Chapter 34

The Shining Silver Crystal: The Moon Princess Appears

After their battle with Kunzite, Zoisite, Pete, and Sephiroth, Sora, Sailor Moon, and their friends all stood before Sailor Venus, along with Luna and Artemis.

"Sailor V- I mean, Sailor Venus," said Makoto.

"Wait a minute, could you be the Moon Princess?" asked Usagi.

"I'm not, but like all of you, I'm a guardian dedicated to protecting the princess," replied Sailor Venus.

"You are different, Venus. But I'm just glad you made it," said Sora.

"You and your friends weren't in the apartment I was at, so Artemis and I had to find you guys," explained Sailor Venus.

"Wait a minute, are you friends with Sailor Venus?" Usagi asked them.

"We are, Sailor Moon," replied Riku.

But Sora slowly turned slowly away from the other blonde.

"I'm sorry," he said somberly.

But Sailor Venus hugged him.

"Don't be. Artemis told me why you were here. You were also looking for the Guardians, just like I did," she replied.

Sora gently returned the embrace, as Sailor Venus felt how strong yet gentle Sora's hands were.

"Also, it's a pleasure to meet the rest of you," she said to the other girls.

She extended her hand, and everyone placed their hands upon hers.

"Well, you know the old saying: All for one, and one for all!" said Goofy.

"Hey, just like in The Three Musketeers, by Alexandre Dumas!" replied Ami, and everyone laughed.

"While it is nice that all of you met, I need you to realize that we're in the middle of an important investigation here. We'll share the details with you when we meet at the Hikawa Shrine," Artemis said.

"Right. And if any of us aren't there for this meeting, we'll hear the short version of what you spoke of," replied Sora.

The two cats then bade each other goodbye.

"Oh, before we go, Sora. Here's something from me," said Sailor Venus.

"What's that?" asked Sora.

Then suddenly, he felt Sailor Venus' lips press against his cheek, making everyone surprised, but made Sora blush ahd sheepishly rub the back of his head.

"May your hearts be your guiding key," she said, and soon darted away with Artemis at her side.

"Well, there she goes," said Ami.

"She sure doesn't waste anytime," added Rei.

"But let's not forget that she actually kissed Sora, before leaving to meet up with us again," piped in Roxas.

"Ugh, and here I thought I'd get a chance with Sora," moaned Usagi.

"Ah, fat chance, Sailor Palooka!" quacked Donald.

In the Dark Kingdom's throne room, Zoisite, Kunzite, Pete, and Sephiroth stood before Queen Beryl and Maleficent.

"Okay, Queen Beryl, why the heck would you tell us to pull back from taking care of the pests? We could have gotten the final Rainbow Crystals, and taken out Tuxedo Mask!" snapped Pete.

"You'll take no such tone with either of us!" Maleficent said furiously.

"Orders have been given from the Great Ruler!" added Queen Beryl.

"And what are those orders?" asked Kunzite.

"None of you are permitted to strike down Tuxedo Mask, or turn him into a Heartless, but deliver him to Queen Beryl, unharmed," replied Maleficent.

"But why do that?" asked Zoisite.

"Shaddup! Queen Beryl doesn't need to give you an earful about the details, Zoisite!" replied Pete, punching Zoisite down.

"Very well, we'll make sure he's brought to you, and not a single hair on him will be harmed," said Sephiroth.

In his apartment, Mamoru leaned against the door, clutching at his shoulder where Zoisite had stabbed him. Cursing himself for his weakness at coming to Sailor Moon's aid, he began to believe that he had failed Sailor Moon, and limped to his couch to sit down, but the wound still continued to bother him.

"You have a very lovely place," Zoisite said as his image appeared on the television screen.

"How did you find me?" demanded Mamoru.

"Actually, finding you was quite an easy task, once I learned your true identity, Mamoru," chuckled Zoisite.

"So what do you want?" Mamoru asked, his brow furrowing with determination.

"Well, now that you and Zoisite have gotten to know one another well, Both he and I agreed that you should meet and sort out things in a one-on-one no-holds-barred winner-take-all contest," said Pete, who appeared next to Zoisite.

"Go on, I'm listening," replied Mamoru.

"Good, we both want possession of those Rainbow Crystals. So like Pete said, a battle with the winner taking all. How's that sound?" he sneered.

