A Second Chance
Written By: ShadowQueenGalactica
Disclaimer: I do not own anything affiliated with Sailor Moon.
Authors Notes:
This story is an AU; what if Serenity had an older brother in the Silver Millenium and came back after the battle with Sailor Galaxia? One of the first stories/series I wrote when I started writing fan fiction again back in 2019. I'm currently reading through it and adding some scenes where I feel it's lacking and needs some serious editing. This is a completed series, four parts, so I will probably try to condense and combine to make it a 2 part series. Not sure yet.
I'm not a professional writer by any means and I have never claimed to be one. XD There are going to be grammatical errors and all kinds of other cringe-worthy errors, but this is how I write, hopefully for the time being until can approve over time. If this bother's you, then please do not read my stories, and please do not leave hateful/negative comments in regard to this. I'm already fully aware that I struggle with English grammar, you don't have to waste both my time and yours by telling me something I know and already acknowledge. XD
With all that said, I hope you enjoy the story, whether it's your first time or your hundredth time reading it. Just know, that I enjoy doing what I do, and plan to bring many more to the community. If you don't like my stories, then don't read them, there's plenty to read on FFN. That's the beauty of this site.
Part I Completed: July 2019
Prologue Revised: September 2022
Prologue
*~Dream~*
"Mother, mother! Orion has taken my book that father sent me!" Princess Serenity wailed as she ran down the palace halls towards the two ornate throne room doors. Watching two guards silently bow as they opened the throne doors for her, she frantically ran into the throne room, her tear-filled blue eyes desperately gazing upon her mother who was regally sitting on the throne. 'Mother!" She wailed once more in her distress, fresh tears streaking her cheeks. "O- Orion...he...he won't-"
"Small Lady, we mustn't run unless the need arises, you are a Princess, my dearest." Queen Serenity gently scolded, trying to hide her amusement at her daughter's dramatic entrance. "This is not the proper behavior for a Princess, nor a lady." She patiently reminded her daughter, standing from her throne and gracefully stepping down the dais steps.
"Mother, please-"
"Shh…my darling." Queen Serenity gently soothed, situating her long gown as she gracefully knelt in front of the small princess. Resting her hand atop of her daughter's head, between her two odango's, she glanced up as her eldest child hastily entered the throne room, his taller form leaned over, heavily panting from chasing after his younger sister.
"It's not true, mother! Whatever accusations she's making, isn't true!" Prince Orion cried out as soon as he caught his breath, swiftly making his way into the throne room where his mother was kneeling in front of his little sister. "She's making false accu-"
"He took my book!" Princess Serenity argued, fresh tears welling in her cerulean eyes as fresh tears streaked her small cheeks. "He's an absolute brute, mother!" She wailed, casting an accusing gaze toward her older brother.
"Small Lady." Queen Serenity scolded, shocked by her daughter's brash comment. "Where did you hear such a word?"
"Lady Luna called Sir Artemis a brute in the gardens." Princess Serenity sniffled, looking up at her mother with her innocent cerulean blue eyes.
"Well, you mustn't call our future King a brute." Queen Serenity chided, watching her daughter immediately lower her head in embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, mother." Princess Serenity apologized, lowering her gaze in shame. Cutting her gaze up at the sound of her brother's soft snicker, she felt her temper rise once more as she lashed out. "You bully, it's not funny!" She scolded, not hearing their mother's sigh of exasperation before she spoke.
"My darling children, why can you two not get along?" Queen Serenity scolded, extending her arm out between the two small royals, silencing them instantly before they could begin to argue and bicker amongst one another once more.
"Prince Orion, do you have your sister's book?" She patiently inquired, giving her son a stern look only a mother could give. "Your father took time from his busy schedule on Earth to have the book sent to your sister this morning. You know he's been busy with the peace talks with the Terran Kingdom. We're hoping to soon form an alliance with the Earth Kingdom, so Earth can join the Silver Alliance along with the other planets of this system."
"No mother, I swear to you, I did not take Small Lady's book." Prince Orion innocently responded, watching his sister abruptly look at him in disbelief. Watching his mother turn her attention onto his little sister, he seized his opportunity, quickly sticking his tongue out at his sister before smugly smiling in victory at her. Straightening his demeanor when his mother glanced over at him once more, he felt her gently take his hand into hers.
"Orion, my little Prince, this is not the proper behavior of a future King." Queen Serenity gently scolded. "You know Small Lady is only five, still much younger than yourself. If you have taken her book or know where it is, I need you to return-"
::SLAM::
"Your grace! We need you at once!" Artemis implored, failing to hide the panic in his voice as he rushed into the throne room, his face ashen, his gaze filled with panic and fear as he ran to where his Queen was kneeling before the Prince and Princess. "You must come with me at once! There was an attack on Earth! A force of rebels, they-"
"My husband!?" Queen Serenity implored, tears shining in her eyes as she swiftly stood the argument between her children quickly forgotten as she rushed forwards upon her advisor's panicked words. Realizing what she'd done, she stopped suddenly, turning her imploring gaze to her eldest child. "Prince Orion, I need you to tend to your sister. I'll send for Luna shortly to watch over Small Lady." She urged, not leaving any room for argument as she lifted the skirt of her gown, hastily following beside her advisor as she made her swift retreat from the throne room.
"Mother, what's wrong?!" Princess Serenity cried out, growing fearful over her mother's quick departure from the throne room. "Please, wait!" She pleaded, making an attempt to chase after the two fleeting adults. "I-"
Feeling her brother gently grab onto her wrist, halting her step, she turned to scold him for his interference only to grow rigid, her stomach nervously dropping when seeing the serious, somber look as he gazed down at her with all seriousness. "Brother, what's happened?" She whimpered, tears shining in her eyes as she could sense his distress and see the worry shining brightly in his deep blue gaze.
"We mustn't disturb mother or Sir Artemis, Small Lady. Something has happened and mother is needed in this matter." Prince Orion commanded, slipping his hand into her much smaller hand as he led them towards the throne room doors. "Come on, I'll help you find your book." He insisted watching his little sister tearfully sniffle, nodding in quiet submission to the command.
*~End of Dream~*
Waking with an abrupt start, Usagi looked around her room, her heart still pounding in response to the fear and panic she'd experienced in her dream. Shakily raising, she drew in a shaky breath, her cerulean blue gaze taking in her bedroom, the familiar surroundings easing her uneasiness, reminding her it was only a dream.
Jumping in fright as the shrill beep of her alarm clock broke the silence of the bedroom, she groaned out in protest, her fisted hand giving the alarm clocks snooze button a good whack before she sank back beneath the warmth of her moon and bunny blanket. Settling into the warmth of her bed, she frowned slightly as her mind still whirled around the unsettling dream that had woken her and left her both shaken and curious to know more.
Feeling a sad smile spread across her lips as she thought of the late Moon Queen, her mother from her past life, she wondered if the dream had revealed more about her past. Or was it a past memory blended with that of her imagination, since she had a brother now in this life on Earth? Recalling the nickname Queen Serenity had called her in the dream, she smiled to herself thinking of another child, a child that would soon be her own in only a few short years. 'Is this why I call Chibiusa, Small Lady in the future?' She curiously wondered, connecting the nickname in her dream to the name she referred to using when addressing her future daughter. 'Was this only a dream or could it have been a forgotten memory resurfacing?' Her mind curiously dwelled, as she thought back to the mischievous boy in her dream.
"Orion?" Usagi curiously muttered, her heart fluttering at the thought of the name. 'Could I really have an older brother? If so, why do I not remember him at all? Is this a repressed memory from my previous life during the Silver Millenium?' She curiously wondered, her heart aching at the thought of losing someone else from her past. 'If these are repressed memories, then there must be a reason why these memories are coming back now?' Her mind whirred, only resulting in more questions than answers to her thoughts. 'Perhaps I should ask Luna about him?' She considered a moment, then frowned, dismissing the thought knowing it would only prompt more questions from the small feline.
Lifting the blankets enough to look over at the alarm clock, she sighed seeing she only had forty-five minutes to get ready and leave for the arcade where she would be meeting up with her friends for the day. Releasing a groan of protest, she pushed the blankets off her, before emerging from the warm bed.
Padding across the room to gather her clothing, she felt her lips tug up into a smile, looking forward to spending her final day with her friends. There was a mixture of nervousness and excitement in the air, as she thought of the flight she would be taking later to America, where she would be visiting and staying with Mamoru for a few days at his apartment. 'I can't believe it, I finally get to see Mamo-chan!'
Gathering her things so she could shower and prepare for her day with her friends, she suddenly stopped, a shiver running down her spine, goosebumps prickling across her arms as her room suddenly became cold, a dark, ominous feeling overwhelming her senses.
Feeling as if the room was closing in on her, she frantically looked around her bedroom trying to find a source for the ominous feeling. Taking a nervous step back when she noticed a shadowy figure streak across her mirror, she felt tears shine in her eyes as she nervously darted her gaze towards her brooch which was lying next to the mirror. Wondering if the ginzuishou was in danger of being taken, she prepared to make a run for the brooch as she released the clothing she'd been holding, her body tense and ready in preparation for a fight.
"Usagi-baka, mama wants to-" Startled by his sister's frightened shriek as he stepped into the bedroom, Shingo quirked his brow up as he watched his sister glance towards her mirror before turning to glare at him.
