Moon Chapter 7 - Foreordained Destiny
- White Moon -
Terror. Panic. Destruction. Everywhere you looked you saw townspeople running for their lives. First they had been marveled to have rain, in a land not fit for rain, and then they were shocked at the creatures descending. Youmas, Slimy-red youmas with no definite shape. Many had monstrous shapes, many others had humanoid shapes. But their form did not matter at the end, as they were the same creatures, demons that thirsted for blood, lusted for destruction.
The White Lunarians had never before experienced such feelings of despair. Even when Aisu came, over fifteen years ago, it had not been like this. Their numbers were at least several thousands. Was this happening all over the system as well? Where they mindlessly killing in every planet, satellite and asteroid as well? The White Lunarians ignored this was only happening in the White Moon, not that it would had reduced their despair…
Many were able to hide, others were not so lucky. Most of the alien army was ignoring the civilians, heading towards the silvery palace in Mare Serenitatis, but as in every army, few of them broke ranks to satisfy their hunger in the unluckiest who were not able to escape. The luckiest of the civilians were at home, expecting to hear from the general meeting in the news service. Hiding at home, or running in the streets, all of them shared one single thought… "Save us, Sailor Senshi"
- Outside the Silver Palace -
The Asteroid Senshi descended in the silvery stairs at the entrance of the palace, glancing with shocked eyes at the scene in front of them. The hordes of Youmas were advancing towards their location. The Royal Army was battling them courageously and, incredible as it seemed, they were being successful.
- "Like they say… training pays well." - Vesta said, grinning.
- "Yeah… those monsters are so mindless, that they are trampling each other." - Pallas stated the facts.
It was true. The Youmas were so many that they could not move without pushing their similar. The Royal Soldiers had taken this to their advantage to group fast and efficiently. Theos and King Ren had them well trained.
- "We should take this to our advantage…" - Juno said in a serious voice.
- "Your majesties!" - The Captain of the army approached, followed closely by the newest nobles of the system, Ryan and Tod.
- "Give your report of the situation Captain." - Ceres said, without taking her eyes off the invaders.
- "We are holding them for now, but their numbers are too big. If they keep pushing this strongly, we will not be able to hold them at bay for long." - The Captain said.
- "If I may…" - Ryan asked for permission to speak.
- "Do you have something in mind Lord Ryan?" - Ceres said, turning her attention to the young man.
- "Please your majesty… you do not have to call me like that…" - The man blushed, causing the quadruplets to smile, despite the situation.
- "You earned it in Janus, do not be shy. But please, state your idea, as we do not have much time." - Ceres spoke once more, seriousness coming back to her voice.
- "Yes… well you see… at Dosei we have an operation for situations like this; it was designed after Aisu came. It consists of using the strongest attack head on in the enemy, in order to brake their ranks, confuse them, and finally to charge them during the confusion." - Ryan said, while Tod nodded at his words.
- "What? We do not have the means to do something like that and…" - The Captain started, but was interrupted.
- "We do," - Vesta said. - "We have the Amazons arrow" - The red-haired glanced at her sisters, and received nods of approval.
- "Prepare the soldiers to open a path for our blast. We will be charging afterwards… be prepared to do the same… and please… stay safe." - Ceres told the Captain. The four princesses jumped to the ceiling of the palace's entrance.
- "Be safe as well your majesties…" - The captain glanced towards them. - "Such brave girls… and with such responsibility… Anyways… alright Ryan… you had the idea, help me explain it to them. And stay safe son."
- "Yes sir!"
- Council Room -
The Representatives looked panicked. The Terran Royals were demanding explanations about the security. They demanded the presence of the Senshis, so they could protect them. In the chaos someone shout at them to stop being to selfish and to think about others for once. In the midst of all, the young princes and princesses glanced at the virtual screen, thinking of their friends, and the innocents.
- "SILENCE!" - Ren finally snapped and yelled at the group. - "We are NOT helping the situation acting like this! - The Terran King was about to retort, but was stopped by Ren himself. - "Save it! I do not want to hear any more complaints from ANY of you. Currently I do NOT care about who you are or your rank." - Ren brought his hand to his mouth, in a nervous reaction, while glancing at the screen.
- "We must all remain in calm. The Senshis and the Royal guard will take care of the Youmas outside. Have faith" - Selene said, trying to calm the people. Phoebe came towards the central platform and gave Ren a glass of water, to calm his nerves.
- "Well… I am going outside to help them." - King Apollo stood up, taking out the Space Sword."
- "Please Apollo. Stay in your seat. For now you should stay in here. Think about your family." - Selene said, glancing at Princess Uranus, who looked scared, and held tightly to Princess Neptune, who was crying in her shoulder. Apollo glanced at the girls and lowered the Space Sword, then kneeling in front of the girls, hugged them both. Aquarius put his hand in Apollo's shoulder, and glanced towards the screen.
Sailor Pluto was gripping her Garnet Orb Staff tightly. She wanted to go outside and help her friends. But she could not. Her mother, Queen Marie, and Princess Selenity approached her.
- "You want to go and help them… right?" - Marie asked, and received a nod in response. - "Then go my child… we will be okay." - This time Pluto shake her head.
- "Pluto?" - Selenity asked. Era and Hermes approached next, followed by the rest of the Princes and Princesses. They almost instantly earned the attention of the rest of the attendants.
- "I can not go outside. I… made a promise" - Pluto answered, without looking at them, still showing them her back.
- "A promise?" - Aphrodite asked.
- "Yes… I promised Ves, Paru, Jun and Ceru… that I would stay behind if something like this happened… stay behind so I could… so I could protect you all…" - The young tanned girl answered.
- "Pluto…" - Selenity said.
- "It is not fair you know?" - Pluto interrupted her.
- "Fair?" - The Lunarian princess asked.
- "I want to protect you all… yes… I want to… yet… I fell helpless… watching them fight…" - Pluto turned around, showing her flowing tears to those around her. - "But I will not break my promise… I shall protect you all with my life"
Her words efficiently silenced the room, especially those that had spoken against her earlier. Even the Terrans were touched by the pureness of her words.
- Palace Front Yard -
Two dozen soldiers were stopping the approaching Youmas with metal shields. Another dozen were behind them, attacking those creatures that were able to pass through the improvised human wall. Stopping the creatures with only shields had been inefficient, since the fluid-like beasts could pass through any opening; Ryan's fast orders had placed more guards behind the first ones.
- "We are ready your majesties." - Ryan said, approaching Vesta. Tod was following him.
- "What are you going to do to stop the Youmas, in order to allow those guards to pull back?" - Vesta inquired.
