Thorny Roses
Chapter 23
Chibiusa snorted. "Are you stupid? My father taking advantage of my mother? That doesn't make any sense at all!"
Diamond narrowed his eyes, leaning down to look into her ruby eyes. "Your idiot father uses your mother's Silver Crystal and her wonderful powers for his own advantages! He rules the whole world when all of his power is within his wife!"
"My daddy loves my mommy and they rule Crystal Tokyo together! You're the bad guy that's trying to ruin everything! But you know what? My mommy said that no matter what, the Sailor Senshi will always win, even against pathetic liars like you!"
Diamond could hold back no longer. Striking out, he slapped Chibiusa on the face. She fell over with a cry of surprise and pain. But Diamond did not stop there: he alternated between hitting her and electrocuting her with his dark energy.
He drew his leg back to kick the fallen girl when another force tackled him to the ground.
"Diamond! Have you gone insane?!" Sapphire screamed.
"Get off of me!" Diamond struggled.
"You're killing a child! Do you understand what you're doing?! You've nearly murdered an innocent child!" Sapphire boomed.
Emerald ran to Chibiusa's body, gently cradling it in her arms. The girl was unconscious.
Diamond stopped struggling, glaring at his brother. "That girl is a product of that idiot Endymion's manipulation of my queen! She should be disposed of immediately!"
"I can't believe you," Sapphire whispered, horrified.
Sapphire let go of Diamond and walked over to Emerald and Chibiusa.
"We'll take care of her for now," Sapphire coldly stated.
"Actually, dear brother," Diamond sneered. "I'll be returning her to the Senshi. They have just entered the future and I am ready to make a trade."
Emerald and Sapphire did not move.
Diamond's eyes narrowed. "Give me the Rabbit. Now."
Emerald held the pink-haired girl closer.
Diamond sighed in exasperation. He let lose a canon of black energy, shocking Emerald and Sapphire. As they were both falling under the pressure of the energy, Diamond nonchalantly picked up Chibiusa and disappeared.
"Shit," Sapphire cursed, hissing into the floor.
…
With a few last glances exchanged between the Senshi and Shitennou, the Senshi and Tuxedo Mask walked through the door. With another flash of light, the door disappeared.
The Shitennou stared on in silence while the Ayakashi Sisters and Rubeus watched from behind.
"They'll succeed, I know it," Koan whispered.
Luna and Artemis nodded.
The Shitennou turned towards the former Black Moon Clan members.
"We're going to need your help," Kunzite said.
"Our pleasure," Rubeus smirked.
…
The Senshi and Tuxedo Mask seemed to be walking in a hazy swirl of nothing. They could not see a ceiling, nor the floor they walked upon.
"This is kind of eerie," Venus whispered. Her soft voice echoed around the strange place.
"How do we know we're going the right way?" Sailor Mars asked.
"Time and space are not things that can be mapped out," a voice said. The fog seemed to clear some, revealing a tall woman dressed as a Sailor Scout. She was tan with long, dark green hair. She had a top bun and wise, red eyes. Her sailor uniform was mainly white and black, with a large burgundy bow. A red broach was placed in the middle of her bow.
She held a long, silver key staff, the top of it forming a round heart shape. A medium-sized, red orb sat in the middle of the heart.
"Sailor Pluto," Sailor Moon called, recognizing the woman.
"Your highness," Sailor Pluto bowed her head. Sailor Moon was confused but assumed Pluto was talking about her past life as the Moon Princess. She turned towards Sailor Mars.
"As I was saying, time and space cannot be mapped out. Therefore, when one has a destination in mind, fate and destiny will be sure to deliver him or her to that destination," Pluto explained.
"So, if we determine our destination," Sailor Mercury continued. "We shall arrive there?"
"Yes. You choose the destination in this dimension—I merely open the door," Pluto answered.
Sailor Moon stepped forward, Tuxedo Mask close behind her.
"We know where we wish to go," she stated.
