Chapter 16
The Mysterious New Guardian: Sailor Pluto Appears
Inside the darkness, Chibiusa was running as fast as her little legs could carry her, as a dark figure pursued her, armed with a scythe, and ready to kill her. No matter how much Chibiusa wanted to run and hide, the figure still pursued her with an intent to kill when it emerged in front of her.
"I am here to take you away, Rabbit," it said.
"But I've never seen you before, I don't even know you," protested Chibiusa.
"That's where you are mistaken. You know exactly who I am. Now it's time. Come along, let's go back to your mommy," the reaper said to Chibiusa.
Crying out in anguish, Chibiusa retreated into the darkness, until it faded away revealing a crystal structure.
"Mommy, I'm scared, they're coming after me again, those people with the Malefic Black Crystal. Help me! HELP ME! MOMMY!" the young girl called towards the spire.
In his dark citadel, Prince Demande sat calmly on the throne with his two of his subordinates. The woman to his left, he knew as Esmeraude, but to his right was another man who bore a striking resemblance to Mamoru, But he had dark blue hair, and dark blue eyes. He also had the same black crescent mark on his forehead, but he wore a dark blue jacket decorated with metallic rod-shaped ornaments, whiet pants, white shoes, and dark blue gloves.
"The Malefic Black Crystal is acting differently. It's energy seeks a new target," Demande said to his confidants.
Esmeraude knew that her prince was true perfection in her eyes.
"It appears you wish to say something, Saphir," he said to the man next to the wicked woman.
"Yes, I do, brother. The 20th century is of no value to us. Why do you still want to conquer it?" Saphir replied vehemently.
"It does have some value," Demande said as he glanced towards Hyena R. Droid.
"But still…" Saphir tried to say.
"Now that Rubeus is gone, I'll remind you that I'm the one in charge here. I don't plan on falling out like that fob, Rubeus," interrupted Esmeraude.
She laughed maniacally, until Demande told her to cease her prattling.
"Sorry about that, sir," she said quickly, as she blushed in embarrassment.
"I don't see why we need to go chasing after the rabbit or the Silver Crystal, our Malefic Black Crystal is invincible, so there's really no point in going back into the past and wasting our time and energy on them," protested Saphir.
"What's wrong, Saphir? Do you want your loving brother to turn you into a Heartless?" Hyena asked menacingly.
"No Hyena, but I don't know why you've chosen to help us, rather than fight against us. Nor do I understand why you want to kill Sora Lucis Caelum and his friends, as well as someone who has close ties to Asuna?" Saphir replied.
"That would be none of your concern, Saphir. Hyena's agenda is his own, and we mustn't interfere," interjected Demande.
He turned sharply towards the holoprojector, and contacted Wiseman.
"As long as the Legendary Silver Crystal exists, the Malefic Black Crystal will still be vulnerable. I insist you go acquire that troublesome Crystal, and destroy it," Wiseman said to his charges.
Saphir growled anxiously, but Demande stood up and turned towards the surging dark flames that burst from behind his throne.
"Once the Legendary Silver Crystal is gone, our dream will become a reality," he said with a dark chuckle.
In the bedroom of Usagi's house, Usagi, Sora, and all of their friends gathered around Chibiusa who was in bed, but breathing heavily, which made Usagi both upset and worried.
"What can we do to help her? If this keeps up, Chibiusa will die," she cried in desperation.
"I wish I knew," replied Minako.
"Usagi, calm down," Rei said quietly.
"How can you expect me to stay calm!? Even the doctor has no idea what's wrong with her," sobbed Usagi.
"Usagi, please, don't you remember what Master Eraqus taught you about fear?" Sora asked.
"Help me. Help me," Chibiusa said in her sleep, drawing everyone's attention.
"Hang in there, Chibiusa," Sora and Usagi said together.
"The Malefic Black Crystal. They're coming. They're coming here," continued Chibiusa.
Everyone was shocked to hear it, despite her call for help until they heard her asking for the one she called Puu, to help her. The instant she did, Luna P suddenly activated and floated to the center of the estranged group, which surprised everyone.
"What's Luna P doing?" Riku asked.
"I don't know, but we're about to find out," replied Sora.
