Author's Note: Just to let you know, this story is almost done. Two more chapters, the epilogue, and it is finished. However, the story for Mother's and Father's day is just around the corner and there will be very little wait time! I bet you'll be happy with that. Also, there won't be a major cliffhanger this time around, so you won't be so mad at me. LOL.
Happy Reading!
Reverence: An Easter Story
Holiday Series: Book Four
Chapter Six
***Mamoru's POV***
Ikuko and Kenji had put together a huge meal for the group and they had been sitting together at the table to finish the remains of it for nearly two hours. But soon they had to go. They would be leaving soon, to go into an uncertain future and defeat a powerful enemy, and it was all he could do not to beg Usagi to stay behind.
He knew she was the strongest of them. Knew she was incredibly kind, smart, wonderful, and the greatest fighter they had. But he was also worried. Usagi would die before letting the others be harmed. Any of them. He only hoped it wouldn't come to that. He needed her more than life itself.
"Alright, is everyone ready?" he asked, standing now so they could all see him. Nods and a chorus of yeses went around the table.
He surveyed the group. Fiore, Ail, and An were out of their disguises and their multicolored hair was eye catching. Dimande was seated between Esmeraude and Saphir, who hat his arm around Petz. Her sisters were lined up beside her with Rubeus at their other end. The Outer Senshi, with Haruki and Shingo in their midst, were across the table from them, all staring up at him, and Usagi who had stood with him. The Shitennou and Inner Senshi were near them on his left and seemed to be cautiously optimistic, and the children, including Helios, who had appeared moments after they left Elysion, were on their right, looking apprehensive.
"Does everyone remember their tasks?" Usagi asked, her voice quiet, but filled with confidence and authority.
More nods of agreement followed.
"I know some of you are nervous," Mamoru said, looking at the little ones in particular, "and that there is no way of knowing exactly what has happened since we left," he added, "but I have confidence in all of you. Everyone here knows what they are doing. You all know your tasks, and you've trained together in your teams enough to work as a group. We can do this, and we will."
"And we're all safe," Dimande reminded them from his side of the table. "Remember that," he added, looking at Berthier, who had been extremely worried about being forced into evil acts again. "We're all safe"
"He's right," Mamoru said. "Wiseman cannot turn you to his side. There is nothing he can say or do to make you fight against your loved ones again."
"Team up!" Usagi said, and they both watched as the heroes around the table cleared out of the room and went into the meeting room down the hall.
"You two are doing a wonderful job," Grandfather Hino said, his voice low. "Remember to believe in one another and be strong for your friends."
"We will," they promised.
"We will be there in just a minute to say goodbye," Ikuko promised, her arm wrapped around Doctor Mizuno's shoulder. The woman looked nervous. She was the least experienced of all the parents with sending her child out into the world, but she was strong for all of that.
He took Usagi's hand and they turned to go into the meeting room. "You ready to go back?" he asked.
"I am. I know you're worried about me," she added, giving him a look, "but as long as we stick together, nothing can harm us."
"You're right," Mamoru said, feeling more confidence. "We're ready."
***Minako's POV***
Looking around at her small team, Minako wondered how well she could lead them. She had confidence that the Inner Senshi, and to an extent, the outer Senshi, would follow her commands, but most of those in her team were new. And they had one of the harder jobs. Only Kunzite had regularly fought at her side. The rest knew her well enough now, and they'd worked and practiced together, but it was difficult to know how they would react under pressure.
She also had the added job of making sure Dimande didn't fall into depression again, though she honestly thought Esmeraude would be far better suited to that task. She looked at her group carefully.
"Dimande, are you prepared? You know the way?" Kunzite asked, reading her emotions and her worry.
"I am and I do. We can get this done quickly and quietly," he promised.
Minako swallowed heavily. "Alright team, remember our marching order. We need to stay together at all times. No one gets left behind, got me?"
"We understand," Calaveras said, putting a hand on Minako's shoulder. "I promise, we wont let you down."
