A Week Later

It was a political assembly of the Protectors of the Silver Millennium and Alara had been told to stay in her room during the meeting.

"When do I listen to Mother anyway?  Especially when she sends the orders by courier," Alara thought as she slunk towards the meeting chamber, her black, crystal rose in hand yet hidden.

Outside the chambers, Alara quietly said, "Black Crystal Rose Activation," and was quickly overcome by her transformation.

Inside the Protectors Meeting

Sailor Moon and Sailor Mars, much to everyone’s annoyance, were yelling so loudly in a fight that no one, at first, noticed a new Scout at the edge of the room.  The first to notice, Sailor Jupiter, just stared at the new arrival with a look of shock.  This quickly caught the attention of the other Scouts, the Queen, and Darien.

Black Rose smiled at everyone and bowed with a flourish.  "I am Black Rose, Protector of the Moon."

At this statement everyone gaped, much to Black Rose’s amusement.

Moon was the first to react with a small whine, "You can’t be protector of the Moon!!!  I’m the princess, not you!!!  I’m the Moon’s protector!!!"  With a small sob, she threw herself at Darien, who caught her in a hug while glaring at Black Rose.  The other Scouts quickly glanced at each other, then nodded in agreement with murmurs of "yeah," "not another one," and "two??"

All this time the Queen had just been looking at Black Rose with a look of disbelief.  Finally, she spoke.  "I’m sorry.  You must be thinking of something else.  No planet has EVER had two protectors, and the protectors are always named of the Planet."

Black Rose smiled slightly and talked in a quiet voice.  "I am a princess and I am a protector of the Moon.  Chosen by the Moon Herself, and given Her powers."  She waited for this to sink in.

As she waited for a reaction, the chamber was silent.  So silent that they could hear the mice in ceiling twenty feet above them.

"WHAT?!?!?!" Sailor Moon shrieked.  "A PRINCESS?!?!?!" cried the Queen who looked about to faint.

Black Rose smirked and turned for the door, "Yes.  A princess.  I must go now my fellow Protectors, but I shall be around.  Just call me and I shall come."

As she was closing the door behind herself, Mercury asked "Who are you?"

Black Rose paused and looked over her shoulder at Mercury.  "Call me Black Rose."  With this, she left and returned quickly to her room.

Back at the Meeting

All the Scouts quickly detransformed and just stood there staring at one another.  It was a long time before Amy spoke.

"I’m sorry."  They all just looked at her, causing her to blush and look down.  "I didn’t get a scan so we may not find out who she is."

Mina quickly went to Amy and gave her a hug.  "It’s all right.  It’s not your fault.  You can do it next time we see her, OK?"

Amy managed to smile and nod at Mina, then look at the rest of her friends who were all nodding in agreement.