Curse the princess!
The white-clad figure stood among the dust and rocks on the surface of the moon and waited. His patience had worn thin. He had come to the past in pursuit of a child, one who could ruin his plans and end his conquest of Earth. He had sent out his droid, a mechanical monstrosity, to retrieve her. Instead, the girl had escaped.
Now, he waited once more for the droid to find its prey. He realized his robotic servant was insufficient. He needed his companions to join him in the past.
He was unsure how the princess had ruptured the barrier between the future and the past. Such a feat was beyond even him. Her meddling with time, however, had left a gaping wound in the fabric of reality, one that was slow to heal. It was a wound he was all too glad to keep reopening.
He raised his hand and closed his eyes. He concentrated and drew upon the dark energy that now coursed through his veins. The darkness poured into the invisible fissure in time, forcing it open once more. The space in front of him warped and twisted. A time vortex of purple and green energy burst open before him.
A lone figure stepped through the portal. It was a young man, tall and thin, with a shock of black hair on his head. His face had the fine features of a nobleman.
The white-clad figure wavered; the exertion of opening a door in time threatened to overwhelm him. He had hoped to bring more of his allies into the past. It would have to wait. He lowered his hand, and the vortex disappeared.
The young man dropped to one knee before him.
"Prince Demande, how may I serve?"
Demande placed one hand on the young man's head, as if to bless him.
"Saphir, my brother. I am glad you are here. Rise and report."
Saphir stood.
"Our attack on Earth continues, but the princess still stands."
Anger flashed across Demande's face.
"Curse the princess!"
Saphir observed his brother with curiosity.
"How goes the hunt?"
Demande snorted.
"Your droids are marvelous inventions, Saphir, but this one struggles to subdue a child."
Saphir bowed.
"My prince, I ask that you give the creature a chance to fulfill its mission. I have no doubt it will succeed."
Demande placed a hand on his brother's shoulder.
"Very well. We shall wait. When I have gathered my strength, I will open the portal once more and bring the rest of our clan into the past."
Demande allowed a twisted smile to creep onto his face.
"Should your little droid fail, I know just who can bring this situation to a swift conclusion…and anybody who dares help the child, to a swift end."
"My mother is going to kill me!"
The elevator hummed as it ascended the tall apartment complex. Chibiusa leaned against the wall with a dramatic sigh. Momoko, her best friend at Juban Elementary School, stood beside Chibiusa, her red-brown hair tied back into a singular bun atop her head. Momo's mother perched behind them, a hen ushering her chicks back to the barn.
Momo giggled.
"No, she won't."
Chibiusa stared at the test clutched in her hand. At the top of the paper, in big red numbers, the teacher had written her grade like an accusation: 30%.
"Maybe not. She'll want to, though."
Momo placed a sympathetic hand on Chibiusa's shoulder.
"I still don't understand how you fell asleep during the test."
Chibiusa bit her lip. She hadn't been sleeping much. Bad dreams. Her grades were in freefall. To say her mother was unhappy would be an understatement.
The elevator reached the 12th floor, and the doors slid open. It announced its arrival with a soft ding. Momo and her mother stepped out into the hallway.
Momo flashed Chibiusa a cheerful smile.
"Bye, Chibiusa! See you tomorrow!"
Mrs. Momohara smiled at her as well. The family resemblance between mother and daughter startled Chibiusa for a moment.
"Tell your mother I said 'hello', Chibiusa."
She returned a half-hearted smile.
"I will. See you tomorrow."
The elevator doors closed and silence filled the small space. Chibiusa stared at the numbers on the panel as the elevator continued upward. Her mind wandered.
Chibiusa had no hope of a peaceful, fun afternoon with her mother. Mama had been so distant lately, always distracted, always elsewhere in her mind. The news of Chibiusa's poor test grade would no doubt cause an argument. Chibiusa missed the way things used to be between them.
The elevator dinged again, and the door slid open on the 19th floor. She stepped off the elevator and looked down the long, familiar hallway. Curious.
Chibiusa felt uneasy. The emotion confused her; this was home, after all. She had lived here her whole life. She couldn't remember a time before the generous lights, the shaggy carpet, and the bright wallpaper of this hallway.
Finally, she realized what felt so odd: it was the eerie silence. There were no loud television noises coming from apartment 1902, where the hard-of-hearing Mr. Ikuhara lived. There were no clattering, high-heeled footsteps in Ms. Sawai's apartment. No low voices echoed down the hallway. It was too quiet.
Chibiusa hesitated for a moment, then walked toward her apartment door at a fast clip. She wasn't quite running, but she hurried to get to the safety of her own home, the safety of her mother. Something just felt off.
When her apartment door came into sight, she gasped. It was half open and hung crooked on its hinges. The wood around the frame had splintered. Her stomach twisted. What was going on?
"Mama?"
She called out the question like somebody afraid of the answer. No answer came. She took another step forward and pushed the door open further.
When she stepped into her home, chaos greeted her. Overturned furniture and shattered glass lay scattered across the floor. A cool wind blew in through a broken window. The kitchen table lay destroyed, its chairs were missing.
"Mama?!"
Her voice trembled as fear gripped her heart. Her small feet crunched over broken glass. Then she saw him. Her father was lying face down on the living room floor, motionless. She rushed to his side.
"Daddy!"
She knelt beside him and shook his shoulder. His body was so still; too still.
"Daddy, wake up! Please wake up!"
Tears streamed down Chibiusa's face as her world lay shattered before her. What had happened here? Where was her mother?
A low hiss echoed from the shadows near the broken window. Startled, Chibiusa looked up. Hidden in the shadows, something moved. It took a step toward her and into the light.
The creature looked humanoid, but it wasn't human. Too-pale skin contrasted against its black clothes. Two large, black voids gazed at her from where its eyes should have been. It had no other facial features. A black crescent moon marked its forehead.
The creature took another step toward Chibiusa and shrieked. The bone chilling sound came from deep inside of its throat. It lunged toward her. Chibiusa screamed.
Suddenly, her mother was there, wielding a frying pan. That figured. She was a legendary danger in the kitchen.
Her mother struck the creature with all her strength and sent it staggering back.
"Get away from my daughter!"
Her voice was so different from the tired, distracted tone Chibiusa had grown accustomed to hearing.
Her mother flipped through the air with an agility Chibiusa had never seen before. She executed a perfect handspring, then landed a sharp kick that sent the creature crashing through a doorway and into another room. Chibiusa's eyes grew wide.
Who is this woman?
"Chibiusa! Are you alright?"
Her mother panted as she turned toward her daughter. Before Chibiusa could answer, the creature returned with inhuman speed. It seized her mother and threw her across the room. She hit the wall with a thud and Chibiusa screamed once more.
A low laugh filled the apartment. It started small, like an itch in the back of Chibiusa's mind, then grew louder and more forceful. Her head darted back and forth as she searched for the source of the laughter.
A man stood there, dressed in black, like some kind of punk rock singer from a bygone era. He wore high boots, fingerless gloves, and a black leather jacket. Draped around his neck, he wore a long, red scarf that complemented the messy red hair on top of his head. He, too, bore the black crescent moon mark on his forehead. A pair of black crystals dangled from his ears.
"Hello, princess."
He watched as her mother struggled back to her feet.
"It's time, Serenity. He wants to see you."
Her mother stood tall and proud, almost regal. This was another side of her Chibiusa had never seen before. She looked like a stranger.
"I am not the princess anymore. My name is Usagi now, and I don't want to see him."
The man laughed again, and Chibiusa shivered. It was an evil sound.
"You have no choice, princess."
Usagi looked at the man with pity.
"There is always a choice, Rubeus. Even now, there is still a choice."
He hesitated for a moment, surprised. Then he shook his head.
"It's too late for that. Come with me, or the droid will kill your daughter."
It was Usagi's turn to hesitate.
"No."
Rubeus shrugged.
"Very well."
The creature turned toward Chibiusa. Its black, void-like eyes remained expressionless as it stepped toward her. It screeched its awful shriek. Chibiusa panicked.
"Mama?!"
Usagi's voice echoed through the apartment like thunder.
"I told you to stay away from her!"
Light erupted around them in a silent explosion. It was bright, but not blinding; warm, but not searing. It shone on Chibiusa and her panic subsided. She looked at her mother.
