Italics will be dream sequences, quotes with italics are character thoughts. That's it for now.
*~*~*~* Chapter 2 - Disappointment *~*~*~*
Heartbroken and detached, Usagi trudged through Juuban district with no destination in mind. 'I don't understand it. We're destined to be together and love each other, so what's wrong with taking that next step in our relationship. Does he still think I'm too young? Or am I not that attractive?' Pulling out her communicator and wiping her tears on the back of her hand, she sent an "all page" to the rest of the Senshi. Rei's was the first face to appear on the screen.
"Usagi-chan, is everything ok? You weren't crying were you?" Rei asks concerned. Usagi plasters on a smile, before speaking again.
"Hai, I just needed to chat with someone. A lots been going on and I have a bunch of stuff running through my head. I need someone to help me sort it out before I go insane!"
Letting out an exasperated sigh, Rei's face softens. "Of course hun, you can come to the temple. Grandpa is gone for the day."
Closing the line on her communicator, Usagi's resolve straightened. Granted her and Rei hadn't always been the best of friends, and sometimes she was jealous of how easy the shrine maiden seemed to make being a Senshi, but Rei was one of the only Senshi that she could count on to give her an honest opinion and advice. And right now that was what she needed. She loved Mamoru, she truly did. Not just because he was her soul-mate, or the fact that their love survived several deaths and over 1000 years. She loved him because he pissed her off and traded insults with her, effectively improving her vocabulary; is her dashing hero in the white domino mask always whisking her away out of danger in the nick of time; has such a strong heart that has gone through so much with the loss of his parents and growing up in an orphanage. But did he love her for her. Klutzy, crybaby, failing Usagi? Or did he just love the "thought" of her, or maybe he did it out of duty. Could she really go on like that? The beeping of her communicator pulled Usagi out of her dreary thoughts. Flipping the screen open, she expected to see Rei's face again, but instead saw Sailor Mercury.
"We need Sailor Moon pronto! Black Moon wreaking havoc at the downtown mall! Only Venus and I are here, so we could definitely use the backup!" shouted Sailor Mercury over the roar of the crowd that had gathered to watch the Sailor Senshi fight. Before her face disappeared off the screen, Usagi could hear her yelling, "Get the civilians back V before they get hurt!"
Putting the communicator away, Usagi grabbed the broach off of her chest and raised it in the air at the same time she shouted her henshin phrase, "Moon Crystal Power Make-Up!"
Allowing her transformation to take over her, she cleared her mind of Mamoru, Prince Demande and the conflict in her heart. By the time she landed back on her feet in her moon pose, she was bound and determined to get to the bottom of everything. Turning on her heel, she began sprinting at break neck speed towards down town.
It was the perfect day outside for the perfect wedding. Mamoru had been waiting his whole life for the day that he would finally feel complete and a part of something. Usagi had agreed to marry him and today of all days was finally the day that they would tie the knot. All of their friends and Usagi's family had shown up for the big day. The outside park, where many a battle had taken place, was absolutely gorgeous with white roses lining the aisle in which Usagi would walk. The backs of the chairs had large light pink lace bows tied on them and a beautifully constructed arch where Mamoru, Motoki and a 16 yr old Shingo stood. At the sounds of Michiru's soft violin melody, Usage arrived at the back of the aisle on the arm of her father in a stunning white dress with lace sleeves, a long satin train and a lace veil covering her face from view. Her mother wept openly in the front row. Slowly but surely Usagi carefully made her way to the arch where her destiny awaited her. Her father lifted her veil and kissed both cheeks before handing her off to Mamoru with a warning glint in his eye, then took his seat next to his wife. Handing her bouquet to Minako, Usagi turned back to face Mamoru with a dazzling smile and a small tear in her eye. Rei, who was in traditional priestess garb, officiated the ceremony speaking of love across the ages, soul-mates and love reborn. After Mamoru was instructed to kiss his bride, they began to walk down the center of the aisle.
