Welcome to the all exciting Chapter 6!!!
I'd like to take a moment and thank a few people. Crys-chan for reading and reviewing my stories at Aria's Ink. It means a lot. Melissa H, whose constant emails keep me pushing to get the storylines finished for everyone. I appreciate it! Rei-chan and my onee-chan Tsuki Doriimaa who give their never ending support of my writing and my life in general. Love ya both!
And last but not least - Denise, Susan, Amanda, Sheryl, Amber, Jenny and Tina - thanks for sticking to me like glue. I miss you all so very much but I want you to remember you're all close to my heart.
Do You Remember
Chapter 6
By Usagi Carter
Email: webmistress@usagi-carter.org
Website: http://www.usagi-carter.org
Re-written: January 16, 2004
~
Hiwaka Shrine
Tokyo, Japan
"So it's true?" Makoto growled in question as the group gathered in Raye's bedroom, all of them facing Mayo and Setsuna. Michiru and Haruka hung back apart from everyone, with Minako, Raye and Hotaru standing next to Makoto just in front of them. The four boys stood off to the side, with Luna and Artemis, while Amy stood in the middle of the room, her presence keeping the chaos from reigning supreme.
"Yes," Setsuna spoke, knowing that Mayo would not be able to answer the other senshi's questions, so steeped in her grief was she. The younger woman had nearly had a mental breakdown when Diamond had taken Usagi.
"Then allow me be the first one to say," Amy started, surprising everyone as she stepped toward Mayo. "Welcome to the team." Mayo looked up at her and smiled through her tears.
"Mayo-chan." At the sound of his voice, Mayo's head turned toward Mamoru, as did the gazes of the room's other occupants. He too had tears in his eyes, and he looked so tormented.
"Mamoru-san, gomen ne," she whispered before he took several steps toward her, pulling her into his arms when she was within reach. He knew she was blaming herself for Usagi's disappearance, could see it written clearly on her face. She had done more then she could have imagined, he knew, but still she didn't think it had been enough. The others were surprised to say the least when their usually stoic prince gathered the Solarian Senshi in his arms.
"You did everything you could, he just one upped us. It means when the time comes," Mamoru told her, his hands smoothing over her back to calm her. "You're going to get to take your frustrations out on him. Now why don't you go with Seiya and take a walk." When he finished, he stepped back and looked into her watery silver eyes, watching as the tears continued to leak down her cheeks. Silently, Seiya stepped forward and took her hand from Mamoru before leading her outside and down into the gardens.
"Ok, what now?" Raye questioned as everyone finally took a seat on the floor.
"We start searching for Usagi-chan," Luna started as she and Artemis made their way toward Amy.
"I managed to get some readings of them before I got knocked unconscious," Amy started, pulling out her mini computer and punching a series of keys. "And I also managed to get a reading on them before they disappeared when we were all waking up. I'm going to set the computer to start scanning for a similar energy signature."
"What are the rest of us supposed to do?" Minako asked, eyeing Amy warily.
"Rest," Setsuna started as she stood up and transformed back into Sailor Pluto. "I'm going to see if I can find you some answers myself. It would be best if you all rested, because the fight with Diamond is only beginning." And with that, Pluto turned and disappeared from the room out a portal.
~
"Rest easy, your highness," Diamond all but purred as two youma dumped an unconscious Usagi on the bed in the room Diamond had readied for her.
"So, the bearer of the Silver Crystal is hereeeeeee?" the voice hissed from just behind Diamond, who nodded and turned to face the... well... he couldn't be called a man... so thing was an accurate description and smiled. If it wasn't for this thing, this creature, the Moon Princess wouldn't be lying unconscious in the bedroom next to Diamond's quarters on the ship.
"Yes. She put up a good fight," Diamond started as the pair moved from the door where two droids were placed on guard and made their way back toward the bridge of the ship. "In fact, she's grown more than I had anticipated in the usage of her powers."
"She should not be underestimated thennnnn," the creature spoke as Diamond nodded.
"We also have another senshi to contend with."
"Sailor Sollllllll," the thing started, watching as Diamond nodded. "Yesssss, I know. There are many thingssssssss, I know about the senshi, which you don'ttttttt."
"Will she be a problem?"
"We will make sure she isn'ttttt." And with that, the creature slithered off to speak with its commander as Diamond pondered his next move.
~
"It wasn't supposed to happen like this," the agitated woman pointed out to her companion, as laughter, light and silvery like a bell, twinkled through the room.
"Do you think I don't know that?" The annoyed woman glared at the woman who had spoken, magenta eyes flaring briefly. "Pluto, calm yourself. Have you spoken with Serenity and Endymion?"
"Yes."
"Good, then everything is going according to how it should now. I, however, have a few more things to set into motion," the older woman started as Pluto sighed. "Get them ready, Setsuna, and I will let you know when it's time."
"Of course, your highness."
~
"You alright?" Seiya questioned as he and Mayo stood near a small rock garden on the grounds of the temple.
"No!" Mayo croaked out, choking on her tears. From the moment she'd activated her powers, some of her memories as Princess of Sol had started to filter back faster then her mind and heart could decipher them.
Seiya stepped forward, gathered her in his arms, and held her close to him. During the last few weeks, the two of them had steadily found themselves growing more and more attracted to one another. With a little push from Usagi, a week before they'd started dating.
~
"As far as I can tell, she's in a space ship, above Earth," Amy spoke as the group gathered around her. "The only problem is that I can't get a lock on her."
"That's a lot of help Amy-chan," Raye sarcastically quipped, receiving glares from Mamoru, Taiki, Yaten, Artemis, and Luna.
"So what do we do?" Haruka growled, pounding her right fist into the palm of her left hand. She was itching to get her hands on the Dark Moon Prince for even daring to touch Usagi.
"We let the computer do what it can," Amy started as the senshi began to show their agitation with the situation. "I think, however, that Setsuna-chan's suggestion of rest would be good advice to follow. I'm going to take Luna and Artemis and go to Central, to use the computers there. The rest of you, get some sleep." With that, Amy snapped her computer closed before standing and following Luna and Artemis out of the shrine.