Light enveloped Usagi. She was its source; the light radiated from her body. Her expression was one of pure surprise.
"After all this time…?"
The creature screeched and charged toward Chibiusa. Usagi raised her hand in a single, fluid motion and the droid disintegrated into dust. The breeze from the broken window blew its remains away.
The red-haired man, Rubeus, howled in anger.
"Impossible! You are powerless!"
Usagi, glowing and radiant, smiled at Rubeus across the room.
"I guess I am not as powerless as you thought." Her voice turned to steel. "Now leave."
Rubeus hesitated. Usagi filled her voice with royal authority once more.
"Do you think you can defeat me like this, Crimson Rubeus? Is that a risk you want to take?"
He considered for a moment, then grinned.
"Very well, princess. Die with the other earthlings."
Just like that, he vanished. Usagi made her way to Chibiusa, knelt down next to her and embraced her. Chibiusa clung to her mother; tears streamed down her face.
When they separated, she could see her mother had tears in her eyes as well. Usagi reached out and gently touched her husband's cheek as he lay on the floor beside them.
"Oh, Mamoru. What did they do to you?"
In the distance, Chibiusa could hear a loud explosion and flinched. The apartment shook. She looked up at her mother. When she spoke, her voice was a whisper.
"What was that?"
Usagi stood, her face grim.
"Their attack has begun."
She looked down at her daughter.
"I made a mistake, sweetheart, and thought I could live a normal life. Now something terrible is coming. It could destroy everything. I can hold it off for a little while, but I can't stop it alone."
She unclasped a chain around her neck and revealed a small, ornate key.
"You need to go back, Chibiusa. Awaken the Sailor Guardians. They're the only ones who can help us now."
Chibiusa's eyes widened.
"The Sailor Guardians are just stories."
Usagi smiled.
"I wished we had more time. I have so much to explain."
She pressed the key into her daughter's hands.
"This key will send you back in time. When you go to the past, it will tether our two time periods together. Any changes you make in the past…they will skip ahead to here and now to protect your past and your memories."
Her mother's tone took on a desperate edge.
"Find the Guardians. Let them know their powers are not gone, just dormant. Tell them to find their inner light."
Another explosion rocked the building, closer this time.
"I love you, my little Chibiusa. It's all up to you now."
Usagi raised her hands, and light poured from them like a beacon. Through the broken window, Chibiusa saw light spreading even outside of their apartment building. She realized that her mother was trying to extend her light like a shield, to protect the world from attack.
Usagi looked at her daughter. A single tear rolled down her face. She whispered something that almost sounded like a prayer. Chibiusa thought she heard the words "major sumo", but that couldn't be right.
The key in Chibiusa's hand radiated a strange light. Static electricity charged the air around her. The floor beneath her feet became unstable. With a loud pop, a swirling vortex of purple and green opened beneath her.
She cried out and reached for her mother.
"Mama, don't send me away!"
It was too late. The vortex pulled her in. Her mother's figure became a blur as Chibiusa fell backwards through time.
Mamoru and Usagi sat on their couch in stunned silence. Usagi stared at the girl who claimed to be her daughter from the future. She didn't know how to react to her story. The girl…Chibiusa…had left her speechless.
Mamoru cleared his throat, and Usagi glanced at him. The blood on his head had dried, at least, but he looked terrible. All three of them smelled putrid from their brief trip through the Tokyo sewer system.
"Your mother…did you know she had powers?"
Chibiusa shook her head. Usagi wasn't sure how far her husband would get with his questions. The girl looked like she was about to melt into tears again.
"And the Sailor Guardians? You said you thought they were just stories."
Chibiusa nodded.
"Mama used to make up stories about the Guardians for me when I was little. Later on, she started writing a manga…"
Usagi's eyes widened. Mamoru pressed on.
"And your father. When you left, was he…?"
Chibiusa had reached her limit. She burst into tears.
"I don't know!"
She stood there, her hands tangled in her skirt as tears streamed down her face. She didn't know what to do with herself.
Mamoru stood and approached her. He dropped to one knee and opened his arms to her. She rushed forward and embraced him.
"Daddy…"
He held her for a long time and waited out her sobs. Usagi felt a pang of jealousy, but pushed it aside. That girl could be her daughter. Even if she wasn't, she had been through a lot.
After some time, Mamoru gently squirmed out of Chibiusa's embrace.
"It's late. We all could use some rest. Why don't you go to the bathroom and clean up a bit? Usagi will be there in a moment with a nightshirt for you."
Chibiusa wiped the tears from her face and nodded.
"Okay."
She slowly, sadly, walked toward the bathroom.
Mamoru returned to the couch and sat down next to Usagi with a groan.
"And to think, you said kids don't fall from the sky."
Usagi punched him in the shoulder.
"Not funny, Mamoru." She hesitated. "Do you believe her?"
Mamoru looked straight ahead, lost in thought.
"I don't know. We've seen impossible things before, but this? It is a bit much."
He looked at Usagi.
"There is something, though. I feel a connection. It's strong."
He waited for her to answer his implicit question. When she didn't, he made it explicit.
"Do you feel it, too?"
Usagi thought about it for a moment. She had felt something when they were trying to escape from that creature in the clothing store. Did that make the girl her daughter?
She shook her head.
"No."
He cleared his throat.
"There's something else." He hesitated. "Crimson Rubeus."
Usagi met his gaze.
"I don't know who that is. If he is somebody I knew as Serenity, those memories are gone."
The silence that followed seemed to stretch out for an eternity. Finally, Mamoru spoke.
"No matter who she is, Chibiusa is in danger. We need to keep her hidden while we try to figure out if her story is true."
Usagi snorted.
"How do we do that?"
Mamoru smiled a thin smile.
"If she's our daughter, she should know things. About us. About our friends. We need to test her."
Usagi nodded. It sounded reasonable.
There was a knock at their apartment door, and Usagi nearly jumped out of her skin. Who would visit them at such a late hour?
Ami Mizuno tapped her foot as she waited for the small elevator to ascend to the 15th floor. Her nerves frayed and her patience was wearing thin. Somebody had attacked her best friend, and Ami was worried.
The text she had received from Usagi had told her next to nothing.
"Someone attacked us today. They injured Mamoru. Please call me when you can."
Call? No way. I'm on my way, Usagi!
The elevator dinged, and Ami stepped out into the hallway. She hesitated when she realized she had never been to Usagi and Mamoru's apartment. She had been so busy, first with her schooling in America, then with her new job at the hospital.
Ami patted the bag slung over her shoulder. No time to be embarrassed about her failures as a friend. Right now, Usagi needed her.
She turned right and hurried down the hallway, checking the apartment doors as she passed them. Concern for her friends dominated her thoughts. Who had attacked them? How badly were they hurt? Was the Dark Kingdom back?
Finally, she found the right apartment door. She knocked, then adjusted her glasses as she waited.
The door opened just a crack at first. Ami recognized Usagi peeking through the narrow opening. When their eyes met, she heard her friend gasp.
"Ami!"
Usagi swung open the door and Ami dashed inside, overwhelmed with emotion. Before Usagi could say another word, Ami pulled her into a tight embrace.
"I'm so sorry, Usagi! I just saw your message!"
She stepped back to give her friend a quick look over. Worry tinged her voice as she searched Usagi for signs of injury.
"I was in the middle of a shift and couldn't check my phone. When I saw your message, I came over as fast as I…wait. Why are you holding a frying pan?"
Usagi gave her a sheepish smile as she tried to hide the frying pan behind her back.
"It could have been anybody at the door…"
Ami let out a sigh of relief, then crinkled her nose.
"What's that smell?"
She tried to mask her reaction with a polite cough, but the stench was overwhelming. Usagi's face flushed.
"That…that would be me…"
Mamoru spoke up from the couch.
"Let's just say the princess led me on a tour of Tokyo's sewer system today."
Usagi's face went from red to bright-red as she turned toward Mamoru and once again brandished the frying pan.
"Hey, I got us out of there, didn't I?"
He raised his hands in mock surrender.
"That you did, Usagi."
Ami blinked in surprise, then giggled.
"You two haven't changed a bit."
Ami noted the cut on Mamoru's forehead, crusted over with dried blood. She moved into the apartment and knelt down next to him. Her medical training took over.
"Let me look at that."
