Act Seven: Princess Serenity
I couldn't go to any doctor with a shoulder wound like the one the Yuma had given to me, but I was lucky in a way. I didn't have any real powers, not like Sailor Moon or the other senshi, but I had an enhanced healing factor, the wound was not healed, but thanks to whatever gift I had, it was not fatal. "I hope she is okay," I thought remembering the horror in Sailor Moon's eyes when I had dived towards the fake thinking it was her, I had somehow felt that Sailor Moon was in danger, but my own bravado had led me to trying to save a Yuma that had disguised just well enough that in the darkness of the shipping yards I had been unable to see the truth. "Hm," I hissed out as I slid the door to my apartment open, as I had long ago gotten into the habit of leaving it open and headed inside, though I felt strangely tense as if their was someone else in the room with me.
Though my apartment wasn't the largest, I still kept an old, but not truly valuable, except sentimentally to me piano that had belonged to my mother and she had bought in order to learn how to play. A soft ting filled the air and I tensed as the keys of my piano began to move as if by themselves until a figure dressed in silver lined with blue appeared. The tune he was playing was not one I recognized but it was haunting, like some sort of classic romantic tragedy, that made my heart ache, but feel warm at almost the same moment. "You have nothing to worry about Tuxedo Kamen, or should I simply call you Chiba Mamoru; I am not here to fight you," the man with very feminine bone structure said to me, his jade green eyes meeting my own. "I can not remain here for long, but I have answers to many questions that I know your heart holds, meet me today. Starlight Tower at five this evening, it should be safe enough their," I said as the figure vanished.
I recognized him of course, he was one of the last of the Shitennou, though I did not know his name, he knew who I was. Did he truly just wish to talk or was this some part of an elaborate plan on his part to lure me into a cleverly orchestrated trap. In the end their was only one way to truly know. "Starlight Tower, at five," I whispered before going over to the couch and gently setting down, in truth I needed rest, but somehow I knew that with all that was going on within my mind, that sleep would simply avoid me should I try and seek it out.
~ Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon ~
"Tsukino-san, you need to stay after class today," Haruna-sensei said casing me to look at her oddly for a moment before as if a light bulb had turned on to chase away the darkness I remembered what today was. "Oh, Haruna-sensei, I completely forgot, can I speak with Ami-chan and Mako-chan first please," I asked her and she nodded glad that she was so understanding. "What's going on Usagi-chan, you aren't in trouble are you," Mako-chan asked as with a laugh I shook my head. "With all that has been going on I forgot that today is when I have my monthly evaluations. Because I am a ward, and still underage, once a month I get a progress report from the school, and my job, and send them to Sets-chan so that the government knows that I am keeping up my grades and doing well at work," I said. "We will let Rei-chan know what is going on when we get to the shrine," Ami-chan said as I nodded.
"I hope she understands," Mako-chan added and both myself and Ami-chan nodded in agreement knowing that it was our princess, the mysterious Sailor V and not Rei-chan that Mako-chan was speaking of. "I feel that she has a very kind and understanding heart, somehow I think she will understand," I said and Mako-chan and Ami-chan who both seemed less tense now agreed with me. "I'll be at the shrine as soon as I can but between my meeting with Haruna-sensei, and then having to go down to the crown and speaking with Motoki-san I am going to be a few hours at the least," I said and with that Ami-chan and Mako-chan left, Ami-chan already dialing Rei's number while I walked back into the classroom and took a seat.
"You three are very close aren't you Tsukino-san," Haruna-sensei asked me causing me to blush though I did nod with a tender smile playing across my lips. "I'm glad you have such great friends," Miss Haruna said taking her seat behind her desk. "So let's get started, the sooner you are done here, the better I am sure," Haruna-sensei said with a wink that made me giggle but I nodded my head in agreement. I had all passing grades, my lowest in English, though the subject had always given me trouble, but still Haruna-sensei as she always was, was very pleased by my grades, so I made my way to the Crown Fruit Bar to find that Motoki-san was already waiting for me. "I don't know why they even bother Usagi-chan," he said as the two of us set down at one of the booths of the Bar. "Sets-chan knows what a hard worker you are, but we all have to do things, even if we know they are unnecessary," he added as I nodded and went over what he had placed in his report on my job performance, high remarks and comments in every line.
