Sailor Moon Zodiac: #17 - Pieces of the Puzzle By: Janelle Jimenez (pandora@indy.net) Official WebPage: http://www.indy.net/~pandora/sailormoon/zodiac/intro3.html Sailor Pisces glanced at Sailor Aries worriedly, "Healing them won't affect the future." Aries replied assuringly to her twin. Sailor Pisces sighed with relief, in unison they raised their staffs high above their heads, one half of the star touching the other. A radiating light surrounded the star and expanded over the wounded Senshi. Sailor Moon's eyes opened and she looked around, she quickly stood up. "What..happened?" she asked looking around for an answer, she saw Sailor Mars slumped over by a tree and rushed to her. "Rei-chan? Rei-chan!" Sailor Moon said gently shaking her shoulders, a small groan escaped from Sailor Mars' lips as she opened her eyes. She stared at Sailor Moon in confusion, "Did we beat him?" she asked weakly. "No." Sailor Scorpio replied as she struggled to stand, "Methane 4 is almost indestructible, no one knows how to stop him. Only Leadan knew... and..now..it'll never be stopped.." she said choking back a sob. Sailor Cancer stood up and hurried to Scorpio, hugging her comfortingly. She then turned and stared at the twins. The face which had smiled at them only minutes before was now distorted by anger and confusion. "Explain yourselves..why didn't you help immediatly?" she demanded. "I couldn't!" Sailor Pisces cried. "I could have altered the fabric of time." "WHO are you two?" Sailor Leo asked, neither of them looked familiar to her. She groggily stood up. Her face was healed by the healing of the purple star, but she still felt a slight pain. "We are the Chosen Zodiac Senshi," Sailor Aries began, "We are the Guardians of the Seven Stars.." Sailor Pisces finished. "I am the Fire That Never Dies the Guardian of the Last Three Stars, Sailor Aries.." Aries said reintroducing herself. "I am the Ocean That Never Dries..the Guardian of the First Three Stars, Sailor Pisces.." Pisces said following Aries' lead. "Umm..that makes six." Sailor Capricorn commented. "Where's the Seventh at?" she asked. "Right here." Sailor Aries said and held her staff up to Sailor Pisces, the star halves joined together once again and the purple light began to radiate from it. "Hey..Estrella..I thought you said Sailor Moon had it or something?" Sailor Leo said looking down at the cat who had been hiding earlier during the fight. "That's what the Scroll of Ledgend said." Estrella replied defensively. "The scroll is false, my sister and I wrote that to fool the ones who were to invade the Golden Millenium. In truth, the Golden Key would be near impossible to obtain now. When the invaders of the future attacked, Queen Selestia took both Golden Keys of the Future and Past and shattered them into pieces, the fragments flying into the universe and eventually landing in the hearts of people..these people became Senshi with powers not unlike our own." Sailor Pisces explained. "I knew of the future, so I put in the names of the future Sailor Senshi, I added the Zodiac Senshi to throw our enemies off." Aries said. "We Zodiac Senshi do not, our power comes directly from the celestial bodies in the sky..instead of just fragments of a Key. It explains why we have more power than you." Pisces added, she said it in all honesty..not a bit of her sounded as if she were bragging. "However, some of the pieces of the Golden Key crystalized into the Seven Stars..with these Stars alone it would be enough of the Key to release all its power..which would be the power of every Senshi in the universe including ourselves combined, as well as the ability to jump through the fabric of time, space, and even reality." Sailor Aries added. "Waaaaiit!" Sailor Venus exclaimed, "Are you telling me..that..there are more Senshi out there in the universe?" "Not that many more, actually. Perhaps less than a dozen. There are those who pose as Senshi. From this dozen only half could possibly even be good. There are evil Senshi in this universe..I have heard such rumors.. The snake-headed demon Senshi guardian in the Galaxy of Aurora..They say she holds the crystal of Pure Evil...and there's also supposedly one who is called Sailor Nemesis who is currently destroying whole Galaxies simply for pleasure." Sailor Pisces said. Sailor Moon stared at both of them, the rest of the Sailor Senshi had a similar look of shock. Sailor Uranus look rather angry, "All this time...I felt like we were chosen...chosen individuals, but we're not..Are you saying we're all just victims of chance?!" she demanded. To her surprise, Sailor Aries nodded. "Perhaps not simply by chance, you could perhaps choose to believe that whoever chose