- "A dozen of Ice Shooters, from Suisei, had been handled to another group of guards. They will shoot the creatures, freezing the front row. Normally they would not stop this many enemies for long, but taking advantage of the fluid nature of this Youmas, I say we get at least half a minute, enough for the guards to pull back, and allow your majesties to fire your Amazons Arrow." - Ryan explained, while Tod showed the plan through mimic, earning a smile from the Senshi. Ryan noticed this and sighed, but silently thanked Tod for trying to ease the girls with his antics.
- "Good. Then let us commence with the plan." - Ceres ordered.
Ryan and Tod turned around, jumped from the roof and approached the captain of the Royal Guard. Vesta saw the captain nod at the two Lords and then nod again her way. In three minutes he would give the order, so it was time to power up an extra strong arrow.
- "This is it girls, let us kick some Youma ass." - Juno stated, while placing her right hand in front of her. Soon the other three had put their right hands on top of Juno's, interlinking their fingers.
- "FIRE ASTEROID POWER"
- "ICE ASTEROID POWER"
- "THUNDER ASTEROID POWER"
- "LIGHT ASTEROID POWER"
Upon hearing the girls gathering their power, Ryan nodded towards the Captain. He glanced towards the girls, wishing them luck, before approaching his men.
- "This is it men. Be ready, I want you all to fire your Ice Shooters as soon as I tell you. Be accurate, I do not want those creatures breaking our ranks before the Senshi fire their Arrow. Guards, be ready to attack after the Senshi unleash the Amazons Arrow." - The Captain counted the seconds in his mind, and finally shouted.
- "Ice Shooters! FIRE! Shield Squad PULL BACK!"
Thus, the plan was set in action. The front Youmas were frozen in an instant, but as soon as they were frozen, the ice started to crack. Although the ice cracked faster than expected, it gave the soldiers enough time to retreat, and thus Ryan signaled the Star Princesses to do their part.
- "AMAZONS JUNGLE ARROW!"
The quadruplets threw their most powerful arrow as of date. The blast literally obliterated Youmas in a wide radius, leaving nothing else but dust, as their crystals shattered almost instantly. At least a third of the enemy forces had been destroyed with this attack.
- "Charge!" - The captain roared at his soldiers, who immediately went after those Youmas that were injured by the blast, but had managed to survive. The faster they took them down, the less chances of them regenerating.
- "Lets do our part too." - Ceres told her sisters, receiving a nod from each. The four Asteroid Senshi leaped from the roof and jumped to the swarming mass of Youmas.
- Inside the Palace -
The Royals and Representatives had been watching the outside actions through the holographic device. Silence reigned as the Senshis practically destroyed a third of the enemy forces with one blow, a terrific and powerful blow. Many stood speechless at the display of power, others were stunned, as if thinking "Just how much power do they have?" and others seemed preoccupied, mainly the Terrans.
- "Amazing…" - The small princess Uranus whispered. Neptune and she had calmed down and stood watching with wide eyes the display in front of them.
- "YES!" - King Aquarius yelled. He blushed at his outburst, and Demeter scolded him. But his action had broke many out of their thoughts, and soon the hall was filled with cheers.
Sailor Pluto smiled, and prayed for their safety. The princes and princesses watched with large grins in their faces. Everybody had the same scene playing in their minds, the awakening of those four girls, the day the rogue cadets became youma-like-creatures and had attacked them. They were sure the Senshi would protect them, and destroy the creatures. But… not everything happens the way we want it.
- Nephrenia's Room -
The Dark-Haired Lunarian Princess watched the events from her chambers with terrified eyes. The number of demons was incredible, and sent chills to her bones. She cursed upon seeing the creatures. Only one thought was currently in her mind…
- (Mother… Father… Selenity… Vesta… Pallas… Juno… Ceres… please… please… be safe…)
Her face lighted up upon seeing the massive attack that destroyed a great number of the enemy forces. She spotted the Royal Guards charging the creatures after the massive blast. Only a pair of minutes later she glanced at the girls she loved as sisters, the Asteroid Senshi, splitting to attack the invading forces.
- (If only… if only I had power… I could… help them…)
Nephrenia's crescent moon flashed momentarily. But it was not a golden flash… but a silvery one… Her crescent moon returned to normal as fast at the flash came. A shadow watched the reaction from the sidelines with interest.
- Outside the White Moon's atmosphere -
- (What power… too many defeated… but sacrifices are needed…I will take the power for me alone…) - The entity know as Pharaoh 90 thought.
Hiding his presence, the massive Remnant descended towards the Royal Silver Millennium Palace.
- Palace Grounds -
The Senshi's presence had given the Royal Guards a boast in their confidence. Witnessing a third of the enemy forces fall gave them a sense of triumph, full confidence and hope. They charged, destroying the creatures one by one at a fast rate. The creatures were really weak, and were destroyed easily. The Guards did their best, charging the creatures and destroying their crystals, in order to stop them from regenerating.
Ryan glanced around. He grinned. The tide had changed, and they had the upper hand. What seemed a lost cause now had hope. Their numbers had impressed the guards, but it seemed that what they had in numbers lacked in power. The demons had great numbers, but weak strength. Ryan believed this is why this kind of Youmas decided to attack in big numbers. He did not know, but he was totally wrong.
- "THUNDER WAVE" - Juno unleashed her magnetic waves to the fluid creatures in front or her, destroying them immediately. With shrieks of pain the creatures dissolved to dust, once their crystals had been broken. - (Something is not right… this is too easy…)
- "A piece of gold for your thoughts" - A voice said to Juno's right. Recognizing the voice she turned around and saw Ceres banishing a couple more demons.
- "It is to easy…" - Juno went directly to the point.
- "I agree… why send so many well organized Youmas… and yet so weak… you do not think… oh damn…" - Ceres swore.
- "The Castle…" - Juno blanched, realization finally falling.
- "Find Ves… I will look for Paru." - Ceres said, jumping away.
- "YES!" - Juno shouted, while jumping the other way.
But before they could find their sisters, what they feared happened. A terrible presence fell upon the Palace. Risking looking towards the Palace they saw the greatest and ugliest Youma they had ever seen.
- Council Room -
They had been unprepared. All of them were watching the battle through the holographic device. The ceiling fell over their heads in a flash. Yet they were alive, all of them. How?
- FLASHBACK -
The Supreme Queen had been watching the battle alongside Ren. She was praying for the safety of the Senshi. Actually she wanted to go out and help them. But as Queen and summoner of the general meeting she had a responsibility: the well being of all present. It was an unspoken rule, but whenever a Royal summoned another Royal to their planets, they were responsible for their safety.
Selene glanced around and saw everyone cheer after the Senshi had destroyed a third of the enemy forces. She saw they leap and attack their enemies, gaining the advantage every passing minute.
Suddenly her senses told her something was wrong… very wrong. In an instant she felt an enormous aura appear above them, and the Silver Crystal flashed. Selene noticed her daughter, Selenity, glancing at her with wide eyes, while she hastily took the Silver Crystal, from her pendant, while shouting the words that had saved them before.