Rubeus nodded agreement and Esmeraude and Dimande both stood ready.
"Okay, if we're set, form up," Kunzite commanded. He seemed confident on the outside, but Minako could tell he was nervous as well.
She looked around at the other groups. Mamoru and Usagi had all the children with them. They would be staying together. Minako had been impressed with how much the children had learned while they were Elysion.
Ami and Zoicite had Berthier, whose powers were growing rapidly, as well as Haruka and Michiru, and Fiore, Ail, and An. They had worked the two groups together in many of their practices and simulations, as the two teams had similar responsibilities.
Makoto and Nephrite had charge of Shingo and Hotaru, and were joined by Saphir and Petz. Rei and Jadeite's team had Haruki, Setsuna, and Koan. Those two teams had also worked together in many of their practices, and would do well as a whole or separate teams.
Minako nodded to Usagi, who met her gaze with an understanding and encouraging look. Usagi had confidence in her, as did Mamoru, who winked. Kunzite wrapped and arm around her waist and she turned back to her team. "I think we're just about ready," she said. "Henshin yo!"
Around them the other teams were all transforming, spreading out slightly for space to transform, before moving back together. Sailor Venus turned back to the group in the center of the room. Usagi and Mamoru, still not in henshin themselves, were walking the children through theirs.
Chibi-Usa and Chibi-Mamo were the first to make their transformations. They looked for all the world like miniature versions of their parents. Chibi-Moon's fuku skirt and collar were pink, but she had little crescent moons on her choker and earrings, and hair pieces formed just like Sailor Moon's. Chibi-Kamen's tuxedo and cape were charcoal grey with purple accents and liner. He wore no tophat, but carried a short sword at his hip and held a scepter like his father's.
Helios' transformation put him in white trousers and boots with a white tunic that opened at his waist and flared nearly to his feet. Blue trim at his collar and along the tunic's edges gave a hint of color. His golden horn flared once, and a strange necklace appeared that gleamed in the same instant. Along his chest five pieces hung, golden, with blue tassels, and they swayed with his movements as he turned excitely to show Chibi-Moon his accomplishment.
Tentomushi was next, lifted slightly off her feet, as her sister and the other Senshi had been, she spun slowly in the air as red ribbons surrounded her. A white fuku with a red skirt formed. Red and black accents appeared over her, and Minako grinned as black spots appeared on her fuku skirt. Small wings appeared at the back of the fuku, and black spots covered their red surface as well. Sailor Ladybug certainly lived up to her name. Her boots were black with red laces and a black scepter with red accents appeared in her hand. The same red hair pieces her mother and sister had formed in the odangoes she wore, but most of her hair hung loose down her tiara had a bright red stone, and her choker was red with a golden heart. Golden hearts appeared on her ears as well.
"I did it!" she exclaimed when the transformation was complete, though it was not her first success. Minako knew she struggled slightly with the change, and grinned at her.
Takeo hugged her hard and stepped back, closing his eyes. Blue trousers appeared on his legs and a golden tunic and a short cape appeared with gold and blue pieces on his shoulders that opened up to let his armor flow down his chest. It too was golden with blue accents. His boots were the same. At his side, his sword appeared in it's sheath, and Minako could see the blue and gold shining in the light. He had become the Golden Warrior.
Finally it was only Yuzuki left. She closed her eyes tightly in concentration. She had the most trouble with her transformation, but she had made it through several times and Sailor Venus waited, knowing she could do it again. It seemed as though every person in the room, every warrior, Luna and Artemis, the parents, and even the walls waited with bated breath.
"You can do it," Chibi Kamen said, his voice filled with confidence. "Just remember you're strong," he added. Yuzuki smiled, though she kept her eyes closed, and gave a small nod.