you chose most of you from one galaxy..one system..out of the millions upon millions in the universe. You can also choose to believe that these..choosers also chose evil doers. However, it is commonly accepted that a large cloud of the Golden Key dust settled here." Sailor Aries replied rather harshly. "I'll never believe that.." Sailor Neptune said defiantly shaking her head. "Live in ignorance for all I care...our duty isn't to educate LESSER Senshi, it's to save the Golden Millenium." Sailor Aries snapped. "Now, as I was saying.." she said starting to drift off. "You have all the answers..tell us..about..The Shadow Star Ninja.." Sailor Capricorn suggested. "Ahh..let me take care of this, sister.." Sailor Pisces said smiling, "The Shadow Star Ninja..commonly known to you as Masaya Kage. He is the reincarnation of Prince Trent-sama." she smiled. She looked upwards then looked back at the Senshi. "Masaya..." Sailor Mercury said dazed, "Yes..He came to this moment in time to find the reincarnation of his beloved Princess, Princess Solana. However, she is not among you as he had so hoped. That is why you've never seen him again. He first thought that Sailor Leo may have been her..you two are rather similar in appearance... then he thought perhaps it was Sailor Moon, but it was not. So, he's gone." Sailor Pisces explained. Sailor Capricorn looked crestfallen, "That's so..romantic.." she sighed. "Yes, all three of Queen Selestia's daughters, Solana, Selenity--" Sailor Aries began, Sailor Moon blanched, "Did you say...Selenity?" she whispered. "Yes, don't interrupt..and Stella fled to other galaxies...We aren't sure where exactly they went.." Aries continued. "SELENITY?!" Sailor Moon screamed. "Yes, I said Selenity...do you have a problem with her highness?" Aries answered. "Selenity..what..what did she look like?" Sailor Moon asked, (Note: For those of you who are unaware..in Japanese L's and R's sound exactly the same..) "This is all so irrelevant to what I was explaining." Sailor Aries sighed, "Well...like all of the daughters she had her haired tied up in odango..sort of like yours. She had silver hair, Stella had dark blue and Solana had black..let's see..blue eyes, trademark of Selestia's daughters. Oh yes...the markings..Solana had a sun, Stella a star, and Selenity a moon.." Sailor Pisces answered. Sailor Mars gasped, Sailor Moon began to shake, Tuxedo Knight caught her just before she hit the ground. "What's wrong..?" Sailor Cancer asked quizzically. "Selenity...that was Usagi's mother..er...the Usagi of the Past as Princess Serenity on the Moon Kingdom during the Silver Millenium.." Sailor Venus replied. The Zodiac Senshi looked at each other in shock, Sailor Pisces' jaw dropped. "That's hardly believable." Sailor Cancer said in shock, "It must be someone else." she concluded. Sailor Moon shook her head, a tear fell out of her eye and landed on her brooch, it started an instant reaction. It was like a reversal of her transformation. Sailor Moon's tiered white skirt grew longer until it past her ankles. The sleeves of the dress reappeared, her collar and choker both disappearing. The brooch sunk down and seemed to enter her body. Finally her tiara disappeared to revel a golden moon on her forehead. "My God.." Sailor Leo whispered, bringing her hand to her mouth. The Sailor Senshi stood behind her and bowed their heads. Sailor Aries dropped her staff and knelt on one knee before Princess Serenity. "You..must be Princess Selenity's daughter..Forgive me" she apologized. "Perhaps, the Sailor Senshi are not victims of chance.." Sailor Aries whispered. A tiny smirk grew on Sailor Uranus' lips. "Please..stand..I couldn't have you bow before me." Princess Serenity urged. She brought her hands to her chest and then brought them away, the heart shaped silver crystal levitating between her hands. "MOON PRINCESS POWER, MAKE UP!" she shouted, and just as soon as she had changed forms, she was back as Princess Sailor Moon. "So..this means that..." Sailor Aquarius began, "We in a sense are your protectors, Sailor Moon?" Sailor Leo said in disbelief. "It would appear that way.." Sailor Pisces replied, standing up. Sailor Aries followed her lead. "But, *WE* are her protectors!" Sailor Venus exclaimed. "Actually, we are the guardians to her mother, Princess Selenity of the Golden Kingdom...this makes alot of sense now." Sailor Virgo replied. "This is what I conclude must have happened, when the Golden Millenium was destroyed by the Black Star Army, you said the sisters all fled to other galaxies. I believe that Princess Selenity decided to stay here, and she established the Moon Kingdom, eventually it became prosperous and it became the time of