Chapter Text
Beginning
Princess Antiope Mars sat as she listened to Queen Serenity’s verdict. She did not realize how much this feeling would sting. Humility was alien to the people of Mars, a mark of shame and disgrace. Most of all, it meant weakness.
“Princess of Mars, you know your family has committed treason against the Sol System, which you have taken part in.” Serenity declared. “However, the circumstances of the abuse and coercion by your father towards you and your mother cannot be denied.”
Serenity closed her eyes and took a quick breath.
“And it also cannot be denied that you and your mother eventually aided us against your father, your mother giving her life to do so.”
Serenity stood.
“We will not hand out a punishment per se, but you will still pay your due. Because you fought for us in overthrowing King Mars’ regime, you will continue to fight for us as a bodyguard for Lunar royal family and I will entrust the kingdom of Mars under your care.”
This pronouncement should have been a massive weight lifted off Antiope’s chest, yet she could not escape the feeling of shame and defeat that ate at her spirit. Displaying a meekness she had never felt before, she slowly looked up towards the young man who was standing beside Serenity, and then quickly lowered her eyes again when they met his.
She saw both concern and compassion in Prince Endymion’s eyes. She couldn’t stop her heart from racing, making her feel like it could burst. Perhaps her feeling of humility was less about the defeat of her kingdom, and more about her own defeat before another. She had fallen for a prince who she would never be allowed to be in the arms of.
Or could she?
The dream images fell away and were replaced by a memory of a night inside Phobos and Deimos Castle. The red light of Planet Mars illuminated Antiope’s bed chambers as two forms shuffled beneath her sheets. Antiope’s nude form lay on her stomach as Earth’s prince was on top of her, his sweaty body thrusting forward. Their moans became a cry as mutual climax was reached.
Rei Hino’s eyes darted open. She found herself in her room in the Hikawa Shrine. Her heavy breathing grew calm as she looked over to the side of the bed next to her. Her time displaced son from the future, Kagu, was sound asleep in the cot beside her.
She smiled at him and reached over to stroke his cheek while he slept. She studied him and pondered his parentage and how much he looked like Mamo. Then, the memory of the dream returned to her, and she felt profoundly troubled.
Did I really make him betray her back then?
***
Rei was not the only one who slept with a time displaced child beside her. Getting up to grab a glass of water, Ikuko Tsukino saw her daughter, Usagi, asleep on the couch with Chibiusa snuggling beside her. The loud snoring by the two of them seemed like a sure enough sign to Ikuko that Chibiusa really was Usagi’s little girl.
Ikuko thought about the recent events, and revelation that Usagi was Sailor Moon. After Queen Serenity had manifested to them, she vanished and had not been heard from since. Ikuko remembered how the Lunar Queen visited her in a dream years ago to tell her she was carrying Usagi, and that the child would have a great destiny before her. Until Serenity returned a few days ago, Ikuko always questioned whether that dream was even for real.
Usagi being a bit of a dunce in school would make anyone question whether she was bound for greatness. Ikuko mused, trying not to chuckle.
The Tsukino matriarch glanced out the window to the night sky. Seeing a shooting star, she was about to make a wish for her family’s safety and prosperity, but stopped when she examined it further.
That’s not a normal shooting star….
Ikuko watched the meteorite fall from the heavens to the distance. A feeling tugged in the back of her mind warning her of impending trouble.
Chapter Text
“Why so glum?” Princess Serenity asked her personal bodyguard and best friend when she found her gazing at the stars.
Princess Antiope Mars looked at Serenity with uneasy eyes. She tried really hard to hide the shaking in her hands.
”I guess I was just thinking of home." Antiope answered, turning her gaze away from the tiny point of light that was the Red Planet.
Serenity gave her a sympathetic smile. The lunar princess walked over and gave her a gentle hug.
“You know how much I love you, Antiope.” Serenity whispered. “If anything is troubling you, I am always here for you.”
Princess Mars quivered in Serenity’s embrace, and Serenity heard her begin to whimper. As she felt the Martian princess hug her tightly, the world fell away.
Usagi’s eyes darted awake at the sound of Luna’s Communicator going off. It also caused Chibiusa to nearly jump from her slumber. With one arm still around Chibiusa, Usagi grabbed the device and opened it.
“Luna, what’s up?” Usagi asked drowsily.
“You guys should probably come down to the Command Center.” Luna told them. “We…might have trouble.”
Usagi suddenly realized that Ikuko had walked into the room.
“You need to go over there.” Ikuko told Usagi. “Trust me.”
***
Usagi arrived with Chibiusa at the Center. Rei was there with Kagu, and Ami with Daphne. Usagi’s eyes met Rei’s, and Rei shot her a look of unease that nearly brought up a memory in Usagi’s mind that had been lost the moment Usagi woke up.
“I’m guessing you detected it, too.” Daphne said to Luna. “The strange celestial body that fell somewhere in this vicinity.”
“Yup, and the readings I took were far too strange for it to be some meteorite or shooting star.” Luna explained. “And, unfortunately, it vanished from detection shortly before it landed, though I’m certain it is somewhere in the Tokyo area.”
“When you say ‘strange’, what exactly do you mean?” Usagi asked.
“Well, it disappeared before I could be certain, but the readings suggested it might be a living entity.” Luna explained.
“Could it be connected to the Dark Kingdom?” Rei wondered.
“I can’t rule that out, though this entity would be something all new from them, not fitting their usual type of soldier.” Luna elaborated.
Ami saw Usagi’s expression of worry. Ever since Ami brought Naru and her mother back from the Dark Kingdom, the Osaka family had not been heard from. They had not been at their home, and Mayumi’s jewelry store was closed with a sign simply informing customers of private family matters. And Usagi was haunted by what Ami described of a darkness nearly overtaking Naru.
“For now, we need to be on guard.” Luna advised. “Whatever this being is, we don’t know what its true nature is and whether it is a threat.”
***
“Well, shucks.” Umino muttered. “It’s been a week, and Naru still isn’t home.”