Light surrounded her then, a pale silvery nimbus with hints of red. Silvery-white leggings replaced the little skirt she was wearing. Bright red boots appeared on her feet. A flowing silver top with red trim appeared next covering her hips and upper thighs, then short gloves with red trim formed over her hands. The golden tiara and choker as well as the small belt at her waist had red crescent moons over them. A long red bow draped from her lower back and a red scepter with a crystal sphere and two red crescent moons appeared in her hands. Even her hair was altered so that part of it was up in tiny clusters that almost seemed to form flowers, while the rest fell just below her shoulders, the color a brighter red with her transformation. Her green eyes shone vividly, their inner light visible even in the bright meeting room.
Sailor Venus hid a grin. Even having seen the transformation several times, it was a bit shocking.
Finally Mamoru and Usagi henshined, not into their royal forms, but into the same henshin she had seen a hundred times. It almost seemed anticlimactic after the children's incredible transformations.
"Alright everyone," Tuxedo Kamen said, "lets go!"
The room was loud for one brief moment as everyone gathered around their leaders. Sailor Moon lifted her Moon Wand as Luna hopped to her shoulder, unwilling to be left behind a second time. Venus waited and was gratified when Artemis jumped to her own shoulder a second later. Sailor Moon's voice rang out. "Moon Crystal Protection Dome."
A silvery light encircled the entire group of young heroes, and then Sailor Pluto lifted up a tiny golden key. "Remember not to touch your future selves," she warned, and then began the chant to take them into the future.
***Ami's POV***
As they left the time gate, Sailor Mercury gathered her group to her side. She locked eyes with Venus, who brought her team close. "Is everyone prepared?" she asked.
"We all are," Venus answered. Artemis sat on her shoulder, looking back towards Luna, who stayed with Sailor Moon. "Art, do you want to stay?" Venus asked, catching his indecision.
The small white cat cleared his throat. "As much as I would like to, there is a chance you'll need me, and Luna will be safe. She promised to stay with Moon."
"Good," Fiore said, keeping his voice low. "You never know. We might need someone small to get into a machine or something."
Artemis seemed to take heart at the thought that he would be useful and stood straighter, finally turning away from Luna, whose red eyes gleamed across the distance, watching them go.
They made their way through the mists, sticking close together. Mercury felt South Knight at her back and knew he would do whatever it took to get all of them safely to their friends when the mission was complete.
Once they reached the outer edges of Crystal Tokyo, their groups gathered, forming into the teams. Berthier would lead their own teleportation, while Dimande would guide Venus' team. They waved to each other, then closed in and held hands with their own teammates, prepared for nearly anything. Blue light surrounded them for a short moment, and then pressure hit, squeezing her for half a heartbeat.
When Mercury opened her eyes again she was in a small chamber filled with hazy green light. There was no one to confront them, and that worried her. She had expected some sort of force to meet their arrival. They'd been prepared for instant battle.
"It doesn't appear that any more droids have been made," Berthier whispered. "This way," she added, going down a set of stone steps toward a massive creation that mixed magic and machine. It was what had created the droids.
Fiore turned in a slow circle. "There are three exits from this chamber," he said quietly. "An, Ail, and I will cover them."
Mercury nodded and followed Berthier. South Knight, Uranus and Neptune were spreading out as they moved after her. The five of them surrounded the machinery, looking at it from every angle.
"How does this thing work?" she asked Berthier.
"I'm not sure," the girl replied. "I was never responsible for this room. What I do know if that it can't function without a piece of the Maleficent Black Crystal, or without that." She pointed to a piece of thin, transparent metal that was held in brackets on one side of the machine.
Mercury stepped forward to get a closer look. It wasn't stuck in place, only sitting within the slot. She reached out a hand.
"Wait," Berthier said. "I don't think that's safe. It's probably better to destroy it. Whatever is inside leeches out it's form on the droids. I don't know how or why, but I would hate it to leech into you, or steal something from you."
She nodded, accepting the wisdom of the advice, and took a step back. She felt South Knight's hand clasp her own and together they lifted their outer hands, speaking together. "Ice Wall!" it was a shout, and they both threw their weight into the attack.
But it hit the machine and dissipated, doing no damage. "A force field," Uranus said. "Where is the power source for that?" she asked, turning in a circle.
