Mamoru stood in the arcade, the vibrant sounds of video games and laughter echoing around him, yet he felt detached from it all. The throbbing ache that had clung to him like a shadow for so long seemed to have dissipated, replaced by a strange lightness that he hadn't experienced in what felt like ages. But with that relief came a gnawing anxiety—where was Usagi?
His heart raced as he recalled the last moments they shared, the warmth of her presence still lingering in his mind like a cherished melody. "If she did something to help me," he thought, "then I need to find her, to understand what she's done, and to tell her how much she means to me." The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken feelings that he had let fester for too long.
Ami's concerned voice pulled him from his reverie. "Mamoru-san, you need to take care of yourself too. Whatever happened with Helios and the Dead Moon Circus has left its marks on all of us." Her eyes, usually so bright and insightful, were clouded with worry. Makoto placed a comforting hand on Ami's shoulder, her expression one of determination as she nodded in agreement. "We'll help you find Usagi. She's a fighter, and she wouldn't just disappear without a reason. We'll figure this out together."
As they discussed their next steps, the weight of his feelings pressed down on him. The tension between him and Usagi had reached a breaking point, and now, with her missing, it felt like the universe was conspiring against them. He wanted to shout that they were meant to be together, that their bond was forged in the fires of countless battles, yet here they were—broken and apart.
"Clear things," he murmured, almost to himself, as the memories of their last fight replayed in his mind. How had it come to this? He remembered the hurt in her eyes, the way she had turned away from him, her silhouette fading into the shadows of the night. He had never intended for it to end that way, and now, with the prospect of reconciliation so tantalizingly close yet so far, he felt a surge of motivation swell within him.
"Let's split up and search for her," he suggested, his voice firm now. "We can cover more ground that way. If she's in trouble, we need to find her fast." The urgency in his tone was hard to ignore, and they all nodded in agreement, determination etched on their faces.
"Rei, you and Luna should check Chibiusa at her friends," Ami advised, "She often goes there when she needs to think. Makoto and I can search Usagi at the school—maybe someone has seen her." Mamoru felt a flicker of hope as they all sprang into action, each of them carrying a piece of the puzzle, united in their quest to find the girl who was so integral to their lives.
As he stepped out into the bright sunlight, Mamoru took a deep breath, the crisp air filling his lungs with renewed resolve. He couldn't shake the feeling that time was of the essence. Usagi was out there, and he needed to get to her before it was too late. Each step he took felt purposeful as if he were moving not just through the streets of Juban but through the very fabric of fate itself.
Meanwhile, Usagi ran when she felt the dark energy of the enemy. Her powers may have weakened a little but not to the point that she wouldn't feel when the enemy attacks.
Despite her suffering, her chest tightening, she went towards the tent where she sensed the dark energy pulsating like an ominous heartbeat. From her spot beneath the tree, its gnarled branches swaying gently in the breeze, she saw Minako and Artemis precariously positioned at the top of what resembled a makeshift tower, its structure wobbling slightly as they struggled against the rising tide of darkness.
"A-Artemis?" she whispered, alarm coursing through her veins when she spotted a human form cradling an untransformed Minako, who appeared to be on the verge of falling from the tower, her limbs flailing as she fought to maintain her grip.
The appearance of Artemis was confusing; he looked different yet exuded the same undeniable presence that she had come to recognize. "I-is that really Artemis?"
His striking eyes remained the same—bright and filled with determination—along with the familiar crescent moon emblazoned on his forehead. He had long, flowing white hair that cascaded down his back like a waterfall of light, and his pale skin seemed to glow in the dim light of the surrounding chaos. Clad in ethereal white clothing that flowed around him, his ensemble was adorned with a golden crescent moon necklace, lending him an air of regal mystery. The long-sleeved shirt he wore had a crescent-shaped hole at his chest and a round cutout at his bellybutton, displaying a unique style that was both strange and enchanting. Two clips held his pants in place, completing an outfit that was as captivating as it was bizarre.
Usagi was momentarily taken aback by her observations of Artemis, her heart racing with a mix of nostalgia and confusion, when suddenly the enemy materialized before them, a dark specter ready to unleash its malevolent attack.
"I've got to help them…" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, but the pang of pain in her chest surged like a wave crashing against a cliff, overwhelming her senses and rendering her unconscious beneath the shelter of the tree.
As Usagi slipped into darkness, Minako, teetering at the brink of a fall, caught sight of her friend lying there, motionless. Panic surged through her. The enemy loomed closer, its shadow stretching menacingly over her. In that moment of sheer desperation, Minako felt the familiar rush of energy coursing through her body. With a fierce determination igniting her spirit, she transformed.
"Venus!" she cried out, the power surging within her as she channeled her abilities. "Love and Beauty Shock!" she shouted, a confident wink accompanying her declaration.