She rummaged through her bag and produced a small first-aid kit with bandages and antiseptic. She soaked a cotton ball with the antiseptic, then dabbed at Mamoru's wound.
Mamoru winced. Ami suppressed a smile at the sight of tough, stoic Mamoru recoiling from the sting of a disinfectant.
"I'm sorry, but it needs to be cleaned."
She produced a small flashlight from her bag and shone the light into his eyes.
"Any dizziness? Headache? Drowsiness? Vomiting?"
Mamoru sighed.
"Yes."
Ami put the flashlight away.
"You have a mild concussion. Take it easy, alright? Lots of rest."
Mamoru nodded.
"Thank you. I won't ignore the doctor's orders."
Usagi hovered nearby. She fidgeted with her hands as she watched Ami tend to her husband.
"Is he going to be okay?"
Ami waved her hand at Usagi, as if to let her know it was no big deal.
"Yes. He just needs some time to recover."
She glanced around the apartment. Cozy and clean, it was a fine home for her friend. There was, however, an undeniable tension in the air.
"Usagi, what happened? Was it the Dark Kingdom?"
Before Usagi could answer, a little girl of maybe eight years shuffled into the room. She had a freshly scrubbed face, and her clean, black hair hung loosely down to her shoulders. She wore one of Usagi's "Minako Aino" t-shirts as a nightgown. It was much too big; it swallowed her whole and hung down to her knees.
She hugged Luna, Usagi's plush cat advisor, to her chest. Luna was pretending to be an ordinary plush cat.
Ami blinked at the girl, taken aback. She tilted her head.
"Usagi, when did you…? I wasn't gone that long…was I?"
Usagi shook her fist in Ami's direction, more playful than angry.
"Now, you just wait a minute! Don't make me get my frying pan again, Ami!"
Chibiusa's eyes widened in shock when her eyes fell on Ami.
"Miss Mizuno?"
Ami's eyes widened in return. How did this child know her name? Chibiusa took a little bow and looked at Ami with an earnest expression.
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
Ami smiled.
"Well, aren't you just the most well-mannered small lady?"
Her tone was friendly, but Chibiusa's polite greeting and knowing eyes had left Ami puzzled.
Mamoru rose from his seat on the couch and walked over to Chibiusa. He offered her his hand.
"Come on, let's get you settled in for the night. It's been a long day for you, too."
Chibiusa nodded and let Mamoru lead her to the spare bedroom. Luna winked at Usagi and Ami as they left the living room. Usagi could rest easy; Luna would monitor the girl overnight.
Once they were out of earshot, Ami turned to Usagi. Curiosity dominated her face.
"Usagi, who is she?"
Usagi lowered her voice.
"You're going to think I'm crazy, but… she says she's our daughter. From the future."
Ami's eyes widened in surprise.
"Your daughter? Usagi, that's… unbelievable. I know we've seen some incredible things, but…"
"I'm not sure what to believe. She appeared out of nowhere, and she's in danger, Ami. A monster was after her tonight. It almost killed us trying to get to her."
Ami's expression turned grave.
"Was it the Dark Kingdom?"
Usagi sighed.
"No. I don't think so. The monster had a mark on its forehead. A black moon."
Ami went silent. A new enemy had emerged, and there were no Sailor Guardians to protect the Earth. A thought occurred to her.
"Usagi, have you thought about testing her? I can take samples from each of you. I have a friend at the hospital who can run the tests discreetly."
Relief flooded Usagi's face.
"Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you."
They sat in silence for a moment. Usagi noticed a new weariness in Ami.
"How are you holding up, Ami? I can't imagine how busy you must be with work."
Ami sighed and leaned back in her seat.
"I thought I knew what I was signing up for, but it's harder than I ever expected. We lost a patient this morning…"
Her voice trailed off. She loved Usagi with all of her heart, but she wasn't ready to talk about what had happened. She didn't want to discuss that her mentor believed she might be too soft-hearted to work as a doctor. It was too much to think about right now.
And now there was the girl. If she was from the future, why had she reacted so strangely to seeing Ami? What did it all mean?
"Let's take one challenge at a time."
Usagi placed a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Whatever comes, we'll face this together, right?"
Ami managed a small smile.
"Right."
A glimmer of hope sparked in Usagi's eyes.
"We'll get everyone together tomorrow. The girl…Chibiusa…she's told me some things. If she is from the future, all of us have a decision to make. We can meet at Crown Karaoke."
Ami raised her eyebrows.
"Crown? I thought it closed down."
Usagi's lips curled into a smile.
"Let's just say I have a surprise to share."
Ami chuckled. Their tensions eased as they leaned into the familiar comfort of their friendship. Whatever the future might bring, they would be ready to face it.
The city lights of Tokyo glimmered in the darkness outside of Minako Aino's studio apartment. Streaks of colors cast across the enormous interior. Minako set down her luggage with a sigh. After months of stage performances and hotel rooms all across Europe, she was finally back in Japan. Was it good to be home, though?
Minako turned on the light with a flick of her wrist and took in the grandiose space. It was a beautiful apartment, but it wasn't truly hers. She could count on one hand how often she had slept here since she had bought the apartment last year.
The only warmth came from Artemis, her ever-faithful plush cat companion. He leapt onto an armchair and eyed her with a curious tilt of his head.
"Well, Artemis, we're back. Home, I guess."
He could sense her melancholy and remained silent. Instead, he hopped down and weaved around her legs. It was a gentle, physical reminder to relax. She took a deep breath and tried to settle in.
She wandered from room to room and glanced at the framed posters and strange decorations her manager had chosen. In moments like these, she felt the weight of her success. Somebody else had chosen the furnishings in her apartment. She shook her head.
Her fingers trailed across the marble kitchen counter where she had never cooked a meal, then over the back of a leather couch that seemed too stiff to snuggle into.
She realized she was aching for a sense of belonging, of homecoming. Her thoughts drifted to Rei. What excuse could she find to drop in at the Hikawa Shrine tomorrow? The idea of catching up with Rei, of losing herself in the familiarity of their friendship, brought a small smile to her face.
Her phone buzzed. The sound jarred her back to the present. She dug it out of her pocket to see Ami's name on the screen. Surprised, she answered.
"Ami?"
Ami's voice sounded calm, but urgent.
"Minako. It's Usagi. Something attacked her and Mamoru."
Minako felt her heart skip a beat.
"Are they alright?"
Ami sighed. There was a weariness in her voice that was unlike her calm, focused friend.
"They're okay. There might be a new enemy. Something we don't understand yet. Usagi wants us all to meet at Crown Karaoke tomorrow night."
A new enemy? Now?
Minako glanced around the apartment. For the first time since her arrival, she noticed the subtle disturbances: objects slightly moved, items in the wrong place. She shook her head. Was she here often enough to be certain that somebody had been in her apartment?
Then she saw it. There, on the shelf, should be a picture. Taken on Usagi's wedding day, it was a photo of all five Sailor Guardians together. It was one of Minako's most cherished possessions, one of the few items in the apartment she had added to the decor herself. It was gone.
Minako was the most high-profile member of the former Guardians. Had this new enemy already come looking for her? Could they still be in the apartment?
She tensed up and stalked from room to room, looking for signs of an intruder. Artemis noticed her tension and followed suit, never straying far from her side as they searched the space.
"I'll be there, Ami, but what can we even do without our powers?"
Ami hesitated.
"Bring the Lunar Blade. I know it's been dormant, but maybe it can help restore us somehow."
Minako pressed her lips together. She hadn't touched the Lunar Blade since last year. A remnant of the long-lost Moon Kingdom, it had temporarily restored their powers so they could deal with a threat before Usagi's wedding. Since then, it lay hidden away, a relic of another life. She doubted the sword would accomplish anything.
"I'll bring it. And…it'll be good to see everyone. It's been too long."
Ami's voice softened.
"Yes. Far too long."
They ended the call. Minako had searched most of the apartment and had found no signs of an intruder. Still, she felt tense. All that remained now was the bedroom.
She entered her bedroom with caution; her eyes darted from side to side. Artemis followed at her heels. His fur bristled. It occurred to Minako that she may just be paranoid.
When she reached her bed, however, her pulse quickened. Somebody had been in her apartment, after all.
There, placed on her pillow with care, was a note. The handwriting was flowing and precise.
"I've missed you."
She picked up the note and stared at it. Her mind raced. She could only think of one person who would do this, one person who cared enough about her return to Japan.