"Rest? Who could rest at a time like this?" Makoto questioned as the other girls nodded in agreement, while Taiki, Yaten and Mamoru rolled their eyes at them.
"Makoto's right, would should be out..." Minako started, until the presence of a certain pink haired odango atama stopped her.
"Where's Usagi-baka?" Chibi-Usa asked as she popped into the room, only to stop in her tracks when she saw the looks on the faces of the senshi. "Mamo-chan, where's Usagi?" she asked again, panic seeping into her voice as Mamoru stood from his spot on the floor and walked toward her.
Taking a deep breath, Mamoru knelt down in front of his future child, the child he knew he and Usagi had created out of the love they had for one another, and suddenly felt a little more hope seep into his heart. If Chibi-Usa was still with them, then so far, nothing bad had happened to Usagi. That thought alone also brought the sudden real terror to him that she may not stay that way. "Mamo-chan, where's Usagi?" the question was asked with a bit more force, more panic, and sudden realization.
When Mamoru caught a glimpse of Chibi-Usa's tear filled eyes, his emotions got the best of him. A near sob escaped his mouth as his arms snaked out and wrapped around Chibi-Usa, drawing her to him in a bone crushing hug; it was meant to comfort her, but Mamoru knew it was also meant to comfort himself. "She's been taken, Chibi-Usa," he whispered into her tiny ear, and felt his heart shatter all over again as she started to back away from him, her head turning from side to side in denial.
"No, you're lying!" Chibi-Usa accused him, turning to stare at the other senshi. When she noticed none of them met her gaze, she let the tears flow. As much as she and Usagi got into fights, as much as they loved to pretend to dislike one another, they were still mother and daughter, which meant they still loved one another. "Mamo-chan! Bring her back, make her come back!" Chibi-Usa sobbed as she was pulled into her future father's loving embrace.
"Chibi-Usa, Amy-chan, Luna, and Artemis are doing all they can to locate where Usagi's at," Mamoru told her, holding her close to his heart as he explained to her what was being done to bring her mother home. "Pluto has gone to get some answers as well. Everything that can be done, right now, is being done. I want you to do something for me though."
"Anything," Chibi-Usa whimpered as she pulled back to stare at him. Her lip quivered when she saw the tears pooling in Mamoru's eyes and nearly burst into a fresh round herself.
"Seiya-san took Mayo-chan out into the gardens, will you go out there and sit with her as well? I'm sure she'd appreciate your presence," Mamoru suggested as Chibi-Usa nodded, swiping the back of her hand over her watery, puffy eyes. She leaned forward and gave Mamoru another hug before she turned and fled the room for the sanctuary of Mayo's arms.
"How can you trust her, Mamoru-san?" Haruka snarled as Mamoru turned to face the senshi once again.
"Because, when Chibi-Usa was first introduced to Mayo, she did not fear nor question her presence here," Mamoru started. "It was the same when she first met you, Haruka, and Michiru. She knows who Mayo is, and she trusts her."
~
"Did you sleep well, your highness?" His voice made Usagi's shiver in dread. She found herself once again captured by the Dark Moon, once again in chambers that only the Dark Moon Prince could enter, and her stomach was rolling with nausea and fear. The last time, Diamond had tried to force her into submitting to his power, had tried to force her to love him, she wasn't sure how she'd be able to withstand it this time. "Do not worry, my dearest Serenity, I have new ways of getting what I want." The thought curled dread inside of Usagi's stomach.
"And what exactly is it you want, Diamond?" Usagi asked, knowing she should find out all she could from him before the senshi were forced to fight.
"My...partner wants the Silver Crystal, I want you," he spoke smoothly as he glided across the floor toward the bed where Usagi sat, very nearly paralyzed by whatever had been done to her, watching him in fear.
"You'll not have me, and your partner," Usagi spat, defiantly raising her chin. "Will never get my mother's crystal."
"Do you not understand, Serenity?" Diamond asked, reaching out to caress her face, and smiled when she tried to move away and couldn't. "As long as you believe what you do, you are powerless to stop us. This time, it is your own belief, your own power, your own heart, which fights you, not me, and certainly not my clan."
Usagi stared at him in confusion as he leaned down to kiss her. When his lips were but millimeters away, a force blast more powerful and potent then he could ever have imagined threw him across the room. Usagi's gasp brought him back to his senses as he stared up at a robed figure, who stood between him and Usagi. "Do not touch her, your highness, if you know what is good for you," the robed figure spoke, its voice clearly feminine.
"And who are you to tell me what is good for me?" Diamond hissed in pain as he stood.
"Someone you do not want to go against," the woman spoke, watching Diamond carefully. For his part, Diamond shivered in slight fear. Beneath the hood of the robe, a pair of glowing silver eyes watched his every move, making him nervous and fearful of the power that he had felt.
"Who are you?" the question came from Usagi, who was just coming out of her shocked silence.
"A friend, Serenity," the woman's voice changed to a gentle lilt. The familiarity of the voice shocked Usagi right down to her core. In fact, the last time she'd heard that voice, it had been... "Yes, Usagi, I am she. Come, its time I removed you from the battlefield, for the time being." With that said, the figure, who had turned to face the shocked young woman before her, reached out one slender, pale hand, and smiled when Usagi placed her own uncertainly within its grasp.
"You will take her nowhere!" Diamond raged as he built his power in his hands.
"I would not, Prince, for you will not like the consequences," the woman spoke, her tone harsh. Usagi gasped. Never, in all her memories of this savoir, could she remember that voice ever being hard and unyielding as it was now.
"And what are the consequences?"
"Your death," the figure spoke, as the robe she wore began to burn steadily in a blinding white-silver light. "Come Usagi." With that, a portal opened as the two women passed through, leaving Diamond to rage in the room they had just vacated.