"Ja-ne, Motoki-san," I said leaving the Juice Bar with a wave tucking my job report into the same manila envelope that was holding my progress reports from school before looking up and smiling as I recognized the tall figure walking ahead of me, though I quickly frowned to see that he was hunching over slightly as if in pain, and feeling concerned I quickened my pace. "Mamo-chan," I asked worry evident in my tone as I placed a hand on his shoulder causing him to wince, though he turned towards me with a smile, that made my heart jump a beat. "Usa," he said, but I would not be distracted. "Daijobu desu ka," I asked him taking my hand from his shoulder, as he took my hands into his own. "Daijobu," he said reassuringly, "I just hurt my shoulder in practice today, nothing to worry about, I promise," he said as I smiled.
"So why are you downtown this late in the evening," Mamo-chan said changing the subject as I explained that today was when I gathered the paper work for my monthly evaluations. "Ah, that makes sense," he said pulling an antique golden pocket watch from his pocket. "Sorry Usako, I have to go, I have an appointment I need to keep," he said to me and I nodded but my brows creased, somehow feeling that he was keeping something from me. "Ja-ne," he said with a wave walking away, "Bye," I whispered as he turned to walk away going to put his pocket watch back into his jeans only for it to drop to the ground, before he vanished into the crowd. "Mamo-chan," I said loudly trying to get his attention, but either he didn't hear me, or simply was ignoring me, though the crowd was quite thick.
Walking forward quickly I grabbed the pocket watch off of the streets, and couldn't help but to admire its beauty. It used old roman numerals and the hour and minute hands were elegantly designed and it was clear that they had been crafted by skilled hands and not machines. It had a beautiful moon phase, that's illustrations of the moon and sun where breathtakingly beautiful. But then I took notice of the palm of my hand, the hand that I had rested on Mamo-chan's shoulder. My eyes widened to see…."blood," I whispered barely able to keep standing from the shock as I quickly grabbed onto a nearby bench to keep myself from fainting. "Mamoru," I said tears falling from my eyes. I quickly dashed forward, into the crowd's breathing a sigh of relief when I spotted a familiar figure turning town an alleyway that led towards the Starlight Tower, and with determination I moved forward determined to get answers.
This time I made sure to tap Mamoru on his good shoulder, but tensed when he turned as if ready to strike me, though he stopped as soon as he saw me. "Usagi, what are you doing here," he said his voice tense. "Your hurt," I said holding up my hand that had his blood on it, "and bleeding, what happened Mamo-chan," I asked unable to stop the tears from falling from my eyes. "Oh Usa, please don't cry. It isn't as bad as your mind is making it," he said drawing me into his arms. "What happened," I asked and heard him sigh. "I….I can't tell you that Usa, just please believe me," he asked as I shook my head feeling that he was hiding something from me, and if I let him go something would happen with him. "Usa," he hissed his voice tense and feeling the dark energy around us I drew away from him. "Run," he said, "Iie," I whispered before a dome of dark black energy formed around us whisking us into the air, and towards Starlight Tower, my hand itching to grab the broach that hung around my neck.
~ Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon ~
"Usagi is very late," Michiru said glancing at her watch. "This isn't like her at all, even with all you said she had to do today Ami-chan she should still be here," Rei said as Ami-chan nodded her head in agreement Makoto placing her hand upon Ami's shoulder in a comforting manor. "Do you think we should go look for her," Makoto asked but just as Haruka was about to reply a figure appeared at the top of the stairs leading to the shrine, her long blond hair that fell just past her shoulders seeming to sparkle in the setting sunlight, her baby blue eyes filled with concern. "You say your friend, Usagi, is late, and that this is unlike her, perhaps I could help you," the young woman said. "Who are you," Haruka asked. "Don't tell my you ladies have forgotten about a handsome cat such as myself," a familiar voice said as a white cat appeared at the young woman's side.
"Hm, handsome my foot," Ami heard Luna whisper as she stepped forward though it was Rei who asked, "Artemis, that is you correct," as he nodded and in a flash of white light he was in his humanoid form, Luna quickly taking her own as well. "Forgive us princess, we did not recognize you as you are," she said bowing all the other girls quickly doing the same. "Onegai, there is no need for that, we all look different when not in our senshi forms ne," the princess said with a small giggle. "Allow me to introduce myself as I am. My name is Aino Minako, and feel free to speak to me personally, I truly have never been one for titles," Minako asked of the senshi. "It is an honor to meet you Minako….san," Rei said after a moment of thinking about what the princess had asked of them. "I am Hino Rei, this is Mizuno Ami-chan, Kino Mako-chan, Tenoh Haruka-san and Kaioh Michiru-san, it is an honor to meet you in this way at last princess," the miko said doing the introductions.
