Kurisutaru Ohimesama: Ano Buyudan No Ano Kurisutaru Sera Crystal Princess: The Saga of the Crystal Sailors EPISODE 04: "DARK KINGDOM GENERALS RETURN" By crystalknight at copper dot net Penname: The Crystal Knight AIM: Eccadairius Edited By: Loki Website: www dot crystalsailors.com NOTICE: This is the final chapter edited by Loki. He did a great job! Kudos to you Loki! I look forward to the new editor! Rated: PG-13 Based On: The Original Series "Crystal Sailors" Notes: This takes place after Sailor Moon R and 'Sailor Moon Universal' written by Jendra. EPISODE FOUR: DARK KINGDOM GENERALS RETURN Usagi returns to her family and friends, but with the persisting nightmares, and the changes in her life, she is having trouble coping. But the return of the Dark Kings has changed everything. Can she cope and can the Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen deal with the revived generals and their new allies? Sweat beaded upon her forehead. Usagi shuddered and hugged herself, her nightdress clinging to her back. She could still feel the fear stirring in her breast and whimpered. She was terrified. She rocked herself back and forth after drawing her knees up under her chin. She was no closer to finding out who or what was responsible for these dreams and why. "Why me? Who was that guy in my dream?" Usagi could still feel the residue of the dream clinging to her like a second skin. Wanting so to shake off the feeling, but the images would persist, the feeling tainting her soul and unsettling her. ~*~ Usagi was sitting at her window thinking back over all that had happened. She was thinking about not only the dreams, but also the attack and the wounds she'd suffered. She found it difficult enough dealing with that, but then dying to save her friends, then finding herself revived to help her fellow Senshi defeat the new enemy felt so surreal. Luna raised her head from her velvet paws and began to speak to her charge, "Usagi-Chan, Are you okay?" The little black cat noticed that Usagi was lost in thought and she observed, that she looked depressed; this worried Luna. Then the sound of Ikuko's footfalls drew closer as she came up stairs to talk to her daughter, "Usagi, want to talk about it? Your father and I are worried." Usagi sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and yawned, looking as if she'd not heard a single word. "Are you all right?" Usagi could barely manage a weak smile, as her mother leaned forward and kissed the top of her head, stroking her daughter's disheveled golden locks that would soon assume their customary odangos. "If you need me, I am here for you." Usagi's mother sighed, a and at the threshold to Usagi's bedroom looked back, the anxiety in her eyes, this not lost on Luna who pushed her head against Usagi's limp hand affectionately. Ikuko smiled at the gesture. After twenty minutes without Usagi coming downstairs for breakfast, Ikuko went back upstairs to see what was keeping her daughter. "Usagi, aren't you coming downstairs, you'll be late!" "I don't care!" she said, folding her arms across her chest in a gesture of defiance as she stood before the bathroom door. "I don't want to face another day of 'Oh Usagi, you're alive! We only need time to adjust to the fact you are not dead!' Don't you think I might need time to get used to being here again? I also have to answer all your stupid questions about my duties as Sailor Moon. Also, why I kept it all to myself. Why do you think? If I had told you, your lives would have all been in danger if the Dark Kingdom had discovered my identity by a slip of the tongue... I don't have time for any of this, mother!" she growled, slamming the bathroom door in her mother's face. "Mom, I'll talk to her. She is just mad because, well its weird for her and its weird for us, too!" he said, as Ikuko blew her nose into her handkerchief. "We're a family, can't she understand that. Oh Shingo, maybe you're right, she might feel better if you talk to her. I am just messing things up and your father isn't helping just sitting downstairs saying, Usagi will get over it!" She turned away as Shingo adjusted his peaked cap and waited for his sister to re-emerge. ~*~ When Usagi and Shingo finally came downstairs, Ikuko tried to carry on as normal, but this only made matters worse. "Darling?" Ikuko mouthed, as if she were under water, "You've got to eat sweetheart. I know school and everything is going to be tough on you today, but you've..." Ikuko's words were cut off by the sound of a shattering vase, Usagi had knocked to the floor as she burst into tears. "I don't want to hear it, mother! Gomen, but I can't stay! I'm eating at Crown, but I need to get away by myself... just need time on my own to get my thoughts straight is all, got to go!" "But Usagi, your lunch!" she said, as Shingo took the Bento Box and ran after his sister. Usagi was already heading for the front gate. Ikuko sighed, and as she slumped into the kitchen chair, Kenji looked up, his bespectacled