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.
::Note:: Orion/Serenity will be referring to the others as Guardians, while the other refers to themselves as Senshi. Wanted to explain this in case anyone was like, WTH?! XD
I'm not a professional writer by any means and I have never claimed to be one. There are going to be grammatical errors and all kinds of other cringe-worthy errors in this story. Unfortunately, this is my style of writing and I'm hoping it will approve over time. If my writing bothers 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 fully acknowledge. 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.
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.
Reviews:
MB2213: Glad you're enjoying the story so far. Thank you so much for your reviews, much appreciated. Hope you enjoy the chapter! ❤
Part I Written/Completed: July 2019
Ch2 Revised: October 13, 2022
Chapter 2: Allies
(Kinmoku)
Lazily lifting her gaze up to the afternoon sky, Sailor Star Fighter released a tired sigh her gaze aimlessly wandering the sky as she grew lost in her troubled thoughts. Releasing a deep sigh, she lowered her gaze back to the private gardens that she had been overlooking for the past two hours. Focusing her attention on their Princess, she noticed Sailor Star Maker was just as engrossed in a book as Princess Kaykuu. The two women occasionally lowering their books to begin an idle discussion over something they had read in their books.
Stifling back a groan induced by her mind-numbing boredom, she forced her gaze toward the gardens to find Sailor Star Healer leaning against a tree looking just as bored as she felt. 'How I wish we could have some kind of excitement!' She silently wished, longing for the freedom they had temporarily experienced on Earth. 'It was nice pretending to have a normal life, not having to worry about the day-to-day duties.' She thought, envying the Earth's Senshi's freedom while still maintaining the protection of their own Princess.
'Odango…' She thought, her lips curving in a smile as she thought of the carefree blonde who severely lacked the grace and reform that their own Princess possessed. 'I wonder how she is?' She curiously thought, remembering all the fun she had shared with Usagi and her friends during their time on Earth. 'I wish we could have that feeling back, even if it's just for one day.' She longed, her smile faltering knowing there would never be a need for them to return to the small blue planet. Lost in her thoughts and memories, she didn't notice the concerned gaze watching her from below.
"Maker, I wish to ask you something." Princess Kakyuu requested, turning her concerned gaze towards the brown-haired Senshi seated across from her. "Please speak freely when I ask this of you."
"Of course, Princess." Sailor Star Maker stated, lowering her book and giving the Princess her undivided attention.
Lifting her concerned gaze back to Sailor Star Fighter, Princess Kakyuu frowned as she watched Starlight begin to pace the balcony once more. "Sailor Star Maker, I'm worried about Sailor Star Fighter." She stated, pausing to find the right words before she continued. "I've noticed how exhausted she looks and how easily distracted she becomes these days. Do you know if something is bothering her?"
"She hasn't been sleeping well." Sailor Star Maker responded, her concerned gaze lifting to briefly look up at their leader. "She said she's been having nightmares but insists it's nothing to be concerned about." She quickly added, not wanting to trouble their Princess or cause any need for worry.
"Is there anything I can do?" Princess Kakyuu asked, watching Sailor Star Maker give her a warm smile before she politely declined with a shake of her head. "Perhaps if you three would like to take a retreat. Have some time for yourselves to rest and rejuvenate." She offered, watching the brunette look at her with surprise. "You three have worked tirelessly helping with the restoration of the Kingdom and none of you have taken any time for yourselves to rest."
"We're here to serve and protect you, Princess Kakyuu. If we leave, it will leave you unprotected, as your Guardians, we're here to serve and protect you." Sailor Star Maker politely declined once more, watching her Princess force a polite smile before reluctantly accepting her response.
"If you change your mind, please let me know." Princess Kakyuu requested, her heart growing heavy at the thought of how much her three Starlights had changed during their short time on Earth when she'd been separated from them. 'They forget I could hear them during my time hiding in the incense burner. They were much happier when they were around Sailor Moon and her Senshi.' She thought, unable to stop the pang of jealousy she felt towards the Moon Senshi. 'Since we've returned home, they've fallen back into their duties and routines. They're not fooling me though, I can see the longing in their gazes. They wish to be anywhere but here.' Lifting her sad gaze in the direction of Fighter once more, she knew the raven-haired Starlight suffered the most of the three, her heart still on Earth.
Stifling a yawn back as she continued to pace the balcony once more in a vain attempt to stay awake, Sailor Star Fighter softly sighed out in frustration desperately wishing for a night where she wouldn't wake from the same recurring nightmare. 'I wish I knew what these nightmares meant!? Is our Princess in danger? Is there a new enemy approaching our planet?' She thought with frustration, knowing within the past month she had been plagued with the same nightmare every night. 'I just want one night where I can get a full night of uninterrupted sleep.' She desperately thought, pausing her steps to lean against the balcony's railing. Releasing a tired sigh, she closed her eyes wishing she could interpret the meaning behind the dreams, hoping once she did, the persistent nightmares would cease.
Standing under the protection of the shade of the large tree she was standing under, Sailor Star Healer softly exhaled as her concerned green eyes lifted up in the direction of her friend and sister who standing on the balcony overlooking their Princess' private gardens. Noticing how Fighter was pacing more than usual, she frowned with worry as she watched the raven-haired Senshi pause her pacing long enough to lean against the balcony's railing. 'She looks exhausted.' She worriedly thought, frowning at the thought of how distant Sailor Star Fighter had become over the past six months. 'Her nightmares are getting worse, I wish she would talk to us about them.' She thought as a defeated sigh escaped her lips. 'She's always kept these things to herself, she doesn't want to bother any of us with her own problems.'
~*Dream*~
"Please... I need your help." A weak voice pleaded.
"Where are you?!" Sailor Star Fighter desperately called out as she ran through the endless darkness, her eyes nervously looking for any clue that she was going in the right direction. This was not her first time being cast in the endless darkness, each night she would desperately run in a different direction, and each time she would fail to help the one calling out to her in the dream. "Speak to me! Let me hear your voice!" She pleaded, her stomach nervously twisting and her heart furiously pounding against her chest as she pushed herself to go further in the cold, menacing darkness.
Noticing a faint light in the distance, she pushed herself to run faster, her hope diminishing and turning to fear as she could make out her breaths as the air grew alarmingly colder and more sinister the further in she ran. "Are you still there?!" She desperately called out, the eery silence making her stomach lurch with fear.
"I'm scared, it's so cold and dark." The weak voice faintly echoed around her.
"I'm going to help you, I promise!" Sailor Star Fighter promised, her voice echoing amongst the endless void of darkness. "Tell me how to find you, I can't see through this darkness!"
"Please…" The voice whimpered, the fear evident in her wavering voice. "Please, I- I don't want to be alone anymore."
"I can see a light!" Sailor Star Fighter cried out, hoping the give the one calling out to her a sense of peace and relief. "I-" Halting her steps as the same terrified heart-wrenching scream echoed around her, the Kinmoku Guardian cried out in alarm as she pushed herself to run faster. "Talk to me! Are you alright?" She desperately pleaded. Hearing a wicked laugh echoing around her, she heard the mocking voice echo around her.
"Do you really think you can save her?" The voice taunted. "She belongs to me now and no one will stop me."
"Who are you? Why are you doing this to her!" Sailor Star Fighter angrily shouted. "Who is she? Why is it me that she calls out to?" Hearing the pained screams grow louder she felt her stomach nervously twist with apprehension as she grew closer to the light than she'd ever become before. "I'm almost there!"
"Fool!" The voice taunted, her wicked laughter echoing amongst the darkness. "I'll grant you what you seek, only to further torture you."
Yelping out in alarm as she felt herself begin to free fall, Sailor Star Fighter released a grunt of pain as she hit a smooth hard surface back first. Groaning out in protest to the throbbing pain in her back, she shakily raised and gasped seeing a door looming before her. Cautiously looking around, she released a groan of protest at the second obstacle she would have to pass. 'At least you have something this time.' She optimistically thought in an attempt to reason with herself knowing her odds were much better with the door than before when she had been running blindly through endless darkness.
Snapping from her thoughts as a scream erupted from the other side of the door. "I'm here! Hold on, I'm going to get you out of here!" She pleaded, her alarmed gaze lowering to the dark marbled floor when she saw a bright ominous light escape from under the door. "I'm not giving up on you!" She shouted, raising her Star Yell and shouting her attack. "Star Serious Laser!"
Watching in disbelief as the attack against the door only produced hairline cracks, she felt a soft chuckle escape her lips, smiling at her accomplishment. "I'm not giving up, I'm getting you out of there!' She thought with fierce determination as she took a step back before roughly bringing her booted foot forwards against the door. Watching the door burst open, she shielded her eyes from a bright white light escaping the room, before it plunged to darkness.