peace known as the Silver Millenium." she said explaining her theory. "Yes, and Queen Serenity had a daughter named Princess Serenity, whom during the Silver Millenium we were the guardians for. When the Dark Kingdom attacked Queen Serenity sent us to the future using the Silver Crystal, and we were reborn as the Sailor Senshi.." Sailor Mercury nodded. "This is all starting to fit together.." Sailor Jupiter said. "We are the Sailor Senshi, protectors of the Silver Millenium.." "I am Rei Hino, the Spirit of Fire, the Senshi of the Flame..Sailor Mars! In the name of Mars, I will punish evil!" Sailor Mars said introducing herself for really the first time. Sailor Leo's eyebrows raised slightly when she discovered Mars' true identity. "I am Ami Mizuno, the Friend of Water, the Senshi of Water...Sailor Mercury! In the name of Mercury, douse your self in some water and repent!" Sailor Mercury said, following Mars' lead. Sailor Uranus smirked slightly at her introduction. "I am Makoto Kino, the Faithfullness of the Tree, the Senshi of Lightning (Note: actually, it's wood, but I didn't want to put that.)! I will not forgive those who do wrong, in the name of Jupiter, I will punish them!" Sailor Jupiter said. "I am Minako Aino, the Victorious Sailor V, and the Senshi of Love! In the name of Love and Justice, I will overcome evil!" Sailor Venus exclaimed. "In the name of the Deep Water World, Neptune, I am the Maternal Senshi. Invited by a new age, I am the elegant Sailor Neptune, Michiru Kaiou." Sailor Neptune said as she rested her hand under her chin. "In the name of Heaven and Earth, Uranus, I am the Senshi of Flight, Invited by a new age, I am the magnificent Sailor Uranus, Haruka Tenou." Sailor Uranus said rather arrogantly. "In the name of the World that knows Time, Pluto, I am the Senshi of Reformation, the Guardian of the Gateway of Time, Sailor Pluto, Setsuna Meiou." Sailor Pluto replied raising the Time Staff. "And..." a quiet calm voice said, cutting in before the Zodiac Senshi could introduce themselves. "In the name of Love & Justice! I am the Pretty Sailorsuited Solider Neo Sailor Moon! In the name of the Neo Moon! I will punish you!" she said mimicking Sailor Moon's hand movements. "NEO...SAILOR MOON!?!" the Sailor Senshi exclaimed in unison. "And..in the name of the Silent World, Saturn, I am the Creation and Destruction Senshi! The Silent Messiah Sailor Saturn, Hotaru Tomoe." said the other, she twirled her Glaive in the air. Sailor Neptune gasped in disbelief. There stood two figures. One an almost identical copy of Sailor Moon. However, her hair was pink and her odango somewhat pointier. Her fuku had a pink skirt and pink boots with a pink collar. Around her neck was a yellow choker with a pink moon, her tiara also had a pink moon in it. She resembled Sailor Moon during her earlier Senshi years. The other was an older girl, pale skinned with brooding purple eyes, her hair was shoulder length. Her fuku was entirely different. Her sleeves appeared to be as they were before (When she was evil), yet translucent like the Super Senshi. Her back bow was long and the color of her maroon bow in front. She wore a crystal in the middle of it with a black stone set in the middle inside the stone was a the sign of saturn engraved in it. On her choker was a crystal shaped like the sign of Saturn also. From her ears dangled crystal ringed planets, she held in her right hand a glaive which had jewels embedded around the blade. It was obvious who these two girls where, Chibimoon and Sailor Saturn, but their appearences reminded everyone of two frightening Villainesses, Black Lady and Mistress 9. "How...is...this..possible?" Sailor Moon asked, she was in total shock. "Chibiusa-chan..? Is..that you..?" she asked. "They call me Usa-chan in Crystal Tokyo, Usagi-chan. Usa Chiba." she replied with a grin. "How did you do this, Hotaru-chan?" Sailor Pluto asked Saturn. "Usa-chan sent for me in the future. She said she missed me, to my surprise when I was taken there she was much older, sixteen in fact. As for myself, I continued to rapidly age, as I was before." Sailor Saturn explained. "And...how old are you now?" Sailor Neptune asked. "Eighteen, Michiru-mama.." Sailor Saturn smiled. "What a lovely reunion.." Sailor Aquarius sighed blissfully. "Now that we know how we are related, I'm glad to know we're friends." Sailor Taurus smiled. "I am Sailor Leo, the Senshi of the Fire Lion, Jessica Taylor." Leo began. "I am Sailor Sagittarius, Senshi of the Lightning Arrow, Veronica O'Riley." Sagittarius said. "I am Sailor Aquarius! Janie Lee!" Aquarius said happily, forgetting to say anything fancy. "I am Sailor Capricorn! Senshi of the Earth, Joanna