- "SILVER CRYSTAL POWER!"
- END OF FLASHBACK -
The holy power of the Silver Crystal had saved everyone from a certain death. The impact had been stopped, but when the shield, created by Selene's invocation, cracked, the debris from the ceiling covered the Representatives and Royals. Many of them now had multiple injuries and bloody scratches, but they were all alive. A horrible voice brought them all to reality.
- "Hand me… the power!" - A voice was heard from the dust cloud.
- "Who… or what the hell are you?" - King Thanatos exclaimed, reflecting the thoughts of all the present.
- "Me? I am… PHARAOH 90! A Remnant…" - The demon stated.
- "Remnant…?" - Multiple voices stated at the same time.
When the dust cloud dissipated cries of horror were heard. In front of them stood the biggest and most horrible face they had ever seen. The face had at least two meters in height and width. Upon further glancing, Thanatos saw the creature's body was as big as the Palace. In fact, a fourth of the Palace had been destroyed by the creatures landing.
Many were stunned, many tried running for their lives, while one tried to fight back. This one was the youngest Senshi in the System, Sailor Pluto.
- "DEAD SCREAM!" - The Senshi of time sent her attack, directly to the beasts eyes.
- "Foolish…" - The Pharaoh 90 countered the attack with its aura, destroying the ball of light. - "This is your punishment…" - A gray flame ball was shot from the creatures mouth.
Pluto could have easily avoided the flame ball, yet she could not. Behind her stood many others, including Selenity. In an attempt to stop the ball, she lifted her staff in front of her.
- "Garnet Orb… please… lend me your strength!" - Pluto exclaimed, while receiving the full impact of the flame ball.
- "PLUTO!" - Both Marie and Selenity exclaimed. Chrono did not shout, as he had fallen unconscious due to a rock hitting him in the head.
The flame ball dissipated… Pluto had stopped the ball, yet… suddenly she, herself, fell as well. Smoke emanating from all her body, the young princess of Meiousei fell in her knees, and then fell forward, hitting the floor heavily.
- Palace Grounds -
Half of the Royal Guards were killed when they stopped fighting and glanced at the destruction at the Palace. They were careless and the fluid Youmas took advantage of this.
Sailor Vesta had fallen to the ground at the sight of the destroyed Palace. The Youmas saw her, and tried to kill her. The creatures were holding her arms, neck and legs, trying to sink their fangs on her. Yet they never were able to.
- "FLAME ERUPTION!" - In her rage, Vesta obliterated the surrounding Youmas, while expulsing great amounts of fire from her body.
Vesta immediately took flight, towards the Palace. She encountered Juno a few moments later.
- "Ves!" - The green-haired girl shouted.
- "Jun, where are Paru and Ceru?" - Vesta asked her sister.
- "I just left Ceru behind, at the Royal Entrance, she went looking for Paru." - The girl answered.
- "Then let us head to the Palace, they surely will go there as well." - Vesta said.
- "Yes… I hate to leave the guards but…" - Juno said.
- "I know… I know…" - The Fire Senshi said.
- Council Room -
Sailor Pluto fell unconscious. Her defeat froze many hearts, mainly her mother and Selenity's. In panic, many of the present tried to ran away, through the available escape routes, as the building had partially fallen.
- "Fools…" - Pharaoh 90 exclaimed before unleashing a massive blast towards a group of representatives.
Selenity watched in horror as a group of Representatives were burned alive. They had died instantly. Their burnt bodies fell, making Selenity's stomach sick. Her tears fell. At her side, Marie was clutching her daughter's unconscious body.
- "Mother!" - A scream was heard. Turning towards the sound, Selenity saw Demando entering through the hole Pharaoh 90 created with the last blast. Behind her was Sapphire, both panting. She wanted to tell them to run, but she could not find the words, it was as if her throat had closed. Seeing them also reminded her of something crucial… where were her mother and father?
- "Run! You two get out of here!" - Selenity heard. Pearl was the source of the shout. Demando and Sapphire saw their bloody mother and tried to go to her side. But before they could do anything about it, a massive pawn descended, crushing Pearl, killing her.
- "Oops… did I did that?" - Pharaoh 90 mocked.
- "BASTARD!" - Demando screamed. Selenity closed her eyes, praying for Pearl's soul, and grieving for her friends lose. Sapphire had fallen on his knees, in a state of shock. Demando's scream snapped something inside of him. His forehead glowed for a second, then it was gone. But this was enough, his presence changed, and Pharaoh 90 noticed it, and someone else did as well. Just a few moments later, Demando fell unconscious.
- Nephrenia's Room, a few moments before Pearl's murder -
Nephrenia was hugging her legs in fetal position. Since the massive Youma had descended over the Palace she had been trembling. She wished to go searching for her parents and sister, but she could not control herself. She was too scared. In the shadows stood Wiseman, silently laughing.
- (You are too precious girl… your potential is incredible… and you shall be mine… so I can not allow you to be put in danger… my presence will keep the Daimons away…)
Suddenly, Wiseman's eyes flashed, upon feeling a dark aura emanating from an individual at the Council Room. Glancing upon his crystal ball he saw Demando.
- (So… his son also has potential? He shall be mine as well…)
Casting a spell, Wiseman sent a shockwave directly to Demando's brain, making the young teenager lose consciousness. It had been an easy task for Wiseman, as the boy was Crystal's son. Having manipulated Crystal before, he knew how to reach the brainwaves of one with the same blood.
- Palace Grounds -
Vesta and Juno were heading towards the Palace at top speed. While fighting, they had not noticed how far they had gotten from the Palace. Juno risked glancing towards the battle undergoing below them. The remaining soldiers were giving their best, trying to stop the mass of Youmas, and trying to avenge those fallen.
- "Vesta! Juno!" - Someone shouted. Both girls recognized Ceres voice. Stopping in mid-air they waited for her. Behind Ceres, Pallas came.
- "I am glad to see you both. We do not have time to lose, we should get back to the Palace. That presence is unnerving me." - Vesta said.
- "Agreed." - Ceres stated.
- "Then… what are we waiting for?" - Pallas said, and darted towards the broken Palace, the other three behind her.
The Quadruplets stopped when the Youmas started to roar in unison. Glancing towards them, they saw the creatures regrouping. Ignoring the guards, and their attacks, the slimy beasts congregated. Merging together, one over the other, the Daimons created a wall, blocking the Senshi's path.
- "Damn it! Do not think that can stop us! Girls, Amazons Arrow!" - Vesta shouted, earning nods from the others.
The Asteroid Senshi started gathering their powers, so they were unprepared for what came. The wall shot towards them. With wide-eyes, the girls were unable to escape in time from the Tsunami that fell on them.