"Huh, sounds fair. I accept your challenge Zoisite," smirked Mamoru.

"Now that's what we want to hear, Mamoru! Feel free to meet Zoisite at Starlight Tower in the Bay Area whenever you're ready," said Pete.

"Yeah, that'll work," replied Mamoru.

"Very well, the Starlight Tower it is. I'll see you there today, at 5:00. Until then, Mamoru," grinned Zoisite, as Mamoru clutched his wounded shoulder just as the sun rose.

By the time Usagi finished her detention, that afternoon, she was joined by Sora who was travelling with her down the streets of Juban, now knowing that Rei would be berating her for being dead weight for arriving late for their meeting, until they saw Mamoru limping down the street. Believing that she could get away with teasing Mamoru, Usagi struck his wounded shoulder, making him flinch as she greeted him.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Oh, hey you guys, you're sure cheerful today," replied Mamoru.

"Yep, hey Mamoru," said Sora.

"I hope you'll always be that way. Take care, okay?" Mamoru told them, as he limped away.

"Whoa, what's with him?" asked Usagi.

"I don't think I've seen him acting this way before, either," replied Sora.

She looked at her hand, and noticed a tiny droplet of blood stained it through his jacket.

"Wait a sec, could he be hurt in some way?" Usagi asked herself.

"I think he might be, since he's limping and clutching at his shoulder," replied Sora.

They decided to follow him, not even knowing what was going on with Mamoru since he was challenged to a battle for the Rainbow Crystals.

"Hey, Mamoru, why the heck are you limping?" asked Sora.

Mamoru turned around, but saw that it was both Sora and Usagi.

"Guys?" he asked in confusion.

"Listen, sorry for following you, but Usagi said that you could be hurt. Someone must've hurt you with something sharp," answered Sora.

"Yeah, it was Zoisite," said Mamoru.

"Wait, why would Zoisite attack Mamoru?" asked Usagi.

"I don't know, Usagi. But it's probably best we stay with him, and make sure he's okay for now," Sora told her.

He turned to Mamrou.

"Listen Mamoru, I know that telling you to see a doctor is not any of our business, but now that we know that Zoisite hurt you, the one question we're trying to ask you is what you plan to do when you meet him," Sora said to him.

"I've been challenged to fight him at Starlight Tower at 5:00 in the evening. But, why would you think of staying by my side?" he asked.

"It's because we're friends, Mamoru Chiba," replied Sora.

"What is a friend to you!?" demanded Mamoru.

"It's something you can put into words. But whenever I sense one of my friends hurt, or in trouble, it scares me. It scares me so much that I can't just leave things the way we are. So that's why Usagi and I are gonna stay at your side, and make sure that you're okay," explained Sora.

"How can you say that? Even though I've done nothing but called Usagi bunhead, why would you help me?" Mamoru asked, after Sora placed his arm around him.

"Ah, come on, Mamoru. You've been hanging out in darkness too long. You gotta try and think positive," smiled Sora.

"Hey, Sora," Mamoru said.

Sora glanced at him.

"Let's go to Starlight Tower," Mamoru said again.

"Got it," replied Sora.

Then together, the two unexpected allies walked off.

"Wow, I had no idea Sora was this positive despite Mamoru's attitude," she said to herself, and decided to follow them.

"You know, I've never seen you be concerned for me," Mamoru said, as he walked with Sora.

"Really?" replied Sora.

"Think Usagi will be mad?" he asked.

"No. I kinda always felt like she and I are more alike than you'd believe," grinned Sora.

"It's showtime," Zoisite said, and he surrounded the area around his foes in a reddish hue.

"Oh no, what's happening!? It's all red!" cried Usagi.

"Don't worry, Usagi! We're gonna be fine!" Sora assured her.

"I just hope you're right!" Mamoru said to the Keyblade Wielder.

"Same here!" agreed Usagi, until the red light turned into an orb that lifted them away.

At Hikawa Shrine, Rei, Riku, and all of their friends were waiting for Usagi and Sora.

"Usagi always shows up late, but this is way too late," she said.

"I can't seem to find Sora anywhere either," added Riku.

"I called them, but they aren't at her house," piped in Ami.