~
"I'VE GOT IT!" Amy called as she rushed up the steps of the shrine. The others ran out to see what all the commotion was. "I CAN GET US TO HER!"
"Then let's go," Michiru spoke, as the senshi nodded.
"How are we doing this Amy?" Raye asked as the senshi stood with their henshin wands grasped tightly in their hands.
"Sailor Teleport," Amy started, snapping her computer shut.
"I want to go too!" Chibi-Usa whined as Mamoru shook his head.
"Absolutely not," he started, watching his daughter's face go from annoyed to upset.
"She'd do the same for me! Besides, I'm a senshi too!" Chibi-Usa pointed out watching as the senshi, especially Mamoru, realized there would be no leaving her behind.
"It would be to your benefit to take her with you," a new voice spoke, as all turned to see Pluto standing just beyond them.
"Very well then," Mamoru spoke, pulling his rose from his jacket and transforming, the others following suit.
As Tuxedo Kamen stood before them, the senshi smiled and nodded to one another before raising their henshin wands, or in Chibi-Usa's case her broach, calling out their transformation phrases as they did.
"MERCURY CRYSTAL POWER..."
"VENUS CRYSTAL POWER..."
"MARS CRYSTAL POWER..."
"JUPITER CRYSTAL POWER..."
"SATURN CRYSTAL POWER..."
"URANUS CRYSTAL POWER..."
"NEPTUNE CRYSTAL POWER..."
"FIGHTER STAR POWER..."
"MAKER STAR POWER..."
"HEALER STAR POWER..."
"MOON COSMIC POWER..."
"SOLAR CRYSTAL POWER..."
"...MAKE UP!"
When the light show died down, the group had transformed, and all turned to stare at Mercury who was busy typing on her computer. "We're going as well," Luna spoke, watching all of the senshi as they looked at her in dismay.
"You can't, Luna, you'll get hurt," Venus started as Luna and Artemis shook their heads.
"We're going, and that's final," Artemis stopped the debate before it even began. Kamen, the three Sailor Stars, and the cats were soon ringed by the girls as they began to power up.
"Just focus your powers on me!" Mercury called as the thrum of power filled the air. In the blink of an eye, the senshi disappeared.
~
"Can you explain something to me?" Usagi questioned her guardian as the two of them moved through what looked like one of the many corridors that Setsuna guarded as Sailor Pluto.
"That depends on what you want me to explain," the robed woman pointed out as the pair reached their destination - a door.
"Why did you come save me? Why not the others?" Usagi asked as the door swung open and they stepped through. All thoughts left her mind when she got a good look at her surroundings. "The Silver Palace."
"Welcome home, Serenity," the woman spoke as Usagi turned to look at her. Instead of a robe covered figure, Usagi found herself staring at someone from her past.
"Mother..." Usagi breathed out before rushing full force into Queen Serenity's arms.
"My baby bunny," Serenity whispered, holding her daughter tight to her. "Come, we must prepare for the arrival of our guests."
"Guests?" Usagi asked, watching the gentle smile on her mother's face turn mischievous.
"You'll see when they get here. Come," Serenity spoke as Usagi nodded, following her down one of the many hallways.
~
"I don't think this is where we're supposed to be," Uranus pointed out as the group stood in what appeared to be a marble hallway, with vaulted ceilings and columns that looked like they belonged in ancient Greece......or the Silver Millennium.
"I don't understand!" Mercury growled as she used her computer. "This isn't where we're supposed to be!"
"They you'd better figure it out fast," Mars started before tinkling laughter could be heard coming from behind the group.
"A job well done, Pluto. I cannot believe even you managed to fool Mercury," the woman spoke, laughing more as the entire group swiveled around in surprise to stare at her.
"Is that who I think that is?" Jupiter gasped as the Stars stared at the woman in confusion.
"Your highness," Neptune murmured as all of the Planetary senshi, including Chibi Moon and Tuxedo Kamen, bent to one knee.
"Rise," the woman spoke, her eyes immediately fastening on to the three leather clad woman standing with the smallest of the senshi. The Stars, noticing the woman's attention now on Chibi Moon, ringed her with a protective circle. "Do not worry, Fighter, no harm will come to her."
"How...how do you know who I am?" Fighter asked, suddenly on the defensive.
"You do not think the Planetary senshi were the only senshi that have ever been reincarnated, do you?" the silver haired, silver eyed woman asked. When Fighter simply shook her head no, the woman smiled. "Come. I'm sure there is someone here you're all dying to see."
"Usako..." Kamen spoke when Queen Serenity turned to walk down the corridor and discovered her daughter standing before her.
"Serenity, you were supposed to wait in the throne room," the Queen spoke, watching her daughter bow her head.
"I am sorry, Mother, but I..." the blonde haired princess spoke, watching her mother smile at her. At the queen's nod, Usagi lunged for Tuxedo Kamen, sobbing in relief when his arms wrapped around her in a protective and loving embrace. "Mamo-chan!"
"Usako."
"USAGI!" the girls cried in unison as soon as Usagi had stepped back a small distance from Mamoru.
"Minna."
"MAMA!" Chibi Moon cried, rushing at Kamen and Usagi, jumping into outstretched arms.
"Mama?" Queen Serenity questioned, laughing softly when both Usagi and Tuxedo Kamen blushed.
"Small Lady," Usagi whispered as she buried her face in Chibi-Usa's neck, breathing in the scent that was purely her child. "Small Lady," Usagi spoke again, stepping back so Chibi Moon could see Queen Serenity. "This is my mother, Queen Serenity of the Moon Kingdom and Silver Millennium. She's your..."
"Grandmother!" Chibi Moon greeted happily, as though she had known who the woman with silver hair was the entire time.
"You've met?" Usagi asked softly, watching as Serenity nodded.
"It's a long story, one Pluto would not like me to explain to you. Suffice to say, Small Lady and I know each other well, do we not?" Serenity asked as Chibi Moon grinned at her grandmother and nodded. "It's getting late, and I'm sure all of you are tired. Come, rooms have been prepared for you and I'm sure you're wondering about Diamond." With that, the group turned and followed Serenity down the hallway.