- Council Room -
With the help of her parents, King Zeus and Queen Marduk, Princess Hera took the unconscious Demando and Sapphire away from the Remnant. Hera was crying, Marduk was shocked and Zeus was outraged. The way the beast had killed Pearl had been cruel… too cruel. They tried to escape, through the hole Pharaoh 90 created after killing several representatives, but the demon had swiped its massive claw, blocking the path. They barely escaped, but the Remnant had its horrendous eyes fixed on them.
- (Do not know what that was… but that boy must die…) - The Remnant thought to itself. Raising its claw once more, the creature stroke for the kill.
- "Submarine Mirror!" - A voice shouted. Pharaoh 90's claw was stopped, as a protective barrier fell upon the Royals of Mokusei. Hera glanced towards the direction where the voice came from. There stood King Aquarius, and in his hands was one of the Artifacts manufactured in Dosei, the Submarine Mirror.
- "Get over here!" - Another voice shouted. It belonged to Prince Hermes of Suisei. Taking the unconscious teens with them, the Mokusei Royals advanced towards him. Running behind some debris they found themselves with other Royals and several representatives.
Among the group were King Nabu and Queen Koori, of Suisei, parents of Hermes, King Hades, Queen Athena and Prince Ares of Kasei, Queen Demeter and Princes Neptune of Kaiousei and Queen Hestia and Princess Uranus from Ten'ousei. Uranus was crying, calling for her father, while Hestia and Neptune hugged her.
- "The Queen?" - Zeus asked.
- "We have not seen her. I am afraid she and the rest of the Royals were buried under all the debris. " - Hades answered him.
- "Damn it to hell…" - Zeus cursed.
Hera had never heard her father swear in front of her. But a tragedy like the current one could bring out anything. Glancing around she saw that Aphrodite was missing, as well as her parents. King Apollo was missing as well. They had been standing near Queen Selene and King Ren when the world was turned upside down. Several minutes prior, she had seen Selenity and Queen Marie take an unconscious Pluto towards the other side of the hall, while King Thanatos helped King Chrono. Hera was brought back from her thoughts by Aquarius plead.
- "Somebody… help… I… can not… hold it… much… longer!" - Aquarius exclaimed between closed teeth. The barrier created by his artifact was slowly breaking down.
With fearful eyes Hera witnessed as Pharaoh 90 impacted the barrier with its other claw, destroying it. The clash brought an horrible scene. Aquarius body was shred, as multiple slashes damaged his body. The most crucial one severed his right arm, which was holding the Submarine Mirror. Bleeding he cried in pain, while the Mirror fell to the ground spinning. Hera heard Neptune's cry of horror, and what came next, was totally unexpected.
The scene was horrible. Not something a five year old girl should be witnessing. Yet, her position as Princess had brought her to the general meeting. Everything had started great for Neptune. She had made a new friend, Princess Uranus of Ten'ousei. She knew her parents had a close friendship with the Royals of the Planets of Winds, yet she had never met them. They became best of friends almost by instinct. It was as if they had been destined to be together.
She also met a lot of incredible people. The Senshi among them. She always had admired them, and was marveled to meet them. And meeting them had been better than just listening about them. Because behind the charade of heroines, stood four incredible girls, who you loved just by meeting them. And then there was Pluto, the newest Senshi. It was a dream come true. Until they came.
She had heard about the horrors of Youmas. But this was beyond anything she had heard before. The stories of Aisu were nothing against the current invasion. For a five year old, Neptune knew a lot of these demons, maybe too much, but as Princess of Kaiousei she needed to know, for her safety, and for the safety of her people.
The situation went from bad to worse when the creature, that called itself Pharaoh 90, crashed into the hall where the meeting was taking place. Chaos came, and for the first time she witnessed death. Cruel death. And when it could not get worse, it got worse. Her father fell. Bloody from the Remnant's attack, and without an arm. His arm was torn. Neptune feared the worst when his father, Aquarius, fell to the floor.
- "FATHER!" - Neptune screamed, and her forehead glowed. A green trident, with a vertical line under the intersection of the three spikes.
Neptune ran towards the fallen Aquarius. Everybody stood stunned at what they saw. Could it be? They all were brought back to reality when Demeter screamed.
- "Neptune!" - Demeter's cry of horror broke the silence. Pharaoh 90, who had been equally surprised, had shot a ball of energy towards the small green-haired princess.
The next moments happened in slow motion. Neptune, with vacant eyes, kneeled in front of her father. After verifying his breathing, she reached towards the Submarine Mirror.
- "SUBMARINE REFLECTION!" -
A massive shield surrounded the wide-eyed Royals and Representatives. The ball of energy melted upon contact. Furious, Pharaoh 90, slashed with its left claw. The massive claw smashed against the projected energy and… exploded. Shrieking in pain, Pharaoh 90 held its arm against its body, commencing its regeneration.
Aquarius watched marveled. Pharaoh 90's shriek had woken him. He could not believe, nor understand what his daughter was doing. She had been able to use the artifact in a way he had not been able to.
He risked a glance towards himself. All of his wounds had stopped bleeding, even his severed arm. He surely was not healed, as his body hurt like hell. Yet he knew that this miracle was the work of his little princess.
- (Neptune… do not tell me you are… that you also are…?)
Suddenly, Neptune's outburst of energy stopped. The little girl fell backwards, drained of energy, and unconscious. Had she been aware of her actions? Or had she acted upon instinct?
Aquarius caught the small girl with his left arm. Demeter was at his side in less than a second, crying in joy, for him, and in despair for the little one. She understood what lied ahead of the little one. She needed to protect her… at least until her time came. Demeter reached towards the mirror, and felt her hand burn.
- "Ahh!... It… it burnt me!... How can she hold it without burning herself?" - Demeter asked.
Reaching towards the mirror, Aquarius was also burned. His eyes went wide with understanding. - "It has chosen her… I… I think no one, but her, will be able to touch that mirror ever again…" - (The Silence Glaive… could it have chosen its owner already… or is there another reason why you can not touch it Thanatos?)
- "You… dared… to… HURT ME?" - Pharaoh 90's hatred remark chilled their bones. The demon had stopped its attacks while regenerating. And everyone had been too absorbed into their own worlds, about what they just witnessed, to have taking advantage of the situation and escape. They were doomed… or rather they thought.
- "SILVER CRYSTAL POWER!"
- Palace Grounds -
- "FLAME ERUPTION!" -
- "THUNDERWAVE!" -
- "LIGHT PILLAR!" -
- "DIAMOND DUST!" -
The Asteroid Senshi summoned their powers to try and free themselves from the lake of Youmas. The impact on them had been terrible. They were thrown from side to side, as if a hurricane had hit them.
