~*~*~*~
Dark Kingdom:
Akii stormed up the hallway to Beryl's room with a vile look of disgust. The news of Raditz's death had spread quickly throughout the Kingdom, and it was her duty to inform Beryl. She couldn't have been happier that her moronic brother had been defeated, but that meant that the child of the Moon was still loose. She was getting closer and closer to retrieving the Crystal while they still had almost no power from her. If she were to attack them they would be defenseless. Beryl would hold up against them, but she would surely be destroyed.
As she walked up the hall she thought back to her days on Earth. Their happiness made her shudder with madness. How could she have been so stupid as to want to escape the Dark Kingdom and live on that jolly planet? But those days were over. She was safely tucked away in the castle where she could contemplate nothing but deeds of evil.
~*~*~
Earth:
Usagi was returned home that night by her mother, the true Queen of the Moon. She returned with a sense of completion, like an empty space in her heart had been filled. And she knew exactly where this feeling had come from. Her heart was filled with the Crystal, which had finally been wakened up. She was finally the True Senshi of the Moon, Son Usagi, Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom. Now it would be up to her to stop the Dark Kingdom and their rule of evil.
They would have to be stopped. There would be no more waiting for them to attack helpless victims. She had the power to stop them. The time was now.
~*~*~
11:00 P.M.
When she returned home that day, she spent the rest of the day thinking of a way to defeat Beryl and only came up with one way.
She was dressed for bed when she walked out of her room, her parents had already put her to bed two hours ago, but that didn't matter right now. With torn emotions, she proceeded to bypass the living room and walk straight into the Kitchen, where she found her mother cleaning up from her father's oversized dinner. She started to choke up with tears and pulled back behind the doorway. Her mother absolutely could NOT see tears in her eyes. If she broke down now, her plan would be revealed.
She quickly wiped away the tears and stepped back into the kitchen where she approached her mother, who had yet to notice her daughter. Usagi tried desperately to hold back the tears as she wrapped her arms around her mother's waist and hugged her as tightly as she could.
Chi-Chi, not knowing her daughter's intentions, smiled and grabbed her arms. "To what do I owe this occasion?" She asked cheerfully.
Usagi closed her eyes and dug her nose deep into her mother's back as if to say she was sorry and get one last scent. "I love you, mom."
Chi-Chi giggled as she unwrapped her daughter's arms and turned around. "What have you done, Usagi?" She asked playfully as she kneeled down to look into Usagi's watery eyes. She gasped with surprise. "What's wrong? Are you ok?"
Usagi nodded, but quickly shook her head. She couldn't do this. Her mother would be devastated. Of course, they could always bring her back with the Dragon Balls, but it was still just too horrible to imagine. Dying at the age of eleven. She remembered that her father once told her that the Dragon Balls could only bring back people who died of an unnatural death. Was using the Crystal natural or unnatural? Maybe they wouldn't be able to bring her back after all. What a horrid though! "Oh Mom!" She cried out. This was all too much for her. Her eyes immediately began to swell in pure agony as she wrapped her arms around Chi-Chi's neck and went in for another hug.
Chi-Chi embraced her daughter, who was sobbing into her shoulder like there was no tomorrow. "...Usagi...honey..." She looked up to the doorway where Goku was no standing with the greatest look of concern.
"I'm sorry mom, I'm sorry....I'm sorry..." She continued to say she was sorry over and over again, which only worried Chi-Chi even further. Even when she had gone into the past she hadn't apologized so much and here she was, apologizing for something neither she nor Goku knew of.
Goku slowly approached the mother-daughter duo and rubbed his hand around Usagi's head, only to cause her to cry harder. "Wanna tell us what's up?" He asked, half cheerfully, half solemnly.
Usagi slowly pulled her face away from her mother's shoulder and turned up to her father. His face was pure white with worry. She tried to hold back any more tears that may have wanted to come out at that moment. She would have to be strong, for her parents' sake. They were part of her cause. It would be up to her to protect them this time. And it would be up to her friends to protect her while she did her job. She didn't know how she was going to break the news to them, but it would have to be done soon or else they may lose their chance.
Usagi gently ripped away from her mother and gave her father a quick hug. If anytime she got scared and wanted to turn away, she would think of him and all the times he had sacrificed his body and his life for the good of the people. She would think of mother for always being there when she needed her, even if she was a pain most of the time, she would always love her. Her mother had never turned from her, even though more often than not she didn't behave. But most of all, she would think of Queen Serenity for giving her life to save her daughter. In doing that, it enabled her to become who she is today.
"Nothing's wrong, I just wanted to let you guys know I love you." Without exchanging anymore words with her parents, Usagi left for her room, which she guessed she would never see again. In her thinking, she would never see her parents again.
Goku looked down to his kneeling wife with confusion. "Chi-Chi? What was that?"
Chi-Chi shrugged. "I don't know, but we better keep an eye on her. She may be more upset about these attacks then we think. I think she thinks it's somehow her fault."
Goku looked over his shoulder and down the hall, where his daughter had previously walked. "I don't know... she's been acting strange for the past two weeks."
Chi-Chi sighed. Men always had to make a big deal when a woman was upset. "Promise me you won't try to talk to her alone, ok? You men always find some way to muddle things up and make situations worse."
"Oh don't worry, I know how you women get when you're upset or angry. I don't even wanna go there."
Chi-Chi frowned. "And just what's that supposed to mean Son Goku!?"
Goku grinned. "All I'm saying is that you guys get pretty moody and Usagi's reaching that age."
Chi-Chi stood up and three her wet rag at him. "OHHH...YOU MEN ARE ALL THE SAME!"
Goku chuckled as he ran from the room. Although he seemed full of the jollies, inside he knew that something greater was troubling their daughter, but he knew better than to press her on it. His daughter was quite sensitive, and he learned that when she ran crying into her room, it was meant that no men were allowed, not even him. Girls were just funny like that, he thought to himself.
~*~*~
Once Usagi returned to her room she fell, face forward, on her bed. "How could I have been so stupid!?" She screamed into the covers as she punched the bed as hard as she could. "I wasn't supposed to cry!"