"Rei?"
As she whispered the name, a warmth stirred in her chest.
Artemis jumped onto the bed and nudged against her arm.
"Who else?"
Minako's grip tightened on the note. Tomorrow's meeting might signal a new battle ahead, but tonight, she would hold on to the possibilities that Rei's note implied.
Morning dawned over Tokyo with rays of bright, fresh sunlight. For Naru Osaka, however, the day promised dirt and gloom instead.
She stood in the middle of Crown Karaoke, hands on her hips, and surveyed the mess. It was her mess now, hers and Usagi's. The two friends had pooled some cash and signed the papers just the previous afternoon. Now, all the dust and dirt, even the broken neon sign outside, were their responsibility.
Naru smiled. She was determined to bring this place back to life, to make it a thriving, successful business. Once and for all, she would prove to her mother she could stand on her own two feet, that her business sense was second to none.
Right now, however, Crown Karaoke looked like a disaster zone.
"We've got our work cut out for us."
She muttered the words under her breath, but still they echoed in the empty lounge.
Naru wandered around and fiddled with some abandoned equipment. Usagi had promised to meet her later today so they could strategize their remodel, but Naru liked to get the lay of the land on her own first.
She ducked behind the guest counter to check some wiring. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed all around her.
"Uh… hello?"
Naru peeked over a counter to see a guy standing in the doorway. He had a mop of messy brown hair, and his large, round glasses seemed to take up half of his face. He was holding a backpack slung over one shoulder, and looked like he'd just wandered in from a college campus. His whole vibe screamed 'awkward dork'.
"Hey… you open?"
Naru stared at him for several seconds, then laughed.
"You're kidding, right? Does this place look open to you?"
She gestured around them. He squinted at the mess and pushed his glasses up on his nose.
"I mean, the door was open. So, I figured…"
He blinked at her and waited.
What is happening right now?
"That's my bad. I forgot to lock it." She rubbed the back of her neck. "Seriously, though, look around. This place is a wreck."
He glanced around.
"I don't know. It's got something. 'Party at the end of the world' sort of vibe. People are into that these days."
Naru snorted.
"Yeah, I could save a ton on the renovation. I'll just put a new sign outside. Karaoke in the Apocalypse."
His response came without hesitation.
"I'd come."
His voice was so earnest, his face so deadpan, it was almost endearing. Naru chuckled and shook her head.
"You're a weird guy, you know that?"
"Yeah, I've been told." He looked around again. "So, what's the plan? Are you fixing this place all by yourself?"
Naru shook her head.
"No way. Me and a friend just bought the place. We have some history here and thought it would be fun to restore it to its former glory."
She wasn't sure what moved her to add what she said next.
"Wanna help?"
He shrugged.
"I can't hammer a nail without smashing my finger, but I could, like, make some promo posters? Create a logo? I'm an artist."
Naru smiled.
"Of course you are."
Her mother would blow a gasket if she brought a starving artist home. She shook her head, but the smile never left her face.
"What's your name?"
He pushed his glasses back up on his nose once more.
"Gurio Umino, but my friends just call me Umino. You?"
Naru reached her hand across the counter and shook his hand.
"Naru Osaka. Nice to meet you, Umino." She crossed her arms. "So, is this what you do? Walk into random abandoned buildings?"
He shrugged.
"When the door's unlocked, sure. Artists are always looking for inspiration."
"Inspiration, huh?" Naru raised an eyebrow. "Did you find any here?"
He blushed and gave her a sheepish smile. Good lord, he was shy!
"Yeah, I'd say so."
The silence hung between them for a long moment. Umino suddenly noticed that he was staring at Naru. He rubbed his neck and shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, good luck with the place, Naru. I'll keep an eye out for that grand reopening."
She watched him leave. The door creaked shut behind him. After a beat, she shook her head. A small smile still tugged at her lips.
"What a strange guy."
She turned her attention back to the wiring under the counter, then heard the door creak open once more.
"Back already?"
She froze when she saw Usagi standing in the doorway. Next to her stood a little eight-year-old girl. She was the spitting image of Usagi. Naru raised an eyebrow in silent inquiry.
"Naru…we need to talk."
"Your daughter?!"
Motoki Furuhata's voice rose to a level of incredulity only he could achieve. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Mamoru allowed himself a small smile.
The two men had been friends for many years. Mamoru took comfort in discussing his rather extraordinary problems with a guy as down to earth as Motoki. He had a way of putting things into perspective.
"By all means, Furuhata, speak up. I don't think they heard you in Yokohama."
Motoki looked over his shoulder at the people strolling through the shopping mall. To his relief, nobody was paying attention to them.
"Sorry."
Mamoru made a sharp left turn and continued walking like a man with a purpose. Motoki picked up the pace to keep up.
"So…what's she like? Your daughter?"
Mamoru sighed.
"We're not even sure if she's telling the truth." He hesitated. "She reminds me a lot of Usagi."
Mamoru could hear the genuine affection in his own voice. The girl was getting to him. If she was a liar, she was a good one.
Motoki nodded. He had noticed Mamoru's tone as well.
"Has she told you much about the future?"
Mamoru stopped and faced his friend.
"No, and when you meet her, don't ask too many questions. We have no clue how knowing the future might affect it."
Motoki grimaced.
"I hadn't thought of that."
Mamoru put a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"I've thought of little else since last night."
He turned around and started walking toward his destination again. Motoki hurried after him.
"Where are we going, anyway?"
Mamoru didn't bother to turn around this time.
"The girls are at Crown right now, talking about how to get their powers back."
Motoki hesitated.
"Do you think they can?"
Mamoru wasn't sure how to respond. Was it possible? The better question was, did he want them to succeed? He wasn't sure of the answer.
"Chibiusa claims their powers are dormant, not lost."
Motoki sped up and slipped in front of Mamoru, forcing the two men to come face to face.
"Mamoru…will they really have to fight again?"
Motoki's voice trembled with worry. It was obvious he loved Makoto very much. Watching her risk her life would not be easy for him. Motoki was, at his core, just a sweet and caring guy.
Mamoru sympathized. Still, he would never lie to his friend. Not when it mattered.
"If this new enemy keeps coming, then…yes."
Motoki seemed to shrink like a deflated balloon.
"Motoki, listen. I have no intention of letting anything happen to Usagi or the others. They will not stand alone in this fight. I swear it."
Motoki seemed to perk up hearing Mamoru's words. He managed a half-hearted smile.
"You still haven't told me where we are going."
Mamoru met Motoki's smile with his own.
"We're going shopping. I need a new tuxedo."
"Well, that's just ridiculous."
Usagi turned to look at Rei, whose large, dark eyes seemed to bore into her soul.
"Rei!"
Ami, ever the most loyal of friends, came to Usagi's defense. With a raised hand, Usagi signaled to Ami that it was fine.
"I never said I believed her, Rei. I'm just telling you what Chibiusa told me. She claims she is my daughter from the future."
Rei huffed, but added nothing further.
So far, their reunion wasn't quite what Usagi had expected. Naru had offered to take Chibiusa out for ice cream so they could chat with no distractions. The former Sailor Guardians had reunited in their old hangout spot at Crown Karaoke. The peeling paint and dusty cobwebs seemed to serve as a metaphor for how they had neglected their friendship. Still, Usagi had hoped for a happy, maybe even tearful reunion.
Instead, there had been awkward hugs and silences. Usagi had recounted the last day's events: Chibiusa's sudden arrival, the creature's attack, and the girl's shocking revelation that she was Usagi and Mamoru's future daughter.
Minako cleared her throat but avoided looking at Rei as she spoke.
"Whoever she is, the girl is in danger. If we can help her, we should."
Rei turned her fiery gaze on Minako.
"Who says we can trust her? Maybe she's an enemy trying to lure us out of hiding. We know nothing about this girl."
Minako's eyes blazed.
"It seems you have forgotten everything I taught you about leadership."
They glared at each other. Usagi looked from one to the other.
What's going on with these two?
Ami's voice cut through the tension.
"I took samples from Usagi, Mamoru, and Chibiusa this morning. A friend at the hospital is running some tests. If Chibiusa is lying, we'll know later today."
Makoto, who had been silent for most of the meeting, suddenly slapped the table with her palm.
"Listen to yourselves bickering about this girl! Don't you understand that something almost killed Usagi?"