Suddenly, it transformed into a glowing sphere, revealing a woman Sora knew from back then.
"Who's that?" Minako asked.
"Sailor Pluto, an old friend of Master Yen Sid's," replied Sora.
"Sora's correct everyone, I am not a threat to any of you. I am called Sailor Pluto, the Guardian who defends the door of Space and time," Sailor Pluto said to everyone.
"Sailor Pluto? Are you the one Chibiusa called Puu?" Usagi asked curiously.
Luna was also curious about it, as if she heard it from back then.
"Yeah, she certainly is. Sailor Pluto's been Chibiusa's form of guidance even before we met her," said Riku.
"Everyone, please, you must save Small Lady," Sailor Pluto said to the heroes of light.
"Small Lady?" Sora and Usagi asked.
"She must mean Chibiusa," Minako said.
"That's right, Sailor Pluto's asking us, to try and help her," added Xion.
"The reason that she's so weak, is because the Malefic Black Crystal is attacking her mind. If this assault on her is allowed to continue, her mind will fall apart. There is only one way to save her, you must enter her subconscious mind, and stop the attack from within. Doing this will be dangerous," explained Sailor Pluto.
"But that's the only way Chibiusa will recover?" Usagi asked determinedly.
Sailor Pluto nodded once, and Usagi nodded back as well.
"Then, we'll do it," Sora said.
"I agree with Sora!" added Makoto.
"Yeah, let's go!" said Rei.
"We must save Chibiusa!" agreed Ami.
"Thanks guys," Usagi said happily.
"I guess this time, it's our turn to help her," Minako assured everyone.
"You hear that, we're all coming to save you, Chibiusa," Usagi whispered quietly into her ear.
"Yep, we'll pull you out of the darkness, no matter what happens," added Terra.
"Let's go," Usagi said to her friends.
Everyone nodded in agreement, as they Keybladers readied their keyblades.
"Once we go into Chibiusa's mind, we'll all become Spirit Dream Eaters," Riku said, remembering his experience from the Mark of Master Examination.
"I knew I could count on you," Sailor Pluto said, feeling relieved.
Then she raised her Garnet Rod into the air.
"Good luck, everyone, protect Small Lady," she said.
Then with a flash of light, combined with everyone's Keyblade magic, they were all transported into some ruins. One by one, they all got up onto their feet, and looked around.
"Where are we?" Sora and Usagi asked themselves.
"Are we inside Chibiusa's mind?" Minako asked as well.
"Well it sure is a gloomy place," said Rei.
"Looks like it," replied Riku.
"Look at the moon, it's huge," Usagi said.
"So this place must be the future city of Crystal Tokyo," said Ami.
"Looks like it, Ami," replied Roxas.
"Man, this place is really starting to remind me of the World That Never Was, during mine, Roxas, and Xion's Organization XIII days," said Axel.
"What a dark future," observed Makoto.
"Don't forget, we're just in Chibiusa's mind. So we really can't be certain that the future will end up being like this," Rei assured them.
"Uh huh. We'd better find her and tell her that everything's gonna be okay, and then we'll beat that darkness that's attacking her," added Goofy.
"Rei's right, everyone. Nothing is set in stone, because we won't let it come to pass," agreed Sora.
Soon they heard the sound of Chibiusa's voice calling to her mother, making everyone react to it. They soon approached the young girl who was huddled in the darkness of a structure, and opened the door to find her inside it.
"Chibiusa," Sora and Usagi said.
"Little sister," added Riku.
"Who are you people!?" Chibiusa demanded.
Everyone was surprised to hear it from her.
"Stop calling me those stupid nicknames! My real name is Small Lady!" Chibiusa said furiously.
"What are you talking about? It's me, Usagi," protested Usagi.
"Chibiusa, it's us," everyone agreed.
"I DON'T KNOW ANY OF YOU! WHO ARE YOU!?" cried the young girl.
"We're your friends, Chibiusa!" replied Sora.
"Because you do know us," added Usagi.
"Listen you guys, I get the feeling that the way she's acting, the Chibiusa she knows hasn't been introduced to us yet," explained Ami.
"What!?" Sora and everyone else asked in surprise.
"Huh?" added Goofy.
