Chapter Text
January's biting cold wraps itself around Tokyo, blanketing the sleeping city in snow. Neo Queen Serenity wakes with a jolt, unease settling heavy in her chest. Her mind drifts to a distant past, to that traumatic day—Nemesis's brutal attack that nearly destroyed Crystal Tokyo. But that's impossible. Nemesis and the Black Moon were defeated. Yet the unease lingers, and she knows instantly: the flow of space-time has been disrupted.
Serenity moves through the palace's grand corridors, her footsteps echoing in the frozen silence. Passing Small Lady's room, she glimpses her daughter sleeping peacefully, untouched by the dread that grips her. She continues to the crescent moon chamber, where ancient artifacts from the Moon Kingdom rest in an atmosphere thick with mystery and power. At the room's center, the Silver Crystal blazes with fierce, almost blinding light. Serenity gazes upon it with reverence, her eyes falling to the ancient crescent moon pin beside it.
With quiet resolve, she makes her way to the palace's far end, where a concealed door waits. She opens it and speaks, her voice steady:
— Pluto, it's time.
*
Meanwhile, in a moment far removed in time, a piercing screech slices through the air, jolting Usagi Tsukino from sleep.
— Damn alarm clock! — Usagi yelled, properly annoyed, smashing her fist down on the snooze button. — I hate morning lectures! Might just skip university today — she grumbled to herself, still half-asleep.
Her peace didn't last long. Shingo burst in, demanding she give him a ride to school. Reluctantly, Usagi dragged herself up and shuffled downstairs for breakfast, where her mom had made a stack of delicious pancakes.
Sipping her coffee, Usagi flicked through the newspaper on the table. Her eyes caught a photo in the entertainment section: "Princess Celia captivates Osaka audiences with her powerful voice and magnetic stage presence."
— Wow — Usagi breathed, impressed. — She's incredible! Gorgeous and talented… Like me, really.
— She certainly is — her mom agreed, clearing plates. — That's why she's so famous. One of the biggest singers in the world. Hard to believe she's been touring Japan for months. Wonder why she decided to go into singing? — she mused. — Could've had anything she wanted without much effort.
— I don't know — Usagi said with a shrug. — But if she loves it and it makes her happy, that's what matters, right?
Shingo nodded, shoveling down another pancake. — I like her music too — he mumbled. Catching his mom and sister's knowing grins, he quickly backtracked, face going pink. — But obviously I'm more into proper rock bands!
*
Morning sunlight spills across the busy campus of Tokyo University, where Usagi, now twenty, throws herself into Political Science. Her eyes gleam with ambition—she knows her fate is tied to Crystal Tokyo's throne. Diplomacy will be her weapon, though she'll privately admit that her mediocre grades and lack of other college options also played a part in that decision.
After an exhausting day of lectures, Usagi heads to Hikawa Temple for the weekly meet-up with her friends. The temple, run by Rei as she trains to become a senior priestess, has had a complete makeover. The woods around it have been transformed into a beautiful park called Mars Sanctuary, and there's even a new tram stop making it easy to reach.
Rei, frantically prepping for tomorrow's Talent Festival, is in a foul mood.
— I'm here! Sorry I'm late! — Usagi burst into the temple courtyard, panting and looking like she'd been dragged through a hedge backwards.
— You turning up on time? That'd be a miracle! — shot back a girl with long black hair, her sharp gaze cutting through Usagi's excuse before she'd even made it.
— Rei, you're grumpier than a cat in a bath!
— That's because Yuuichiro took off to visit his parents and left her all alone! — a blonde girl in a glittery top chimed in, laughing.
— Minako, give it a rest! — Rei snapped, rolling her eyes.
— Right, yeah… Mamoru's been in the States for three years and I'm not throwing tantrums. Where's Makoto?
— Can't make it — Minako said, pretending to wipe away a tear. — Ever since she opened that restaurant, she's got no time for anything.
— At least we get tons of free food now! — Usagi's eyes lit up.
— We've got a mountain of work to get through — Rei said, checking her watch. — Should we get started?
As they decorated the temple and park for the festival, the girls kept up a steady stream of conversation.
— Everything's changed so much these past few years… — Usagi said, stringing up paper lanterns between two bushes.
— Yeah, we've got responsibilities now, but at least we can chase our own dreams — Minako replied, sweeping the path.
— You mean… you've got the freedom to keep being a background extra on the most obscure TV channel in all of Japan! — Rei smirked wickedly.
— But soon I'll be the lead! Hollywood, here I come! — Minako exclaimed with a theatrical gesture, while the others laughed.
— I was talking about our friendship — Usagi clarified with a smile. — Ami finally went to Germany to study medicine, she's on the other side of the world. Makoto practically has no time to see us. At least, Minako, it's a good thing you're not so indispensable on that show, otherwise I'd never see you either.
— You people don't appreciate my talent… — Minako lamented, feigning a hurt expression.
— That's not it at all! You know what I mean! — Usagi apologized with a wave of her hand. — Michiru and Haruka continued their careers after winning the Chaos battle. Setsuna went back to the Time Gate. Hotaru moved to Osaka with her father…
— Your car…! — Rei interrupted, staring at the horizon with a worried expression.
— Chibi-Usa went back to the future, the Starlights disappeared without a trace, and Diana… — Usagi continued, pretending not to hear Rei's words.
— You just got a ticket — Rei said indifferently, interrupting Usagi's rambling.
— Ahh! — Usagi exclaimed, looking indignantly at her car parked in front of the temple, meters below. — Why didn't you warn me, Rei?
— I tried, but you wouldn't shut up. If you're so distracted you park in two disabled spots, you deserve to get ticketed — she observed in an authoritative tone.