A heavy, uncomfortable silence filled the air. The Sailor Guardians had sworn to protect their princess, to protect Usagi. They had been confident that their victory over the Dark Kingdom had banished all danger. Instead, they had failed in their duty.
Usagi put a hand on Makoto's shoulder.
"Mako, I'm fine."
She turned her attention to Luna and Artemis. The two plush cats huddled in the room's corner and spoke in hushed tones.
"What are you two whispering about over there?"
Luna trotted over to the Guardians and jumped up on the table.
"We just put our heads together for a bit. To be honest, we're just as confused as all of you."
Ami leaned forward.
"You spent the night watching over Chibiusa. Did you notice anything suspicious?"
Luna sat down and shook her head.
"Not at all. In fact, she sleeps an awful lot like Usagi."
Usagi stood.
"Wait a minute, now…"
Luna ignored her protests.
"She sprawls out, hogs the blankets, and drools all over the pillow. There's also the matter of the snoring…"
Usagi's face turned crimson.
"Luna!"
Ami snickered. Soon, the others joined in and the tension that had been present in the room evaporated.
Usagi tried to get the meeting back on track.
"Luna, do you know anything about a black crescent moon symbol?"
Luna shook her head once more.
"As you all know, our memories of our past lives in the Moon Kingdom are incomplete. Usagi's memory, in particular, is quite bad since Princess Serenity faded away. Maybe this creature is connected to our past, and we just can't remember it."
Makoto's frustration was palpable.
"So there's a new enemy, maybe even from our past lives, and we have no power to fight against them?"
In response, Minako reached under the table and pulled out a long object wrapped in cloth. She placed it on the table next to Luna and unwrapped it with great care and reverence. Before the gathered Guardians lay the Lunar Blade, which had temporarily restored their powers one year ago.
"Luna, could this restore our powers again?"
Luna stood.
"I don't know. Whatever power remained on the moon was used to bring this sword to us. The last remaining powers of the Moon Kingdom rested in that sword, and it only gave you back your powers for a few minutes."
Usagi looked at each of her Guardians.
"According to Chibiusa, future me said that the Guardians' powers are not gone, just dormant. We can reawaken them if we find our 'inner light'. If she is telling the truth, this sword could be the key."
Usagi placed her hand on the blade.
"We won't know until we try."
The Guardians looked at her, but didn't move. Rei was the first to speak. Her tone had grown softer.
"Usagi, we love you, but you are asking a lot. We don't know who Chibiusa is or who this enemy is. Each of us has made a life for ourselves. Becoming a Sailor Guardian again…that's a big decision."
Usagi cleared her throat.
"I will never ask you to abandon the lives you made for yourselves, or even ask you to stand by my side in battle if you don't want to. I just need my powers back. Mamoru almost died yesterday. I almost died. I can't go through life without the strength to defend myself and my family."
The room fell silent. It was Minako who made the first move. She placed her hand on the blade next to Usagi's.
"My princess, I will stand with you."
Ami squeezed Usagi's shoulder, then placed her hand on the blade, as well.
"You know I won't let you down, Usagi."
Rei sighed, then placed her hand on the blade, too.
"I'm with you, Usagi. I always have been."
The four young women looked at Makoto. Last time, it took Usagi's four Guardians, together, to unlock the powers of the Lunar Blade. For a long moment, Makoto hesitated. All the color drained from her face. Then, without a word, she placed one hand on the blade.
The five young women looked down at the blade for a long moment. Nothing happened. Was that relief Usagi saw on Makoto's face?
Rei's hand brushed against Minako's and she quickly withdrew as if she had touched a hot stove. Her face turned a bright shade of red.
There's definitely something strange going on between those two.
Usagi sighed.
"Well, that's disappointing. Now what?"
Ami put her hand on Usagi's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"We investigate. Later today, we'll get the results of Chibiusa's tests. We'll know for sure if she is your daughter."
Artemis hopped up on the table and sat down next to Luna.
"Luna and I can try to access the database on the moon. If there is any power remaining up there, maybe we can get some information about the black crescent moon symbol."
Minako spoke up.
"I'll experiment with the Lunar Blade. Maybe I can wake it up somehow. Rei can use her psychic powers to learn more about this enemy."
Rei nodded once. Usagi thought she looked nervous.
"And while we try to access our powers, Makoto can teach us some self-defense moves that don't rely on strength."
Usagi gave Rei a half-hearted smile. Reuniting with her Sailor Guardians may not have been the joyous occasion she had pictured, but she was grateful for their love and support.
"Aunt Mina! Aunt Rei!"
Chibiusa dashed into the room, Naru in hot pursuit. Rei rose from her seat, confused.
"Aunt…?"
Chibiusa threw herself on Rei and wrapped both arms around her waist in a big embrace. Rei looked terrified.
"Wow, Aunt Rei, your hair is so long! I've never seen it so long before!"
Rei placed a hand on Chibiusa's head and looked at Usagi with pleading eyes.
"Usagi…?"
Usagi almost burst out laughing.
"Everyone, this is Chibiusa." She hesitated. "Chibiusa…these are my friends."
Usagi remembered what Mamoru had said. If Chibiusa was from the future, she should know things. This may be an opportunity to test her.
"Chibiusa, why don't we play a game? Why don't you tell me something about each of my friends?"
Chibiusa let go of Rei and frowned.
"You're trying to test me, aren't you?"
Usagi chuckled.
"Well…"
Chibiusa continued to pout.
"I'm not a baby, you know? If you want to know something, just ask me. You don't have to trick me."
Chibiusa pointed at Rei.
"This is Aunt Rei. She's a priestess who can predict the future. She always tells me when my teachers plan surprise quizzes. Mama doesn't like it when she does that."
She pointed at Minako.
"This is Aunt Mina, a famous singer. She wrote a lullaby for me when I was a baby. She's been teaching me to play piano."
Makoto was her next target.
"This is Aunt Mako. She cooks the most delicious food! She…" Her voice faltered. "I've not seen her in a while. She's been taking some time for herself."
She pointed at Ami.
"This is Miss Mizuno. She's a doctor."
Usagi raised an eyebrow.
"Can you tell me a little more about Ami?"
Chibiusa looked at Ami for a moment, then shook her head in defiance.
"No. I don't like this test." She turned her attention back to Rei. "Can I have a sleepover with you and Aunt Mina tonight?"
Rei's face turned fire-red. Nearby, Minako's face lost all color. They both cried out at the same time.
"What?!"
Chibiusa looked from one to the other.
"Wait…you mean…"
She smacked her forehead like she had just remembered something important.
"Never mind. I'm sorry."
She hurried over to Usagi. On the way, she spotted Luna on the table. She and Artemis had collapsed as they pretended to be ordinary stuffed animals. Chibiusa snatched Luna off the table and squeezed the plush cat to her chest.
"Are you done, Usagi? Ice cream with Naru was fun, but I'm getting hungry for some actual food."
Usagi glanced at each of her friends. Ami looked confused. Makoto was deep in thought. Rei and Minako avoided making eye contact.
She sighed. Maybe it was for the best that they remained powerless for now. It may be some time before they could fight like a unit again.
"Sure, Chibiusa, let's go home."
Rei adjusted her purse strap and picked up her pace as she left Crown Karaoke. Her dark hair swayed with each hurried step. She looked like a woman fleeing the scene of a crime; she never once looked back.
"Rei, wait!"
The familiar voice stopped her in her tracks. Rei closed her eyes and steeled herself before turning around.
Minako stood a few feet away. Her brown hair caught the sunlight, which gave her face an almost otherworldly glow. She carried that undeniable aura of star power, even in her jeans and casual blouse. She gazed at Rei with soft, vulnerable eyes.
Step by step, she came closer. Rei felt her heart pounding in her chest.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you."
Rei shook her head.
"Don't apologize. I was out of line, too."
Rei sighed.
"Seeing everyone again was… weird. I've been so focused on my priesthood training, on my solitude, I just wasn't ready for it."
Minako tilted her head.
"I remember a time when you chastised me for keeping to myself."
Rei let a small, wry smile touch her lips.
"Maybe so, but I think it's what I need right now."
Minako hesitated. She could sense that Rei was trying to keep her at arm's length.
"What about that girl, Chibiusa? She called us her aunts. That was… something."