Umino huffed as he saw the lights out in Naru’s bedroom. He climbed down from the balcony outside Naru’s darkened bedroom.
“I’ll just have to keep looking out for Naru each day.” He decided aloud.
He whistled as he was about to make his way down the street. He heard a rustling noise in the nearby alley which caught his attention.
“Umino….” A voice whispered.
Umino recognized that voice.
“Naru?” He called out.
“Umino…..” the voice beckoned again.
He rushed to the alley. It was dark, and he couldn’t see anything.
“Naru? You in there somewhere.”
“I need you, Umino…..”
“Naru, you’re talking kinda funny, but if you need some help in there….”
He walked further into the darkness. That’s when he felt something wrap around his right leg. Nobody was nearby to hear his cries as he was pulled away.
***
As morning came to the Tsukino household, Ikuko sat in the living room and thought about what Usagi could be getting herself into now. The feeling she got from that falling object was unsettling, to say the least. The hand she felt touch her shoulder brought little comfort.
“You’ve appeared to me once again.” Ikuko said.
“I had always intended to watch Usagi from afar.” Serenity told her. “But unexpected events are forcing me to intervene.”
Ikuko looked up at the spectral figure questioningly.
“Do you mean the object that fell from space?” Ikuko inquired.
“That is certainly a concern, but there is another matter.” Serenity answered.
The lunar queen closed her eyes as unpleasant memories entered her mind.
“When my daughter, Princess Serenity, your Usagi, fell in love with the prince of Earth, I did not approve of their relationship. As it turns out, I was correct to be concerned.”
She looked down at Ikuko.
“And now history may be repeating itself, and I cannot allow Usagi to get involved with that man, Mamoru.”
Chapter Text
Chapter 3: Jordan Peele Forever
Queen Beryl scratched her chin and smiled. She found the two women who Nephrite presented to her quite intriguing.
“Odd how I could not have guessed it at first, but I can see it now!” Beryl exclaimed.
Naru and Mayumi held each other close as Beryl stood from her throne and grinned savagely. Nephrite stood beside them defiantly, not sure what to expect from his queen now.
“Yes, there is no doubt that these two are the reincarnations of your old flame Yoru and her daughter, Kuro!” Beryl declared.
“So, you will allow us to stay here?” Mayumi asked, trying her best to sound confident despite her shaking.
Naru looked up and tried to keep her eyes on her mother and not look at Beryl. Seeing her maintain an air of courage helped Naru maintain hers.
Beryl casually strolled up to them and leaned forward. Mayumi stood her ground and Nephrite bit his lip as Beryl gazed into Mayumi’s eyes.
“It is rather bold of you to assume you can return to us considering your failures during the Silver Millennium and seeing that you apparently have not even fully recovered your memories.” Beryl sneered at her. “I could simply erase both of you in front of your boy toy right here and now.”
She waited for Mayumi to buckle in fear. She was impressed when she didn’t. Beryl pulled her face away from Mayumi, and her grin turned into a slightly more pleasant smile.
“However, there are ways I can put both of you to use once more.” Beryl decided. “And I have a specific task you could both perform for me involving an old flame of my own.”
The Osaka women and Nephrite felt some momentary relief. Their ploy was working for the time being. Nephrite quietly clasped Mayumi’s hand. Naru did not like the feeling that ran through her heart as she saw that.
***
Rei and Kagu returned to the Hikawa Shrine in the early morning and found an unexpected individual waiting for them at the gate. Kagu saw his mirror image staring back at him.
“Uh oh.” Kagu said.
“Mamoru….” Rei whispered.
She saw the dumbfounded look on Mamo’s face as he looked at Kagu. It occurred to her that he had never been introduced to Kagu, and Usagi most likely never spoke to him about Kagu.
“Mamo, I….” Rei tried to find the words to say to him.
Mamo closed his eyes and sighed.
“Actually, I came to speak to you about something along those lines.” He told her.
Rei and Kagu’s interest were piqued.
***
“You experienced it, too, didn’t you?” Mamoru asked Rei as they sat at a tea table. “That….dream last night.”
Even with his vagueness, she understood what he spoke of. The dream of an…..encounter….between them in a past life.
“Mamoru, I don’t know what to tell you.” Rei said. “Everything became more complicated than you realize ever since Chibiusa arrived, and I’m afraid what we both saw in that dream only makes it all worse.”
Mamoru nodded.
“I only have flashes of memories that have been running in my mind all night, but I have this sense that what occurred between us in that distant time led to a major disaster.” He explained. “And I have a gut feeling that we are in for another real soon.”
They sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity to Rei. Mamoru finally had to break the silence.
“Can I speak with him?” He asked her.
She gave a slight smile and nodded.
***
Kagu heard the knock on his door and quickly put away the newspaper clippings he had been looking at.
“Yeah, come on in.” He answered.
He was a little taken aback to see Mamoru walk in. Mamoru was even more taken aback to see that newspaper clipping of Sailor Moon that his future son failed to adequately hide from him under his bed, giving him ideas he didn’t want about what those tissues in the nearby trash bin had been used for.
“I should have expected this.” Kagu said with a sigh. “Go ahead and have a seat.”
He pulled up a chair for Mamoru, who obliged.
“Please tell me everything you can.” Mamoru beckoned Kagu, his eyes looking at him with both seriousness and kindness at once.
“Well, you’ve probably already deduced that I’m from the future like Chibiusa, but it’s a little more complicated than that.” Kagu told him.
Kagu then described his life story in as much detail as he could. Mamo listened to him intently, his expression never giving any hint of shock or surprise. Once the story was over, Mamo took it all in and gave it serious consideration.
“This is a serious problem, and I don’t know what we can do.” Mamoru finally said.
Kagu knew what he meant. The whole matter of preventing either him or Chibiusa from vanishing, and the seeming impossibility of saving one without erasing the other.
“Well, you know, these harem anime that are getting popular in this time period might have the right idea.” Kagu told him, half-jokingly. “I also kinda-sorta had another suggestion in mind for me and…ahem…Usagi.”
