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Senshi Chronicles 1 Aki by Loki

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Present day Tokyo

Juuban Prefecture


The priestess Daphne appeared at the Sakura Jinja during a Senshi meeting. She stood amongst the assembly, produced a crystal key from within the folds of her robes and handed it to Usagi.

"I am Daphne, High Priestess of Chronos on the Sulean world you know as Pluto," she paused for breath as the eyes of every girl looked at her, each filled with unspoken questions. "I entrust this to you, Usagi. You must all go to Crystal Tokyo immediately. I apologize for the intrusion, but it is imperative you leave now if those you love and everything you know is to be saved from obliteration."

"I guess that's a pretty convincing argument," Rei muttered, stretching as she stood up to join the others.

"Everything depends on this visit girls, now prepare yourselves. Usagi, raise the time key and call upon its power saying, ‘Temporal Key, take us to Crystal Tokyo,' and repeat the process when returning home."

"Usagi examined the key, lost in her thoughts, turning it over in her palm before responding, "We shall leave immediately. Thank you from us all."

"Usagi, good luck, you will endure and be a great queen. May the power of the Kamis protect you all!" Daphne bowed and raised her staff and was gone.


Crystal Tokyo


Shortly after their arrival in Crystal Tokyo, Usagi began to feel a little uncertainty creep into her heart. She didn't know exactly why, but thought it had something to do with that mysterious teenage girl on Orpheus she'd seen during Setsuna's wedding, and couldn't shake off the feeling.

The city was quite busy at this hour of the morning. The sun had ascended high above the northern spine of the nearby mountains that lay on a vast body of land off the Japanese northeast coast connected by a narrow land bridge. Usagi and the others just stared at the landscape in wonderment curious as to what had brought about these dramatic Earth changes. Seeing their confusion, a pretty well spoken girl introducing herself as a courtier of the Neo Queen, Lady Manitishii approached the group.

"Welcome travelers from the far distant past. Allow me to explain the many differences between the Crystal Tokyo you know and this one," she bowed and everyone listened as she explained that the majestic peaks dominating the skyline were part of the continent of Myola. The landmass once believed a lost continent like Atlantis. Myola's continental plate once rested beneath the sea off the northeast coast of Japan and ran the length of almost two hemispheres. "Myola is filled with wonders and some beautiful, and others most frightening. Only now is it beginning to yield her secrets to our royal archaeologists and scholars the world over," she gushed, pushing her chestnut locks out of her eyes.

"Thank you, those mountains are most impressive!" Mamoru said, whistling.

"Yes, they are glorious. You can see the snow caps clearly as the air is so clean, unlike your 21st century," she giggled, "Sorry, I shouldn't be so rude."

"No, you're right," Usagi replied, laughing, "We made quite a mess of things, but here, when I look upon all this… more than ever, I have renewed faith in our future and in humanity."

The towering mountains resembled the spinal plates of a Stegosaurus, the illusion further enhanced by the rising sun's outpouring of luminous hemoglobin-red sunlight that lit up the bright-red diamond shaped plates as if to ward off a predator.

Much like the Four Kings, Shitennou, known as ‘students of the original Shitennou with identical powers, smiled their welcome, voicing their salutations to their guests surprising them all. Senshi, officers, and dignitaries of all sorts passed back and forth through the western gate.

Usagi, Mamoru, and their party found themselves amazed by the impressive palace gardens. Small gatherings of schoolchildren stood in front of the temple dedicated to Amaterasu. Staff and children alike marveled at the audio-visual presentation via a holo-imager with commentary detailing the history of Crystal Tokyo. Another sequence featured the mapping and exploration of Myola and the discoveries made thus far. Simulations of the re-birth of this magnificent continent were also on display -- revealing the tectonic shifts and movement of magma as the massive plate rose from the ocean floor.

Mercury made a point of obtaining a copy, loading it onto her computer. Myola was so topographically diverse, it was like having several countries and their complex ecosystems assembled in one enormous locale. A team of archaeologists had recently unearthed three cities, including the capital, Myola City.

Suddenly, a little girl and boy ran to Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen, bowing, the girl throwing her arms about Sailor Moon's neck, hugging her. Both children presented her with a crystal cat. She kissed and thanked the children.

Luna purred her approval, liking the figurine very much.

"No negative vibes this time, Artemis," she announced, lifting her dainty head into the air, remembering the episode with the dreaded time warping clocks used by Queen Beryl's dark generals.

