Previously-
Five years have past after the defeat of Chaos at the Galaxy Cauldron, and the Sailor Soldiers have
lived their lives for the most part in peace. The wedding of Mamoru and Usagi goes flawlessly, and the
two find themselves pregnant five months down the line. Meanwhile, a menace from the couples past
decides to rear her ugly head, and confronts Sailor Moon in what should have been her last battle- but
in a final act of courage Tuxedo Mask jumps in front of the attack and saves Sailor moon, Killing himself
in the process. Our hero's pursuer smiles at her job well done and leaves to let Sailor moon mourn in peace..
But what will become of our heroine now that she is single again?
Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon: Apocalypse
Episode 2 - Another battle? An offer she can't refuse
"A few hours ago.. I was still a married young woman, enjoying a quiet afternoon alone with her friends.
Now.. I'm here.. alone... It seems so far away now... Like days, maybe even years have passed.. but it
was earlier today wasn't it..." She shook her head, trying to remember. The day had been fine up until the
point that she had received the phone call. She and her friends had been sitting, and drinking lemonade when
the phone had begun to ring.
"Hang on girls." Usagi remembered saying to her friends. "Just let me get that... Chiba residence... Usagi speaking.."
"Usagi?" The voice had sounded so stoic over the receiver. "Usagi? Is that you?"
"Setsuna?" Usagi quirked a brow.
"Usagi! Quickly.. I haven't much time.. I'm on my way to Haruka and Michiru's house.. There's been a disturbance in
the time space continuum... and then.. Oh Usagi.. I saw it.. it was horrible..." Static began to creep over the line, blocking out Sestuna's words. Finally as if choked, the phone hung up.
"Usagi.. what's wrong?" Rei asked, walking over to where her friend was standing. "Who was it?"
"Rei.. Setsuna was on the phone.. she said.. something about the time space continuum.. It was really kind
of garbled.. I did catch enough though that said something about Haruka and Michiru's house.. They're still living at
the Tomoe place right?"
"I think so..." Rei said. "Usagi.. you're not seriously thinking of going there by yourself are you?"
"Well.. I was kind of hoping you four would be able to come along..." She smiled. "You girls up for a little action?"
Makoto shot up. "Ready as ever! Lets go girls!" The other two stood up, and pulled out their transformation pens, and
one by one shouted out their respective guardians names as they had done so many times before.
"Mars Planet Power--"
"Mercury Planet Power-"
"Venus Planet Power-"
"Jupiter Planet Power"
"Moon Eternal.."
"make up!" They had shouted in unison. The normal flashes of lights and colors danced on the walls of the Chiba
residents for what seemed like an eternity. Finally there they had stood, a slightly older Sailor team. Mercury in her
deep blue uniform, mars in her red. Jupiter and Venus clashing horribly with their green and orange skirts. Usagi had
repressed a slight giggle then. It brought back memories.
"And just where do you think you five are going?" Came cold voice from the back of the room. "Please, don't leave on
our account.."
Jupiter pivoted to face the voice. A woman, dressed in outlandishly slutty clothing stood in the back, her razor
sharp high heeled boot propped up on a chair.
"Who the hell are you?" Shouted Jupiter. The woman smiled. "I thought You'd never ask... I'm the second of the
black moon twins. My name is Narcisa. Let me assure you, it's the last name you'll hear."
"Hah. You're not the first one to flaunt such power." Began venus. "Venus, Love me chain!" The orange
energy beams shot from her fingertip, and lassoed around her body. Smiling at the thrill of power it brought her, she lashed
her right arm out, whipping at Narcisa's face. Narcisa put up a gloved hand and dissipated the energy.
"Oooh... you're good. But can you handle this Sailor Venus?" Narcisa said winking. She began to spin, slowly on the tip of one of her heels. Tiny sparks of electricity gathered around her spinning body.
"It's like my attack.." Began Jupiter in awe, then coming to her senses. "Mars.. get Sailor Moon out of her.. we'll handle the rest."
"But you guys always get to have all the fun.. Besides she's probably the anomaly.. Sailor Moon.. you need to go to Haruka's.. we'll catch up with you.." Mars said, pushing Usagi out the door... that was the last she had seen of her friends... then.. the next thing she remembered.. she was here... holding her dead husband in her arms.
Mamoru's body began to flicker with silver light, and slowly dissipated toward the heavens. Beautiful orbs of silver and gold seemed to streak across the sky.. but beautiful as they were.. she still felt empty.
"He's in a better place now Usagi." Came the soft, yet firm voice of Sailor Neptune. "We should probably go inside.. we have much to discuss."
