Chapter Five: Shishin

Serenity stared at the pathetic humans that were bound and gagged before her throne. They were huddled in a circle, as if taking comfort in being near others that were vaguely familiar. Strangely enough even the one who wasn't familiar at all to the others was accepted into the circle, but who understood the minds of humans. They had treated her horribly, after all, despite her efforts to help and make them like her.

They gazed back at her with some disbelief and confusion as if they recognized her, or at least the her she had once been. It was a possibility, she had to admit, through the color of her hair had reverted to the true color she had born to in the Silver Millennium and the power of the Black Crystal had aged her body a few years when it had strengthened her to overcome the lies and pain, she was relatively unchanged and there was no magic to cloud their simple minds as there had been when she had transformed into Sailor Moon.

The dark Queen noted that there was some fear in those eyes, although she doubted it was aimed at her despite the circumstances. For the subtle changes to her appearances, she looked like a face they had known and abused thus there would be lack of fear. The fear was probably due to Wise Man lurking behind her like a phantom creeper or perhaps because of Saphir, who stood at her side, because he had been the one who had completed the kidnapping and dealt with the details of of keeping the Senshi from realizing what had happened before she revealed her first gift to them for their treachery.

Then again their fear of the man beside her was because he was such a grim and cold bastard who didn't even know how to pull off the cliche evil smile and grin routine. Not that was entirely a bad thing when one needed to use a minion as a threat. He was certainly more effective and useful then that braying green-haired hyena who kept mooning over Saphir's older brother. If she had actually had feelings for Diamund she might have been irritated, but Emeraude's infatuation would be useful in the future.

Her own expression was one that could not be easily defined, at least not with any specific emotion. Her lips pulled in a rigid straight line; it was neither a frown nor a smile. If anything, she appeared thoughtful.

"Serenity," Diamund said, a question in his voice, as he came up behind her and wrapped his muscular arms around her lithe form. He had noticed the look on her face; however much to his annoyance he did not know her well enough to read it and figure out what was going on behind those cerulean eyes. Then there was the fact that her eyes seemed just a tad bit off to him; yet whenever he tried to pinpoint the reason why, his mind seemed to shy away from the topic or the reason why his mind did that too.

"It's not enough," she answered. "This is a good start, but it's not enough. They will be hurt by this, yet it will not be enough. Not for what they have done. There must be something more. Something that will hurt them even more."

Her scepter appeared before her and the dark crystal glowing with power between the dragon's claws. The dragon's head tilted up and and suddenly roared as fire shot up out of its mouth. Serenity gazed into the fire, seeing something that clearly none in the room could see and it was a debate of who was more annoyed by this turn of events, Diamund or Wise Man. The Queen's eyes lips curved into a smile; clearly whatever she saw had pleased her.

"Perfect," she whispered, tapping an index finger against her chin thoughtfully. "Absolutely perfect. This will be the final nail in the coffin for the Senshi and Endymion." She reached her hand into the fire, ignoring Diamund's protest, and pulled out a scroll made of parchment paper. As suddenly as the dragon had began breathing fire, it stopped and returned to its former position. "Saphir. Use this map. It will react to what you need to obtain for me."

"As you wish, my Queen," Saphir replied, taking the map and bowing in respect, he paused only a moment to exchange a look with his brother before he vanished to do her bidding.

"While we wait for Saphir to complete his task, I think it's time to begin preparing the first part of our gift to the Senshi," she said, wrapping long slender fingers around the scepter and pointing them at the hostages.

A dark bubble appeared and enclosed the hostages and floated them above the dark marble floor. Serenity slipped out of Diamund's arms and walked out of the throne room, the bubble and Diamund trailed after her as she walked down a long flight of stairs that led them deep into the heart of the castle. Finally after following her through a series of long winding corridors they entered a room where the Dark Crystal floated in the air above Emeraude.

