Act 23 Covert Maneuvers - Wiseman

Usagi grows gravely worried about Chibiusa, while Saphir and Prince Demande are introduced to Black Lady, Wiseman's freshly devoted servant and second-in-command. Naoko Takeuchi wrote and illustrated the chapter, part of the Black Moon arc.

All five guardians enter the storm's alternate dimension to hunt for Chibiusa and Tuxedo Mask, coming across Luna-P along the way. Below Nemesis, Demande and Saphir awaken and are met by a mysterious woman bearing the Black Moon mark on her brow, who leads them to Wiseman's castle deep within the planet. There Wiseman tells them the new arrival is a grown-up Chibiusa.

Wiseman hypnotizes the pair and declares that only Neo-Queen Serenity can wield the future's Silver Crystal. The transformed Chibiusa is charged with capturing Serenity, Sailor Moon, and the other crystal, and she reveals that Tuxedo Mask is now under her control. The guardians briefly return to their own time to rest before Pluto's time key summons them back, where another dark monolith has embedded itself in the Earth.

Entering the palace, the former Chibiusa tries to rouse Serenity, and when Sailor Moon arrives and reaches for the Silver Crystal, Serenity's power expels her. The guardians give chase, and she names herself the Queen of Nemesis, Black Lady.

Black Lady and the Beast Hand make their first appearances in this chapter. The installment completes Chibiusa's turn into the Black Moon's second-in-command and moves the conflict back to the future's crystal palace.