The darkness seemed to wrap itself around her, suffocating her very being. Her being. the thought was like a beacon of light unto itself. She had existed once.. In a time far from this place. An existence of luxury, though others might have frowned upon it. Dark onyx hallways, in a cobra shaped building.. Trips to earth.. She had had it all.. Until that hooded stranger had shown up.
Wise man. the name sent shivers up her spine. He was the one who had sent her here.. To this cold dark place..
"It is not your time. Not yet my dear.." A voice seemed to say, calling to her. Cool and dark. It was a voice that had been slowly nursing her back to health.. Giving her everything she needed, everything she had requested.
"Master." She whispered. "I am here to serve.."
"I know youngling.. I know." The darkness seemed to comfort her.
"Those. brats. they did this to me as well." She spat.
"Yes.. The Sailor Senshi locked me in here as well.. But not much longer. with the energy I have managed to save. we will set you free my dear."
"Free? You mean.."
"Yes- Revenge will be yours." With that the darkness began to spin, and colors of bright light began to band through her vision, blinding her. When finally the world stopped its insistent spinning she was outside in a vast darkness. She inhaled, her first breath in what seemed to be years.
"Licec my love. I will free you as well.. But first.. Sailor Moon and her friends will be mine." With that she stood up, and raised her head. In the sky above her, hovered a white disk, marked with axons of asteroid impacts. The symbol of her enemy. She intended to paint it red.
Episode 201: A return from the past "My name is Usage Tsukino.. It seems that for the past five years everything has been spraining out of control. Today.. Mamoru and I finally tied the knot.. Can you believe it? I know. I never thought it would happen either. But it was such a wonderful day."
"Usagi." The blonde haired narrator spun, and her gaze stopped short of her raven haired friend. "You're talking to yourself again."
"Sorry Rei.. I can't help it.. I'm just so excited."
"I would be too.. But you really should be enjoying this.. It is your reception after all."
"Rei! Rei!" A voice called from behind them. "Have you Seen Usa-" He stopped short. Standing before the two was a man with dark black hair, dressed in a very regal looking tuxedo.
"Mamoru. she's right here." Rei gestured to the blonde standing next to her.
"Usagi.. I've been looking all over for you. my stunning bride."
"Awww.. Mamoru- You're so kind." She smiled, and gushed.
"Exactly how much has she had to drink?" Mamoru asked, making a face at the emptied martini glass in Usagi's hand.
"I've only had Ti martooni's" Usagi stammered.
"Nothing like being drunk on yer wedding day eh Usagi?" Came another very familiar voice.
"Mako! Will you tell them to stop picking on me?" Makoto smiled at her friend. Usagi was dressed in a pearly white gown, that trailed down her body and pooled at her feet. She had ditched the lace that went over her face after the actual ceremony, and had actually gotten through it without missing a beat. Her brides maids had all been dressed in bright pink dresses.. Nine all together.. A rather odd number, but Usagi had insisted on it.
And here they were in a banquet hall. From the walls hung pieces of blue cloth, tied together with pink pastel thread. The table clothes were an off aqua color, and even the lights seemed to have a soft blue glow to them. The music playing in the background was being supplied by Michaud and her orchestra.
A clinking of a glass brought Makoto Back to reality. At the front of the room stood Haruka Ten'ou. "I would like to propose a toast to the bride and groom!" She exclaimed heartily. In true Hark fashion she was dressed in a dark black tuxedo, complete with cumber bun and bow tie.
"I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr and Mrs. Chiba for the last eight years.. And in those eight years I have seen Mamoru grow into an intelligent and Elegant man. And I've seen Usagi grow as well. I have watched her grow from a teenage cry baby, to an adult crybaby who would rather read comic books than any soap opera monthly. But for these two to finally be considered one. after all they have been through. that is one truly amazing feat. To you meatball head.. May you and your husband live long, prosperous lives." And with that she walked toward the bride and groom, and attempted to clink glasses with the bride and groom.
A sudden shattering made the crowd jump.
"Mamoru. I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to break your glass. and your tux." Wine had slatted from his glass onto the white of his tux. A purple stain blossomed from underneath his flower.
Mamoru fumbled for a second and then smiled. "Excuse me for a second." He smiled, and excused himself to the bathroom.
Rei eyed the couple warily for what she counted to be the hundredth time.
"Something's just not right here.. I can't put my finger on it.." She began. She looked toward Makoto. "Do you feel it?"