~*~*~
Dark Kingdom:
Akii knocked on the tall, black double-doors that led into her Queen's room. Her heart pounded deep within her chest as she stood there. Although she was just the messenger, she was sure to get lashed out at by Beryl about her Raditz's death, knowing her temper. That was always the way. Whenever anything went wrong, she was always the one to hear about it. She took a deep breath and entered when Beryl confirmed entry.
She noticed Beryl sitting at a desk while she tinkered with a bottle of sorts that was glowing. 'The Moon energy...'
"What is it?!"
Akii jumped in surprise, but quickly caught her composure. "We have a problem."
~*~*~
Earth:
Taking a deep breath, Usagi took one last look around her room which she had practically grown up in. Her fondest memory was the time she had put her father in make-up with Minako. Looking back on that day made her laugh every time. "It's been fun, but I guess it's time to leave." She sighed and pulled out her broach. "Moon Crystal Power... Make-Up!"
Her room was once again filled with a blinding white light, but not that of the Moon. This time it was the light created by the transformation from Usagi to Sailor Moon. When it diminished, Sailor Moon was left standing in Usagi's spot. Two people to become one, one destiny between the two.
Sailor Moon walked to the window and opened it without another look at her room. It was best not to look back after you said your good-byes, as she had once read in a book. She took another deep breath and jumped out of the window, leaving her home for good.
~*~*~
Mamoru rummaged through his closet at his home when he felt the upsurge of power take off away from the Son house. He frowned with concern for he knew exactly what that Saiyan brat was up to. He knew the story, as well as her outlook on the situation. "That kid is actually going for it. She's too damn brave for her own good." A righteous smirk formed across his face as he continued his search. As much as he hated to admit, he was the Prince, and he had a duty to be kept to the Princess, even if he didn't particularly have any real feelings for her. She was still a Princess who would need more help then she could get. But, he would be virtually on his own this time. He couldn't tell his friends for the Senshis' identity would be broken.
He smiled to himself as he pulled out the same Black Gi that he had worn to his and Usagi's fight at the tournament from the year before. "I don't care who it is... I was trained to save the people Earth in time's of need, even if they're bratty Saiyans."
~*~*~
Dark Kingdom:
Beryl jumped from her desk, almost dropping the tube of Moon energy on the hard concrete flooring. "HE WHAT?!" She quickly caught herself and the energy.
Akii flinched, but kept her composure to the best of her ability. "He was defeated."
Beryl dropped her head to the side and grunted with disgust. "I knew the little bastard would fail me one of these days." She looked up with arrogance twinkling in her eyes. "It's up to you."
"Excuse me?"
Beryl smirked. "I want you to take those brats out tomorrow. Take your strongest creature if you have to. Just do anything to kill them, except the Moon brat, I want her here alive so I can extract all of that exquisite energy from her body myself. I want to see her cry out in pain."
Akii nervously nodded. She had never expected to have to kill anyone in this venture. "It shall be done." She swiftly clicked her heals together and turned around to leave. She wouldn't fail her Queen as that brash brother of hers had.
Beryl waited until Akii left the room and punched a hole directly through the wall. "Damnit!" She screamed. "Now the brat has killed off ANOTHER of my men! Akii... You better NOT fail me!"
~*~*~
Sailor Moon first arrived at the house of her best friend, Minako. Not only was she the other leader of the pack, but the two cats were currently housing there as well. She would need to seek advice from Luna, her advisor, not that it would do any good as her mind was already set. After hearing the story of how the Dark Kingdom had destroyed the Moon Kingdom and its warriors, she couldn't refuse. She would have to step up to the challenge and conquer her foes, as well as her fears.
She knocked furiously on Minako's window and hoped that at least the cats would wake up and let her in. She knew it was no use with Minako since she was almost as hard a sleeper as herself, which she had learned from the many sleepovers they had had over the years. "Luna! Artimas! Wake up!"
Inside, the two cats were curled up at the foot of Minako's bed. Artimas' ears twitched back and fourth, which to Sailor Moon, was a very good sign. She continued to knock as hard and as loud as she could as she yelled out for them. "Please! We don't have much time!"
Artimas groggily yawned as he raised his head to the sound. "Huh?" He opened his heavy eyes only to see a white blob hollering from outside the window. "Usagi?"
Sailor Moon smiled and yelled for joy. Finally, she had wakened one of them up. "Artimas! It's me! Open the window!"
Artimas' eyes immediately popped wide open. "Sailor Moon!" Thinking of nothing but an attack, he jumped up to the window seal and unlocked the window. "Luna! LUNA!"
Luna's body went flying into the air with a scream to accompany her. "What?!" With claws out, she landed directly atop Minako's stomach, which caused yet another loud shrill to echo around the room.
Sailor Moon quickly climbed through the window and grabbed Minako by the arm. "Get up! We have to go!"
"What's going on?" Minako took one look at her friend and realize exactly what was going on by her appearance. "Oh no! It's another attack and I'm sleeping right through it! Why didn't anyone wake me up earlier!?" She quickly swung her legs over the side of the bed and joined her friend on the floor. "Where is he!? Let me at it!"
Sailor Moon giggled. "It's not an attack on us. We're attacking it!"
Minako calmed down from her hysteria and plopped back down on the bed with a frown. "You mean you woke me up for THAT?!" She yawned and laid back down. "We can't go to the Dark Kingdom, we don't even know how to get there."
Luna; "She's right Sailor Moon."
Moon giggled as she yanked Minako out of bed again. "I have a plan. I think I know someone who can take us there."
Minako reluctantly pulled herself back up. "But Usagi... it's too late! And I'm tired! I just wanna go back to sleep!"
Moon looked at the clock and noticed that it was nearly midnight already. "We can't waste any time. Gather the others and tell them to meet me at the tree house in about an hour, alright? Tell them to come as Sailor Senshi. I have someone I want to talk to."
Minako nodded with hesitation, weary of what her friend had planned for this. "Ok. I guess I can go BARDGING into other people's houses in the middle of the night just so we can track down some enemy who wants to destroy the world DURING THE DAY."
Moon smiled, knowing full well that this was sarcasm. "Thanks Minako, you're the best." With that, she raised her fingers to her forehead and teleported directly to Sanctuary.