"Well, Kitty, you are one gift we can be proud to have at home," Artemis replied with a chuckle, rubbing his nose against the side of Luna's face.


The pink marble ceilings rose fifty feet above their heads. Intricate murals decorated the polished black marble floors. The walls cast in polished jade, giving off a lustrous gleam were easy on the eye. Their footfalls echoed throughout the vast structure as they approached the royal chamber.

The causeway opened onto a spacious circular atrium. They stopped to examine their surroundings. Everything was so beautiful. So different from their last visit: the incredible rainforest motifs covering the floors depicting the seasons captivated all.

"Hey guys, let's stand in the centre of the chamber and fan out along each arm of the spiral and share what we find," Tuxedo Kamen suggested.

They moved ever so slowly from the centre of the chamber, marveling at how each scene flowed into the next.

"Look guys at the work that has gone into this. Get a load of those thunderheads. Wow, that lightning is like an approaching storm," Jupiter commented, enraptured by the scenic display.

"You could almost lose yourself here," Venus said, kneeling upon the marble floor, staring at the beautiful images around her.

"Wow I love the way the sunlight bursts forth from that layer of cloud, and above the rainbow all those stars. It's so realistic," Haruka exclaimed. Michiru stared at the tempestuous seas in the next scene in awe. She was lost in her element.

The sound of approaching footsteps behind them garnered their full attention. They rose as a Shitennou of the house of Nephrite approached the party. They followed as he led them into Neo-Queen Serenity's chambers. They detransformed, sat, and waited for the queen to arrive.

Usagi began to give way to her intense anxiety about meeting her future self. But Mamoru's strength filled her with courage. He looked into her brilliant-blue eyes, placed his hands upon the soft skin of her sweet face and kissed her. Mamoru's support allowed her to summon the strength she needed to deal with what was to come.

Then Diana galloped towards Artemis and Luna, "Mommy, Daddy, So good to see you," The young cat danced around her parents from the past. Luna and Artemis were also anxious about meeting their future selves.

Minako laughed, "Hey Luna, you said cats couldn't dance," she giggled and this broke the tension in the room.

The sound of delicate footfalls moved in their direction as Neo-Queen Serenity and the King flanked by the cats approached. It was a warm reunion.

Usagi clung to her future self and burst into tears.

"Now Usagi, I have been good at comforting myself in the past, and I believe, I haven't lost my touch," the queen smiled, wiping the tears from her younger self's face. She sat Usagi down and held her hands in her own while everyone took their seats. The chairs arranged in a semi-circle. Refreshments served as Serenity addressed the assembly, "I want to thank you for supporting Usagi. But please, bear with us, as there is no easy way to approach the truth. I can only hope Usagi, and all of you, can accept it." Then the queen began her story. "Do you remember four years ago, Usagi, when you defeated Wiseman?" Usagi nodded. "Good. Prior to this battle, Prince Diamond took you to his palace and kept you in confinement... Well, during that time, you were imprisoned within a temporal bubble. Do you remember waking wearing those different clothes?"

"Yes," she replied, motioning her older self to continue.

"You were brainwashed. Prince Diamond, under the influence of Wiseman, had you believing he was Mamoru…there's no delicate way of putting it, Usagi… You were tricked into an intimate relationship with Diamond." The queen held Usagi close as the shock began to sink in. Serenity decided this was the moment. She had to go through with this as painful and heartless as it seemed. She had to explain the outcome of this cruel deception. "I remember everything...every lie, every touch, and the guilt was horrific, but I had to learn the truth, and so too must you, Usagi. I won't lie to you. It won't be easy for you at first...but you need to know it all. You fell pregnant," Mamoru winced at the revelations as they shattered him and he knew this would near destroy Usagi.

Lady Serenity felt her heart breaking as Usagi screamed, "No Not Diamond, I... I am a whore," Her words struck Mamoru like a slap in the face, and he too, wrapped his arms about Usagi with Serenity. The queen's eyes brimmed with tears as she asked everyone to stand in a circle about Usagi in a tremulous voice, even the outer Senshi, Michiru and Haruka were visibly shaken by these revelations, as were the cats.

She held the Ginzuishou over Usagi's head and shouted, "Cosmic Healing Activation!" a beautiful, soft pink light filled the chamber. Usagi immediately calmed and fell into a deep restful sleep.