~
"I don't understand something," Seiya spoke as he and Mayo lounged on one of the many couches in the library, the others laying, sitting, or standing in various places around the room.
"What's that?" Raye questioned as she and Minako sat at one end of the center table, eating a bowl of grapes as Amy, Michiru, and Hotaru sat at the other end, pouring over Amy's mini computer.
"How could a dead queen still have enough power to do everything she's done?"
"You don't really understand, do you?" Minako pointed out the obvious, as everyone sweat dropped at the sheer idiocy of her question.
"What Minako means is," Amy started as she turned to face Seiya. "Is that Queen Serenity is a descendant of the Moon Goddess, Selene, and therefore, like Usagi, carries a lot of power, dead or not. It may very well be that the Gods and Goddesses are helping her do what she's doing."
"Weird, isn't it, to know that they really exist?" Mayo pondered out loud, gaining glares from several of the senshi.
"We were taught, during the Silver Millennium, that even though most people didn't see them, they were very much a part of our lives," Michiru pointed out as the others nodded. "I would venture to guess that each Princess had, at one time or another, made contact with her guardian deity."
"All of us except Mayo-chan," Usagi spoke, as she and Mamoru entered the library. The group of senshi looked at her in surprise, noting that Usagi's eyes were slightly glazed over. "I've got most of my memories of my sister back now, and from what I remember, she was the only one who hadn't met her guardian."
"Why?" Hotaru asked, her interest piqued as the subject had to do a great deal with their newest team member.
"Because there was a controversy surrounding Princess Mayo as Sailor Sol," Queen Serenity said as she entered the room, shaking her head and laughing as the senshi rose to attention before her. "Sit. You don't have to do that every time I walk into the room."
"Controversy? What type of controversy?"
"Queen Corona, the sister of Serenity and Mayo's father, was Sailor Sol up until she became sick," Serenity spoke as the senshi nodded. "Princess Sunflower, Serenity and Mayo's cousin, was the only other princess capable of taking on the powers of Sol." Serenity moved to sit at the table near Raye and Minako, reaching out a hand to grab some grapes to munch on before continuing. "However, Corona decided that Mayo possessed more qualities and abilities to become the next Sailor Sol, and right before her death, the powers were passed on. Not only did it cause an uproar among the nobles of each kingdom, but I suspect that it caused some upheaval among the Gods."
"Ok, you, the past is the past," Haruka started, interrupting the entire conversation. She gulped uneasily when Serenity, Usagi and Mamoru shot her icy glares. "My question is, what are we going to do about our current predicament. And where is Setsuna?"
"Setsuna is taking care of some business at the moment," Serenity informed the senshi of winds as she continued to direct a disapproving look at Haruka. "As far as your current predicament, there is nothing you can do..."
"What you mean nothing we can do?" Makoto's alarmed voice made Serenity want to wince.
"The only person who can do anything, is Usagi," Serenity spoke, watching as Mamoru hugged Usagi and Chibi-Usa close to him. "Diamond is not working alone, he's working along side a force older than even myself. Neither of them will stop until they have what they want."
"And just want do they want?" Taiki questioned Serenity's gaze fastened on her daughter.
"Me, and the silver crystal." Usagi's detached voice answered, all the while her eyes staring deep into Serenity's.
"Correct."
"They can't have you, either of you," Mamoru growled, causing several of the senshi to grow wide eyed, including Chibi-Usa, who had never once heard that tone of voice out of her father, let alone out of his past self.
"It's not that simple," Serenity spoke. "Whether any of us like the situation, it is all dependant on Usagi, and on her feelings. If your heart and mind are not one," Serenity told the blonde girl. "Then you will forfeit this battle."
"I don't get it," Makoto interjected.
"I've been having doubts," Usagi started, watching the shock slip onto the faces of her senshi. "When it comes to the Dark Moon, I've always had doubts. If it had been for my future self, and for Chibi-Usa, we would not have won the last time. I wasn't strong enough."
"You're stronger then all of us combined, how could you say such a thing?" Minako gasped when Usagi turned tear filled eyes to her.
"Usagi-chan," Hotaru softly started, waiting until her princess' gaze was fastened on her face. "I know what you think about that battle, and as one who could not and did not participate in it, may I tell you something?"
"Of course," Usagi croaked out as Hotaru took the four steps from her place near the table that brought her right in front of Usagi. Reaching out, the senshi of silence grasped onto both of Usagi's hands, her grip tight. When Hotaru's head came up, dark purple eyes stared into the bottomless depths of Usagi's crystal blue ones.
"There was nothing you could have done to prevent what happened," Hotaru spoke evenly, watching as Usagi started to object. "No buts. There was nothing you could do; not didn't do, couldn't do," Hotaru's voice, normally gentle, was firm and hard with the unmistakable control she exerted over her emotions.
Michiru stepped forward, placed a hand on Hotaru's shoulder and spoke softly to Usagi. "Hotaru's right, Usa, and so is Queen Serenity. Your doubts could prevent you from stopping Diamond and this force he's working with from taking your life and the Silver Crystal." Usagi's eyes found Michiru's as the tears spilled over on rosy cheeks. "And what's more, Minako is also right. Of all of us, you are the strongest in mind, heart, and soul. Do not let them win."
"I'm so scared," Usagi whimpered as Mamoru held her closer to him.
"That is why this battle will not be left completely up to you," a new voice spoke, as the group turned to stare at the new comer. Standing in the doorway was Sailor Pluto, and with her several children.
"Pluto, who are they?" Haruka questioned sharply. It was enough to have Chibi-Usa with them, all they needed now were more children to watch over.
"Inspiration, for Usagi," Queen Serenity spoke as the littlest of the nine boys that stood with Pluto rushed headlong into her arms. "Alan, my sweet little Alan."
"Allow me to introduce to you, the Chibi Senshi and Chibi Knights," Pluto murmured as the Senshi all looked on, wide eyed and in shock.