face betraying his alarm. They looked at each other without saying a word as Shingo rushed back into the kitchen, sat down and poured milk on his cereal. Kenji sighed, and then folded the paper, setting it to one side and cleared his throat, "I am not sure what we should do, if anything. She may talk to a counselor, she may not, but I really think she needs to as Shingo would say," hearing his name, he looked up at his father and back at Ikuko, "she needs time to 'chill out' gather her thoughts. We need time to get used to the fact she is Sailor Moon, a Senshi, and that her friends are also. It will take time. Darling, just give her time. Give yourself time. She has faced youma and their overlords, and death!" "I know, Kenji," she sighed. "Kamis knows we all need time to get used to this new reality." "Usagi is not Sailor Moon is she, that's the most baka thing I have ever heard!" Shingo mumbled as his parents ignored him. "I know that, Kenji! But its her emotional and mental state I'm most concerned about. She's like a shell, lifeless and listless. We have her back, but its as if part of her is still missing... I don't know," she said, lowering her face into her hands. Then she lifted her head and met Kenji's gaze, "I don't know what to do, whether to talk to Haruna Sensei, or just wait to see if she snaps out of it on her own. She keeps having those awful dreams. She won't tell me what they're about and I know its connected with all this!" ~*~ Motoki raised an eyebrow when he saw a pale-faced Usagi slump into a booth. He excused himself from serving one of his regulars and approached the stone-faced girl, "Usagi-chan?" "Hi Motoki, can I have a shake and an apple and cinnamon muffin please? She asked in a dull monotone. "Sure," he said agreeably, frowning. He knew what she had been through, but he was determined to tread lightly. He returned with her order, slid into the chair opposite, and cleared his throat, "Mamoru asked after you. He told me to give you this," he dropped the Star Locket into her open hand. She gasped, her eyes lit up and she beamed, "Thank you Motoki-san," she said, and promptly set the locket open on the table and played it and ate. ~*~ Later in class, people had kept looking at her, whispering and it was bothering Usagi. The girls were great, keeping a respectful distance. Usagi reasoned that Luna and Artemis had something to do with that. But she had endured the speculation, and looks and mutterings all day and only an hour to go, but she had had enough. She jumped to her feet, "I know you think I am like the living dead! Honestly, any of you, can you imagine how I feel with you constantly staring at me, whispering about me? I am the flavor of the week. I know I'm Sailor Moon, you know I'm Sailor Moon, I was dead yesterday, now I'm back. I wish I weren't!" she sobbed and gathered her things with Naru's help. Not a sound could be heard as Haruna helped the distraught girl from the classroom and arranged for the principal to call a taxi to take her home. "Poor Usagi," Naru murmured, catching Umino's concerned expression. ~*~ After an emotionally exhausting day, Usagi had finally fallen asleep. She was spinning in a vortex of confusion and fragmented images, mundane at first, the text off the page of her dictionary, then the Bento Box filled with goodies, and then, she saw something new emerge from the mists of dream, this time she saw a strange man and his three traveling companions taking shape before her eyes. Usagi gasped as the tall figure put on an intimidating helmet and she could see and feel the waves of corruption and evil transforming the man into a malevolent warlord possessive of immense powers. Suddenly, he transformed his companions into monsters. Usagi looked gaunt, and didn't even acknowledge Luna, who tried to get her attention with little success. After a time, Luna stood on all fours, arched her back, leapt nimbly to the floor, and said over her shoulder, "Usagi, I am going to meet the others. See you later." As before, Usagi didn't respond. Luna made her way outside and called the Senshi, "Sailor Senshi, this is Luna. We have an emergency. Meet me at the Hikawa Shrine as soon as possible." ~*~ "What's the emergency?" Rei asked, raising an eyebrow. "It's Usagi. She has gotten worse," Luna, answered, shaking her head. Luna's expression revealing the degree of concern she felt for her charge. "How?" Ami asked, sitting cross-legged before the Mauan guardian expectantly. "Both myself and her mother tried over the last couple of days to talk to her with little success I'm afraid," she sighed. "What do we do, Luna?" Makoto questioned, letting out an exasperated sigh. "We must be patient with her, her dreams have become more intense, that much I do know, so we must tread lightly." "Do you think the Ice Titan has something to do with it?" Minako supplied. "Now, don't jump to conclusions. I doubt even the Ice Titan knows about Usagi's night terrors." "I've been working on a