Minako looked to the cats with the yawn. How did she always let herself get talked into these things? It seemed like every day that passed Usagi got more and more willing to kick some butt, and in this case, she didn't particularly like it.
Artimas joined in with the yawning as he curled up into a tight little ball. "Was she always this crazy, or was this a recent development."
Minako shrugged with a giggle as she stood up. "Guess we better round up the others."
~*~*~
Sailor Moon found herself standing on the top deck of sanctuary staring aimlessly into the sky. Was she up there? Was she around? Was she able to hear here? Was she able to answer? Would she be able to fulfill her request? There was only one way to find out. She cupped her hands around her mouth and began the second phase of her plan. "Sailor Pluto? Are you there? It's me! Usagi! I need your help!" She squinted her eyes almost to being closed as she stared up, hoping to see a sign that she was being heard and answered. But nothing happened. Not a sound could be heard but that of the crickets around.
Sailor Moon slumped her shoulders as she walked to the other side of the deck. "Pluto! I know you can hear me! Please answer! I really need your help! It has to do with Beryl." She sighed as she paused and waited for an answer. Still, there was nothing.
Sailor Moon looked back down, feeling discouraged. Maybe her plan wasn't going to work after all. Maybe she would see her parents again after all. That would only make it harder though. "What am I supposed to do?" She looked back up in concern. Why wasn't Pluto answering her? Being a Senshi, wasn't she meant to serve the royal family. That's it! She would use her status to bring Pluto down. "Pluto! Aren't you supposed to listen to the Princess? I'm trying to be brave for once! I'm trying to do the right thing and destroy these guys while I have a chance instead of what happened with Cell. I don't want to play anymore! We have to save the Earth! Please!"
Sailor Moon gasped as two, tall, double doors appeared before her. "Pluto!" She said with excitement. She was forced to shield her eyes as the doors began to open for there was a bright purple light shining from behind. "You came!" She didn't even wait for the figure to fully emerge from the doorway before she threw herself to it.
Pluto laughed allowed as she embraced the child. The doors closed and the doors to the Time Gate were once again sealed for the time being. "Your intentions are pure."
Moon smiled wide as she looked up at Pluto. "Does that mean you'll help us?"
Pluto shook her head, causing Sailor Moon's happy smile to drop flat. "I can not allow you to do this unless you know all the consequences of using the Silver Crystal."
Moon rolled her eyes with an over abundant amount of confidence. "I know already. My Moon mom already explained to me that if I use it, I'll die."
Pluto once again shook her head, this time her eyes held a heavy burden of truth. "But that is not all. If you die using the Crystal, you can not be brought back with any Dragon Balls, for, to revive the Crystal would take too much power, power that the Dragon Balls do not have. To be revived, it would have to have the pure energy of another's life."
Her face dropped even further at hearing that. Then it was true, her assumption, something that she thought she'd hoped she was wrong about. She wouldn't be revived at all. If she died, she would never see any of her family or friends again. "Pluto..."
"You have to understand and think out your decision. What you are trying to do is very noble, but I do not think that in your heart, you are willing to die quite so easily."
Sailor Moon shook her head. "But I have to. I'm the Princess. I'm the only one who can do it because I'm the only one with the Moon Crystal. You know this."
Pluto agreed. "I'm not trying to talk you out of it, I just want to lay everything out on the table for you so you're aware of what you're doing."
Usagi thought of her father just as she was beginning to chicken out. She thought of his story of Cell, how he had risked his life for the Earth, knowing full well that he would never be allowed to come back to Earth. He had been brave in that fight, and she would be too. "I'll...I'll do it, Pluto. But," She said with a smirk, "I'll make sure I don't die!"
Pluto nodded with a smile. "Then I shall send you and your court to the Dark Kingdom when the time comes!"
~*~*~
Dark Kingdom:
Akii walked into what looked like a control Center in the castle. All along the walls were computers and screens of all sorts with flashing lights and buttons that were eagerly waiting to be pressed. She glared around the room at the workers, who had been tracking the actions of people on Earth. It was their job to scout out their next target location for attacks depending on how many people would be there. The more energy recovered, the more pleased Beryl became. "Status report!"
A short man with long, ragged white hair stood up and turned to face the woman. "Ma'am, we have had no unusual disturbances on Earth during the evening and we have located another target for tomorrow's attack."
Akii smiled. "Good, where is it?"
"We have pinpointed to industrious cities on two different continents that draw in people from all over the world and are always busy throughout the day. One is in Japan, Koube, and the other is in America, Seattle. If we do a simultaneous attack, the Senshi should be thrown off and only be able to stop one of our monsters."
Akii grinned evilly. "Excellent. We shall commence tomorrow." She clicked her heals together and turned around to walk away. But it seemed as though the technician wasn't through with her.
"Ms. Akii, we have also come across some rather interesting news."
Akii stopped in place as her ears perked for the info. "I'm listening."
"While monitoring the Gate of Time, we've noticed that Sailor Pluto has left her post."
Akii frowned as she spun around. "She what?" She glared around the room, putting fear into every soul in that room. "Do you know what this means? She only leaves her post when something big is about to happen."
"You don't suppose they're preparing to attack, do you?"
Akii crossed her arms. She wasn't in the least bit concerned about an attack. If Sailor Pluto wanted to be dumb enough to send the Senshi here then it was all the better. They could capture them much easier on their turf. "I'll welcome them with open arms."
~*~*~
Earth:
An hour had passed and Pluto was still at the side of Sailor Moon. The two of them were awaiting the arrival of the other Senshi. Pluto had yet to return because she not only wanted Sailor Moon to understand the consequences of her actions, but the other Senshi as well. They should have a say in their friend's actions since they were the ones who were meant to protect her. But in a situation like this, all they would have to do would be to make sure that Sailor Moon stayed alive long enough to make her move.
Having the ability to sense power levels over Pluto, Moon noticed the others approaching first. "They're here." She said as she pushed herself up from her resting place.
Pluto looked up into the sky in the direction that her Princess gazed into. "Good."
Moon gulped nervously as she waited for them to get within speaking range. She wondered how they would take this, probably not good if she mentioned the possible death bit. "Guys!" She yelled as she waved her friends down. "Over here!"