"You scared me half to death, you baka!" Usagi scolded, prompting a glare from the teen.
"Me?!" Shingo snapped back, glaring at the blonde. "You're the one screaming like a banshee, what were you doing anyway?" He demanded, giving her a suspicious look.
"Trying to get ready, what do you want baka?" Usagi demanded, turning her impatient gaze towards her brother, her earlier fear and worries already forgotten as she and Shingo fell into their usual routine of arguing.
"Mama wants to know if your friend is still taking you to the airport?" Shingo asked, stepping into the room and glancing around to see if anything were out of place. "Are you alright, onee-chan? You seemed-"
"I'm fine." Usagi snapped, her gaze quickly darting towards the mirror to see the shadow was now gone, only her and her brother's reflection visible. 'What was that? Was I just seeing things?' She pondered, deciding to retrieve the brooch and keep it close until she could talk to Mamoru about what she had seen in the mirror.
"You sure you're alright?" Shingo skeptically asked, noticing his sister seemed a little on edge and distracted. "Are you having second thoughts about your trip?"
"No, I'm fine." Usagi insisted, forcing a bright smile to ease her brother's concern. "Will you tell mama, Haruka-chan is still giving me a ride to the airport."
"Alright, I'll tell her." Glancing around his sister's room once more, he gave his sister one final glance before shutting the door with a soft click.
Sighing out in relief as her brother left the room, Usagi felt her body tense once more as her room grew icy cold within moments. Wrapping her arms around her in an attempt for warmth, she could visibly see her breaths beginning to show as her body shook from the icy cold as the room's temperature plunged lower by the moment. 'Why is this happening?! Is this a new enemy?!'
Knowing the cause for the sudden plunge in temperature, she felt her stomach twist in fear as she nervously turned her gaze towards the mirror resting on her writing desk. "What do you want?" She quietly asked, her voice suprisingly calm despite her fear. Tightening her hold on her brooch as the shadowy figure reappeared, she felt her body shudder from the cold as a feminine voice soon emerged from the mirror.
"Serenity…" A soft sultry voice whispered.
"Who are you?" Usagi quietly demanded, not wanting to alert her family of the potential danger.
"He is eager to see you, young princess..."
"He?" Usagi asked, weakly dropping to her knees, her arms wrapping around herself as she struggled against the paralyzing cold. "Wh-What do you want?
"Foolish girl, I just told you." The voice mocked as taunting laughter filled the room. "We'll be seeing you soon…"
Gasping as the icy cold was gone in an instant, Usagi nervously glanced around the room to make sure she was alone as she fought back her frustrated tears. 'We can't have another enemy, not so soon!' She thought, her heart painfully panging at the thought of her friends losing their star seeds to Sailor Galaxia. 'I don't want to lose them, not again. Why can't we just have a break from all this fighting?! Do we not deserve to have a normal life, free of fighting? ' She desperately thought, stray tears streaking her cheeks. "This isn't fair…" She whimpered, as she hung her head down and allowed herself to cry out her fear and frustrations.
(Meanwhile in Another Dimension)
Boredly watching the shadows cast from the flickering flames of the torches dancing across the wall, Prince Orion sighed as he awaited his Generals to appear and make their reports to him. Glancing up as one appeared, he watched as she walked towards the throne, stopping and kneeling as she reached the throne's dais. "Mizu, have you located my sister?" He demanded, his cold blue eyes flashing impatiently for her response.
"Yes, my Prince." Mizu answered as she raised to stand before her Prince. She stood tall, wearing a light blue tunic and light blue boots that stopped above her knees. Her long silvery white hair was pulled back into a braid, her deep blue eyes complimenting her pale complexion, her delicate fingers, tightly gripping a silver staff. "We've been watching her, and we feel confident in the next phase of the plan. I assure you, she will not suspect a thing until it's too late."
"I commend you, Mizu. Now, go and inform Arashi to assist Jikan in the next phase of my plan." Prince Orion commanded, a wicked smile spreading across his lips. "I need her Guardians to believe that she's dead, I cannot have them looking for her and interfering with my plans. I will not tolerate failure, Mizu. We only have one chance at this working."
"We will not fail you, my Prince. We will find the Princess and bring her to you." Mizu swore, bowing once more before shimmering from the throne room.
Turning his cold gaze back towards the shadows of the flames, Prince Orion softly sighed before turning his gaze towards the darker shadows of the throne room, where he could feel her dark, ominous presence nearby. "Shi I must speak with you." He requested, a shiver running down his spine as the throne room grew deathly cold, a wicked laugh filling the room as a cloaked figure stepped from within the dark shadows. The figure wore a long black cloak, adorned with silver trim, a dark, thick hood hid their face, their deathly pale hands the only feature accessible as they tightly clutched a silver scythe in one delicate hand, the other hand raising to lower the hood revealing curly black locks, to spill around them, stopping mid-thigh.
"Did you need something, Prince?" Shi asked, turning her cruel red gaze towards the White Moon Prince, a smirk on her lips as she awaited his response.
"The plan is being set in motion as you requested Shi." Prince Orion stated as he rose from the throne and descended the dais. "In time, my dear sister will be in under my protection once again."
"Very good, Prince Orion. When you have them both, summon me and I will do my part." Shi commanded, watching the Prince wickedly smile at her instructions. "When I'm done with them, you will have all that you've sought and desired. Your revenge against the Earth Kingdom and your sister under your watchful protection, once more."
Pointing her scythe at the White Moon Prince, Shi smirked at the uneasy look he cast her weapon before she addressed him in a cold, serious tone. "Do not make me regret setting you free from your eternal sleep. If you serve me well, you and your sister will rule this entire realm." She cautioned, watching the White Moon Prince smugly scoff at her warning.
"I will not fail you, Shi." Prince Orion proudly boasted, watching the woman smirk before stepping back into the shadows and vanishing from the throne room once more. Returning to his throne, he quietly sat, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips at the thought of finally being reunited with his sister. 'Very soon I will have both my revenge and my sister by my side.'
(Game Center Crown Arcade)
Watching Minako and Usagi with amusement as they were racing one another on one of the newest arcade games, Haruka smiled with mirth at how focused her Princess looked sitting on the motorcycle as she neared a tricky curve in the game. 'I wonder if she would be interested in learning to drive one? She's showing potential with the game.' She pondered, excited at the prospective thought.
Lifting her curious gaze up at the small screen displaying the scores above the two blondes, she looked at the impressive time her Princess was making, noting she was also a lap ahead of Minako. Raising her brow with disbelief, she chuckled before she spoke. "That's an impressive score, Neko-chan." She commended, watching the blonde snap from her deep focus to glance over her shoulder at her.
"What was it, Haruka-chan?" Usagi asked, her eyes suddenly widening at the realization of her fatal mistake. Yelping out as she turned her focus back onto the game's screen, she watched to her horror as the racer crashed into another racer resulting in the dreaded words flashing on the game's screen.
GAME OVER
"AGH! No! No! No! I was so close to beating my last score!" Usagi wailed, her head dropping in dramatic defeat, her shoulders slumping as she released any unladylike grunt. "Ugh!"
"I'm sorry, Neko-chan." Haruka chuckled, resting her hand against her friend's shoulder, in an attempt to offer comfort to the pouting blonde. "I didn't mean to distract you from the game. For what it's worth, you did really well. That was an impressive score and skill you were showing."
"Do you want to go another round?" Minako eagerly chirped watching her friend quickly brighten up at the suggestion.
"Yes, let's-" Usagi happily stated, her words cut short as she felt Haruka's grip on her shoulder briefly tighten to gain her attention. Turning her head, she watched the blonde give her an apologetic smile as she shook her head.
"We should probably leave for the airport, Neko-chan. Your flight is going to be leaving soon." Haruka reminded her absent-minded Princess.
"Already." Usagi whined, still anxious at the thought of getting on a plane. Turning her attention back to Minako who was sitting on the opposing motorcycle next to hers, she could see the disappointment in her friend's blue gaze as well. "Don't worrym Minako-chan. When I get back from visiting Mamo-chan, we're going to have a rematch, I promise."
"I'm going to practice while you're gone, Usagi. I'm not going to stop until I beat that high score of yours, so be prepared to lose." Minako challenged her friend before playfully winking.
"No, you can't do that, Minako-chan!" Usagi whined in protest. "Do you know how long it took me to get that high of a score?" She grumbled, with a soft huff.
"Relax, Usagi. I'm sure it's going to take me all week to even get close to your score." Minako giggled, then softly exhaled, tears shining in her blue eyes as she met her friend's gaze. "I'm going to miss you, while you're away. It's not going to be the same without you here."
"I'm only going to be gone for a week." Usagi chuckled, tears shining in her own eyes at the thought of being so far away from her friends. "Don't get all weepy on me, too." She teased, trying to keep a brave front for her friends. "Luna was acting like she was never going to see me again." She chuckled, smiling as she thought back to the small feline who had left with Artemis shortly before they reached the arcade that morning. "I'll contact you all with the communicator as soon as my flight lands." She promised, watching her friend tearfully smile and nod. "I pinky promise." She said extending her pinky out to her friend, playfully winking.
"You can't go back on a pinky promise." Minako insisted, tearfully laughing as she linked her pinky with her friends.
"I won't." Usagi promised as they shook their linked fingers in unison. "I'll be back before you know it."
