Lost in his thoughts, Mamoru sat on his couch in the living room.

Time was running out.

He needed to come up with a plan to defeat Zoisite and reclaim the Rainbow Crystals. At the moment, he and the Sailor Team had an advantage since Zoisite believed Mamoru had perished in the Starlight Tower. This situation allowed him to collaborate with the Sailor Soldiers to set a trap for Zoisite and turn the tables on him.

However, Mamoru doubted that Kunzite would remain in the background this time. The powerful, white-haired general was likely waiting in the Starlight Tower for his chance to strike against the Sailor Soldiers.

Additionally, the pressing issue of combining the Rainbow Crystals into the Holy Silver Crystal was still at the top of everyone's to-do list.

If only he knew what the key to the Silver Crystal might be! His dream princess had always begged him to bring it to her, so Mamoru hoped that it would automatically form once he possessed all the crystals.

Perhaps he himself was the key?

Or maybe the Sailor Soldiers, with their combined powers, could create the magical crystal.

Or perhaps Sailor Moon's Moon rod could trigger something in the Rainbow Crystals?

"Sailor Moon... this brave girl with magical powers. She has shown great courage and faced every danger. She has defended all the people of this world with the firm resolve to defeat evil. Sailor Moon... she is Usagi... but..."

"Who is this girl really?"

The knowledge of her superhero identity made Mamoru shake his head in disbelief once again. In such a short time, he had discovered so many new sides to this unique being. He had learned traits about her that he had not even experienced in his dreams. And then there was that special moment between them in the park today...

He had kissed Usagi. Mamoru Chiba had kissed Usagi Tsukino!

Even though the world was in great danger, that kiss and his feelings for Usagi occupied Mamoru's mind the most. Not only had he enjoyed every single spectacular, breathtaking millisecond of that wonderful, outstanding, hypnotizing, and sweet, perfect kiss. No. It had broken something open in his heart and had completely torn down his self-protection.

Mamoru had fallen in love with Usagi.

Completely.

Irrevocably and unconditionally.

Long ago.

Much more difficult than this realization, however, was how he should behave when he saw Sailor Moon again in the Starlight Tower.

Maybe it would have been better if he had visited Usagi again before this encounter with the evil forces. Who knew how the fight with Zoisite would turn out this time?

Feelings of uncertainty were about to take hold of Mamoru when something else caught his attention.

A soft, familiar, sad sound—neither from this time nor from this planet—quietly seeped through the door of his apartment and pulled Mamoru out of his deep thoughts.

"But... this melody..."

It was the melody he had known his whole life, at least as far back as he could remember.

"This can only be the star locket!"

Magically drawn by the sound, Mamoru rose from his couch and walked to the entrance in a trance. He reached for the handle of his apartment door to find the source of this beautiful and lovely, yet so sad music. When he opened the door, he found himself looking into eyes as radiant blue as the sky on a summer morning.

Mamoru almost collapsed at the sight.

'So beautiful, so... perfect.'

Usagi held the opened locket in her hand and began to speak softly while the mysterious melody continued to play, slowly and magically enveloping them both.

"Um... I thought I should give it back to you... Mamo-chan."

He was paralyzed by the sweetness of the blonde girl standing at his door. Unable to find words, Mamoru remained motionless in his position. Unperturbed by the two awkward protagonists, the music continued its sweet sound. Usagi, slightly embarrassed, tilted her head to the side and scratched the back of her head with her free hand, a bit uncertain.

"It's such a beautiful piece of jewelry. Where did you get it?"

Instead of answering her, Mamoru broke out of his trance, grabbed her arm, and quickly pulled her into his apartment. After closing the door behind him, he finally found his voice again. Usagi stood before him, unsure how to handle his reaction.

In her hand lay the golden locket, its melody now filling the apartment with its magic.

"I don't know. The music box has always been with me. At least as far as I can remember."

Mamoru smiled weakly, struggling with his feelings for Usagi.

'I should hold her. Hold her tight. I should never let her go. I should tell her that she is the one. The only one. I should tell her that I love her. With all my heart, forever.'

None of this made it out of his mouth, remaining deep in his heart as he awkwardly focused his gaze on the golden music box in Usagi's hand.

"I see."

Remembering Mamoru's stories about the car accident, Usagi looked sadly at the ground. Once again, the locket played its enchanting song, deeply embedded in the mysterious music box. Mamoru lifted his head to the ceiling of the living room, pondering with a melancholic smile on his lips.