I'd like to take a moment and thank a few people. Crys-chan for reading and reviewing my stories at Aria's Ink. It means a lot. Melissa H, whose constant emails keep me pushing to get the storylines finished for everyone. I appreciate it! Rei-chan and my onee-chan Tsuki Doriimaa who give their never ending support of my writing and my life in general. Love ya both!
And last but not least - Denise, Susan, Amanda, Sheryl, Amber, Jenny and Tina - thanks for sticking to me like glue. I miss you all so very much but I want you to remember you're all close to my heart.
Do You Remember
Chapter 6
By Usagi Carter
Email: webmistress@usagi-carter.org
Website: http://www.usagi-carter.org
Re-written: January 16, 2004
~
Hiwaka Shrine
Tokyo, Japan
"So it's true?" Makoto growled in question as the group gathered in Raye's bedroom, all of them facing Mayo and Setsuna. Michiru and Haruka hung back apart from everyone, with Minako, Raye and Hotaru standing next to Makoto just in front of them. The four boys stood off to the side, with Luna and Artemis, while Amy stood in the middle of the room, her presence keeping the chaos from reigning supreme.
"Yes," Setsuna spoke, knowing that Mayo would not be able to answer the other senshi's questions, so steeped in her grief was she. The younger woman had nearly had a mental breakdown when Diamond had taken Usagi.
"Then allow me be the first one to say," Amy started, surprising everyone as she stepped toward Mayo. "Welcome to the team." Mayo looked up at her and smiled through her tears.
"Mayo-chan." At the sound of his voice, Mayo's head turned toward Mamoru, as did the gazes of the room's other occupants. He too had tears in his eyes, and he looked so tormented.
"Mamoru-san, gomen ne," she whispered before he took several steps toward her, pulling her into his arms when she was within reach. He knew she was blaming herself for Usagi's disappearance, could see it written clearly on her face. She had done more then she could have imagined, he knew, but still she didn't think it had been enough. The others were surprised to say the least when their usually stoic prince gathered the Solarian Senshi in his arms.
"You did everything you could, he just one upped us. It means when the time comes," Mamoru told her, his hands smoothing over her back to calm her. "You're going to get to take your frustrations out on him. Now why don't you go with Seiya and take a walk." When he finished, he stepped back and looked into her watery silver eyes, watching as the tears continued to leak down her cheeks. Silently, Seiya stepped forward and took her hand from Mamoru before leading her outside and down into the gardens.
"Ok, what now?" Raye questioned as everyone finally took a seat on the floor.
"We start searching for Usagi-chan," Luna started as she and Artemis made their way toward Amy.
"I managed to get some readings of them before I got knocked unconscious," Amy started, pulling out her mini computer and punching a series of keys. "And I also managed to get a reading on them before they disappeared when we were all waking up. I'm going to set the computer to start scanning for a similar energy signature."
"What are the rest of us supposed to do?" Minako asked, eyeing Amy warily.
"Rest," Setsuna started as she stood up and transformed back into Sailor Pluto. "I'm going to see if I can find you some answers myself. It would be best if you all rested, because the fight with Diamond is only beginning." And with that, Pluto turned and disappeared from the room out a portal.
~
"Rest easy, your highness," Diamond all but purred as two youma dumped an unconscious Usagi on the bed in the room Diamond had readied for her.
"So, the bearer of the Silver Crystal is hereeeeeee?" the voice hissed from just behind Diamond, who nodded and turned to face the... well... he couldn't be called a man... so thing was an accurate description and smiled. If it wasn't for this thing, this creature, the Moon Princess wouldn't be lying unconscious in the bedroom next to Diamond's quarters on the ship.
"Yes. She put up a good fight," Diamond started as the pair moved from the door where two droids were placed on guard and made their way back toward the bridge of the ship. "In fact, she's grown more than I had anticipated in the usage of her powers."
"She should not be underestimated thennnnn," the creature spoke as Diamond nodded.
"We also have another senshi to contend with."
"Sailor Sollllllll," the thing started, watching as Diamond nodded. "Yesssss, I know. There are many thingssssssss, I know about the senshi, which you don'ttttttt."
"Will she be a problem?"
"We will make sure she isn'ttttt." And with that, the creature slithered off to speak with its commander as Diamond pondered his next move.
~
"It wasn't supposed to happen like this," the agitated woman pointed out to her companion, as laughter, light and silvery like a bell, twinkled through the room.
"Do you think I don't know that?" The annoyed woman glared at the woman who had spoken, magenta eyes flaring briefly. "Pluto, calm yourself. Have you spoken with Serenity and Endymion?"
"Yes."
"Good, then everything is going according to how it should now. I, however, have a few more things to set into motion," the older woman started as Pluto sighed. "Get them ready, Setsuna, and I will let you know when it's time."
"Of course, your highness."
~
"You alright?" Seiya questioned as he and Mayo stood near a small rock garden on the grounds of the temple.
"No!" Mayo croaked out, choking on her tears. From the moment she'd activated her powers, some of her memories as Princess of Sol had started to filter back faster then her mind and heart could decipher them.
Seiya stepped forward, gathered her in his arms, and held her close to him. During the last few weeks, the two of them had steadily found themselves growing more and more attracted to one another. With a little push from Usagi, a week before they'd started dating.
~
"As far as I can tell, she's in a space ship, above Earth," Amy spoke as the group gathered around her. "The only problem is that I can't get a lock on her."
"That's a lot of help Amy-chan," Raye sarcastically quipped, receiving glares from Mamoru, Taiki, Yaten, Artemis, and Luna.
"So what do we do?" Haruka growled, pounding her right fist into the palm of her left hand. She was itching to get her hands on the Dark Moon Prince for even daring to touch Usagi.
"We let the computer do what it can," Amy started as the senshi began to show their agitation with the situation. "I think, however, that Setsuna-chan's suggestion of rest would be good advice to follow. I'm going to take Luna and Artemis and go to Central, to use the computers there. The rest of you, get some sleep." With that, Amy snapped her computer closed before standing and following Luna and Artemis out of the shrine.