Later, Serenity and Endymion counseled Mamoru and the others for an hour or so after Usagi was carried to her bedchamber by palace staff.

"When my child's energy signature set off the Ginzuishou, it had detected a copy of itself. But the duplicate was different in color and power. It was a dark translucent stone flecked with silver shards and quite beautiful, not evil at all despite its dark luster. Then a gangly, tall white-haired woman claiming to be her surrogate mother appeared within the throne room. Without warning, the Dark Silver stone floated across the chamber into the woman's hands and I knew then she spoke the truth. I could not bare the thought of laying eyes on the child of my union with Diamond, and told the woman to take her to Orpheus in the past, where until last night…Miranda was all but a stranger to me. For a long time, I could not deal with my pain. I never hated Miranda; I simply could not protect her, or give her the love she so truly deserved, until I had discovered the truth about Diamond's part in all this."

Serenity's hands were shaking as she looked into the eyes of Usagi's friends.

"Where is this woman now?" Rei asked, eyes blazing with fiery emotion.

"She is a Senshi, Sailor Nebula, and she lives on Orpheus and has been training Miranda to perfect her Senshi powers as Sailor Dark Moon," she took a long sip from a fluted crystal goblet and pressed on, "There are agents belonging to the Araknitopa Alliance here in the capital. When Crystal Tokyo was constructed, I had received a message from a Mauan agent, Loki. He told us of the changes to the time-line, though I found it all so confusing. But this is why Crystal Tokyo as I know it appears alien to you. We also were told that Myola was in your previous time-line not due to rise until Chibi-Usa's twelfth birthday. So everything has been scrambled. But we found a crystal gateway in the Myolan capitol and sent an envoy to Orpheus. After arrangements were made with Queen Freya, only after I returned to Crystal Tokyo had the timelines separated again. Pluto had explained it, but you know me, being such an Odango Atama. Science was never my strong suit… Pluto and Enki were very patient with me about it all. But it was complicated as Miranda and I brought the time-lines together as the crystals were communicating with one another, hence the space-time paradox."

"I'm getting a headache just listening to you, Serenity," Rei whined, a wry grin appearing on the faces of both women before their expressions sobered.

"Do not fear; we've been keeping an eye on the dark alliance's operatives and feeding them false information about our movements." Serenity took another sip of her water and continued, "And I should have welcomed Miranda into my heart much sooner than I had. She is only four years old, but physically, mentally and emotionally she is at a level of maturity equal to that of a sixteen-year-old. Miranda has unique powers, and our enemies know this. They want her pretty badly and will do anything to capture her, Mamoru. Usagi will be especially vulnerable right now, so be gentle…as I know you can," she told him with a warm smile.

After giving her instructions to Luna and Artemis' future selves, the two cats rushed along the causeway and out of the palace. The queen then turned to Rei. "Rei, I would like you to use Usagi's moon scepter and combine your healing powers with that of the Ginzuishou to assist her recovery, and encourage her to eat…a palace physician and moon priestess are at your disposal, Rei. You're close to Usagi, as your counterpart continues to be to me. I can't think of anyone better suited to assist her recovery. Her body was healed, and no trace of the pregnancy or birth remains…the Ginzuishou took care of that. So, go now, and we shall speak later." Lady Serenity said, squeezing Rei's hand.

---

"I'm not sure how I feel right now, Rei," Usagi confessed. "I don't feel bad anymore. At first, I wanted to hurt my child. The Kamis know I fought with all I had to overcome my rage and pain… I did not wish to know, or meet her, but I can't deny her."

Rei took Usagi's hand, stroked it, and prepared a draught to soothe her emotional tumult. Usagi drank slowly, her face streaked with tears, but some color had returned.

The neo queen then entered the room. Rei smiled. She sat upon the large soft bed with its ruffled quilts reminding Usagi of a large chunk of coconut-ice; she was getting her appetite back and this was a good sign.

Serenity stroked Usagi's tender cheek. "You don't have to meet her, Usagi. She will understand…as a matter of fact, she's only known about you for a few days," Serenity admitted, surprising Usagi.

Usagi blew her nose and shivered, then wrapped her arms across her chest and looked into the deep blue of her future self's eyes. "I want to meet her. She is my child, and I love her. She needs me, and I need her, too," Usagi said, as the unmistakable sheen of love shone upon her face.

Serenity nodded and smiled, hugging Usagi once more, "I was hoping you'd say that, Usagi."