"You know... I really like the melody. It always reminds me of something good, it tells me to pause and think again. I guess it's a kind of message hidden in every note, but... no matter what I try, I can't quite understand it. Something... deep inside me is missing."

When he looked back at Usagi, he saw her eyes filled with sadness. A single tear rolled silently down her rosy cheek. His eyes darkened as his fingers gently touched the golden star-shaped locket. With utmost determination, he declared,

"But... even if I haven't found the key to this message yet, it's okay because... no matter the time, place, or situation; I will always and forever remember this enchanting melody... because it touches my heart so deeply."

'Just as I will always remember you, my beloved Usako.'

Although he kept the last words of his confession to himself, his feelings still found their way directly into her heart. It seemed to unlock something that had been closed for more than an eternity.

This mysterious melody of the star-shaped locket had the power to heal, to calm, to make someone think. Although it could make one infinitely sad, it also contained something that promised a happy ending.

It carried a feeling of hope within it.

Somehow, in a magical way, connected by a centuries-old, strong bond of emotion, Usagi shared the same feelings as Mamoru while continuing to listen to the song. It was as if her feelings for Mamoru had not just arisen now, in this time.

But no matter what this music had to tell about the past, Usagi had to act in the here and now. She had to act.

And gather all her courage.

Stealthily, she wiped the tear from her face.

"Mamo-chan, what happened in the park today..."

Her heart pounded wildly, ready to burst at any moment. "I just wanted to tell you that -"

But before Usagi could continue pouring out her entire heart to him, a greenish flash of light shot through Mamoru's apartment, followed by a deep, dangerous rumble.

"How dare you make a fool of me, Tuxedo Mask! Me, one of the Great Four of the Dark Kingdom! I've had enough of your dirty tricks and I will punish you for this... and you too will pay... Sailor Moon!"

It was none other than Zoisite who stepped out of the light flash, full of hatred. His right hand was clenched into a fist, his voice dripping with extreme anger as he maliciously snarled at the frightened couple in front of him.

"You won't escape me again!"

That nagging feeling that Tuxedo Mask might somehow have survived the Starlight Tower had driven Zoisite to conduct more intensive investigations. Also, the look on Sailor Moon's face in the park, so indifferent to his bad news about Tuxedo Mask's death, had stirred his suspicions. The image of that clumsy girl with the blonde pigtails in the Starlight Tower elevator came to Zoisite's mind again. So he had decided to return to Mamoru's apartment to find out more about his possible whereabouts.

Without hesitation, Mamoru positioned himself in front of Usagi. He was determined to protect her, no matter what happened in the next moments.

Spurred on by Mamoru's confident stance, the blond general also took up a fighting position. Unnoticed by the villain, Usagi secretly pressed a button on her communicator behind Mamoru's back, setting off a silent alarm. There was a small spark of hope that the warriors could locate them in time. At least Usagi fervently hoped so, as it seemed uncertain whether they would remain in Mamoru's apartment much longer.

Zoisite's haughty, diabolical grin only confirmed her gruesome suspicion. Out of nowhere, he assumed a relaxed posture and taunted his adversaries.

"I've just decided to move our meeting up a bit, if you don't mind."

With these words, Zoisite raised his right hand and snapped his fingers. Suddenly, the green flash reappeared and instantly enveloped Usagi and Mamoru.

Before the beam of light could absorb and carry them away, five magical words were loudly spoken by the young teenager to initiate what had now become inevitable:

A final showdown against Zoisite and thus against the Dark Kingdom.

———————

At the same time, the four Sailor Senshi stood in their civilian identities along with Luna and Artemis at the Hikawa Shrine. They still had some time left to refine their plan, which they had previously discussed intensively together.

It was Artemis who had come up with the idea of bluffing Zoisite with a silver key to make him believe it was indeed the proper activator for the rainbow crystals.

They could only hope that Tuxedo Mask would manage to ambush the general while he was trying to obtain the fake key. If held by the masked hero, Sailor Moon could use her Moon rod to heal Zoisite. After all, there was still a glimmer of hope that somewhere, some good still slumbered in the blond villain.

Once this theoretical problem was solved, they faced another, probably even bigger problem: What were they to do with the rainbow crystals themselves? Ami was still deeply occupied trying to figure out what could activate the Imperial Silver Crystal, but so far her super-mini-computer had not provided any useful information.