— Just what I needed… — she muttered. — Don't forget Makoto invited us for dinner tonight! — she reminded them, trying to deflect attention from the embarrassing moment.
Late in the afternoon, they headed to Makoto's restaurant, "Makoto's Flavour Shrine," where they were warmly welcomed by Motoki, the co-owner. While waiting for Makoto, Usagi observed the place with curiosity.
— Makoto was really lucky to open this restaurant with Motoki — she commented, admiring the peculiar décor, overflowing with plants.
— Hey girls! How's everyone doing? — Makoto asked, smiling in her white apron.
— All good! Makoto, I want a meat lasagna, really generous with the melted cheese! — Usagi requested enthusiastically.
As they savored the convivial dinner, filled with lively conversation and infectious laughter, Usagi felt enveloped by the welcoming atmosphere of Makoto's restaurant. Each forkful of lasagna melted in her mouth, while the tempting aroma of the freshly arrived pizza awakened everyone's senses. The relaxed and warm ambiance contrasted with the latent tension hanging in the air, setting the stage for the disturbing revelation that was about to change the course of the night.
After dinner, they headed to the kitchen at Makoto's request, where they were met with a disturbing revelation.
— It can't be… — Usagi murmured, bewildered. Makoto had just announced that she could no longer transform into Sailor Jupiter.
— None of us can transform. The Sailor Guardians have ceased to exist — Rei concluded, regret heavy in her voice.
*
The news shook Usagi deeply, making her question the future of the Guardians and her own destiny. They knew the future existed, they knew the Guardians existed in the future. However, she also knew the future could be changed, and it nearly was when she fought at the Galaxy Cauldron. Could the end of the Guardians mean a different future? As she tried to process the information upon arriving home, she was startled by a pained meow echoing through her room.
— Luna? Is that you? Where are you?
Luna, the moon cat, was on the windowsill, visibly injured. Usagi rushed to her side, alarmed. — Luna, what happened to you?
Looking at the crescent moon on Luna's forehead, now pale and dull, Usagi understood the gravity of the situation. Determined to uncover the truth, Usagi went to her safe, where she kept a heart-shaped locket encrusted with nine precious stones. With a delicate gesture, the locket opened, revealing a crystal star adorned within. With an ethereal movement, Usagi made the Silver Crystal emerge from inside the locket. A sad aura enveloped her when a lotus-flower-shaped crystal appeared, dull and transparent. Its legendary brilliance had gradually faded, transforming it into a simple stone. Usagi contemplated the crystal with sadness, realizing she could no longer rely on its power to restore Luna's abilities.
*
The next morning, Usagi returned to Hikawa Temple for the final festival preparations, this time with Makoto present.
— Girls, I have bad news — she said, worried. — It's about Luna. She showed up injured last night, and the worst part is that the light from her crescent moon has gone out… She's lost the ability to speak.
A long silence fell over the four friends, broken only by the wind echoing through the grounds.
— Artemis hasn't come home since yesterday morning either. Could it be related to what happened to Luna? I'm worried — Minako said. — We should talk to Ami urgently.
— Well, I spoke to her on the phone last night. Despite some failed attempts and her power being weak, she managed to transform — Rei announced.
— I don't understand. She can and we can't? Can the others transform too? — Usagi questioned, hopeful.
— Let's be rational. My Sailor Crystal of Mars, your Jupiter and Venus crystals grant us the power of transformation in harmony with Usagi's Silver Crystal. The crystal also gives Artemis and Luna the ability to speak. If the Silver Crystal is weakened, it's normal that our transformations won't work. Everything makes sense except Ami's transformation — Rei said, trying to understand the situation. — Let's finish the last festival preparations while we try to figure this out. It's starting soon.
— Usagi, where are you going? — Makoto asked hours later, during the final preparations, seeing Usagi put on her coat.
— I have something urgent to take care of. I'll be back tonight! — she replied with a wink.
The girls watched her leave and continued the preparations without asking more questions. Usagi headed to her car, where she had a surprise prepared for them. Mamoru had his flight scheduled for today, coming to spend spring break in Tokyo. Tokyo airport was packed this time of year, and Mamoru's flight was arriving in 50 minutes. Her phone lit up with a low battery notification, reminding her that, once again, she'd forgotten to charge it. Usagi felt her heart beat faster as she rushed toward the airport. Time seemed to crawl as she faced the congested traffic.
Finally, arriving at the airport, Usagi checked the clock anxiously. Mamoru's flight was about to land. With her heart racing, she ran to the arrivals area, waiting eagerly for the moment when she'd see Mamoru again after 3 months apart. The airport's bustle was in harmony with the turbulence of Usagi's emotions as she saw more and more passengers exit through the gate. She sent a message to Mamoru, letting him know she was there waiting for him, but strangely, the messages weren't delivered and her calls went to voicemail. A sense of apprehension began settling in her chest, just as her phone died from lack of battery.
- Really?! - she shouted angrily.
As the minutes dragged on, Usagi watched each person coming through the arrivals gate, searching for Mamoru's familiar face. She knew he'd boarded the plane, as he'd sent her a message before takeoff, expressing his eagerness to see her, to which she replied with a heart emoji, reciprocating the feeling. However, now, as she waited at the arrival gate, there was no sign of him.
Fear began creeping into her mind as she tried to stay calm and keep waiting. She couldn't imagine what could have happened to Mamoru or why he wasn't there. Every second felt like an eternity. An hour passed, and the hope of seeing Mamoru slowly faded. Her heart began to weigh heavy with the sad certainty that her fiancé wouldn't be coming in.
With an all-too-familiar feeling of disappointment and helplessness, Usagi got into her car with trembling hands, eyes brimming with tears, and sped off toward Hikawa Temple. The engine roared as she drove through the streets, her mind filled with worry and uncertainty about her love's whereabouts.