"Do you think Wiseman is holding it?" Berthier asked, her voice trembling.
Mercury shook her head. "I don't think so. He was obviously expecting an attack. However, I doubt he could hold a force field and fight against so many at once. No, I think we will find the source of it somewhere in this room."
They spread out, looking for wires leading away from the machinery. Then Mercury heard Neptune shout. "I think this is it!" she said excitedly, pointing directly overhead. Above the machine was a black crystal nestled into a small box with wires. Blue light flowed out of it, surrounding the machine below.
"Okay," Mercury said, "Uranus, do you think you can take care of that?"
The other Senshi nodded and pulled her sword. She threw her space blaster attack, hitting the machine, which threw sparks as it detached from the ceiling and broke into pieces. They scattered around the larger contraption. All five of them surrounded it again.
"All at once," Mercury ordered. Something told her that the machine wouldn't be so easily destroyed. She and South Knight would focus on the metal plate, while the others worked on the black crystal at the top. They threw attack after attack at the machine, hearing things break off and fall to the floor, but the plate and crystal stayed intact.
"Someone switch with us," Fiore called.
Mercury sent Neptune, Uranus, and South Knight to them. A moment later the three Children of the Makai joined Mercury and Berthier.
"What do you think?" Mercury asked, looking at Fiore.
"I want to try something," he said. "If An, Ail, and I focus our healing, light energy on the crystal, the two of you can take out the plate thing together"
Mercury agreed with the plan and turned her attention on the plate again, joined now by Berthier, whose power was so similar to her own. She'd been considering a name for the warrior aspect of the woman, who reminded her of fresh spring rains and babbling brooks over meadows. It was difficult to separate the warrior part of their lives from the human, and having a name for battle would help.
"Ready," she asked.
Fiore nodded and he and the others began to glow with a bright golden yellow light, which they aimed at the crystal, hands held in front of them carefully as they focused the energy. Mercury watched as the crystal in it's holder began to fade, the color slowly lightening the longer they held the energy. Sweat beaded on An's brow, and Ail looked like his arms were growing tired.
"I think you can start," An said, straining slightly.
Mercury turned toward the plate. "Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!" she cried out, just as Berthier said, "Summer Hail!" Their attacks hit the plate at once and she heard a distinct crack. A line ran through the center of it and spider webbed out to either side.
"Again," she said. This time she called out "Mercury Ice Wall!" and threw her strength at the plate. It hit and second later a shower of hail stones began beating at the plate. Her attack had cracked it further and Berthier's began breaking pieces off of it. They both attacked again and again until nothing remained but dust. Then they turned their attentions on the rest of the machine, taking it apart and destroying it piece by piece.
When she looked up at the black crystal, it was no longer there. Fragments of white, milky crystal lay on the stone floor, leeched of their darkness.
"We've got company!" South Knight hollered from behind them. Mercury turned away from the machine and raced to meet him, the others following behind, spreading out to help the others.
***Rubeus' POV***
Rubeus looked carefully around them, peeking back the way they had come, and through every side tunnel they passed. Stone floors, littered in dirt, dust, and broken stone, were all they saw. They had cleared the first room that held the Black Crystals which had already been prepared, turned into earrings and necklaces for the followers of Wiseman. So far they had seen no resistance.
"Two more sections," Dimande said, his voice hardly more than a whisper. They did not want to be found before the work was completed. He pointed to a narrow side corridor. "The smaller quarry is this way," he added.
They followed after the prince, hurrying down the passageway while trying to watch everywhere at once. Rubeus felt as though danger was around the next corner, and kept his head on a swivel, looking forward, side to side, and even behind them, as often as he could. He wondered how long it would be before they were attacked.
"Here," Dimande said, and opened a large metal door. They all clambered inside except for North Knight and Rubeus, who locked eyes and silently decided to stay and watch for danger. He knew what they would find. A large geode, filled with black crystals created by volcanic activity on the planet. He himself had worked in the mines when he was younger, though it hadn't been by choice. That had been before there were droids to do the work for them.