"The preparations are ready," Emeraude said, her tone sulky and a touch defiant. One could hardly blame her considering the fact the man she loved was following the silvery haired bitch like a well-trained poodle. However, despite her jealousy she wasn't stupid enough to be too defiant and anger her beloved Prince. Not to mention that the Wise Man had made some promises to her… "Achiral and Chiral followed Saphir's instructions to make sure that everything fit your specifications… Queen Serenity."

It was clear that the title had been passed through the woman's lips with great reluctance. Another thing that had not escaped Serenity's notice was that the lime-haired woman had always made sure to never address her as 'my Queen'. Clearly she had felt no bond to the new ruler of the Dark Moon clan, not that it mattered to the Queen.

"Excellent," Serenity purred, as she flicked her wrist at the floating sphere that held her prisoners, causing the sphere and its captives to disappear.

A few seconds later they reappeared, hanging in the air beneath the Dark Crystal. Serenity pointed her scepter at the crystal, causing a bolt of black lightning to shoot out of the dark Maboroshi no Ginzuishou and hit the larger crystal. The dark crystal glowed and air crackled with power before black tendrils of lightening shot down, swirling around the captives until each appeared to be cocooned in what looked like silk cocoons

"Now to add the final ingredients," she said. She held her staff out to Diamund, who took it without being told to or asking her any foolish questions.

She pulled a dagger out of her subspace pocket and without hesitation, she sliced the palm of her hand and watched in silent morbid fascination as the blood begin to well up from the cut. Had it only been a few days ago when she had contemplated cutting herself with glass?

"Blood of my blood," she whispered, walking to each cocoon and rubbing the blood on them "flesh of my flesh, breath to breath," she blew on the places that were stained with her blood, "my will is yours until death do us part."

Stepping back, Serenity allowed Diamund to wrap his arms around her again and press her against his body as they watched the cocoons glowed.

"Soon," she whispered. "Soon the Senshi will receive the first of my gifts to them."

"That's the fifth time that this has happened," cried Minako. "I haven't even been anywhere near the gym in a month, but Kana keeps insisting that I was there and that this time I deliberately hit her in the stomach with a volleyball."

"You? Hit someone with volleyball," Makoto questioned skeptically. "But you're so nice that it gives people cavities. Heck, the only time I've seen you be mean to anyone was when you tried to strangle Artemis that one time."

"Well he had that coming," huffed the blonde, as she plopped down next to Ami on Rei's bed. "Ruining my new baby blue tank top. I got that thing on sale too."

"You are too young to wearing anything that skimpy," Artemis retorted, from his spot on the floor.

"I already have one dad, Artemis," said Minako. "I don't need another."

"It is pretty strange about Kana accusing of you of hitting her," Ami said, steering the conversation into safer waters before Artemis found himself being strangled by his owner once more. The chances were high considering the blonde was currently glaring at him and had a bit of a homicidal glint in her eyes.

"Ami-chan is right," said Makoto. "Right now we need to figure out a way to get Usagi back."

"Well it's not like we can do anything" replied Minako, biting her bottom lip. "It's been over a month and there hasn't been any sign of her or the Black Moon. And I don't know about you guys but this waiting is driving me crazy. I want Usagi-chan back now."

"You know it is peculiar," Ami mused. "Even if she has turned evil, she is still Usagi-san and she has never been one to be patient about doing things. You would think that she would have made a move by now."

"Not unless the Wise Man changed that about her personality," Makoto said darkly. "Remember, she mentioned him while telling us that he had been brutally honest with her about our 'true colors?' He's gotta be the one who brainwashed her and when I get my hands on him, I'm going-"

"Hey guys," said a harassed looking Rei as she rushed into the room. "Sorry I'm late. Grandpa needed me for…."

"Needed you for what," asked Ami.

"Who are you," Rei demanded, glaring at the blue-haired girl as she fell back into a fighting stance.

"What are you talking about, Rei-chan," Ami asked, appearing perplexed at the miko's behavior as the other girls and the cats. She exchanged worried glances with the others. Was the stress of Usagi's disappearance getting to Rei?

"You may look like Ami-chan, but you don't give up the same aura that she does," the miko retorted. "Who are you and what have you done with Ami-chan?"

