Returning Memories: Usagi and Mamoru's Past

Template:Infobox anime“Memories Return! Usagi and Mamoru's Past” is the 35th episode of season one of Sailor Moon, and the 35th episode overall of the series. It first aired in Japan on December 5, 1992. The DiC English dub title for this episode is "A Reluctant Princess", and it first aired in North America on October 23, 1995.

Summary

Usagi and Mamoru remember their former lives as Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion. The Dark Kingdom kidnaps the injured Mamoru, but Queen Beryl executes Zoisite for his attempt to kill him. Luna and Artemis tell the Sailor Senshi about their tragic past.

Plot

After Sailor Moon is revealed to be Princess Serenity, she and Tuxedo Mask's memories of their past lives are revealed. As an injured Tuxedo Mask lies in Princess Serenity's lap, Zoisite attacks the pair. Wielding the Moon Stick, Princess Serenity sends Zoisite reeling back, knocking him unconscious.

Princess Serenity then recounts the history of the Silver Millennium to Tuxedo Mask. In their past, Usagi was the Princess of the Silver Millennium, while Mamoru ruled the Earth as Prince Endymion. However, the star-crossed lovers met with a tragic fate and their love was cut short. Returning back to the present, Princess Serenity transforms back into Sailor Moon and faints, while Tuxedo Mask's life wanes away in front of the Sailor Senshi.

Kunzite then appears, aiding Zoisite. He taunts the Sailor Senshi, but states that their deaths at the hands of the Dark Kingdom, while inevitable, is premature. With Zoisite and Tuxedo Mask, he returns to the base of the Dark Kingdom. Queen Beryl offers Kunzite another chance at obtaining the Silver Crystal. However, impatient with Zoisite's failures and furious at his disregard for her orders, Queen Beryl executes Zoisite in front of Kunzite's eyes.

With Tuxedo Mask, Queen Beryl approaches Queen Metaria and asks her to infuse Dark Energy with Tuxedo Mask, in order to alter his allegiance. Meanwhile, Kunzite holds a dying Zoisite in his arms. Before he dies, Zoisite emphasizes his love for Kunzite. He asks that Kunzite grant him one last wish; to die a beautiful death. He creates a flowerbed for Zoisite, while surrounding him with flowers. Content with his feelings for Kunzite and the circumstances of his death, Zoisite dies in Kunzite's arms.

The Sailor Guardians have found themselves lost in a two-dimensional rift, caused by the power of the Dark Kingdom. Carried by Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Moon is still unconscious from her ordeal. As Sailor Mercury begins to tell the rest of the Senshi about their dire situation, Sailor Moon regains consciousness and immediately begins questioning the whereabouts of Tuxedo Mask. Sailor Mars explains to her that, while alive, the enemy has abducted him.

Artemis questions Luna if her memories of the past had returned, to which she replies that they had. The Moon cats begin to tell the Guardians of their past. During the time of the Silver Millennium, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter, and Sailor Venus were the protectors of Princess Serenity. However, when the Moon was attacked by the Dark Kingdom, the Silver Crystal sealed the evil power and reincarnated the girls. Sailor Venus explains that, while reincarnations of ancient people, the families that each Senshi has are their own families. Now, however, the ancient evil has been revived and it is the duty of the Sailor Senshi to fight this evil. Save for Sailor Moon, all of them agree to fight. Sailor Moon refuses to accept her destiny as Princess Serenity and declines to continue fighting. Tired of her whining, Sailor Mars slaps her across the face. She chides her for Tuxedo Mask's capture and stated that he fought to protect Sailor Moon for nothing. Artemis tries to calm down the fight by stating that Sailor Moon only needs time to accept her destiny as the Princess of the Moon.

As Sailor Mercury states she has found the exit, Kunzite appears, demanding the surrender of Sailor Moon and the Silver Crystal. Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus begin to engage in a battle with him, however, Kunzite deflects their attacks back towards them, knocking them unconscious. Sailor Mars then continues the fight to protect Sailor Moon, but she too is knocked to the ground. Sailor Mercury provides the last defense in order to protect Sailor Moon. Kunzite swiftly deals with Sailor Mercury, leaving Sailor Moon to defend for herself. As she hears the encouraging voices of her friends and Mamoru, Sailor Moon uses the power of the Silver Crystal to defeat Kunzite and sent the Senshi back to Earth.

Meanwhile, Queen Beryl continues to infuse dark energy, while his memories of Princess Serenity begin to fade.

Returning to Earth, the Senshi and the Moon cats encourage Sailor Moon to keep fighting with them, to which she agrees. As she stares out at the open sea, Sailor Moon thanks Tuxedo Mask for giving her the will to continue on.

Changes

Changes From the Manga

Zoisite was destroyed by Sailor Venus.
Part of the Silver Crystal went inside Tuxedo Mask's severely injured body, because Sailor Moon was trying to heal him.
Kunzite remembered that he and the others Shitennou were Prince Endymion's guardians and Queen Beryl had brainwashed them.