"So does that mean she's dreaming about something that happened before she came to our time and place?" Rei asked as well.
"You're not making any sense, so goodbye!" snapped Chibiusa, and she raced off into the distance.
"Wait, Chibiusa!" Usagi and Sora called.
"Come back!" added Riku.
They all raced after her.
"I've got even more enemies than I thought, I can't let my guard down," the young girl said as she raced away from them.
But even as she hid, the reaper soon emerged, flanked by a swarm of Nightmare Dream Eaters.
"There you are, Rabbit. Let's continue our game of hide and seek," it said.
Dodging it's scythe, Chibiusa dodged out of the way, until Riku landed between her and glared at the reaper, after reaching her first.
"Are you what's trapping her in that nightmare? Because if you are, I'm what nightmares fear!" he said.
"Chibiusa!" called Usagi and Sora.
"All of you, transform," said Luna.
"Yes, you have to protect her," added Artemis.
One by one, the Usagi and her friends assumed their Sailor Guardian Identities, as Sora and his friends readied their keyblades, and quickly rushed to the rescue.
"Stop right there!" Sora and Sailor Moon said.
"If you're going to barge into someone's mind, at least try to show some respect to your host. I am Sailor Moon, and on behalf of the moon, I'm punishing you!" continued Sailor Moon.
"Whatever, return to darkness!" remarked the reaper.
But they dodged it's scythe, and retaliated against it and the legion of nightmare Dream Eaters that were flanking it. But not even Sailor Mars' Burning Mandala or Sailor Venus' Love-me chain did not affect it, making everyone surprised.
Why didn't that stop you?" demanded Sailor Venus.
"Your friend, Rabbit knows exactly why your attack didn't affect me," replied the reaper.
They all glanced back at Chibiusa, who soon ran off into the distance, even as Sailor Moon and her friends called to her.
"Sailor Moon, Sora, you take care of Chibiusa," Rei said.
"Sure, got it," replied Sora and Sailor Moon.
But Kairi and Riku soon followed them, as the others stood their ground.
"To catch her, you'll have to go through us," Sailor Mars said to the reaper.
"Oh, that sounds like fun," replied the reaper.
Meanwhile, Chibiusa soon came face to face with Sailor Moon, Sora, Kairi, and Riku.
"Chibiusa, stop," Sora said.
Chibiusa stepped cautiously away.
"Don't go, listen to what we have to say," Sailor Moon assured her.
"I don't want to hear it!" shouted Chibiusa.
"Take it easy, because we want to help you," continued Sailor Moon.
"What are you talking about, you and your stupid friends are the ones who made huge mess of Crystal Tokyo," protested Chibiusa.
"What do you mean by that?" Sora and Sailor Moon asked.
"You and the rest of the Black Moon Clan did it! You did this to Crystal Tokyo, and my mommy! YOU CREATED THIS WHOLE PROBLEM!" explained Chibiusa.
"No we didn't, Chibiusa. We're not the bad guys of this story. But, you're being ruled by your own fear and insecurity," countered Sora.
"Yes, Sora's right. You're not thinking straight, we're not your enemy," added Sailor Moon.
"You're lying!" barked Chibiusa.
"No we're not, we came here for only one purpose, and that's for us to protect you," replied Sailor Moon.
"That's right, Chibiusa. Darkness wins by making you think you're alone. You're not alone, and you never will be. That's something I've learned from personal experience, little sister," added Riku.
"You came here to protect me?" Chibiusa asked calmly.
"That's right, me and my friends are the Sailor Guardians of Justice, and Sora and his friends are the Keyblade Wielding Guardians of light and Kingdom Hearts, and we're on your side. I know this may sound hard to believe, but you're going to travel back in time to our timeline, and become great friends with us," answered Sailor Moon.
"We'll be friends?" Chibiusa asked.
But she yanked her hands out of Sailor Moon's.
"What are you talking about!? That's stupid!" she snapped, turning around sharply.
"Trust us," Sailor Moon said.
"You're not alone. You've never been alone. There's no power that can isolate you. Not the light, not the dark. So don't run from the light, and don't fear the darkness. Because both will make you stronger," added Kairi.
