It was a haven of light, full of the beauty of untouched nature in all of Mother Earth▓s glory. Full to the brim of peace and tranquility there was never a dark cloud, even when it rained.
It was a large world, nearly endless in all directions. It had the most wondrous creatures and humans residing in harmony. Everything was harmony, balanced, to never again face the darkness.
And this was all due to one lone soldier of the world who guarded her territory with fierce love that was like a mother hen over her chicks, protective and warm. She gazed out at the soft winds amongst the blossoming trees with a clear look, her eyes portraying her age far better than her young body. She was of small stature, with clear sky colored eyes and violet locks that fitted well into the two buns gracing her head. She wore the same outfit everyday and carried the same staff always, as her way of defense and navigation.
But today, her eyes were darker than usual and she was troubled by the early happenings of the dark man that had found her. This was before her dark deed had been done and she only wished that she had done it sooner. To carry a weapon so powerful and deadly, it would always ruin the peace that her kind sought for. But she managed to banish him, or at least she had hoped. She remembered it all so clearly.
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⌠My lady, might I have a word with thee?■ The man appeared under her as she sat atop a large boulder, gazing over at the luminous sea of blue. He was a breathtaking man, with a darkness in his hair and eyes that spoke of mysteries unsolved. He was tall, dark skinned and his blacken hair reached his hips, pulled back into a thin braid.
⌠As you wish, kind sir,■ the girl jumped down gracefully and on bended knee, looked into the eyes of the man. A shiver was felt along her spine and her senses seemed to whisper among themselves, trying her patience. ⌠How may I help you?■
⌠I am Lord Tenma, my dear lady as you would be the soldier Sailor Lambda?■ He inquired.
⌠Yes, that is me.■
⌠I come looking for thee, my girl, for the treasures that you hold.■
⌠I have no treasures,■ Sailor Lambda said quietly, studying his face with intent. But his eyes showed nothing as he merely smiled charmingly.
⌠Oh but you do, my lady, you do. It is the powerful entity of the light which you hold in your breast. Might I see it?■
Sailor Lambda pulled back quietly. ⌠I don▓t know of what you say, sir, but even if I did hold a fearsome item as such, I could not burden you with it▓s powers.■
Tenma also stepped back. ⌠But if you do not want, I can take.■
⌠No,■ came the simple but firm answer.
⌠Give it to me,■ his voice became darker. ⌠Of thee that holds that crystal, I demand you give it to me.■
⌠Tenma,■ Sailor Lambda held out her staff in front of her, the large oval gem of yellow glittering as brightly as her eyes. ⌠Watch where you tread, for it▓s of darkness and not light.■
⌠Foolish warrior, I am the darkness!■ Tenma hissed. He reared forward, his handsome features strained as his hatred glowed in his blacken eyes. ⌠Give me that of which I seek!■
⌠The only thing you will receive is banishment! Begone! Now!■ The staff she pointed to him and he began to glow before fading slowly.
⌠Dear child, I will get that of which I seek! It is no more mine than it is yours!■ Tenma howled. His body fought the light and became dark as he disappeared with a hideous laugh.
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She gazed up at the stars as night had fallen while she had been lost in thought. In her solitude and empty horizon, she pulled from her that of which Tenma had referred to.
⌠The Crystal of Light,■ Sailor Lambda studied it with little interest. It had been given to her at her birth and though no one told her of it▓s powers, its burden, she had felt it from the start. It showed her memories of selves long since gone and she saw the darkness that it brought.
⌠I cannot carry such a thing. My peace that I reign will be for naught if it stays,■ Sailor Lambda held in her palm for a moment before she placed it onto the earth. She took the staff and brought the end down onto the crystal with a fierce determination.
The crystal shattered too easily, the light emitting from it with a blinding energy that was felt for endless time over the world. And in that moment, Sailor Lambda had the last vision it would ever give her.
⌠Darkness is tempted by the light, and the soldiers will fight.
In the end, only hope will be and the angel will finally fly free.
From forward to the times before, of the soldier of lore.
Tenma seeks the luring light and all will be destroyed with might.
Go on, soldier of strife, and raise the world of life.■
Her mind▓s eyes, she saw a self she had barely felt, of a power that radiated and filled her with love and fear. The wings the girl wore wear impossibly bright, the crescent emblazing upon the fated lady with eyes full of life. In the next shot was a cold darkness as she felt and heard the cries of many, those that fell and those who suffered in silence. And from this darkness came a unending light that pierced through, sending a wave that consumed Sailor Lambda.
⌠When all else has failed, take all of the hope, dreams, and love of the people and raise yourself to the powers you were meant to be.■ A voice whispered to the girl before the light of the crystal faded for the last and final time.
⌠What have I done?■ Sailor Lambda whispered. ⌠Evil is upon my self of the past and she will fail. I must go there! I must destroy what I have created!■
And in a moment▓s glance, she disappeared from sight and into time.