Mamoru facepalmed, finally having that unwanted confirmation of what Kagu was keeping those pictures of Sailor Moon for.
I can’t say that I’m thrilled with either of the kid’s suggestions. Mamoru grumbled in his mind.
“We’ll need to figure out some sort of solution.” Mamoru went on, trying his best to dodge what his son had said. “I am not going to let either your or sister vanish, I swear.”
Kagu was stunned to hear his father what his father referred to Chibiusa as. He didn’t know how to respond. Then, Mamoru began to smile.
“Tell me, Kagu, what sort of interests and activities did you enjoy in your time?” Mamo inquired.
Kagu’s eyes widened.
Is he actually about to attempt some father-son bonding?!
***
Umino wriggled and pushed around in the tight space he found himself in. He groaned and cried as he felt the sliminess that had closed in around him.
Where am I??!!
He could barely breathe as the tight and mushy whatever pressed against him. He felt himself being pulled forward somewhere, followed by a loud groaning noise all around him.
“Naru?! Where are you??!!”
He felt an oozing secretion drip down over him as he was pulled down. The slime began to pour over him, and he felt it burn. At first, he cried out, and his cries soon gave way to a high pitched scream as he felt his flesh begin to sizzle and melt away.
Outside the entity’s body, a pair watched intently and tried not to wince at the screaming. Eventually, the screaming stopped and all was silent. One of them closed their eyes and gritted her teeth as their Mother spat out a pair of slime-covered glasses.
“There must be a better way for her to acquire energy. I don’t know if I can sit through more of that.”
“For now, it will have to do. Hopefully, we can find better ways to process energy so there won’t be too many more unfortunate individuals who suffer his fate. Until then, we must search…..”
Chapter Text
As noontime approached, Ami decided to check on Daphne. Ever since Luna had made her report that morning, the girl had been hold up in her room. Ami knew she was up to something with the determined demeanor she displayed when they arrived home. Ami knocked on her door.
“Yeah?” her voice came from within.
“Hey, you’ve been in there all morning.” Ami told her. “Is everything okay?”
“Oh, yeah, come on in.” Daphne answered.
Ami walked into the room she and her mother provided for Daphne. She saw the girl was at work writing something down on paper. She had already worked on several pages.
“Sorry I’ve shut myself in.” Daphne said. “With this mysterious entity coming to Earth, I thought I would continue on a little project I had been meaning to begin back in the 30th century.”
“Oh?” Ami responded as she walked up beside her.
“I had been working on a little something to potentially deal with the cosmic and extrauniversal threats the Mercury Queendom was becoming aware of.” Daphne explained. “A possible body enhancement for our knights and soldiers.”
The girl sighed. Ami could tell she was getting tired. She put a hand on her shoulder.
“You’ve obviously been working hard on that.” She told her daughter. “You should probably take a break.”
Daphne’s exhausted eyes looked up at her mother’s smiling face.
“I’ve learned in life that you need more than just study and work.” Ami went on. “So why don’t we take a break and do something a little fun for a bit?”
Daphne’s tired expression broke away into a smile to match her mother’s.
“Yeah, why not?” The girl said.
They got up to leave. Daphne’s notes put under the label Project Ryūsei Ningen Zōn remained a slow work in progress.
***
“God, this shit is so primitive, I love it!” Kagu shouted as he jammed the controls of the Sailor V arcade game. “8 bit should have never died out!”
“The kid has quite a vulgar tongue.” Mamoru commented as he and Rei looked on.
“I know. I’m so fucking proud!” Rei elated, making Mamo rub his temples.
Meanwhile, Motoki Furuhara watched the whole scene with confusion.
Those two were pretty quick to have a kid. And he’s grown up fast.
Motoki wasn’t 100% sure if he was joking with himself when he thought that.
“Say, Mamo, I’m glad that you’re taking the time to do this with us.” Rei finally said. “I’ve been at something of a loss at what to do ever since he came to me.”
He looked at her and saw her begin to tremble.
“I…..” she tried to continue. “I……I feel so selfish right now.”
Mamoru understood what she meant.
“Because of Usagi and Small Lady.”
“Usagi is my friend, and I feel like I’m stealing you away from her and Small Lady right now…..but I’m here, and there is a big part of me that is dying to make this a reality.”
Mamoru shifted his gaze from Rei to Kagu. His recent dates with Rei had been very casual to him, but in the back of his mind he knew that they meant far more to Rei, and now he understood the depths of how she had felt. He had engaged in his own selfishness by stringing her along in this relationship.
However, a new feeling had surfaced within Mamoru. That dream, the memory of something that happened in a bygone age, had reignited a forgotten ember. And he could not describe his emotions looking at this boy who bore his face.
God, I don’t know what to do, either. He realized, as his stoic expression began to break.
***
Eyes observed Mamoru, Rei, and Kagu from outside the Crown Game Center. Mayumi clenched her chest in apprehension for what she was going to have to do.
“Hey, don’t be so nervous. We’re here to walk you through this.”
The sneering tone in Zoisite’s voice didn’t provide her with much assurance.
“Just remember that Queen Beryl did not wish you to bring harm to anyone, here.” Kunzite reminded her. “There is no need for you to feel any reservations about this.”
Mayumi wished she could believe that. They were so lost in their anticipation that they did not feel another presence watching.
***
Mommy. Daddy.
The voice came to Rei and Mamoru’s minds. Their minds were caught in a near-trance. It was a new voice……and yet it wasn’t. An image flashed in their thoughts at once. A girl, with her back turned to them. Her flowing, dark purple hair was a perfect match of Rei's, and her face turned just slightly, leaving her features obscured.
I’ve returned after all this time. Come to me
Antiope. Mamoru spoke internally.
She’s come back to us, Endymion. Rei communicated to him mentally, their minds suddenly and inexplicably connected.
Their trance-like state continued, and they slowly walked to the back of the arcade and disappeared into a backdoor exit.
“Where are they going?” Motoki wondered aloud with sudden concern, drawing Kagu’s attention away from the game.
“Kagu, you need to stop them!!!” Luna cried from the communicator she had given him.