"Since I don't have much of a choice, I suppose I'll trust you for now," replied Chibiusa.
"Really?" gasped Sailor Moon.
"Prove it to me. go save my mommy," Chibiusa said.
"You're mom?" the four of them asked in response.
They soon walked slowly with each other, where they saw the largest building Mamoru saw in his dreams.
"Amazing," said Sailor Moon.
"Whoa," added Sora.
"That is the Crystal Palace. My mommy's sleeping in there," explained Chibiusa.
"Then let's go to her," Sora and Sailor Moon said together.
But as they approached, Chiibusa began to get suspicious again.
"Wait a second," she called to them.
Then she picked up a small rock and threw towards a dark shield.
"What was that?" Sailor Moon and Sora asked.
"It's the Malefic Black Crystal. My mommy warned me, she said our enemies have this evil crystal and can use its power against us. But still, you have to save her!" replied Chibiusa.
The four of them glanced at her.
"Are you too scared? Then you must be lying about being my friends," Chibiusa said sadly.
Then suddenly, they heard the sound of a spire falling and crashing.
"What's that?" Sailor Moon asked.
"You guys!" called Luna.
"Everyone else is in trouble," added Artemis.
"All right then, we'll be right there," replied Sailor Moon.
Sora knelt down towards Chibiusa and looked into her eyes.
"Chibiusa, I promise you, we'll save your mother, or die trying," he said.
Then he stood up, and turned to Sailor Moon who nodded his understanding.
"Go help them, you guys, we'll stay here and keep Chibiusa safe," said Riku.
Then Sora and Sailor Moon hurried off to help their friends battle the reaper who was now gaining the upper hand.
"We're here!" Sora called out to both his and Sailor Moon's friends.
"You guys," Sailor Mars said, feeling relieved.
"Listen everyone, it seems that Chibiusa's mother is being held captive somewhere in that Crystal Palace," explained Sailor Moon.
"If we can rescue her, that just might be the key to making Chibiusa well again," replied Sailor Venus.
"Then let's get to it," added Sailor Mars.
"Yeah! Cause nobody holds a kid's parents hostage while we're around! Nobody! Do you hear me!?" smirked Axel.
"Well it's not going to be easy, because there's a forcefield around the whole palace," said Sailor Moon.
"Then the only way we can take this forcefield down, is by taking this guy down, first," added Sora.
Everyone nodded in agreement, their eyes etched with grim determination.
"That won't be easy, either," warned Sailor Mars.
"Our attacks haven't had any effect on this creep," added Sailor Venus.
"Well, we've gotta beat him, but what's our plan?" asked Sailor Mars.
But the instant Chibiusa arrived, the reaper attacked them all and rendered them unconscious.
"THAT'S IT!" shouted Sora.
He ran towards the reaper, but he was soon pushed back, and lay sprawled on the ground. But he and Sailor Moon got up onto their feet, thanks to their unwavering devotion to protect what they cherished with their hearts.
"I won't quit," she said.
"Neither will I, Sailor Moon," agreed Sora.
"Then I'll put an end to your suffering," remarked the Reaper.
"Chibiusa, please, you must open your heart to all of us," begged Luna.
But Chibiusa was still unsure of what was going on, until Sailor Moon and Sora shielded her from the reaper's attack, only to be knocked down in front of her as Chibiusa, Riku, and Kairi called to them.
"So there you are, Rabbit," said the reaper.
"None of us will let you touch, Chibiusa. Whether it was a phantom promise or not, It's time I tell you this. I will protect my sister," replied Riku.
"Get her to safety, Riku," Sailor Moon said, as the reaper closed in for the kill, making everyone else worried.
The ground split apart, until Sailor Moon rushed to Chibiusa's side, and took her hand.
"Sailor Moon," Chibiusa said.
"All right," cheered Sora.
"Chibiusa, are you all right?" Sailor Moon asked as she held Chibiusa's hand with all her strength.
"Why did you save me?" Chibiusa asked back.
"It's just like Sailor Moon said, Chibiusa. It's because we're friends no matter what," replied Sora.
"And as your friends, We won't give up on you," added Sailor Moon.
"It's okay, you've done enough already. You can let go," protested Chibiusa, as Sailor Moon tried to pull her to safety.