Rei stiffened, but kept her composure.
"It's strange. I don't know what to make of it."
She met Minako's gaze for a moment, then looked away again. Her friend's eyes were too intense to bear. Rei's heart continued to pound in her chest.
"I didn't want to say anything back there, but I felt something during my meditation yesterday. There was something in the fire, something malicious. It's coming for us, for Usagi, and we need to be ready."
Minako reached out, but she stopped just short of touching her friend.
"Rei…"
Rei interrupted, her voice sharp.
"I don't want reassurances. The last time something like this happened, I ended up in the hospital. Powerless. Useless. I can't let that happen again."
Minako had heard enough. She closed the distance between them and reached up to brush her fingertips against Rei's cheek.
"You're not useless, and I won't let anything happen to you. Not again."
Rei froze. Her eyes widened. The warmth of Minako's hand disarmed her. The gentle touch electrified her. For a moment, the world seemed to shrink until only the two of them existed together in a world all their own.
The moment, however, stretched too long. They noticed what was happening and, confused, both stepped back, their faces flushed. A heavy silence hung between them.
Finally, Minako broke the silence. Her voice was light, but trembled with nervousness.
"By the way, thank you for the note."
Rei blinked, still off balance from Minako's touch.
"What note?"
Minako gave a small laugh.
"The one you left on my pillow. Last night, when I got home. It just said 'I've missed you'."
Rei's brow furrowed.
"Minako… I didn't leave a note."
The idol's smile faded.
"What do you mean? If you didn't leave it, then who did?"
Rei's eyes darted around, her instincts kicking into high gear. Their flirtation was all but forgotten.
"You need to be careful."
Minako swallowed hard.
"Could this be what you felt in your meditation?"
Rei hesitated.
"Maybe. Whatever it is, it's not like the creature that attacked Usagi. This thing is playing games."
Minako nodded.
"Then we'll just have to play to win."
Rei didn't respond, but the corner of her lips twitched into a faint smile. She locked eyes with Minako, who winked at her. Rei could feel the heat rising in her face once more.
Whatever this is between us…I've missed it.
The two women stood for a long moment on the quiet Tokyo sidewalk. Neither made a sound. They simply enjoyed each other's company. Their shared uncertainty bound them tighter than any words could.
The apartment door closed behind Usagi and Chibiusa with a click. Usagi dropped her bag by the door and exhaled. The awkwardness between mother and daughter filled the air like static.
Chibiusa wandered into the living room. She looked at the couch, considered sitting on it for a moment, then thought better of it. She had not forgotten the dripping mess of sewage that had leaked all over it the night before.
"Well, you said you were hungry, right? I'll whip something up for you!"
Usagi put extra cheer into her voice as she dashed into the kitchen.
Chibiusa stared at her, eyes wide in horror.
"You're going to cook?"
Usagi huffed with indignation.
"Yes. I can cook, you know."
She put on her pink apron and grinned at Chibiusa. The girl crossed her arms.
"No, you can't. In the future, we order takeout most of the time. Daddy says it's safer."
Usagi gasped. She clutched her chest as if struck by an arrow.
"Safer?! How dare you!"
Chibiusa stuck out her tongue at Usagi.
"It's the truth."
Usagi grabbed a spatula from the counter and brandished it at her future daughter.
"Oh, you little…!"
Chibiusa remained unbothered.
"Stop calling me 'little'. I'm already eight years old, Usagi."
Usagi glared at her.
"You claim you're my daughter, so why won't you call me mama, huh? Why is it 'Usagi'?"
Chibiusa shrugged. Her next words cut Usagi to the core.
"You're not my mama yet. You didn't give birth to me or raise me. So, you're just Usagi."
She stuck her tongue out again.
"That's it! You're getting drafted, you little brat!"
Before Chibiusa could protest, Usagi grabbed another apron from the cabinet, rolled it up to fit her tiny frame, and tied it around her.
"If you think I'm such a disaster in the kitchen, you can help!"
Chibiusa sighed in resignation but didn't resist.
"Fine, but don't blame me if you burn down the apartment. There's a reason we have the fire department on speed dial."
Usagi ruffled the girl's hair.
"Hilarious! Now watch and learn from the master!"
She dragged the girl to the counter with the energy of a mad scientist while Chibiusa tried to undo the damage to her hair.
They cooked together. Initially, at least, there was a lot more bickering than cooking. Usagi tried to chop vegetables. Her clumsy knife skills sent carrot pieces flying. Chibiusa groaned and picked the pieces out of her hair.
Gradually, the two found a rhythm. It amazed Usagi how easily she and Chibiusa could work together. Instructions passed between them without words, as if they were two halves of the same person. They still traded plenty of barbs as they cooked together, but it felt like a fun game, not a genuine conflict.
Chibiusa leaned forward to pour rice into a pot. Usagi put her hand over it.
"The water needs to boil before you put in the rice, Chibiusa, or it'll be a sticky mess."
Chibiusa looked up at her.
"Move your hand, Usagi, or you're gonna get burned!"
Usagi winked at her.
"You know what they say. No pain, no grain."
The two looked at each other for a long moment, then broke into laughter. When the water bubbled, Chibiusa poured in the rice. Usagi grinned as she watched Chibiusa stir it.
Am I enjoying myself? How is this possible?
Chibiusa seemed more at ease than she had been all day. Usagi seized the moment and asked her some questions as casually as possible.
"Hey, what was that all about with Rei and Minako today? They were acting so weird when you asked to have a sleepover."
Chibiusa hesitated. Her cheeks turned a little pink.
"Aunt Rei and Aunt Mina are great. They're just... close in the future."
Usagi caught the girl's hesitation and raised an eyebrow.
"Close? How close?"
Chibiusa snapped back.
"Just close!"
Usagi let it slide.
"Fine, fine." She switched gears. "What about Makoto? You said very little to her."
Chibiusa's expression dimmed.
"She's going through something in the future. I don't want to talk about it."
Usagi frowned but didn't press.
"And Ami…why do you keep calling her Miss Mizuno? She's one of my best friends. Don't you spend any time with her at all? I thought you two would be closer."
Chibiusa dropped her cooking spoon on the floor. Her face had gone ashen. Usagi bent down to pick up the cooking spoon and washed it off in the sink before handing it back to Chibiusa. Her heart ached at how guarded the girl now seemed.
She grabbed a handful of flour and tossed it into the air with exaggerated clumsiness.
"Oops! Guess I'm making a mess again!"
Chibiusa groaned.
"You're impossible." She hesitated. "Why is there flour on the counter, anyway? We're making curry rice!"
Usagi grinned. She had no idea.
They focused on finishing the meal, and Chibiusa's mood lifted again. Usagi enjoyed their banter, but deep down, she was worried. What was going on with Ami that Chibiusa was too terrified to discuss?
As they put generous helpings of curry rice on their plates, Chibiusa cleared her throat.
"Why did we meet all of your friends at Crown Karaoke today, anyway? Shouldn't we focus on finding the Guardians and helping them reawaken their powers?"
Usagi stiffened. Her future self had never told Chibiusa about her life as Sailor Moon. The girl had grown up in the belief that her mother had made up those tales, first as bedtime stories, then for a manga. That the Guardians were real was still new to her; that Usagi and her friends, in fact, were the Guardians, was a well-kept secret.
She stammered.
"I... uh... thought it would be nice to, you know, catch up."
Chibiusa's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Catch up on what?"
Before Usagi could dig herself a deeper hole, the door opened. Mamoru entered the apartment with two shopping bags.
He spotted Usagi and Chibiusa across the small apartment and smiled.
"Something smells good."
Chibiusa sprinted to her future father and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Mamo!"
Usagi pouted.
"She never greets me like that."
Mamoru chuckled.
"What's for lunch?"
Chibiusa's eyes took on an evil twinkle as she looked up at Mamoru.
"If you call now, we can still have some okonomiyaki delivered."
Usagi tossed a kitchen towel across the room at Chibiusa. It landed dramatically on her head.
"I heard that, small fry! Now go wash up for lunch!"
Chibiusa stuck out her tongue one last time, then dashed away.
Mamoru watched as Usagi threw her hands up in exasperation and grumbled under her breath.
"Chibiusa…"
He put the bags down and laughed. Usagi turned toward him with a glimmer of annoyance in her eyes. He marveled at how beautiful she was, even when she was angry.
