed to catch his gaze she saw a pain there that she would never have expected. She would have commented on it but it was obviously private and she would wait and see if he would explain why he would care so deeply for a woman he'd never met.
She saw that all of his companion's pity was getting on his nerves and decided to change the subject. "So, I know he's Tuxedo Mask and I guess you girls are the Sailor Scouts but who on Earth are you lot?" she asked nodding towards the three men.
The pale haired one, apparently the spokesman, answered proudly, "We are the protectors of the Earth Prince Endymion. I am Malachite, he is Jadeite," motioning to the blonde man, "and that is Zoisite." pointing at the brown haired man in turn. "The ladies are Sailors Mercury, Mars and Venus... Welcome back to Tokyo Sailor Moon."
Sailor Moon matched the scout's names with the correct bodies, Mercury to the petite blue haired woman in the blue skirt. Mars to the black haired beauty in the red skirt and Venus to the blonde in the gold skirt. She was about to comment on the absence of the Scout for Jupiter when Malachite's last words penetrated.
"Oh we're not staying," she corrected.
"What?" Sailor Mars shouted.
"But you must-"Sailor Mercury began.
"The Moon Princess must remain here so we can guard her..." was Sailor Venus' input.
"You can't leave Serena," Tuxedo Mask broke in, distracted from his grim thoughts by the thought of loosing what might be his only chance to end his loneliness. He stepped closer to her and watched sadly as she backed away from him suspiciously. "It's your duty, your... destiny to lead the Sailor Scouts and now that Selene is heir to the Imperial Silver Crystal she too must be trained to accept her destiny as-"
"Destiny?" Sailor Moon spat. A portion of the rage that had been directed towards the Dark General was suddenly aimed at them. "Destiny be damned. I won't allow any to force her along a path that will only bring her pain. You're all as bad as the Negaverse, trying to compel us to do things that we want no part of. Well just leave us alone. Don't come near us, ever!"
"Sailor Moon you must agree that you can't fight the entire Negaverse alone. You need our help, if they found you once they can do it again-" Sailor Mercury pleaded.
"They won't be able to find us, I know what they did and I can shield against it in the future..." she trailed off and as the others opened their mouths to argue the crescent moon on Selene's forehead flashed and disappeared, "There, she's now indistinguishable from an ordinary child."
"You are doing to her the very thing you condemn in us. You would force her into a life of mediocrity just because you don't like your own fate?" Sailor Mars argued fiercely.
"I will give her the chance to choose..." Sailor Moon moved Selene to ride on her back before continuing, "When she is sixteen I will tell her everything and then I will let her take as long as she wants to decide whether to live a life of normalcy, like an average woman, or whether she would take up the mantle that is her birthright. If she chooses to take the crown, then I will train her in the use of the Imperial Silver Crystal and then send her to you. If, however, she chooses not to have anything to do with this kind of life then I will set wards around her, appoint a Guardian to watch over her in case she is found and do everything in my power to see that she never again witnesses a version of today's events."
Sailor Moon looked directly at Tuxedo Mask and he recoiled from the horror and pain he found in her gaze. "I will never inflict upon anyone, let alone Selene the burden of destiny. Because of destiny I have seen and done things no one should ever have to do and will NEVER put Selene in that position." with that last emphatic statement she raised her hands and the Crystal shone between them. Its glow enveloped the pair and when it faded they were gone.