A figure floated in the air with their hands together above their head, seemingly holding a staff. She did not move except for the gentle flow of her long hair.
'You must defeat the Black Moon Clan,' an ethereal female voice warned. 'You must not allow them to keep weakening Crystal Tokyo. The weakened star points are important, please. And above all, protect the Princess.'
The dream snapped to an end like a spring and Mamoru got up from his sleep. The dream seemed so vivid, like it was real, like the person was actually talking to him. The voice, he heard that voice before...oh he was sure he had. And it really only took him a couple seconds to figure it out.
"Reign…" he whispered.
The night before he'd dreamt of a different voice warning him that this 'Crystal Tokyo' was in grave danger too, only this voice was of a man's. They had both said the same thing...but Mamoru could never see their faces. Shadows were cast over them. Go figure.
It made it even more difficult to decide what was real and what wasn't. But if there was something he was starting to learn was that his dreams more than often tended to hold some truth.
~0~
"If you're dreaming about this...why haven't you told Usagi?" Azula asked after listening to Mamoru's story that afternoon. It was lunch time at school and apparently it was the best time to discuss Black Moon Clan topics. Everyone else around them worried about upcoming quizzes and they...well, they worried about dreams.
"Because she barely kept it together with Chibiusa," Mamoru replied. "Now do you really want to add weird futuristic dreams into that?"
Azula smiled and raised her hands to show her defeat. She spotted Meroko from a distance and got a new idea. "Well, why don't we ask someone who also knew Reign?" Mamoru followed her gaze to Meroko and gave the 'ok' nod. "Meroko?" Azula then called.
Meroko spotted them and started coming towards them. "What's up?"
"What do you know about weird dreams?" Azula got straight to the point. "Specifically dreams pertaining of the future with warnings included?"
Meroko raised an eyebrow and immediately turned her attention to Mamoru. He was the one, after all, with special dreams. "What did you see?" She asked in a manner that indicated she believed in whatever he had dreamed of.
"I'm not sure it was even real—" Mamoru tried to dissuade the interest in the matter but Meroko dropped her bag to the ground and pushed Azula to the side so she could sit right next Mamoru.
"Hey!" Azula frowned but was promptly ignored. Meroko waved her to be quiet and missed the even bigger glare sent her way.
"What did you see?" Meroko asked again, more quiet and serious.
"I think it was Reign, but...but from the future," Mamoru felt crazy to say. "She told me to stop the Black Moon Clan and to keep the star points strong. But overall that we had to protect the princess."
"You don't think the princess is Chibiusa do you?" Azula inquired.
Meroko leaned back on the bench to think about it. "Well, it would make sense. Her mother's been captured or whatever by this Black Moon Clan and she time travels to the past in search of Scouts to help her."
"But how would she time travel in the first place?" Mamoru asked.
"Same way Reyna did. Sailor Circe must be helping," Meroko crossed one leg over the other. Even though she was saying things that sort of made sense, both Azula and Mamoru could tell by her expressions that there were things she couldn't explain. "Circe deals with magical aspects, she can't time travel. That means someone's aiding and abetting her and Chibiusa."
"So there's a third person involved," Azula said, leading Mamoru to think about their previous visitor from the future.
"It's gotta be the same person who helped Reyna too," he said, then straightened up at another thought. "Wait a minute, Reyna is also a princess. Where does that leave Chibiusa?"
"Sisters?" Azula offered. "Both cried for their mother and both time travelled. They're probably sisters."
"Okay, so then why hasn't Sailor Circe come for Chibiusa already?"
"Because something is preventing her from doing so," Meroko concluded on her own. "Chibiusa said the Black Moon Clan is destroying her city, so what if all the Scouts have failed to stop them?"
"It would explain the lack of parental control over these kids," Azula muttered. "I vote they're sisters, the end."
"Not 'the end'," Meroko snapped. This was far from over. "This isn't going to work if we're alone…" she trailed of when she saw her sisters coming into the courtyard.
Mamoru and Azula followed her gaze. They were all in the loop of Emica's views about them. In hindsight, they should have been prepared for such a thing. They'd gotten lucky with Meroko and Asteria so far but it wasn't that surprising that Asteria would sway from her stances. Emica saw them as the evildoers. She wanted nothing to do with them. And unlike Meroko and Asteria, she was following through on her word. Neither she nor Asteria had directed a word to any of the group, nor had they visited the moon base. All ties were severed.