"Damn..back in the dark again." She dryly muttered, slowly and cautiously stepping through the doorway into the cold, ominous room. Hissing out in pain as she felt her thigh scrape against something sharp, she could feel the warmth of her blood already trickling down her leg. Jumping as torches began to light the room around her, she saw the room had been consumed in ice, her blue gaze stopping on a shard stained with red, her blood. Looking down at her leg, she noticed a deep cut against her thigh, the blood trickling down her thigh and stopping at the top of her boot. "What is this place?" She murmured, dismissing the cut as her body shuddered from the frigid temperature and ominous feel the room gave.
Cautiously stepping over and climbing the thick obstacles of ice, she winced as her arms and legs scraped against the razor-sharp ice shards that were used as an extra layer of defense. "I'm here! Where are you?!" She shouted her voice echoing. "Can you hear me?!" She desperately called out to the silence.
"...Fighter."
Gasping at the weak voice above her, Sailor Star Fighter abruptly looked up seeing a figure encased by ice, her head downcast, her long golden locks hiding her face. Feeling her stomach suddenly twist with apprehension, she gasped as she took a step back in shock at the bound golden-haired figure. "I'm here, please tell me why you keep calling out to me. Why me?!" She pleaded, looking up at the blonde with nervous anticipation. "No!" She cried out in alarm, watching the ice begin to glow an ominous red. "STOP!" She begged as she was forced to watch helplessly as the blonde screamed out in pain, weakened more by the red energy. "How do I help you?!" She begged, hoping to finally get the answers she desperately sought. "Show me who you are!"
"I…I need help...you're the only one I can call to." The figure weakly explained a moan of pain escaping her lips. "I…I can't…the others… have to...to get out of here." She incoherently murmured, finding it harder to form words as her mind tried to fall back into the darkness. "I can't... escape on my own… not strong enough."
"Please tell me who you are!" Sailor Star Fighter pleaded, tears streaking her cheeks. "Do I know you?"
"Yes…" The figure weakly answered, drawing what little energy she had to take advantage of the moment she'd been granted. "Seiya…" Weakly lifting her head, she watched the Starlight gasp and take a step back in shock.
"Odango." Sailor Star Fighter gasped tears filling her blue eyes when seeing how pale and fragile the blonde looked, her gaze desperate and frightened. "What happened? Who did this to you?" She demanded, tears streaking her cheeks. "What do I need to do? Just tell me and I'll do it!" She begged, her heart breaking at the sight of the blonde. "Please-" She begged, her voice cracking with emotion as she stepped forward and placed the palm of her gloved hand against the thick ice encased around the blonde as she looked up at her with fierce determination. "-tell me how to help you."
"I can't ...find my way back." Usagi softly spoke, her body shuddering from the cold and pain. "I have to find the light again...then I can come back." She weakly stated as tears streaked her pale cheeks. "Please...help me Seiya." She whimpered. "I don't want to be alone anymore."
"You won't be alone, I promise!" Sailor Star Fighter swore as she met the blonde's pain-filled gaze. "I'm getting you out of here!" Wrenching her hand back in pain as the red energy radiated throughout the barrier of ice once more, she felt her heart constrict to the sound of Usagi's heart-wrenching, pain-filled screams as the ominous energy encompassed her once more. "Stop it!" Sailor Star Fighter begged. "Leave her alone!" Screaming out in shock as was violently hurled back by the sheer force of dark power. "Odango!" She screamed as she desperately reached out to the blonde.
~*End of Dream*~
Awaking with an abrupt start, Seiya frantically raised looking around his darkened bedroom, his heart pounding wildly in his chest, sweat pouring down his face. Shakily exhaling he turned his distraught gaze towards the window looking out at the night sky at the two full moons. "Odango." He shakily stated, tears streaking his cheeks as he thought of how weak the blonde had looked in his dream. "I have to go back to Earth." He muttered, jumping in fright as his bedroom door abruptly burst open, Taki and Yaten entered his room in a panic.
"Seiya are you alright?" Taiki demanded, worry shining in his gaze having been awoken by one of the guards alerting him of his friend's shouts.
"You scared the hell out of one of the guards, they heard you shouting and screaming from the hall." Yaten grumpily scolded, not appreciating Taiki waking him from his slumber and involving him in something as trivial as Seiya's bad dreams. "You need to speak to someone about this, these nightmares are getting out of cont-"
"We have to go to Earth." Seiya interjected, leaning over towards his nightstand and clicking the lamp on. "We-"
"What the hell happened to you?" Yaten demanded as he and Taiki looked at one another in disbelief before looking back at their friend who was covered in scrapes and cuts.
"You look like you've been in a battle." Taiki muttered, walking towards the bed to examine the cuts more closely. "How did you get these?" He asked, turning his bewildered gaze towards Seiya for an explanation.
"Did you not hear me?!" Seiya cried out, desperately wishing the two would quit questioning him and listen to him. "I saw her face tonight, it...it was Odango." He stated, his hands tightly gripping the sheets as he tried to make sense of the nightmare as he spoke.
"Something must have happened on Earth, we have to go back." He urged, turning his worried gaze towards his two best friends. "She's in danger, I know it." He insisted. "She needs my help, she-"
"We can't just go back to Earth, you baka!" Yaten snapped, glaring at their leader with annoyance.
"Yaten is right, first we need to take you to the medical wing so we can get these cuts checked out." Taiki insisted, his eyes widening in shock and disbelief as he noticed a nasty cut on his friend's thigh as Seiya lifted the blankets off him. "Your leg-"
Looking down at the deep gash, Seiya felt tears shine in his eyes as he looked at the angry red cut, his blood staining the deep blue sheets. "It was real." He muttered, a stray tear streaking his cheeks as he looked up at the two with a sense of urgency. "We have to go now! I've been having these dreams for a few months now, she needs me! These injuries prove that this is real, that she's really in danger!"
"No!" Yaten stubbornly shouted, startling his two friends. "It's not our fight, it's their fight. We can't just leave the Princess or Kinmoku defenseless to go fight another war for them. This is their fight, Seiya."
"Yaten is right." Taiki reluctantly agreed. "We're not returning to Earth, we have our duties here, Usagi is not our Princess nor our concern." He insisted, shaking his head and raising his hand to silence Seiya before he could protest. "Usagi has her own Senshi sworn to protect her, they will figure out a way to protect her."
Knowing it would do no good to argue, Seiya reluctantly nodded his head as a defeated sigh escaped his lips. "You're right, I- we're not her Senshi." He muttered, tearfully averting his gaze to hide back his angry tears. "I'm still reporting this to the Princess."
"I would advise it, just not tonight." Taiki agreed, his gaze softening when seeing how much his friend was hurting. "There's nothing we can do, we need to have this wound checked out." He insisted, turning his gaze towards Yaten. "Go and find a guard, have them find one of the medical attendants." He instructed watching his silver-haired friend nod before hurrying out of the bedroom. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he grabbed onto his friend's sheet, tugging it free from the mattress before wadding it slightly and pressing it against the deep cut. Hearing his friend's hiss of pain in protest to the touch, he gave his friend an apologetic look as he met his friend's pain-filled gaze. "I know you're worried, but it's best if we don't interfere. We're not from their realm, if we interfere, we could risk endangering our own planet and realm with our involvement." He attempted to reason.
Nodding his head, Seiya shakily exhaled with frustration, as he turned his tear-filled gaze toward his bedroom window once more. "I have to know what happened." He stubbornly insisted, refusing to turn his gaze from the window at Taiki's defeated sigh. "I've been having these nightmares for months now, and this is the first time I've awoken with injuries. It must mean something, she called out to me for a reason, I'm not turning my back on her." He vowed, turning his determined gaze towards Taiki. "I'm going to Earth, regardless. I have to know what happened."
"You're not going alone." Taiki insisted with a defeated sigh. "We'll discuss this with the Princess in the morning, but first your leg needs to be treated."
"Thank you, Taiki."
Nodding his head, Taiki softly sighed as he kept his focus on the covered wound, his gaze turning to the window and looking up at the two full moons in the night sky. "What did you see?" He curiously asked, turning his inquisitive gaze back towards his friend.
"The same thing I always saw, endless darkness." Seiya grimly spoke. "Tonight was different, the one that taunts me every night, she told me she would grant me what I sought, but only to further torture me." He quietly stated, his voice wavering slightly as tears threatened to fall from his tear-filled gaze. "I wasn't expecting to see Odango, she-" Swallowing back the lump that had formed in his throat, he gently cleared his throat to steady his voice. "She's trapped somewhere, she's waiting for me to release her."
"Why you?" Taiki asked, watching Seiya turn his serious, tear-filled gaze toward him.
"She said I'm the only one she's been able to reach." Seiya stated, watching surprise flash in his friend's gaze. "I'm not letting her down, she needs me Taiki."