Rolling her eyes and shaking her head at the childish antics the two blondes were displaying, Haruka smiled as the two embraced one final time before their Princess stood and carefully dismounted the game's seat. "Perhaps when you're back I can show you how to drive the real thing, Neko-chan." She suggested, watching her Princess look over at her in surprise.
"Oh no, I think I would definitely crash." Usagi nervously laughed, thinking of the disaster she would cause if she were to attempt to drive a motorcycle. "I think I'll stick with the game for now."
"You're not giving yourself enough credit, Neko-chan. You're showing great potential with the game, who knows, maybe you can become a famous racer too." Haruka teased with a playful wink. Noticing the others were still at the booth chatting and laughing with one another, she motioned her Princess towards the booth. "Go say your goodbyes, we need to leave soon." She reminded the blonde, smiling as her friend nodded before she turned and walked in the direction of the three remaining Senshi, Minako quickly dismounting the game and following after their Princess.
Following behind the two blondes to ensure their Princess wasn't late for her flight, she stopped a few feet back allowing the group to say their goodbyes. Noticing Makoto, Ami, and Rei were all teary-eyed as Usagi reached the table, she smiled in amusement at how much of a fuss the four Inner Senshi were making over the short trip their Princess was taking. 'What are they going to do when it's time for them to part ways when they go off to college?' She thought, holding back her chuckle.
"Minna." Usagi tearfully stated, noticing the unshed tears shining in her friend's gazes as she reached the booth. "You're going to make me cry again." She tearfully chuckled, as tears stung her eyes once more. "I'll be back in a week." She promised, choking back a sob as the three embraced her all at once.
"Alright, you three come on, I need to get Neko-chan to the airport." Haruka stated, sighing out in exasperation at the three clung to their Princess. "She's only going to be gone for a week for goodness sake!" She scolded the three. Smiling as Michiru made her exit from the booth, she watched as her partner walked past the four, now five as Minako dramatically embraced the group once more. "They act like this is a permanent goodbye." She grumbled, wrapping her arm around Michiru's waist as she stood beside her.
"You're not going to miss her?" Michiru teased, her lips curving into an amused smile.
"Of course, I'm going to miss her, but I know she's going to be safe with the Prince." She quietly admitted as she placed a gentle kiss against Michiru's temple. "Minako's been the most insufferable of the four." She murmured, chuckling as Michiru elbowed her in the side to hush her.
As if on cue, Minako tearfully rushed forward, tearfully embracing the group and prompting a groan of exasperation from Haruka. "Minako!" She cried out with exasperation. "I need you to take charge, this is not helping me to get Neko-chan to the airport." She grumbled, glancing over as Michiru spoke.
"Don't be so hard on them, Ruka." Michiru playfully scolded, her amused gaze meeting her partner's exasperated gaze. "They've always been together, this is probably the first time they're going to be parted from the Princess."
"Yes, but she's going to visit the Prince, not facing an enemy alone." Haruka wryly muttered. "They should know she's going to be safe while in his care." She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as she shook her head, not bothering to conceal her annoyance with the four weepy Inner Senshi. 'Ever since we returned from the Galaxy Cauldron, they've become dependent on one another, almost inseparable.' She mused, her heart panging slightly at the thought of their failure to protect their Princess during the final battle. 'If it had not been for the Starlights, she too would have been lost to us as well.' She begrudgingly accepted their failure, grateful yet scorned at the thought of the three invading Senshi who bravely fought alongside their Princess in the battle against Sailor Galaxia. 'We won't fail her again, we will fight harder to protect her if there should ever be another threat to this planet.' She mentally swore, hoping and praying they could enjoy a longer break of peace before they and their Princess were forced to fight once more.
(Meanwhile in America)
Unlocking the door to his apartment, Mamoru tiredly sighed, mentally and physically exhausted from the long day he'd spent in the campus library studying and writing essays. Closing the apartment door with a soft click, he lowered his bag to the floor, kicking his shoes off as he made his way towards the small kitchen. "I need some coffee." He tiredly muttered, glancing down at his watch. After a brief moment of mental math, he felt a smile tug at his lips knowing Usagi would be boarding, if not already boarded for her flight. 'I've missed you, Usako.' He thought, his heart panging at the distance he'd foolishly put between them. 'I look forward to her calls, I just want to sit and soak in her voice since we're so far apart.' Flipping the small switch on the coffee maker with a soft click, he leaned against the counter, feeling eager and nervous at the thought of her visit. 'Are things going to be the same when she gets here, or is it going to be awkward?' He worriedly thought, fearing his absence would ultimately push her away.
Angering at the toxic thoughts that were filling his mind, he ran his hand through his hair pushing back his infuriating bangs from his face as he growled out in frustration. "I'm such a damn fool for leaving Tokyo." He muttered, never imagining himself being the type to be homesick. 'I should have attended a University in Japan so I could be closer to her.' His mind chastised. 'What if this causes a strain in our relationship?"
::SHATTER::
Snapping from his thoughts at the unexpected sound, he extended his hand, summoning a rose as he cautiously exited the kitchen to investigate the source of the broken glass. Entering the small living room, he abruptly halted his steps, his form tensing slightly as he spotted a man standing near his balcony door, a broken picture frame lying on the floor near his booted foot.
"Who are you? How did you get in here?" He demanded, his gaze hard and voice cold as he stanced, battle ready for the intruder to make some sort of move. Watching the intruder glance over at him with a bored look, he felt a sudden chill run down his spine as the man's cold gaze met his, a wicked smile spreading across the man's thin lips as he chuckled at his demand.
"Is that a proper greeting a Prince should show towards his guest?" The man mocked, chuckling as the Earth Prince tensed at his comment. He stood tall, wearing black armor, a bronze-colored flame sigil in the center of his breastplate. His short spiky red hair and a red beard along his chiseled jaw and chin. His deep brown eyes complimented his tan complexion, his large hands wrapped tightly around a silver staff. "I'm Moyasu and my Prince requests your audience, Prince Endymion." He commanded, watching the Earth Prince extend his hand out, preparing to throw something. "I don't think so." He sneered pointing his staff at the young man and releasing a torrent of flames just as the Earth Prince released an onslaught of roses. "That's all you have, parlor tricks?!" He balked, his laughter heard over the roar of flames released from his staff.
Narrowly avoiding the attack, Mamoru roughly landed on the floor, his gaze turning to look behind him at the damages caused by the man's attack. Seeing a nearby bookcase was encompassed in flames, he felt his anger boil, watching as photos and other mementos he'd brought from home were quickly being consumed by the fire. "Damn you!" He angrily shouted, the heat of the flames filling the apartment as the fire began to spread throughout the apartment.
Avoiding a second attack, he coughed as the thick smoke began to fill his apartment, the shrill sounds of the fire alarm filling the apartment. Tensing as he heard the sound of glass cracking, he looked over his shoulder to see a picture of him and Usagi burning within the flames.
Feeling an overwhelming sense of fear flood through his senses, he immediately tensed sensing Usagi's fear and apprehension through the soul bond he shared with her. 'Usako?!' He frantically thought, too preoccupied with his worry that he didn't see nor sense the sudden attack from behind until it was too late.
Using Prince's sudden distraction to his advantage, Moyasu seized the opportunity, teleporting behind the Earth Prince, raising his staff in preparation to attack. 'Too easy.' He smugly thought as he brought his staff down striking the young man across the back of the head. Watching the Terran roughly collapse onto the floor with a pained grunt, he chuckled at the sight of blood running down the Earth Prince's face. "You should really clean yourself up before we leave." He jeered, his lips curving up in his amusement. "You're going to cause the Princess distress when she sees all that blood." He smirked.
"You leave her alone!" Mamoru threatened, trying to fight back the dizzying darkness that was trying to consume him, his head painfully pounding and throbbing from the unexpected strike. "I'll-" Grunting when he was struck by a second blow, he felt everything suddenly grow dark as he was consumed by the darkness, his last thought on the distressed link. 'Usako…'
"Such a pathetic excuse." Moyasu spat looking down at the Earth Prince in disgust. "How are you the heir to this planet? You could barely put up a fight against me." He scoffed, lifting the unconscious man by the back of his shirt, his gaze taking in the destructive force of his flames as they were quickly consuming the small apartment before he teleported the two from the room leaving the apartment to burn.
(Earlier Over The Pacific Ocean)
Boredly looking out the small window at the endless sea that stretched below the plane, Usagi tiredly stretched her arms as she yawned, her mind restless and at unease from her earlier encounter with the shadowy figure in her bedroom. 'Should I have said something to the others before I left?' She guiltily contemplated, hoping she had not endangered her friends or family by remaining silent on the matter.
Nervously twisting the small engagement ring on her finger, she grew lost in her thoughts, her gaze glancing down towards the ring, hoping to find some kind of comfort, knowing in a matter of hours, she would be in the arms of the man she would soon be devoting her life to. 'Mamo-chan…' Smiling at the thought of seeing him, she brushed her thumb lightly finger over the pink stone of the promise ring, smiling more at the thought of Mamoru finishing his studies abroad, and returning home so they could finally be together as husband and wife. 'Will I have the opportunity to go to college? Or will I begin my preparations for my role as future Queen?' She curiously wondered, not fully knowing what the future had in store for them, when it came time for Crystal Tokyo to be erected.