***
The back alley behind the arcade was shaded from the sunlight. Rei and Mamoru walked through the darkness.
Mommy. Daddy. Come to me.
Antiope, we are here. Rei communicated mentally to the voice that drew them onward, a single teardrop falling from her eye.
They pressed onward, undeterred by the giant shadow that slithered up to them. The massive shape that came into view did not break them from their trance. It loomed upward above them. They gazed up at the slimy Venus flytrap like maw that opened above them.
“WHAT THE….???!!!” A voice cried out.
Mayumi, Kunzite, and Zoisite had run into the alley when they saw Mamoru and Rei exit the building. They froze at the monster that was set to devour the pair.
Mayumi thought quickly. She had hoped she would not need the sword Nephrite gave her, but this was obviously the occasion for it. She rushed towards them, fast enough to get in between the monster and its targets. The monster paused as she held the sword up in a defensive posture.
That quick thinking not only saved Rei and Mamoru’s lives but also provided enough time for aid to arrive. A ball of fire shot forth and struck the monster. The creature lit up, but did not show much reaction. Instead, it seemed slightly bewildered as flames engulfed its head. It took one last look at the pair it had targeted before it shrunk away back into the alley.
Kagu ran up beside his parents. With the monster gone, they were released from the trance. Looks of bewilderment spread across their faces as they realized their surroundings, and then noticed the newcomers.
“What the hell just happened…..and who are you guys?!” Rei asked the Dark Kingdom knights.
***
“Those two were the best potential energy sources for Mother. We may not get another chance like that with them.”
“That will not do. Paltry energy sources like that obese green feline have proven insufficient. We must try again.”
“It may be to our fortune that Mother's power to influence minds has grown stronger, and there may be another way to draw them out, but we will need to find the fire woman’s friends…..”
The two figures vanished as they formulated their next plan.
Chapter Text
It all felt like a dream. Clouds whisked by as Usagi, Ikuko, and Chibiusa stared on in a daze.
You will all be safe under his watch. They heard the voice of Serenity speak to them.
Usagi glimpsed a wing of white feathers soar beside them as she drifted to sleep.
***
“Mrs. Osaka, who are these guys?!” Rei asked as she, Mamoru, Kagu, and Luna stood on guard.
Mayumi sighed. This was hardly how they had planned for things to go.
“I’m sorry…..Rei is your name, right?......but I would like your boyfriend, Mamoru, to come with us.” Mayumi answered, making Rei and Mamoru wince at her choice of words. “Please.”
Rei and the others noted the hint of desperation in her tone.
“I wouldn’t do that!” A voice came from down the alley. “Those two men are from the Dark Kingdom!”
They all saw Sailor Mercury and Daphne land behind the trio, leaving them surrounded. Kunzite sighed and decided to speak up.
“You need not fear us.” He began to explain. “We had not come here to incite any hostility. Our queen merely wishes to meet with Mr. Chiba to make a little proposition.”
“Really, now?” Mamoru answered, glaring down at the swords the trio carried. “I question why a such a non-hostile meeting would require you to bring weapons.”
“You should be thankful to us for such precautions.” Zoisite interjected, dodging Mamoru’s point. “Had we not brought these weapons, we would not have been able to hold that monster at bay in order for your son to save you.”
That caught Rei and Mamoru off guard. The two of them still had no memory of how they ended up here in the alley.
“Luna, what are they talking about?” Rei asked as she looked down at her feline benefactor.
“We can talk about that later.” Luna responded. “Let’s focus on the situation at hand.”
“He is correct that we don’t want to harm anyone.” Mayumi started in again. “If Usagi were here, I know she would tell you to trust me.”
Rei and Mamoru looked to each other, pondering their next move.
“I do think Usagi trusts her.” Rei whispered to him. “But nothing about this smells right.”
“I agree.” He whispered back. “I think for now it would be best to go along with them, but I probably shouldn’t go alone.”
Rei nodded. They turned their attention back to the Dark Kingdom trio.
“I’ll go see your queen.” Mamoru announced. “However, Rei is coming with me.”
The others present were more than a little surprised. Kagu glared at his parents with “Seriously?” look. Rei looked at him reassuringly.
“I want you to stay with Luna and Ami while we’re gone.” She told Kagu. “If things should go downhill with us, they will know what to do.”
“Yeah, we’ll have your back.” Luna promised.
“There you have it.” Rei told the trio. “Take our offer or leave it.”
“Eh, why not?” Zoisite said with a grin. “This could make the meeting even more…..interesting.”
***
“This is a bad idea.” The blue haired boy told his mate. “The cards have been….unwell….ever since Mother was cursed.”
“And it’s because of Mother’s curse that we must try this approach to draw our targets out.” The pink-haired girl beside him said, regret in her voice. “The pathogen has begun to drive her mad, and enough havoc has been caused already.”
“And what carnage will result if we do this?” He wondered. “I don’t want any more people on this world to be harmed than we’ve done already.”
An animalistic groan echoed around them. It spoke of both hunger and agony. The two of them tried to hold back tears as they thought of what their Mother was being put through, and what would happen if they did not save her.
“Okay, I will try.” Ail declared. “Let us pray that we are not making the wrong decision.”
He put his flute to his lips while tossed a selected card into the air. Ail began to play a melody. Already, something was horribly wrong. Despite his best efforts to play, the sound that came from the flute was bitter and out of tune.
“Oh no!” An cried as she looked up at the card.
The being that manifested from the card was not what either had expected. They stared in horror as it oozed its way into existence before they ran and hid.
A shriek echoed across the city block as the horror announced its arrival.
***
“Damn it! Why isn’t she responding?!” Luna cried.
“And nobody is answering their phone.” Ami noted with equal concern.
The group stood in the Command Center, suddenly alarmed at the new developments. Several attempts had been made to contact Usagi to fill her in on the current situation, but they could not reach her or anybody else at the Tsukino residence through any means of communication.
“Okay, I’ll run over to the Tsukino place to see……” Ami tried to say.
The Center’s alarm went off suddenly. Luna looked at the monitor and her eyes grew wide enough to nearly rip her eyelids.