McMahon.." Capricorn replied. "Alana Johnson, Sailor Taurus, Senshi of Nature." Sailor Taurus said deciding to change her introduction. "I am Sailor Gemini, the Senshi of Multiplicity, Natalia Draven.." Gemini said giggling. "The Senshi of Gravity, Sailor Virgo, Tenshi Haato.." Virgo said, pushing up her glasses. "You have seen the face of Death, for it is I. Sayonara, I am the Senshi of Red Poision, Sailor Scorpio, Scorpio Beraku Staa, Shikami Dokuno!" Sailor Scorpio said, several Senshi raised their eyebrows at her use of her name as a Black Star Army general. "I am the Senshi of the Wind, Sailor Cancer, Hikari Kaze.." Cancer said, right on cue a light wind blew through the park. "You already.." Sailor Aries began, "Know who we are.." Sailor Pisces finished. The Senshi smiled at each other, "Kawaii, ne? They finish each others sentences.." Sailor Venus whispered to Sailor Mars. "Sailor Senshi and the Zodiac Senshi...partners...who would have thought?" Sailor Leo asked with a smile. Sailor Aries' smile faded. "Now, since all has been told..we must prepare..to destroy the Black Star Galaxy." Sailor Aries said solemnly. Gone was the arrogance she had earlier. "Wait..what do the people from the Black Star want?" Sailor Jupiter asked. "That I can answer." Sailor Scorpio replied, "You see..they want the Golden Key, Sulfiria and Lithia want to give their mother ultimate power..and give her a human form." she explained. "Human form?" Sailor Mercury repeated. "Yes. She's an entity. Perhaps you've heard of Queen Metallia? Well, she and Hydraja were..friends..I guess.." Sailor Scorpio answered. "She was experimenting with creating life..and she did, Sulfiria and Lithia. However, when she tried to make herself human, it wouldn't work. She has very little power as it is...that's why they want the Golden Key." "Where does the Golden Millenium tie into this, Scorpio-chan?" Sailor Cancer asked. "I'm not really sure, I never really heard them say they wanted the anything from there. Perhaps they learn that the Golden Key is not obtainable and try to go to the past to get it and succeed in destroying it." Sailor Scorpio suggested. "And..what about Crystal Tokyo?" Sailor Moon asked. "Nani? What about Crystal Tokyo?" Neo Sailor Moon asked, her red eyes full of confusion. "Hasn't it been destroyed? Haven't I been murdered?" Sailor Moon asked. "No..Nothing has happened, it's perfectly fine.." Neo Sailor Moon replied. "Small Lady..what about my sister, Sailor Charon?" Sailor Pluto asked gently. "Oh yeah! She said hello.." Neo Sailor Moon answered remembering the message she was told to deliver. "I don't understand this..how can the future be saved when we haven't destroyed the Black Star Army? Didn't Charon say we had to destroy the ones who detsroyed the Golden Millenium to save them?" Sailor Mars asked. "Perhaps...because we are so close to defeating them, that the future has been altered so that doesn't happen." Sailor Cancer suggested. "I HATE PARADOXES! I hate Quantum Physics!" Sailor Gemini screamed, Sailor Saturn looked at her for a moment. "Yes, enough of this talk, we need to destroy them before anything can happen." Sailor Aries said. "I'm ready." Sailor Uranus said, she looked ready to fight. "Okay, teleporting there will be no problem...Our biggest problem will be going back into the past." Sailor Cancer replied. "We can teleport there.." Sailor Moon said speaking up. "Can you?" Sailor Scorpio asked. "Yes, we just put all of our powers together and Sailor Teleport." she answered. "Great, saves me time.." Scorpio murmured. Sailor Moon looked back at her friends and nodded her head. The positioned themselves in a circle and grabbed each others hands. They all closed their eyes and began to concentrate. Sailor Scorpio watched them for a second, then turned towards the Zodiac Senshi. "You must enter this portal one at a time..I can't go in or it'll close...just hope nothing attacks you." she replied. "How very comforting..." Sailor Leo muttered, Scorpio ignored the comment and concentrated at a spot in front of her. Suddenly, a misty red portal appeared. Sailor Aquarius looked inside it rather warily, she saw nothing but darkness. "Hurry up, I can only hold this thing up for a few seconds.." Sailor Scorpio ordered. Sailor Leo looked back, the Sailor Senshi were gone. She decided to take the initiative and went forward, Sailor Saggittarius followed her. Sailor Aquarius looked in again and ended up being shoved in by Sailor Gemini. Sailor Capricorn entered right after, followed by Sailor Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Pisces, Aries, and finally Scorpio herself. The portal began to fade out and suddenly disappeared in a puff of smoke.