"Feel what? Rei- Can't you just be happy for Usagi for once?" Rei smirked.
"I am happy for them Mako.. It's just.. Something doesn't feel right..." She shook her head and excused herself, and headed for the washroom.
"It's only been four months since I arrived here and already I feel at home." Usagi smiled, patting her stomach. Ever since her wedding she had felt alive. More alive that she thought she had ever felt at all. She and the girls sat around a small wooden table. Ami, Makoto, Minako, and Rei had all taken the week off to help her put the finishing touches on her new home.
"When's Mamoru due home?" Asked Ami, eyeing the kitchen warily. Usagi had been cooking, and the walls were colored yellow with the smoke her meal had produced.
"About six.. He had to stay late for some class at the university today.. She should be home soon though." Usagi giggled. "God, I've turned into such a house wife!"
Makoto pinched usage's thigh. "It's gone gooey.. You haven't been training have you?"
"I'm afraid none of us have since her wedding." Ami smiled. "I for one have been too busy finishing my doctorate"
"I've been keeping up with the temple since Grandpa Died." Rei shook her head, and fumbled around in her pocket. "Speaking of which.. Usagi, He had wanted me to give this to you after your wedding. I was going through his old things yesterday when I found it."
Usagi reached out her hand. "Thanks Rei. Haws life been without the old man"
Rei shrugged. "Slow." She smiled warily. Usagi placed the envelope on the table and turned toward the kitchen.
"Anyone want something to drink?"
Makoto smiled. "I'll help you pour some lemonade.. In your condition you shouldn't be carrying that much."
"HER condition?" Rei quirked a brow.
"Oops.." Makoto muttered covering her mouth. Usagi shot Makoto a look of disdain.
"Usagi.. Are you.." Rei's eyes opened wide. "that's not support to happen for another hundred years!"
"Well.. We couldn't wait. Chibi usa is very important to us.so.. We decided we'd help destiny along." Usagi smiled and patted her stomach again.
"Well I for one think that's wonderful!" Ami smiled broadly. "Is that what you're going to call her? Are you sure that's who's in there?"
"Well.. Setsuna said the royal family only had one child.." Usagi said. "So this would have to be her."
"I suppose you're right.." Rei shook her head.
"Pregnant.. Wow." Minako shook her head. "Think of all the responsibility.. Are you sure you're ready for it?"
Usagi shrugged and layer back on the couch. "No. to be perfectly honest I'm terrified.. But what are we gonna do? I'm not going to endanger Chibi Usa's future just because I'm getting cold feet."
All of the girls went silent. "Ami." Rei looked petrified.
Ami nodded. "I know. Usagi said.. Something reasonable"
Makoto and Minako laughed. Minako stopped for a second to catch her breath then said, "Have you told Haruka and Michiru yet? How about Hotaru?"
"No.. none of them know yet.. And don't tell them. That's my job."
"Well if you insist.. But I still think it'd be fun to see the look on their faces when they find out you've got our little yam head in there." Minako giggled.
"Yam head? She's not a yam head! That's my daughter you're talking about!" Usagi's eyes narrowed to slits.
"Well we're not the ones who gave her that hair style now are we?" Rei smirked.
"What is this.. Pick on the unborn fetus day?" Makoto chimed in. The girls all started to argue at once and finally it was Usagi's voice who stopped them all.
"We should be happy here people! Not complaining. This is Chibi Usa.. We already know what kind of person she's going to be.. We shouldn't be arguing like this.. Not now.. Not when im so happy."
Ami looked down. "I'm sorry Usagi.. We didn't mean.."
Rei smiled. "We're all very happy for you." She glanced out the window, a flash of aqua marine catching her eye.
"Vertigo." She said, idly fingering a ringlet of her green hair. "Narcisa." Two flashes of aqua marine light appeared before her, filling the space in front of her in what she would support would be two beautiful young women. The first of the two had Sea foam green hair that draped down to the middle of her back, and trailed in the from of her braid across her forehead She appeared in a moderately snug fitting pants suit, and wore a coat of white fur over her shoulders.
The second of the two was dressed oh so much more liberally, wearing a tight fitting leather mini skirt, and tank top to match. Her heels were perched atop of razor sharp spikes, and her hair seemed to match her out out rageous ensemble being bright pink in color. The green haired girl stepped forward.
"Yes Milady?" She asked. "You called for us?"
"Yes. Are the preparations complete Vertigo?"
