Chapter 10

"They're not that far ahead," Older Sailor Jupiter whispered to the others following her. "Be prepared. There should be quite a few soldiers guarding them so be careful. We do not want to lose any more people in this battle against Nemesis then we already have."

CT Venus and CT Mars nodded. "Do you have any idea how many soldiers would be guarding them?" CT Venus asked.

Older Jupiter shook her head then looked to Older Mercury, who shrugged.
"My guess would be about ten or twenty," she said, "More guarding their transformation pens. Why?"

CT Mars looked to her friend, also wanting an answer to CT Venus's question. Why was she wondering how many soldiers were going to be there? Either way they were going to have get rid of them in some way or another.
"If we can get the soldiers out of our way without hurting them," Venus began, "Then I think that would be best. If I knew how many were out there, then I would know whether or not my Venus Love Chain would contain them all or not."

Older Jupiter nodded. That would make sense. "How many would you be able to hold with that attack?" she asked.
"Around five soldiers per chain," CT Venus replied truthfully.

Again, Older Jupiter nodded. "Mercury, CT Mars," she began, "You two will have to go after the three transformation pens. CT Venus and I will free them, okay?"

Older Sailor Mercury nodded. "Ready?" the Older Scout in blue asked the two younger CT Sailors.

Both nodded their replies.

Older Mercury smiled. "Okay," she said, "It's time."

Quickly, the four Sailor Scouts turned the corner.
"Quad Venus Love Chains Encircle!"

In seconds, four love chains encircled the twenty soldiers standing near the cell, five soldiers per chain just like CT Venus had said.

Jupiter looked to the younger Sailor Scout, impressed. This was the first time she had ever seen this attack, by either Sailor Venus, Older or CT.
"It's something I've been experimenting with," CT Sailor Venus explained simply.

Jupiter nodded and quickly stole the cell key from one of the soldiers. Meanwhile down the hall, sounds of Older Sailor Mercury and CT Mars battling against a few soldiers to get to the transformation pens. Jupiter shoved the key into the cell lock and looked towards the three Sailor Scouts who were trapped inside, and frowned. There were only two of them.
"Jupiter," Michelle began as she and Alex stood to their feet, "Trista is with the king. Something has happened. We must hurry."

Jupiter nodded and quickly unlocked the cell.

Alex looked up and down the hall, then not seeing who she expected to be there, she looked to Jupiter and asked, "Where is the princess?"
"Upstairs," Older Sailor Mercury replied, as she and CT Sailor Mars came running towards the group, three transformation pens in hand. Quickly, Mercury tossed Alex Sailor Uranus's transformation pen and Michelle, Sailor Neptune's.

The two of them threw their hands up in the air and cried out,
"Uranus Star Power!"
"Neptune Star Power!"
Quickly, bright lights surrounded the two women and in less than a few seconds they had transformed into Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus.
"Come on!" Uranus told them, " We must get to the throne room as fast as we can!"

Quickly, the two Scouts began running. It took a while for the other Sailor Scouts to react. When they finally did, CT Sailor Venus tied each chain to a bar so that the soldiers could not escape, then ran after Older Sailor Jupiter, Older Sailor Mercury and CT Sailor Mars, who had already ran after Sailors Uranus and Neptune.

The Sailor Scouts, both Younger and CT, burst into the throne room, CT Sailor Moon ahead of them all.

The new king of Crystal Tokyo, turned to look at the entrance, obviously surprised and startled by these new and unexpected intruders. The king smiled when he noticed CT Sailor Moon, the pink Sailor Scout whom he had wanted to know the true identity of.
"So, you have come for her after all," the king said, sounding as though he were amused. He looked to where the unconscious Trista Meiou lay on the ground a few feet away from him.

The pink Sailor Scout gasped. "Puu!" she exclaimed using her old friend's nickname, horrified at seeing her that way. Was she dead?
"She is alive, if that is what worries you so, Sailor," the new king informed her.
"What have you done to her?" demanded CT Sailor Moon worried and angry.
"The stupid fool did not give me what I asked for," the king replied, simply. "I had to teach her a lesson. How else would she learn?"

CT Sailor Moon frowned. What could the king have wanted from Trista that he would have hurt her so badly?

As though he could read her mind, the king spoke. "If you are wondering what I wanted from her, it is very simple. I only wanted to know who you really are. As you can see, the fool stayed loyal and chose to say nothing. Of course, I can save your friends from the same pain, if you answer me. Who are you?"

