Chapter One: The Silent Interlude

On a normal night, Luna would not find herself wandering around the streets of Tokyo, especially on such a chilly night. But, tonight was different. A series of unpleasant dreams rose her from her slumber, and alas, here she was.

Even though the freezing blasts did a fine job numbing her joints, the cold failed to void her mind of all thought. Thus, her troubles sill existed. It had been well over one year since the defeat of the Dead Moon Circus; history has told her that a peace this long could only mean the advent marking the rise of Crystal Tokyo. While it would truly be a blessing, Luna knew far too well that both Usagi and Mamoru were much too young and inexperienced to handle the pressure of being monarchs.

However, Luna also did not want to wish more enemies would attack Earth. Just a few weeks before, Usagi admitted that this was the happiest she had ever been, even before awakening as Sailormoon. That filled her with an inner peace, she was instructed to watch over the princess in the queen's place, ensuing her life would be happy. Knowing that she had fulfilled her queen's which made Usagi's carefree, yet excessively stubborn nature easy to deal with. An imitation of a smile spread across the feline's face. Well, she thought, for the most part at least.

Just then, did she realize that she had been zoning out and had to redirect her thoughts back to the topic at hand; this was not the time to be caught in fanciful daydreams! Luna was never the type of cat to let things happen while she just sat back and did nothing. So she brought up her concerns to Artemis, and true to his laid-back nature, he calmly explained that everything was in fate's hands, and there was nothing she could do about it. Countless times she was chided and called a ruthless harridan. She sniffed, she would have to be a harridian if anything ever was going to get accomplished.

Minako used a phrase to describe both her and Artemis. What was it? Oh yes, while Artemis was the "good cop," she was the "bad cop." No one would be so careless if they did not remember Queen Selenity's last words before her memory was erased.

Pausing, Luna cast a wayward glance up at the moon, hoping to find some answers to he dilemma in its soothing silver light. Instead, a scarlet hue glared back to her. Luna stared blindly at the crimson moon, pondering what this all could mean. Then it hit her as she sprinted down the street. It was Queen Selenity's warning: "When the world is at peace, your fate will be destruction."

- - -

How dare she belittle her, she was the leader of this team!

Most people would consider Elemental Champion Quintessence beautiful with her coppery skin color, which greatly contrasted her lavender tresses that reached to her thighs. Anger marred the beautiful face, with her golden eyes having a glint to them that made her look half crazed.

Instead of reprimanding that fool, Elemental Champion Quintessence strode briskly down the once was beautiful corridor. Although the Dark Side of the Moon remained undisturbed while the Silver Millennium was destroyed, time had taken its toll to erode the intricate sculptures and marble. Now, all that was left was rock. When she approached her destination, Elemental Champion Quintessence pushed open the doors to the throne room with ease. Frequently, the other Elemental Champions voiced complaints that the doors were far too heavy, especially now. Fools. All of them were fools.

Without fear of her queen's wrath, she entered the room. Why should she knock, or wait for permission to enter when it was she who had been summoned here? Instinctive, her eyes locked on the throne on top of the dais. Thereupon, her queen sat. Instead of awaiting Elemental Champion Quintessence's arrival, her queen was already entertaining Zincite, who properly had his head bowed. He was a tall man, which is what Elemental Champion Quintessence liked in a man; the muscular build was and added bonus, which meant he was strong enough to keep up with her. Zincite's eyes were a deep thoughtful purple, quite similar to her own, but while Elemental Champion Quintessence preferred her men to have fairer hair, Zinctie's was jet black, covering his one eye, greatly contrasting his pale complexion. While he would be a fun toy, nonetheless, her Queen claimed him as her plaything for the time being.

However, all her Queen's court knew that his heart belonged to a woman long dead. A woman he forsaken during the invasion of Earth in order to save his own life. There, he pledged fealty to her Queen. He was a traitor, and whatever treatment her Queen was giving him, it was fit for his sin.

To cover up the fact that she was eavesdropping, Elemental Champion Quintessence studied the floor. Even after all this time, the tiles remained silver, each engraved with a single line that ran inside the edge like pieces of a puzzle fitting all together so intricately. One may have attempted to count the tiles at one point in time, but not her.

"Do you take me for a fool?" Instead of sounding angry, it seemed that her Queen was rather…amused? Her Queen's voice was musical, and unless you had to listen to it for as long as, Elemental Champion Quintessence, it could be called almost beautiful. "If I wished to have the Silver Crystal, it would be in my hands at this very moment." Elemental Champion

Quintessence raised her eyes a bit to see her Queen lean back in her throne. "Now, as for your concerns about the Sailor Senshi being alerted by the scare I gave their princess." A certain glint entered her eyes as she continued. "Good. Let them come and know that the true Queen reigns."