Mars led the way. Behind her, Mercury and Jupiter carried Luna and Artimas, who had insisted on going as a result of their extreme curiosity. Mars waved over her shoulder to sign her friends to begin to land. "There she is."
Usagi watched her friends land with a wide and excited smile. It would almost be time to start her plan, the beginning of the end. All that was left would be to explain it. Although she knew she would get a lot of grief from them, she knew it was the right thing to do. In anyway, it was her decision, and she planned to go through with it. "Guys!"
Mars ran directly to Usagi as soon as her feet touched the ground. Her face was timid and unsure of what to expect, but she knew it had to be something big. It wasn't like Usagi to just wake everyone up in the middle of the night. "This better be good."
Jupiter set Artimas down while Mercury set Luna down. Both Senshi exchanged looks of concern with one another and sighed. Something big was going to go down tonight. They quickly turned back to Usagi, noticing Pluto behind her for the first time, someone they had never seen before.
Venus cracked her knuckles with a frown. "Who's behind you?"
Usagi grinned as she looked up to Pluto. "This," She looked back to her curious friends. "Is Sailor Pluto, the Guardian of Time." The four Senshi stared into the serious face of Pluto, the one who had been the cause of the entire ordeal in the past.
Mercury bowed slightly out of respect. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Sailor Pluto. I am Sailor Mercury."
Mars stepped forward with a frown planted deep within her eyes. "You! You're the reason why we had to stay in that awful time with Cell! You couldn't have just let us go back, could you!?"
Pluto smiled as she looked down to the young, fiery face of Sailor Mars. "Sailor Mars, you always were a spunky child."
Mars dropped her frown in surprise. "You know me?"
Pluto nodded. "Of course, I know all of you. I have been watching over you since the time of your birth, making sure no true danger came to you. Now, I am afraid I must let you go."
Mars quirked a brow and shifted her view to Sailor Moon, who faced down. "What's she talking about, Usagi? She has to let us go?"
Usagi gulped as she slowly looked up to face her friends. This wouldn't be easy, but she took a deep breath anyway to begin. The faster she explained, the sooner it would all be over with. "Well... you see... You all know how the full Moon reappeared today almost out of no where?" She paused long enough to let her comrades nod. "Well, I was sent to the Moon, or taken there, and do you know who I met there?"
Jupiter crossed her arms and smirked. "The Queen."
Although she had been joking, thinking that that would never happen for the Queen had died many years ago, she was right. "Yes. I met Queen Serenity of the Silver Millennium Moon Kingdom, my Moon mother."
Jupiter blinked twice in surprise. She had actually been right? "No way! Really?"
Moon nodded. "Yes. She told me all about how the Moon Kingdom fell by the hands of Beryl and her army of Dark Creatures. She also told me of my death, how Mamoru is the Prince of Earth and died trying to protect me."
Venus' eyes sparkled with envy. Two people she knew had already been dubbed important people. Although she too was a princess, she was only a lowly court member to the Moon Princess. Now Mamoru was a Prince, this was all too much. "He tried to protect you in a past life?"
Jupiter grinned. "That's a real shocker."
Usagi opted to leave out the detail of their betrothal and continued with her fast version of the story. "You all ended up dying at the hands of Beryl as well. My mother, the Queen used her last ounce of life to send us all here so we could defeat Beryl."
Mars; "Oh, so I see. Now you want to destroy Beryl for your mother?"
Usagi flinched. "Sort of. I haven't told you how my mother died sending us here." She paused, but only a silence was left to reign. She gulped before she went on. "She had this thing called Silver Crystal, a Crystal that held pure Moon power, pure power made from love. It was wound around her soul, making it part of her very source of life. When she used its power, it was drained, leaving her life power drained as well."
Mercury; "That's awful. She gave her life so we could live."
Sailor Moon looked down at her feet, refusing to make eye contact with any of her friends. "I know. But you see, this Crystal is the only way to defeat Beryl. My mother had a chance to either defeat Beryl or save us. And she chose to save us. But in doing so, the Crystal was passed down to me, and since it's the only thing to defeat her..." She let her voice trail into the nothing as the reality sank in deeper and deeper.
Mars reached out and grabbed her Princess by the shoulder. What she was saying was unacceptable. "What?! You're going to use that thing?"
Venus watched as the Saiyan said nothing, her own eyes beginning to tear up. How could she think of sacrificing herself. "No," She shook her head from side to side. "There has to be another way."
Usagi looked up, her eyes free of tears. She had already come to accept the facts. "It's the only way, Minako. What else can we do? The Crystal is the only thing powerful enough to beat her. I need you guys to be there and make sure I'm able to deliver the blow without interruptions."
Jupiter shook her head, her eyes were with tears as well. "No! I'm not going to help you kill yourself!"
"IT'S THE ONLY WAY! PLEASE!"
Luna trotted to her Princess' side. She was less reluctant than the other Senshi for she had actually seen the horror a thousand years ago. "Usagi, if it's what you must do."
Sailor Moon nodded. "I know what I have to do. I have to be brave and strong like daddy is. He's never afraid to die when he's fighting for what he believes in. If I can defeat Beryl and Metallia then I can give Earth the hope of living." She paused and grinned. "But, there's still a slight chance that I can live. If I can destroy them both before I use all the power of the Crystal then I will live. I will recover my power and all is good."
Pluto gently placed her hand upon her Princess' shoulder. "You are brave, your mother must be proud... both of them."
Sailor Moon; "Pluto, if I do happen to die, can you tell my Mom and Dad everything so they don't worry about me?"
Pluto nodded. "You don't have to worry."
(The end!... of this chapter anyway. I know, I didn't update for the longest time, but I thought it would have been better if I didn't force myself to write. I got burned out, but I think I'm back. See? Three chapters in three days. Just like old times, right? I think I'm doing very well so far in regards to getting a chapter out every day. I'm even ahead of my game by one chapter! ^_^ Anyway, back to the entire purpose of this author's note. If I ever go into a slump again, do not think that I have abandoned this story. I will actually notify you if I decide to abandon it.... Which will never happen. It just takes a little while for me to come back out of my slump. Sorry about the waiting and all. Thanks for puttin up with me. ^_^ )
Dark Kingdom:
Akii stormed up the hallway to Beryl's room with a vile look of disgust. The news of Raditz's death had spread quickly throughout the Kingdom, and it was her duty to inform Beryl. She couldn't have been happier that her moronic brother had been defeated, but that meant that the child of the Moon was still loose. She was getting closer and closer to retrieving the Crystal while they still had almost no power from her. If she were to attack them they would be defenseless. Beryl would hold up against them, but she would surely be destroyed.