“OH CRAP!!!!!”
***
Usagi’s eyes slowly opened. She became aware of her mother and Chibiusa laying beside her on some cushions. They were coming to as well. Usagi realized they had been lying on some manner of sofa, and the more she looked at it, the more she began to realize that it was very fancy and extravagant.
“Oh, thank heavens!” The voice of a young man spoke. “I was really getting concerned. I’m not happy that Serenity put you three under a sleeping spell while we traveled here.”
Usagi and Chibiusa looked up, and their hearts began to race. Their faces flushed, becoming as red as Chibiusa’s eyes.
He was possibly the most androgynously handsome young man either had ever seen in person. Some someone who had emerged from the pages of a classic fairytale. His hair was an otherworldly blue-white color, and the red eyes upon his delicate face matched Chibiusa’s. His smile was enough to almost make the two of them faint and become unconscious again.
“Thank you for taking us under your care, Sir Helios.” Ikuko greeted the man.
Usagi and Chibiusa looked at her with stunned expressions. A whole lot of questions were going to have to be answered now.
***
Screams erupted as the behemoth crashed through a small apartment complex. Its three malformed heads, each one different from the other, screeched out as it crawled along.
The monster repeatedly tried in desperation to take flight with its uneven wings, but it only crashed to the ground with each attempt. That only drove it into a further rage.
“The closest thing I can think of to describe that thing is the chimera from Greek myth.” Daphne noted in a muted tone as she, Ami, and Kagu observed the monster from a distance. “But it’s like a mockery even to that twisted creature.”
Ami couldn’t say anything. All she could think of were the screams from the people in that building that had now gone silent.
“Do we have a plan of attack, or are we going to just stand here and let that thing tear apart the city?” Kagu asked.
Daphne had a quick thought.
“If the two of you can keep it distracted, I can bring some reinforcements from home.”
It suddenly dawned on Ami that Daphne was the one of the three children who was able to return to her own time whenever she wished. And she had called upon some serious backup from there once before.
“Alright, Kagu, I have some ideas on how we can keep that thing busy…..”
Chapter Text
“SHABON SPRAY!”
The malformed chimera’s right head painfully lurched upward to find the source of the commotion. Before it realized what was happening, it was hit by a mist of water vapor. The mist surrounded the monster, and it let out a confused groan.
“Alright, Kagu, give it a try!” Ami said.
Kagu nodded. After his grandfather was defeated, Kagu’s remaining powers were limited. However, he and Ami had something in mind for this situation.
He focused on the mist surrounding the monster. A red aura manifested around him. The monster’s confusion grew as the temperature of the mist heated up. Confusion turned to panic and agony as the heat turned the mist into steam which began to scald the creature.
Kagu let the monster be burned until the screams ceased. Kagu then fell to the ground exhausted. Ami patted his shoulder.
“You did good.” She said.
“Yeah, well, I hope that took care of the thing.” He responded in a huff. “I don’t think I have enough energy to do it a….”
They heard a groan. Sure enough, the monster stirred.
“Yeah, of course.” Kagu huffed, throwing his hands in the air.
***
So many emotions coursed through Rei and Mamoru at this moment, none that could be described as “good”. The sadistic grin Queen Beryl shot them as she gazed down on them from her throne was damnable.
Even worse was seeing Usagi’s friend, the previously missing Naru, standing by Beryl’s side along with a tall man with long brown hair. Naru was wearing a dress of a similar style and cut as Beryl, which made them both feel even stranger laying eyes on her.
“We’ve brought them here, as you have commanded, my Queen.” Mayumi told Beryl.
Mayumi saw the look in Naru’s eyes, that unspoken question her daughter wanted the answer to. Mayumi’s heart sunk as she gave the news.
“Unfortunately, we have found no traces of Usagi Tsukino.” Mayumi went on. “She, her mother, and the child from the future are missing.”
Mayumi looked to Naru with eyes that said “I’m sorry” as the girl’s head lowered.
“Alright, I’m here, so spit it out!” Mamoru said, taking the initiative. “Why did you want me here?!”
Beryl was on the verge of licking her lips. Rei and Mamoru stood firm as she stood up and strolled on down towards Mamoru.
“I have a….proposal for you, my dear Endymion.” Beryl cooed at him as she stroked his chin.
Mamoru and Rei both sighed.
“Another one.” Mamoru said.
“Here we go again.” Rei groaned.
That was really the reaction Beryl, or anybody else present, expected.
***
Ami and Kagu pondered their next move. Kagu was too spent to repeat the same attack they just used. But they had to think quickly before the monster caused more casualties.
The monster groaned with both anger and confusion over what had just happened to it. It prepared to lunge at the nearest being or object it could find. It did not get far.
The monster was hit was projectiles from an unseen source. It screamed as explosions rocked its hide. The projectiles continued to pound it until it was too wounded to walk.
“Oh, wow.” Ami said as another figure swooped down from the sky.
The figure was nearly 50 meters in height. It was humanoid in shape, with a feminine figure, and covered in patterns of silver and blue.
“That’s something new.” Kagu commented.
The silver and blue giant grabbed the incapacitated monster and snapped one of its necks. Then the next. And then the last one. The monster was finally still.
Ami and Kagu watched in stunned silence as the giant turned its attention to them. Its yellow, almost insect-like eyes gazed down at them, and it waved.
“Hey, Mom, Kagu.” It greeted them in Daphne’s voice.
***
Beryl slapped Mamoru. Rei was prepared to jump to his defense but remembered that she was surrounded.
“You’ve done it again, Endymion!” Beryl screamed, much to the discomfort of everyone there. “You’ve dipped it into that Martian harlot once again and spawned another bastard!”
Rei and Mamoru were both taken aback. Not by the inaccuracy of Beryl assuming they’ve already conceived Kagu in the present, but by her statement of “another”.
“I….don’t understand.” Mamoru whispered.
“You’ve always been too goddamn dense, Prince!” Beryl growled. “It has been the death of many!”