"Discuss? What exactly is there to discuss Michiru?" Began Usagi, her eyes beginning to brim with tears. "First time in hundreds of years Mamoru and I are able to be together, and it had to end at the hands of that green haired witch.. And.. whats worse, he died saving me.. again. Michiru, there isn't anything to discuss... it's all in the past now... now.. Esmerodo is gone.. and.. and.. now we can go on living our lives.." She was suddenly overcome with violent sobs. "We don't need anymore danger.. we can just be normal people.."
Haruka grimaced, and felt her heart drop to her feet. "He died for a good cause Sailor moon. We have to discuss what we're going to do now... Obviously she didn't get what she came for.. we know Esmerodo will be back.. and when she does come back we'll be ready for her... .. speaking of which.. where are the others exactly?"
"The girls! Oh no haruka, I left them with that witch.. we have to go help them!"
Haruka nodded. "Michiru, you and I will go. Usagi, you stay here with Hotaru and Setsuna. With her down, we don't have much warning of anything coming.. they could blind side us."
"Agreed." Michiru said. "Shall we Haruka?"
"It depends.. you still remember how to do it Michiru?"
Michiru flung out her left hand and out rolled an aqua marine transformation pen. "Impressive.." Haruka began.
"Enough chit chat. Neptune planet power--"
"Uranus Planet power-"
"Make up!" The elegant waves of neptune seemed to engulf Michiru's body, solidifying into her aqua marine uniform... the very ground seemed to engulf Haruka, and Turned into her short skirted blue uniform.
"Yep.. You've still got it." smiled Uranus.
"Well Duh.. I've been doing this waaay longer than you have." Winked Neptune. And with that the two turned, and faded into the darkness.
"So.. You're the Sailor Soldiers The Green one has been speaking about.. such a pity you're not able to live up to such a legacy."
"Legacy? You haven't even felt our power..!" Exclaimed Mars. She closed her eyes, and pulled her
right hand back. "Mars.." She began the incantation. A globule of Fire appeared in her palm. "Flame.. Sniper!" She exclaimed, causing the globule to transform into a bow and arrow. The arrow shot, and struck Narcisa right in the heart... or at least it should have, had it not dissipated half way between Mars and herself.
Narcisa yawned. "Come on ladies. This is totally boring. I could take you out in my sleep." Narcisa clenched her hand into a fist, and muttered something under her breath. Her fist began to glow with a deep purple hue.
"Dark lightning.." She whispered, her eyes opening suddenly. She placed her two hands together, and four bolts of lightning shot out, one at each of the Sailor soldiers. The tips of each bolt ended just before reaching the prepared soldiers.
"Why can't you people ever use anything original?" Began Mars. "I mean.. how much of this do you think we can stand before we begin to become immune to it!"
Narcisa smirked. "I suppose you're right.. perhaps a new trick?" A block of ice cut her off in mid thought, knocking her to the ground.
"Sailor Mercury.. you're getting ballsy. Essy was wrong about you." Narcisa stood up and brushed herself off. Her eyes closed to slits. "Play times over girls." She snapped her fingers again- a sound which seemed to reverberate off of the walls of the Chiba house hold. Thunder rolled in the distance, and a cold biting wind began to blow..
"Mercury!" Venus smirked. "Where's she pulling all of this from?" Mercury nodded to Venus and put a hand to her right ear ring. A blue flash of light quickly spread across Mercury's eyes, as a blue visor appeared.
"A temporal distortion.. there." Mercury said pointing to a ceiling fan.
"Anyway to close it?" Venus pressed. Mercury typed a few keys into her small compact.
"Not according to this thing... The only way to close it is to take out the one who's feeding it power.. namely our friend here."
Mars shook her head. "There's never an easy way is there?" Jupiter smirked.
"Nope. Never." The two seemed to be on the same waive length, both girls beginning to channel power from their respective elements.
Venus lunged toward Narcisa, who leaned back to brace for the blow. Coming up behind her Mercury kicked at the back of her legs, dropping her to the ground.
"Flaming.." Shouted mars
"Oak..." Began Jupiter.
"Sniper!" "Evolution!" the two shouted in unison. A beam of fire shot from Mars's finger tips. Sparks of electricity flew from Jupiter's body in the direction of Narcisa.
The wind seemed to pick up as the attacks came close, and shot them back at Mars and Jupiter. The Sniper had struck Mars in the chest. Smiling, Narcisa closed her eyes.
"She's up to someth-" To late, Mercury was thrown against the wall by a concussive blast of energy. All four girls were flung against the walls of the chiba residence.. each blanking out upon impact.. the last thing any of them heard was the arrogant voice of Narcisa..
"Weren't expecting that were you girls? Now.. who's first..."
"Sailor Mars.." A voice called from the darkness. "Sailor Mars.." Rei opened an eye slowly- bracing herself against the sure fire agony that was waiting for her. To her surprise none came. She stood up slowly and looked around. A black room, a void darker then even the furthest regions of the galaxy... Darker even than zero star Sagittarius.