Leaning her head against the small cool window, she noticed the clouds in the distance flickered with lightning. 'A storm.' She nervously thought, growing more apprehensive at the thought of the thunder the storm would surely bring. Putting her focus back onto the ocean below, she thought back to the dream she had woken to that morning. "Orion." She muttered, thinking back to the boy in the dream, his mischievous behavior reminding her of the relationship she shared with Shingo
'Serenity, your fate awaits you...'
Snapping from her thoughts at the same chilling voice filled her mind once more, Usagi abruptly raised in her seat nervously looking around the plane. Seeing the majority of the passengers were either sleeping or chatting with one another, she suddenly felt anxious and uneasy from the sudden ominous feeling overwhelming her senses. 'Something isn't right.'
'Serenity, there is no escape. You will submit to my power, just as the Prince submitted." The voice mocked, with a wicked laugh.
Feeling her head begin to painfully pound, Usagi groaned out as her stomach nauseatingly twisted from the painful pounding. Leaning over in her seat, she tightly closed her eyes, gritting her teeth to hold back the cry of pain from the insistent throbbing pain. Jumping in fear from a powerful crash of thunder rumbling in the air, she turned her panicked gaze towards the window watching as lightning danced and crackled menacingly amongst the dark clouds that were looming in the distance. 'I can't shake this bad feeling.' She worriedly thought, her eyes flashing with fear as she caught sight of a bright light hurtling towards the plane. 'Mamo-chan!'
(Meanwhile In Another Dimension)
Groaning out in pain as he was struck in the side of the face by the man's staff once again, Mamoru grunted from the force as he collapsed onto the ground, his mind spinning with dizziness and throbbing with newfound pain. Raising his pain-filled gaze in time, he managed to dodge a second blow from the staff as he turned his body in time, the staff striking against the dark marble floor with a deafening clang.
"Moyasu, enough." Prince Orion sternly commanded, standing from his throne. Walking towards the injured Earth Prince, he looked down at the dark-haired Terran with disgust. "Prince Endymion, you do not know how long I have been waiting for this moment." He sneered, kneeling in front of the bleeding man. Grabbing him by the hair, he forced the Earth Prince to look at him before he angrily spoke. "You took everything from me, my father, my mother, and my dear sweet sister."
"I...I don't know what...what you're talking about." Mamoru weakly stated, blinking furiously to keep his unfocused gaze on his newest threat. "I- I've done nothing to you."
"Of course, you don't remember, me. Why would you?" Prince Orion sneered, angering more as his grip on the man's shirt briefly tightened as he tried to control his anger. "Mother would have had all your memories of me wiped away after my banishment to spare my sister the pain." He angrily stated, clenching his jaw to hide his hurt and frustration. "No matter, you will not be around to see my sister and I rebuild the Silver Alliance and claim this system as ours." He chuckled, his gaze darkening as he looked at the injured man with disgust. "Just sickening, the thought of my sweet sister having to marry a murderous Terran."
'Usako.' Mamoru frantically thought, his angered gaze meeting the golden-haired man's disgusted gaze. "Leave Usagi out of this! Don't you dare touch her!" He sneered, knowing he would not hesitate to kill the man if he caused his beloved any harm.
"Usagi, is that what Serenity is called now in this life?" Orion asked, disgusted by the Terran name his sister willingly answered to. "No matter, I'll help her remember who she was." He snapped, looking down at the man with a smirk. "Your threat means nothing, Terran. You're weak and injured. What do you honestly think you could do to me?" He jeered, a wicked chuckle escaping his lips as he tossed the man roughly back onto the marble floor.
"She should be arriving soon, my other Generals are retrieving her as we speak." He smirked, watching with delight as fear flashed in the Terran's eyes. "You don't know how long I've waited, what I've had to do to be reunited with my dear sister."
Clenching his fists at his sides, he shook with anger as he looked at the man who had been granted a second chance to defile and tarnish the Lunarian bloodline, the thought of any bastard children he Terran Prince would force his sister into conceiving repulsing him more.
"You filthy Terran, I will never allow you to touch her!" He sneered, disgust and anger evident in his cold gaze. "She should have never have forced into a marriage with the Earth Kingdom, not after what happened to our father!"
"I don't know what I did to wrong you as Endymion, but I swear to you, I would never hurt Usa-Serenity, I love her!" Mamoru shouted back with conviction, his worry and fear growing at the thought of the repercussions the man's fury and need for revenge held for him and Usagi.
"Bind him Moyasu, I don't want any surprises when my sister arrives." Orion commanded, turning his cold gaze towards his general, before wickedly smiling down at the struggling Prince. "Struggle all you want, they'll be arriving soon. If I'm feeling generous, I'll allow you to say goodbye to Serenity." He taunted, wickedly chuckling as he made his way back to his throne, anxiously awaiting to be reunited with his sister.
(Meanwhile Over the Pacific Ocean)
Screaming out in fear as the blinding light struck the plane, Usagi tightly closed her eyes, bracing her body for the oncoming pain. Feeling an unknown warmth encompass her, she blinked her eyes open, her tear-filled gaze widening in shock and disbelief as she found herself suspended midair, within a bubble of energy.
Turning her disbelieving gaze back towards the plane, she screamed out in horror as the plane erupted into a fiery explosion as the engine was struck by lightning. "NO! PLEASE, NO!" She desperately screamed, her fists pounding violently against the energy bubble she was trapped within. "I HAVE TO HELP THEM!" She pleaded, her body shuddering as she heartbrokenly sobbed for the lost souls as the plane spiraled down from the sky, crashing violently into the deep ocean below. "Please…" She whimpered, her hand clutching onto her brooch as she watched the plane begin to sink into the water's depths.
"There's nothing you can do for them, your grace." A masculine voice chuckled from behind, his cold gaze watching with amusement as the blonde looked over her shoulder at him in shock and fear. "I'm not here to harm you, I have strict orders to bring you unharmed."
"Who are you?" Usagi tearfully demanded, her stomach lurching in fear as the field of energy vanished from around her. Before she could scream out in fear of dropping to the sea below, she felt a strong arm wrap tightly around her waist before she could hurl into the sea below. "What do you want?!" She tearfully demanded, struggling against her captor as she tried to free her arm which was pinned, so she could reach for her brooch once more. "Let me go!" She angrily shouted, hot angry tears streaking her cheeks.
"As you wish." The man smirked, releasing the blonde and smiling in amusement at her terrified screams as she plummeted towards the ocean below.
"Jikan, will you quit fooling around already? We have orders to bring the Princess back unharmed." A harsh voice scolded, annoyance shining in her deep violet gaze.
"Relax Arashi, no harm will come to the Princess." Jikan retorted with a bored sigh, lifting his hand and snapping his fingers. Watching the same bubble of energy surround the blonde, he turned his cocky gaze towards the dark-haired woman that hovered beside him. "See, she's uninjured." He chuckled, prompting the other General to roll her eyes at his response.
"You're a fool, let's go. The Prince will grow impatient if we make him wait any longer." Arashi urged as she vanished in a soft shimmer of energy.
"Yes, we mustn't make him wait." Jikan wryly retorted, turning his gaze down to glower at the blonde who was once again struggling to escape the confines of his energy field. "She's not going to submit so easily, she has a warrior's spirirt." He chuckled, snapping his fingers once more as he and the captured Princess vanished.
(Meanwhile In Another Dimension)
Smiling victoriously as Arashi appeared in the throne room, Prince Orion stood with nervous anticipation, his smile growing more the General nodded her head, confirming the plan had been successfully executed. "You have done well Arashi. You and Jikan will be rewarded for this great service." He commended, watching his General bow.
"Thank you, Prince Orion." Arashi answered, smoothing the skirt of her light grey tunic, the heels of her light grey boots clicking against the floor as she walked towards the throne, stopping and kneeling before the dais. "I ensured there were no survivors, the-"
"No!" Mamoru shouted, tears shining in his eyes as he struggled against his bindings, fury, and grief blazing in his tear-filled eyes as he turned his anger towards the woman with long black hair pulled back into a braid. "You're lying, she's alive! She-"
"Of course she's alive, you fool." Orion interrupted, turning his irritated gaze towards the distraught. "Why would I have my own flesh and blood assinated? I'm not a murderer like you, Terran." He sneered, watching the Earth Prince visibly relax, his head hanging low as a few stray tears streaked his cheeks.
"Please." Mamoru begged, turning his pleading gaze towards the White Moon Prince. "Please do whatever you want to me, but keep Usako out of this."
"Usako?" Orion scoffed, his amused laugh echoing across the throne room. "Is this a term of endearment you use on my sister?" He jeered, stepping down the dais and calmly walking towards the bound Prince. "How sickening, you have truly brainwashed her, if she is-"
"She loves me." Mamoru snapped, angrily looking at the man with defiance. "Usagi isn't the same as the Serenity you remember, she's-"
::CRACK::
Ignoring the stinging pain in the back of his hand, Orion smirked as he watched the Earth Prince roughly crash against the marble floor once again. "Do not call her that again in my presence. Her name is Serenity, show her the respect she deserves." He angrily commanded. "You call her those filthy Terran names again, I'll remove your tongue with my dagger."
"Shall I take care of him, my Prince?" Arashi eagerly asked, her grip briefly tightening around her silver staff, eager at the prospect of bringing pain to the bound Earth Prince.