After watching the earlier cleansing of the crystals, Rubeus knew that it would be a short process. Artemis had brought some sort of magical item that held an attack from Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen. Venus and the others would feed energy into it, and within a few minutes the crystals would be destroyed, turned white, and shattered.
He heard the combined attacks of the others as they destroyed every black crystal they could see while the combined shout of Moon and Kamen seemed to hover in the air. He had no idea who had built the strange piece of magic, but it looked as though it was a simple pocket watch upon first glance. It wasn't until it was opened that the gold and silver light would escape.
Footsteps echoed down the corridor. Rubeus stood straighter, looking back the way they had come. In the shadows he could see movement. And it was growing closer. Droids. The first few didn't worry him overmuch, but more and more appeared out of the darkness. They came from side halls and straight down the main tunnel.
"We've got company," he warned, putting his head through the door. Most of the cavern had already been cleared, but he could see there was still some to finish. Calaveras broke away from the others and hurried out to stand with him and North Knight.
"Lets do this," North growled, and raised his hands. "Stay just behind me. I can absorb the attacks and send them back."
Rubeus grunted, lifted his hand and threw a blast of energy at the approaching droids. Calaveras threw pure white energy at them. He was amazed at how much more powerful they had both become since they had been healed and were no longer hampered by the black crystals they had once worn.
North Knight threw both hands out and also threw white energy. Attack after attack rolled toward them, only to be absorbed and returned with a wave of the man's hands. And then the enemy was too close to send attacks. North pulled out his sword then, and began attacking physically. He and Calaveras followed, each moving rapidly as they stayed close behind him.
The droids didn't seem to care if they hit each other or their foes, and many were destroyed by friendly fire. Rubeus shrugged it off and kept fighting. Soon the others left the destroyed geode and met up with them in the hall. Slowly they crept forward, inch by inch, every bit fought for, until they passed out of the tunnel and into the main chamber.
"There!" Rubeus pointed toward the door where he knew the other team would be. Droids surrounding the door and he could hear the sounds of the other's attacks. "Their being overrun," he added.
"Lets go!" Sailor Venus shouted, and as one they launched themselves at the door.
Only moments passed before the droids blocking their way were destroyed and they found themselves with Sailor Mercury's team. Droids were still swarming into the factory from two other doorways. They threw more attacks until the space was cleared.
"Come on," Venus said. "We could use some help if the last geode was the smaller one. I can't imagine a bigger geode and I don't know how much power is left from the magic in the watch. We've got to get this done fast."
As they trotted down the hall, Rubeus turned to Venus. "Where did the watch come from?" he asked.
"It's Kamen's," she said, not even panting as they ran. "The priest and priestess showed the others how to put an attack inside and Artemis helped us find a way to charge it using our own powers. But the light in it has faded. Most of us use light energy in our attacks. We can finish cleansing the crystals while the others guard our backs."
Rubeus nodded. Light could combat the dark, and he'd seen it again and again. His own light energy had a ruby hint to it since he had been healed. Dimande's was pure white, Esmeraude's had a touch of green, and Saphir's blue. Calaveras had a pure white, bordering on yellow, like Venus and North Knight did. He wondered if they had been born to be the next generation of Senshi. It made perfect sense when he thought about it. But they had been perverted by Wiseman, turning into something they didn't want to be but could not escape from.
"Okay, Rubeus, Calaveras, Dimande, and Esmeraude, you're with me and North Knight as well as Fiore, Ail, and An," Venus said. "Mercury is in charge of the rest."
They divided and he went forward, watching as Venus poured energy into the watch. At the same time he and the others began pouring their light energy into the dark crystals, healing them of the taint of Nemesis. He knew they had to hurry. Wiseman was gone, and it was only a matter of time before he found Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Kamen, and the children.