Also, no one was sure if the Moon Princess would really appear once the Silver Crystal was formed. Honestly, it was not even proven that this ominous princess would show up at all. So far, it was only a vague feeling about a kingdom far in the past, warriors fighting against emissaries of evil, and a huge, incomprehensible loss that Luna and Artemis could independently remember, having both awakened from an apparently very long and very deep sleep about eight months ago.

From this shaky foundation of rudimentary information, the mission of the Sailor Warriors was ultimately built when Luna met Usagi and explained to her that she would henceforth be Sailor Moon.

Too much was still hidden from the girls and their allies. They knew almost nothing about their true destiny. Therefore, they needed answers. It was finally Rei who voiced what had become clear to everyone since Usagi had left the warriors in the park.

"You also believe that Usagi knows who Tuxedo Mask is."

Rei had taken a seat on a stone bench and stared at the small pond in front of her through her reflection.

Rei had often suspected that Mamoru had to be Tuxedo Mask. She had expressed this suspicion to Usagi several times and always received a clear no in response. In Dreamland as well as in the beautiful park, which they had defended from the dark forces back then.

Maybe it was all just self-protection from Usagi? The truth had been before their eyes all along. Only hidden by a thin white mask. His movements, his voice, his proud bearing. That aura. It had always been Mamoru!

The very Mamoru she never really had a chance with. Neither in Dreamland, nor in the park. And certainly not in the Starlight Tower!

Before Rei could think any further, she received a response from Makoto, who tried to confirm her suspicion.

"I guess she's known for quite a while. At least since she didn't show up at our last meeting."

The tall girl sat down next to Minako and Ami. She frowned deeply and followed Rei's gaze to the waterhole.

"So much has happened since we became warriors." Rei thought out loud as she watched the gentle waves caused by a fallen leaf on the water's surface. "I know our mission is very important and we must not get distracted because we are chosen to protect this planet from darkness, but," she decisively turned to the girls and the two cats. With a melancholic shimmer in her dark eyes, she confessed,

"There is absolutely nothing one can do when one falls in love."

With a deep sigh, Ami closed her computer and explained to the others with a shrug,

"Love... is beyond all logic."

"It is more than that," emphasized Makoto with a firm voice, clenching her right hand into a fist in a fighting pose.

"Love makes you fearless. You are not afraid when you fight with the courage of love."

"Love," repeated Minako, folding her hands under her chin and propping her elbows on her knees. "It is the greatest force we possess."

With a warm-hearted smile, she further explained to her allies, "I am very sure that Usagi has more of this force than anyone else in this world, and she will definitely use her special gift for the benefit of all in the final battle against the enemy."

Just as the others were processing the significance of Minako's judgment about the little blonde girl with the huge heart, a shrill noise sounded from all their communicators.

"Usagi!"

Ami jumped up, deeply concerned, accidentally dropping her computer to the dusty ground. "It's the silent alarm, it was activated! She must be in great trouble!"

Immediately, everyone sprang up and stared intently at Ami, who quickly picked up her computer from the ground and began typing on the keyboard with great concentration.

"The signal comes from an apartment in the Juban district... no wait, it just changed." She looked up from the screen and continued with a serious expression,

"It's coming from the Starlight Tower."

"I guess we need to come up with a new strategy quickly," said Artemis more to himself, then gave the command to the warriors, "Sailor Warriors! Transform! Now!"

"Mercury Power, Make Up!"

"Mars Power, Make Up!"

"Jupiter Power, Make Up!"

"Venus Power, Make Up!"

In no time, the entire Hikawa Shrine was brightly illuminated by blue, red, green, and orange flashes, filled with the enormous energy produced by the transformations. After the girls had exchanged their civilian identities for their Sailor Warrior alter egos, they stood together in a circle and extended their hands towards each other.

"Sailor Teleport!"

The command was immediately called out loudly by the four warriors, and together with the two cats, they disappeared in a bright pink light. A few magical moments later, they reappeared in front of the doors of the Starlight Tower.

Sailor Mercury activated her blue VR goggles and immediately began scanning the new surroundings.

"Hmmm, it seems all entrances are locked and shielded by dark energy."

Rei concluded this with great concern, "That means we can't get into the tower!"

Before anyone could say anything further, Sailor Jupiter assumed her attack pose and called out bravely,

"Hear me, Guardian Planet Jupiter... call the clouds, create the storm, and send me your thunder... SUPREME THUNDER!"

Her attack hit its intended target quite precisely. The electrifying thunderbolt struck the doors with a loud bang, completely destroying them. Everyone looked utterly astonished as Jupiter grinned mischievously and said to her comrades, "Who says the doors are locked?! Come on, let's go in!"