As she walked up the hall she thought back to her days on Earth. Their happiness made her shudder with madness. How could she have been so stupid as to want to escape the Dark Kingdom and live on that jolly planet? But those days were over. She was safely tucked away in the castle where she could contemplate nothing but deeds of evil.
~*~*~
Earth:
Usagi was returned home that night by her mother, the true Queen of the Moon. She returned with a sense of completion, like an empty space in her heart had been filled. And she knew exactly where this feeling had come from. Her heart was filled with the Crystal, which had finally been wakened up. She was finally the True Senshi of the Moon, Son Usagi, Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom. Now it would be up to her to stop the Dark Kingdom and their rule of evil.
They would have to be stopped. There would be no more waiting for them to attack helpless victims. She had the power to stop them. The time was now.
~*~*~
11:00 P.M.
When she returned home that day, she spent the rest of the day thinking of a way to defeat Beryl and only came up with one way.
She was dressed for bed when she walked out of her room, her parents had already put her to bed two hours ago, but that didn't matter right now. With torn emotions, she proceeded to bypass the living room and walk straight into the Kitchen, where she found her mother cleaning up from her father's oversized dinner. She started to choke up with tears and pulled back behind the doorway. Her mother absolutely could NOT see tears in her eyes. If she broke down now, her plan would be revealed.
She quickly wiped away the tears and stepped back into the kitchen where she approached her mother, who had yet to notice her daughter. Usagi tried desperately to hold back the tears as she wrapped her arms around her mother's waist and hugged her as tightly as she could.
Chi-Chi, not knowing her daughter's intentions, smiled and grabbed her arms. "To what do I owe this occasion?" She asked cheerfully.
Usagi closed her eyes and dug her nose deep into her mother's back as if to say she was sorry and get one last scent. "I love you, mom."
Chi-Chi giggled as she unwrapped her daughter's arms and turned around. "What have you done, Usagi?" She asked playfully as she kneeled down to look into Usagi's watery eyes. She gasped with surprise. "What's wrong? Are you ok?"
Usagi nodded, but quickly shook her head. She couldn't do this. Her mother would be devastated. Of course, they could always bring her back with the Dragon Balls, but it was still just too horrible to imagine. Dying at the age of eleven. She remembered that her father once told her that the Dragon Balls could only bring back people who died of an unnatural death. Was using the Crystal natural or unnatural? Maybe they wouldn't be able to bring her back after all. What a horrid though! "Oh Mom!" She cried out. This was all too much for her. Her eyes immediately began to swell in pure agony as she wrapped her arms around Chi-Chi's neck and went in for another hug.
Chi-Chi embraced her daughter, who was sobbing into her shoulder like there was no tomorrow. "...Usagi...honey..." She looked up to the doorway where Goku was no standing with the greatest look of concern.
"I'm sorry mom, I'm sorry....I'm sorry..." She continued to say she was sorry over and over again, which only worried Chi-Chi even further. Even when she had gone into the past she hadn't apologized so much and here she was, apologizing for something neither she nor Goku knew of.
Goku slowly approached the mother-daughter duo and rubbed his hand around Usagi's head, only to cause her to cry harder. "Wanna tell us what's up?" He asked, half cheerfully, half solemnly.
Usagi slowly pulled her face away from her mother's shoulder and turned up to her father. His face was pure white with worry. She tried to hold back any more tears that may have wanted to come out at that moment. She would have to be strong, for her parents' sake. They were part of her cause. It would be up to her to protect them this time. And it would be up to her friends to protect her while she did her job. She didn't know how she was going to break the news to them, but it would have to be done soon or else they may lose their chance.
Usagi gently ripped away from her mother and gave her father a quick hug. If anytime she got scared and wanted to turn away, she would think of him and all the times he had sacrificed his body and his life for the good of the people. She would think of mother for always being there when she needed her, even if she was a pain most of the time, she would always love her. Her mother had never turned from her, even though more often than not she didn't behave. But most of all, she would think of Queen Serenity for giving her life to save her daughter. In doing that, it enabled her to become who she is today.
"Nothing's wrong, I just wanted to let you guys know I love you." Without exchanging anymore words with her parents, Usagi left for her room, which she guessed she would never see again. In her thinking, she would never see her parents again.
Goku looked down to his kneeling wife with confusion. "Chi-Chi? What was that?"
Chi-Chi shrugged. "I don't know, but we better keep an eye on her. She may be more upset about these attacks then we think. I think she thinks it's somehow her fault."
Goku looked over his shoulder and down the hall, where his daughter had previously walked. "I don't know... she's been acting strange for the past two weeks."
Chi-Chi sighed. Men always had to make a big deal when a woman was upset. "Promise me you won't try to talk to her alone, ok? You men always find some way to muddle things up and make situations worse."
"Oh don't worry, I know how you women get when you're upset or angry. I don't even wanna go there."
Chi-Chi frowned. "And just what's that supposed to mean Son Goku!?"
Goku grinned. "All I'm saying is that you guys get pretty moody and Usagi's reaching that age."
Chi-Chi stood up and three her wet rag at him. "OHHH...YOU MEN ARE ALL THE SAME!"
Goku chuckled as he ran from the room. Although he seemed full of the jollies, inside he knew that something greater was troubling their daughter, but he knew better than to press her on it. His daughter was quite sensitive, and he learned that when she ran crying into her room, it was meant that no men were allowed, not even him. Girls were just funny like that, he thought to himself.
~*~*~
Once Usagi returned to her room she fell, face forward, on her bed. "How could I have been so stupid!?" She screamed into the covers as she punched the bed as hard as she could. "I wasn't supposed to cry!"