"What are you talking about, Rei-chan? Ami-chan is with me," said a child's voice from behind them. They all turned and gasped when they saw Chibi-Usa and Ami who were staring at the Ami in the room with shock. The other Senshi turned to stare at the Ami in the room who Rei had said wasn't the real girl genius that they knew and loved.

"Damn, I guess the jig's up," said the fake Ami, letting out a familiarly irritating laugh. "It been fun girls, but I've got better things to do then hang out with you weaklings." Saluting them in farewell, she moved with lighting quick speed to get up and jumped through the closed window. The sound of shattering glass filled the air and the others rushed to the window to see the fake Ami land crouched on the ground before she took off running towards the forest that was near the Hikawa Shrine.

"Don't let her get away girls," Luna cried as she and Artemis jumped through the window to chase after the fake Senshi of Mercury. The others raced out of Rei's room and towards the direction that they had seen the felines run towards, only to find them in a clearing, sniffing the air furiously.

"Where did she go," Makoto demanded, angry that they had lost the other girl.

"Where did who go?"

They all turned to see Usagi leaning against the tree. She wore a black tube top with a black leather vest over it and a short leather black skirt. Black knee-high boots completed the outfit. And glowing darkly on her forehead, was that cursed Dark Moon insignia that seemed to mock them for their failure in protecting their Princess.

"Usagi," Rei whispered. "Please remember me. Don't let them win and steal your memories/"

"The Wise Man made me face the truth. He didn't take away my memories. And don't call me that. You will address me as Queen Serenity," Serenity replied.

"No, this isn't you, Usagi-chan," Makoto cried.

"Silence," the white-haired woman thundered, her eyes blazing with anger. "Do not make me tell you again. Never address me by that name." She paused and seemed to relax. "Now I didn't come here to fight. I wanted to give you guys a present. I know you guys treat other people well and there are some friends who have been away for a while..."

A chill went down their backs, as the considered who hadn't been seen in the past month. Osaka Naru had been absent from school, although Haruna-sensei had reassured the class that she wasn't missing like Usagi, but merely sick, which was caused by the stress of worrying about her missing best friend. Then there was was Furuhata Unazuki, Motoki-onii-chan and a senpai of Rei's and Nishimura Reika, his girlfriend who had apparently gone off on a girls' trip. It had been considered weird for Unazuki to go off in the middle of the school year, but since she was a good student and Reika's close ties to the Furuhata family, it hadn't seemed that big of a deal.

But Usagi possibly couldn't have done something to them, could she? They were civilians and incapable of fighting back or defending themselves. Yet this wasn't the same Usagi they had known. The real Usagi, the one with a pure heart, would have never considered doing anything to harm a civilian. But who knows what the Wise Man had done to her besides brainwashing her.

"Ah," Serenity said with delight. "I see by your faces that you're starting to understand. Then let me introduce you to my new servants." She paused a moment for dramatic emphasis. Clearly that part of Usagi's nature had not been destroyed by the caped creeper.

"Sailor Genbu"

Black ice crystals began swirling at a spot next to Serenity, before melding together to take the form of Osaka Naru, who was wearing a sailor fuku remarkably similar to Mercury's except for a few differences, the most notable being the color scheme. Mercury's was dark blue and sky blue, while Naru-chan's, no Sailor Genbu's, was black and dark green. The Black Moon clan earrings hung from her ears.

"Sailor Suzaku."

In a burst of flames the next Senshi appeared, revealing that another friend had not safely missing. Sailor Suzaku was Furuhata Unazuki. Like Genbu, Suzaku's was nearly identical to Mars's except for the color scheme and the Black Moon clan earrings. Mars wore a vivid red and purple, but Suzaku's colors were a darker red more like garnet or spilled blood and black. Suzaku's hair was pulled up in Unazuki's trademark ponytail, however the cheerful yellow ribbon was replaced with a black one.

"Sailor Seiryu, come forth!"