"They're still not talking to you?" Mamoru asked Meroko after the sisters had gone off.
"Emica no. Asteria...I think she doesn't know what to do," Meroko admitted. "But I tell you what, dinner is an awkward thing at home."
"You came around, Emica will too," Azula tried to be comforting.
"Emica needs to see that the only way she'll find Reign is if she works with us. If she's a true strategic militarist, she'll have to come around," Mamoru added on.
"I hope so…"
"You did," Azula reminded her of her initial behavior towards them.
Meroko smiled to herself. "You guys grew on me."
And they really had. In the past it had been the most important rule not to make contact with the Moon Kingdom in order to prevent danger for Princess Reign. It was barely permitted to seek contact with the human Kingdom, but that was only for diplomatic reasons. They were shut off from the world, sworn to guard in silence and in secret. Shadow's Sailor Guardians were comrades for a reason. They weren't there to protect each other, to build relationships with each other. They were there to do their duties.
Apparently, that wasn't the case for the Moon Kingdom's Sailor Guardians. Meroko had already been told so many stories of how the Guardians and Usagi - then Princess Serenity - would often have fun together whether it was in picnics or simple games. They were confidants; their relationship was strong enough to deem each other friends. It was so strange to Meroko, and even more so when the same relationship was extended to her now in the present day. Despite her initial thoughts about leaving the group once Reign was found, Meroko found herself hoping - secretly - that Reign would decide to live on Earth when everything was over.
After all, Reign had once been close friends with Mamoru and Usagi.
~0~
The youngest of the four Spectre Sisters returned from an observatory visit to Earth. The glass room she and her older sisters usually lounged in was empty except for…
"Master Rubeus," she greeted the wild-haired man. She released a breath and immediately smiled. "I've made my observations and I believe this time I can take the Sailor Guardians and the rabbit all on my own."
"On your own?" Rubeus didn't attempt to hide his doubt. "You and Berthier failed only a couple days ago. You, Koan, specifically, have failed me twice as it is."
Koan didn't let her fear show on her face. She was not intending on making a third failure. "Let me go on my own one more time, Master Rubeus. I will not fail."
"Very well. Wiseman informed us that the rabbit is predicted to show up at a Hikawa Shrine today in the afternoon."
"Then that is where I will be," Koan immediately declared. Rubeus gave her the nod to get going but before doing so, she walked up to him with a small frask of cologne. "For a very pitiful species, the humans have impressively made scented perfume. I thought...you might like one." She could barely hold back her excitement. She'd taken great care in picking out the best one just for him.
Rubeus carelessly took the perfume from her palm and examined it. "Hm…" And, just like that, he closed his fist and allowed Koan hear the cracks of the broken bottle. She gasped so quietly but, due to the silence, she was heard quite perfectly. Rubeus smirked. "Accidents happen." He waved her off to go start the mission and disappeared.
Koan turned away and saw her pouty face in a reflection. "I didn't even get to tell him of the second presence I felt," she lamented. "If we could harness that creature…" she smiled to herself. Perhaps she could harness the creature and take care of the Rabbit and the Sailor Guardians all for Master Rubeus. He would definitely be happy with her then.
~ 0 ~
Mamoru, Meroko and Azula arrived at Rei's shrine in search for the priestess herself. Azula had thought maybe Rei would be able to help decipher Mamoru's strange dreams. At the very least it would be good to get another opinion about them. Additionally, Meroko was in need of a good distraction from home. It couldn't be healthy to spend so much time in the same apartment where your roommates didn't speak to you.
"Hey Rei," Azula walked into the living room of the shrine first and spotted the black-haired girl piling up manga books in a neat manner.
"Oh, hey," Rei gave a distracted wave. "You just missed Usagi."
"I'll visit her after this," Mamoru said slowly, feeling a bit...nervous. "I...I wanted to see if you could help, Rei."
The girl stopped stacking to meet his look. "What is it?"
"I've been seeing images of what I think is Crystal Tokyo, and...I think I also saw Reign...in the future."
Rei's eyes blinked fast for a second and quickly glanced at the other two girls for some confirmation. They both nodded.