~*~*~
Dark Kingdom:
Akii knocked on the tall, black double-doors that led into her Queen's room. Her heart pounded deep within her chest as she stood there. Although she was just the messenger, she was sure to get lashed out at by Beryl about her Raditz's death, knowing her temper. That was always the way. Whenever anything went wrong, she was always the one to hear about it. She took a deep breath and entered when Beryl confirmed entry.
She noticed Beryl sitting at a desk while she tinkered with a bottle of sorts that was glowing. 'The Moon energy...'
"What is it?!"
Akii jumped in surprise, but quickly caught her composure. "We have a problem."
~*~*~
Earth:
Taking a deep breath, Usagi took one last look around her room which she had practically grown up in. Her fondest memory was the time she had put her father in make-up with Minako. Looking back on that day made her laugh every time. "It's been fun, but I guess it's time to leave." She sighed and pulled out her broach. "Moon Crystal Power... Make-Up!"
Her room was once again filled with a blinding white light, but not that of the Moon. This time it was the light created by the transformation from Usagi to Sailor Moon. When it diminished, Sailor Moon was left standing in Usagi's spot. Two people to become one, one destiny between the two.
Sailor Moon walked to the window and opened it without another look at her room. It was best not to look back after you said your good-byes, as she had once read in a book. She took another deep breath and jumped out of the window, leaving her home for good.
~*~*~
Mamoru rummaged through his closet at his home when he felt the upsurge of power take off away from the Son house. He frowned with concern for he knew exactly what that Saiyan brat was up to. He knew the story, as well as her outlook on the situation. "That kid is actually going for it. She's too damn brave for her own good." A righteous smirk formed across his face as he continued his search. As much as he hated to admit, he was the Prince, and he had a duty to be kept to the Princess, even if he didn't particularly have any real feelings for her. She was still a Princess who would need more help then she could get. But, he would be virtually on his own this time. He couldn't tell his friends for the Senshis' identity would be broken.
He smiled to himself as he pulled out the same Black Gi that he had worn to his and Usagi's fight at the tournament from the year before. "I don't care who it is... I was trained to save the people Earth in time's of need, even if they're bratty Saiyans."
~*~*~
Dark Kingdom:
Beryl jumped from her desk, almost dropping the tube of Moon energy on the hard concrete flooring. "HE WHAT?!" She quickly caught herself and the energy.
Akii flinched, but kept her composure to the best of her ability. "He was defeated."
Beryl dropped her head to the side and grunted with disgust. "I knew the little bastard would fail me one of these days." She looked up with arrogance twinkling in her eyes. "It's up to you."
"Excuse me?"
Beryl smirked. "I want you to take those brats out tomorrow. Take your strongest creature if you have to. Just do anything to kill them, except the Moon brat, I want her here alive so I can extract all of that exquisite energy from her body myself. I want to see her cry out in pain."
Akii nervously nodded. She had never expected to have to kill anyone in this venture. "It shall be done." She swiftly clicked her heals together and turned around to leave. She wouldn't fail her Queen as that brash brother of hers had.
Beryl waited until Akii left the room and punched a hole directly through the wall. "Damnit!" She screamed. "Now the brat has killed off ANOTHER of my men! Akii... You better NOT fail me!"
~*~*~
Sailor Moon first arrived at the house of her best friend, Minako. Not only was she the other leader of the pack, but the two cats were currently housing there as well. She would need to seek advice from Luna, her advisor, not that it would do any good as her mind was already set. After hearing the story of how the Dark Kingdom had destroyed the Moon Kingdom and its warriors, she couldn't refuse. She would have to step up to the challenge and conquer her foes, as well as her fears.
She knocked furiously on Minako's window and hoped that at least the cats would wake up and let her in. She knew it was no use with Minako since she was almost as hard a sleeper as herself, which she had learned from the many sleepovers they had had over the years. "Luna! Artimas! Wake up!"
Inside, the two cats were curled up at the foot of Minako's bed. Artimas' ears twitched back and fourth, which to Sailor Moon, was a very good sign. She continued to knock as hard and as loud as she could as she yelled out for them. "Please! We don't have much time!"
Artimas groggily yawned as he raised his head to the sound. "Huh?" He opened his heavy eyes only to see a white blob hollering from outside the window. "Usagi?"
Sailor Moon smiled and yelled for joy. Finally, she had wakened one of them up. "Artimas! It's me! Open the window!"
Artimas' eyes immediately popped wide open. "Sailor Moon!" Thinking of nothing but an attack, he jumped up to the window seal and unlocked the window. "Luna! LUNA!"
Luna's body went flying into the air with a scream to accompany her. "What?!" With claws out, she landed directly atop Minako's stomach, which caused yet another loud shrill to echo around the room.
Sailor Moon quickly climbed through the window and grabbed Minako by the arm. "Get up! We have to go!"
"What's going on?" Minako took one look at her friend and realize exactly what was going on by her appearance. "Oh no! It's another attack and I'm sleeping right through it! Why didn't anyone wake me up earlier!?" She quickly swung her legs over the side of the bed and joined her friend on the floor. "Where is he!? Let me at it!"
Sailor Moon giggled. "It's not an attack on us. We're attacking it!"
Minako calmed down from her hysteria and plopped back down on the bed with a frown. "You mean you woke me up for THAT?!" She yawned and laid back down. "We can't go to the Dark Kingdom, we don't even know how to get there."
Luna; "She's right Sailor Moon."
Moon giggled as she yanked Minako out of bed again. "I have a plan. I think I know someone who can take us there."
Minako reluctantly pulled herself back up. "But Usagi... it's too late! And I'm tired! I just wanna go back to sleep!"
Moon looked at the clock and noticed that it was nearly midnight already. "We can't waste any time. Gather the others and tell them to meet me at the tree house in about an hour, alright? Tell them to come as Sailor Senshi. I have someone I want to talk to."
Minako nodded with hesitation, weary of what her friend had planned for this. "Ok. I guess I can go BARDGING into other people's houses in the middle of the night just so we can track down some enemy who wants to destroy the world DURING THE DAY."
Moon smiled, knowing full well that this was sarcasm. "Thanks Minako, you're the best." With that, she raised her fingers to her forehead and teleported directly to Sanctuary.