"You as well, if I had to guess this Usagi-chan you spoke of, Luna is she the first you found, Sailor Moon," the princess asked as Luna nodded. "Then we should try to find her, as by what I overheard this is not like her, I felt a very dark energy coming from Starlight Tower when walking by it, perhaps we should go their first." "Very well, allow myself and Michiru to lead the way," Haruka asked of Minako who nodded as Rei, Ami and Makoto came to her side forming a protective V formation around her. "Together at last ne, Luna," Artemis said taking his feline form as both he and Luna were much faster that way. "Indeed it is, Artemis," Luna agreed also retaking her feline form and with that the group grabbed their bracelets while the princess held a crescent moon shaped compact in her hands. "Mercury Power," "Mars Power," "Jupiter Power," "Uranus Planet Power," "Neptune Planet Power," "Moon Power," "Make-Up," the six yelled out the last words as one taking on their senshi forms. "Minna, let's go," the princess said and with a nod from all of the other senshi the group was off using their enhanced speed in order to reach Starlight Tower as soon as possible.
~ Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon ~
When myself and Mamoru could see around us again we stood next to a group of windows that looked down of Starlight Tower, and if it were not for the negative energy that seemed to permeate within the air, I would have to admit that the view was indeed very beautiful as you could see much of Tokyo from this vantage point upon the top floor. "You were to come alone Chiba Mamoru," a familiar voice said causing me to gasp as Mamo-chan drew me to his side causing my cheeks to turn pink at the fact that Mamoru was willing to protect me, even if he didn't know that this was one of the Shitennou of the Dark Kingdom Zoicite that he was facing. "You won't hurt her, will you," Mamoru asked making sure to turn his body in a way that blocked me from any attacks while never keeping his eyes off of Zoicite. "She is very important to you, so no I have no reason to harm her," Zoicite said honestly surprising me as he studied me for must a moment with those jade green eyes before focusing upon Mamoru once again.
"I have so much that I must tell you; yet in honesty I have no idea at all where to begin….master," he said whispering the last word though both myself and Mamoru caught it both of us I could tell by looking up at Mamo-chan confused us because of the respect and formality he used in his speech. "So, Zoicite, this is where you went," Kunzite said coming out of the shadows, before any of us could truly say anything. "Did you think our queen would not learn the truth of what you tried to keep hidden from her, that she would not see. She wishes for me to bring that man to her, and that is exactly what I intend to do," Kunzite said as Zoicite turned to him with a strange smile. "Your loyalty now as it did then truly knows no bounds my brother," Zoicite said as a metal long staff appeared in his hands. "I just wish those loyalties lied with the one who truly deserves them," he added intentionally placing himself between Kunzite and Mamo-chan, and in all honesty I didn't know what to do, so for now I would simply wait and see what fate had waiting in store for us all.
"Step aside Zoicite, I will not ask this of you again," Kunzite said pulling an elegant long blade from underneath his cloak, that was so broad the leader of the Shitennou had to hold it aloft with both of his hands, though I could tell their was little effort in doing so, this man was clearly very skilled and aware of his weapon as if it were an extension of himself. "I can not do that Kunzite, and if you truly remembered who this was that stood behind me, then you would understand why I can not," Zoicite said sliding effortlessly into a stance that would allow his to attack and defend with the slightest of ease. "Then I shall strike you down, kill that fool girl, and take this man to our queen," Kunzite said as my hand started to slowly inch towards my broach, Mamoru surprised me by stepping in front of me. "You will not touch her as long as my heart is beating," Mamo-chan said causing my cheeks to turn pink.
"Mamo-chan," I whispered as he turned his head to look at me. "Forgive me Usa," he said whispering my name so low that neither Zoicite or Kunzite heard it. "I will explain everything once this is over," he added pulling a single red rose from the inside of his jacket pocket and turning, in a flash of soft golden light the petals of the rose enveloped Mamoru, and as they gently floated to the ground I gasped to see Tuxedo Kamen standing before me. "To threaten the life of an innocent maiden, it shows how dark your heart truly is Kunzite, Zoicite allow me to stand at your side," Mamo-chan asked as Zoicite simply bowed his head in the affirmative, unable it seemed to deny Tuxedo Kamen's request. "The masked man, who has added the senshi, now I understand why you have peaked my queen's interest," Kunzite said turning towards him, and it was then I realized that no matter what the consequences may be I could no longer stand by while Mamo-chan faced this threat that presented itself before the both of us.