CT Sailor Moon shook her head and was about to say something witty, when a groan was heard throughout the large throne room.

Immediately, all heads turned to Trista Meiou. The figure lifted her head and CT Sailor Moon noticed the dried blood at the corner of her eyes and mouth.
"Trista?" CT Sailor Moon asked, wanting an answer as to how her friend was. Instead, Trista Meiou ignored the Sailor Scout and looked at the new king of Crystal Tokyo.
"You know who she really is," Trista told the king. "Deep down, you know who she is and that you won't be able to hurt her."

CT Sailor Moon looked at the Guardian of Space and Time, not understanding what she meant. "What are you trying to say, Trista?" she asked. "What do you mean?"

Trista looked to CT Sailor Moon and smiled. "CT Sailor Moon," she began, "Look at him and do not tell me that you do not recognize who he is."

CT Sailor Moon frowned, but looked at the man who had killed her uncle, father and mother. A couple of minutes later, she gasped.
"What is it?" CT Sailor Jupiter asked, worried for her future queen. "What's the matter?"
"Rodney," CT Sailor Moon gasped.
"What are you talking about?" CT Sailor Mercury asked, confused. "Who?"

Trista Meiou smiled and nodded. "You're right, CT Moon," she said from where she lay. "He is Rodney."

CT Sailor Jupiter frowned. "Are we talking about Rodney Kirsta? Because I thought he was dead."

Trista shook her head. "So does everyone else, CT Jupiter," she said. "But that is untrue. They assumed that Rodney had died in a car accident only a couple of days after graduation because they found his car off a cliff and in the water. However, there was no body to prove that he had died but because of the car, everyone just assumed that he had died in the accident and that his body had floated away. But it hadn't. Rodney did crash his car through the guardrail however, as his car was flying through the air, one of Diamond's followers appeared and grabbed him out of the car. Rodney was brought, not to this future here and now, but to a few years after Diamond had started the war against Crystal Tokyo."

CT Sailor Mercury looked to the Guardian of Space and Time, a little bit confused. "But how and why does that make him the New King of Crystal Tokyo?" she asked.
"Diamond knew that he wasn't going to live that long and needed someone to rule after him," Trista explained, "He needed someone from the past who would not be noticed as gone. The accident that Rodney had gotten himself into was perfect. They brainwashed him and made him forget any memories he had of living in the past and being with the Princess. They filled his mind with images of a fake childhood and filled his heart with hatred against Crystal Tokyo, Queen Serenity and King Endymion. "
"SHUT UP!" the king yelled suddenly. He was shaking with anger as he spoke. "How DARE you say that! Diamond was my father!"

Trista shook her head and turned her attention to the new king of Crystal Tokyo. "No," she told him, "He wasn't. Your father was Johnathan Kirsta."

The king balled his fists in anger. They watched as his fists began to glow. "No," he argued, "My father was Diamond, King of Nemesis."

Trista Meiou shook her head in disagreement. "He wasn't," she told him, "And you know that."
"No!" the king shouted, "Nooooooooooooooooo!" Lightening fast, the king's hands shot out and a stream of dark energy shot out towards Trista.
"Trista!" CT Sailor Moon screamed. Quickly, she ran towards her friend and before Trista could speak, used her body as a shield, knowing that if the dark energy hit her friend surely, Trista would die. She was too weak from Rodney's other tortures to be able to survive the blast. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!" CT Sailor Moon screamed in pain as the blast of dark energy slammed against her body.
"CT Moon!" Trista cried at the same the other Sailor Scouts cried out, "CT Sailor Moon!"
"Such loyalty," Rodney stated with a shake of his head.
"NOT AGAIN!" Older Sailor Mars cried out, running towards the king at full speed. "NOT AGAINNNNNNNNNN!"

The king moved one of his hands and shot the dark energy at Older Mars who dodged the blasts and continued to run towards the king at full speed. In seconds, she had tackled Rodney to the ground. Immediately, the stream of dark energy stopped hitting CT Sailor Moon and vanished.
"Venus Love Chain Encircle!"
A chain of hearts shot out of Older Venus' hands and wrapped around the king of Nemesis.

Older Mars rolled away seconds before the chain wrapped around the king.

Older Sailor Venus yanked on the chain with all her might, making the king wince in pain.

Quickly, Younger Sailor Jupiter and Younger Sailor Mercury ran to their friend's side. "Are you okay?" they both asked CT Sailor Moon.