"No, not yet, Arashi." Orion calmly stated, smirking as Endymion struggled to raise onto his knees once again. "I want him awake when my sister arrives." He commanded, vanishing and shimmering back onto the steps of his throne. Taking his spot on the throne once more, he smiled as he could sense Jikan's energy filling the room. "They're here." He murmured, his stomach nervously twisting in anticipation.
"Let me out of this thing, you creep!"
Smiling with amusement as his sister's shriek filled the throne room as Jikan appeared next to Arashi, Prince Orion smiled with amusement as Jikan snapped his fingers, the blonde yelping out in shock as she crashed the small distance onto the marbled floor with an unladylike grunt.
"Where am I? Tell me why I'm here?!" Usagi demanded, scrambling to her feet and glaring at the man responsible for her capture. Placing her hand over her brooch, she glared at the man, offering one final chance before she transformed. "Answer me, or I'll-"
"He brought you upon my command." Orion interrupted, watching with nervous anticipation as the blonde visibly tensed at the sound of his voice. "Welcome Serenity, I don't know if you remember me, but I'm-"
"Orion…" Usagi gasped, standing in shock and disbelief, as she saw the boy from her dreams standing before, no longer a child, but a man. "No, you- you were just a dream, you can't be real.." She stammered, gasping in surprise and taking a nervous step back as he appeared only an arm's length from her.
"You're more beautiful than I remember, Serenity." Prince Orion stated watching tears shine in her cerulean blue gaze. "I've looked forward to this moment for so long." Reaching out and caressing her tear-stained cheek, he brushed his thumb against her damp cheek, brushing away a stray tear. "It's so good to see you again, my dear sister."
"I-I don't understand." Usagi tearfully stammered, refusing to shy away from his familiar touch as he gently brushed away a tear from her cheek. "Why can I not remember you, I have no memories of you?" She asked, watching him sadly smile at the question before he gently responded.
"I can help you remember." Prince Orion gently urged, his hands resting against her shoulders as he closed the distance between them. Pressing his forehead against hers, he closed his eyes, focusing on the powers within him, his royal insignia flaring brightly with power. "Awaken, Princess Serenity. Remember what was taken from you." He murmured as the warmth of his energy encompassed them both.
Feeling hot tears escape her closed lids as a myriad of forgotten memories were awakened from her past life, she felt her own royal insignia flare with power, her clothing melding into the flowing white gown she wore in the Silver Millenium. "Prince Orion." She gasped, recognition in her gaze as happy tears streaked her cheeks as she met her brother's own tearful gaze. "Brother."
"I'm so happy your back, Serenity." Orion happily stated, a tearful chuckle escaping his lips.
"I- I thought I would never see you again." Serenity cried out, happily embracing him, tightly clinging to him as her body shook with soft sobs.
"Small Lady." Prince Orion happily stated, drawing her closer against him as he happily embraced her, holding her as she cried. Waiting until her tears subsided to soft sniffles, Prince Orion gently cupped her chin tilting her head up as he met her tearful gaze. "Now that you remember everything, you know what must be done." He gently reminded his sister, watching fear flash in her blue eyes.
"No!" Princess Serenity pleaded, clutching tightly to her brother, desperate for him to listen to reason as she pleaded for her beloved's life. "He's innocent, please you must listen to me brother!" She cried out as fresh tears streaked her cheeks. "Please don't hurt Prince Endymion! He's not responsible for our father's death, he was only a child when it happened!" She begged, desperation shining in her cerulean blue eyes.
"Moyasu." Prince Orion commanded, smiling as Moyasu appeared only a few strides from where he and Serenity stood with the Earth Prince still bound.
"Endymion!" Princess Serenity desperately cried out, not seeing the hurt or anger flashing in her brother's cerulean blue eyes as she rushed past him in her distress.
'No!' Orion angrily thought, his fists clenching at his side as he tried to control his rage as his sister rushed forwards, desperately embracing Endymion. 'I have no choice now, the only way I can end his control over her, is by spilling his blood.'
Embracing Endymion as soon as she reached his side, Serenity gently caressed his cheek as she met his worried gaze. "You're hurt, my love." She gasped, carefully brushing her fingers against the dried blood on his face. "I'm so sorry he hurt you." She whimpered, nestling her face in the crook of his neck as hot tears streaked her cheeks.
"Usako." Mamoru gently murmured, his eyes tightly shutting as he released a deep breath of relief, grateful she was uninjured. "Did they hurt you?" He gently asked, breathing in her scent as her hair brushed against his cheek.
"No, but they've hurt you instead." Serenity remorsefully insisted, lifting her tearful gaze from his shoulder and meeting his surprise gaze. "My love…" She gently stated, resting her hands against his wrists, where they were tightly bound. "I won't let him take you from me." She promised, not seeing the fear flash in Mamoru's eyes as she turned her pleading gaze towards her seething brother. "Please Orion! Please I'm begging you, let him go! Please don't hurt him, I'll do anything!"
"Serenity, please don't." Mamoru urged, watching her turn her desperate gaze towards him at his gentle plea. Placing a gentle kiss against the golden insignia on her forehead, he looked into her tear-filled eyes, his tone soft and soothing as he tried to ease her sudden distress. "Please don't bargain with him, it's not worth it, I'm not worth whatever he wants from you. It's going to be alright, I promise. We'll get out of this, one way or ano-"
"Enough of this!" Prince Orion growled, his clenched fists shaking in his anger. "Ge away from him, Serenity!" He commanded, unable to bear witness to the tender moment the couple was sharing. Watching her tearfully shake her head, he narrowed his gaze at the one responsible for everything. "Fine." He sneered, his voice low and menacing. "Shi, I command your help! I have both the Prince and Princess of the Silver Millenium! This ends today!"
Shivering as the room suddenly grew cold, Princess Serenity gasped in fear, recognizing the dark presence as the same that she'd experienced earlier that morning in her bedroom. "We have to get out of here." She cried out, desperately grasping onto the bindings around his wrists and giving them a sharp tug.
Crying out in pain as dark energy crackled around the bindings in response to her attempts to loosen them, she looked down at her burned hands, drawing them against her as she tried to ignore the stinging throb from the burns she'd sustained. Knowing she couldn't make a second attempt without causing further injury to herself or Mamoru, she turned her pleading gaze towards her beloved. "What am I going to do?" She desperately asked, watching a small smile tug at Mamoru's lips as he met her gaze.
"Serenity, you know what you need to do." Mamoru urged, watching his beloved tearfully shake her head, her inner Princess lacking the same courage and confidence that Usagi exuberated on the battlefield. "We need Eternal Sailor Moon, she's the only way we're going to get out of here."
Gently pressing her lips against his, Princess Serenity blushed as she felt him briefly deepen the kiss pouring his love and strength into the kiss. Feeling her royal gown fade back to the clothing she was wearing on the plane, she opened her eyes to see Mamoru's loving gaze meeting her own. "Mamo-chan." She gently stated, tearfully smiling as she caressed his cheek.
"Usako." Mamoru murmured, pressing his lips against hers once more, relishing the feel of her so close to him once again. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you more." Usagi sniffled, already missing the feel of his lips against hers. Looking into his gaze, she placed her hand over her brooch, determination shining brightly in her eyes as she spoke. "I'm going to get us out of here, I pro- AAGGHH!"
"Usako!" Mamoru shouted, watching in shock as Usagi was violently thrown back by an attack. "No!" He cried out, watching her slam into a wall, before limply collapsing to the ground where she remained unmoving. "Damn you!" He growled, turning his furious gaze towards the red-haired man who was responsible for the cheap shot. "You're going to pay for hurting her!" He sneered, as he struggled to free himself against his bindings, wanting to inflict as much pain as he possibly could on the man.
"You can't break free of those binds, no matter how much you try." Moyasu boasted, smugly smiling down at the struggling man. "Don't worry about her, I only used a fraction of my power on her. If I wanted to kill her, I wouldn't have held back." He taunted, chuckling as the dark-haired man only grew angrier, his struggling against the bindings only increasing.
Groggily stirring from the sounds of Mamoru's angry shouts, Usagi groaned out in pain, her hand reaching up and touching the back of her head. Hissing out in pain at the touch, she drew her hand back, groaning out in frustration when seeing red staining her hand. "Damn." She muttered, finding the cause to the splitting pain in her head. Forcing herself past the pain, she shakily attempted to stand, only to collapse back to her knees mid-stand. Turning her worried gaze where Mamoru was still bound, she felt her stomach nervously twist seeing a man with red hair looming over him. 'I have to get us out of here.' She desperately thought, her hand tightly clutching the brooch. Knowing she couldn't waste any more time, she gave the brooch a sharp tug, ripping her shirt in the process and crying out the words she's not spoken since the battle with Sailor Galaxia. "Moon Eternal, Make-Up!"
Watching in shock and disbelief as his sister transformed into a Guardian, Prince Orion shook his head not wanting to believe what he'd just witnessed. "How is this possible, she's a Princess?" He murmured, watching as she summoned a weapon and released an attack on Moyasu. Noticing Jikan and Arashi were about to interfere with the fight, he raised his hand, halting them before they could make any moves. 'I want to see her fight.' He eagerly thought, turning his attention back to the fight at hand. Feeling his previous concern turn to pride as she was able to stand against Moyasu, he curiously wondered how she acquired the power and skills as those of the Inner Guardians that were sworn to protect her. "I don't understand how this is possible, she shouldn't have the same abilities as her four Guardians. She was born a Princess, not a Guardian."