dream viewer. It will enable us to see into Usagi's dreams and analyze them!" Ami answered with a hint of triumph in her voice. "That's amazing!" Luna responded, knowing this to be the break they needed. She was reluctant to use the Luna Mind-Meld, but this meant she'd not have to, at least, not yet anyway. She was most pleased with Ami. ~*~ Usagi managed to get through the rest of the day in a stupor, ignoring most of those around her, and like a zombie, she mechanically went through the motions and longed for sleep without the dreams. She got her wish that night. Place: North Pole, Ice Titan's Palace Time: Midnight Condition: Night The Ice Titan was fed up with his minions. "I need more help. You two are worthless to me!" he yelled. "Us... worthless?" Morgoth questioned. "You cannot defeat her. You used your most powerful attacks, yet Sailor Moon lives!" The Ice Titan snapped in an irate tone. "It's not are fault! She happens to foil our plans every time!" Belogore pleaded. The Ice Titan then revealed his plan to his minions, "I have the perfect strategy in mind. I know of a group of formidable villains that had fought this 'Sailor Moon' before! Maybe they can tell us how to defeat her." "Sounds like a plan to me," Belogore replied, with a smirk. The Ice Titan opened a small case, within lay four objects and he placed these in his open hand, "Morgoth, take these four life restorer disks! This will reverse the effects of their interdimensional deaths and make the Dark Kingdom Generals live again! NOW GO!" "Yes sire." ~*~ Usagi wasn't sure how she'd gotten there, but somehow, she'd left the house like a sleep walker and lay down on a park bench. Mamoru saw her and woke her, "Usako! Usako! Wake up." He shook her gently and she stirred. "Mamo-Chan! How in the world did I get here?" Usagi asked, still groggy. "Good question Usako! Are you okay?" "I am fine... I haven't slept so well in a long time." "I'll take you to the Hikawa Shrine. Let's go!" Meanwhile Morgoth found the Dark Kingdom Realm of the dead. There, he discovered the four generals: Jadeite, Nephrite, Kunzite, and Zoicite. "You are the Dark Kingdom Generals?" "Yes, we once were," Kunzite, answered as he trailed off. "How would you like to be revived to help my master get rid of Sailor Moon?" "Did you say Sailor Moon?" Jadeite asked. "Yes I did." "It will be a pleasure!" Zoicite replied. "Here! Put on the Life Restorer Disks. Once you put them on you can leave this place." "Very well," Nephrite agreed. As the Generals appeared before the fifth figure, they smiled amongst themselves and followed Morgoth as he led the Dark Kingdom Generals to the Ice Titan's Palace. Later "Welcome Dark Kingdom Generals! I need your help to rid me of the Moon Princess known as 'Crystal Sailor Moon!' So will you help me?" the Ice Titan asked. "Yes, what's in it for us?" Kunzite asked, arching an eyebrow. "You get to live. The Moon Princess is headed for the Hikawa Shrine. Defeat her -- go!" "Wait a minute. Why do you want someone like her killed?" Jadeite asked. "Fine, I'll tell you, my master and my greatest servant, Takalon was sealed within on of a number of great spheres through the use of powerful magic by the Momoirozuishou! Its magic had once sealed Belogore, Morgoth, and myself. Not that, my master Krun Bruikas and my leading henchman Takalon was completely sealed by the Momoirozuishou!" "Who is this Krun Bruikas?" Zoicite asked. "Krun Bruikas is my master and the supreme leader of the Ice Kingdom! Our sworn enemy is Princess Crystallina! She lies in a hibernated state inside Sailor Moon! That's why I must destroy her. Understand?" "Yes," The Lords of The Dark Kingdom replied as one. "GO!" Azabu Park "I know it's hard, Usako, all this has happened so fast and nobody, including you have had the chance to adjust. I will help if you let me. I will talk to your family and introduce the others in our warrior forms, and bring Luna and Artemis." "Now that will be something!" she lit up at the thought of Shingo and her parents looking wide-eyed at the sight of two talking cats, one having lived under their roof as a family pet, "I like the sound of that, I can't wait to see their faces!" she giggled, as Mamoru hugged her. "Now, that's better. All right Odango Atama, let's get a move on and head for the shrine, up to it yet?" "I am, let's go," she smiled. But as they began to move away from the park bench, there was a blinding flash a few feet away. Mamoru and Usagi would not make it to the Hikawa Shrine that day, for Morgoth appeared with the Dark Kingdom Generals and a new Robo Monster with them, Robo Sniper, an archer with pinpoint accuracy hitting its target. The Robo Sniper looked like a dark elf. They stood there staring at the impossible, but it was no dream this time as Usagi and Mamoru gasped. "Greetings... Are you surprised to see us again old friends?" Zoicite laughed. "We know who you are, so give up and save yourselves and us the inconvenience of denials and all