***Usagi's POV***
They gathered around the massive Black Crystal near the palace in the center of Crystal Tokyo. Sailor Moon frowned as they grew closer. Black veins had formed on the ground, spreading out from the base, where it sank into the earth. It was sending poison into the very rocks and soil. She glanced worriedly at Tuxedo Kamen, but he didn't seem to be too affected by it. Then it hit her. Future King Endymion still slept. He must have been fighting against the poison for a long time, protecting the earth. It would sap all of his energy. No wonder he was a mere shadow.
"Alright kids," Tuxedo Kamen said. "The protection dome will cover all of us, the Crystal, and even the ground below it. Do you all remember what we taught you?"
The children all began to nod and they spread out slightly, adding enough space so that all of them could work. She stood at one end, Kamen at the other. Their eyes locked for a moment before she moved.
"Moon Crystal Protection Dome!" she cried, making the dome larger than she ever had before so that it could encompass all of them. Her job would not end there. She pulled the Moon Wand Higher and readied herself as the others formed a short line. While she waited she focused on the feelings of the others. They were nervous, and yet they all knew they would be successful. Part one of their plan was about to commence and she knew they had to work quickly.
"Golden Crystal Earth Healing Amplification!" shouted Tuxedo Kamen, starting a chain reaction.
"Purple Crystal Earth Healing Amplification!" Chibi Kamen yelled, standing next to him.
"Red Moon Healing!" Far Moon Warrior screamed.
"Moon and Sun Healing Augmentation!" Golden Warrior cried.
"Rainbow Crystal Moon and Earth Healing! Sailor Ladybug shouted, her eyes gleaming as she raised her hands up.
"Dream Weaving Healing!" Helios bellowed.
"Pink Moon Crystal Healing Escalation!" Chibi Moon called.
"Silver Moon Crystal Healing Escalation!" Sailor Moon roared. She lifted the Moon Wand higher and focused on draining the darkness out of the crystal.
As they worked, the color seeped away, not sinking into the ground where it could do damage, but being pulled out and transformed. The Crystal itself became a milky white color, then a large crack sounded like thunder and a chuck fell away from the side. More and more pieces fell, the sounds reverberating through the dead city. Then, all at once, the crystal shattered, falling in on itself in tiny fragments that looked like broken glass. They scattered on the ground, and as their attack continued, faded into dust.
Panting with exertion, the entire group slumped slightly.
A laugh sounded behind them, and Sailor Moon was thankful she hadn't lowered the shield as an attack hit it seconds later. She smiled. The second half of their plan had begun.
***Makoto's POV***
Watching from her hiding place in the rubble, Sailor Jupiter frowned as Wiseman approached the dome slowly. She looked down the line at the others. East Knight stood to her left, and beyond him Blue Moon Knight and Sailor Saturn. At the end of the line were Saphir and Petz. She nodded to each of them to prepare themselves. The wouldn't attack until the time was right. Then they would strike hard and fast.
As soon as the Black Crystal was destroyed, Wiseman blasted the small group. His attack hit the protection dome and faded away. With a shocked, angry cry, he tried again, and then again, to no avail.
"Wiseman!" Sailor Moon shouted.
The cloaked figure growled and tried attacking again.
"We can heal you," she tried. Jupiter was rather sure Wiseman didn't want to be healed. She was certain he had turned willingly to evil, and that sort never seemed to want help.
"You are a bunch of pathetic, sniveling brats. I will teach you. Give me the young ones. I'll train them right. Replace the scum that abandoned me."
"Let us help you," Sailor Moon tried again. "You don't have to die today."
"Fool girl," Wiseman rasped. "You cannot kill me!" He let out an awful laugh that raised the hair on the back of Jupiter's neck.
"We don't want to," Sailor Moon said, her voice full of pleading. It hurt Jupiter's heart to know destroying this creature would hurt her friend. "But we will. We cannot allow you to take any more lives, to destroy this planet, or hurt the people."
Wiseman roared and threw another attack against the shield.
Jupiter watched for the signal. Sailor Moon finally nodded. Jupiter raised her arm, and motioned the others forward. Her group flew out of hiding and each began shouting as they launched their own attacks against the creature.