Glancing over at the sound of Shi's wicked chuckle, he felt a shiver run through him, growing uneasy at the menacing smile and eager gleam in her dark eyes as she watched his sister, like a predator watching its prey. Wondering if he'd made the right choice making a pact with Shi, he quickly pushed away the doubts, knowing only one thing mattered and that was helping his sister remember who she was and their rightful place. 'Don't worry, Serenity. I'm going to make everything right again.' He silently swore before turning his cold gaze back towards the dark figure beside him. "As I've promised, you may take their soul crystals."
"Once this is done, there will be no repairing the destruction, Prince." Shi cautioned the White Moon Prince, knowing the young man only desired revenge against the Prince of Earth.
"Destroy it, Shi." Orion commanded, his eyes darkening as he allowed his need for revenge to consume him. "I want it destroyed, I want to make sure there are no chances of him coming back to her. That miserable Terran will be eradicated and out of my sister's life for good." He sneered as he cut his cold gaze towards the unsuspecting man. 'He's the reason I was exiled.' He angrily thought, his cold gaze narrowing as his anger turned to rage. 'He's the reason why mother banished me and took every memory of me away from Serenity. He destroyed my family, and now I can finally have my revenge.'
"As you wish." Shi eagerly stated, turning her wicked gaze towards the unsuspecting Prince who was currently being distracted by Moyasu's taunts. Pointing her scythe in the direction of her target, her lips delightedly curved up into a wicked smile, eagerly anticipating what power his soul crystal would possess. Unleashing the powerful attack, she watched with delight as the power hurtled towards the unsuspecting Earth Prince, his gaze and focus still on the Sailor Guardian who was distracted in her fight with Moyasu.
"Starlight Honeymoon Therapy Kiss!"
Watching the red-haired General dodge her attacks, Eternal Sailor Moon quickly dodged his counterattacks, the powerful blasts narrowly missing her. Raising her Eternal Tier at the man once more, she felt her stomach lurch with fear noticing an attack hurtling towards Mamoru. "No!" She cried out, pointing her tier at the red-haired man and blasting him back with her attack. Not taking the time to see if he was going to stay down, she pushed herself to run as fast as she could, only to push herself to go faster, hoping and praying she could make it in time to spare him the attack. 'He's not transformed, he's going to get hurt more or worse!' Her mind cried out in panic, knowing her heart couldn't take it if she were to lose him after being reunited with him. "Mamo-chan!"
Sensing the attack as soon as Eternal Sailor Moon shouted out to him, Mamoru turned his gaze to see the oncoming attack hurtling towards him. Knowing there was no way he could dodge it in time, he tightly shut his eyes, awaiting the oncoming pain. 'I'm so sorry Usako.' He thought, wishing he could spare her the pain he seemed to always cause her. 'I love you so much.'
"AAAAGHHHHH!"
Feeling his heart drop at the sound of Eternal Sailor Moon's pained screams, Mamoru snapped his eyes open watching in shock and horror as she was struck by the powerful attack that had been meant for him. Raising his bound wrists to shield his eyes from the blindingly bright light that had consumed her, he was forced to stay on his knees, unable to help her in his current state. Not feeling the hot tears that were streaking his cheeks as her agonizing screams filled his ears, he snapped from his shock, finally finding his voice as he desperately called out to her, hoping and praying this was not the end for her, that he had not lost the one he loved and cherished most, his only family. "USAKO! NOOO!"
Watching Eternal Sailor Moon lifelessly collapse onto the floor in front of him as the light faded, Mamoru watched a small pink crystal emerge from her chest, hovering above her. "No-" He choked, his voice thick with emotion as he looked down at her lifeless form, tears streaking his cheeks as he looked into her lifeless eyes. Those beautiful beautiful cerulean blue eyes, he'd only looked into moments before, were now dark and void of any life. Bringing his bound hands forward and resting them against her ghostly, pale cheek, he quickly drew his hands back at how cold her skin was to the touch.
"NO!" He cried out, not holding back his pain and heartbreak. Shifting himself closer to her lifeless form, he ignored everything he had learned in medical school, as his mind desperately tried to find a solution, anything that could bring her back to him. "Usako-" He begged, his hot tears streaking down his cheeks as he mourned. "Usako, please don't leave me alone." He begged, resting his head against her chest as he shook with soft sobs knowing she had sacrificed herself for him. "Please wake up, my love. Please I need you, I can't live without you."
"Dammit, she was supposed to be last." Prince Orion angrily grumbled, teleporting to where his sister lifelessly lay. Holding his hand out, he smiled as the small pink crystal floated up into his outstretched hand. Looking in awe at how brilliantly the small pink crystal shone with power, he smiled down at the Guardian's lifeless form, eager to have his sister awoken fully. 'Perhaps I can take advantage of these abilities she possesses now.' He considered, before turning his gaze towards Shi who was patiently awaiting the soul crystal.
Watching the small pink crystal float up to the blonde-haired man's outstretched hand, Mamoru felt his heart sink as he desperately spoke. "No, please! You can't take it from her! Give it back! Please, if it will bring her back to me, give it back!"
"It belongs to Shi now." Orion sneered, glaring down at the begging man.
"Please, take mine instead!" Mamoru desperately begged. "Please bring her back! She doesn't deserve this!"
"Don't worry, she'll be back." Prince Orion smugly replied with an amused chuckle as he turned his cold gaze towards the Earth Prince. "Only this time she'll be stronger, more powerful. Its a shame, you won't be here to see it, Prince Endymion." He jeered before teleporting to where Shi was patiently awaiting him. Holding his hand out to present the soul crystal to Shi, Prince Orion watched with awe as the small pink crystal floated over to Shi, drawn to her outstretched hand. "I gave you what you wanted, now bring back my sister." He commanded.
"You've done well Prince Orion, this is a powerful soul crystal." Shi commended, watching with delight as the soul crystal was absorbed into her outstretched palm. Feeling herself grow stronger from the small pink crystal, she smiled as the new energy increased her own power. 'I need more of the planetary soul crystals.' She thought with a wicked smile. "I will awaken her, patience my Prince." She reminded the White Moon Prince. "We have one more to obtain before I awaken your sister."
"Then get rid of him already." Prince Orion impatiently sneered, turning his angry gaze towards the Earth Prince.
Pointing her scythe at the Earth Prince once more, she watched as he raised his gaze towards her, his grief and defeat shining brightly in his tear-filled eyes. Seeing the despair and lost hope, she wickedly smiled, knowing the man was not going to put up a fight, that he was willing to surrender his own soul crystal in his grief-stricken state as she released her attack.
Watching with mirth as the Terran's lifeless body collapsed atop the lifeless Sailor Guardian, she smiled in eager delight as the bright light vanished, revealing a small blue crystal hovering above the young man's lifeless body. Outstretching her hand, she watched as the soul crystal obeyed her call, floating across the short distance, and settling in the palm of her outstretched hand.
Looking down at the blue crystal, she frowned with disappointment, expecting to sense the same amount of power, if not more from the dead royal. 'Such a pity, I could have used this power.' She disappointedly thought. 'No matter, I'll obtain more from the Lunarian's guardians.' She eagerly thought, turning her hand towards Prince Orion and guiding the blue soul crystal to the impatient Prince.
Extending his hand out, Prince Orion smiled as the blue soul crystal gently lowered into his outstretched palm. Watching the soul crystal shimmer with power, he tightened his grip on the small crystal as he briefly turned his gaze towards his lifeless sister. "Awaken her, let us prepare for our next phase, Shi." He commanded, releasing his hold on the soul crystal and allowing it to drop onto the floor. Looking down at the small crystal, he smirked at a thought, knowing the Endymion's soul was now at his mercy, wickedly smiling in anticipation, he knew what he was about to do could not be undone. "Goodbye, Prince Endymion." He sneered, bringing his boot down onto the fragile blue crystal a wicked chuckle escaping his lips at the sound of the soul crystal shattering under the weight of his boot.
Lifting his foot, he smiled with satisfaction at the sight of shattered crystal, his gaze lifting towards the lifeless couple on the floor. "You and your murderous Kingdom will no longer have control over my sister." He sneered, as he smiled victoriously. "Now is my time, I will finally reclaim what was taken from me, I will reclaim my rightful spot on the Moon's throne and I'll make everyone on this miserable planet kneel to me, now that their Prince is dead."
Teleporting to his sister's lifeless form, he extended his arms out, sadly watching as her lifeless form appeared in his arms. 'You should not have been forced into this life, Serenity. You're a Lunarian Princess, why are you serving as this planet's protector?' He mused, wondering where her place would be since he had full rights to claim the throne as his once more. Smiling at a sudden idea, he looked down at the uniform she wore, noticing the emblem of the moon on her uniform. 'She not this planet's protector, she's the moon's protector.' He thought, a smile tugging at his lips at his sudden revelation. 'She must have been reborn as a Guardian to serve and protect me.' He thought, turning his gaze towards Shi. "When you bring her back to me, suppress the Terran she was reincarnated into. I want only Serenity brought back to me, I cannot risk her impure Terran thoughts and feeling interfering with Serenity's judgment."