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Usagi was leafing through the magazine with much interest, seeing all of the pretty dresses that seemed to cry out at her. She was having trouble deciding which one to pick when a shadow fell over her shoulders.
⌠Mina! What are you doing here?■ Usagi looked up at her dear friend. Though now they had all reached their adulthood, Mina had kept her childish self intact, making for a good heart who longed to brighten people▓s days. She sat next to Usagi with a warm smile.
⌠I heard you were here,■ Mina answered. ⌠I thought you already picked out a wedding dress.■
⌠No, not me.■ Usagi smiled sheepishly. ⌠I▓m afraid I▓m having trouble.■
⌠Why not have Rei make you one? She made the one she had when she married Yuuichiro.■
⌠That was beautiful,■ Usagi said wistfully. ⌠But I don▓t want to bother her with this.■
⌠Nonsense! I heard that she▓d love to,■ Minako grinned.
⌠From who?■
⌠A little birdie! Come on, let▓s go ask her!■ Minako dragged the blonde rabbit as the magazine fell with inaudible flop.
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Rei had indeed married Yuuichiro. They were quite happy though, already planning to have a family as soon as possible. Grandpa Hino, though still in relatively good health, had finally let Rei become the priestess and take over the shrine. Yuuichiro had given up his musical career and settled into a community college while Rei ran the business.
Ami was in college, working toward her PhD with a fierce love that no one could deny her. She often consulted with Mamoru, who had recently graduated with honors. While everyone else had someone, Ami was not yet ready to settle. Though there were rumors of her and Ryu dating.
Makoto was now an apprentice, working toward her dream with the same love that Ami had toward hers. She already owned her own florist shop, albeit a bit small in its starting stage. She was happy though. She was engaged to Ken, her old friend from days gone by. They had loved each other like family but one summer it grew into something more and now, each were very happy where life was leading.
Minako hadn▓t given up her dreams of fame. She worked hard on her coming single album and was winning over fans from both near and far. She often traveled to America where she was especially popular. She had even landed a small part in a movie that was due out next year. And as always, she had her fans to fill her need for love. She, unlike the rest, seemed to enjoy the solitude but everyone hoped for her to find love someday.
Hotaru was a young teenager now, living her father who was now married to Setsuna. This came as a huge shock to all but Hotaru who was as happy to have her Setsuna-mama and Papa happy in love. As such, Hotaru now had a little brother, who was cheerfully called Lil▓ Genius for even at a year old, he was portraying great cunningness and a mischievous side. Hotaru, on the other hand, had opened up greatly since the days of her lonely childhood. She said she owed it all to one pink haired friend whom she missed greatly.
Haruka and Michiru were finally able to fulfill their dreams. Michiru had her own gallery, all pictures inspired by her love for Haruka and Haruka had a trophy room full of the brim with all the fame that her racing had brought her. Each had settled down in the same house and were also planning a small wedding for only loved ones and close friends.
Usagi was the happiest one of them all. Now in her twenties, she was working hard on her dreams of being a housewife even though she was in a small college for the sake of education and a few pushy friends. She was hoping to earn a degree in Nursing. She was now in the planning stages of her wedding and she was having her things moved into the apartment she and Mamoru would share.
This peace that they had was hard earned. They had stopped being senshi for the last five years and it seemed as if peace would last.
But as the new mother, Setsuna, had told the others, ⌠The rise of Crystal Tokyo is almost upon us. We must believe in ourselves and our world for we are those to serve and protect.■
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Usagi and Minako had entered the shrine with laughter. Rei popped her head out and waltzed out with open arms. There was much hugging and when Ami and Makoto also showed up, there was even more hugging.
⌠Oh, it▓s been too long,■ Makoto said as she hugged Rei and Usagi in one swoop. ⌠I▓ve missed you all so much.■
⌠It▓s been rather lonely,■ Ami confided with bright eyes. ⌠I wish I could make more time to see you all some more.■
⌠Don▓t worry, Ami,■ Minako cheered. ⌠I▓ll come by your school to sing to you!■
The group laughed even more.
⌠Haruka!!■ Usagi shouted. She waved as Haruka and Michiru appeared from the steps, beaming at the group. Hotaru ran past them with a loud bound and grinned at Usagi.
⌠Usagi-chan!■ Hotaru hugged her friend and then went to the others. Everyone then went into a hugging frenzy, making sure to make contact with everyone of their friends.
Setsuna was the last to arrive. She watched the happy group with a warm smile. Her eyes were sad though, as she knew something that the others would soon learn.
⌠The final trial has arrived. May her heart be strong enough,■ Setsuna prayed.
Usagi had caught sight of the eldest friend and waved her over. ⌠We were just talking about my wedding.■
⌠Ah, how goes the planning?■ Setsuna began.