Pluto nodded, waving her key staff. A new door faded into view. It was a white door, bordered by seemingly glass pillars. Sailor Moon stepped forward, looking back at the Senshi and Tuxedo Mask. With one last glance at one another, she opened the door.
She stepped through, blinking as her eyes adjusted. When Sailor Moon opened her eyes, she gasped. The Senshi and Tuxedo Mask were standing on a high cliff, overlooking what appeared to be Crystal Tokyo. Everything was frozen in jagged blocks of glass: people, cars, animals… The lights were off and a cold wind blew through the dead city. A tall crystal palace loomed in the center of the city. Dark clouds hung in the sky, eclipsing the moon.
After Sailor Jupiter stepped through, the door disappeared in a flash of light.
"This…this is awful," Sailor Venus whispered.
"Where should we go?" Tuxedo Mask turned towards Sailor Moon.
She furrowed her eyebrows in concentration. She raised a pointing finger towards the palace.
"I have a feeling we should go there first," Sailor Moon replied.
The walked on through the city, slowly making their way towards the palace. The group observed the lack of life in the diamond city. Everything was frozen, the crystal world colored black due to the cloudy sky.
They decided to stop for a short break in front of a familiar looking store.
"Wait a minute," Sailor Mars whispered, staring up at the sign of the store.
"Oh my God!" Sailor Jupiter exclaimed. "It's the arcade!"
"Wow, it's still here after nearly a millennium!" Sailor Mercury marveled.
Tuxedo Mask studied the sign, thinking back to Motoki, one of his best friends. He wondered if he was trapped in the crystal as well, or if he was even alive…
Tuxedo Mask felt a hand squeeze his. He looked down into Sailor Moon's reassuring eyes.
"We should keep moving," Sailor Moon advised.
They nodded, continuing on their way.
A little while later, as they were walking, Sailor Mercury heard a strange noise. She froze in her steps, quickly pulling out her computer and furiously typing into it.
"Mercury, what's wrong?" Jupiter inquired, stopping beside the Water Senshi.
"Something is following us, or rather, two things are heading towards us," Mercury responded. "Prepare to fight," Sailor Moon ordered.
The Senshi and Tuxedo Mask stood with their backs to each other, nervously scanning their surroundings.
"Wow, you Senshi sure are quick on the uptake," a voice said.
They all looked up towards a tall, white-haired man floating towards them. In his arms lay a bloodied, unconscious Chibiusa.
"Chibiusa!" Sailor Moon cried out. Tuxedo Mask held her close to keep her from acting rashly. Diamond scowled at the action, glaring at Tuxedo Mask's form.
"Who are you?" Sailor Mars yelled.
"Prince Diamond, of the Black Moon Clan," he answered, sneering at them.
"Give us Chibiusa!" Sailor Moon yelled.
"I was hoping you would want her back," he gleefully smirked. "I am proposing a trade. The Rabbit for you, Sailor Moon."
"What?!" The Senshi hissed.
Sailor Moon remained silent. Tuxedo Mask felt conflicted, as well: he wanted to save Chibiusa, but he did not want to give up Sailor Moon.
"Time is ticking, Sailor Moon," Diamond chimed. "I might just take her back with me…"
"Fine," Sailor Moon conceded. "I'll go with you."
Tuxedo Mask held her back by the hand. "Usako," he pleaded. Diamond narrowed his eyes as Sailor Moon cupped his cheek.
"Don't worry, it'll be okay. Our priority is Chibiusa," Sailor Moon insisted. "I know you'll come find me." She pecked his lips before pulling away, walking towards Diamond. Simultaneously, Diamond threw Chibiusa's unconscious body. Sailor Jupiter dove to catch her, nearly missing. Sailor Moon jolted towards Chibiusa's body in surprise but Diamond grabbed her arm.
"Now, now, it's time to go," he smirked.
"Usako!" Tuxedo Mask yelled as Diamond disappeared with Sailor Moon.
…
Chibiusa felt herself returning to consciousness, the pain gone. She opened her eyes, facing Tuxedo Mask who still had glowing tendrils of light surrounding him.
