Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and all it's characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi, I am only borrowing them. The same goes for Ranma ½ and it's characters, which belong to Rumiko Takahashi, when they show up later on.
This fic is set in an alternate universe, where things appear to be the same on the surface, but the reality is quite different.
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Chapter 1 - "Setting the Stage"
'I am Tuskino Usagi. I am Eternal Sailor Moon. I am Princess Serenity. I am Neo-Queen Serenity, or rather, I will be. I have known whom I am destined to marry since I was 14 years old. I know what my only child will look like. I cannot explain to my parents why I keep falling asleep in class, they wouldn't believe me unless I transformed in front of them, and then Daddy would try and protect me from ... myself I guess. Normalcy has been in short supply in my life, and I treasure it while I have it. Galaxia has been defeated, so now I must wait for the next enemy to come along, and then the next, and the next, and the next...it never ends. I do not know if I can bear to see all of my Senshi, my protectors, my friends, my sisters die in front of me yet again. Once was bad, twice was hideous, I could not bear a third time. There has to be a better way of dealing with these enemies. I've been having dreams lately, dreams of the Silver Millennium, and I have learned a few things that I have yet to share with Luna, or my Senshi. In my dreams, I am in a practice room, learning how to fight, but I have the sense that it's something that I'm not supposed to do. If only I could remember more! I do remember one thing though. One thing that Sailor Pluto has seemingly forgotten. The future is not carved in stone. And the post of Sailor Pluto was to guard the time-stream against interference, from all beings, even herself. I shall speak with her soon. The time has come, and long since, to appoint a new Sailor Pluto. It is time for Meioh Setsuna to place her Time Key in the hands of her successor. I shall ask Rei to do a fire-reading to locate the one who can handle the job, without it corrupting her. I need to get back before Luna notices that I'm gone. She'd never believe me being out of bed at 4 in the morning to practice fighting, nor would she want me to...which is why I must do it in secret. I may be the Princess, but I will not stand by idly and let my Senshi die! Never again!'
Usagi re-read her latest journal entry. 'It is almost time to revel all to Luna. Then, Mamoru and I...we can stop pretending. After Sailor Pluto has been replaced. Then I can revel one of the greatest secrets that I have remembered from the Silver Millennium. Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion appeared to be deeply in love with each other. They did love each other deeply, but as brother and sister, not as a man and a woman. Yes, it is almost time.' Usagi rises and tucks her journal into the hiding spot she found in a tree in the park she practices in. As she does, she glances at the sky.
"Oh no! Dawn is breaking! I have to get home now!" she exclaims and runs off home. As she runs, she remembers, again, how during the Silver Millennium, she lived two lives. That of Princess Serenity, a cheerful, happy go-lucky airhead....and that of Kei, the hidden commander of the guard. 'I had to keep my knowledge hidden from Mother. She felt such things were not appropriate for royalty to learn. She felt that knowing how to work the [Silver Crystal] was enough, that fighting and war craft should be left to the Senshi and the Guard. I had to condition myself, set triggers so that when I was Princess Serenity, no hint of Kei came through. I can remember that, but I can't remember the trigger! I died as Princess Serenity, and I am stuck like that. There is only so much I can do before the conditioning takes over. I'm only able to practice in secret, and I cannot tell anyone, the words will not come out of my mouth. I need all of my memories back!'
Usagi walks up to her house and quietly unlocks the door and slips inside. Silently and swiftly she heads up to her bedroom, and goes inside. She quickly changes out of her workout clothing, back into her pajamas, lets her hair down, then crawls into bed, careful not to disturb Luna.
"Usagi." Luna said quietly. Usagi didn't respond. "Usagi, I know you're awake, I saw you come in. What's going on?"
Usagi sighs and sits up. "I cannot tell you yet Luna. The time is not yet right. Soon though. Very soon."
"Usagi..."
"No, Luna. I am not going to tell you yet, and that is final. Do I make myself clear?" As Usagi spoke, a faint glimmer of light from the window reflected off the crescent moon slowly forming on her forehead, and her voice was calm, and regal, yet steely.
"Y-yes, perfectly clear." Luna sounded slightly shaken as she replied. "I'm just worried about you."
"There is no need for worry." The crescent moon came fully into view and began to glow slightly. "I have everything under control. You will understand when the time is right. Now, sleep, Luna, sleep and worry no more." As she spoke, the glow of the symbol on her forehead grew brighter, and flared up on the word 'sleep'. A small beam of light came from it and struck Luna on her crescent moon, putting her instantly to sleep. "Dear Luna, I am sorry, but the time is not right yet. You will see." The symbol faded away as Usagi snuggled down into her blankets, swiftly falling asleep. "You will see." She murmured as she slipped into dreams.
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End Chapter 1
So...what'd you think? Let me know. The crossover part of this story will start in the next chapter.
Shadows Dark
