KUROZUISHOU (BLACK CRYSTAL)

First Appearance: episode 023
Who uses it?: Endymion, Nephrite, Zoisite

The Kurozuishou (Black Crystal) was a powerful crystal used by the Dark Kingdom to help search for the Ginzuishou (Silver Crystal). After repeated failures, Nephrite decided to search for the Ginzuishou on his own, despite the fact that this was Zoisite's job. He went to his secluded secret mansion and consulted the stars, asking for a guide to find the Ginzuishou. Using the powers of the stars and of himself, he created the Kurozuishou, which immediately began to glow and show an illusionary image of Naru. Of course, this led Nephrite to believe that Naru had the Ginzuishou. He quickly learned that the Kurozuishou was responding to Naru's love for him, and that she did not really have the Ginzuishou. Zoisite managed to have Nephrite killed in episode 024 in order to steal he Kurozuishou from him.

In episode 025, Queen Beryl revealed the history of the Ginzuishou, saying that long ago, the Ginzuishou was split into seven Nijizuishou (rainbow crystals) in order to seal away the Seven Great Youma. In order to recreat the Ginzuishou, the seven Nijizuishou had to be found inside of the seven humans who are reincarned youma. Queen Beryl modified the Kurozuishou so that it would respond only to Nijizuishou, then gave it back to Zoisite. He was then able to use the crystal to locate the seven Nijizuishou carriers and extract the Nijizuishou from their bodies. After the seven crystals were extracted, a battle ensued in which the Sailor Senshi, Dark Kingdom, and Tuxedo Kamen all fought for control of them.

In episode 032, the Kurozuishou underwent another transformation. This time, Zoisite immersed it in a potion which enabled him to use the crystal to transform ordinary humans into youma. He intended to use the crystal to transform Naru into a youma and lure Sailor Moon into the open, in an attempt to get back the yellow Nijizuishou. He accidentally missed his target and transformed an actor in the Redman show into the youma Akan.

After the Nijizuishou were gathered in one place and formed the Ginzuishou from Sailor Moon's tear, the Kurozuishou was not seen again until episode 041. Endymion, who had been brainwashed and was working with the Dark Kingdom, was attempting to capture all seven former Nijizuishou carriers and trap them within the Kurozuishou. The Dark Kingdom hoped that although the former youma had been healed by Sailor Moon, they would be able to use their energy and the power of the Kurozuishou to transform them back into youma. After they were reunited, it was hoped that they would come together to form one extremely powerful youma to destroy the Sailor Senshi. Sailor Mercury was ultimately able to take the crystal from Endymion and throw it to the ground, shattering it and freeing the six former Nijizuishou carriers who had been captured.

See also:
Endymion
Nephrite
Nijizuishou
Seven Great Youma
Zoisite