With a swift motion, she unleashed her Whip of Love, the energy manifesting as a radiant blast of light that surged toward the enemy, illuminating the darkened space around them. The attack struck true, and in an exhilarating burst of brilliance, the enemy disintegrated, leaving nothing but a faint echo of its menacing presence behind.
"Mina! You did it!" Artemis, now back in his cat form, raced toward her, his heart swelling with pride and relief. "Artemis!" Minako exclaimed, kneeling down to catch him in her arms, their reunion a moment of solace amidst the chaos.
However, their brief moment of joy was abruptly interrupted when four figures emerged from the shadows, their presence radiating a chilling evil energy.
"How insolent of you!" the green one stated, her voice sharp and accusatory. She appeared alarmed yet intrigued, her green eyes glinting with a mix of annoyance and amusement. Her tan skin glistened as her long, light green hair was styled into three striking ponytails—one jutting upwards, while the others cascaded down at an angle. Clad in a green, two-piece loincloth bikini paired with pale mint green Arabian-style pants and green sandals, she commanded attention with her bold appearance. A dark purple centerpiece adorned her belt, lending her an air of authority.
The other three girls smirked, exchanging knowing glances filled with confidence. "Amazoness Quartet of the Dead Moon!" they declared in unison, their voices resonating with an eerie harmony.
"Amazoness Quartet?" Minako echoed, confusion lacing her voice, her heart racing as she tried to comprehend the new threat.
"Just a little, the battle of nightmares will begin!" the pink-haired one chimed in, her voice sweet yet sinister as she laughed lightly. Dressed in soft pastels, she was adorned with two large light-yellow bows in her hair and dark-pink cherry blossoms decorating her outfit. Her long light-pink hair was styled in two long outward braids, enhanced by two braids tied in a circle on either side of her head and a bun perched on top. With dark red eyes and a jewel gleaming in the center of her forehead, she embodied an enchanting yet dangerous beauty. Her outfit—a purple bra with a pink outline, matching bikini bottoms, and a light yellow skirt—gave her an almost ethereal quality, but Minako felt the danger radiating from her presence.
"What did you say?!" Venus shouted, her anger igniting like a flame as she prepared to defend her friend and herself.
"Those who are cursed and belong to the White Moon Kingdom shall perish!" proclaimed the blue-haired one, her voice cold and foreboding. She had creamy skin and wore her hair pulled into a tight bun. Unlike the others, her attire consisted of a bare-backed, shoulder-less leotard costume embellished with bright yellow frills that flared out at the bottom, contrasting starkly with the darkness surrounding them.
"It's exciting!" the red one chimed in, her enthusiasm a stark contrast to the tension in the air. With tan skin and piercing red eyes, her hair was pulled into a high ponytail, secured by gold bands. Dressed in a black string bikini with red trim, shoulder pads adorned with spikes, and a crown embellished with jewels, she radiated a fierce energy, ready for battle.
Suddenly, in an instant of menacing magic, the four of them vanished into thin air, taking the tent and its foreboding energy with them. "So, this is the enemy's doing…" Minako muttered, her fists clenching in determination as she fought to process what had just happened.
Then, her thoughts shifted back to Usagi, the weight of concern settling heavily in her heart. Without hesitation, Super Sailor Venus sprinted towards the tree where she had last seen her friend. As she approached, she could see Usagi lying there, vulnerable and unconscious. Minako's heart raced as she remembered the earlier call for help—everyone was searching for Usagi, and she felt a surge of responsibility to rally their friends.
With her resolve strengthened, Minako reached for her communicator, her fingers trembling slightly. "I need to contact the others," she thought, knowing that the battle was far from over, and that together, they would have to face the darkness threatening their world.
As the minutes turned into hours, worry began to creep back into Mamoru's heart. What if something had happened to her? What if, in her effort to help him, she had put herself in danger? The thought was unbearable.
He was about to turn back and check the arcade again when his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a message from Minako, who had just returned from her search. "We're at the -. You need to come quickly. Usagi is here."
A surge of adrenaline shot through him. "I'm on my way!" he replied hastily, racing towards the park where laughter and the chirping of birds filled the air, a stark contrast to the turmoil that churned within him. As he approached, he could see familiar figures gathered under the sprawling cherry blossom trees, their petals dancing in the wind like tiny, hopeful wishes.
And there, standing beneath the blossoms, was Usagi. She looked as radiant as ever, even with worry etched on her face. The moment their eyes met, a wave of emotions crashed over him—relief, love, and an overwhelming desire to bridge the chasm that had formed between them.
"Usa!" he called out, his voice breaking the air around them. She turned, her expression shifting from concern to surprise, and in that instant, he knew that everything they had been through had led them to this moment. He took a step forward, ready to confront the shadows of their past and embrace the light of their future, together.