Rei ordered the reluctant mother to finish her draught, and twenty minutes later, she had bathed and dressed, joining everybody in the dining hall for a delicious meal.

Usagi asked after Miranda, and was surprised to learn she was already in Crystal Tokyo, having traveled from the past three days back to meet Serenity and Usagi.

"This is getting confusing. So, when I gave birth, all physical traces were healed by the Ginzuishou?" she asked, patting her firm stomach.

"Yes, and Usagi, it's incredible. Miranda has a unique power and a distinctive crystal scepter…there's more," Serenity told her.

After Usagi's recovery, she asked for the memory mind meld offered by her future self with the help of Luna and Morgana. She re-lived the whole thing. She saw only Mamoru's face: his hands, naked body, and his love filling her being. She understood the Ginzuishou had protected her during the ordeal, and had blocked her memory.

Diamond was unaware of what had happened until he was struck by the power of the Ginzuishou after Sapphire's death. At that point, it all came flooding back. He was devastated. Usagi saw it all. He was so distraught. She knew he would never violate her under his own will. He wept, vowed to care for the child, and arranged with his loyal entourage to spirit Miranda away along with the surrogate and her midwives. The child was entrusted to Princess Aki of Orpheus, far from Nemesis until Wiseman was destroyed. Diamond had no idea how to deal with Usagi, but his love for her was pure, and this was why he had cleansed his heart of darkness after watching his brother die at the hands of Wiseman.

"When can I meet her, Serenity?"

The queen looked at her thoughtfully, "She's here at the palace. You can meet her tomorrow, if you choose," she said, as Usagi's eyes lit up with love and anticipation. Usagi asked if Chibi-Usa knew about her half-sister, "Yes, ever since their meeting three days ago, they've been inseparable… I have to admit, I was worried about how they'd get along. But I needn't have concerned myself… Usagi, we've two very loving and gifted daughters." Usagi hugged the queen once more.

---

When the shy and beautiful adolescent girl entered the room with Chibi-Usa holding her hand, Usagi's heart leapt. She was so beautiful, with long glossy black hair that fell to the backs of her knees. Her figure full and she was taller than her mother was. Miranda wore a cream calf-length gown and clear quartz sandals. Her eyes were the same deep blue as her mother's, and her face a combination of her parent's finest features. Miranda's voice flowed like silk. It was all Usagi could do to not throe herself at her daughter, but she didn't wish to scare Miranda away.

"Hi, I am… Um, Miranda – and you're my mother," she said, trying to prevent her voice breaking. Miranda's eyes brimmed with tears as Usagi's arms reached for the young girl, whose breathing became uneven as both mother and daughter rushed into one another's embrace. They cried, laughed, as they held onto one another as if they might be separated once again.

Mamoru joined them after they spent time alone together. He handed Miranda a beautiful crystal rose. "Welcome into our hearts and family, Miranda," he greeted her, his own tears spilling down his cheeks, "You can consider me either as your friend, or like a father. I cannot and would not try to take the place of your father, but if you need fatherly advice or just somebody in your corner... I will be there."

Miranda was overwhelmed with emotion. She kissed Mamoru's face as salty tears continued to run down his cheeks. They were joined by Chibi-Usa, who slipped her arm about Miranda's waist and Usagi hugged her daughters. They stayed like that for a while. Soon, the Senshi and the moon cats, poured their love and affection upon Usagi and Miranda -- reunited at last.


After breakfast, Serenity called everyone into her office and drinks were passed around as she smiled at her younger self and their daughters.

"There's a legend that talks about a being known as, the Oberisku no Shoujo, and I believe her daughter is living with your family in Juuban prefecture, Usagi." everybody's attention lay fixedly on Serenity, "What this means is, we have to go to the Myolan continent, and fast. This powerful being will be found at the temple of Poseidea in the capital, established around 180000 years ago. It may hold the key to victory over our enemies. Japan's finest scientists are working around the clock to catalogue and decipher the millions of crystal memory disks left behind by these people -- quite advanced by our standards."

"I will lead the expedition, as you'll require some local knowledge of this ancient land. My knowledge may be limited, but such as it is, it shall be of some use to you all," Endymion announced.


Later that day, Miranda, Chibi-Usa and Usagi formed a noisy fun-spangled triad; their gregarious singing and banter entertained the others as they made their way to the dining hall. Led by Usagi, they sang and skipped along in unison.