"Do you think you could help me...go through the images?" Mamoru asked her. "I wouldn't be asking if I could do it on my own, but...I haven't honed into my abilities yet."
"Practice makes perfect," Azula mumbled. "Maybe you should start."
"Don't be so self-righteous," Rei scolded her and got on her feet. "I can help you, or...at least try."
"Thank you," Mamoru breathed of relief.
"We should go to my meditation room," Rei indicated to the hallway. "Will you two be alright?" she asked the other two girls.
"Excuse me?" A perky female voice knocked on the open door. Everyone turned to see a purple-haired woman dressed in a bright, pink skirt and matching blazer. She had a briefcase in hand and wore a smile that would infect anyone.
"I think we will be," Azula answered Rei and went to greet the woman. Rei playfully rolled her eyes and took Mamoru away. "Hi, how can we help you?"
"I'm going around selling cosmetics that promise beauty within the first application," the woman cheerfully explained. "Would you like to see them?"
"No-" Meroko barely got to say when Azula exclaimed an excited 'yes!' and pulled the woman inside. "I've got no money," Meroko whispered to Azula while the woman started setting things up at the table.
"But I've got a rich Dad so it doesn't matter," Azula patted Meroko's shoulder.
Koan smirked to herself as she put every product out for the girls. All she had to do was wait for the rabbit to stop by and nab her. Then, she would go on searching for the second presence and the Sailor Guardians.
"Do you even wear make up?" Meroko followed Azula to the table where they both sat down next to each other.
"Sometimes," the red-haired girl reached for a foundation bottle.
"You two could both be models," Koan started her streak of compliments to get on their good sides.
Azula gushed but Meroko shook her head. "Really? I never thought about being a model. See, I want to work in, uh, the space academic department."
"Well you could be a model, easy job!" Koan assured. "Do either of you have a boyfriend?"
Meroko made a face. "No."
"I got dumped years ago," Azula said with a frown. "Now I guess I haven't found the right guy."
"And by 'right' do you mean someone who could stand your stubborness?" Meroko found her point of laughter.
"I am not stubborn," Azula said matter-of-factly. "And he has to be right, just like every other girl would want. He has to be charismatic, loyal, trust-worthy and, over all, he has to love me."
Meroko shook her head.
"The most important thing is to make sure that he loves you," Koan agreed. "Nothing else matters."
"Well, now hold on," Meroko became serious. "Sometimes 'love' can be twisted and it doesn't matter all the other qualities in the guy. If he's a bad person, then I wouldn't want his love."
"Hm, it's probably why you don't have a boyfriend then," Koan passively remarked and went on to show Azula some pretty lipstick. Meroko glared in dead silence, but the alluring makeup was enough to keep her friend occupied to notice.
~0~
"So, I guess you haven't really told Usagi about this, huh?" Rei asked once she and Mamoru got into place. They sat cross legged in front of each other by Rei's trusty fire pit.
"Dreaming about other girls? Yeah, I think I'll hold off until I know exactly what they mean," Mamoru said and matched smiles with Rei. "And I can think of a better way to put it too."
Rei laughed. "Good call. Do you know the best thing about having...ESP, basically?" Mamoru shook his head. "Images can be shared. Like the internet. All you have to do is let me in."
"Okay, how do I do that, then?"
Rei motioned him to join hands with her. When she closed her eyes, he did too. "Think about the dream, and just acknowledge that I want to see them too."
Mamoru thought it easy to think about the latest dream. It was all he could think about today. He allowed the images and voices to resurface and hoped Rei would be able to see them.
A figure floated in the air with their hands together above their head, seemingly holding a staff. She did not move except for the gentle flow of her long hair.
'You must defeat the Black Moon Clan,' an ethereal female voice warned. 'You must not allow them to keep weakening Crystal Tokyo. The weakened star points are important, please. And above all, protect the Princess.'
Rei released a small gasp and pulled her hands back. She replayed the images in her head several times, trying to look at it from every angle.
"Rei, did you see...?"
"I saw," she confirmed, nodding. "And I felt…"
"Felt what?"
"The same power." She rubbed her palms together and focused on the energy she felt seconds ago. "It was as if...your energy - your capability - was the same as this... woman's."
"So she's real?" Mamoru asked.
Rei nodded again. "Yes. I don't know how you're doing it but you...you are seeing the future."