"She wasn't at school either," said Makoto.

"Something's wrong, they're not answering their communicators either," said Luna.

"Do you think that they could be in trouble?" asked Xion.

"It's possible Xion, we should go and find them," replied Ami.

"They're at the Starlight Tower," a voice came from behind.

Everyone turned to see that it was the same girl, but she wore a regular school uniform, instead of her Sailor Guardian Uniform.

"Long time no see, Minako and Artemis," said Terra.

"Same to you, Terra. It's good you remembered us," replied Artemis.

"Hold on, how do you know those two?" asked Ami.

"During our first day in this world, we met Minako and Artemis, back then. But that was before we found out who the Sailor Guardians were," explained Aqua.

"Yes, My real name is Minako Aino," Minako said to the three girls.

"Based on what we've been able to figure, the enemy's involved in some activity at Starlight Tower," added Artemis.

"The fact that we can't reach Sora and Usagi, proves it. They must have somehow figured out the enemy's plan and gone after them on their own, at the Starlight Tower," explained Minako.

"Then we've no time to waste. We have to help them," replied Riku.

"Okay, we'll follow your lead Minako," added Roxas.

"Got it, let's go to the Starlight Tower," replied Minako.

"You heard the lady, let's move out!" cheered Axel.

Everyone nodded, and raced off to save Sora and Usagi. Meanwhile, Zoisite found that he had gotten more than just Mamoru.

'Welcome," he said, stepping forth with his Rainbow Crystals.

"Zoisite! So it was you who hurt Mamoru!" snapped Sora.

"Yes, but you still have no idea who he truly is at the moment," replied Zoisite.

He still walked forward with the five crystals in his hand.

"I'll place the Rainbow Crystals that I have right here," he said, and set them down.

Then he backed slowly away.

"Now, let's see yours," he continued.

"Before I do that, You need to let these people go," Mamoru said in desperation.

"Only if you put your crystals with mine, first," countered Zoisite.

Sora stood, glancing nervously at both Mamoru and Zoisite, as he watched the dark haired guy, stepping forth, and setting his crystals with Zoisite's crystals, just as Usagi groaned. Zoisite laughed his cold laugh.

"What so funny!?" demanded Mamoru.

"You are! Laughing at how foolish you actually are!" sneered the warlord, when Kunzite arrived with Pete.

"Kunzite! Pete!" Mamoru and Sora said.

"Now all the Rainbow Crystals are ours," the silver-haired warlord said.

"And we have you bozos to thank for that," added Pete.

"You! You lied to me!" cried Mamoru.

"You rotten-!" shouted Sora.

"Ah-ah, better stay where you are, you two. Or you're cute friend, will be turned into ashes," warned Zoisite.

"Zoisite, you handle the rest," Kunzite said to his companion.

Zoisite nodded, just as Mamoru flung a rose at them. It missed Kunzite, who vanished with Pete at his side, but scratched Zoisite instead, just as Usagi stirred to see Sora and Mamoru in a standoff with Zoisite.

"Uh, Zoisite? Why are these guys fighting Zoisite?" Usagi asked groggily.

"How dare you do this to my face, you worm!? I'll get you yet!" gasped Zoisite, who vanished into the corridor of darkness.

Sora glanced around, only to see Usagi was back on her feet again.

"Mamoru Chiba! If you want the Crystals back, come to the top floor observation deck!" Zoisite's voice said around them.

Usagi wasn't sure why Mamoru was after the Rainbow Crystals, until the air became cold, and thousands of Icicles began to appear around them.

"Watch out!" cried Mamoru.

"Run! Let's go!" called Sora.

Then the three of them began running as fast as their legs would carry them, just as Mamoru clutched as his shoulder, making Usagi worried, when the floor began to crumble.

"I can't take anymore of this! This is making me Crazy!" she cried.

"We've gotta get to that Elevator!" replied Mamoru.

"Right!" added Sora.

They arrived just in time for Usagi to press the up button. Then when the doors opened they hurried inside. Usagi sighed, relieved that it was all over.

"We're safe now," she said.

"I wouldn't count on it," replied Mamoru.

They could see that they had walked into an area where they could see vines on the walls, which made Usagi disgusted. Suddenly the door vanished, trapping them in the room, as it rose up.