"Thank you for healing me," Chibiusa mumbled. She looked around at each of their relieved but sad faces. "…where's Sailor Moon?"
At the question, each of them looked down while Tuxedo Mask stood and walked a few paces away. He clenched his fists at his side.
Sailor Mercury held Chibiusa in her arms solemnly. "Diamond took her, Chibiusa," Venus whispered softly.
"…w-what? No, no, it's not true!" Chibiusa began to cry. "Why did that baka Usagi do that?! Why did she leave? She said she would stay and help me!" She turned in Mercury's arms, sobbing loudly as the Senshi tried to hold back their tears.
Tuxedo Mask blinked up at the cloudy sky, trying to still his trembling lip. He swallowed his despair, turning towards the little girl.
"Chibiusa, do you want to save Sailor Moon?" He gently asked.
She nodded hesitantly.
"Then you need to help us. Do you know where we could go somewhere safe?"
Chibiusa's eyes brightened. She nodded excitedly. "Yes, follow me."
She led them through a series of alleys and neighborhood streets until they came upon a large plaza with a fountain in the center. The palace was across from the fountain, surrounded by a wall. As the group neared the palace, they noticed a pentagon-shaped, dome of light surrounding the building.
"What is that?" Sailor Jupiter asked.
"It's the Sailor Senshi. They're using the last of their energy to protect the Crystal Palace," Chibiusa explained as they neared the wall of light. "Daddy says it might not hold for much longer," Chibiusa grimly continued.
"The Senshi…as in us?" Sailor Venus asked.
"Yes, your future-selves," Chibiusa confirmed.
"Could we meet them?" Sailor Mars asked out of curiosity.
"We don't have time," Tuxedo Mask shook his head. "We have to save Sailor Moon first."
Sailor Mars nodded her head.
"We're here," Chibiusa said, standing at the edge of the wall of light. With a deep breath, she walked forward, easily crossing the wall.
The others were able to follow, as well.
"You seem relieved, Chibiusa," Sailor Mercury commented.
"I…I thought I wouldn't be able to get through," Chibiusa stammered. "Bad people can't get past the protection dome."
"Chibiusa, why would you be bad? You're the princess," Sailor Venus comforted the young girl. However, Chibiusa only shook her head.
"No, I'm a bad person. I did something really bad."
The Senshi and Tuxedo Mask looked at each other warily. Tuxedo Mask kneeled before the little girl.
"Chibiusa, you need to tell us what you did. It may be the key to helping Sailor Moon and your parents," he softly spoke.
Chibiusa's eyes became shiny with tears as her bottom lip trembled. She took a deep breath and blinked away her tears. "One day, I got into a fight with my parents. Daddy was upset that I didn't clean my room properly before I went to play…"
"Chibiusa, you need to be more responsible," he said.
Chibiusa's mother also came into the room. "Sweetie, you need to start acting more mature. You know your room should have been clean before you went out to play."
Chibiusa pouted. "But Hotaru-chan would have been busy later! That was the only time we could play!"
"Chibiusa," her father insisted. "You can't keep acting like this. You're grounded for the next few days."
…
"I was so angry that I went into my parent's room…and I took my mother's Silver Crystal," Chibiusa sobbed. "I wanted to be grown up, like my mommy. So, I thought if I had the Silver Crystal, then I would be. But when I took it, it disappeared, and then the Black Moon Clan attacked and Daddy and Mommy got hurt and…and…"
Tuxedo Mask scooped the girl into his arms. He softly patted her back, shushing her cries.
"Y-you're not angry at me? You don't h-hate me?" Chibiusa hiccupped.
"Chibiusa, what you did was very wrong. But I know for a fact that your parents could never hate you for it. Especially when they hear that you came all the way to the past to try and fix your wrongs," Tuxedo Mask smiled.
"Why did you come to the past?" Sailor Mercury asked.
"My Daddy always told me stories about Sailor Moon. I thought if I came to the past to find her, she could help me save Mommy and Daddy," Chibiusa answered.