"I'm seeing Reign in the future," Mamoru breathed in awe. So far his abilities hadn't had the consistency he would've liked but now...now he was telepathically communicating with someone in the future? That was... incredible. "So...so Reign is alive and...she knows us. Even from where she is in the future, she knows us."
"At least you, but yes," Rei said with a small smile. "And it seems like she's trying to help...as well as asking for help."
"What do you think is all that...darkness that surrounds her?" It was actually irritating that even in the future, he still couldn't see what Reign looked like.
Rei gave a light shrug of her shoulders. "Hard to say. It could be a range of things. She could be trapped somewhere, maybe by the Black Moon Clan, or...she could be protecting herself?"
"She would not let Chibiusa be here if she had the luxury of protecting herself," Mamoru said, and quite sure of it too. Reign was a kind girl with a big heart to match. She would never let a child be in as much danger as Chibiusa was right now.
"Then she has to be in big trouble," Rei concluded, though that didn't make it sound any better.
~0~
Koan had actually managed to sell a couple of items to Azula - but only Azula. Meroko made it clear she was not interested in such things, something that appalled Koan. How could anyone not be interested in things that would make you beautiful?
"Thank you so much," Azula waved the woman goodbye while holding her bag of cosmetics. She noticed Meroko's endless stare beside her and frowned. "What?"
"With all that makeup you're going to look like a clown," Meroko informed and walked back inside, leaving a very offended Azula at the doorway.
Meanwhile, Koan was deeply irritated she'd wasted her time selling off makeup for no rabbit to appear in the end. "I guess I'll just have to wait for her to make an appearance," she huffed as she stepped out to the street.
~ 0 ~
"And the energy you spoke about?" Mamoru asked Rei. "What did you mean by it was...the same?"
"It just...everyone gives off different vibes of powers," Rei tried to explain the best she could. She wasn't even sure what she felt anyways. "When you're around, I can sense that there's some sort of abilities you have."
"So then Reign has the same abilities as me?"
"Well, it's weird because...the power I felt from her...it's exactly like yours. Too much like yours." Rei was sure of what she felt even though she couldn't describe it very well. "It's like you shared the same thing."
"The same energy?" Mamoru asked just to be sure he understood. "But how? I don't...I don't think we ever shared anything."
"I have no idea," Rei admitted. "But maybe it'll make it easy for us to find Reign. If you and her are on the same power level, we could find her through you."
Mamoru considered Rei's idea as a way to feel better...but the feeling of bewilderment still washed over him. He personally didn't think he'd been that close to Reign enough to share some powers - hell, he didn't even know if that was possible.
There was a loud cry from outside that drew both teens' attention to the doorway. They quickly ran out to find the living room deserted and the door wide open.
"Get the hell away from her!" they heard Azula shouting outside. The red-haired girl was throwing rocks at Koan - now in her true form - as hard as possible. Chibiusa was on the ground, sniffling, due to being so abruptly attacked by Koan on her way to the shrine.
Rei and Mamoru assumed there was no Meroko because the girl was getting transformed somewhere in secret. Rei went ahead and communicated with the rest of the girls to get some needed back up.
"Silly human, if you just step aside I'll take the rabbit and spare your life," Koan was remarkably holding back her power only because she thought Azula had the right mindset for makeup.
Azula raised an eyebrow at the woman and gently tossed her last rock in the air. "Lady, I think we both know that's never going to happen." She smirked and threw the rock at Koan, hitting Koan right on the forehead. Koan screeched and covered her face like it would be marred for the rest of her life.
Mamoru took the distraction to run out and get the two girls out of the way. He scooped up Chibiusa from the ground and checked to see if she was okay.
"Man, what a drama queen," he heard Azula's calm remark behind. She was watching, rather amused, Koan screech and cry about her beautiful skin.
"Azula, get back inside!" Mamoru snapped at her to get serious but the red-haired girl just laughed.
"Are you not watching her? Without her sisters she's not at all threatening," she gestured to Koan.
Koan growled and forgot about her 'injury' to get back at the culprit. "Dark fire!" she screamed and fired directly at Azula.
Azula quit her laughing and gasped at the incoming attack. Meroko jumped in and covered Azula with her own body. Both girls were thrown backwards and while Meroko was hurt in the process, Azula remained standing.