"Yes mam. The gate is just about strong enough to transport us to Earth." Vertigo smiled.
"Earth. It's been such a long time since I've thought of that place.The home of the sailor soldiers."
"I hear its quite nice this time of year." Piped in Narcisa. "Even the trees are cheery."
"It was about this time that I first saw Earth." She began, silencing Narcisa. "The trees were just beginning to show their autumn colors. I guess you could say I was reliving someone of duty. It was then that I had my first brush with the sailor soldiers."
"But Ma'am.." Began Narcisa. "Why are we after them anyway? Doesn't the whole thing seem a little petty? I mean.. you've told us time and time again that it's a revenge thing.. But you've ever told us what happened."
The woman paused for a second, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "Their leader.. Sailor Moon.. Stole my beloved from me. What did she do to me you ask. In short girls.. She destroyed my life.."
"Haruka! Get down here this instant!" Shouted Michiru, glancing up onto the roof of the Tomoe mansion. "You're going to break your neck!"
"It's not my fault Hotaru threw her Frisbee up here.. Ill be right down Michi." Haruka grabbed the tiny purple piece of plastic and tossed it down onto the soft grass beneath.
"Oh Haruka. the wind would have knocked it down eventually.."
"Eventually? Please. What would she have played with in the mean time?" Haruka stepped down off the last rung and pulled Michiru into her arms. "Maybe she'd learn to play with the same things we do.." Michiru giggled.
"Oh.. Haruka.. Would you really wish this on her? I mean.. not only are we super heros but.." Haruka pressed a finger to Michiru's lips and bent in for a kiss.
"Mama and papa sitting in a tree." Came a sing song voice. "K-I-S-S-I-N-G."
"Hotaru.. How many times have I told you not to interrupt while I'm.."
"Bah." Michiru began, and pushed Haruka away. "Hi sweetie. How was school?"
"Uneventful as always." Hotaru began. "You know.. I like high school more than I did junior high.. Is that weird?"
"No.. of course not.. There's more opportunities open to you now.. And besides.. You're too smart for the likes of Junior high."
Hotaru giggled. "I know Papa.. But still, I'm a little shy. there's this boy that's been bugging me too."
Michiru smirked. "Don't let boys get in the way of your studies. but don't forget to have a little fun every once and awhile."
Haruka smiled gently. "You should invite him over for dinner Hotaru."
Hotaru blushed. "No way! You guys would totally embarrass me!"
"Of course.. That's what we're here for.." Began Haruka. Michiru's head suddenly shot up. Haruka eyed her partner with more than a weary eye.. She knew that look.
"Haruka.. The seas are restless."
Haruka smiled. "That's impossible. We haven't had any problems in years.. Besides Usagi destroyed Chaos remember? There's nothing out there to hurt us anymore."
"Wanna bet Sailor Soldier?" A voice came from behind the group.
"Who.?" Haruka spun, throwing out her hand. A blue and yellow transformation pen appeared in her hand.
"Save it soldier. You're not the one we're after." The figure said. She snapped her fingers, causing the blades of grass around the frisky to shoot up and grab Michiru, and Hotaru by the ankles. "And just for good measure." The figure began, she squinted at the already grown blades of grass, and caused them to wrap around the three soldiers. "Now you can't transform.. Now it's just a waiting game.."
Wind began to pick up around the figure, her sea green hair whipping around her face. "Your crossing of corridors of time has not gone unnoticed. The winds of time shall be your judge, jury and executioner."
The figure managed to spin as the wind began to pick up into a gale. "Ahh.. Sailor Pluto.. You're just in time to witness something even greater than your father would have been able to engineer."
"Cronus.. Typhoon!" The winds picked dup into gale force instantly, and would under normal circumstances would have cut anything that got stuck in their vortex to pieces. The winds and debris began to settle down.
"Heh heh heh.." The figure stepped out. "You can't hurt something that isn't part of a normal time line Sailor Pluto.. You of all people should know this.."
"Impossible.. Then how.." The figure smiled.
"Simple.. We were banished from your time line by something that should have never existed to begin with./ when he was destroyed.. We were freed."
"Galaxia!" Pluto exclaimed. The woman shook her head.
"No silly woman. You maybe as old as the cosmos.. But you're still a daft old woman. Wiseman. The doom phantom.. He was the one who sealed us.. Once Chaos was destroyed all the work his agents had preformed was undone in one form or another.."