Not to be outdone by her fellow Senshi, Sailor Seiryu, appeared in a bolt of lightning. After seeing the first two dark Senshi, the girls and the felines weren't as startled by the presence of another one, although who it was still upsetting. Sailor Seiryu, was Nishimura Reika. Being Jupiter's dark counterpart, Seiryu's fuku, of course, looked exactly like the Senshi of Jupiter's except for her fuku color scheme was navy blue and black and the earrings.

"And of course, no Sailor Senshi team would be complete without a leader," Serenity said, smiling evilly. "Sailor Byakko, leader of the Shishin Senshi, show yourself."

Sailor Byakko, appeared in a swirl of black flower petals and drew a shocked gasp from Minako, who immediately recognized her as her British friend Katarina Williams. Like her fellow Senshi, Byakko's fuku looked like Venus's except for her earrings and the color scheme, which was silver and black.

"No Katarina," Minako cried, feeling horrible for not even realizing that her old friend had been taken by their enemies. It had been a while since she had called the Interpol officer in a while, because she had been caught up with fighting the Black Moon and worrying about Usagi.

"Now that I've given you my gift, I'll be leaving and preparing some more surprises," Serenity said."Shishin?"

"Yes my Queen," the Shishin Senshi answered, dropping down to one knee and kneeling before the dark Queen.

"Do you remember your orders," inquired Serenity.

"Yes. To engage the Sailor Senshi in battle," the Senshi replied. "And then we are to capture the Rabbit."

"Excellent," Serenity replied. "In that case I'll be leaving now."

Serenity turned and held her right hand up, palm up and sent a surge of dark energy, creating a large portal. She then turned and walked into the portal.

"Usagi no," Rei cried, moving toward her friend to stop her, but was cut off by Sailor Suzaku.

"I don't think so, Rei-chan," Suzaku said in a taunting voice. "Your fight is with me."

Final Thought Emeraude:

UGH! I HATE HER! Why my Prince? WHY?

AUTHORS'S NOTE:

Okay if you remembered this story before the revisions when it was known as "Tourniquet," I'm sure you'll remember the Shishin Senshi were refereed to as the Dark Senshi were known as Sailor Seshat, Sailor Menheit, Sailor Setekh, and Sailor Isis. When I first created those Dark Senshi, I used Egyptian god names whose dominions were similar to the Roman gods that the Senshi were named for. However, going back and revising and furthering the story I thought it would be better to make use of Asian mythology. Besides, I'm pretty sure our Usagi-chan loved "Fushigi Yuugi"...

I want to thank everyone who took the time to review or favorited this story in some way. It is greatly appreciated and brought a smile to my day. =)

FanFictionNet

serenityskywalker (I can't promise a never good again Usagi, but she won't be good for most of this story...) ● pix1095 ● skyjadeprincess ● Emma I Martinez (Your welcome. I appreciate everyone who takes the time to let me know in some way that they enjoy my story.) ● ladygabya ● Faerex ● AncientCelestialDragon ● Kissesncake ● LoveInTheBattleField (LOL, I was up Saturday morning at the crack of dawn to watch the first new episode on CrunchyRoll.) ● banestone (I never did really understand why the anime chose this path. I guess the figured since Mamoru hurts Usagi again while brainwashed in the manga, they didn't want to go that route since it was done in Dark Kingdom arc.) ● ily07 ● NefariousOne ● topdog19 ● Vegetable lov3r ● AisloreIV ● boyrich ● Sasusc ● Hibari

deviantArt

amethystangel228 ● dieguexxx (I'm evil, but not that evil. It goes against my nature to write an unhappy ending. However, I can guarantee that before the happy ending comes there will be lots of pain and unhappiness. And this point I can't say the story will be perfectly happy or if it might have a darker undertone to it..) bigtimbears ● F3lip3Almeida ● whitedragonpriestess228 ● mango-yuu

AO3

Enpointe ● Guest ● Guest ● Sasusc

DGRFA

Galaxy Princess

Disclaimer: I do not claim any rights to Sailor Moon or the characters associated with the anime/manga. Those rights belong to Takeuchi Naoko and anyone else she says has rights to it.