Koan was the one in awe to see such...stupidity. Azula was helping Meroko get back on her feet. "Now why the hell would you protect her like that?"
"Because she's my friend," Meroko groaned and used Azula's support to stay standing. "And you will not hurt her."
"Burning Mandala!" Sailor Mars made her presence known by shooting her deadly fire attack. This allowed Mamoru to make a clean getaway with Chibiusa back into the shrine, but he could not make Azula do the same.
"She's still not as threatening," Azula told Meroko. "We can take her!"
"Go," Meroko pushed the girl towards the shrine. "And stay inside!"
"But you're hurt!"
"Doesn't matter! Go!"
Sailor Mars had entered a physical combat with Koan but couldn't last much longer on her own due to Koan's slipper, tricky ways. Meroko pushed her body towards the two women and thrust her boomerang at Koan.
"Glimmering Boomerang!"
Koan ducked in time and smirked at Sailor Hemera, only to receive the backlash of the boomerang when it returned. "OW!" she rubbed the back of her head. "You'll pay for that!" she once again fired but Sailor Mars got in the way and grasped Koan's wrist to flip her over.
Before Sailor Hemera could join in, a familiar crack in the sky drew her attention and the other two women's. Rubeus had made his appearance and was examining the scene before him. Koan jumped to her feet instantly.
"Have you killed the rabbit yet?" Rubeus scowled as he saw no pink-haired child anywhere near them.
Koan nervously shook her head. "No, these two Sailor Guardians got in my way. But if you help me, then the both of us can surely kill all of the Sailor Guardians." A soft smile spread across her face at the prospect of the two fighting together.
Unfortunately, only she was on that page. Rubeus maliciously laughed at her. "I will do no such thing. That is why you are here. You do my bidding and without questions."
Koan's eyes blinked for a moment. "But, I love you, don't you love me?"
Rubeus almost laughed one more time at her but decided he wouldn't waste more time on this lost cause. "Love is useless. It's something humans made up because they're weak. I would never ridicule myself like that."
Koan reached a hand out as if to take his in the sky, but her feelings had been inevitably hurt. How could he say that to her when he knew how she felt? Behind her, Sailor Mars and Sailor Hemera exchanged inquisitive glances. That was harsh, even for a villain.
"You have failed me not once, not twice, but three times, Koan," Rubeus continued looking down on the woman, his eyes hardening with each word he said. "Please, don't bother shaming the rest of your sisters by returning."
"But—"
"I leave you a parting gift," Rubeus snapped his fingers and made a small glowing object appear in front of Koan. The woman tilted her head at it, recognizing its fatality. "Destroy yourself and the rabbit to restore your reputation. Goodbye." And with that, he disappeared.
"What the hell is that!?" Sailor Hemera exclaimed.
"A bomb, didn't you hear?" Sailor Mars said frantically. In a hysterical moment, Koan could use the damn thing to kill them all.
Sailor Hemera didn't exactly see the danger as Koan remained still in her spot, head bowed. And why wouldn't she be? The man had basically banished her from her own home - that was detrimental to anyone. It made her, admittedly, empathize with Koan. Her sister and her comrade were basically doing the same to her. They didn't want to speak to her, they acted like she was there. Home was no longer home.
"We have to get rid of it!" Sailor Mars declared at once and prepared for another fight.
"You bet we do," Sailor Venus' voice entered the play, making hers and the rest of the Sailor Guardians' presence known. "Venus Love-Me Chain!" she thrust her invisible chain forwards and snatched bomb right out of Koan's hands.
"Jupiter Sparkling Wide Pressure!" Sailor Jupiter threw her thunderous energy at the bomb, crushing before it could detonate.
"You're not escaping this time, Koan," Sailor Moon warned the woman, stepping forwards.
Koan's back was to the girls, but Sailor Hemera could see her shoulders shaking from tears. Fighting this time appeared to be the incorrect way to win the battle. "Koan…" she surprised the rest of the girls with her gentle voice. "Koan, it's okay. What Rubeus said...it's not true. Love doesn't make anyone weak. It makes them human."
Koan spun around, revealing a face stained with tears but a contrasting scowl carving her lips. Very angrily she started attacking but Sailor Hemera whipped out her trusty sword and pointed it just at Koan's face, the tip barely grazing Koan's nose.