Usagi's eyes grew ever larger at the prospect of dessert after everyone had their fill. There were six varieties of ice cream, assorted cheesecake, and cakes of all descriptions stacked on gold and silver platters. There were plenty of biscuits prepared that afternoon by the palace chefs.

Makoto turned to Usagi and laughed, "Hey Usagi, I love this food; I think I might ask the queen if I can help in the kitchens."

Everyone was delighted with the banquet held in their honor. Fine wines and other beverages were served, including soft drinks and juices.

"Usagi, I think we can pig out big time today, and work it off on Myola tomorrow with all that hiking and exercise. You'll need it to prevent yourself becoming a blimp," Rei giggled, giving Usagi a cheeky grin and Usagi retaliated with a long raspberry.

Miranda almost fell out of her seat with laughter, "Hey guys, I won't be able to get anything down if you keep making us laugh so much."

Chibi-Usa poured Usagi a glass of delicious red wine, the grapes grown by King Endymion himself, and the taste was superb.

Usagi laughed, "Chill out, Rei. I don't exactly see you leapfrogging rocky outcrops in a single jump, or imagine you of all people running up a rock face with enthusiasm, brat."

Rei feigned hurt and pouted, and then put on a funny face.

They enjoyed the fine fare. The entertainment came in the form of dance, song and storytelling. The king and queen had put on a fabulous program, featuring singers from Elysian and Calypso. Two magnificent black panthers appeared before the assembly and bowed their massive heads; the pair performed a series of complex gymnastic routines, encouraged dutifully by the enthusiastic cheers, sighs and applause showered upon them by their spellbound audience.

Miranda gasped as the larger panther stopped before her. She beheld the most beautiful golden eyes she had ever seen; these luminous orbs locked upon hers and something was exchanged between herself and the huge cat. They lost themselves in a brief, but seemingly infinite moment. Then to Miranda's surprise, the magnificent Black Panther transformed into a dark-haired, tall and majorly dreamy guy. His black uniform accentuated his powerful physique, and this gave him a regal bearing.

He stepped forward and offered his hand. Miranda smiled as she took it. Prince Kantaro introduced himself, then kissed Miranda's hand and bowed.

Rei sighed as Makoto gave the usual ‘He's so dreamy...just like my old sempai' line.

In an instant, the other panther transformed, and a beautiful woman stood beside Kantaro. Her long dark hair fell to her waist; her sleeveless black silk gown was lined with gold stars along the neckline and hem of its wide skirts. She stepped forward, curtseyed before the king and queen then spoke, "I am Princess Kumiko of Calypso. My brother and I will now recite stories of old from our beautiful moon kingdom on Calypso that orbits the planet Saturn."

Then the performance began. Usagi and the others looked at the king and he answered their unspoken question.

"Calypso was unaffected by the curse as it wasn't a military stronghold. This was because they, along with the smaller kingdoms were safe-havens for refugees."

The king then explained why these outposts chose not to contact the Terrans or planetary kingdoms; this decision was an ongoing security precaution.

Miranda kept smiling at Kantaro, who returned her smile. He had a young girl place a crystal memory pod in her outstretched palm, along with a golden flower. Miranda thanked the sweet raven-haired child, draped in a knee-length pink gown, encrusted with star sapphires. She curtseyed and spun around and returned to her older brother's company. Miranda grinned at Kantaro.

He was spellbound as he watched her from across the chamber as his little sister, Miro rejoined him. His face beamed as the warm smile Miranda gave in return was confirmation of what he suspected – she felt for him as he did her.

She took in the heady fragrance of the Calypsan flower. She felt the cool weight of the crystal memory pod in her palm, curious to know its contents.

After the performance, Kantaro said his farewells to Miranda, "My lady, Miranda… I hope to see you again soon. If you wish to contact me or my family, hold this stone in your hands and think of me, & I will speak to you," Kantaro explained as they gazed into one another's eyes. Miranda was unaware they were holding hands until they looked down at their clasped fingers and blushed.

"I will contact you, Kantaro, the moment I return to Orpheus in my own time. I promise, Taro-chan," she vowed, and they embraced before with some reluctance separating.

Kumiko winked at Miranda, "You'll be most welcome to visit us as I forgot to mention, we're from your timeline. We visit the future often…" she invited, and Miranda nodded as she looked at Kantaro.

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