The lake of creatures opened, trying to escape from the unleashed attacks. A circle was opened in the red-fluid swamp. The creatures still surrounded the four tired girls. They stood there, heavy panting, and with their body soaked in red fluid, dripping from them.
- "Damn… it…" - Vesta said between heavy breaths.
- "Where… are we…?" - Pallas asked, having lost visual of the Palace.
Glancing around, the girl's hearts sank. They were at the outskirts of a town. Which one? They did not have a chance to verify it. They only knew they were too far away from the Palace. The wave of demons had thrown them far from the Palace.
- "Ghh…" - Ceres complained, while holding her left side.
- "We do not have time to waste with this bastards…." - Juno exclaimed while gathering her power. - "THUNDER ARROW!" - Soon her sisters joined, with their own arrows.
- Back at the Council Room -
Selene's invocation of the Silver Crystal sent the debris above her and her companions, flying. Near Selene were Diana and Ishtar, who were holding an unconscious Aphrodite. The three of them were scratched, and their robes were stained in blood. King Apollo stood to the Supreme Queen's right, supporting Ren, who got injured while using his body to protect Selene, thus the Supreme Queen was the only one that escaped unhurt.
Selene glanced around the room. Her gaze met with her daughter's, which were filled with tears of relief. Marie was checking her husband, while Pluto lied knocked out in Selenity's lap. To the other side of the room she saw her fellow Royals. An arm-less Aquarius was hugging his daughter near. Upon the sight of the destruction, anger flashed in the usual calm Queen's gaze.
- "How dare you…" - Selene whispered.
- "Say anything… woman?" - Pharaoh 90 smirked, showing a mouth full of sharp fangs. Forgetting about the victims he had been targeting, mainly Demando, he centered his attention to Selene, and the power he desired.
- "Apollo…" - Selene spoke to the Ten'ousei King, without turning around. - "Take everyone away. I will deal with this beast… this youma… this… Remnant."
- "But… Selene!" - Apollo tried to reason with her. He wanted to help her battling the massive creature.
- "No Apollo… please take them." - Risking a few seconds, Selene touched his unconscious husband's cheek.
- "Yes… be safe." - Apollo dragged Ren away, helped by Ishtar, while Diana took Aphrodite. Apollo nodded towards Thanatos, who dragged Chrono. Marie had to persuade Selenity of following her, arguing that she needed help with Pluto. The group advanced towards the other Royals and Representatives that still remained in the hall. Many had been killed, and many others had escaped already.
Pharaoh 90 stood still while the group moved away. He was watching Selene while drooling. He lusted the power she had. He desired to have that power. The Remnant still could not understand how that little stone held such power, but she wanted it nevertheless. He did not care if Wiseman also wanted it, he was here and Wiseman was not. The power would be his. Selene's angry gaze only made him laugh.
- "How noble… but they die anyway when I get the power…" - The creature exclaimed.
- "I would not allow you to do so…" - Selene exclaimed.
- "Father!" - Princes Uranus cried in Apollo's chest, while shed tears of joy, upon seeing him alive.
- "I am here now my little princess… do not cry…" - Apollo said. He glanced at the group in front of him. Selenity had taken care of her father by now. Clearing his voice he spoke to the rest. - "We need to open a path between the rocks. All men help me move them." - He received a nod from everybody, except the Terran King. "Aquarius, you rest my friend." - Apollo added, upon seeing the Kaiousei King stand up.
- "Why does he get to rest?" - The Terran King spat.
- "You fool! Was your life not saved by Aquarius a moment ago? He lost an arm helping all of us, including you!" - Zeus roared. He was about to take the Terran Lord by the front of his shirt, but Apollo stopped him.
- "Please Zeus… all of us have had a bad day. Let it slip. We need to cooperate to escape." - Zeus nodded at Apollo's words. - "And I told you to rest Aquarius!" -
- "There is no way I am not helping old friend. Besides, I want to live long enough to witness my little girl's destiny" - Aquarius said.
- "Huh? What do you mean?" - Apollo wondered.
- "I will tell you later. I will only say this now… the Submarine Mirror chose its master" - Aquarius said.
- "You mean?" - Apollo looked shocked.
- "Later ok?" - Aquarius said.
Apollo and Aquarius joined Zeus, Nabu, Hades, Ishtar and Thanatos, who all were already working alongside several representatives. Their Queens tended to the injured. Everybody was helping somehow, except… the Terrans.
- "Hey! Get over here and help us." - Hades shouted to the Terran King.
- "Work like a peon? You crazy?" - The Terran Lord spat.
- "If you want to live then help!" - Hades was furious, thus reaching for his sword.
- "You are all barbaric. What a fine mess we all are. All because that stupid so-called Queen decided to create more of her 'soldiers'. " - He spat.
Hades was stunned at his words. Everybody was. He glanced towards Selenity, who had stopped tending her father, and had clenched her fists. She was about to retort his words when someone else beat her.
- "HOW DARE YOU?" - Apollo shouted.
Before anyone could do anything, Apollo had punched the Terran Lord, sending him to the floor. The man coughed, and a pair of teeth fell, alongside blood. Holding his mouth, he sent a murderous look at him.
- "You… beast, do you want to go to war? Respect me!" - He spat.
- "Respect? Respect? What do YOU know about respect?" - He drew the Space Sword and pointed it to his throat. - "Do not menace me Terran..." - Apollo said between clenched teeth. - "Do not talk about war… because your words against her majesty CAN send the whole Council against you. I care not about positions between us, but one: Selene's position. She is OUR Queen, and you shall respect her!"
An explosion of power took everybody's attention away from what had happened.
- With the Asteroid Senshi -
The quadruplets continued destroying Youma after Youma. They tried escaping once more, but the creatures had created another Tsunami, that almost took them ever more far away. At least they were able to stand their ground this time, but the blow that taken a lot out of them.
- While Apollo and the rest tried to escape -
- "You will not let me…?" - The Remnant laughed. "Try me…"
Selene glanced at the creature. It disgusted her. Its ripped skin resembled a human whose skin had been badly burnt. Its eyes were horrible, and reflected pure evil.
- "What is your purpose? Where do you come from? Were you the one that sent those Youma's at Janus? What are you?" - Selene asked. She needed to gather some time, to allow the others to escape.
Pharaoh 90's right eye twitched. He was surely confused by the number of questions. Therefore the massive creature was just able to retort with a clumsy… "Huh?"
If the situation had not been so serious Selene could have sweatdropped. Was the creature stupid? It really seemed like it to her.
- "I… not answer… I will kill!" - Pharaoh 90 gathered power in his mouth, and spat it towards Selene. The energy impacted where she stood, and created an explosion.
When the dust dissipated, an energy field was visible. Selene had been able to create it, but not in time. Her left shoulder had a nasty cut, and blood was slowly dripping through her back and left arm, staining red her dress.