"Yes, Prince." Shi responded, a wicked smile gracing her lips. 'If I suppress the Terran side of the girl, then I will also suppress a part of the Sailor Guardian's true power.' She mused, looking forward to the benefits the Prince's arrogance would bring upon him. 'By suppressing one of the two beings encompassing this girl's soul crystal, I will no longer have to worry about the soul encompassing the Guardian interfering with what I have in store for the two Lunarian brats.' She thought, with a wicked smile.
(Juban Park)
"What are you scheming, Minako?" Rei curiously asked, her brow quirking up questioningly when noticing the blonde seemed deep in thought.
"I was trying to think of some ways to cheer Usagi up after she comes home from her trip visiting Mamoru." Minako mused, turning her blue eyes towards her raven-haired friend. "I know she's going to act like she's fine, but we all know it's going to be hard on her having to leave him after spending a week with him." She sighed, turning her concerned gaze up towards the late afternoon sky.
"I'm sure we can think of something to cheer her up with." Makoto offered, glancing over at Luna and Artemis, watching with amusement as the two cats were sitting beside one another, sharing a small dish of vanilla ice cream.
"She's going to be glum for a while, so we need to help keep her distracted." Ami advised, watching the three nod in agreement.
"I'll make some sweets and bring them over when she gets home from the airport." Makoto eagerly suggested. "We all know how much food cheers her up." She laughed.
"Why don't we have a sleepover? We haven't had one in a long time." Rei suggested, watching Minako grow excited at the suggestion.
"That's a great idea Rei!" Minako squealed with excitement. "We haven't had one in such a long time! We can gossip, have makeovers, and talk about boys all night." Minako giggled, growing more excited at the thought of a much-needed girls' night.
"At the Tsukino's, or one of our places?" Ami asked, watching Minako tap her chin as she contemplated the options for a moment.
"How about the temple?" Rei suggested, flipping her hair back over her shoulder. "Unless you three would rather it be at one of your places."
"No, your place is fine." Minako responded with an excited smile as she looked over at her three friends with all seriousness. "Alright, so we have everything planned for Operation Cheer Usagi Up." She eagerly announced, prompting the three to sweatdrop. "Sleepover is going to be at the temple, Mako is in charge of making the snacks, Ami your in charge of bringing some magazines, nothing educational." She listed, not noticing the blunette blush. "I'll bring the supplies for the mani-pedis, now are we missing anything else?" She mused.
"We should take Usagi back to the arcade, after all, you did promise a rematch on the racing game." Ami suggested watching Minako smile and nod.
"Great idea, Ami!" Minako happily responded, clapping her hands together before she spoke. "Alright, sounds like we have everything all planned out for Usagi's return." She chirped, as she and Makoto began discussing the types of sweets to be made
Furrowing her brow in discomfort as she felt a dull throb, Rei closed her eyes, trying not to alert her friends of her discomfort as she rubbed her temple, trying to ease the increasing throb. Wincing as the throb grew, bringing a sharp pain, she clutched her head, not noticing her friend's concerned gazes were already watching her.
"Rei? Are you alright?" Minako worried asked, reaching out to rest her hand on her, her hand jerking back in surprise as Rei abruptly cried out pain, their friend weakly dropping to her knees when she attempted to stand. "Rei?!"
Not hearing her friend cry out to her, Rei could feel tears streaking her cheeks as images of their Prince and Princess filled her mind. A shadowed figure struck their Prince, then fire. Their Princess on her flight, then a fiery explosion. "No-" She choked, the images fading as quickly as they had appeared.
"Rei, you're scaring us, what's wrong?" Minako demanded.
Tearfully looking over at the blonde, she noticed her three friends kneeling around her, concern shining brightly in their gazes as they looked at her. "Something terrible has happened." She gravely murmured, another cry escaping her lips as she doubled over from the pain once more, images filling her mind once more.
"Rei, what are you seeing? What's happened?" Ami worriedly urged, resting her hand on her friend's back.
"What did you see, Rei?" Makoto pleaded, her stomach twisting tightly in worry, seeing how shaken her friend looked from her visions.
"Tell us." Minako pleaded. "What are you seeing, Rei?"
"Usagi-" Rei choked, her voice strained as tears streaked her pale cheeks. "No! Please no!" She heartbrokenly screamed, burying her face into her hands as her body shook with soft sobs.
Embracing her friend as she heartbrokenly cried, Ami could feel tears streak her own cheeks hearing the pain in her friend's sobs. "Rei." She tearfully urged. "Please, tell me what you saw. What happened to Usagi?" She begged. Feeling her heart drop at the sight of the pain and anguish in her friend's eyes as Rei looked up at her, Ami shook her head, her heart already knowing and suspecting what her friend was going to say. "No." She gasped, tears streaking her cheeks her heart breaking as her mind refused to accept what her friend had seen. "NO! You're wrong! She can't be-" She cried out, as she embraced her friend, each clinging to the other as they mourned.
"What's happened?!" Minako worriedly cried out, her frustration growing as Ami became just as emotionally distraught as their friend. "Rei?!" She desperately cried out. "Tell us what you saw! What happened to-"
Crying out as a bright light flashed only a few feet from them, Minako and Makoto swiftly turned, their transformation wands tightly gripped in their hands as they saw multiple figures within the bright light.
"Show yourself!" Makoto demanded, her grip tightening on her wand, ready to take her worry and frustrations out on the potential threat. Taking a step back in surprise when she saw Sailor Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus step forward as the light faded, she could feel her stomach drop further seeing the three had been crying. "What's happened?"
"Tell us!" Minako demanded as she and Makoto rushed forward.
"The Princess…" Sailor Neptune grimly spoke, her voice wavering as tears streaked her pale cheeks.
Wrapping her arm around her partner's waist, Sailor Uranus drew Sailor Neptune closer against her as her lover tightly clung to her, her form shaking as she quietly wept. Swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat, she furiously blinked back her own tears as she grimly spoke. "There was a storm over the Pacific-" She stated, her voice hollow as she fought to keep her grief contained. "Our Princess has fallen, her plane was caught up in the storm." She tearfully stated, a choked sob escaping her lips as she angrily shook her head. "There were no survivors."
"NO!" Minako cried out, as she weakly dropped to her knees, losing all strength as she was dealt the shocking news.
"Usagi…" Makoto gasped, the thought of losing her friend in the same way as her parents tearing open old wounds she'd dealt with as a child. "No! You're wrong!" She angrily shouted, her body quaking as she wept for their lost friend and Princess.
I'm sorry." Sailor Pluto grimly spoke, her heart full of guilt and remorse. "This is all my fault, if I had been at my post at the Time Gate, I would have seen this before it happened. I would have been able to prevent this from ever happening."
"What about Crystal Tokyo?" Minako asked, not ready to accept the painful news. "We were supposed to-"
"It's gone." Sailor Pluto grimly stated, tears streaking her cheeks as she thought of Chibiusa. "Small Lady has been lost to us as well. I'm so sorry, I-"
Tensing as they felt a dark ominous energy, the group watched with shock as a red-haired man appeared before them, his cruel gaze taking them in as he leered at them. "I take it you already know?" He jeered with an amused chuckle.
"Who are you?!" Sailor Uranus demanded, her grip protectively tightening around Sailor Neptune, prepared to make the first move.
I am Moyasu and my Prince has a message for you." He jeered chuckling as he looked down at the grief-stricken group with amusement. "The future of your Prince and Princess is no more, the Earth Prince and White Moon Princess have fallen." He boasted.
"Prince?" Sailor Pluto gasped, her eyes widening in shock and disbelief. "You're lying, I would have seen-"
"I am not deceiving you, Guardian." Moyasu chuckled, his lips curving into a delighted smile as he looked at the grieving guardians. "It seems, you do not know of Endymion's fate. Here I'll show you." He eagerly stated, raising his hand and snapping his fingers. Watching the Earth Prince's lifeless body appear near the four, he felt his smile widen in delight at their horrified screams. "You haven't seen the last of us, the Prince will reclaim what was taken from him!" He proclaimed, narrowly avoiding an attack as he vanished.
(Meanwhile in Another Dimension)
Gently resting his sister's lifeless body on the marbled altar, Prince Orion removed the brooch watching with awe as a Terran soon lay in the place of the Guardian. "This is not my sister." He sadly stated, shaking his head with disappointment. "This may be her body, but it's not the Serenity I grew up with, my sister."
"I've already explained this to you, Prince." Shi stated, her irritated gaze cutting towards the Lunarian Prince. "Your sister's soul is still intertwined with this Terran's soul. This is what happens when a soul is reincarnated." Summoning the soul crystal, she smiled at the brilliant shine the crystal radiated as she lowered her hand, allowing it to hover above the girl's lifeless body. "Now that I possess her soul crystal, I will be able to separate the two entities that make up this soul crystal. I will cast the Terran out, so the Serenity you remember will have full possession of this body."
"How long?" Prince Orion impatiently demanded. "How long before I have my sister back?"
"This will take some time, Prince." Shi advised, looking down at the lifeless body. "I will have to carefully untether the bond these two souls share."
"Do what you must." Prince Orion commanded, watching the cloaked woman bow her head in understanding of her orders. "Serenity will not possess the memories or abilities that the Guardian possesses." She cautioned, watching the Prince scoff at her comment.
"I don't care about any of that, she will be well trained by my Generals." Prince Orion responded, as he leaned over and gently caressed the blonde's cool cheek. "Soon Serenity, soon you will be by my side and we will reign over these murderous Terrans." He softly stated, looking forward to becoming King and ruling over both the Moon and Earth. "We will make this planet pay for everything they've taken from us, I swear it."