Pluto's eyes caught a glimpse of blue and white from the corner of her eye. The figure smirked. "I grow tired of this interrogation. Setsuna Meioh.. Prepare to Die.."
"Starlight Honeymoon. therapy kiss!" Shouted a shrill high voice. The figure stepped out of the way as Sailor Moon's energy blast slammed into Sailor Pluto. Pluto shrieked, and fell to one knee as the energy began to cut holes into her very being.
"I knew it was only a matter of time until you showed up Sailor Moon.. You might want to end that attack before you kill whets left of your friend."
"Who ARE you?" Demeaned Sailor moon. The woman smiled. "I am an agent of one of the sole survivors of the black moon clan. I am Vertigo. and I believe you know my mistress."
A cackle, shrilled then the highest pitched noise ever recorded began to vibrate off the walls of the tomoe gardens. Sailor Moon's eyes widened. Three green dots appeared about chest level, and a green energy field materialized.
"Neo Queen Serenity.. It's been awhile." The woman smiled.
"It's not possible!" Exclaimed Sailor moon. "I saw you die!"
"You saw me sealed away Sailor Moon. wise man was notorious for his parlor tricks.. But in the end that's really all they were. you have much more to worry about now."
The woman placed one foot forward, then another. Smiling she inhaled. "Ooh. we're not alone here are we." She looked to the bound outer soldiers.
"Imp going to enjoy letting them watch me kill you Sailor moon." Raising a hand above her head, she clenched it into a fist of dark imagery. "I'm not afraid of you Esmerodo.. We defeated you once.."
"We? It appears your alone Sailor moon.. Where could your friends be I wonder?"
"They had.. Another emergency to attuned to.. You're mine!" Sailor moon Shouted. She lunged for Esmerodo. Esmerodo side stepped Sailor moon.
"And I suppose that's the rabbit with you as well.. A bit early for her to be born isn't it?"
"We thought we'd.. why am I even putting up with you? Starlight honeymoon.. Therapy."
Esmerodo released a bolt of black lightening into sailor moon's chest. White hot pain shot through her chest.. Worse pain that she had ever felt before...
"Much more of this and you'll die Sailor moon.. Or should I say.. Usagi Tsukino." Sailor moon heaved as esmerodo let up on the pummeling.
"That was a mistake Esmerodo... Sailor Moon Kick!" She shouted, slamming the bottom of her heel into desperado's jaw.
"Umph!" Moaned Esmerodo as she fell to the ground. Vertigo lunged toward sailor moon but was stopped by a gesture from her leader. "This is my battle.. I have been waiting for this for quite some time.."
Esmerodo smiled and raised her hand, this time her well manicured nails grew sharp and long. "Prepare to die sailor moon." She pulled her hand back to make the final blow, and connected with a soft fleshy substance.. Sailor moon's face was that of shock not pain.
"What? Impossible?" She pulled her hand back, colored with red blood. In front of her, heaving heavily was tuxedo mask.. The white of his tuxedo blossoming with red.
"Usako. I.." He began. Esmerdo smiled. "Well it's a start I suppose.. And I feel. that you would hurt more from this than had I killed you.. I will be back for your life sailor moon.. But this is better torture than I could have ever wished for. Have fun handling this one." And with that the soldiers were free, and the two women had vanished. Sailor moon sunk to her knees.
"Mamoru.." She wailed. He raised a gloved hand to her face. "Usako. I love you.. So much. Be strong." He inhaled shallowly.
"Mamoru.. No.. you can't.. no.. you can't do this to me.. Not again!" She shouted. Mamoru's hand went limp and his body shuddered.. Taking in it's last breath. "Nooo! Mamaoru!" Usagi wailed, her Sailor moon persona fading away. "Mamoru!"
"Usagi.." Neptune walked up behind her, and pulled her up into her arms. "You have to be strong." Uranus walked up behind them, as did Saturn carrying Pluto.
"Look at what they did to us." Uranus shook her head. "And she said there was more to come.."
Pluto coughed. "I.. Saw this coming.. Too late.." She shook her head. "Your majesty.. I'm so sorry.."
"Esmerodo.' Usagi began. Her eye's became hard with resolve. "Esmerodo.. With my last breath.. You will not outlive this one.. You're life is mine." Her body shook as she clenched her fists. "Mamoru.." She fell to her knees again. She held his limp lifeless body.. "Oh Mamoru.. What has that bitch done to you.."