CT Sailor Moon nodded and, with the help of her two friends, stood to her feet.

CT Sailor Sun quickly ran over and helped Trista Meiou to stand. "Thank you," Trista said. Then, "Thank you, also, CT Moon."

CT Sailor Moon nodded, then looked to Jordan, Older Sailor Mars, and Older Sailor Venus.

Older Sailor Mars and Jordan were getting ready to attack the king.

"Older Mars," CT Sailor Moon cried out. "Do not hurt him! Please! Do not hurt him!"

At this, everyone even the new king of Crystal Tokyo turned to look at her in surprise.

"You cannot mean that," Jordan said, his hand on the handle of his sword.

CT Sailor Moon nodded. "I do, Jordan," she told him, no doubt whatsoever in her voice. "Do not hurt him."
"But he destroyed my family," Jordan argued. "He destroyed your family."

CT Sailor Moon shook her head. "That was not him," she informed Jordan. "Trista is right. That is Rodney Kirsta, not the evil mastermind of Nemesis. It is only because he is filled with dark energy and was brainwashed by Nemesis that he did those evil things. I know Rodney Kirsta, and on his own he would never have done those things."

Behind CT Sailor Moon, CT Sailor Sun sighed. "But how are we going to change him back, CT Moon?" he asked. "How?"

CT Sailor Moon bit her lip, knowing that CT Sailor Sun probably wanted Rodney changed back to normal just as much as she did. After all, CT Sun had practically been best friends with Rodney back in the past. Suddenly, an idea popped into CT Sailor Moon's head and she smiled. "Mars," she began, "Venus, do you remember when Sailor Moon was fighting against Zoicite and they were each trying to get the Rainbow Crystals?"
"Mars would remember it more than I would," Older Sailor Venus told CT Sailor Moon, "I was not a part of the Sailor Scouts at that time. I was over in England fighting evil there."

CT Sailor Moon nodded and looked to Older Sailor Mars, the question in her eyes.

Older Sailor Mars nodded in reply. "I do remember, CT Sailor Moon," she said quietly, "Why do you ask?"
"Do you remember how she transformed those monsters back into the people?" CT Sailor Moon asked.

Again, Older Mars nodded. "She used the Emperium Silver Crystal."
"Do you know where that Crystal is today?"
"Yes."
"Where?"
"It is with you," Older Sailor Venus spoke up.

CT Sailor Moon looked to her and frowned. "What do you mean?" How was the Crystal with her?
"The Crystal is with you, CT Sailor Moon," Older Sailor Venus replied. "It has been from the moment that your mother passed on."
"I don't understand," CT Sailor Moon said. "What do you mean by that?"
"She means that the moment your mother passed away, the crystal along with the wand was automatically put into your sub-space pocket," a new and yet familiar voice explained from the doorway to the throne room.

All eyes turned towards the door, knowing who had spoken.

Older Sailor Jupiter stood in the doorway to the throne room. Behind her, CT Sailor Moon could see her sister as Sailor S, and the others. Along with two others, whom she assumed were Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus. "Hello, CT Sailor Moon." Older Jupiter smiled. "Now, why are you asking about the Emperium Silver Crystal? I take it that's the king?"

She motioned to Rodney tied up in Older Venus's chain.

CT Sailor Moon nodded. "Yes," she replied. Then, "I'm asking about the Crystal, is because I have to use it."
"Why?"
"Because," CT Sailor Moon said, simply.

Older Jupiter looked at CT Sailor Moon, the look in her eyes telling CT Sailor Moon that she wanted more of an explanation.

CT Sailor Moon sighed. "Do you remember how back in the past Kristy Kirsta had a brother? Rodney Kirsta?"

Older Sailor Jupiter nodded.

"Earlier today I was told that Rodney had died in a car accident in the past. But he didn't. Rodney is not dead."

Older Sailor Jupiter frowned, but before she could say one word, CT Sailor Moon continued quickly, "Rodney is the king of Nemesis and the new king of Crystal Tokyo."

At this, Older Jupiter's eyes grew in surprise.

CT Sailor Moon smiled a sad smile and told her friend's mother, "And that is why I need the Crystal. I know that my mother used the Crystal back when you guys were battling against Zoicite to turn monsters back into their human selves. Well, I know that Rodney is not evil. I know that had he been himself, he would never have done those things. The only reason why he did those things is because Nemesis has brainwashed him to think that he was or is Diamond's son, therefore prince or king of Nemesis. Because of that, he wanted revenge against us. But he's not really like that. I know that the Crystal can change Rodney back into his normal self, as it did those people long ago."