"Well, let's save Sailor Moon so that we can save your parents, okay?" Sailor Jupiter smiled.
Chibiusa nodded with a small smile, jumping down from Tuxedo Mask's arms to run up to the Palace doors. A small scanner was placed on the wall beside the door. Chibiusa had to reach up high to place her hand on the door.
"Welcome home, Small Lady," a robotic voice greeted the group. The doors swung open, allowing the Senshi and Tuxedo Mask to enter.
"Wow," Sailor Venus mumbled in awe. "This place is huge!"
"It has to be: my parents live here, I live here, the servants live here, and the Senshi and their husbands," Chibiusa said matter-of-factly.
"Husbands?!" The Senshi exclaimed.
"Oops, I wasn't supposed to say that," Chibiusa bit her lip but smiled all the same.
"Where should we go, Chibiusa?" Tuxedo Mask brought everyone's focus back to the matter at hand.
"Oh, I know!" Chibiusa took off running, leading them up three or four flights of stairs. Finally, on the fifth floor, the top floor, Chibiusa led them into a room with carved crystal framing the double doors.
With a gentle push, Chibiusa opened the door.
In the center of the room, there was a crystal coffin. Inside, there was a woman, dressed in white with long blonde hair.
"Is that…?" Sailor Mars asked hesitantly.
"It's my Mommy," Chibiusa beamed, walking up the casket. "Mommy, I brought the Senshi from the past. They're going to help you and Daddy and defeat the Black Moon Clan!"
There was no response.
"Chibiusa…" Jupiter softly called her.
"Mommy…wake up…please?" Chibiusa pleaded. "I'm sorry for not cleaning my room. I'll do it all the time, I promise…"
Tuxedo Mask held her once more, trying to look into the foggy crystal coffin.
"Chibiusa, wipe your tears," a voice said.
They looked up to see a hazy figure in the doorway. They all blinked in surprise as the figure came into focus. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man, dressed in a lavender tuxedo. He held a long white cane in his hand and wore a white mask. Though his hair was a dark shade of purple and his stature slightly elongated, it was easy to tell who he was.
"T-Tuxedo Mask?!" The Senshi stuttered.
The man chuckled. "No one has called me that in a long time," he said. "To avoid confusion, you may call me King Endymion."
"Daddy!" Chibiusa took off running towards King Endymion, only to run right through him.
"Huh?" Chibiusa exclaimed in confusion.
"I'm sorry, princess…" King Endymion muttered.
"He's a hologram," Sailor Mercury sadly explained.
"My body is still injured and asleep but I am able to communicate and move through holograms," he explained.
"Wait, so you're my future self?" Tuxedo Mask inquired.
Endymion nodded.
"And Chibiusa is your daughter…?" Sailor Venus questioned.
Endymion nodded once again, smirking this time.
"Then, that means…" Sailor Mars continued.
"Oh my god!" Jupiter cried out, pointing at Chibiusa and Tuxedo Mask.
"Chibiusa is your daughter," Mercury concluded in surprise. Chibiusa and Tuxedo Mask stared at one another in silent shock. Tuxedo Mask stared at the young girl, suddenly feeling warmth spread through him. This was his daughter, his baby girl.
He picked her up, hugging her close. He smiled when she hugged him back. Endymion smiled, although a sad smile, as though he wished he were in Tuxedo Mask's place.
"So, who's her mother?" Sailor Mars asked.
"Oh, come on! Who else would it be?" Jupiter snorted.
"But that means…" Venus trailed off, turning towards the crystal coffin.
Tuxedo Mask blanched, hesitantly stepping towards the case. He squinted his eyes, trying to peer through the crystal. His eyes widened as he jolted back in surprise.
"…Usako."
YAY! So sorry it took so long, I have AP Exams coming up soon (too soon, if you ask me) so I have to STUDY like crazy. Wish me luck and I hope to get out another chapter soon!
Love,
Pegasus'Horn