- (Ugh… so much for gaining time… the others are still here, but I can not lose any more time…) - Selene thought.
The creature grinned at what it had done. The woman held a lot of power, but she clearly did not know how to use it, or she would have attacked by now. Or at least it thought.
Selene, gathering all her might, unleashed the greatest amount of power she could summon. - "SILVER CRYSTAL POWER!" -
The massive blast of energy took the Remnant by surprise.
- Nephrenia's Room -
- (Mother… she is using the Crystal… Mother… help me… I can not… move…)
- Far from the Palace -
- "The Queen… she is using the Crystal!" - Vesta shouted.
- "Damn it to hell! Just die already!" - Juno shrieked, while destroying more Youmas. - "We need to go to the Palace!"
- "DIAMOND DUST!" - Pallas froze a dozen more Youmas.
- "Ugh…" (Please be safe... Queen… King… Selenity… Nephrenia) - Ceres thought.
- Council Hall -
- "Heheh… Is that all?" - Pharaoh 90 mocked.
- (It can not be… please Silver Crystal… I need more power…) - Selene thought, while closing her eyes, and draining herself.
- "Hah!" - Pharaoh 90 increased its power wave, sending debris flying. Selene's hair was blowing, with the wind created by the power.
- (Please…) - Suddenly, Selene felt strong arms around her waist. Opening her eyes she glanced at her husband. - "REN! What are you doing here? Go back!"
- "I will… not… go back… Selene… I heard your… pleads… I am here… to help you…" - Ren said, while smiling at her. - "Let us… defeat that monster… together. I am your… Knight after all."
Selene's eyes misted in her own tears. The love she felt for Ren encouraged her to keep on.
- "Father?" - Selenity shrieked.
- "What? When did he?" - Thanatos exclaimed. No one had noticed when Ren had woken up. Not even when he had moved so fast. All of them watched as the combined power of Selene and Ren turned the tides in their favor.
- "SILVER CRYSTAL POWER!" - Selene shouted. - (I can do anything… I can save them all… Ren… your love keeps me going)
Pharaoh 90's power wave was being pushed back by Selene and Ren's. He looked worried, as the power approached its face. Suddenly his expression changed, chilling everybody. It changed from desperation to mocking.
- "Is that… all you can do?"
A massive amount of energy was unleashed from the beast. It was at least ten times stronger than the last wave. Taking the Supreme Queen and King by surprise, the blast cracked their defenses and sent them flying. Ren took the blast first, trying to protect Selene, and thus he died instantly.
- (I… failed? No… I can not allow the Crystal to fall in its claws… I…) - Selene thought while flying backwards.
A scene flashed in Selene's mind. She saw the shadow silhouette of a silvery-blond girl. The girl had beautiful long and white wings in her back. In her shadowed face, a golden crescent moon flashed. And in her hands she braided a flower-shaped silver stone. The Silver Crystal.
- (I see… I am not the true owner… of the Crystal…until the heir is born… please protect the Silver Crystal… my daughter… Selenity…) - Those were the last thoughts of Selene, as she fell dead.
- With Nephrenia -
- "MOTHER!" - Two young girls shrieked at the same time. Both Selenity and Nephrenia screamed, while tears fell from their eyes. Both girls had different reactions.
While Selenity's golden crescent moon flashed more than ever, Nephrenia's mark broke into three embedded crescent moons, two silvery and one golden.
Nephrenia's aura changed, breaking whatever was holding her back. Without thinking it twice, she ran out of her chamber, leaving a wildered Wiseman behind.
- At the same time, with the Asteroid Senshi -
The four girls stopped. They could not believe what they just felt. It had to be a dream… no… a nightmare. It could not have happened.
- "No… tell me it is a lie…" - Vesta said, while tears freely fell from her eyes.
- "No… no… no…" - Pallas, fell in her knees, clutching her head between her hands.
- "Oh lord…." - Ceres stood shocked.
- "IT IS A LIE!" - Juno shrieked, while viciously striking the Youmas.
Juno's pained shriek brought her sisters back from their shock. The last of the Youma's were approaching them.
- "FLAME ERUPTION!"
- "DIAMOND DUST!"
- "LIGHT PLASMA!"
- "THUNDERWAVE!"
Their powers roared more than ever, finishing the Daimon army at last. Pushing themselves to their limits, they flew towards the Palace, ready to give their lives, in order to save Selenity and Nephrenia. They would do it for their fallen Queen.
- With Selenity -
Her shriek was full of grief. The present could feel her grief. They were grieving. They could not believe what they witnessed. Their savior… the one that defeated Aisu… defeated.
- "It is a lie…" - Selenity heard Pluto whimper. It seems the girl had been awoken by the surge of power.
The White Lunarian princess glanced at the holographic device, which had remained working all this time, and saw the Asteroid Senshi finally finish their enemies. She sensed their pained souls. She could also feel her sister's grief. She was approaching the hall.
What was happening to her? Before her shriek she could not feel others like this. She noticed the others watching her, gawking. Her forehead burned. What was going on?
- (It is your time…) - A voice in her mind spoke.
- (Mother?) - Selenity's eyes widened.
Suddenly Selenity found the world around her stopping. Everything went gray. A light flashed above her mother's body. A silvery shadow manifested. Her mother's soul.
- (Selenity… I need you to take the Silver Crystal… protect it… until the true heir is born)
- (True heir? What do you mean? Why did you have to die?)
- (It was… destiny my child. Please… take the Crystal. Save everybody. Protect the Crystal and… live on. Always remember that I love you with all my heart. You father also loves you that much. Tell Nephrenia we love her as well… somehow I can not contact her… Tell Phoebe to be happy. Tell the quadruplets, my other daughters, I love them as my own)
- (I… I will… I will miss you a lot mother…)
- (I will miss you too… now… take the Crystal)
Selene's shadow handed the Crystal to her daughter, and then disappeared.
- (I will not fail you…) -
The world came back to life around Selenity. Her words took everybody by surprise, even the Remnant. This words especially shocked Nephrenia, who had just arrived.
- "SILVER CRYSTAL POWER!"
- Nephrenia's Room -
- "Impossible!" - Wiseman was shocked. How did the White Lunarian princess got hold of the Crystal? When had it happened? But then… Wiseman thought this could be beneficial to itself.
- (Her power is amazing… her mother does not compare… she can defeat that troublesome Remnant… and when she is powerless I could take the Crystal for myself…) - The cloaked Remnant thought.
Lifting its arm, the cloak slipped, revealing a gray bony hand. Gathering its power, the Remnant summoned a black Youma. The creature's body resembled a human shadow that had stood from the ground. Its long arms reached to its knees, and seemed to hold great power. It had deadly looking claws in both hands. In its back it had four gray wings that, when watched from the back, resembled a big X. It did not have a nose nor eyes. It did had a mouth, which was smiling like a jester, showing its fangs.