(The Following Morning)
Walking towards the throne room, Sailor Star Maker worriedly glanced over at their leader noticing the slight limp in Sailor Star Fighter's steps as she kept her gaze lowered to the floor, lost in her thoughts once again as she silently followed alongside them. "How's your leg?"
"Still hurts." Sailor Star Fighter grumbled, wincing under the discomforting pull of her stitches caused by her steps.
"I still think this is a bad idea." Sailor Star Healer huffed, casting a glare at Sailor Star Maker. "You know as well as I, that we shouldn't be concerning ourselves with their problems." She snapped, earning a glare from Sailor Star Maker.
"We won't be gone long, you know the Outer Senshi will be opposed to our visit. We'll stay long enough to see if they need our assistance. If they don't, then we will return home." Sailor Star Maker chided back, giving her friend an exasperated look.
"Those two are not going to want us there in the first place, this is going to be a waste of time." Sailor Star Healer grumbled back, angering at the thought of the opposition and distrust Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus had shown them during their short time on Earth.
Turning her stubborn gaze forward once more, she felt her brows lift with curiosity when seeing two guards stationed outside the throne room's doors. 'Odd, the only time guards are stationed there is when the Princess is speaking with diplomatic guests.' She thought, casting the two guards a curious look as they bowed and silently opened the doors granting them access to the throne room.
Stepping into the throne room first, Sailor Star Healer felt her eyes widen in disbelief, her jaw-dropping on its own accord at the sight of one of the Earth Senshi speaking with their Princess. "S-Sailor Pluto." She sputtered out in shock.
"What is she doing here?" Sailor Star Maker asked in shock, turning her gaze back towards Sailor Star Fighter to see her friend and sister were clearly shaken by the sight of the Earth Senshi. 'Something terrible must have happened.' She worriedly thought, turning her gaze forward once more. Noticing their Princess gracefully raise from her throne upon their arrival, she watched as their Princess silently motioned them forward as she descended the dais.
"My Starlights, please join us." Princess Kakyuu gently commanded tears shining in her eyes. Watching her Senshi enter the throne room, she motioned towards their guest as she gravely spoke. "Sailor Pluto has come with some grim news from Earth. Their planet is currently under siege by a formidable foe, they are requesting your help."
"Eternal Sailor Moon?" Sailor Star Maker asked, turning her gaze to Sailor Pluto's silent form. "Has something happened?"
"Yes." Sailor Pluto grimly responded with a short nod of her head as she gave the three Starlights her full attention. "I'm afraid, she's under the enemy's control. She has been assisting the enemy in the collection of soul crystals." She said tightening her grip on her Garnet Rod as she thought of Sailor Venus' weakened form who was staying in their guest room. "Our Princess has recently taken Sailor Venus' soul crystal, and I fear if we cannot find a tactical advantage against her, then she will succeed in gaining the remaining of our soul crystals. We still do not know-"
"How could you allow this to happen?" Sailor Star Healer demanded, her heart dropping at the news of Venus' fate. "There's eight of you, how could you possibly fail to protect your own Princess?"
"Healer." Sailor Star Maker snapped, giving her friend an incredulous look for her harsh words.
"You're right, we've failed her." Sailor Pluto admitted as guilt and remorse shone in her tear-filled eyes. "This failure has caused great distress to the city and to those impacted by her attacks. That is why I am here requesting your help. If you agree to help us, we're hoping your presence on Earth will give us the tactical advantage we need against Sailor Moon. Her mind has been corrupted, her memories twisted into believing she is her past self, Princess Serenity. We're assuming she has no memories of you three since she doesn't have her memories as Tsukino Usagi. With this knowledge, we're hoping to use this weakness to our advantage."
"I've granted Sailor Pluto permission for you three to accompany her to Earth and assist them in any way to help stop this new threat they're facing?" Princess Kakyuu stated, turning her grim gaze to her three Starlights. "I fear if you cannot help them defeat this enemy on Earth, then their enemy may look to invade our realm next."
"How do you know this could be a possibility?" Sailor Star Maker interjected, looking at her Princess with worry. "The enemy they're facing may not have any personal gain from attacking Kinmoku."
"They are dealing with a strong adversary, Sailor Star Maker. There is only one who has the power to take and possess something so pure as a soul crystal." Princess Kakyuu grimly informed her Senshi. "Her name is Shi, she is a powerful and formidable foe. Her desire for more power and her knowledge of the dark realm will aid her in collecting the soul crystals she seeks." She explained as she lifted her worried gaze towards the three stunned Senshi. "If Shi is on Earth, then our realm will be next if she's not stopped." She urged, seeing the three look at her in shock. "So I ask again, will you fight with the Sailor Senshi of Earth in order to protect our realm?"
"Yes." Sailor Star Fighter said stepping forward and kneeling to her Princess. "I'll volunteer to fight on Earth." She stated, glancing back to see Maker and Healer exchange looks before Sailor Star Maker stepped forward and kneeled beside her. Watching Sailor Star Healer hesitate a moment, she heard her friend sigh out in frustration before she reluctantly stepped forward and knelt beside Maker.
"I will fight alongside the Earth Senshi, but only to protect Kinmoku suffering the same fate." Sailor Star Healer snapped as she knelt beside Sailor Star Maker.
"Thank you." Sailor Pluto responded, watching as the three Starlights stood as Princess Kakyuu motioned them to rise. "We must leave now, I do not know how much worse things have gotten since I left." She urged, watching the three Senshi step forwards before she closed her eyes and summoned the needed power to transport them back to Earth from her talisman. "Keep your minds clear and allow the power to transport you." She instructed as she felt the warmth of the staff's energy surround her once more.
"Good luck,-" Princess Kakyuu tearfully murmured, watching with a heavy heart as her three Starlights vanished with Sailor Pluto in a flash of garnet energy. "- and please be safe my Starlights." She pleaded, reaching up and wiping away the stray tears from her cheeks.
(Meanwhile on Earth)
"We have to get out of here!" Sailor Mercury urged not noticing the oncoming attack hurling toward her. Screaming out in pain as she was struck by an attack, she braced herself as she was violently
thrown back from the brutal force of the blow.
"Mercury!" Sailor Mars cried out, watching helplessly as her friend violently crashed through a shop window. Turning her angry gaze toward Sailor Moon, she felt a shiver run down her spine as the Senshi turned her emotionless gaze towards her. "Why?!" She angrily demanded, clutching her throbbing shoulder as she shakily stood from the street. "Why are you doing this?!"
"Careful, Mars. Don't test my patience or I will take your Soul Crystal just as I did to Venus." Sailor Moon warned, her lips curving into a wicked smile as she pointed her staff at the red-suited Guardian.
"You're a disgrace!" Sailor Mars angrily shouted, unable to keep back her angry tears. "You should not be wearing her uniform! You're not her! You're-"
"SILENCE!" Sailor Moon screeched, watching in surprise as power expelled from the staff on its own accord, blasting the Guardian violently back into a lamp post. Watching Sailor Mars slam into the poll and fall limply to the street once more, she drew in a calming breath, looking in the direction of Sailor Jupiter to ensure she was still unconscious. "You insolent pests." She spat, tightening her hold on the crystalline staff as she walked towards the building Sailor Mercury had been thrown into. 'I need to hurry, Neptune and Uranus have gone to interfere with Moyasu and Mizu.' She thought, her stomach nervously twisting at the thought of facing the two Outer Guardians.
Groggily stirring to the soft click of boots, Sailor Mercury forced her eyes open, her unfocused gaze turning towards the source. Feeling her stomach sink at the sight of Sailor Moon standing over her, she felt her heart break as her gaze met Sailor Moon's cold, emotionless gaze. 'Oh, Usagi. What did they do to you?' She sadly thought, tears shining in her blue eyes. "Don't-"
"Pleading is beneath you, Sailor Mercury." Sailor Moon interrupted, her lips curving into an amused smile. "You're a Guardian, show some dignity." She jeered, watching a stray tear streak the bluenettes cheek.
"Serenity, you need to resist this hold they have on you." Sailor Mercury pleaded as tears streaked her cheeks. "Please, look at what you've done, what you're doing. This violence isn't in your nature, you would never hurt any of us, we-"
"Traitors do not deserve mercy!" Sailor Moon sneered, tears shining in her blue eyes as she glared down at the battered Senshi. "You didn't fight for him!" She shouted. "None of you defended him!"
"Who?!" Sailor Mercury desperately asked, tears shining in her own eyes as she could hear the pain and heartbreak in her Princess' words.
"My brother!" Sailor Moon shouted, angered more at how the Guardian still refused to acknowledge him. "The true heir to the throne, Prince Orion." She hissed, her grip tightening on her staff as anger flashed in her blue eyes. "None of you tried to stop mother when she banished and sentenced him to eternal sleep!"
"Brother?" Sailor Mercury asked, her brows furrowing with confusion. "You didn't have a brother, we would have remembered him when she regained her memories of the past." She tried to reason, not realizing her mistake.