"Prince Orion,-" Moyasu stated as he appeared in the dimly lit room. "-I disposed of Endymion's body as you requested."
"You have served me well, Moyasu." Prince Orion stated, glancing over at his General. "My sister will return to us soon, she will need your guidance if she is to serve me as my Guardian." He commanded, watching his General bow. "You're dismissed, I'll bring her to you when it's time."
"I will train her well, Prince Orion. She will be battle ready when I have finished with her." Moyasu swore as he bowed to the Lunarian Prince.
"I will hold you accountable, you're dismissed." Prince Orion stated, turning his gaze towards Shi as Moyasu teleported from the room. Feeling uneasy as he watched Shi raise her scythe to the soul crystal, he watched with a nervous gaze as the tip of the deadly blade made contact against the delicate pink crystal that hovered above his sister's lifeless body. "Shi.." He nervously stated, growing silent as the woman cast an angry glare his way for the interruption. 'It's going to be alright, you're doing the right thing, this is the only way you can get Serenity back.' His mind urged him, as he watched with nervous anticipation as dark energy was released from the scythe, the dark power infiltrating the soul crystal.
(Elysion)
"My Prince, please, you must wake up." Helios urged, watching with relief as his Prince groggily began to stir, his blue eyes shining with confusion as he met his relieved gaze. "I'm relieved you're awake, you've been unresponsive for some time." Resting his hand against Endymion's shoulder as his Prince shakily raised, he watched as Endymion took his surrounding, before turning his questioning gaze towards him once more.
"Helios, why am I in Elysion?" Prince Endymion asked, his gaze drifting back towards the field which was encompassed in blue flowers, the endless blooms almost reminding him of a vast ocean spread out before him.
"You have fallen, my Prince." Helios grimly stated, watching his Prince look at him with alarm. "Your soul crystal was shattered, which means your star seed can no longer return to the Galaxy Cauldron for reincarnation."
"What?" Prince Endymion gasped, his hands clenching at his sides at the distressing news.
"I thought you were soul would be lost entirely but I was able to guide you back here to Elysion so your soul could rest here amongst your Kingdom."
"No, this can't be true." Prince Endymion insisted, his mind racing with all kinds of thoughts, before his heart painfully constricted at one thought, his desperate gaze turning to the priest. "Serenity? Where is Princess Serenity?" He urged, watching the priest immediately lower his gaze. "Tell me, Helios." He commanded.
"I'm sorry, I tried to guide her soul to Elysion as well, but something or someone is blocking me from guiding her here." Helios grimly explained, before nervously exhaling, not wanting to break the dire news to his distressed Prince. "Sire, I don't know where her soul was cast. I've been trying to call out to her and guide her to Elysion to be by your side."
"There has to be more you can do." Prince Endymion urged, as he stood and looked at the young man with sheer desperation. "Is there anything I can do to assist you? If you can guide my soul here, then surely you can do the same for her."
"Perhaps if we can summon the Golden Crystal, we can use its power to seek her out and help guide her here." Helios suggested, watching his Prince visibly ease as a sigh of relief escaped his lips. "We'll need to go to the temple. From there, I will be able to meditate and channel the power of the Golden Crystal to help guide her here to Elysion."
"Let us go then." Endymion commanded as he followed the young Priest down a gravel path where a white marble structure lay in the distance. 'Don't worry my dearest Serenity, I will find a way to guide you back to me.'
Feeling as if an enormous pressure was pressing against her, Usagi groggily opened her eyes to darkness, the infinite void of nothingness surrounding her. "Where am I?" She weakly asked, her voice echoing amongst the darkness.
Shivering from the cold void space that surrounded her, she moaned out in pain, feeling as if a part of her was being torn away. Feeling tears streak her cheeks, she whimpered out in fear of not knowing where she was or what she had done to be cast to such a dark, frightening place. "I'm so scared." She whimpered, her last fleeting thought was her jumping in front of the attack meant for Mamoru. "Mamo-chan.. Is he safe? Is he here too?" She gasped, her eyes struggling to see past the darkness, hoping to find any sign kind of light or way of escape. "Mamo-chan!" She cried out, a sob escaping her lips. "Are you here? Is anybody here?!"
Desperately looking around for any sign of life, she was able to get her body to turn, despite the pain, a cry of relief escaped her lips as she could make out a faint white light in the far distance. "It's so warm and familiar." She murmured, turning in the opposite direction to see only the cold emptiness of the endless dark void.
"I have to find help, I have to get out of here." She cried out with frustration as she struggled to get her heavy limbs to move towards the warm light, desperately hoping she could reach the light and find answers to where she was. "Where am I…"
(Elysion)
Anxiously pacing as he turned his nervous gaze towards the kneeling priest, Endymion released a deep frustrated sigh as Helios continued to pray in his attempt to reach out to Serenity through the combined power of the Golden Crystal and the temple's own Prayer Crystal. "Helios?" He anxiously questioned, running a hand through his hair mussed hair as he continued to nervously pace. "Have you found Serenity?"
"My Prince, I cannot focus." Helios calmly stated, trying to conceal his frustration with his Prince's distracting behaviors with the insistent pacing and fidgeting occurring behind him. Keeping his eyes closed to prevent his focus from being broken any further, he drew in a calming breath as he focused on the power of the Golden Crystal and Prayer Crystal. "Please sire, I must remain focused, I may have found her."
Ceasing his pacing, Prince Endymion turned his anxious gaze towards the towering Prayer Crystal centered in the middle of the temple. "What can I do to help?" He anxiously asked.
"I need you to call out to her!" Helios cried out, his brows furrowing in distress and frustration as he sensed the dark, overpowering resistance blocking his calls once more. "Now!" He urged, sensing the darkness was growing stronger, the more he pushed and fought against it in his attempts to reach Serenity. "Call to her, before she is lost to us again!"
Rushing towards the Prayer Crystal, Prince Endymion pressed the palm of his hand flat against the cool, smooth surface. Closing his eyes, he drew in a deep breath and focused on the power of the Golden Crystal, linking his mind with the link Helios had formed. Faintly sensing a presence within the warmth of the power, he felt his heart pang with grief when he could not sense Serenity. "She's not there, Helios."
"No, but I can sense Usagi is there, call out to her!" Helios urged, guiding the combined powers of the two crystals in the direction of the Sailor Guardian who had freed him and Elysion from Queen Nehelenia's control. 'Usagi, can you hear me?' He desperately thought, hoping the Guardian could hear his calls through the darkness. Frowning when he did not get a response, he pushed further against the stifling darkness. "Endymion!" He urged, wondering why his Prince was not calling out to her.
'Usagi, you must come to us at once. Follow our voices, I will grant you protection on Elysion.' Prince Endymion urged, his brows furrowing in discomfort as an overwhelming dark presence overpowered his link before violently casting them back.
"No!" Helios desperately shouted as his link was severed. "Dammit." He softly cursed, his head lowering in defeat. Looking up at the sound of his Prince's hurried footsteps, he could see the anger and frustration as Endymion glared down at him.
"Why is Serenity's presence no longer linked to her?" Prince Endymion demanded, anger flashing in his azure gaze. "Where is Serenity?!"
"It's still there Endymion, but it's weak for some reason." Helios explained, then gasped at the sudden realization of his Prince's insistence for Serenity's return. 'His link to Mamoru was severed when his soul crystal was destroyed.' He thought, fearing the same was occurring to Serenity wherever she may be.
'Perhaps bringing Sailor Moon here will be a mistake.' He worriedly thought, then sternly shook his head against the atrocious thought. 'No! I owe her a debt, regardless of how my Prince feels.' His mind insisted, as he silently bowed his head, his hands clasped against his chest as he began to pray once more, linking the two powers together in an attempt to find the lost Sailor Guardian once more.
Hearing the faint voices becoming louder the closer she approached the warm light, Usagi could faintly make out two familiar voices calling out to her. Desperately outstretching her arm in an attempt to grasp at the light, she felt her heart constrict as a familiar icy presence surrounded her, temporarily immobilizing her as she was forced to listen to the voices call out to her.
"Usagi...hear me?" A masculine voice urged.
"Follow our…grant...protection…" Another masculine voice insisted.
'I can't move!' Usagi thought with panic, her mouth opening to cry out for help, but her voice failing her. Closing her eyes as the darkness consumed her once again, she desperately fought against the dark force that was violently drawing her back into the darkness once more. 'Help me! Please somebody, anybody!' She desperately thought, her body growing heavy as the darkness consumed her once more, immobilizing her.
Tightly closing her eyes in fear as the darkness became constricting around her, she whimpered out in fear, her screams of terror not heard as she was violently pulled back towards the paralyzing darkness once more.
To Be Continued…
Revised: 9/21/22
Hope everyone enjoyed the Prologue, it's a long one, I know. There was so much that had to happen/be explained before we could move on to the next chapter. I'm sure I've still missed some spelling/grammar, and for that, I apologize. I did give you fair warning in the author's notes lol.
There will be a bit of a time jump in Chapter 1, so fair warning to those who are planning to read the next chapter. If you enjoyed the Prologue, please leave me a review. I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts on what's happened, and what they think is going to happen. Thanks for reading!
-SQG :)