that!" Kunzite demanded. "Yeah right! Like I am really going to do that!" Usagi quipped. "Well then, ...princess show us your power!" Jadeite challenged. "FINE! VERY WELL! I am IN A bad mood and I am taking it out on you!" Usagi yelled, balling her fists. "Oh... we're scared!" Zoicite mocked. "CRYSTAL MOON ENCHANTMENT POWER, MAKE UP!" After assuming her Senshi form, she spoke into her communicator, "Guys, I need your help!" "Robo Sniper, get her!" Kunzite ordered. "Yes boss!" The creature glared at Crystal Sailor Moon, "I will demolish you!" "Now, Robo Sniper, you can't fight what you can't see!" Crystal Sailor Moon told her, wrapping her cape around herself becoming invisible. "What?" the creature exclaimed. "Where did you go?" "What's the matter? You can't see me?" Crystal Sailor Moon asked in a disembodied voice. "Come out! Show yourself!" Robo Sniper screamed in frustration. "Burning Mandala!" Sailor Mars called her fire attack, spheres of flame forming rings of flame, as the Senshi of Fire unleashed her firepower at Robo Sniper. The youma was engulfed in flames. "Good job!" Crystal Sailor Moon answered as she removed the cape from around her body. "I will finish you off! Crystal Moon Purity Enlightenment!" Suddenly, a burst of large crescent moons attacked Robo Sniper. "Damn you!" Robo Sniper bellowed as it turned to dust. "We'll be back Crystal Sailor Moon, you can count on it!" the Dark Lords declared in unison and vanished. Sailor Mars walked up to Crystal Sailor Moon, "Are you okay?" "You had us worried," Luna added in a concerned tone, rubbing up against Usagi's legs. "I'm sorry. I am not the kind of person who likes to share my problems with others. I didn't mean to ignore you..." Usagi couldn't finish the sentence, so Sailor Jupiter finished for her, "... dreams have had a profound effect on me..." Usagi was clearly surprised by this, "We know about your nightmares. Luna told us. We're sorry, but remember that we are a team," Venus told her in a soft voice, giving her a hug. "Gomen Nasai, guys. But I can't burden you anymore with this, I must deal with it on my own. I must go now. Goodbye." Crystal Sailor Moon wrapped her cape around herself and vanished from sight. "Usagi..." Mars cried out, her thoughts swirling around in her head. She was shocked by the way, Usagi had isolated herself from her friends as well as her family. Crystal Sailor Destiny stood nearby watching the situation unfold. "So, Usagi's condition is worse than I first thought. I must contact my master and report to him," she said under her breath. "I think Usagi's changed guys, not just the fact she's gone through this trauma of dying and returning to life and all, but it is the metamorphosis. She is not the same Usagi and there's something deeper and this new power has made a stranger of her almost!" Jupiter said, sitting on a nearby stone fence as Venus nodded and joined her. "This means we have to support her in a whole new way, guys," Venus said, waving the others over and the girls knelt on the grass or stood nearby. Neptune and Uranus had also been present, watching the battle unfold. "The Generals back? But I don't get it, Mamoru, haven't you got any light you can shed on this?" Uranus asked, as Tuxedo Kamen sighed and shook his head. "The stones no longer speak to me, I have them still, but I lost the connection and they too are changed. I don't get it, any of it," he growled, kicking a loose stone that skipped across the ground, narrowly missing Sailor Crystal Destiny's bare ankle. She winced at the thought of the impact. The masked warrior in his tuxedo had a power she barely understood, but felt on some level. He was a mystery. She stepped back and allowed the Senshi and their guardians to continue their conversation and she left and a flurry of swirling leaves and debris. "I heard something, Uranus," Neptune said, grabbing the other woman's arm. "There, in the trees, Mercury? Might be a good idea to scan the area in case those Dark Kingdom losers return!" But after surveying the area, they hadn't found any dark signatures, but a gentle burst of positive energy. "Destiny?" Saturn asked, kneeling beside Mercury. "I think so," Mercury said, removing her visor and sending the data to the laptop in Mamoru's apartment to study later. "Why can't she be more up front?" Mars hissed, shaking her head, "We need her help on this, and she has powers and knowledge we can use to defeat these people. We need her more than ever now that the generals are involved." Next on Crystal Princess, Warnings of doom come to Usagi in a dream! The Ice Titan sets another trap to kill her off by capturing her friends! Can Usagi come to the rescue? Be there! This episode was completed on: 11/07/2006 CRYSTAL PRINCESS: THE SAGA OF THE CRYSTAL SAILORS is developed from the original series by The Crystal Knight entitled: "Crystal Sailors." Crystal Princess is (c) 2006 by Crystal Knight Fanfiction Productions. Sailor Moon is owned by their proper copyright holders.