"Why do you all speak as if I am another person?" Sailor Moon angrily demanded, rage flashing in her dark blue eyes.
"You were." Sailor Mercury sadly spoke, her heart breaking at the thought of their lost friend. "They've done something to your mind, Usagi." She said, turning her sad gaze towards the Moon Senshi. "The Negaverse did the same thing to Mamoru when they turned Endymion onto their side." She explained, watching Sailor Moon furrow her brows.
"You're lying." Sailor Moon hissed, glaring down at the injured Guardian. "My brother cautioned me of your deceit, I won't-"
"It's not lies." Sailor Mercury interjected, her sad gaze meeting Sailor Moon's accusing gaze. "We were all slain on the Moon after Queen Beryl and Metalia attacked and destroyed the Moon Kingdom. We died defending the palace against the Shitennou after they were brainwashed by Metalia." She explained, her heart breaking at the thought of her past lover's deceit. "You and Endymion were killed by Beryl. The Queen gave us all a second chance." Closing her eyes, she drew in a wavering breath as she fought back the painful memories. "We were all reborn on Earth, so you and Endymion could have a second chance. You were reborn as Tsukino Usagi, he was reborn as Chiba Mamoru. When you were fourteen, Luna found you first and gave you a brooch so you could transform into Sailor Moon and fight the Negaverse when they came back to search for the ginzuishou. I was the first of the Senshi that you woke, we fought beside one another until Mars was awoken nex-"
"Lies!" Sailor Moon interjected, her hands shaking with anger as she pointed the crystalline staff at the injured Guardian. "I will not be deceived by these lies, you-"
"It's the truth!" Sailor Mercury implored, her heart aching for her friend's lack of memory. "You are both Princess Serenity and Tsukino Usagi in this life!" She urged. "What have they done to you? Why do you not remember this life? The life you shared with us, with Mamoru?"
"You're lying!" Princess Serenity shouted, her stomach lurching at the thought of her and the Earth Prince sharing a romantic interest in one another. "The Earth and the Moon Kingdom were divided after my father was slain. My mother would never have allowed us to-"
"We were allies with the Earth Kingdom, you and Endymion had been arranged to marry by both the Moon and Earth King. I remember how opposed you were to the marriage at first, but after you met Endymion met, it was love at first sight!" Sailor Mercury interjected, shocked at how little Serenity could remember of her past. "You and Prince Endymion didn't want to wait, you both were going to meet in secret in the fields of Elysion to marry sooner, but you two never had the chance because the Earth Kingdom fell to Metalia's power and the Moon Kingdom was attacked and destroyed shortly after." She explained as tears shone in her eyes at the painful memories of their past lives. "You found each other again in this life, Serenity-sama. You were reborn as Usagi and you found Mamoru, who was the reincarnation of Prince Endymion. Mamoru gave you a promise ring, he was going to marry you as soon as he finished his studies abroad."
"I don't believe you!" Sailor Moon tearfully shouted as she shook her head in denial to her Guardian's false claims. "I would never fall in love with a Terran, not after what destruction their Kingdome brought upon the Moon Kingdom!" She protested as she angrily brought her staff down.
Crying out in fear as the staff struck the floor mere inches from her head, Sailor Mercury turned her disbelieving gaze from the staff back to the blonde Senshi standing over her. 'She- she could have killed me!' She thought with a sudden start, her heartbreaking more at the painful truth she had tried to deny herself for too long. 'They were right-' She bitterly thought, gritting her teeth to prevent herself from crying out from the sharp, stabbing pain of her broken ribs as she forced herself to sit up. "You really are gone, aren't you, Usa- AHHHH!"
"Call me by that name again and I will take you to my brother for your insolence!" Princess Serenity commanded, her cold eyes flashing with anger as she struck her former Guardian across the face with her staff. "I am Princess Serenity, Guardian, and Protector to the next King and ruler of the Silver Alliance!"
"He is not the next in line, you are!" Sailor Mercury argued, flinching back as Sailor Moon raised her staff once more in preparation for striking her once again. "You don't want to do this, Us-Serenity, you don't want to hurt us."
"Oh, but I do." Sailor Moon chuckled, a wicked smile spreading across her lips as she raised the staff, watching as it began to glow with dark, ominous power, a power that she recognized as belonging to Shi. "You have something that my brother needs in order to fulfill his own destiny."
"Our soul crystals." Sailor Mercury gasped, a shiver of fear running down her spine as Sailor Moon's eyes flashed a crimson red as their gazes met.
"Yes…" Sailor Moon chuckled, feeling amused at how quickly the Guardian had figured it out. "A pity you won't be able to warn the others." She taunted before closing her eyes and focusing on the dark power radiating from the staff as she called out to her brother's advisor through her mind. 'Shi, I request-'
'No need, child…the power you seek has already been granted. Bring me the soul crystal…' Shi commanded through the mental link.
'I will not fail you.' Sailor Moon silently vowed, her eyes flashing a crimson red as she opened her eyes to see her staff glowing ominously with crimson red power. Pointing her staff at Sailor Mercury she wickedly smiled, seeing the fear and betrayal in Sailor Mercury's eyes as their gaze met one final time. "Your soul crystal will be mine!"
'I'm sorry, Minna.' Sailor Mercury sadly thought screaming out at the intense pain as the attack struck her from close range.
Shielding her eyes until the bright light dimmed, Sailor Moon looked on in awe at the shimmering blue soul crystal hovering above the lifeless Sailor Guardian. "That was too easy." She chuckled holding her hand out and watching as the small crystal gently lowered into her open palm.
"Sailor Moon!"
Turning her head at the angered shout, Serenity smirked as she could see Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus running towards the shop. Looking down at the blue crystal in her palm, she looked back up at the quickly approaching Guardians. "Until next time." She vowed, cutting her gaze at the two Guardians before she teleported from the shop.
(Meanwhile in Another Dimension)
"Explain yourselves?" Prince Orion demanded, anger flashing in his dark blue eyes as he gazed at the small number of Soul Crystals gathered within Mizu's portal.
"Serenity failed to keep two of the Guardians away." Moyasu gruffly snapped, anger flashing in his eyes as he cut his gaze to the White Moon Prince. "She-"
"Serenity, is this true? Are you the cause of this failure?" Prince Orion commanded, watching his sister jump under his harsh command.
"My apologies, my Prince." Sailor Moon apologized as she bowed to her brother. "Moyasu speaks the truth, I am the cause of their failure. My attention was selfishly focused on obtaining another Soul Crystal for my own gain." She admitted, stepping forward and presenting the blue soul crystal to her brother. "Sailor Mercury has fallen, only two of my former Guardians remain." She proudly boasted, watching her brother's scowl form into a smile of approval at the sight of the shimmery blue crystal.
"You have done well Small Lady." Prince Orion proudly commended not noticing anger flash in Moyasu's gaze as he cut his cold gaze toward Sailor Moon. "I'll excuse this failure as a mere inconvenience." He stated, turning his attention back towards his two Generals. "Mizu, take what you have gathered to Shi."
"As you command, Prince Orion." Mizu snipped, cutting her gaze at the Moon Guardian. 'That little wretch, she's the cause of our failure!' She angrily thought before teleporting from the throne room.
"Moyasu, I'll need you and Mizu to-" Prince Orion stated, his words cut short as he sensed an unfamiliar energy. 'How curious…' He silently observed, focusing on the sudden disruption to the usually stagnant energy in the air. 'I don't recognize this new energy, it's powerful, yet it feels as if it doesn't belong to only one individual.' He silently mused, his brows furrowing as he tried to get a read on the new energy he'd suddenly sensed. 'What are the Guardians up to, or do we have-'
'What is the fool doing?' Moyasu curiously thought, noticing both the Prince and Princess had suddenly tensed, both in deep focus. "Prince Orion?" He gruffly asked, his brow lifting as the White Moon Prince snapped from his deep focus, his attention returning to him once more.
"You're dismissed." Prince Orion snapped, waving the General away with a wave of his hand before he turned his attention to his sister, taking notice she was also deep in thought. 'Does she sense this unfamiliar energy too?' He curiously wondered, glancing back to see Moyasu had already left the throne room before he spoke. "What do you sense, Small Lady?"
"I sense an unfamiliar energy..." Sailor Moon murmured, furrowing her brows with confusion at how easily her senses had picked up on the new energy. 'This energy is warm, it doesn't feel as if it would pose a threat.' She silently mused before turning her questioning gaze toward her brother. "How am I sensing this energy." She demanded, unable to hide the fear in her voice. "I could never-"
"Do not fear this new ability, you can sense this energy thanks to the connection we share with Shi." Prince Orion explained, watching his sister's tense form ease somewhat upon the explanation. "Surely you have noticed this when you are battling the Guardians? Your senses should be sharper, keener with your surroundings?" He inquired, watching his sister silently nod in agreement.