"You know that Sailor Moon would never do something like that. Because if she did, she'd be viewed as a disgrace to all the people Sora met on his adventures. And I know that Sora feels the same way," RIku assured her.
"We all came here, because we're all gonna save you, and that's what we're gonna do," added Sailor Moon.
Chibiusa's eyes suddenly lit up with happiness, as she remembered Sailor Pluto's kind words resonating within her heart, as well as how Mamoru taught her about the patience of humility with his Tuxedo Mask puppet.
"Sailor Moon, are you really invincible?" she asked.
"As long as you continue to have faith in me, Chibiusa, then I'll become as strong as you need me to be," replied Sailor Moon.
"Come on, rabbit, let's go back home to mommy!" cried the Reaper.
"Kick that guy's but, you guys!" Chibiusa called out to her friends.
Reacting on instinct, Sailor Moon and Sora blocked the scythe with their weapons, then with their combined powers, blasted the reaper back, surprising everyone as Chibiusa floated next to them.
"Knock it off, We won't let you have it your way anymore," Sailor Moon said to the reaper.
"This is where your story ends!" added Sora.
"What!?" shouted the reaper.
Then with Princess Rod and the Keyblade, Sora and Sailor Moon combined their powers as one, thanks to Chibiusa's encouragement and the connection with their friends' hearts.
"NEVER AGAIN! WILL YOU OR ANYONE ELSE THREATEN OUR FAMILIES! THERE WILL BE NO ESCAPE FOR YOU! EVER!" cried Sora.
"MOON PRINCESS HALATION!" called Sailor Moon.
"And now, ULTIMA BEAM!" shouted Sora.
Then the combined might of both Sailor Moon's attack, and Sora's Ultima Beam crashed into the reaper, instantly destroying him.
"And that's checkmate!" Sora said, fistpumping the air.
Chibiusa was amazed, even as Sora, Sailor Moon, and their friends gave her a respectful smile. With the defeat of the Droid Jakoku, they entered the Crystal Palace and saw the woman resting on the pedestal.
"This woman looks like Sailor Moon," murmured Sora.
"So that must be Chibiusa's mom in there," added Sailor Moon.
"Hey, you guys. Thanks a lot. Thank you for keeping your promise. Because of you, I'll be fine," Chibiusa said to them, as her subconscious began to radiate with light.
"Don't forget that we'll always be there when you need it," Sora and Sailor Moon replied, earning a respectful nod from the young girl.
Once everyone returned to the realm of light, everyone slowly awoke from their slumber, but the Sailor Guardians were still in their civilian forms.
"Looks like we made it back home," said Usagi.
"Yeah," replied Sora.
"Thank you for all you've done, everyone. Thank you very much," said Sailor Pluto.
"Just one question, Sailor Pluto. Do you think that Chibiusa's gonna be okay?" Riku asked, which made Usagi give him a respectful smile.
The time guardian nodded, as Chibiusa slowly awoke from her slumber.
"What a good nap," she said.
"We really did it! Chibiusa's well again!" cheered Usagi as she hugged her.
The others cheered in agreement, until Chibiusa called Sailor Pluto by her nickname, Puu.
"Puu, I want to go back to the future," she said.
"In your current state, that's still not possible," replied Sailor Pluto.
"How can you tell?" asked Riku.
"Because Riku, the enemy will soon be attacking this timeline once again, and you must be ready for them," answered Sailor Pluto.
"Okay… We'll do our best," replied Riku.
"Keep in mind that by defending this place in time, you're also defending our future," explained Sailor Pluto.
Then she turned to the others gathered around Chibiusa.
"Heroes of light, Please protect Small Lady, and make sure you hold on to the Silver Crystal," she said.
"You got it, Sailor Pluto, cause we'll be ready for them," replied Sora, as her image faded, and reverted back into Luna P.
"Wait, how do you know so much about us?" Usagi asked, even as Chibiusa called to Sailor Pluto.
But all that was left was Luna P, which made Chibiusa hug Usagi tightly as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. However, Usagi and her friends would still protect the young girl from those that would harm her, the Silver Crystal, and the future that awaited them, even with Sora and his friends at her side.