"What's so funny?"
He shook his head.
"You two. I'm glad you are getting on so well."
Usagi turned her attention back to the plates of food she and Chibiusa had prepared. One at a time, she carried them to the kitchen table.
"You call this 'getting on well'? The girl is a menace."
Mamoru came up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. Sometimes she had no idea how amazing she was.
"You're doing a great job with her."
Usagi turned to face him.
"No, I'm not. She's obviously not that close with her mother. She prefers her father. Even in the future, it looks like I'm not good at this."
Mamoru looked into her eyes.
"I don't believe that for a second."
She squirmed under his gaze. He could tell this was still a sore subject for her. She wasn't ready to discuss motherhood. He changed the subject.
"How did things go with the others at Crown?"
Usagi sighed. She gathered glasses and poured water into each.
"Our powers did not return when we touched the Lunar Blade. If I'm being honest, I was afraid that they would."
Mamoru joined her in the kitchen and gathered forks and napkins.
"How so?"
She placed the glasses on the table.
"What if I reawaken my powers and she reawakens, too? You heard what Chibiusa claims happened in the future. You might be…" Usagi hesitated. "Can you imagine how Princess Serenity would react to the news?"
Mamoru stopped Usagi from dashing around the kitchen. They locked eyes and he could see the tears forming in hers.
"If I am already dead in the future, then it's a done deal. You still have to reawaken your powers. Without them, the world will almost certainly end in destruction."
Chibiusa sauntered back into the kitchen.
"Oh, God, you're not gonna kiss, are you?"
Mamoru watched as Usagi's eyes turned up toward the heavens. He could almost hear her silently ask for a higher power to give her strength.
"Just sit down and eat your curry rice, Chibiusa."
The three of them sat down together at the table. Chibiusa eyed the food with suspicion. Usagi seemed skeptical herself.
Mamoru grinned. The thing he admired most about Usagi was that she refused to give up. As long as she kept cooking, he would keep trying her food.
He gathered a generous helping of curry rice onto his fork and placed it in his mouth. Chibiusa and Usagi leaned forward and eyed him with curiosity.
His eyes widened. This…this was a surprise.
"It's good."
Chibiusa frowned.
"What? That's impossible."
She shoveled some food into her mouth as well.
"No way! It's good!" She tried another bite. "I've tried my mother's cooking all of my life. It never tasted good!"
Chibiusa ate like she had been on the brink of starvation. Usagi grinned.
"Well, did you ever help her out in the kitchen?"
Chibiusa stopped shoveling food into her mouth for a moment and looked at her future mother in surprise. A bit of curry and rice hung from the corner of her mouth.
"Now that you mention it…no…"
Mamoru looked from Usagi to Chibiusa and smiled. One day, in the future, he may already be dead, but here and now, his heart was full.
Then there was a knock on the door. Everything was about to change.
Ami Mizuno dashed down the hallway of Usagi and Mamoru's apartment building. The quick movement caused her white coat to billow around her. In one hand, she clutched a folder with the test results. Her mind was racing as she reached her friends' apartment door.
She raised a hand to knock, but hesitated. The muffled sound of laughter seeped through the door. She could hear Usagi's bright, giddy voice and Mamoru's warm chuckle in response. Then there was Chibiusa's high-pitched giggle.
Chibiusa…
Ami drew a deep breath and knocked.
The door swung open. Usagi greeted her in a pink apron stained with curry.
"Ami!"
Usagi threw her arms around her friend. The hug radiated warmth and affection. Ami allowed herself to melt into the familiar embrace. The last 24 hours had been a whirlwind of emotions, but one thing was clear: she had missed her friend so much.
"You're just in time! Try my curry rice!"
Chibiusa giggled from the kitchen table.
"It's actually edible. It's a miracle!"
Mamoru waved her over.
"You'd better sit down before it disappears."
Ami laughed and allowed Usagi to guide her inside. The scene was domestic and idyllic. Mamoru and Chibiusa sat at the table, their plates almost empty. Ami accepted the plate Usagi offered and joined them at the table.
Before she tried Usagi's curry rice, which was a dubious honor, she raised the folder in her hand.
"I have something we need to discuss first."
Usagi's smile faded.
"Is that…?"
Ami took a deep breath.
"Those are the test results, yes."
Usagi glanced at Chibiusa. Ami could sense something had shifted. When she had spoken about Chibiusa at Crown Karaoke earlier that day, Usagi had seemed annoyed and off-balance. Now, however…
You want her to be your daughter, don't you, Usagi?
"Based on the samples I collected, with 99% certainty, Chibiusa is… your daughter."
The room fell silent. Usagi dropped into a chair in shock. Mamoru leaned back in his own chair as he tried to process the information.
Chibiusa, however, was unimpressed. She crossed her arms.
"I've been telling you that. Why are you so surprised?"
Usagi and Mamoru exchanged a glance. They excused themselves to the next room to speak in private for a moment, leaving Ami and Chibiusa alone at the table.
Ami was worried about her friends. Usagi and Mamoru had bonded with the girl, but with Chibiusa's identity confirmed, her story became more likely as well. This new enemy aimed to destroy the world. In the future, Mamoru may already be dead.
Ami sat down and sampled the curry rice. She blinked in genuine surprise.
"It is good."
She let the silence linger for a moment, then turned to Chibiusa. It was time to get some answers for herself as well.
"Chibiusa, can I ask you something about the future?"
Chibiusa stiffened; her fork paused mid-air.
"I don't think I'm supposed to talk about that."
Ami leaned forward. Her voice was gentle, but firm.
"I understand that, but there is something that has been bothering me. Why do you call Rei and Minako your aunts and not me? If you are truly from the future, then why don't you know me, Chibiusa?"
Chibiusa didn't answer. Her lips trembled as she placed her fork on the table. The color drained from her face. Ami could tell this line of questioning had upset the girl. Still, she pressed on.
"Chibiusa, if you don't know me…I just want to understand what that means."
Tears welled up in the little girl's eyes.
"It's not fair!"
Ami placed a hand on Chibiusa's shoulder.
"What's not fair? Please, tell me."
For one agonizing moment, Chibiusa hesitated. Then her defenses broke down.
"You're not there…in the future. You died before I was born."
Chibiusa started sobbing. Her words hit Ami like a physical blow. Her breath seemed to get stuck inside of her chest.
"What?"
Chibiusa wiped her tears with her sleeve.
"Mama talks about you all the time. She keeps pictures of you. She says you were her best friend, the smartest, kindest person she ever knew. But I never got to meet you."
Ami's hands trembled. She didn't know what to say, how to process this revelation.
How do I die? When do I die? How much time do I even have left?
Before she could ask another question, a loud crash rang through the apartment. The kitchen window exploded into a hail of glass shards. On instinct, Ami dove across the table and pulled Chibiusa into her arms to shield her with her own body.
A high-pitched shriek filled the air as a dark, monstrous figure leapt through the jagged remains of the window frame. The tall, shadowy figure had a black crescent moon on its forehead. Its large, black eyes locked onto Chibiusa. It let out another bone-chilling screech.
Ami's heart pounded in her chest. Without her powers, she was defenseless. Still, she tightened her hold on Chibiusa. Her voice was firm despite the fear gripping her heart.
"Stay behind me, Chibiusa!"
Is this how I die?
The creature lunged.
The sound of shattered glass ripped through the apartment. Usagi bolted out of the bedroom. All she had wanted was a couple of minutes to process the truth, that Chibiusa was her daughter. Time wasn't on her side.
The living room was in shambles. Ami lay crumpled against the wall. A creature loomed over her; it wore black, had pale skin and unnatural, void-like eyes. A black crescent moon marked its forehead.
Oh no, it found us!
"Chibiusa!"
Usagi's heart hammered in her chest. The little girl peeked out from behind the couch. Her eyes were wide with terror.
"Usagi!"
The creature turned and locked onto the little girl. Usagi readied herself, prepared to go into battle despite her lack of powers.
"Usagi, stay back!"
Ami struggled to her feet. The creature's attack had torn her lab coat; blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. She wiped the blood on her white sleeve, then lunged at the creature. It swatted her aside like a rag doll. Ami hit the floor hard and didn't move.
"No!"
Usagi dashed forward. Fury and fear filled every fiber of her body. She leaped at the creature and landed a solid kick to its side. It staggered for a moment, then backhanded her with a force that sent her flying into the kitchen table. The impact of her body collapsed the table.