"Yes, I'm growing more confident with each encounter I have with my former Guardians." Sailor Moon murmured before snapping from her thoughts as her brother teleported beside her. Feeling him gently cup her chin and lift her gaze to meet his, she could see the worry shining in his dark blue eyes as their gazes met. "Brother?"
"I do not know anything of this new power I've sensed?" Orion cautioned, his grip briefly tightening on his sister's chin as his thoughts took a dark turn. "I finally have you back, I don't want to lose you again." He urged, watching her turn her dark eyes lift to meet his.
"My loyalty is with you brother." Sailor Moon assured her brother, relaxing as his firm hold on her chin slacked before releasing her entirely. 'Why does he question my loyalty? Have I done something to cause him such suspicion?' Snapping from her thoughts as he carefully removed the soul crystal from her grasp, he watched as her questioning gaze met his.
"I expect you to continue to bring me the Sailor Guardian's soul crystals." Prince Orion commanded as he gently took the blue Soul Crystal from her hand. "Shi will be pleased with your success, continue this and she will reward you greatly for your loyalty."
"I do not need to be rewarded, I only wish to see your accession to the throne." Sailor Moon assured her brother, taking a step back to raise her staff its power shining briefly as it melded back to its original form, the ginzuishou.
Feeling the tension in her body release as her uniform vanished, forming into her white gown once more, Princess Serenity released a deep sigh, her mind, and body exhausted from the power she'd expended during the earlier battle. "I need to rest, I'm sure the Guardians will be ready for a fight when we meet again." She muttered, remembering the determined looks on Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus' faces when she left with Sailor Mercury's soul crystal. 'They will be my biggest challenge yet, I fear facing them.' She nervously thought as she slipped the thin chain holding the ginzuishou around her neck once more.
"Get some rest, Small Lady." Prince Orion agreed, watching his sister silently nod before teleporting from where she stood beside him. 'Something doesn't feel right.' He worriedly thought his stomach lurching at the thought of a new threat. 'Those damn Guardians, they're responsible for this new energy, I know it!' He angrily thought before teleporting from the throne room.
Appearing in a dark room, Prince Orion felt a shiver from down his spine from the cold, ominous presence of the room. "Shi, I must speak with you." He commanded, shivering as the darkened more, the temperature plunging greatly as Shi appeared.
"Prince Orion, you summoned me?" Shi asked, stepping from within the shadows, her cold, emotionless gaze boring into the White Moon Prince as she lowered her cowl. "What troubles you, Prince Orion?"
"How strong is your hold on my sister?" Prince Orion inquired, watching anger flash in her dark eyes as her cold gaze met his. "What I mean is-" He stammered slightly, correcting his misspoken request. "Are the Sailor Guardians capable of bringing back her other memories?"
"Why do you insist on doubting my abilities?" Shi demanded, watching the young man flinch slightly at her question.
"I mean no disrespect Shi, I am only-"
"Love is the only remaining element that can break my hold on her-" Shi stated as she summoned the small pink soul crystal. and you took care of that when you destroyed Prince Endymion's soul crystal. As I have stated before, with her soul crystal severed as it is, your sister will never be able to merge with the other half of her soul." She explained, smiling down at the power that radiated from the small pink crystal. "I severed the two souls just as you requested, Prince Orion. I was not able to dispose of the other soul, not without compromising your sister's soul." She impatiently reminded him. "Worry not, the Terran's soul has been bound by my power, there will not be any escape."
"Thank you, Shi." Prince Orion said bowing to the dark entity, his worries eased by her reassuring words. "I will have my sister and the Generals continue to gather more soul crystals for you. I apologize for the small num-"
"I no longer want the soul crystals of the Terrans." Shi interrupted, watching the Moon Prince look at her with an abrupt start. "I want the power of the Guardian's soul crystals instead. I've already released my hold on all of the Terran's soul crystals, they're not worth the effort or time it takes to extract their essence."
"As you command, I will notify them immediately of their new orders." Prince Orion vowed, watching Shi shake her head as she turned her gaze towards the darkness for a brief moment before turning her attention back to him.
"No need, Moyasu and Mizu have already been briefed on these changes." Shi responded before cutting her suspicious gaze toward the White Moon Prince. "What has you doubting my power?" She demanded, watching the Prince nervously shift as he averted his gaze. "Do not forsake me, or you will regret your choice immensely." She warned him, her body beginning to glow with ominous energy as she took a threatening step forward, her grip tightening around her scythe as her cold gaze bore into the young man's uneasy gaze. "Without my power and influence, you would not be standing here. You would still be trapped in your eternal sleep, never to be reunited with your sister."
Feeling the cold truth of her words cut into him, Prince Orion lowered his gaze as his dark gaze conveyed the strong emotions he struggled to keep his harbored grief and insecurities from resurfacing once more. "You know my loyalty and gratitude will always lie with you, Shi." He swore as he bowed to the powerful figure to convey his gratitude. "Without your power and guidance, I would never have been freed from my eternal sleep or reunited with my sister." He assured her, not seeing the wicked gleam in her eyes as he kept his gaze downcast to hide his own emotion. "I have not forgotten, nor will I ever forget the debt I owe you." He stated before teleporting from the cold, dark room.
Sighing in annoyance as the White Moon Prince vanished from the room, Shi smirked as she looked down at the small pink soul crystal resting in the palm of her hand. "This soul crystal is the strongest in my possession." She murmured, knowing its shine surpassed the other two Guardian's soul crystals. "I must ensure no one takes it from me." She sneered, thinking of the Terran she'd severed from Serenity's soul. 'Even under my control, that wretch still summoned help somehow.' She angrily thought, suspecting the new energy she'd sensed belonged to the same Guardian the Terran had managed to call out to for help within the shadow realm. "You leave me no choice." She sneered, her cold gaze focused on the pink soul crystal as she merged the precious gem into the blade of her scythe. 'No one will find it now, only the destruction of my blade will release it.' She thought with a malicious smirk. 'This power is mine, and mine alone.'
'The others are losing hope, now that Mercury has fallen.' Michiru silently thought as she leaned against the doorframe of the guest bedroom, her somber gaze taking in the sight of Sailor Venus and Sailor Mercury's still forms. 'Perhaps now the others will see things our way and choose to stand up against Sailor Moon.' She considered as she quietly turned away from the door to return to the kitchen where she'd left the remaining two inner Senshi.
Noticing Rei and Makoto were still sitting at the table as she entered the kitchen once more, she felt her heart drop at the sight of the two despaired and defeated Senshi, their guilt weighing heavily on them as they both lost in their own thoughts, unaware of her arrival. "Do either of you need more tea?" She gently asked in an attempt to break the uncomfortable silence. Watching Rei snap from her thoughts, she watched the raven-haired Miko silently shake her head, her voice wavering slightly when she finally spoke.
"N-No, thank you." Rei tearfully answered, fresh tears shimmering in her violet eyes as she reluctantly lifted her gaze toward their teal-haired friend. "We-"
"I…I don't understand why she is only targeting us." Makoto abruptly stated, anger and confusion shining in her tear-filled eyes as she lifted her gaze. "First it was Sailor Venus, then Sailor Mercury." She bitterly stated, swiping away the stray tears from her cheeks with frustration. "Why?"
"She threatened me, she said I would be next." Rei bitterly stated, glancing over to see fear and unease flash in her friend's green eyes. "I won't let her take me down without a fight." She swore as she turned her gaze back towards her cup of tea, her grip briefly tightening around the warm cup as she swallowed back the thick lump forming in the back of her throat as she struggled to keep back the fresh tears stinging her eyes. "I-"
"Perhaps, she feels threatened by you four the most." Michiru suggested, as she gently placed her cup down on the table while sitting across from the two younger Senshi. "You four have always been by her side, both in the past and the present."
"Perhaps." Rei murmured in agreement, her defeated gaze briefly lifting to consider Michiru's words before her gaze retreated back to her untouched tea once more. 'What if she's right? Sailor Moon seems to direct most of her anger towards us, but why?' She silently considered as she grew lost in her turmoiled thoughts once more.
Gently blowing the steam rising from the hot liquid, Michiru turned her gaze towards the kitchen window, her lips curving down into a slight frown when noticing Haruka's motorcycle was gone. 'She must have gone out to clear her mind.' Snapping from her thoughts as she sensed movement, she eased as she watched Hotaru silently enter the kitchen. "What's wrong?" She swiftly inquired as she took notice of the troubled look from the teen as she turned her gaze towards the kitchen window, her brows furrowing slightly in concentration. "Hotaru?" She gently urged.
"I sensed something." Hotaru murmured, before tearing her gaze from the window and turning her full attention towards Michiru. "Do you not feel-"
"The enemy?" Rei abruptly asked, her stomach nervously dropping at the thought of Sailor Moon attacking them in their civilian form.