"W-where am I?" She asked.
"I don't believe the question is where are you Sailor Mars.. the question you should be asking is WHO are you..."
"Who am I? I'm Rei Hino... and I suppose you're the grim reaper?"
"Very witty.. I see that even in death you haven't lost your sharp tongue."
"Death? You mean I'm..." She hadn't been expecting that. No answer came, just the deafening silence of nothing.
"Wait are you...?"
"The Reaper? Honey do you really think he'd have a voice like this? No. I didn't think so.. No.. I'm really just more of a passer by who heard your plea for help.."
"So.. am I dead or not?"
"Maybe.. depends on your definition of dead. If you mean a cessation of all normal living capacity than yes.. you are dead.. however, you're spirit is still very much alive.. Rei Hino."
"So.. where am I?"
"In the darkest regions of your soul of course... Don't tell me you don't recognize me.." The figure materialized. A woman dressed in a blood red outfit materialized in front of her. Rei took a step back in shock. The woman's raven black hair seemed to sway in an imagined wind.
"You're..."
"I'm the part of you that Galaxia released when she stole your star seed... I'm the culmination of all your Dreams and desires. Your wants and needs.. your primal drives... but I suppose you could call me Raye."
"Raye? What is that? Some pervasion of my name?"
"I suppose you could say that. Anyway.. Rei.. .I've appeared to make you an offer. An offer I'm afraid you can't refuse..."
"Oh? And whets that?"
"You can defeat the enemy who has done this to you.. but only if you unleash the true extent of your power.."
"Oh? And I suppose you can help me do this.."
Raye smiled "I can do many things Rei Hino.."
"And what do you want from me?"
"Only the freedom and life I deserve of course.. You let me become you while you're soul and body heals.. and then I return to whence I came."
"And how am I to be certain that you'll adhere to your side of the bargain?"
Raye smiled. "I suppose that's a gamble you'd have to take.. but I'd hurry and make a decision Rei.. Our body can't live much longer without air.."
Rei closed what she thought to be her eyes, and took a deep breath... She supposed she had a decision to come to.
Narcisa wlaked over to Jupiter's fallen body and smiled. "Poor Amazon woman." She said. "It's such a shame I have to do this.. You and I could have been allies."
She smiled and raised one of her shoes, and began to take aim. "My Razor heel should do the trick nicely.. Quick and painless... Really.. how could she have had such a hard time with the lot of you?"
A spark of crimson energy shot in her direction, causing the hair on the back of her neck to stand on end. "Hmm.. That's odd.." Shrugging, Narcisa pulled her leg back preparing for the final blow.
"Not so fast..." A voice came from behind her. She spun to see a beaten and bruised Sailor Mars beginning to stand up.. Around her body, tiny sparks of red energy began to pulse and surge, The sleeves of her Uniform grew longer, and tighter, and the overall material of it began to change into some sort of hard rawhide, Her skirt seemed to elongate into shape fitting pants. Ruby red boots seemed to top off her ensemble.
Mars stood up and opened her eyes.. a different spark there then what had been there before. "Narcisa.. You've made a mistake coming here today.. It will be your last." Mars closed her eyes, as the smell ozone began to permeate the room.
Tendrils of red energy began to snake from her hands. She looked toward a stunned Narcisa.
"That's impossible.. I made sure you were dead before I moved on to.."
"Silence fool." Mars's voice took on a more guttural tone. "You are no longer welcome in this world." The red energy began to engulf Mars's body, leaving only her silhouette visible. "You will burn for what you have done here today... I am judge jury and executioner."
With the ease of someone who had practiced a move time and time again, mars flung out her hand. Tendrils of fire snaked their way toward Narcisa.. She couldn't breath.. Her lungs were beginning to burn.
"Noo... Please.. I'm.. to young.." She coughed. Mars only looked at her with cold, emotionless eyes. Narcisa felt the first twinge of pain begin to scald her skin..
"No.. Have.." She coughed and drew in one final breath.. "Mercy.." She whispered... The fire crept up her outrageous pink out fit and up to her perfect lipstick.. finally the flames of judgment engulfed her being... Narcisa fell to the ground in a pile of gray ash.
Mars smiled, a cold bitter smile. Her part of the bargain was upheld.. Now it was time.. Now it was time for Raye to uphold hers.
She threw the door open, her sea green hair whipping in the wind. Her breath forced its way out of her lungs as she glanced around the blood spattered room. Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter all lay unconscious. She glanced to Uranus.
"They're alive... they're wounds seem to be healing... but we should probably get them to a hospital."
"And tell them what exactly- That they were involved in a fight with a space alien? I doubt very much that they'd believe us."
"Neptune.. they might not wake up otherwise... Any sign of their adversary?"