- "Go… my Droid…"
- With the Asteroid Senshi -
- "You felt that?" - Pallas asked, wide-eyed.
- "Such power… could it be?" - Vesta stated, shocked.
- "Did she had that much power?" - Ceres asked.
- "Awesome…" - Juno stated.
The four girls, upon feeling the massive release of energy had stopped for a moment. After regaining their senses, they continued their path, speeding their pace. The Tsunami of Youmas had taken them too far away, so even a top speed they would take a while to arrive at the Palace.
- The Council Room -
Selenity's power was overwhelming. Everybody was stunned once more, (too many times for a single day). First a meeting, then an invasion, followed by the creature that called itself a Remnant, Pharaoh 90, the Queen's sacrifice and now this. Extreme power none of them had felt before. Her power was at least ten times bigger than Selene's.
- "Gaaah!" - Pharaoh 90 shrieked in pain. - (It can not be… so much power…it has to be mine!) - The superior youma concentrated all its power in maintaining its defenses. It would not lose against a little girl. It would resist, and when the girl drained all of her power it would strike and kill her. If it was not that hard to maintain the shield…
- "Creature of darkness…" - Selenity spoke, calmly. Pharaoh 90's sight meet hers.
- "You… can… not… kill me!" - The creature roared.
- "You are right… I can not" - Selenity stated, earning gasps from all the Royals and Representatives behind her.
- "So… you… admit defeat?... Hand me… the stone…" - The creature tried to mock, hiding its struggles.
- "Never" - Selenity stated, and then with a hard gaze added. - "I can not kill you… therefore I shall banish you for eternity"
- "What?" - The creature felt fear for the first time. Pharaoh 90 learned to be afraid.
- "I will confine you… to an eternal prison in a small dimension… where nothing will exist but you… a place where nothing will fit, but you." - The White Lunarian princess stated.
- "You… do not have… the power for… that" -
- "I am ready to use all of my energy… to defeat you! To protect this Kingdom my parents loved!" - Selenity shouted. - "SILVER CRYSTAL POWER! CONFINE THIS DEMON FOR ETERNITY!" -
Pharaoh 90's shields broke. He started to feel the space around itself ripping apart. The atmosphere around it started to fade away. Nothingness was spreading around it, engulfing it.
- (No… no… NO!) - The Remnant frantically shouted in its own mind. - (I can not be defeated like this… I not… allow it…)
The demon concentrated its power once more, but it was not trying to defend itself… nor it was trying to attack Selenity. No… it knew that he had lost. It knew it would be condemned to that eternal prison… if he did not act now. Roaring for the last time, in this dimension, for the coming millennia, Pharaoh 90 used its power to rip a part of itself from its back…
- (Go… and get… power…) - A shadow managed to escape the dimensional rip, being thrown away, from the rips suctioning force, by all the power Pharaoh 90 could unleash. - (Get… power… my precious… Nine…) - And the Remnant was no more.
- With Nephrenia -
- (Why… why did the Crystal go to her and not me…? I too… have power… I felt it a moment ago… so WHY!) - Nephrenia shouted in her mind.
Her beautiful features were obscured by her rage. She looked jealous. Without a second glance, and without even approaching her just killed parents, Nephrenia turn around and ran way.
- With Selenity -
The Supreme Princess fell in her knees, panting. She had done it. She had defeated the blasted demon. She had avenged her parents. She had protected her kingdom… and those she loved that still lived. She clutched the Crystal near her heart and exclaimed.
- "Mother… I will keep my promise… I will take care of the Kingdom… and the Crystal…"
Selenity started falling backwards, but was caught by strong arms. Turning her head slowly she saw King Thanatos. And a second later, Pluto was at her side, checking her.
- "Princess… Princess… are you okay?" - Pluto asked, crying. She was, after all, still a nine year old girl.
- "I am fine Pluto… I just need to rest" - The girl exclaimed.
- "Princess… Selenity… I… I… please forgive me… I could not…" - Pluto was interrupted by Selenity's hug.
- "Shh… it is not your fault… you did your best… my mother knew it. She gave her life for us… so… do not be sad…" - Selenity said, while her eyes started to close. She suddenly stopped moving.
- "Princess!" - Everybody shouted, except the Terrans.
- "Do not worry. She is only asleep." - Thanatos spoke, while holding the young princess in the floor. Aphrodite and Hera were instantly at her side, checking her, along with Pluto.
The group shared silence. They were silently praying for Ren and Selene's soul. They had given their life to protect theirs. They still could not understand what had happened. The battle had happened to fast. Just three hours ago they were discussing diverse matters with the Queen herself. And now she was gone. Those that had not understood or witnessed Aisu's terror now could understand it well, because they had felt true horror themselves. Silence was broke by unexpected words.
- "So… she did not have that much power at the end… I knew we should not have followed her" - The Terran King spat. Many angry shouts of "How dare you!" responded to the Terran Lord's words.
- "I dare because it is the truth! She put our lives in danger by summoning us and having no defense! Where were her supposed powerful Senshis? Playing with Youmas or unconscious. This is the result of separating from our government! Terra should have ruled, and not her!" - The man was clearly speaking his mind, yet none shared his thoughts. Not even the Representatives that once shared the same ideals.
- "You idiotic selfish bastard!" - Chrono shouted. - "Why could you not have died instead of them!" Many gasped at the words, but clearly felt the same way.
- "Careful Chrono… speak that way to me again… and you will suffer… with that woman's death, Terra will clearly rise again to the Supreme Throne."
- "You fool!. Do you forget Princess Selenity?" - Zeus spoke.
- "That girl does not have what it takes to rule! I do!" - The lord of Terrans spat.
For the second time in less than half an hour, Apollo's fist met the Terran Lord's mouth. The man fell to the floor alone. His Queen had already left him behind. Her thoughts, before leaving, were about how his foolish husband had finally lost it. She had to get away, before he made enemies of the full Council.
- "Speak of her like again… and I will kill you." - Apollo dared, while pressing the Space Sword to the Terran King. - "Princess Selenity… no… QUEEN Selenity is your ruler."
- "Queen? That girl? She can not be queen!" - The Terran lord exclaimed, fuming with rage, and trembling cowardly.
- "She holds the Crystal… she just saved us from that Remnant… she is Ren and Selene's heir… therefore… she is our new Queen." - Apollo spoke calmly. When he finished everyone roared their approval. Selenity was the new queen. Apollo withdrew his sword, and backed away, approaching the sleeping girl, their new Queen.
- "You will pay for this Apollo… remember it!" - The Terran King menaced, while walking backwards. He was able to see everyone's shocked faces, believing it had been due to his words, before his life brutally ended.
Wiseman's dark Youma arrived, and sliced the Terran Lord in half.
