Ranma Half Moon chapter 73 - The Death of the Sailor Warriors and the Secrets of the Silver Crystal - part one.

Author's note: This episode also happens during the Sailor Moon episode 35 "Memories Return, Usagi and Mamoru's Past".

Artemis surveys the scene.

Sailor Jupiter holds Sailor Moon on her back. I hope that the upright position and her sharing my body heat will revive Sailor Moon.

Sailor Mercury uses her handheld computer and visor to search for an exit. The Dark Kingdom has turned this building into a prison, but there must be a way out.

Sailor Mars puts up a brave front. I need to appear to be strong. The others shouldn't be worrying about me even after I saw my boyfriend kidnapped by Dark Kingdom. I can't show that I am falling apart inside.

Sailor Venus is holding up well but is becoming noticeably antsy. I hope I will be able to make good decisions. We were not out of the woods yet.

"Any luck, Sailor Mercury?"

"They hid the exit well, but my sensors show an exit exists. Even if I have to determine where it is by eliminating everywhere it is not, I will find it."

"Good. Everyone, when Usagi transformed into Princess Serenity, my memories returned."

The Sailor Warriors give Artemis their undivided attention, except for Sailor Moon and Sailor Mercury.

"One thousand years ago there was a kingdom on the moon. It was a beautiful and peaceful place. It was ruled by a wise Queen who had an energetic and fun loving daughter, Princess Serenity. However, one day an evil spirit took over the earth ..."

...

Mio finishes her last form. She feels a little dizzy. This new plan is vital. Queen Beryl is too much of a fool to depend on. I need energy to turn back into a fully powered up Queen Metaria, and if Queen Beryl can't get the Silver Crystal, I will get the energy the other way.

Mio coughs. Will my body hold up? If this body dies without getting the energy, then Queen Beryl will be my last hope.

Mio looks in the mirror and makes a cute pose. This body isn't much, but it has worked so far.

...

" ... The evil spirit waged war on the Moon Kingdom, trying to get its hands on the awesome power of the Silver Crystal. The Queen of the Moon was able to seal away the demon and to send her guardians into the future to live a life of peace."

Sailor Mars nods. "Are the Sailor Warriors the residents of the moon?"

Sailor Venus shakes her head. "We are all normal humans. That was the Queen's wish, for us to have ordinary lives."

Artemis smiles, seeing Sailor Venus still holding up. "But, something happened, and the demon escaped from the seal. That is why all of you have awoke as Sailor Warriors."

"Where am I?"

Sensing that Sailor Moon was coming out of it, Sailor Jupiter puts her down and helps her stand.

"Where is Tuxedo Kamen?"

Sailor Jupiter cannot look Sailor Moon in the eye.

"The enemy has taken him, but he is alive." Sailor Mars lip quivers slightly when she talks.

"If you warriors all fight together, I'm sure we will get him back."

"No." Sailor Moon's voice becomes stronger. "I've seen too much fighting. I'm not special like you guys. I'm just some below average fourteen-year-old girl. I can't go through another fight and see what happened to Tuxedo Kamen again."

Rei slaps Sailor Moon. "How can you say that? Tuxedo Kamen was willing to die for you and now you're going to be a coward?"

Artemis notices that Sailor Mars is crying profusely. "Usagi, I know it's tough, but you are the chosen one. You are the Princess that we've been searching for."

"I don't want it. I wish someone else was the Moon Princess ..."

...

"Shinjuku Ni-Chome exit!"

Ranma-ko awakes with a start. I must have been so traumatized from the pain of seeing Mamoru injured I spaced out and missed my stop by five stations.

Ranma-ko rushes out of the train and rushes up the stairs to cross the bridge to get to the other side of the tracks. I have to go back.

...

Luna puts her paw on Artemis' shoulder. "Usagi needs more time."

"I have it!"

Everyone turns around to stare at Sailor Mercury, who had been almost oblivious to the previous scene, lost in thought.

"They hid it well, but I was able to find it by a process of elimination. It is this way."

"Everyone. We are not safe here, we have to get out of this prison."

Everyone agrees with Artemis.

"Let's go."

Suddenly Kunzite appears before them. "You found the exit. I am very impressed. However, I am here to avenge Zoisite's death, which means that none of you are leaving here alive."

Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus leap forward.

Sailor Jupiter points at Kunzite. "Not so fast. You're fighting all of us now." Sailor Jupiter smiles at Sailor Venus to let her know that Sailor Jupiter has her back.

Sailor Venus gets a warm feeling inside. This feeling is somewhat familiar, like I have felt it before. But, I don't remember fighting with another Sailor Warrior. Maybe it is a memory from the Moon Kingdom war? "Let's get this guy."

"Supreme Thunder!"

"Crescent Beam!"

Sailor Mercury gasps. How could they be so slow? When they were in Kunzite's dark sphere, the dark sphere absorbed all the energy of their attacks. Attacking Kunzite this way will not work!

Kunzite smiles as the force field that surrounds his body absorbs the energy of the two attacks, giving him more power. "Fools." Kunzite throws an energy ball made up of the Sailor Warrior's energy.

Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus scream in agony. Sailor Moon nearly faints again, but Sailor Mercury holds her.

"That wasn't much of a fight."

Sailor Jupiter makes her way to her knees. "What a nonsensical thing to say."

Sailor Venus also makes her way to her knees. "That was nothing."

Kunzite smiles a little on the inside. The warriors who defeated Zoisite at least have the dignity to laugh at death. It would have been shameful to Zoisite if they had become cowards. "Well then, have another one on me."

Kunzite throws an energy ball using his own energy this time.

The force of the attack suspends Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter in air for a second, then they fall forward like two dolls. They bounce slightly on the ground before becoming still.

Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter die.

...

"No!" A passing train on the other tracks drowns out Ranma-ko's cry of pain.

...

"No!"

Sailor Mars turns to Sailor Moon. I must set a good example if Sailor Moon is going to fight again. "Sailor Moon, wake up. You can fight."

Sailor Mars turns around. "Is that all you've got?"

"Don't!" Sailor Mercury is too late with her warning.

"Fire Soul!"

"Baka." Kunzite throws an energy bolt at Rei with Rei's energy, then throws an energy bolt at Sailor Moon. Sailor Mercury throws herself if front of Sailor Moon and takes the full brunt of the attack. At least I gave Kunzite no additional energy.

Sailor Mars and Sailor Mercury die.

Kunzite smiles. In front of him are the four dead Sailor Warriors and a terrified Sailor Moon.

To Be Continued!