"We gotta get outta here!" cried Sora.

"It's no use, we're trapped in this thing," Mamoru replied calmly.

"So this is the Starlight Tower, huh?" said Rei, who was standing before the entrance with her friends.

"Wow, that's one huge building," replied Makoto.

"What do your scanners say, Sailor Mercury?" asked Mickey.

Ami looked through her visor, until she saw three figures above them.

"Usagi, Sora, and Mamoru are all trapped in the elevator," she said.

"What?" asked Minako.

"They're trapped up there!?" gasped Rei.

"Not good! All the doors are sealed shut!" replied Ami.

"You mean, there's no way to get inside?" asked Luna.

"No, there is a way," replied Riku.

"Sailor Jupiter, we have to break through!" said Terra.

"I agree, Terra," replied Makoto.

She then began charging her power.

"Jupiter my Guardian Planet, bring forth the storm! Summon the clouds and bring down your thunder!" she cried.

Terra then began channeling his power into his keyblade, then together they combined the power of the element of lighting.

"Judgement BOLT!" they shouted.

The combined lighting attacks surged towards the doors blasting them to pieces, surprising everyone.

"Nice one Terra!" she said.

"Let's move. The others need our help," Terra said to the others.

"You heard him, let's move out!" Makoto said.

They all nodded and hurried inside. Above, Kunzite watched them with Zoisite at his side.

"Don't these bozos know when to quit?" asked Pete.

"No. They'll keep on fighting, until they've exhausted themselves, and fallen to my sword," replied Sephiroth.

"But we have all seven Rainbow Crystals, and we've got Mamoru as well. If we can destroy the Sailor Guardians and their friends while they're here," chuckled Zoisite.

"That will be our revenge, for that cut cheek of yours," finished Kunzite.

"This elevator sure is taking it's time. Feels like we've been in here for days," said Usagi.

"Well, at least we get a good view of the city," grinned Sora.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," replied Usagi.

"Hey, Mamoru, even though you don't want to talk about it, why in the world are you after the Rainbow Crystals?" asked Sora.

"It's got to do with my past," replied Mamoru.

Usagi and Sora were surprised.

"If I have all those Rainbow Crystals, they'll help me find the Legendary Silver Crystal. Then I can figure out my past once and for all," he explained.

Usagi and Sora were surprised that he knew about the Silver Crystal.

"When I was six, my parents and I were in a bad car accident, and I lost them," continued Mamoru.

"I'm sorry, but neither of the parents survived. But miraculously, they're only son Mamoru did manage to pull through," said a doctor.

"Who am I? I don't know! I can't remember what happened to me. I can't remember anything!" a young Mamoru said.

"I've never been able to remember what happened. Since then I've been having the same dream, over and over," Mamoru told them, as images of a woman who looked like Usagi flashed through his mind, telling him to find the Silver Crystal.

"I want to have my memories back, and I know the Silver Crystal will help," he finished.

"I'm sorry to hear about what happened to your parents, Mamoru, and so is Usagi," said Sora.

"I don't know why I told you all that, but thank you Sora," replied Mamoru, giving him a respectful smile.

"You know what, I used to think you were the worst person in the whole wide world," said Usagi.

Mamoru glanced at her.

"But not anymore. Now you're the second worse," she said, a bit of blush forming on her cheeks.

"Thank you," chuckled Mamoru.

At first Usagi thought Mamoru was Tuxedo Mask, but she denied it.

"Yes, meddlesome heroes, this will be the perfect place for you to fall," said Kunzite.

"Utilizing his power, Kunzite made all the power in the city go off, as Riku led his friends up the stairs.

"Hang on Sora!" he said, as he continued to run.

Suddenly they felt a dark power surrounding them.

'What's going on?" asked Sailor Mercury.

"Darkness. It's the smell of darkness," replied Riku.

"What now, guys!?" cried Sailor Jupiter.

The area around them suddenly changed until it became a structure of the Dark Kingdom. At the same time the elevator stopped moving, as Zoisite glared down at them.

"Goodbye, you three!" he said, and sent a burst of fire down towards them.

"What's that?" asked Usagi.

"It's Zoisite!" replied Sora.