⌠I asked Rei to make my dress. You remember hers, right?■ She looked around and once everyone nodded their heads, she continued. ⌠Well, I couldn▓t pick from some magazine and I decided that my best friend,■ Here Usagi wrapped her arms around Rei, who merely rolled her eyes with a small smile. ⌠Should make it...if that▓s okay?■ She finished hopefully.
⌠Well, I guess I could...I mean, look at all these designs I▓ve come up with,■ Rei mysteriously pulled a sketchbook from her back.
⌠Yea!!■ Usagi squealed as she studied each picture, each made with painstakingly love and energy.
The group crowded around Usagi with keen interest.
⌠You know, if I were to get married, maybe Rei could make me a dress,■ Ami admired a picture of a blue wedding dress, shiny and simple beauty.
⌠Hey! With this talent, she should open her own business,■ Makoto grinned.
Everyone agreed with that line as the book was passed around again and again. Rei merely blushed and smiled all the wider.
Hotaru was the first one to see the man standing before the group. He was dark and quite handsome but there was something there that frightened her.
Rei looked up to see the new guest and smiled winningly greet him. ⌠Hello, sir. May I help you?■
⌠No, dear girl, you cannot help me. But thee of the light can.■
⌠Excuse me sir? Who?■ Rei blinked, confused.
⌠The girl of light, the one with the crystal,■ Tenma moved forward. Rei found herself moving backwards.
⌠Excuse me,■ She began haltingly. She was terrified, paralyzed from the darkness that was Tenma. She was angry and mollified that she would back off like this and yet, she moved ever more backwards.
⌠Excuse me,■ Haruka moved to Rei▓s front, seeing the obvious fright. Her senses also picked up something about the stranger and her heart turned cold and her eyes unfriendly. ⌠You shouldn▓t scare people.■
⌠I do not care if I frighten...woman,■ He added after studying the rather masculine female. ⌠What I want is the crystal.■
At that, everyone moved forward, covering Usagi with their own selves.
⌠Fine, if you will not do this peacefully, I will do unto you what darkness can do. I am the spirit of darkness, called Tenma in my once human self. I have traveled a long while to get to thee, child of light! Your other self was not so willing but being so weak fleshed as thee, you will do me the honor of giving it up.■
⌠Over my dead body,■ Haruka lunged forward and there was a large thwack as her fist made harsh contact.
But while his face was pistoned backwards , his eyes moved forward to stare at her with a darkness that belied his own self. And in the moment, she felt the fear clamp over her sensibility and wild spirit, dampening her.
He didn▓t even move to touch her as he faced her quick like. She flew backwards a great deal in the air before landing with a sickening crunch on the cement floor.
⌠Haruka!■ Michiru ran to her lover, pain etched in her delicate features. ⌠You bastard! Neptune Crystal Power, Make Up!■
⌠Saturn Crystal Power, Make Up!■
⌠Mercury Crystal Power, Make Up!■
⌠Mars Crystal Power, Make Up!■
⌠Pluto Crystal Power, Make Up!■
⌠Jupiter Crystal Power, Make Up!■
⌠Venus Crystal Power, Make Up!■
The group stood in front of Usagi and the fallen Haruka. Usagi grasped at her chest before calling out.
⌠Silver Moon Crystal Power, Make Up!■
Nothing happened.
She tried again. ⌠Silver Moon Crystal Power, Make Up!■
Still nothing. Frustration welled up in her. ⌠Why can▓t I transform?■
Tenma moved forward. Neptune glared before attacking. ⌠Neptune Violin Tide!■
The attack sent him back and while is seemed to do damage to his body, the spirit was not so easily broken.
⌠I am the being of Night and Shadow. Thee cannot deny my calling for I dwell from within! The power of light diminishes even as we speak and you will fail in all of your failed glory.■ He raised his right arm, his body convulsing with crackling energy when a shadow appeared off to the top and side of him.
⌠Lambda Cruscading Starshine!■ The yellow beam hit Tenma in his raised arm and it crumbled into dust in the wind.
⌠You!■
Sailor Lambda fell down with a cold gaze to the man. ⌠You have trespassed the ways of time, Tenma. Return now or be destroyed.■
⌠How can I be destroyed when I am everywhere and all,■ Tenma sneered. He disappeared with glare as cold as the Artic nights.
⌠Who...who are you?■ Sailor Venus demanded. Usagi had been silent and still for the most part but she moved toward the front of the group, as if drawn to the newcomer.
⌠Are you the one called Serenity as well as Sailor Moon?■ Sailor Lambda asked quietly.
⌠Yes, I am,■ Usagi radiated a light and assurance that was altogether different from her normal self.
⌠I am Sailor Lambda, Lady Serenity. But we are connected by fate.■
⌠How?■ Usagi asked the word carefully.
⌠I am you, Sailor Moon but with a single difference. You are still forever; I am the last.■