Older Sailor Jupiter sighed. A sigh that CT Sailor Moon knew all too well. Older Jupiter didn't approve of her plan.
"I don't think that would be wise," Older Jupiter told CT Moon. "How do we know that he wouldn't fake it, then seek revenge on us or you later on in the future? The best thing would be to just finish him off here and now. You don't have to take part in his actual destruction if you'd rather not."

CT Sailor Moon turned to look at Trista. The look in Trista's eyes told her what she needed to do. "No," CT Sailor Moon ordered as Older Jupiter began to take a step towards Rodney.

The Sailors turned to look at CT Moon.

"Yes, CT Moon?" Older Jupiter asked, innocently.
"Do not even think about it, Jupiter," CT Sailor Moon ordered, her voice sharp. "We are not going to kill him. I am going to use the Silver Crystal on him."
"That would not be wise " Older Jupiter began, but CT Sailor Moon cut her off.
"I don't care," she interrupted her mother's friend, "It is a direct order. As " she quickly turned to look at Trista who smiled and nodded, then quickly turned to look at Older Jupiter "Queen of Crystal Tokyo and daughter of Neo-Queen Serenity, I am ordering you to not kill him. Do not even lay a hand on him. I am going to use the Crystal to change him back."

As she spoke, her tone was not one full of anger but of calm. CT Sailor Moon closed her eyes and a bright light flashed. The flash of light lasted for only a few seconds. Once it had disappeared, Queen Serena of Crystal Tokyo and daughter of Neo-Queen Serenity stood in the place of CT Sailor Moon.

Seeing this, the king's eyes widened. "YOU!" he cried out in anger, struggling against Venus's Love Chain.

Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus ran past Older Sailor Jupiter, towards the king. They could not allow him to reach Queen Serena if he escaped. Older Venus pulled harder on the chain, tightening it.
"Uranus, Neptune," Queen Serena began, "Step back. Do not come any closer."
"But " Sailor Neptune started.

Queen Serena raised her hand to stop Neptune from saying anything more and quickly reached into her sub-space pocket, pulling out the wand along with the Crystal. She stepped away from CT Mercury and CT Jupiter so that she was standing a couple of feet in front of them. Enough so that both of the CT Sailor Scouts would not be affected by the power from the wand. Queen Serena pointed the end of the wand and the crystal towards Rodney, and cried, "Moooooooooon Healllllllllllling Activationnnnn!" Immediately, a stream of light energy burst towards the king of Nemesis.
"Venus! Let go of the chain!" Trista called out.

Older Venus let go of the chain that bound the king. Seconds later the light energy from the Silver Crystal hit the king, making him cry out in agony.

Queen Serena placed her other hand on the handle of the wand and closed her eyes. She hated hearing the sounds of Rodney's agonized screams but she knew that it was for the best. After all, it was either this or his death and that was something that she knew she couldn't bear. She couldn't watch him die knowing that something could have been done to help save him.

Queen Serena felt her knees go weak but stayed standing. She wasn't going to drop to her knees. Not now. She had to finish the job. She just had to.

You can do this, Reenie, a familiar voice suddenly spoke to her inside of her head.

We are right beside you, a second voice spoke.

Suddenly, Queen Serena felt two pairs of hands grasp hers and strengthen her hold on the wand. She opened her eyes and narrowed them in determination, knowing who was at her side. Her mother, Neo-Queen Serenity and her grandmother, Queen Serenity had come to give her strength. Just as Queen Serenity had done for Neo-Queen Serenity so many times in the past. Queen Serena stood straighter and tightened her hands on the wand. She had to complete Rodney's transformation back to his old self before she allowed herself to give in. Suddenly, she felt a gloved hand touch hers, and knew, even before the voice spoke, who it was that was beside her now.
"We're here," Sailor S said to her older sister.
"You can do this," Sailor Sun encouraged his queen and cousin as he placed his hand on her other arm.

Queen Serena smiled, knowing that neither of them knew that Neo-Queen Serenity and Queen Serenity were also beside them, lending her strength.

Queen Serena and the Sailor Scouts watched as a cloud of black energy came bursting out of Rodney.

Suddenly, Rodney's agonized screams stopped and he fell unconscious. The black energy hovered above Rodney for a few seconds then shot towards Queen Serena. The black energy made contact and immediately, the queen lost consciousness and collapsed.