Usagi wasn't sure what to do. She knew that if she turned into Sailor Moon, her secret would be revealed, but at the same time, they would all be destroyed by the darkness. Knowing that she had no other alternative, Usagi chose to become Sailor Moon.

"I guess I got no other choice. Moon Prism Power Make UP!" she cried.

Mamoru turned, and watched as Usagi was engulfed in light covering her from head to foot, His eyes wide in shock and awe as he saw the girl standing next to him becoming Sailor Moon, with the flames closing in on them. Now he knew that both Usagi and Sailor Moon were one and the same, as the elevator burst into scrap metal. Zoisite believed that he had won.

"I'll report to Queen Beryl, that Mamoru Chiba perished in an accident," he said, while walking away from the smoke.

"You call that an accident!?" Sailor Moon called to him.

Zoisite was surprised.

"Well, here's what I think. You're gonna pay big time for all the suffering you caused! Especially for trying to kill us, had it not been for Sora's shield spell! I am Sailor Moon! And in the name of the moon, I'm punishing you!" she said.

"Well, Sailor Moon, I'll get rid of you, Sora, and Tuxedo Mask," replied Zoisite.

"What do you mean?" asked Sora.

"What are you saying? What do you mean Tuxedo Mask!? He's not even here!" added Sailor Moon.

"Yes I am!" Mamoru said.

Sora and Sailor Moon were surprised, until they saw Mamoru pulling a rose out from his jacket. Then for the first time, they watched him transform into the caped crusader that always came to Sailor Moon's aid.

"Then that means, Mamoru Chiba and Tuxedo Mask are the same person!" gasped Sora.

"No way!" added Sailor Moon.

"Yes way, Sailor Moon!" replied Sora.

Suddenly everything started to make sense to her. The man that she disliked, and the man she liked were indeed the same person.

"You were very brave today, you guys. Now you can leave the rest to me," he said.

"You can't! I know you're hurt! Please get out of here, quickly!" protested Sailor Moon.

"Sailor Moon, I will protect you," replied Tuxedo Mask.

"Don't count me out just yet, Mamoru. I mean, Tuxedo Mask. We'll take this guy, together," said Sora.

"You guys," sighed Sailor Moon.

"Playtime is over children, now we will finally settle this, Tuxedo Mask," Zoisite called to them.

"Very well. But, first you must promise me, that you'll leave Sailor Moon out of all this," replied Tuxedo Mask.

"Why of course, we'll do this fair and square," sneered Zoisite.

Suddenly a shimmering crystal appeared behind them as Tuxedo Mask and Sora approached him.

"All fair and square," the warlord murmured.

The two of them stopped, then turned to see the crystal surging towards them like a bullet from a gun, right at Sailor Moon! Thinking fast, Tuxedo Mask leaped in front of the crystal and took it's full force. Sailor Moon and Sora turned around, and watched as the caped crusader fell, his hat and mask falling off to reveal Mamoru's face.

"NO! DON'T DIE!" they cried.

"Are you alright, Sailor Moon?" asked the wounded Mamoru.

She nodded, as tears formed in her eyes.

"Stop looking like you're about to cry. I'm so glad that your safe," he said.

His arm fell limply to the ground, as Sailor Moon called to him, just as her friends arrived to see what had happened.

"We're too late!" Minako said.

"No, not Tuxedo Mask," gasped Rei.

Suddenly one of Usagi's tears began to glow with a shimmering silver light. At the same time, Kunzite saw the Rainbow Crystals reacting to Usagi's tears, and watched as they flew out of the case, making him wonder what was going on. Then everyone watched as the Rainbow Crystals merged with the tear, forming the Silver Crystal, surprising them all.

"The Silver Crystal!" cried Artemis.

"It is! The Legendary Silver Crystal!" agreed Luna.

The shimmering gemstone flew through the air, and attached itself to the Moon Stick, as Sailor Moon slowly rose to her feet.

"Sailor Moon!" called Sailor Venus.

'What's going on?" asked Ami.

To their shock and awe, Sailor Moon's uniform vanished and was replaced by a regal white dress with golden trimmings at the collar.

"It's her! The Moon Princess!" gasped Luna.

"She has awakened," murmured Artemis.

"Then that means the princess has been right in front of us the entire time," said Sora, as he watched her gaze at him with her light blue eyes.