Beryl grabbed her hair and seemed like she would yank it out. Everyone else watched quietly, having the impression that she would start crying.
She removed her hands and looked up again. She turned her attention behind her, to something behind her throne. Rei and Mamoru noted that she seemed to be listening to something. Or someone. She turned back to them, her expression becoming resigned.
“Our Great Leader tells me that she still has use for you.” Beryl informed him, trying to mask her prior meltdown.
She turned and glared at Rei.
“And it seems she even has some interest in you.”
***
An and Ail quivered in terror as the growls echoed all around them.
“What will we do now?” An whimpered. “With no other way of collecting energy, we cannot keep Mother calm any longer.”
Ail had no answer. He simply huddled with his mate as they both saw gigantic vines thrash around them.
***
Ami and Kagu ran up to Daphne as she shrunk back to her normal size. She removed her helmet as they approached her.
“That’s incredible, Daphne!” Ami said as she embraced her.
“Yeah, let’s just say that in the future, my super soldier plans are going to be a success!” She announced.
Chapter Text
So, this is her. The one who we have been battling with all this time.
Rei’s feelings went far beyond anxiety as she stood alone before Metalia’s chamber. She could feel the eldritch horror’s gaze on from within the massive cocoon. Rei shuddered as she saw Jadeite’s naked form at the bottom corner of the cocoon, whimpering as tendrils held him to it.
“Yes, you will do.” Metalia spoke.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Rei demanded to know.
“Still the same fire from the past, even in the face of a beings such as I” Metalia remarked. “What do you remember or your past life?”
“Small fragments.” Rei answered. “Enough to make me…..wonder about things.”
“To wonder about your loyalties?” Metalia inquired in an amused tone.
Rei said nothing.
“Your city is facing peril.” Metalia informed her, shifting gears. “I believe you and I can help each other in that regard.”
The alarm bells rang loud and clear in Rei’s mind, yet she could not help but maintain an audience with Metalia as the Dark Queen laid out her designs.
***
“Everyone, have a look at the face of the future!” Daphne announced as she held up her helmet. “My Super Soldier Project Zone Fighter!”
There were some “ooos” as the others at the Command Center looked her outfit over.
Well, from her future anyway. Kagu noted. Still pretty neat, though.
“This is amazing, Daphne!” Ami said, giving her daughter a hug. “I’m so proud of you!”
“Yeah, with all the threats Mercury faced from beyond the solar system in my timeline, we needed something extra to combat it all.” Daphne explained. “And my future invention definitely came in handy today!”
The Center’s alarms sounded once more. Luna rushed to her monitor.
“Holy crap!” Luna cried.
She looked up at the others, who all had alarmed and questioning expressions.
“I think you may have to put that Super Soldier outfit to use again already.” Luna told Daphne.
***
Screams rang out as people fled for their lives from the area around Tokyo Tower. Gargantuan plant vines creeped their way up the tower, growing ever larger.
Flytrap-like jaws adorned the ends of each of these vines. The jaws looked out over the cityscape and watched the fleeing crowds. Mother was not sure where she should begin her buffet….
***
Rei felt Metalia’s spectral tendrils pour over her. Inside, a voice was screaming to flee, but somehow, she could only bring herself to stand and listen to what the Dark Queen whispered to her.
“Serenity always kept you from what was yours, did she not?”
Metalia’s voice was like a sweet wind in Rei’s ears. Yes, there was some distant memory of the Moon Queendom coming between her and something she loved dearly. The lingering bitterness lay in the back of her soul, affecting feelings and how she saw all those around her.
“You and I can help each other, Princess of War. You just have to let me in….”
The darkness that absorbed Rei gave her the comfort of slipping into a warm bath….
***
A mother huddled close to her daughter as the flytrap jaws descended towards them. It came too fast for them to get away. The mother said a prayer in the hopes that their souls would be safe in the hereafter.
They both heard a near-deafening boom. They looked up to see the ball of fire from an explosion that hit the fly trap. More explosions rocked the plant monster in various places, stopping its attempts to snatch multiple people in its jaws. The plant groaned in pain and anger.
A large shape zoomed by, and the flytrap that attempted to eat the mother and daughter was cut off its vine. By then, the two of them had fled to a safe enough distance as the flytrap hit the ground, writhing violently for seconds before going still.
Back in her 50-meter super soldier mode, Daphne attacked the plant in all areas she could, chopping off many flytrap heads. Daphne landed not far away from the Tokyo Tower from where the vines sprouted up from. She anticipated her next move.
“That’s definitely the same creature that attacked your mom and dad.” Ami commented as she and Kagu observed the fight from afar. “I never imagined that it was that big.”
“Do you think she can beat it on her own?” Kagu asked anxiously. “I’m pretty sure you and I don’t have enough firepower right now to phase that thing.”
“I….” Ami tried to answer.
She was cut off as an earthquake hit the area.
“What the….?!” Kagu shouted.
Daphne stood firm as the ground beneath the Tower split open. The Tower toppled over, and she realized she could not react fast enough as it crashed into a nearby building, causing an enormous wreckage.
God, how many people are still in that building? She thought as her heart sank.
The quaking continued as an immense form surfaced from the fissure. Daphne, Ami, and Kagu all watched in silent horror as the monstrosity that emerged revealed itself to tower over even Daphne’s 50-meter form.
Daphne could not say if the monster saw her. There was nothing on its body that could be identified as eyes or organs for sight. It projected the vague image of a tree, with its vines trashing around it like pseudopods. There was something downright Freudian about the gigantic slit running down the top region of the monster’s body, and the endless rows of teeth Daphne could view inside it only made it worse. There were many similar slits of much smaller sizes all over the monster’s body.
Whatever sensory organs the creature had, they clearly detected Daphne’s presence as the monster slid towards her on oozing upended roots. Daphne launched more projectiles at it, but its main body was not phased by them as the smaller vines were.
My God…. She thought as it occurred to her there was not much else she could do, with Ami and Kagu also watching the monster come for her in stunned silence.
The sound of an explosion in the sky turned the attention of all, even people who had tried to flee to a safe distance, towards the heavens.