Neptune shook her head. "Not at all.." She glanced around and sniffed. "Uranus!" She shouted picking up. An acrid odor. "Something was burned here.."
Uranus nodded. "Something was burned, and Mars is missing. Co-incidence?"
"You're saying Mars did this?"
"No.. I'm saying Mars did this." Uranus said, pointing to a pile of gray ash. "Whoever they were up against is in the after life."
"Can Mars do that?" Neptune began. "I mean, I know she could burn people.. but to turn someone into ash... that would take.."
"Allot of unrestrained energy." Uranus finished. "Mars is normally in check with her abilities.. and besides.. why would she just leave her friends here without calling for help?"
"That is the mystery isn't it Uranus?" A groan sounded from the pile that was Mercury.
"U...Uranus?" She opened her eyes, and tried to stand up. "Neptune? Where's Narcisa?"
"Narcisa?" Neptune quirked a brow. "Ooooh.. You mean this." Neptune nudged the pile of ash with the toe of her shoe.
Mercury's eyes opened wide. "Did you do that?" She asked, looking to the two outers.
"Nope." Uranus began. "I think it might have been your friend Mars."
"Mars couldn't do that.. her powers are strong, but only Sailor Moon has the power to finish someone off like that."
Neptune shrugged. "That, I'm afraid, would be an impossibility.. Sailor Moon is still with Sailor Saturn watching over Setsuna.. we had our own run in with our new enemy."
"So.. its official then.." Mercury began, pushing herself up. "We're under attack.. after all this time."
Neptune and Urauns nodded solemnly. "Mercury.. one more thing happened..." Neptune began.
"What?" Mercury asked, her voice filling with worry. "Is it Usagi? Is she okay?"
Uranus shrugged. "Physically she is... but emotionally.." Uranus's voice began to choke. Neptune touched her on the shoulder.
"Ami.." Began Neptune. "Mamoru died today saving Sailor Moon's life." Mercury's eyes widened, tears beginning to well up. "Mamoru? But... that's impossible.. he was just... just with her yest..yesterday.." Her voice choked, a tear beginning to roll down her cheek. Mercury had much the same reaction that Usagi did.. only with much less energy.. she slumped to the ground, gently sobbing to herself. "Is she okay?"
"As good as can be expected." Neptune smiled gently, putting her hand out to Mercury. "Come on.. we have allot to discuss... and we have to get your friends back to the mansion.. hopefully we'll be able to help them there.."
"How could you just let her die like that?" Vertigo shrieked toward Esmerodo. "She was my sister!"
"She knew the dangers before she signed on board." Esmerodo said coldly. "But I do hope that you've learned a lesson from this.. You should never confront the enemy directly unless you know you have the abilities to handle the situation.. clearly you're sister was ill prepared."
"Ill prepared?" Vertigo began, and then stopped. "I'll show you ill prepared.. do you remember the last time you tried to attack the sailor soldiers? You failed miserably.. Wiseman took complete control of you and your." She made a gesture toward Esmerodo, but was unable to come up with words. "Your.. Horrible wardrobe!" She finished a blinked out of sight.
Esmerodo looked stunned for a minute, and then looked into the galaxy of stars around her. "That girls has much to learn..." She began to herself. "But she does have spirit." She smirked for a moment, and tossed the thought away with a gesture. She had more important matters to presume.
"Bounty hunter Maltronix." She began. Sparks surrounded her as she waited with anticipation. A female figure appeared before her, garbed in a gown of what appeared to be television wires. Her eyes were glowing a bright white, as if looking into a computer monitor.
"Yes? You called?"
"I did... Hunter.. I am looking for some relics that I believe are somewhere on Earth.. I need you to help me find them."
The hunter stared at Esmerodo for a second. "You know my price."
"You may have anyone you can trap in that little game of yours.. all I want are those relics.. I assume you know how to find them?"
The hunter nodded. "I had a locater built especially for this mission. Do not worry Green Lady.. you're job will be completed."
"Have at it then.. and hunter... I advise you not to fail me.. I don't tolerate failure from hired help."
The hunter laughed an electronic laugh. "Do not worry... They will be yours.."
Two figures stared at Usagi tucking Hotaru into bed.
"For a princess she seems weak." The male of the group said to his companion.
"That's what they always say... you saw how Setsuna turned out." Said the other- a female.
The male laughed. "I suppose you're right Sarah.. But.. she's the one we've been sent to watch? Doesn't she have her own court? Why bring our kingdom into the mix?"
"Justin..." Sarah began. "Time itself is in question here.. if we don't stop her nemesis.. time as we know it could be drastically altered. Esmerodo is not suppose to be here."
Justin shook his head. "So what do we do now?"
Sarah looked on at the scene. "For now my love.. we just watch.."