"Supreme Thunder!" she screamed, hitting Wiseman. The attack sizzled against him, but he threw up his own shield a moment later. There had to be a way to get around it somehow.
Then she saw the six children clustered together behind Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen and they all began to glow. Wiseman's shield disappeared.
***Rei's POV***
Sailor Mars slid closer to the fight. She hoped Wiseman thought he was facing the only enemies he would see, that he didn't realize more were coming. As soon as Jupiter's team hit from the left side, he had turned, facing them. Now, she waited, hand held up, until his attention was completely diverted.
With a swift motion she pulled her arm down and her group attacked at once as they moved out of hiding.
"Burning Mandala!" she screamed, then raced forward and sent another attack.
"Dragons!" Sailor Moon hollered from the dome, then she and Tuxedo Kamen began to change into their royal forms, letting the differences in hair and body been seen as well as their change in combat armor.
Mars nodded, lifted her left hand, and shouted, "Mars Flame Dragon!"
"Fire Dragon!" West Knight yelled beside her.
"Time Dragon!" Pluto shouted.
"Sun Dragon!" cried Sun Knight.
Across from them she saw Jupiter nod. "Jupiter Thunder Dragon!" she screamed.
"Thunder Dragon!" yelled East Knight.
"Blue Moon Dragon!" screamed Blue Moon Knight.
"Saturn Destruction Dragon!" Saturn's voice could barely be heard.
Saphir and Petz, who had not come as far in their positive powers, could not yet create a dragon attack, but they both send waves of their own. Saphir sent a shock of blue light, filled with lightening, while Petz threw rolling waves of her own lightning. They were close. With a bit more work they would have a dragon attack. Mars nodded to them and smiled.
Wiseman attempted to flee, but Sailor Moon was prepared for that. She called down the protection dome without a word, and lifted the Moon Wand. "Silver Moon Crystal Dome Snare!"
Wiseman was trapped, unable to run, unable to defeat so many at once. He sent out attack after attack, but he could not beat them all.
There was a flare of light and the other two teams, who had joined together, appeared. Mars smiled. Wiseman would be no more.
"Dragons!" Yelled Tuxedo Kamen, and as one the Senshi and Shitennou sent another wave of dragons, while the others sent attacks of their own. Tuxedo Kamen moved forward, protected by a smaller dome Mars had not noticed, and pulled his new sword. He stepped in front of Wiseman.
"Last chance," he said, his tone quiet. He glanced briefly at Sailor Moon, who looked devastated. When Wiseman only laughed, Tuxedo Kamen swung his sword and took the head of Wiseman. "I'm sorry," he whispered, but in the sudden stillness his words were heard by everyone.
For a moment it felt like no one breathed, though they were all nearly panting. They stared as the head rolled away over the broken ground, and stopped under a hanging piece of rubble. Then everyone seemed to speak and exult at once, thankful to be alive, thankful they had won, thankful that no one else would be harmed by the taint of evil Wiseman had spread.
Only Sailor Moon shed a tear. Mars watched her swipe it away and paste a smile on her face, turning to congratulate the children for their work, hugging all of her friends and loved ones, and pretending to be deliriously happy. Mars saw though, the hint of deep sorrow that again, someone could not be saved.
Mars was determined to put a real smile back on her friend's face. She raced over and hugged her, then turned her to look at the palace. "There's still work to be done," she reminded her friend. "Still people to be saved."
"Yes," Sailor Moon said, and just a hint of a true smile showed. "Lets go meet our future," she added, winking.
Author's Note: People have been voting. I have received several emails as well as about a dozen other votes for which story to do a sequel on. The votes will end on May fifteenth and the final decision will be made. If you haven't voted and you want a particular story, the list is at the bottom of the previous chapter.
Here is where the vote currently stands.
1. Kidnapping Sailor Moon - 4 votes
2. Losing Control - 7 votes
3. The Rose - 2 votes
4. The HoneyMoon - 3 votes
5. Married Strangers - 3 votes
6. The Prison - 4 votes