"No, it's something else." Hotaru assured her friend, her senses alarming her in time as she whirled around in time to see a bright garnet light fill the room. Shielding her eyes from the intense warm light, she felt her uneasiness drop as Sailor Pluto stepped from the light followed by the three Sailor Starlights moments later.
"Setsuna-mama, you're back!" She happily cried out, rushing forward and happily embracing the Time Senshi.
"Hotaru." Sailor Pluto stated in relief as she pulled the teen into a tight hug, relieved to see she was safe from harm. "Ami?" She quietly asked when noticing the bluenette's absence. Watching Hotaru sadly shake her head, she nodded in silent understanding. "We have help now." She gently stated, watching as hope flashed in the teen's violet eyes as she tearfully nodded in agreement.
"Sailor Pluto, I see you were successful in getting help." Michiru curtly stated, her lips pressed in a tight line to hide her disdain as she reluctantly acknowledged the three Starlights. "Thank you for assisting us."
Knowing her friend's curt greeting would prompt unnecessary tension, Sailor Pluto gently cleared her throat catching her teal-haired friend's attention. "Michiru, I've sensed a great change within the timeline." She cautioned, watching as concern flashed in both Michiru and Hotaru's gazes as they looked at her with an abrupt start. "I'm going to return to the Time Gates to see what has caused this sudden disruption in the flow of time." She explained, watching them both silently nod in understanding and agreement to her need for departure once more. "I'll return if the need arises, until then, I need to monitor this sudden change."
"Go, we'll brief the Starlights and inform them of what we've been up against." Michiru assured her friend, watching Sailor Pluto nod before turning her attention toward Hotaru.
"Pluto?" Hotaru curiously asked, her gaze full of hope as she met Sailor Pluto's troubled gaze. "Is it-"
"I'm not sure, I must observe the anomaly first." Sailor Pluto interrupted, not wanting to raise any false hope amongst her friends. "Please stay safe, if things take a turn for the worse, you know what must be done." She urged, gently resting her hand on the teen's shoulders.
"Yes, I'm prepared if the need should arise." Hotaru assured her friend, sadly smiling as tears shone in her violet eyes as she gave her friend one final hug. "Please be safe." She murmured as she watched Sailor Pluto raise her staff and vanish from the room in a bright flash of light once more.
Noticing Sailor Star Fighter's concerned gaze directed towards Rei and Makoto, Michiru knew it was best to go ahead and brief the three before the Starlight could question either one. "Sailor Mercury had her soul crystal taken earlier today." She grimly stated, not noticing Rei or Makoto flinch in response to her words. "Our Princess seems to only be targeting the Inner Senshi at this time, both Sailor Venus and Sailor Mercury have fallen victim to her."
"What exactly is our role in all this?" Sailor Star Healer demanded, watching Michiru cut her gaze toward her in response.
"To not get in our way." Michiru warned, looking at the three with disdain. "Sailor Pluto brought you three here only to serve as a distraction to Sailor Moon. With your arrival, we should be able to finally end this once and for all."
"By ending it, you mean-" Sailor Star Maker trailed off, her stomach lurching at the insinuation of the Outer Senshi's harsh words.
"You can't be serious!?" Sailor Star Healer incredulously demanded, looking at the outer Senshi in disbelief. "She's your-"
"We have no other choice, you haven't seen what she's capable of doing." Michiru interrupted, her words cold as anger shone brightly in her eyes as she glared at the silver-haired Starlight. "Our Princess has become a threat, which gives us no other choice. We have to do what is right, no matter the sacrifice." She insisted as she furiously blinked back the tears that were threatening to fall. "It's either us or the enemy, we have no other choice in the matter."
"I won't let you." Sailor Star Fighter interjected, anger shining in her blue eyes as she looked at Michiru with anger and disbelief. "She didn't give up on either of you when you and Uranus surrendered yourselves to Sailor Galaxia and turned on all of us!"
Watching Michiru flinch slightly at Star Fighter's harsh reminder, Sailor Star Maker took a step forward as she turned her disbelieving gaze towards Rei and Makoto who continued to remain silent. "Are you two seriously in agreement with her?" She angrily demanded. "You're alright with this ludicrous plan of theirs?"
"You cowards!" Sailor Star Healer shouted, watching with disbelief as Rei and Makoto both lowered their heads in response to Maker's inquiry, both refusing to speak up.
"You'll turn your backs on your own Princess when she needs you the most, she-" Sailor Star Fighter demanded, her words suddenly cut short by Michiru's unexpected outburst.
"She's gone!" Michiru angrily shouted as tears streaked her cheeks. "I don't expect you three to understand, you won't understand until you've seen for yourselves what Sailor Moon is capable of doing to us, to her own Senshi!"
"She's right." Hotaru grimly agreed, her gaze briefly meeting Michiru's before her friend turned and swiftly departed from the kitchen. "Perhaps it's best if you see for yourselves what we've been up against." She suggested, motioning the three Starlights to follow her as she turned to make her exit from the kitchen. "Follow me, I'll-"
"Hotaru-" Rei tearfully interjected, watching the younger teen turn and give her a sympathetic smile before she spoke.
"They need to see them, Rei." Hotaru gently interjected, giving her friend a sympathetic smile, knowing the mention of their fallen friends was only another painful reminder of their failure. "It's going to be best if they see for themselves what Sailor Moon has done." She insisted watching her raven-haired friend sadly nod. "Follow me." She instructed, casting her two friends a final concerned glance before she led the three Starlights from the kitchen.
(Meanwhile in Another Dimension)
~*Dream*~
"Where am I?" Serenity breathlessly murmured, her eyes wide with wonder as she stood in an open field of flowers, the myriad of colors stretching endlessly, the vast aromas of the surrounding blossoms teasing her senses.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
Gasping at the unfamiliar voice, Serenity whirled around, fear briefly flashing in her eyes as she saw a young man with white hair. "You're an Elysion priest." She gasped, recognizing the young man's garbs. "Why am I here?" She angrily demanded, her cold gaze narrowing suspiciously at the priest as she discreetly lifted her gown in preparation of making a swift escape. "Do you know who I am? I demand to know why you've brought m-"
"I commanded him to bring you here, Princess." A deep masculine voice spoke, his blue eyes shining with worry as he watched his beloved whirl around and look at him with fear. "Yes, we're aware of who you are-" He added, watching with a heavy heart as she took a nervous step back. "-Princess of the White Moon, second of her name, Princess Serenity."
"Endymion-" Serenity gasped, recognizing the dark-haired prince. "Why have you brought me here?!" She angrily demanded. "How am I here? Elysion is the final resting place for-"
"My love, what have they done to you?" Endymion asked, his heart sinking at the cold glare she cast him. "The light in your eyes, it's been extinguished. You're-"
"How dare you speak to me so intimately!" Serenity spat as she took a step forward in her anger. "I do not-"
"You are my wife!" Endymion interjected as he motioned towards Helios. "Our souls were bound in this very field, by the head priest himself!"
"He speaks the truth, Serenity. No one knew of the union, not even your Senshi knew or Prince Endymion's own Shittenou." Helios confirmed, his brow furrowing with worry as he watched Serenity's gaze nervously dart between himself and his prince. 'Something's wrong, why doesn't she remember?' He worriedly thought, his stomach nervously twisting, as he watched the Princess anger more before she lashed out at Endymion.
"Lies!" Serenity shouted, tears stinging her eyes as she glared at the Earth Prince. "I don't know what trickery this is, but I demand you-"
"I speak the truth!" Endymion boomed back, as he strode forward and grasped her by the shoulders, his heart panging with grief as she cried out in fright from his touch. "What have they done to you?" He demanded in his anguish, tears stinging his deep blue eyes as he tenderly cradled her cheek in the palm of his hand. "Sere, my love. I swear to you, this is not a trick. I-"
"No!" Serenity sobbed, placing her hands against the breastplate of his armor and pushing against him with all her strength. "You've taken everything from me! I won't let you take me as well! I-"
Drawing his beloved further into his embrace, Endymion pressed his lips against hers, temporarily silencing her harsh accusations as her body grew still and rigid in response. 'I'm not giving up on you, I'm going to free you from whatever hold they have on you.' He silently vowed as a solitary tear streaked his cheek.
::CRACK::
"How dare you force yourself onto me, you- you brute!" Princess Serenity shouted, ignoring the stinging of her hand as she managed to wrench free from his embrace, her rage filled blue eyes meeting his stunned gaze. "I-"
"Serenity!" Endymion cried out, watching as his beloved's form began to vanish. "Helios, what is the meaning of this?!" He demanded in his panic.
"She's waking." Helios grimly stated, watching both the Prince and Princess look at him with a start. "I was only able to call her to Elysion through her dreams." He explained, watching as Endymion turned his desperate gaze towards the Moon Princess once more.