"Rest? Who could rest at a time like this?" Makoto questioned as the other girls nodded in agreement, while Taiki, Yaten and Mamoru rolled their eyes at them.
"Makoto's right, would should be out..." Minako started, until the presence of a certain pink haired odango atama stopped her.
"Where's Usagi-baka?" Chibi-Usa asked as she popped into the room, only to stop in her tracks when she saw the looks on the faces of the senshi. "Mamo-chan, where's Usagi?" she asked again, panic seeping into her voice as Mamoru stood from his spot on the floor and walked toward her.
Taking a deep breath, Mamoru knelt down in front of his future child, the child he knew he and Usagi had created out of the love they had for one another, and suddenly felt a little more hope seep into his heart. If Chibi-Usa was still with them, then so far, nothing bad had happened to Usagi. That thought alone also brought the sudden real terror to him that she may not stay that way. "Mamo-chan, where's Usagi?" the question was asked with a bit more force, more panic, and sudden realization.
When Mamoru caught a glimpse of Chibi-Usa's tear filled eyes, his emotions got the best of him. A near sob escaped his mouth as his arms snaked out and wrapped around Chibi-Usa, drawing her to him in a bone crushing hug; it was meant to comfort her, but Mamoru knew it was also meant to comfort himself. "She's been taken, Chibi-Usa," he whispered into her tiny ear, and felt his heart shatter all over again as she started to back away from him, her head turning from side to side in denial.
"No, you're lying!" Chibi-Usa accused him, turning to stare at the other senshi. When she noticed none of them met her gaze, she let the tears flow. As much as she and Usagi got into fights, as much as they loved to pretend to dislike one another, they were still mother and daughter, which meant they still loved one another. "Mamo-chan! Bring her back, make her come back!" Chibi-Usa sobbed as she was pulled into her future father's loving embrace.
"Chibi-Usa, Amy-chan, Luna, and Artemis are doing all they can to locate where Usagi's at," Mamoru told her, holding her close to his heart as he explained to her what was being done to bring her mother home. "Pluto has gone to get some answers as well. Everything that can be done, right now, is being done. I want you to do something for me though."
"Anything," Chibi-Usa whimpered as she pulled back to stare at him. Her lip quivered when she saw the tears pooling in Mamoru's eyes and nearly burst into a fresh round herself.
"Seiya-san took Mayo-chan out into the gardens, will you go out there and sit with her as well? I'm sure she'd appreciate your presence," Mamoru suggested as Chibi-Usa nodded, swiping the back of her hand over her watery, puffy eyes. She leaned forward and gave Mamoru another hug before she turned and fled the room for the sanctuary of Mayo's arms.
"How can you trust her, Mamoru-san?" Haruka snarled as Mamoru turned to face the senshi once again.
"Because, when Chibi-Usa was first introduced to Mayo, she did not fear nor question her presence here," Mamoru started. "It was the same when she first met you, Haruka, and Michiru. She knows who Mayo is, and she trusts her."
~
"Did you sleep well, your highness?" His voice made Usagi's shiver in dread. She found herself once again captured by the Dark Moon, once again in chambers that only the Dark Moon Prince could enter, and her stomach was rolling with nausea and fear. The last time, Diamond had tried to force her into submitting to his power, had tried to force her to love him, she wasn't sure how she'd be able to withstand it this time. "Do not worry, my dearest Serenity, I have new ways of getting what I want." The thought curled dread inside of Usagi's stomach.
"And what exactly is it you want, Diamond?" Usagi asked, knowing she should find out all she could from him before the senshi were forced to fight.
"My...partner wants the Silver Crystal, I want you," he spoke smoothly as he glided across the floor toward the bed where Usagi sat, very nearly paralyzed by whatever had been done to her, watching him in fear.
"You'll not have me, and your partner," Usagi spat, defiantly raising her chin. "Will never get my mother's crystal."
"Do you not understand, Serenity?" Diamond asked, reaching out to caress her face, and smiled when she tried to move away and couldn't. "As long as you believe what you do, you are powerless to stop us. This time, it is your own belief, your own power, your own heart, which fights you, not me, and certainly not my clan."
Usagi stared at him in confusion as he leaned down to kiss her. When his lips were but millimeters away, a force blast more powerful and potent then he could ever have imagined threw him across the room. Usagi's gasp brought him back to his senses as he stared up at a robed figure, who stood between him and Usagi. "Do not touch her, your highness, if you know what is good for you," the robed figure spoke, its voice clearly feminine.
"And who are you to tell me what is good for me?" Diamond hissed in pain as he stood.
"Someone you do not want to go against," the woman spoke, watching Diamond carefully. For his part, Diamond shivered in slight fear. Beneath the hood of the robe, a pair of glowing silver eyes watched his every move, making him nervous and fearful of the power that he had felt.
"Who are you?" the question came from Usagi, who was just coming out of her shocked silence.
"A friend, Serenity," the woman's voice changed to a gentle lilt. The familiarity of the voice shocked Usagi right down to her core. In fact, the last time she'd heard that voice, it had been... "Yes, Usagi, I am she. Come, its time I removed you from the battlefield, for the time being." With that said, the figure, who had turned to face the shocked young woman before her, reached out one slender, pale hand, and smiled when Usagi placed her own uncertainly within its grasp.
"You will take her nowhere!" Diamond raged as he built his power in his hands.
"I would not, Prince, for you will not like the consequences," the woman spoke, her tone harsh. Usagi gasped. Never, in all her memories of this savoir, could she remember that voice ever being hard and unyielding as it was now.
"And what are the consequences?"
"Your death," the figure spoke, as the robe she wore began to burn steadily in a blinding white-silver light. "Come Usagi." With that, a portal opened as the two women passed through, leaving Diamond to rage in the room they had just vacated.
~
"I'VE GOT IT!" Amy called as she rushed up the steps of the shrine. The others ran out to see what all the commotion was. "I CAN GET US TO HER!"