"Stop right there," I yelled out my broach now firmly in my hands. "Gomen nasai," I mouthed to Mamo-chan, hoping he could understand my secret as I now understood his own. "Moon Prism Power, Make-Up," I yelled as my hen shin enveloped my body and I became a soldier once more. "I am the pretty senshi in a sailor fuku. Guardian of love and justice, Sailor Moon. In the name of the moon, I shall punish you," I said pointing towards Kunzite as I said the words, if Mamo-chan trusted Zoicite then for this moment in time so would I. "So I fight at the side of a senshi, ironic," Zoicite said as I came to Mamoru's side placing my gloved hand into his own a look passing between us that let me know, he understood, just as I had understood. Everyone has secrets, but how could either of us had known, just how large the secrets we held truly where until this moment.
"Three against one, let us improve the odds a bit," Kunzite said as his eyes glowed with dark energy as the glass windows around us shattered their shards rushing towards each other until they formed a crystalline Yuma that you could almost see through. "You two should focus upon the Yuma," Zoicite whispered to myself and Mamo-chan. "Leave Kunzite to me," he added rushing towards his opponent, leaving myself and Mamoru little room to protest as we as one turned towards the hideous creature that Kunzite had created. "Lets do this, together," I said looking up at Mamo-chan who looked down at me with a smile giving the slightest of nods of his head and with no words needed the two of us were moving the Moon Stick already in my hands ready to use at a moments notice.
"You can not win Zoicite, you as well as I know that in single combat I have no equal," Kunzite said to his fellow Shitennou who simply smiled while he replied, "You had one, though it saddens my heart that you do not remember him," while quickly glancing towards the masked figure fighting with ease at the side of the senshi of the moon. "Never take your eyes from your opponent," Kunzite said lunging towards Zoicite his broad sword catching Zoicite in the arm, causing the smaller of the Shitennou to cry out in pain as the metal staff in his hands clanged to the floor. "Die," Kunzite. "Crescent Beam," a voice cried out as a golden beam of light struck Kunzite's hands causing his blade to fall to the ground. "This ends now Kunzite," the same voice said causing Kunzite to look up at the young woman wearing an orange and white fuku with a red mask over her eyes. "You," he hissed, pulling a blade from somewhere within the folds of his uniform hurling it at Sailor V.
"Princess," Sailor Mercury who was closest to Sailor V cried out said throwing herself in front of the princess. "Iie," Zoicite said moving with incredible speed as the sound of a blade piercing flesh filled the air. "Panacea, as then….you have such a kind heart," Zoicite said as his eyes slid closed his grip on Sailor Mercury growing limp. ["Usa look out," the senshi and Kunzite heard Mamoru yell out as they all turned in horror to see the crystalline Yuma had turned its hand into a wicked looking spear, that instead of piercing through Usagi, instead pierced with an almost surgical precision through Mamoru's back as he had taken Usagi into his arms to protect her. "Fire Soul," "Supreme Thunder," Sailor Mars and Jupiter said the combined force of their attack reducing the Yuma to dust as Usagi just barely managed to lower Mamoru and herself safely to the ground Usagi laying his head in her lap.]
"Mamo-chan," I whispered tears falling freely from my eyes, unaware of all the senshi, even our princess forming a protective circle around myself and Mamoru as Kunzite turned his attention towards us. "Onegai, open your eyes," I said as a name escaped from my lips, that made Kunzite who had been advancing on us stop short. "Endymion," I said as a single tear, glowing white fell from my eyes, becoming larger until it formed what looked to my own eyes a priceless princess cut diamond. "She is awakening," I just barely heard Sailor V, whisper as the crescent moon mark upon her forehead faded in the light of the crystal being replaced by a tiara that resembled those worn by Ami, Rei, and Mako-chan. The light of the crystal enveloped me, replacing my fuku with a long and elegant white gown with golden ovals like a chain adorned the collar of the U cut that dipped just far enough to show off my upper collarbone and just a hint of my shoulder blades as well, though it was the golden crescent moon upon my forehead that had everyone stunned speechless.