"I'll see you again, my beloved." Prince Endymion swore, watching as she looked at him with an abrupt start. "I'm going to help you remember, Sere. I love you..."
~*End of Dream*~
Waking with an abrupt start, Serenity looked around her room, her eyes nervously darting around the dark room her heart still fluttering from the intimate moment Endymion had boldly shared with her. Pressing her fingers against her lips, she felt her cheeks grow warm as she could still feel the tingling sensation from the unexpected kiss from Endymion. "How is this possible?" She murmured, as her eyes shone with unshed tears. "It was only a dream, wasn't it?'
(Tokyo)
'I don't know what to do.' Luna sadly thought as she turned her weary gaze towards the two still forms of Venus and Mercury. 'We have to stop Sailor Moon, but we also have to help her!' Carefully raising from the bed, she paused her movement as Artemis stirred slightly in his slumber.
"Luna?" Artemis sleepily murmured as he stirred from his restless slumber as Luna's warmth was no longer pressed against him. "What is it?"
"It's alright, I need to stretch my legs, I'll be back." She gently soothed him, watching as he nodded before dozing back to sleep moments later. Carefully padding across the bed, she paused her steps, her ears perking at the sound of approaching footsteps. Watching the door quietly open, she watched with surprise as Hotaru entered the room, followed by the three Starlights following behind her. "You're really here." She gasped, her heart soaring with newfound hope at the sight of three Senshi.
"Yes, we-" Sailor Star Healer stated before a soft gasp escaped her lips, her eyes widening in shock and disbelief at the sight of Venus and Mercury's pale forms lying on the bed.
"S-Sailor Moon did this?" Sailor Star Maker sputtered through her shock, her stomach twisting at the thought of how someone as kind and selfless as Usagi could be responsible for such a cruel act against her own friends and Senshi. "How?" She asked, turning her questioning gaze towards the small feline. "How is she capable of such a thing?"
"Her staff." Hotaru sadly stated, turning her gaze towards the Starlight. "Uranus suspects the staff is the ginzuishou, if we can destroy the staff, we'll-"
"You'll kill her." Sailor Star Fighter gasped, turning her shocked gaze toward the younger teen. "Her ginzuishou is her star seed, if you destroy her star seed, she'll-"
"She'll be lost to us, we know." Hotaru grimly stated as hot tears filled her violet eyes at the cold harsh reality they were facing. "We have no other choice, none of us possess the same healing abilities as Sailor Moon."
"Hotaru is correct." Luna concurred with a sad nod as she looked at the three Starlights. "We went through a similar situation with Tuxedo Kamen when he was turned by the Negaverse. In this case, there's nothing we can do for Sailor Moon. None of the Senshi possesses the same healing abilities as the ginzuishou. The best option we can offer Sailor Moon is a way out of the darkness and to finally allow her soul to be at peace."
"I won't let you kill her!" Sailor Star Fighter shouted as tears streaked her cheeks. "I-" Growing silent as Sailor Star Maker gently grasped her shoulder, she looked at her friend watching her take a step forward to address the small feline.
"What happened to Tuxedo Kamen?" Sailor Star Maker inquired watching the small feline sadly shake her head, tightly shutting her eyes to block back her anguish. "Why did he not come to Kinmoku and request help?"
"Mamoru was killed by the enemy over six months ago." Luna softly spoke, her voice thick with emotion as she tearfully looked at the three stunned Senshi. "We thought we had lost Usagi as well when the plane she was on crashed somewhere over the Pacific Ocean." She explained, watching Sailor Star Fighter visibly pale as tears shone in her blue eyes. "That is until she showed up almost a month ago assisting the enemy in taking both Sailor Venus and Sailor Mercury's soul crystals."
"I'm not going to hurt her, Luna." Sailor Star Fighter vowed, taking a step forward and looking at the cat with fierce determination. "I won't hurt…"
"She will not hesitate to attack you, Sailor Star Fighter. Please you must forget everything you remember of Sailor Moon and accept this is who she is now." Luna implored, worry shining brightly in her gaze as she met the Starlight's stubborn gaze. "She has no memories of being Tsukino Usagi, so she doesn't remember anything about Kou Seiya, the Three Lights, or her time fighting alongside you three in the final battle."
"Sailor Pluto told us she's hoping to use us as a tactical advantage." Sailor Star Maker stated, watching the feline guiltily avert her gaze before solemnly nodding.
"It was Artemis' suggestion." Luna admitted, glancing back to look at her sleeping companion. "Losing Venus has caused him great distress, he's letting his emotions take over his logic." She sighed, her heart heavy at the thought of how divided the Senshi had become over Sailor Moon's betrayal. "I wish there were more we could do for her, but they're right, she's no longer the person we loved and remembered." She heartbrokenly stated as she lowered her head in an attempt to hide the tears streaking her cheeks.
Jumping as she felt someone gently stroke her fur, she lifted her gaze to see Sailor Star Fighter kneeling in front of the bed, her blue eyes also shining with unshed tears.
"We're going to do everything we can to help them all." Sailor Star Fighter promised as she met the cat's tearful gaze. "Please don't give up on her too, Luna. I know she wouldn't give up on any of you, so why are you all giving up on her so easily?"
"I hope you're right." Luna tearfully stated as she watched the Starlight tearfully smile at her. "After everything that has happened, it's been difficult holding onto any hope of getting her back." She admitted as she lowered her gaze in shame.
"She's right-" Hotaru stated, a soft sigh escaping her as she thought of their wayward Princess. "We haven't had much hope without Sailor Moon fighting by our side. I only hope you're right, that you three are able to help restore that hope for us and help find a way to bring our friend and Princess back to us."
(Later That Evening)
Looking up at the night sky, Seiya softly exhaled as he ran a hand through his dark locks, brushing back the unruly bangs from his face. 'I'm here, Odango.' He silently thought, his heart heavy with worry and uncertainty as he grew lost in his own inner turmoil. 'Please tell me what I need to do, I'll do whatever it takes to bring you back to me.'
::WOOSH::
Turning his head at the sound of the patio door abruptly opening, Seiya watched as the sandy-haired blonde stood in the doorway for a moment, her hard gaze boring into him as she leaned against the door frame. "Haruka." He murmured in greeting, watching the blonde's jaw clench slightly before she broke the uncomfortable silence.
"You've wasted your time coming here, it doesn't matter if you're here or not, nothing is going to change the outcome of the final battle." Haruka sneered, watching the young man look at her with an abrupt start before his gaze hardened with anger and determination.
"I'm not going to let any of you hurt her, Haruka." Seiya growled back, his hands clenching at his side as they shook with anger. "I'm going to do everything I can to help-"
"Why bother?" Haruka angrily interjected. "She's been brainwashed by the enemy, she has no recollection of who she was in this life. Neko-chan is gone, we're facing a dark side of Serenity now."
"She's not gone!" Seiya stubbornly insisted, tears shining in his eyes as he thought of the vivid nightmare he'd endured prior to Pluto's unexpected visit. "She's needing your help and you choose the easy way out of this!" He angrily accused, wondering if he should bring up his nightmare to the Outer Guardian.
"You're going to get yourself killed if you don't accept what's happened!" Haruka sneered, as she stalked forwards, anger blazing in her eyes. "Our Princess is just as cruel and heartless as those we're fighting. Our friend is dead, you and the others must accept this if we're going to stop her."
"How can you be so heartless?" Seiya angrily demanded. "She's still your friend, you can't give up on her! She would never have given up on any of you."
"You will not be thinking this when she takes a soul crystal from one of you." Haruka jeered as she took a moment to take in his clothing. "You look ridiculous, if you're going to be on this planet, you need to blend in." She jeered, as she motioned towards the Kinmoku uniform he wore. "You're such a baka." She grumbled under her breath as she turned and entered the house with a huff of frustration.
Crossing his arms against his chest as he turned his back towards the retreating blonde, Seiya released a growl of frustration before he lifted his tormented gaze up toward the night sky. Looking up at the waning moon with a heavy heart, he knew he was going to have to fight harder and stay more alert in order to protect Sailor Moon from her own Senshi. "I won't let you hurt you." He swore as his fists tightly clenched at his sides, his head lowering as he allowed his hot, angry tears to fall.
"Seiya-"
Jumping at the sound of the unexpected voice, Seiya abruptly wiped his tears away as he turned to see Taiki quietly step out onto the patio, stopping moments later to stand beside him. "What are you doing out here? I thought you two were getting some rest?"
"I was worried about you, it's been over an hour since you left the room." Taiki stated, glancing over to see his friend look at him with surprise. "You're thinking about her again, aren't you?"