Suddenly the sky turned a sinister black and the ground beneath their feet began to shake and crumble. The wedding attendees began to scramble around yelling and screaming in fear. However Mamoru didn't notice them; instead he was screaming Usagi's voice over and over again as she began to fall through the cracks caused by the earthquake. Reaching out a hand to save her, Mamoru couldn't keep his grip and she fell down down down... into black nothingness. He couldn't keep the tears from falling as he dropped to the ground on his hands and knees. The blackness engulfed him and when he could stand again he was in the ruins of what looked to be a beautiful crystal kingdom.
"Prince Endymion," a deep voice called out. "You must keep your distance from Princess Serenity at all costs, or else this will be your fate. She will be lost to you completely and you will live out a meaningless existence."
"No! I don't believe you!" the form of Endymion shouted back at the voice.
"You must, dear prince or all that you love will be lost and lay in ruins, just like this kingdom!"
"I can't! I can't!" he repeated over and over to himself, slamming his fists into the ruined soil.
"You must," the voice continued to say... "You must stay away from Serenity for her sake as well as yours..."
Waking up into a cold sweat, Mamoru realized it was only 6 pm in the afternoon and that he must have fallen asleep after Usagi rushed out of his apartment. Before he could ponder what the dream meant completely, he felt the all-familiar tug on his heart meaning that Sailor Moon had just transformed. Shaking off his bed-sheets, he pulled a rose out and transformed into Tuxedo Mask. Using their link to sense her, he determined Sailor Moon location and jumped out his 16 story window.
By the time she had arrived on the scene, the fight was looking pretty bad. Everyone, save Tuxedo Mask, had arrived before her. Currently Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter were trapped in crystal prisons. Venus was trying to wrangle the creature with her Love-Me-Chain, but it continued to dodge her at every twist and turn. Mercury was still analyzing it with her computer and Chibi Usa was cowering behind her. One of the Black Moon Clan members was floating in the air above the fight issuing directions. That is who Sailor Moon decided to go after. Having the element of surprise, Sailor Moon was able to hide behind some large bush coverage and ready her tiara attack. It had been a while since she had used it, but she would need to bind the Clan member before using her wand. Considering Mercury and Venus were busy there was no way she'd be able to have them distract him. He was wearing a dark blue suit that matched his hair and eyes almost completely.
Stepping from behind the bush with her tiara levitating in her hand, she called to his attention. For a moment time seemed to stand still. One moment Mercury, Venus and the Youma (which looked like a dejected barbie doll) were focusing on each other, which the Clan member focused on the Youma. The next moment, right as Sailor Moon called out her attack and launched her Tiara, the guy in blue vanished and reappeared about 20 yards behind Sailor Moon. Raising his hands, he unleashed a dark crystal towards her that shattered right before impact. Unfortunately because of the position she was in from launching her weapon, Sailor Moon was completely vulnerable to his attack. The thousands of shards slammed into her with such force that launched her towards her friends. This temporary distraction allowed the Youma to get the upper hand and she imprisoned both Sailor Mercury and Sailor Venus in the crystal.
Her back a bleeding mess and her sailor suit torn to bits, Sailor Moon pulled herself into an awkward standing position. Her opponent readied another dark crystal attack noticing her weakened state. Sailor Moon closed her eyes in anticipation, while the scouts screamed through their prisons for her to run. Before he could launch the attack however, several roses flew through the air at alarming speeds in different directions. The first two that hit, sliced through the clan member's hands, thus stopping his attack. The next four, one for each of the prisons, landed on the crystal where the Sailor Senshi were trapped. And the final rose pierced the path of the youma who had begun her attack on Sailor Moon. Tuxedo Mask leaped into the middle, grabbing Sailor Moon, and leapt to the top of the building next to the courtyard. He helped to steady her as she called upon her moon wand. Charging it with her power, she aimed it at the Youma and shouted "Moon Princess Halation!"
The youma screamed at the oncoming attack, but it was cut short as she crumbled into dust on the ground. Triumphant but knowing it wasn't quite over, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask turned towards the spot where "Saphir," as he had screamed out, had been standing. However they were too late, as the crystal prisons with the 4 Sailor Senshi were pulled into a swirling black vortex into which he escaped.
I have finished another chapter! I'm liking where this is going so far. I have taken liberties in this chapter, including modifying the original "break up dream" as well as Saphir's role.