"Now we could both start attacking each other like Rubeus wants you to - and earn your death by Sailor Moon's rod - or we can help you," Sailor Hemera's hand was still, showing no indication of any bluff. "Because I get it, Koan, I get what you're feeling. Your home isn't your home anymore. You've been pushed away by the people you love. My friend brought me here today to cheer me up because my sister refuses to talk to me. Let me be that friend to you, Koan. Let us all be your friends. The only reason you're enemies with us is because Rubeus told you to be, isn't that right?"
Koan's eyes flickered to the girls watching them and...was scared. She didn't...she didn't know why they had to be enemies beyond the fact it was an order to destroy.
"Start questioning everything, Koan. Be yourself from now on," Sailor Hemera slowly lowered her sword and watched as Koan entered the state of identity crisis.
The woman dropped to her knees and hugged herself. "I don't...I don't know…"
Sailor Hemera turned back to her friends, all of whom were shocked of what she'd accomplished. "Sailor Moon, you think you can heal her?"
Sailor Moon considered the idea honestly and came up short. "I don't know if I can."
"Maybe using the Silver Crystal you can," Luna came around Sailor Moon's legs. "That has immense power and can be wielded to do such things."
"Well, I'm game," Sailor Moon agreed. She brought out the legendary crystal and directed all its pure energy on Koan. "Moon crystal power - refresh!"
A blinding light took them all over as the silver crystal did its job.
~ 0 ~
"Here she is everyone," Meroko happily introduced the newly purified Koan.
The new human gave a meek wave in the air and actually felt a flush on her face from the attention. It was strange having all these feelings that, as a Black Moon Clan member, she'd never experienced. It was her same body but she dared to think she had a new mind, one that was open and free.
"You can stay here as much as you want," Rei offered her home kindly.
"Thank you," Koan sheepishly responded.
"We're just happy to see that everything worked out...today," Azula awkwardly cleared her throat. Who knew what tomorrow would bring.
"The rest of my sisters will no doubt come for the rabbit," Koan sighed. "The dark power that consumed me still runs and blinds them."
"And we'll purify them just like we did with you," Usagi promised. "But you know, it would help if we knew more about the plans…"
Koan sheepishly smiled again. "I don't know everything but I can tell you some things. Actually, I meant to tell Rubeus about this other presence I felt earlier."
"What presence?" Ami inquired.
"It was not that of the Black Moon Clan, but...the power was utterly dark. I thought it would be beneficial to find the source and use it."
"That has to be Senka," Azula said with wide eyes, shivering at the idea of the creature. "Do you know anything about the Shadow Dominion and Senka?"
Koan thought about it for a second and shrugged. "The Shadow Gates are a legend in the 30th century, guarded by the Queen of the Shadows."
"Queen - so Reign turns out to be Queen later on," Usagi rested her cheek on her palm. She crossed gazes with Mamoru and smiled. "At least we find her then."
"Do you know what Reign is doing in the future?" Mamoru tried his luck with Koan. "Is she...is she dead?"
"Oh no," Koan said instantly. That was still fresh in her mind. "Queen Reign is the reason why the Black Moon Clan is here in the first place. She's preventing the full entrance of the Clan into Crystal Tokyo."
"And when you say 'full entrance'...?" Meroko slowly trailed off to leave the answer open.
"She's created a barrier" — Koan made the motion with her hands of a circle — "preventing any of the Black Moon Clan to enter Crystal Tokyo."
Mamoru recalled the darkness that had surrounded Reign in his 'dream'. It had to be her own power that was covering her like a protective cushion. And she had to be holding that barrier on her own.
"That's why the Black Moon Clan travelled back in time," Koan continued to explain. "Apart from the Rabbit coming here, we thought that if we could pinpoint dark star points we could weaken the hold Queen Reign has in the future to form her barrier. Getting the second Silver Crystal and the rabbit was a bonus. Our main strategy is to weaken that barrier so that the Clan can enter Crystal Tokyo once and for all to destroy everyone."
The atmosphere turned heavy...dense, but most of all...fearful.
Author's Note:
It's been a while but with all that's been going on, I've had time to reread the manga and I'm hoping to finally continue with this!
And thank you to the reviewer! Hope you keep on reading!
P.S. As always, I have a Fanfic/Wattpad account under "noblecrescent" and a tumblr account under "saiilorstars" if you'd like to follow :)