- "Kikikikiki…" - The Droid laughed, while licking the blood in its claws.
- "This is not happening… another one?" - Ishtar of Kinsei spoke.
- "DEAD SCREAM!" - Sailor Pluto unleashed her deadly attack at the creature, which winced in pain.
- "Kikikikiki…" - The Youma advanced towards the unconscious Selenity, not caring about the wound inflicted by Pluto.
- "It wants Selenity!" - Pluto screamed. - "Take her away!"
Thanatos lifted the young girl in his arms and ran. Everybody else had ran away, either to protect their children, for their own lives, of to give Pluto enough space to battle the creature.
- (Damn… did that Pharaoh had more youmas? Have they started to move on their own due to the loss of their master?) - Pluto thought, as she unleashed another attack.
- "Kikikikiki..." - The Youma still laughed. Bending its knees, it jumped over Pluto, and ran towards Thanatos and Selenity.
- "No!" - Pluto shrieked. She had distracted for a few seconds, and the Youma had taken advantage.
- "You will not touch her!" - Apollo shouted, while blocking the Youma's attack with the Space Sword. The creature shrieked in pain, as its claw bleed. Apollo tried to swing the Space Sword towards its neck, but failed when the creature's wings stopped him.
- (What? Those wings are too strong… how? Even the claw bleed and…) - Apollo was broken out of his thoughts when the Droid kicked him in the chest, sending him flying away. The sword flied in circles in the opposite direction.
The creature, forgetting its target for a moment, stood over Apollo, ready to strike his heart. The man had to die, as he had dared to hurt it. The green-haired female had to die as well… but he would go first. The creature rose its claw. Pluto ran towards them. She could not fire her attack, because, in her current position, if the creature moved she would hit Apollo. Before she reached the creature, the beast unleashed its swing.
- "SPACE SWORD BLASTER!"
The creature shrieked in pain as two of its four wings fell limp to the floor. Apollo watched, wide eyed, as his daughter, Uranus, fell to the floor unconscious. He could not believe what had just happened. His baby had used the Space Sword in a way he had not been able to do. Apollo saw a faint dark blue glow in the girl's forehead: Three horizontal lines, joined by a vertical one in their center, and a circle under the center horizontal line.
- (How…? Aquarius… were you referring to something like this?) - Apollo tought.
- "Kikikikiki…!" - The creature turned its angry gaze towards the young girl, who by now was in the arms of her mother.
- "NO!" - Apollo screamed.
- "CHRONOS TYPHOON!" - Sailor Pluto unleashed a small, yet powerful tornado towards the creature, which roared in pain, as it felt as if a void had sucked it.
- "AMAZONS JUNGLE ARROW!" -
With a final shriek, the Droid exploded in dust, leaving only a dark crystal behind, which shattered and dissolved in dust as well.
The Royals and Representatives turned around and glanced at the beaten and bloody quadruplets. They had bruises all over their bodies, and their suits were torn in several places.
Without sharing a glance with any of the present, the quadruplets walked towards the dead bodies of their King and Queen… the bodies of those they loved as adoptive parents.
Watching their limp bodies in the cold floor, the four girls fell in their knees and started to sob. Vesta held her hands over her eyes, as she sobbed hard. Juno was punching the floor, while her tears washed her stained face. Pallas was crying while holding her knees. Ceres was not making any sound… her tears just fell, while she hugged herself, and stared at their dead bodies.
The scene broke everybody's heart even more. They knew the Asteroid Senshi held a strong devotion to the Supreme Queen and King, but this was more than devotion or loyalty. It was deep love…
Phoebe was also crying her heart out. She had remained in shock ever since she saw her sister falling. Seeing the quadruplets brake down had been what caused her own tears to finally flow. Theos approached her, and hugged her. Phoebe just sobbed in his chest.
Selenity regained consciousness. She glanced around and saw her friends… no… her sisters crying over her mother's dead body. Weak as she was, she could not leave them like that.
- " Thanatos… put me down" - Selenity exclaimed.
The Lord of Dosei was surprised. He expected the girl to remain asleep for several days. Yet she had awaken just a few minutes after she drained her newly found powers. To Thanatos, it showed how much resolve the young girl had to help those that needed her. And the Asteroid Senshi needed her right now. - (She will be a great Queen…) -
Selenity walked towards the girls. Kneeling behind Vesta, she hugged her and whispered. - "Shh… it is okay Ves… everything will be fine…" - She whispered in Vesta's ear.
Vesta was surprised, and opened her eyes to stare directly at her friend's. - "Selenity… we… I… I failed you I…"
- "Shh… do not worry… you did your best." - Pallas, Juno and Ceres were watching them by now. - "Come here Paru, Jun, Ceru…" - Selenity motioned for them to approach. A few moments later, she was hugging the four at the same time. The quadruplets were resting their heads, either in her chest or in her lap.
- "Mother loved you with all her heart… never forget that. You did not fail her. She was… is very proud of you four." - Selenity said.
- "But…" - Pallas started.
- "No buts… you four were daughters to her… never forget it… and thus… you four are… my sisters" - Selenity exclaimed, earning more tears from the girls, which remained hugging her.
Marie and Chrono were hugging Pluto, watching the scene. Pluto was openly crying. Her respect for Selenity already was great… yet it grew even more.
- (She will be a great queen…) - Were the thoughts of everybody present.
- With Nephrenia -
- (Why… why did it choose her and not me? WHY?). - In her rage… the young girl ran away from the Palace. Where was she heading? She did not know… she just did not want to be around anymore.
- With Wiseman -
- (That girl will be more troublesome than her mother… I must speed up my plans… Crystal still needs to gain more knowledge before I take over him… soon I will be the one that holds the Silvery Crystal…)
- Dosei -
An unsuspecting Queen Demona was rubbing her belly. She smiled while thinking about the soon to be born girl that was growing inside of her. She wanted so badly to hug the girl in her arms. Thanatos and her were so excited about her. They had already chosen a name for her. Her name was going to be… Saturn.
Demona fell asleep, while happily thinking about her daughter. In her asleep and relaxed form, she never saw a shadow approaching her. The shadow surrounded her belly in a second, making it blow for just a moment, before it disappeared.
Glossary:
Flame Eruption: Increasing her body temperature, Vesta is able to set the gas elements, surrounding her, in fire. This performance somehow resembles a volcano erupting, as it happens with great force as well.
Submarine Reflection: A powerful double technique, both a defensive and offensive move. Neptune used this, while in trance state, upon first touching the Submarine Mirror.
Space Sword Blaster: A wave of power advances towards the enemy, slicing everything in its path, whether it is the land or even the wind.
Chronos Typhoon: A small, yet powerful tornado formed which sucks its enemy towards the void in its core.
Disclaimer:
Sailor Moon and her characters are property of Naoko Takeuchi.