“What….is that?” Ami wondered aloud.
It was as if a second sun had formed in the sky. A sphere of flame nearly a hundred feet in width descended towards the battlefield. While everyone else watched with a mix of awe and bafflement, Kagu felt the power of this flaming aura, and while it was somehow corrupted, the source of this fire was all too familiar to him.
It can’t be.
Within the aura of flame, Rei hovered in the sky. Her hair flailed wildly above her head as if given a life of its own. A sinister snicker came from her grinning face as power like she never felt before swelled in her being. A snicker that became a cackle heard from miles around.
Chapter Text
Sorrow for a shattered past mixed with a tiny spot of hope for the future as the Makai Tree watched her two remaining children. An and Ail were all that was left of the world the Tree had once given life to. Her other children had grown violent and warlike, and after centuries of warfare they destroyed themselves and their world.
An and Ail were the Tree’s last hope. As they slumbered beneath her branches, she traversed the galaxy trying to find a new world to seed with life and which these final surviving children of the old world could live their lives. And her distant vision spotted a world which could be perfect.
Something was wrong. The Makai Tree was a being who was in tune with the fabric of reality and the flow of time and space, and that flow had suddenly been disrupted. A disturbance with the blue gas giant planet at the end of the solar system which was the Tree’s destination tore at the fabric of space and altered this universe’s timeline.
The Tree looked out and observed strange occurrences on the system’s third planet, the planet she wished to make into a new home for her children. A pink-tressed little girl from the future was arriving in this time period much earlier than she was originally supposed to arrive. Two more children from separate timelines that should not even be came along with her. What could this mean?
An alarm sounded in her mind. Whatever it was that caused the timeline disruption had just seen her and her children. And It was hungry.
An and Ail woke up, feeling the disturbance themselves. The first thing they laid eyes on was space itself ripping open in front of their Mother. Their screams matched the Tree’s panic as the “rip” revealed itself to be a massive lamprey-like maw. A giant tongue came forth and reached out for them.
The Makai Tree let out an inhuman scream of her own as she attempted to flee the other direction. She was halted as she found another identical maw opening up in the other direction. The Tree understood why fleeing was futile even before these maws opened up in all directions, leaving them cornered.
The entity that was manifesting existed outside the 3rd dimension, and outside the flow of time as most 3 dimensional beings understood it. Therefore, it could exist at multiple places at the same time, at least by the Tree’s perception of place. She realized to her despair that trying to flee from such an entity was useless.
The Tree whimpered in despair while her children sobbed beneath her as the tongues came at her from all directions. They began to lick her in a sickeningly sensual manner as tore away her leaves. Never in her existence did the Tree feel so defiled as she did now.
This could have gone on longer until the entity stripped the Tree’s whole body away. But the Tree felt a jolt in the fabric of reality once more. Whatever allowed the entity to traverse reality was being shut on it by something. The tongues were pulled back into their maws, and the rips closed as suddenly as they opened.
The Tree continued to cry in the void.
***
The tiny trace of the Makai Tree’s former self still wept while she helplessly watched the corrupted aspects of her body attempt to devour a city and its people. A being with an aura of demonic flame descended, preparing to engage the corrupted Tree in battle.
The Tree hoped the being would burn her away and end her suffering.
***
“I can hear her cries, Ail.” An cried.
“So can I.” Her brother answered as he continued holding her.
From their position inside the crevice, they could see the Makai Tree slither forward as a being of fire prepared to face her.
“We have to do something to help her!” An shouted. “That being will kill her if we don’t!”
There was only one option Ail could think of. He dreaded attempting it, as it ended in disaster the last time, but there was nothing else he could do now. He had to try.
***
Vines reached out for Rei as she hovered in the air, continued cackling maniacally. The flames surrounding Rei quickly burned the attacking appendages away while Daphne slowly stepped back from the growing conflict.
“What the hell did the Dark Kingdom do to Mom?!” Kagu shouted angrily.
Ami was at a loss for words. Seeing her friend in that state clouded her ability to think of any rational plan or solution to this situation.
A noise resounded through the air. A bizarre and ugly melody. Rei paid it no mind, but it made Ami, Daphne, and Kagu pause.
“Is that a flute?” Kagu wondered. “It sounds really out of tune.”
Ami noted the plant creature was reacting to the sound. The creature halted, then tried to attack again, before stopping in its tracks. Like it was struggling against some external influence.
Ami touched her earring, and her Mercury Visor activated. She scanned the area, searching for the music’s source.
***
Ail despaired. As expected, his flute could not provide the soothing music Mother needed. Whatever remained of her true, uncorrupted self could not be reached with such an ugly tune.
“Maybe we could help you with that.”
Ail ceased his playing and he and An turned to see Daphne removing her helmet with Ami and Kagu beside her. Ail had been too caught up in his playing to realize the giant that had been battling Mother had vanished.
“You’re attempting to calm the plant with your music, is that correct?” Ami asked.
An and Ail recognized Ami’s Sailor uniform.
“You have some connection to the Moon Warrior?” An inquired.
It was easy for the other to deduce who she was talking about.
“You know of Sailor Moon?” Ami asked.
“Before Mother went mad, she spoke of the Moon Warrior who could ease her suffering.” Ail explained.
An and Ail looked back to the corrupted Makai Tree. The battle with the fire being was becoming more intense. Rei burned away more and more limbs from the tree as it tried to strike at her. An and Ail realize their Mother would not last much longer.
“There is still something good inside Mother, but we are not able to bring it out.” An explained. “She told us the Moon Warrior could, but we have not been able to find her since we arrived.”
“And the ways which Mother has had to sustain herself since becoming corrupted…..” Ail added, his body shuddering.
Ami and the others pondered all of this. They had not been able to reach or find Usagi either, much to their growing alarm. But, for this situation, Daphne had an idea.
“If you need music to reach your Mother, I might be able to help.” She informed them.
***
Agony. The Makai Tree felt such agony as fire scorched her body. Her last uncorrupted fragment wanted to cry out to the fire being and beg her to stop, but the corrupted aspect wanted to continue fighting to the death.