Minako looked to the cats with the yawn. How did she always let herself get talked into these things? It seemed like every day that passed Usagi got more and more willing to kick some butt, and in this case, she didn't particularly like it.
Artimas joined in with the yawning as he curled up into a tight little ball. "Was she always this crazy, or was this a recent development."
Minako shrugged with a giggle as she stood up. "Guess we better round up the others."
~*~*~
Sailor Moon found herself standing on the top deck of sanctuary staring aimlessly into the sky. Was she up there? Was she around? Was she able to hear here? Was she able to answer? Would she be able to fulfill her request? There was only one way to find out. She cupped her hands around her mouth and began the second phase of her plan. "Sailor Pluto? Are you there? It's me! Usagi! I need your help!" She squinted her eyes almost to being closed as she stared up, hoping to see a sign that she was being heard and answered. But nothing happened. Not a sound could be heard but that of the crickets around.
Sailor Moon slumped her shoulders as she walked to the other side of the deck. "Pluto! I know you can hear me! Please answer! I really need your help! It has to do with Beryl." She sighed as she paused and waited for an answer. Still, there was nothing.
Sailor Moon looked back down, feeling discouraged. Maybe her plan wasn't going to work after all. Maybe she would see her parents again after all. That would only make it harder though. "What am I supposed to do?" She looked back up in concern. Why wasn't Pluto answering her? Being a Senshi, wasn't she meant to serve the royal family. That's it! She would use her status to bring Pluto down. "Pluto! Aren't you supposed to listen to the Princess? I'm trying to be brave for once! I'm trying to do the right thing and destroy these guys while I have a chance instead of what happened with Cell. I don't want to play anymore! We have to save the Earth! Please!"
Sailor Moon gasped as two, tall, double doors appeared before her. "Pluto!" She said with excitement. She was forced to shield her eyes as the doors began to open for there was a bright purple light shining from behind. "You came!" She didn't even wait for the figure to fully emerge from the doorway before she threw herself to it.
Pluto laughed allowed as she embraced the child. The doors closed and the doors to the Time Gate were once again sealed for the time being. "Your intentions are pure."
Moon smiled wide as she looked up at Pluto. "Does that mean you'll help us?"
Pluto shook her head, causing Sailor Moon's happy smile to drop flat. "I can not allow you to do this unless you know all the consequences of using the Silver Crystal."
Moon rolled her eyes with an over abundant amount of confidence. "I know already. My Moon mom already explained to me that if I use it, I'll die."
Pluto once again shook her head, this time her eyes held a heavy burden of truth. "But that is not all. If you die using the Crystal, you can not be brought back with any Dragon Balls, for, to revive the Crystal would take too much power, power that the Dragon Balls do not have. To be revived, it would have to have the pure energy of another's life."
Her face dropped even further at hearing that. Then it was true, her assumption, something that she thought she'd hoped she was wrong about. She wouldn't be revived at all. If she died, she would never see any of her family or friends again. "Pluto..."
"You have to understand and think out your decision. What you are trying to do is very noble, but I do not think that in your heart, you are willing to die quite so easily."
Sailor Moon shook her head. "But I have to. I'm the Princess. I'm the only one who can do it because I'm the only one with the Moon Crystal. You know this."
Pluto agreed. "I'm not trying to talk you out of it, I just want to lay everything out on the table for you so you're aware of what you're doing."
Usagi thought of her father just as she was beginning to chicken out. She thought of his story of Cell, how he had risked his life for the Earth, knowing full well that he would never be allowed to come back to Earth. He had been brave in that fight, and she would be too. "I'll...I'll do it, Pluto. But," She said with a smirk, "I'll make sure I don't die!"
Pluto nodded with a smile. "Then I shall send you and your court to the Dark Kingdom when the time comes!"
~*~*~
Dark Kingdom:
Akii walked into what looked like a control Center in the castle. All along the walls were computers and screens of all sorts with flashing lights and buttons that were eagerly waiting to be pressed. She glared around the room at the workers, who had been tracking the actions of people on Earth. It was their job to scout out their next target location for attacks depending on how many people would be there. The more energy recovered, the more pleased Beryl became. "Status report!"
A short man with long, ragged white hair stood up and turned to face the woman. "Ma'am, we have had no unusual disturbances on Earth during the evening and we have located another target for tomorrow's attack."
Akii smiled. "Good, where is it?"
"We have pinpointed to industrious cities on two different continents that draw in people from all over the world and are always busy throughout the day. One is in Japan, Koube, and the other is in America, Seattle. If we do a simultaneous attack, the Senshi should be thrown off and only be able to stop one of our monsters."
Akii grinned evilly. "Excellent. We shall commence tomorrow." She clicked her heals together and turned around to walk away. But it seemed as though the technician wasn't through with her.
"Ms. Akii, we have also come across some rather interesting news."
Akii stopped in place as her ears perked for the info. "I'm listening."
"While monitoring the Gate of Time, we've noticed that Sailor Pluto has left her post."
Akii frowned as she spun around. "She what?" She glared around the room, putting fear into every soul in that room. "Do you know what this means? She only leaves her post when something big is about to happen."
"You don't suppose they're preparing to attack, do you?"
Akii crossed her arms. She wasn't in the least bit concerned about an attack. If Sailor Pluto wanted to be dumb enough to send the Senshi here then it was all the better. They could capture them much easier on their turf. "I'll welcome them with open arms."
~*~*~
Earth:
An hour had passed and Pluto was still at the side of Sailor Moon. The two of them were awaiting the arrival of the other Senshi. Pluto had yet to return because she not only wanted Sailor Moon to understand the consequences of her actions, but the other Senshi as well. They should have a say in their friend's actions since they were the ones who were meant to protect her. But in a situation like this, all they would have to do would be to make sure that Sailor Moon stayed alive long enough to make her move.
Having the ability to sense power levels over Pluto, Moon noticed the others approaching first. "They're here." She said as she pushed herself up from her resting place.
Pluto looked up into the sky in the direction that her Princess gazed into. "Good."
Moon gulped nervously as she waited for them to get within speaking range. She wondered how they would take this, probably not good if she mentioned the possible death bit. "Guys!" She yelled as she waved her friends down. "Over here!"