"How can I not?" Seiya snapped in his frustration. "How am I going to keep her safe from them? They're determined to-"
"It's not our place to protect her, she's not our-"
"She may not be our Princess, but she's our friend, Taiki." Seiya stubbornly interjected. "Or have you forgotten everything we went through with her when we faced Galaxia? How we all were willing to sacrifice ourselves to keep her safe from-"
"We had no other choice, Seiya." Taiki stubbornly argued back. "Our Princess had already fallen, and Sailor Moon was the only one powerful enough to stop Galaxia and Chaos. This time is different, we're only here to serve as a distraction until the threat has been stopped, nothing more."
"That 'threat' is still our friend, I won't hurt her." Seiya snapped, his blue eyes flashing with anger as he glared at his friend. "I won't let either of you hurt her, either."
"We're not going to harm her, but if we need to attack her to get her attention turned to us, I won't hesitate." Taiki insisted, watching as Seiya angrily turned his gaze away from his for a moment as his jaw clenched and unclenched as he struggle with his emotions. "Come on, we need to rest so we can remain alert when the enemy decides to show themselves." He gently urged as he placed his hand against his friend's shoulder.
Knowing his friend was right, Seiya released a frustrated breath as he reluctantly followed the brunette back into the two-story home that belonged to the Outers. 'He's right, perhaps some rest will do me some good.' He thought as he silently slid the patio shut with a soft click.
~*Dream*~
Cautiously stepping over and climbing the thick obstacles of ice, Sailor Star Fighter winced as her arms scraped against the razor-sharp ice shard. Cautiously continuing forward, she felt her heart nervously beat against her chest as she reached the entrapment of ice. Pressing her hand against the thick ice, she raised her tear-filled gaze up toward the motionless blonde. "Odango…" She worriedly murmured, cautiously glancing around the surrounding area for any approaching threat before looking up once more. "Odango, wake up." She pleaded, watching with a soft breath of relief as the blonde began to weakly stir.
"Seiya..." Usagi weakly murmured, as she fought against the fogginess of her mind, as her heavy lids fluttered open, a soft gasp escaping her lips at the sight of the Starlight standing below her. "You're here…"
"Yes-" Sailor Star Fighter choked as happy tears streaked her cheeks. "I'm here."
"How?" Usagi weakly asked, struggling to lift her head.
"I don't know." Sailor Star Fighter tearfully chuckled, as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I was thinking of you before I fell asleep." She murmured, her cheeks growing warm at the confession. "You didn't call me here?"
"No." Usagi weakly responded, her head gradually lowering as she began to lose what strength she'd summoned to lift her head. "I-"
"I did-" A dark voice chuckled from within the shadows behind the couple.
Feeling her heart constrict with fear, Usagi mustered what little remaining strength she had forced her head up as her panicked gaze looked down to see Sailor Star Fighter turn and lift her star yell as she braced herself for battle. "Fighter!" She cried out, prompting the Starlight to turn and look up at her with an abrupt start. "Run!" She pleaded as tears streaked her pale cheeks. "She'll hurt you too!"
"Who?!" Sailor Star Fighter implored, her gaze meeting the blonde's terrified gaze.
"Please, go!" Usagi begged, watching in fear as the icy entrapment began to glow an ominous red. "GO!" She cried out before an agonizing scream escaped her lips.
"STOP IT! PLEASE, STOP!" Sailor Star Fighter begged as she was forced to helplessly watch once more as the red energy crackled around the blonde's icy prison. Feeling a choked sob escape her lips as Usagi slumped limply against the ice, she dropped to her knees and pressed her hand and forehead against the thick ice, her eyes tightly shutting in her sorrow. "I don't know what to do." She whimpered through a shuddering breath. "I don't know how to free you from this-"
"The Terran is mine-" A dark voice hissed from within the shadows, her eyes flashing red from within the shadows of her hooded cloak. "I brought you here Guardian, so heed my warning."
"Who are you?" Sailor Star Fighter demanded, her grief-filled eyes hardening as she glared at the approaching figure. Tightening her grip on her star yell, she took a threatening step forward. "Release her and I'll show you mercy!" She demanded, prompting a wicked laugh from the shadow figure.
"You pitiful fool, you don't have the power to stop me!" The figure boasted as she pointed her scythe at the guardian. "Who are you and why have you come to this planet, lie to me and I will force you to watch as I slowly end this girl's miserable existence." She warned, watching as fear flashed in the guardian's blue eyes.
"No-please, don't hurt her!" Sailor Star Fighter begged, watching the cloaked figure raise her weapon in the direction of Usagi. "Stop! I'll tell you everything you want to know!" She begged as she lowered her star yell to show she meant no threat.
"Why are you here?!" The figure hissed, watching as the guardian tearfully looked up at the unconscious blonde.
"I kept having these nightmares, she was calling out to me for help." Sailor Star Fighter stated, tears streaking her cheeks as she looked up at Usagi's weakened form. "I came to Earth to help her."
"You've wasted your time coming to this planet. She is trapped within my realm, not on that pathetic planet." The figure spat with icy malice, her cruel gaze hidden within the shadows of her cloak as she cut her gaze up toward the unconscious blonde. 'That little wretch, I will silence her once and for all.' She silently seethed, her scythe glowing with power.
"What are you doing?" Sailor Star Fighter nervously asked, watching as the figure's weapon began to glow with power. "I told you what you wanted!"
"Yes, and I thank you for your cooperation, guardian." The figure wickedly commended, before releasing a torrent of power watching with glee as the icy prison began to expand around the blonde, trapping her the remaining way in the icy prison.
"NO!" Sailor Star Fighter shouted, watching in horror and disbelief as Usagi was completely encased within the icy tomb. "I told you what you wanted!" She cried out in her anguish as she raised her star yell and called out her attack. "Star Serious Laser!"
"You fool!" The figure laughed, watching with amusement as the icy tomb remained unscathed by the guardian's desperate attack. "I told you I would spare her." She taunted, watching as the guardian turned and looked at her, hatred flashing in her tear-filled eyes.
"Let her go! Give her back to me!" Sailor Star Fighter shouted, summoning her attack once more. "Star Serious Laser!"
Raising her staff in time, the figure laughed as she easily deflected the attack and blasted the guardian back. Smirking at her cry of pain, she calmly walked forward, her cruel gaze flashing as she approached the weakened guardian. "Deliver the remaining guardians a message for me, tell them their soul crystals are not safe, that I will soon possess them all." She jeered, watching as the guardian took a step back in unease. "Return to your own planet and I will consider sparing you and those you care for most." She commanded, pointing her staff and releasing a blast of power at the unsuspecting guardian.
Crying out in pain as the icy blast struck her without warning, Sailor Star Fighter fought against the encroaching darkness, her desperate gaze landing on the icy tomb one final time. "Odango…" She weakly murmured before everything went dark.
~*End of Dream*~
"No!" Seiya cried out as he awoke with an abrupt start, his heart furiously pounding against his chest as he watched both Yaten and Taiki both raise from their mats, both clutching their transformation brooches as they looked at him with concern.
"Seiya, what is it?" Yaten asked, watching with concern as his friend brought his hands to his face, his body shaking with silent tears.
"Seiya?" Taiki urged while going to his friend's side. "Are you alright?" He demanded, as he took notice of the fresh cuts and scrapes his friend had received in his state of sleep. "It happened again, you saw her again, didn't you?"
"Yes." Seiya tearfully murmured, wiping the tears from his cheeks as he met his two friend's worried gazes. "I- I lost her." He heartbrokenly confessed as fresh tears welled in his tormented gaze. "I told them what they wanted and that monster still-"
"What happened, Seiya?" Taiki gently inquired, noticing how shaken his friend looked. "Tell us what you saw."
"I saw the one that hurt Odango, I saw Shi." Seiya grimly spoke, looking up to see Yaten and Taiki look at him with an abrupt start.
"Y-You saw her?" Yaten sputtered in shock. "What was she like?" He impatiently asked, watching his friend's face grow more somber before lifting his tear-filled gaze up towards him as he grimly spoke.
"I- I don't know if we're strong enough to stop her." Seiya grimly confessed as his stomach nervously lurched at the thought of facing the powerful shrouded figure once more. 'I'm not telling the others of her warning, it will only cause them to lose their focus. They're going to need to have a clear mind if we have any chance of defeating this enemy.' He thought as he felt his heart pang with anguish at the thought of Usagi being fully encompassed by the thick ice. 'Odango, please hold on, I'm not going to give up on you.' He silently vowed as he released a shuddering breath.
To Be Continued...
Edited: 10/13/22
Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter out, it's been kind of hectic lately, and I haven't had much time to read/edit this chapter. I've re-read this chapter about three times over the past two days and I'm sure I've probably missed some typos, my apologies in advance. I'm so tired of re-reading this chapter and need to move on to editing the next one.
Hope everyone enjoyed this one, I did end up adding to the story, hoping it fills the gaps that I know remained unanswered in later chapters.
Thanks to everyone who has left a review/followed/favorited this story. I appreciate you all so much! ❤
-SQG