Rei, meanwhile, only felt invigoration as her mind and body was fused with Metalia. The rush of excitement and the thrill of watching her enemy burn was beyond what she could have even imagined feeling before. And she did not even care when stray flames she shot out hit random structures and caused them to light up. And the horrendous music that filled the air only gave her further excitement.
Her thrill was suddenly halted when a new sound joined the baleful flute. The melody of a harp that was not so baleful.
***
It had been so long since Daphne had touched the Mercury Harp which her mother passed down to her in her timeline. Yet, as she strummed it now, it was as if she had never put it down.
Something about the beauty of Daphne’s music added a soothing touch to Ail’s spirit which aided him in his own playing. He gradually found his way in creating a beautiful melody of his own, and the two of them were soon in a dance.
***
Was this for real? Ail’s flute. The beauty of his playing was returning to him at last. And joining him was the music of an enigmatic harp which only enhanced the richness of his song.
Whatever this new source of inspiration for her child, it was enough to give that last uncorrupted aspect of the Makai Tree the spark she needed to pull away.
***
Huh, that’s a bit curious. Rei mused.
It seemed to go unnoticed by the plant monster as a tiny pod-like object slid out of its body. Whatever that thing was, Rei had an odd feeling that she need not hold back and continue toying with this thing any longer.
Rei had an idea as the monster moved closer to her. She smirked, finding the immense central maw ever so inviting. She launched herself inside.
The slimy insides of the monster didn’t perturb Rei in the slightest. It would all soon be nothing. Her flame aura spread out around her.
***
“My God”. Ami said.
The group watched in silence as the corrupted Makai Tree burst into flames from within. The monster groaned for a long minute before it fell silent and slumped over. The Tree’s still body continued to be consumed by fire.
Shooting out from the dead Tree’s body was a sphere of fire with that unnerving laughter.
***
An gently touched the large green seed. Tears of joy streaked down her face as she felt the lifeforce inside.
“The Mother we loved still lives within.” She told Ail. “She can finally begin to heal from the Despoiler’s corruption.”
Ail stood beside his sister as she lifted the seed and cradled it in her arms. They turned their gaze to the charred husk above them.
“What will we do now?” An wondered. “While Mother is in the process of rebirth, we cannot leave this world.”
“Perhaps we have some new friends who can help us settle in for the time being.” Ail said, thinking of Ami and the others as he watched them run to meet the fire entity.
***
Kagu, with Ami and Daphne by his side, watched in apprehension as his mother landed in front of them. The flame aura faded, and Rei looked at her son with more than a hint of sadism which he had never seen in her eyes before.
“Mom, what have they done to you?” He asked as he cautiously approached her.
She stroked his chin gently, yet he could not shake the feeling of being in the presence of hungry predator behind that gentle touch.
“Kagu, by boy, we are on the verge of having everything we ever deserved.” She told him. “Our whole family.”
She embraced him, increasing his discomfort. She then met Ami’s eyes, and grinned.
“Thank you for taking care of him while I was away.” She sneered at her friend. “But I don’t think we’ll need your help anymore.”
Rei lifted herself and Kagu into the air. Ami realized they were drifting away.
“REI, WAIT!!!” Ami cried out.
If Rei heard her friend, she did not bother to listen. Ami and Daphne watched as Rei and Kagu flew away from their sight.
Chapter Text
Epilogue
Beryl, Mayumi, Naru, and the Shitennou stood at the front of the throngs of the Dark Kingdom. Beryl held her arms together and looked downward. For the first time since before the Great Leader’s ancient arrival, Beryl felt true sorrow and could not meet Metalia’s eyes. It was a sentiment shared by all in the Dark Kingdom now.
No longer residing in their base beneath the Antarctic ice, the Dark Kingdom made their new home under red skies. The crimson air illuminated the new manifestation of the Queen as she made herself at home on the throne of an ancient, wrecked palace. With dead eyes, Mamoru stood beside Rei, while Kagu joined them on the other side of Rei’s throne, his own eyes betraying his shock and worry. Beneath the Queen, Jadeite crawled on all fours, his dog collar extending to a leash in Rei’s hand.
“Denizens of the Dark Kingdom, what we have sought is within our grasp.” Metalia spoke through Rei. “And we have a new home by which to carry out our dream!”
Rei’s fiery aura manifested around her. In perfect sync with her, the red skies above everyone began to glow, invoking awe in them all. Planet Mars blazed like a beacon of blood in space.
***
Ami knocked on the door of the Tsukino residence, with Luna down by her feet. They hoped somebody would answer. There was some initial relief as they heard footsteps, and the door opened. Genji Tsukino greeted them, and already Luna knew something was wrong, as the light she normally saw in the man’s eyes was absent.
“Can I help you?” Genji asked meekly.
“Hello, Mr. Tsukino. Is Usagi home?” Ami asked nervously.
“U…sagi?” Genji answered, his bewilderment apparent.
Ami and Luna looked at each other questioningly, and then Ami prodded him further.
“Usagi, your daughter.” Ami went on.
“Is this some kind of joke?” Genji answered, showing signs of agitation. “I don’t have a daughter.”
“What do you mean?” Ami asked with shock. “You and Ikuko have a daughter….”
“I don’t know who you are or what you are talking about!” Genji snapped. “It’s just me and Shingo. Ikuko died in an accident several years ago, and we never had a daughter. Shingo is all I have left.”
He angrily slammed the door in their faces. Ami and Luna stood in silence for a long time after that.
***
Sapphire eyes met eyes of emerald as the Moon Princess stood at the heart of the crescent spring at the heart of the Lunar Temple. The crimson-haired woman smiled as she approached Usagi a the two of them clasped their hands together.
Archaic symbols of a forgotten age manifested upon their foreheads and gleamed with silver light. That same light manifested in the crescent pool beside them and soon the whole temple was aglow.
They two of them looked into each other’s eyes once more and saw the depths of one another’s souls. A new path to the future would be created this night as Usagi held the woman close.
To Be Continued