Mars led the way. Behind her, Mercury and Jupiter carried Luna and Artimas, who had insisted on going as a result of their extreme curiosity. Mars waved over her shoulder to sign her friends to begin to land. "There she is."
Usagi watched her friends land with a wide and excited smile. It would almost be time to start her plan, the beginning of the end. All that was left would be to explain it. Although she knew she would get a lot of grief from them, she knew it was the right thing to do. In anyway, it was her decision, and she planned to go through with it. "Guys!"
Mars ran directly to Usagi as soon as her feet touched the ground. Her face was timid and unsure of what to expect, but she knew it had to be something big. It wasn't like Usagi to just wake everyone up in the middle of the night. "This better be good."
Jupiter set Artimas down while Mercury set Luna down. Both Senshi exchanged looks of concern with one another and sighed. Something big was going to go down tonight. They quickly turned back to Usagi, noticing Pluto behind her for the first time, someone they had never seen before.
Venus cracked her knuckles with a frown. "Who's behind you?"
Usagi grinned as she looked up to Pluto. "This," She looked back to her curious friends. "Is Sailor Pluto, the Guardian of Time." The four Senshi stared into the serious face of Pluto, the one who had been the cause of the entire ordeal in the past.
Mercury bowed slightly out of respect. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Sailor Pluto. I am Sailor Mercury."
Mars stepped forward with a frown planted deep within her eyes. "You! You're the reason why we had to stay in that awful time with Cell! You couldn't have just let us go back, could you!?"
Pluto smiled as she looked down to the young, fiery face of Sailor Mars. "Sailor Mars, you always were a spunky child."
Mars dropped her frown in surprise. "You know me?"
Pluto nodded. "Of course, I know all of you. I have been watching over you since the time of your birth, making sure no true danger came to you. Now, I am afraid I must let you go."
Mars quirked a brow and shifted her view to Sailor Moon, who faced down. "What's she talking about, Usagi? She has to let us go?"
Usagi gulped as she slowly looked up to face her friends. This wouldn't be easy, but she took a deep breath anyway to begin. The faster she explained, the sooner it would all be over with. "Well... you see... You all know how the full Moon reappeared today almost out of no where?" She paused long enough to let her comrades nod. "Well, I was sent to the Moon, or taken there, and do you know who I met there?"
Jupiter crossed her arms and smirked. "The Queen."
Although she had been joking, thinking that that would never happen for the Queen had died many years ago, she was right. "Yes. I met Queen Serenity of the Silver Millennium Moon Kingdom, my Moon mother."
Jupiter blinked twice in surprise. She had actually been right? "No way! Really?"
Moon nodded. "Yes. She told me all about how the Moon Kingdom fell by the hands of Beryl and her army of Dark Creatures. She also told me of my death, how Mamoru is the Prince of Earth and died trying to protect me."
Venus' eyes sparkled with envy. Two people she knew had already been dubbed important people. Although she too was a princess, she was only a lowly court member to the Moon Princess. Now Mamoru was a Prince, this was all too much. "He tried to protect you in a past life?"
Jupiter grinned. "That's a real shocker."
Usagi opted to leave out the detail of their betrothal and continued with her fast version of the story. "You all ended up dying at the hands of Beryl as well. My mother, the Queen used her last ounce of life to send us all here so we could defeat Beryl."
Mars; "Oh, so I see. Now you want to destroy Beryl for your mother?"
Usagi flinched. "Sort of. I haven't told you how my mother died sending us here." She paused, but only a silence was left to reign. She gulped before she went on. "She had this thing called Silver Crystal, a Crystal that held pure Moon power, pure power made from love. It was wound around her soul, making it part of her very source of life. When she used its power, it was drained, leaving her life power drained as well."
Mercury; "That's awful. She gave her life so we could live."
Sailor Moon looked down at her feet, refusing to make eye contact with any of her friends. "I know. But you see, this Crystal is the only way to defeat Beryl. My mother had a chance to either defeat Beryl or save us. And she chose to save us. But in doing so, the Crystal was passed down to me, and since it's the only thing to defeat her..." She let her voice trail into the nothing as the reality sank in deeper and deeper.
Mars reached out and grabbed her Princess by the shoulder. What she was saying was unacceptable. "What?! You're going to use that thing?"
Venus watched as the Saiyan said nothing, her own eyes beginning to tear up. How could she think of sacrificing herself. "No," She shook her head from side to side. "There has to be another way."
Usagi looked up, her eyes free of tears. She had already come to accept the facts. "It's the only way, Minako. What else can we do? The Crystal is the only thing powerful enough to beat her. I need you guys to be there and make sure I'm able to deliver the blow without interruptions."
Jupiter shook her head, her eyes were with tears as well. "No! I'm not going to help you kill yourself!"
"IT'S THE ONLY WAY! PLEASE!"
Luna trotted to her Princess' side. She was less reluctant than the other Senshi for she had actually seen the horror a thousand years ago. "Usagi, if it's what you must do."
Sailor Moon nodded. "I know what I have to do. I have to be brave and strong like daddy is. He's never afraid to die when he's fighting for what he believes in. If I can defeat Beryl and Metallia then I can give Earth the hope of living." She paused and grinned. "But, there's still a slight chance that I can live. If I can destroy them both before I use all the power of the Crystal then I will live. I will recover my power and all is good."
Pluto gently placed her hand upon her Princess' shoulder. "You are brave, your mother must be proud... both of them."
Sailor Moon; "Pluto, if I do happen to die, can you tell my Mom and Dad everything so they don't worry about me?"
Pluto nodded. "You don't have to worry."
(The end!... of this chapter anyway. I know, I didn't update for the longest time, but I thought it would have been better if I didn't force myself to write. I got burned out, but I think I'm back. See? Three chapters in three days. Just like old times, right? I think I'm doing very well so far in regards to getting a chapter out every day. I'm even ahead of my game by one chapter! ^_^ Anyway, back to the entire purpose of this author's note. If I ever go into a slump again, do not think that I have abandoned this story. I will actually notify you if I decide to abandon it.... Which will never happen. It just takes a little while for me to come back out of my slump. Sorry about the waiting and all. Thanks for puttin up with me. ^_^ )