I took the Ginzuishou within my hands, now knowing that is what this crystal, as if hovered over my outstretched palms that I lowered towards Endymion, iie Mamoru's wounds. The crystal glowed with its brilliant white light once again closing Mamoru's wounds as his eyes slowly blinked open. "Usa," he said raising his arm, that I took in my own showing off the golden bracelet upon my arm made of golden pearls. "The princess," Kunzite said his voice malicious causing us all to remember that he was still within the room. "So not only shall I have the man that my queen wishes but her as well," he said as the girls quickly tightened the circle they had formed around me as Sailor V stepped forward. "I won't allow that Kunzite, not as long as I hold breath. Pretty senshi in a sailor fuku, guardian of love and beauty. I am Sailor Venus," "on behalf of the moon we shall punish you," all the girls said after Venus had introduced herself. "Foolish girls. I am Kunzite, last and greatest of the Shitennou, and commander of the Middle East, do you truly think you stand a chance," he said as his eyes began to glow with dark energy.
"Dead Scream," a soft but familiar voice said as a deep royal purple orb of energy struck Kunzite that sent him skidding across the room and to a knee. "Pretty senshi in a sailor fuku. I am the guardian of time and revelation! Sailor Pluto," the figure that I recognized with my own eyes as Sets-chan said making herself known a beautiful and ornate key like staff with a heart holding a Garnet Orb nestled within. "This day is yours, but mark my words senshi, that man will belong to my queen, and your princess will lie dead by my own hands," Kunzite vowed venom in his tone, though before any of us could act he was gone in a shroud of black energy. "Sets-chan," I whispered as Pluto made her way to myself and Mamoru, who had helped me to my feet after standing himself at her approach. "Thank the gods, you are both safe. My fellow senshi, please allow me to properly introduce to you the crowned prince of the Earth Kingdom, son of Terra, Endymion."
"And of course, the crowned princess of the Moon Kingdom, daughter of Selene, bringer of the Silver Millennium, Princess Serenity," Sets-chan said bowing to me everyone else doing the same, and in that moment of shock all I could do was hold onto Mamoru's hand, just so I truly knew that this moment was real, and not some elaborate dream. "Onegai," I whispered once I had regained myself. "Ami-chan, Rei-chan, Mako-chan, Haruka-san, Michiru-san, Venus, Sets-chan. I beg of you, there is no need for all of this formality." "Forgive us," Venus said being the first to comply to what I had asked the rest quickly following. "I know this is all overwhelming for you Usagi-hime," she said the honorific causing me to blush. "First I must apologize to you all. I acted as a kagemusha in order to protect you from the eyes of the Dark Kingdom for as long as possible, keeping their focus on myself, instead of you," she said.
"You did what any of us would have," Rei-chan said placing her hand gently on Venus's shoulder. "Ah, that's right we haven't been properly introduced, I am Aino Minako," Venus, no Minako said offering me her hand after giving Rei a soft and tender smile in thanks for what she had done. "It is nice to meet you Minako-chan," I said taking her arm. "This is a lot to take in," Haruka-san said. "Hai, I know," Sets-chan replied. "So the time had come then," Michiru-san whispered. "What do you mean," Mako-chan asked. "To truly understand one's past, is to know yourself," Ami-chan quoted as Sets-chan nodded. "You are right Mercury, iie forgive me, Ami. This story is not mine to tell, but it is one you must here," Sets-chan said. "What are we going to do Setsuna," Mamoru asked the question before I could voice it myself. "We must go to the ruins of the Moon Kingdom, and speak with the spirit of Selene, the late queen who resides their to this day," was Setsuna's reply.
"The moon," I whispered my body feeling tired, I felt myself leaning against Mamoru, who took me in his arms as my eyes closed the exhaustion from using the Illusion Silver Crystal seeming to catch up to me at last. ["Do not worry, she is simply resting," Setsuna said with a tender smile as Mamoru took Usagi, who was back in her civilian clothing into his arms holding her bridal style, Usagi's head resting softly against Mamoru's chest. "I brought my car, so you can ride with us," Haruka said. "We will make sure you are not followed," Minako said as Ami, Rei and Makoto nodded in agreement. "Then we should go, I don't want to be in this place any longer," Michiru said and with that the senshi were gone, as the sound of sirens filled the air, the police coming to investigate why the windows in the top floor of Starlight Tower had all broken shattered at the same moment, though they would never know the truth of that day, it would simply go down in the records as some an anomaly and left at that, as their were no signs of this being some sort of terrorist plot.]
Authors Note
And so ends Act 7 of my story. I am very proud of this chapter, and how it turned out as a whole. So it is my hope that you shall enjoy reading it, just as much as I did writing it.
So Until our Next Meeting,
I humbly remain a . . . .
KuRSeofTime