Determined, she motioned for the others to follow her, and so the Senshi and the cats ran through the now open entrance into the skyscraper. They had to arrive in time for the final battle with the Dark Kingdom this time.

———————-

Mamoru and Sailor Moon found themselves in the observation room on the top floor of the Starlight Tower after the green flash of light had dissipated.

With a serious expression, the blonde warrior looked at the general of the Dark Kingdom.

It was too late.

Usagi had not been given the chance to confess her love to Mamoru. If they managed to escape from the Starlight Tower, she might be able to tell him that he embodied everything she had always sought, something she only realized the moment she first transformed in the elevator.

In front of Mamoru's eyes.

That was only a few days ago. Everything in her life had just... begun.

Having just emerged from a carefree childhood and on the path to becoming a young woman with a host of unfulfilled dreams, she faced a powerful enemy at fourteen. She was still a bit clumsy and a crybaby. But since Luna found her, she had to slip into a warrior's uniform at night and fight some strange adults from a dark, distant kingdom.

Yes. It had become her mission, and Usagi had grown a little because of it.

She wanted to protect this entire wonderful planet and save it from destruction.

And she especially had to protect the wounded Mamoru standing next to her. This boy who had touched her heart so deeply from the very first moment she met him in front of the OsaP store.

Even that fateful encounter seemed like it had just happened.

They just hadn't had enough time.

It was only a few days in which she had the chance to see Mamoru in a different light and learn more about his fascinating character.

It was only a few hours they could spend alone and carefree together after revealing their secret identities to each other.

It was only a single moment of an innocent kiss they shared, which would likely echo in their hearts for at least a lifetime.

That just wasn't fair.

"Welcome!"

Zoisite casually tossed the seven rainbow crystals in his hand into the air while a malicious grin played on his too-thin lips. He took a few steps closer to the two superheroes and bent down to place the crystals on the ground. As he did, he explained:

"I've brought all the rainbow crystals. Now," he slowly took a few steps back and fixed his gaze on Sailor Moon, "you add your key to activate them!"

Sailor Moon looked worriedly at Mamoru. In his ocean-blue eyes, she found nothing but pure determination.

Mamoru didn't want to show her the sadness he felt at that moment. He preferred to lock away every memory of the last few days with her in his heart forever. At least he got to spend a few precious moments with Usagi. Mamoru wasn't sure if he would ever get the chance to kiss her again. But one thing he knew for certain:

'I can and will save her, even if I have to sacrifice myself!'

With that resolve, Mamoru nodded slightly to Sailor Moon and turned his head back to Zoisite. He narrowed his eyes and told the general firmly:

"Before she does, you'll have to fight me first!"

Barely had he stated his intention when Mamoru pulled a single red rose from his jacket and held it high in the air. The magic began to swirl around his body, and within moments he had transformed into the elegant superhero.

With a mix of admiration and concern, Sailor Moon looked at her transformed beloved.

"Tuxedo Mask."

"You've been very brave today, Sailor Moon. But I will handle this."

Panic rose in the young girl as she grabbed his hand and pleaded:

"No way. You're injured! Tuxedo Mask, you must leave now."

How could he ever be without her?

"Sailor Moon... I would never leave you alone."

"Ohhh... Tuxedo Mask."

It was more of a whisper that the blonde warrior uttered, standing before him with blushing cheeks and feeling how all his love magically embraced her in this moment of his declaration.

"So, enough talking. I think our fight should begin, Tuxedo Mask."

Like a soap bubble bursting, Zoisite's comment shattered the magical mood. Tuxedo Mask stepped forward and told the villain before him:

"I am ready. But... you must promise me that Sailor Moon will not be harmed."

Zoisite gladly complied with this request with a slight shrug of his shoulders.

"Why would I? I hope for a fair fight."

His diabolical grin brightened dangerously. "An absolutely fair fight."

Behind his back, the general secretly moved his right hand to summon a long black crystal that materialized a few meters behind Sailor Moon from the shadows.

Unaware of the treacherous plan, Sailor Moon prayed inwardly that her friends would arrive in time to prevent the worst.

"An absolutely fair fight..."

Tuxedo Mask sensed the impending danger behind him.

"And GO!!!"

and didn't hesitate for a second.

Mamoru - protector - that was his name. And also his destiny.

Following his previously made decision, he stood before Sailor Moon in the blink of an eye, forming a protective shield for his great love. In an instant, the deadly weapon shot towards the couple and struck its target mercilessly.