Pain shot through her ribs. She tried to push herself up, but the room spun out of control. She struggled to regain her balance, then fell back down to her knees.
"Usagi, look out!"
Luna appeared out of nowhere. She leapt into the creature's face, claws and teeth exposed. The creature screeched, seized the plush cat and threw her across the room. She twisted in mid-air and landed on her paws.
Many years ago, Luna had bathed in the light of the Silver Crystal. Since then, she had taken on human form to fight alongside Sailor Moon. Now, a glowing energy surrounded her as she prepared to do exactly that.
The creature never gave her the chance. He charged at Luna. Before she could shift into human form, its hand expanded and wrapped the plush cat into a cocoon of darkness. She howled in pain as it squeezed the life out of her.
"That's enough!"
Mamoru's voice rang out as he charged into the room. No, not Mamoru. It was Tuxedo Mask. His tuxedo was different, a little sleeker with a crimson-lined cape. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Usagi smiled.
Tuxedo Mask saves the day…
His cane slashed through the air and landed a solid blow on the creature's head. It dropped Luna to defend itself. She fell to the ground and didn't move.
Tuxedo Mask followed up his first hit with a series of precise strikes to the creature's body. It screeched under the constant assault. For a moment, Usagi thought he might drive the creature off this time. Then the creature reared back and struck Tuxedo Mask hard in the face. Still suffering from a concussion, he crumbled to the floor.
The creature stepped over broken furniture and shattered glass as it made its way toward Chibiusa. Usagi again tried to struggle to her feet. The room continued to spin. Her mind reeled. Images formed in front of her eyes, unbidden, in the kaleidoscope of swirling colors.
Chibiusa sits in her lap in the clothing store and looks up at her with terrified eyes. Mamoru's voice echoes, "Do you think it might be time for us to have a child?" Chibiusa cries and collapses against Mamoru. Luna stands on the table at Crown Karaoke. "She sleeps an awful lot like Usagi."
Chibiusa stands in the kitchen and sticks out her tongue at Usagi. She picks carrots from her hair and groans. She sits at the kitchen table and looks up from her plate, curry and rice stuck to the corner of her mouth. Ami's voice echoes, "Chibiusa is your daughter".
The creature's elongated hands stretched out toward Chibiusa and, finally, after a whole day of pursuit, it captured its prey. Its long, slender fingers curled around her throat. Chibiusa kicked and clawed at its hand as it lifted her up into the air.
Usagi snapped.
"Get! Away! From! My! Daughter!"
Her voice erupted, raw and furious. A light bloomed around her, golden and radiant. It wasn't the cold, harsh light of the Silver Crystal. This was different, warm, intimate. It was hers alone. She bathed in the light and smiled as she rose to her feet.
She stared at her hands as the light spread. Her wedding ring got caught in the glow. A crescent moon appeared and wrapped itself around the diamond.
At last, she understood. She had found her inner light, the true source of her power: her love for her husband and her daughter. Instinctively, she knew what she needed to do. She raised her ringed hand into the air.
"Moon Light Powers! Make Up!"
The light engulfed her and wrapped her in its embrace. Ribbons of pure energy coalesced around her like a cocoon. When the light faded, she stood transformed. Sailor Moon was reborn.
Her sailor suit shimmered with elements of Princess Serenity's suit: the white boots, the ruffled skirt. Her odango had returned as well. A white mask covered her eyes.
There was no time to ponder these changes. She charged at the creature, determined to save Chibiusa.
This time, her strikes landed with precision and power. Startled, the creature dropped its prey. Chibiusa scampered out of the way, shock etched on her face. Tuxedo Mask appeared and wrapped her in his cape.
Usagi ducked under the creature's clawed hands and delivered a sharp punch to its torso. She followed it up with a kick to its face. When it lashed out, she evaded the attack with a graceful somersault.
As she landed, her hand moved to her chest. Instead of her Crescent Moon Wand, a new weapon materialized in her grasp: Princess Serenity's Harp Sword. It gleamed with raw power.
What does this mean? Why do I have her weapon?
She would have to seek answers later. Instead, she raised the sword high, then slashed it through the air in a downward strike.
"Moon! Light! Slash!"
A brilliant arc of light burst from the blade, slicing through the droid. It screeched, its form crumbling into black dust. The apartment fell silent, save for the sound of Sailor Moon's labored breaths.
Ami stirred and pulled herself back up onto her feet. She winced, but managed a smile.
"You've awakened your powers, Usagi!"
Mamoru knelt nearby. He still shielded Chibiusa with his cape. His eyes met Usagi's as he gazed at her with pride.
"Welcome back, Sailor Moon."
Chibiusa stared at Usagi with wide eyes.
"My mama...is Sailor Moon?!"
She could say no more. For once, the girl was speechless.
Usagi turned to search the carnage for her most faithful companion.
"Luna? Luna?!"
Finally, she spotted the plush cat. She dropped to her knees and gently picked her up. She cradled her old friend in her arms.
"Please, Luna, open your eyes!"
Luna's eyes, however, remained shut.
Usagi was worried. One day had passed since the creature had attacked her husband and left him unconscious. A whole day since she had sent her daughter to the past and erected an energy barrier around the planet.
She continued to pour energy into the barrier. Without the ability to take a break, to eat or drink, she allowed the light to nourish her and Mamoru instead. The constant bombardment, however, was taking a toll. Usagi was growing weak.
Her thoughts drifted to Chibiusa. She wondered what her little girl would make of her younger self. She hoped she wouldn't judge her too harshly for the secrets she had kept these many years.
A single tear rolled down her face as Usagi realized her strength was fading. The light pouring from her body sputtered, then died.
She had failed.
"I'm…so, so…sorry…"
Without warning, the light around her body came back to life, more intense than before. A wave of changes from the past caught up with Usagi's present. Ribbons of pure energy wrapped themselves around her like a cocoon, and before she could comprehend the changes, she stood transformed into Sailor Moon.
With a look of determination, she erected the barrier around the planet once more, pouring bright, warm light into the atmosphere.
"My little Chibiusa…thank you…"
Saphir observed his brother as he stared down at the planet Earth below. Even after millennia, his hatred for the people of Earth burned hot and bright. Not for the first time, Saphir wondered if that hatred would one day be their undoing.
Saphir sensed the destruction of his droid and shuddered. He knew he had to give the news to his brother. He also knew Demande did not suffer failure.
"My prince. The droid has failed. The last image it saw…was Sailor Moon."
Demande did not respond. For a long time, the silence hung between them like a dangerous threat.
Without warning, Demande raised both hands in the air. Dark, malicious energy crackled around them. The hair on Saphir's neck stood at attention.
Surely he doesn't mean to kill me?
With a primal scream of rage, Demande tore reality asunder and reopened the rift in time and space. Five figures stepped through the portal: Crimson Rubeus walked at the center, flanked on either side by two women: the Ayakashi Sisters.
Demande collapsed onto one knee, and the portal closed. Saphir rushed to his side and helped his brother stand. In his anger, Demande had overexerted himself.
Rubeus stood before them and smiled in his smug, arrogant way.
"So, Spahir's little contraption failed, has it?"
He laughed. Saphir hated that laugh. It was the laugh of an evil man.
Demande took a ragged breath as he struggled to regain his composure.
"Sailor Moon has reawakened, Rubeus. The other Guardians will no doubt soon follow."
Rubeus fell to his knees before Demande. To Saphir, even this gesture seemed like a mockery. Saphir knew, deep down, that Rubeus was untrustworthy.
"Never fear, my prince. Crimson Rubeus and the Ayakashi Sisters will kill the Guardians before they can awaken. This I swear on the hallowed ground of the moon."
Demande smiled at Rubeus.
"Good. Wipe them out, once and for all, but never forget: the princess belongs to me."
…to be continued.
Next Time on Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: Black Moon
"Every decision I make, I wonder: 'is this the decision that gets me killed?'." - Ami Mizuno
"What if I don't want to reawaken my powers?" - Makoto Kino
"You lied to me all of my life! How can I ever trust you again?" - Chibiusa
"There's somebody out there trying to stop us. I think she might be a Sailor Guardian." - Minako Aino
"Hello, Mercury. You don't remember me, but I remember you." - Berthier