"Forgive me for questioning your motives, my Queen" Zincite said humbly. That tone suited him somehow, the Elemental Champion thought.

"Well I am glad you understand," her Queen replied dryly. "You are excused, Zincite.
The man rose from his kneeling position, when the Queen added. "You will also wait for me in my chambers." If she didn't know any better, Elemental Champion Quintessence would have guessed she saw Zincite flinch. Perfect. Let him pay for his treachery..

"As you wish it, my Queen," replied Zincite hollowly before he exited the room.

When the doors closed behind him, her Queen ordered her to approach the throne, which Elemental Champion was quick to oblige. "I have a mission for you," the Queen announced. "We must incapacitate Selenity's Sailor Senshi without rendering them completely useless." As the Queen gave her orders, the woman who called herself Elemental Champion Quintessence's expression did not change. She had her orders. She was the perfect assassin.

Soon the blood of the lesser princess flow.

- - -

Minako shook her head as she examined Usagi's neck for the final time. During the lunch break, the blond insisted that each girl have a look. When no girl found any trace of scratch marks, Usagi only insisted harder. "I don't even see a scar, Usagi," Minako said, shaking her head one final time.

When she saw the pained expression in her friend's soft blue eyes, Mianko quickly changed her answer. "ACTUALLY! Now that I am looking more closely, think I can see a little red mark." Minako's face broke out into a wide grin, "Oh my, Usagi! Did Mamoru give you a hickey?" Instead of grinning back at her friend, Usagi's face flushed modestly.

"You found out her dirty little secret, Mina-chan!" Makoto snickered. "Look at her blush!"

Usagi's head snapped towards the direction Makoto was sitting it. "I'm not blushing!" Her tone of voice held no amusement. Only then did the girls realize that Usagi wasn't blushing out of embarrassment. "It…" She began, "it was there! I know you think I am making this all up, but I am not." The only person who remained quiet through this whole ordeal was Ami. "What do you think, Ami-chan?"

Setting down her lunch, Ami gathered her thoughts. Yes, Usagi thought happily, Ami was thinking of a logical explanation of what happened last night. Leave it to Ami! "You are under stress, Usagi," Ami explained, barely making eye contact with her friend. She lowered her voice and continued, "with all the battles that we faced, it must be very taxing on you, which is finally taking a toll. I'm sorry, Usagi, but I think you may just be having night terrors."

During the exchange, Minako busied herself with eating her lunch. "Wait, nigh tremors?" She asked raising her eyebrows questioningly.

"Oh…got'cha!" Minako said with a solemn nod. "What are those?"

"Back when my parent's were divorced, my mother often complained of them. During that time, I did some research," Ami explained. "Night terrors are subjective; they can be caused by trauma, stress, or even anxiety. The common symptoms are what Usagi stated; sweating, confusion, hysteria—."

"SHUT UP!" Usagi protested. "I am not hysterical! Her uncharacteristic display of anger stunned the small group to silence. She shut her eyes tightly to prevent the tears from escaping. "I know what happened," Usagi quietly continued once she regained her composure. Quickly, she bites her lip to keep it from trembling.

Rising, Makoto put a comforting arm around Usagi's shoulder. "We know something happened," she told her. "However, we cannot get paranoid from one dream. I know for a fact that shadows can play tricks on you all the time."

"Makoto is right," Minako chimed in. "There is good news in all of this!"

"Is there?" Ami questioned.

"Of course," Minako replied with a smile. "Even if you were bleeding, at least we know you are not a necrophiliac."

Ami's face took on a greenish hue as if she were going to be sick. Despite herself, Usagi chuckled. Poor Ami's eyes were as wide as saucers! "Are you sure that is the right word, Mina-chan?" Ami asked weakly.

"Yeah," Makoto agreed. "You see, a necrophiliac is someone who…" As she whispered in Minako's ear, the blonde grew more and more flustered.

"Whoops…" She stammered, "I meant to say hypochondriac."

Makoto rolled her eyes. "So you to mean to say Usagi is someone who fakes illnesses?" She asked in jest.

"I suck at this medical mumbo jumbo," she muttered. "What's that thing called where your blood doesn't clot?"

"Hemophilia?" Ami offered.

"Right! At least we know Usagi-chan is not a hemophiliac. While we are on the subject of words and their meaning…" As her friend trailed off, Usagi smiled to herself. They were right, she was over-reacting. Maybe she just scratched herself, and instead of blood, it was really sweat? Yes, that had to be it!

Tonight was Wednesday, which meant it was studying at Rei's. Then, it would be the Crown Arcade for some fun. Well, maybe first, Usagi decided, she could treat herself to a milkshake and a quick video game—after such a hard day and all.

Usagi was sure Rei wouldn't mind too much. With that choice, Time's flow shifted. Destruction would only follow.