Usagi stared in horror at Tuxedo Mask's shadow on the ground before her as he crumpled, followed by a scream of pain.

Silently, he fell backward.

As he hit the ground, his mask came loose and fell from his eyes.

"No!"

Sailor Moon cried out in despair and hurried to him, knelt down, and pulled the dying man tightly into her arms. With a tear-choked voice, she begged him:

"Don't leave me, Mamoru."

"Usako... I'm sorry..."

Mamoru could do no more. One last look into her sky-blue eyes, a small smile... then everything around him went black.

"We arrived too late."

Exhausted from the long climb up, the Sailor Scouts, together with Luna and Artemis, stood at the entrance to the surveillance room. They could do nothing more for their ally, only stare at the dramatic scene unfolding before their eyes. Almost automatically, Sailor Mars confirmed Sailor Mercury's statement:

"Yes, our Tuxedo Mask is-"

"Mamoru."

Usagi whispered his name, unable to tear her eyes away from his silent body.

"Tuxedo Mask."

Filled with sorrow and incurable sadness, her voice trembled as she called out his alter ego's name.

Usagi closed her eyes and took a deep breath. A single tear rolled down her cheek, forming a tiny droplet on her chin. But as it was about to leave her face, ready to fall to the ground, the tear instead dissolved into a bright, dazzling light.

Slowly, Usagi opened her eyes and now spoke with a steady voice the name she had known for eternity,

"Endymion!"

As if on command, the seven rainbow crystals on the ground began to glow. One by one, they followed the exclamation and magically immersed into the brightly shining tear. Finally, a pink light emerged, revealing a silver crystal hardly larger than its colorful, shard-like elements.

"The Imperial Silver Crystal... that's the Imperial Silver Crystal," Luna exclaimed, completely captivated by this special treasure.

While everyone marveled at this impressive scene, Usagi, drawn by the magical light source, slowly stood up. With vacant eyes, she walked towards the silvery shimmering crystal that seemed to float in the room, surrounded by a warm pink light.

As if by magic, her transformation as Sailor Moon dissolved. A long white dress enveloped her slender silhouette instead of her fuku. Where moments before the moonstone adorned her forehead, now a golden crescent moon took its place. Usagi's eyes closed as the moon rod materialized before her. In a small indentation in the crescent moon, the Silver Crystal settled and merged with the scepter of the leader of the Sailor Warriors.

Slowly, the blonde girl opened her eyes again, now filled with pure and innocent energy reflecting the magic of the silver crystal before her.

"Princess, Moon Princess," Luna spoke, and Artemis added reverently

"You have finally awakened."

Far away and barely audible, Usagi recognized in this moment the melody that had been composed in the Silver Millennium era on the moon. Now she knew it was the melody of the Star Locket, Moonlight Densetsu.

The song she had shared with Endymion in ancient times. The song Mamoru and she had heard in his apartment when they confessed their love to each other. The previously hidden message became suddenly clear and distinct to her.

Love.

It is the key. It transcends logic. It transcends power. It makes us fearless, it connects us, it gives us something to hold onto in times of loss, sorrow, and fear. Out of love, we do the impossible, we are willing to sacrifice for those we cherish.

This crystal was formed with love. It would always help her. Even to one day return to her normal life. In this moment of awakening, Usagi knew that she would use the Imperial Silver Crystal to defeat the darkness.

Once and for all.

--

Dear readers,

Even though this may seem like the end, we are only at the beginning of our journey with the key.

For your information:

You are navigating in my Mamo-Ries universe, which consists of three parts accompanied by several side stories.

It's a somewhat different narrative form than you may have read before, as everything you read in connection with Mamo-Ries is magically intertwined.

The big picture will only be revealed at the end of the third part.

Following this chapter is an epilogue that simultaneously serves as the prologue for the second part.

For those who would like to know what happened after the dramatic scenes in the Starlight Tower, feel free to continue reading in my upcoming story "Hire the Shitennou - and what else happened when Mamoru was evil" before moving on to Part 2 of my Mamo-Ries trilogy.

For those interested in how Mamoru and Usagi actually got into the elevator in Chapter 1, feel free to read the "small" introduction called "is it you again?"

And for those who are fans of time travel and would like to see everything from a completely different perspective, it's best to take a look at my story "Little Light of Hope."

Confused yet? Don't worry, it will all make sense :)

I wish you continued enjoyment in reading and look forward to hearing from you.

Love, Danni-Bunny