"Then let's go," Michiru spoke, as the senshi nodded.
"How are we doing this Amy?" Raye asked as the senshi stood with their henshin wands grasped tightly in their hands.
"Sailor Teleport," Amy started, snapping her computer shut.
"I want to go too!" Chibi-Usa whined as Mamoru shook his head.
"Absolutely not," he started, watching his daughter's face go from annoyed to upset.
"She'd do the same for me! Besides, I'm a senshi too!" Chibi-Usa pointed out watching as the senshi, especially Mamoru, realized there would be no leaving her behind.
"It would be to your benefit to take her with you," a new voice spoke, as all turned to see Pluto standing just beyond them.
"Very well then," Mamoru spoke, pulling his rose from his jacket and transforming, the others following suit.
As Tuxedo Kamen stood before them, the senshi smiled and nodded to one another before raising their henshin wands, or in Chibi-Usa's case her broach, calling out their transformation phrases as they did.
"MERCURY CRYSTAL POWER..."
"VENUS CRYSTAL POWER..."
"MARS CRYSTAL POWER..."
"JUPITER CRYSTAL POWER..."
"SATURN CRYSTAL POWER..."
"URANUS CRYSTAL POWER..."
"NEPTUNE CRYSTAL POWER..."
"FIGHTER STAR POWER..."
"MAKER STAR POWER..."
"HEALER STAR POWER..."
"MOON COSMIC POWER..."
"SOLAR CRYSTAL POWER..."
"...MAKE UP!"
When the light show died down, the group had transformed, and all turned to stare at Mercury who was busy typing on her computer. "We're going as well," Luna spoke, watching all of the senshi as they looked at her in dismay.
"You can't, Luna, you'll get hurt," Venus started as Luna and Artemis shook their heads.
"We're going, and that's final," Artemis stopped the debate before it even began. Kamen, the three Sailor Stars, and the cats were soon ringed by the girls as they began to power up.
"Just focus your powers on me!" Mercury called as the thrum of power filled the air. In the blink of an eye, the senshi disappeared.
~
"Can you explain something to me?" Usagi questioned her guardian as the two of them moved through what looked like one of the many corridors that Setsuna guarded as Sailor Pluto.
"That depends on what you want me to explain," the robed woman pointed out as the pair reached their destination - a door.
"Why did you come save me? Why not the others?" Usagi asked as the door swung open and they stepped through. All thoughts left her mind when she got a good look at her surroundings. "The Silver Palace."
"Welcome home, Serenity," the woman spoke as Usagi turned to look at her. Instead of a robe covered figure, Usagi found herself staring at someone from her past.
"Mother..." Usagi breathed out before rushing full force into Queen Serenity's arms.
"My baby bunny," Serenity whispered, holding her daughter tight to her. "Come, we must prepare for the arrival of our guests."
"Guests?" Usagi asked, watching the gentle smile on her mother's face turn mischievous.
"You'll see when they get here. Come," Serenity spoke as Usagi nodded, following her down one of the many hallways.
~
"I don't think this is where we're supposed to be," Uranus pointed out as the group stood in what appeared to be a marble hallway, with vaulted ceilings and columns that looked like they belonged in ancient Greece......or the Silver Millennium.
"I don't understand!" Mercury growled as she used her computer. "This isn't where we're supposed to be!"
"They you'd better figure it out fast," Mars started before tinkling laughter could be heard coming from behind the group.
"A job well done, Pluto. I cannot believe even you managed to fool Mercury," the woman spoke, laughing more as the entire group swiveled around in surprise to stare at her.
"Is that who I think that is?" Jupiter gasped as the Stars stared at the woman in confusion.
"Your highness," Neptune murmured as all of the Planetary senshi, including Chibi Moon and Tuxedo Kamen, bent to one knee.
"Rise," the woman spoke, her eyes immediately fastening on to the three leather clad woman standing with the smallest of the senshi. The Stars, noticing the woman's attention now on Chibi Moon, ringed her with a protective circle. "Do not worry, Fighter, no harm will come to her."
"How...how do you know who I am?" Fighter asked, suddenly on the defensive.
"You do not think the Planetary senshi were the only senshi that have ever been reincarnated, do you?" the silver haired, silver eyed woman asked. When Fighter simply shook her head no, the woman smiled. "Come. I'm sure there is someone here you're all dying to see."
"Usako..." Kamen spoke when Queen Serenity turned to walk down the corridor and discovered her daughter standing before her.
"Serenity, you were supposed to wait in the throne room," the Queen spoke, watching her daughter bow her head.
"I am sorry, Mother, but I..." the blonde haired princess spoke, watching her mother smile at her. At the queen's nod, Usagi lunged for Tuxedo Kamen, sobbing in relief when his arms wrapped around her in a protective and loving embrace. "Mamo-chan!"
"Usako."
"USAGI!" the girls cried in unison as soon as Usagi had stepped back a small distance from Mamoru.
"Minna."
"MAMA!" Chibi Moon cried, rushing at Kamen and Usagi, jumping into outstretched arms.
"Mama?" Queen Serenity questioned, laughing softly when both Usagi and Tuxedo Kamen blushed.
"Small Lady," Usagi whispered as she buried her face in Chibi-Usa's neck, breathing in the scent that was purely her child. "Small Lady," Usagi spoke again, stepping back so Chibi Moon could see Queen Serenity. "This is my mother, Queen Serenity of the Moon Kingdom and Silver Millennium. She's your..."
"Grandmother!" Chibi Moon greeted happily, as though she had known who the woman with silver hair was the entire time.
"You've met?" Usagi asked softly, watching as Serenity nodded.
"It's a long story, one Pluto would not like me to explain to you. Suffice to say, Small Lady and I know each other well, do we not?" Serenity asked as Chibi Moon grinned at her grandmother and nodded. "It's getting late, and I'm sure all of you are tired. Come, rooms have been prepared for you and I'm sure you're wondering about Diamond." With that, the group turned and followed Serenity down the hallway.
~
"I don't understand something," Seiya spoke as he and Mayo lounged on one of the many couches in the library, the others laying, sitting, or standing in various places around the room.
"What's that?" Raye questioned as she and Minako sat at one end of the center table, eating a bowl of grapes as Amy, Michiru, and Hotaru sat at the other end, pouring over Amy's mini computer.
"How could a dead queen still have enough power to do everything she's done?"
"You don't really understand, do you?" Minako pointed out the obvious, as everyone sweat dropped at the sheer idiocy of her question.
"What Minako means is," Amy started as she turned to face Seiya. "Is that Queen Serenity is a descendant of the Moon Goddess, Selene, and therefore, like Usagi, carries a lot of power, dead or not. It may very well be that the Gods and Goddesses are helping her do what she's doing."
"Weird, isn't it, to know that they really exist?" Mayo pondered out loud, gaining glares from several of the senshi.
"We were taught, during the Silver Millennium, that even though most people didn't see them, they were very much a part of our lives," Michiru pointed out as the others nodded. "I would venture to guess that each Princess had, at one time or another, made contact with her guardian deity."
"All of us except Mayo-chan," Usagi spoke, as she and Mamoru entered the library. The group of senshi looked at her in surprise, noting that Usagi's eyes were slightly glazed over. "I've got most of my memories of my sister back now, and from what I remember, she was the only one who hadn't met her guardian."
"Why?" Hotaru asked, her interest piqued as the subject had to do a great deal with their newest team member.
"Because there was a controversy surrounding Princess Mayo as Sailor Sol," Queen Serenity said as she entered the room, shaking her head and laughing as the senshi rose to attention before her. "Sit. You don't have to do that every time I walk into the room."
"Controversy? What type of controversy?"
"Queen Corona, the sister of Serenity and Mayo's father, was Sailor Sol up until she became sick," Serenity spoke as the senshi nodded. "Princess Sunflower, Serenity and Mayo's cousin, was the only other princess capable of taking on the powers of Sol." Serenity moved to sit at the table near Raye and Minako, reaching out a hand to grab some grapes to munch on before continuing. "However, Corona decided that Mayo possessed more qualities and abilities to become the next Sailor Sol, and right before her death, the powers were passed on. Not only did it cause an uproar among the nobles of each kingdom, but I suspect that it caused some upheaval among the Gods."
"Ok, you, the past is the past," Haruka started, interrupting the entire conversation. She gulped uneasily when Serenity, Usagi and Mamoru shot her icy glares. "My question is, what are we going to do about our current predicament. And where is Setsuna?"
"Setsuna is taking care of some business at the moment," Serenity informed the senshi of winds as she continued to direct a disapproving look at Haruka. "As far as your current predicament, there is nothing you can do..."
"What you mean nothing we can do?" Makoto's alarmed voice made Serenity want to wince.
"The only person who can do anything, is Usagi," Serenity spoke, watching as Mamoru hugged Usagi and Chibi-Usa close to him. "Diamond is not working alone, he's working along side a force older than even myself. Neither of them will stop until they have what they want."
"And just want do they want?" Taiki questioned Serenity's gaze fastened on her daughter.
"Me, and the silver crystal." Usagi's detached voice answered, all the while her eyes staring deep into Serenity's.
"Correct."
"They can't have you, either of you," Mamoru growled, causing several of the senshi to grow wide eyed, including Chibi-Usa, who had never once heard that tone of voice out of her father, let alone out of his past self.
"It's not that simple," Serenity spoke. "Whether any of us like the situation, it is all dependant on Usagi, and on her feelings. If your heart and mind are not one," Serenity told the blonde girl. "Then you will forfeit this battle."
"I don't get it," Makoto interjected.
"I've been having doubts," Usagi started, watching the shock slip onto the faces of her senshi. "When it comes to the Dark Moon, I've always had doubts. If it had been for my future self, and for Chibi-Usa, we would not have won the last time. I wasn't strong enough."
"You're stronger then all of us combined, how could you say such a thing?" Minako gasped when Usagi turned tear filled eyes to her.
"Usagi-chan," Hotaru softly started, waiting until her princess' gaze was fastened on her face. "I know what you think about that battle, and as one who could not and did not participate in it, may I tell you something?"
"Of course," Usagi croaked out as Hotaru took the four steps from her place near the table that brought her right in front of Usagi. Reaching out, the senshi of silence grasped onto both of Usagi's hands, her grip tight. When Hotaru's head came up, dark purple eyes stared into the bottomless depths of Usagi's crystal blue ones.
"There was nothing you could have done to prevent what happened," Hotaru spoke evenly, watching as Usagi started to object. "No buts. There was nothing you could do; not didn't do, couldn't do," Hotaru's voice, normally gentle, was firm and hard with the unmistakable control she exerted over her emotions.
Michiru stepped forward, placed a hand on Hotaru's shoulder and spoke softly to Usagi. "Hotaru's right, Usa, and so is Queen Serenity. Your doubts could prevent you from stopping Diamond and this force he's working with from taking your life and the Silver Crystal." Usagi's eyes found Michiru's as the tears spilled over on rosy cheeks. "And what's more, Minako is also right. Of all of us, you are the strongest in mind, heart, and soul. Do not let them win."
"I'm so scared," Usagi whimpered as Mamoru held her closer to him.
"That is why this battle will not be left completely up to you," a new voice spoke, as the group turned to stare at the new comer. Standing in the doorway was Sailor Pluto, and with her several children.
"Pluto, who are they?" Haruka questioned sharply. It was enough to have Chibi-Usa with them, all they needed now were more children to watch over.
"Inspiration, for Usagi," Queen Serenity spoke as the littlest of the nine boys that stood with Pluto rushed headlong into her arms. "Alan, my sweet little Alan."
"Allow me to introduce to you, the Chibi Senshi and Chibi Knights," Pluto murmured as the Senshi all looked on, wide eyed and in shock.