A View From The Other Side
Chapter 12: "There's Something Different About You"
A Neo-Sailor Moon fanfic
By Bill K.
Finally Luna had managed to badger the Queen into leaving the Royal Chambers and get on with business of State. And just in time, too, for her scheduled meeting with a group of children who had won their school's essay contest was nearly due. As they traveled down the corridor to the castle's Royal Receiving Room, Luna tried to bring Serenity up to speed on what the contest was and what she would face. There was little reason to worry on her part, though. Serenity was always such a wonder with children that she could go into a room of them cold and be an instant hit.
The cat stopped and turned, finding Serenity staring off into space. The Queen seemed anxious.
"Have you sensed something?" Luna asked.
The Queen took a steadying breath and stared pensively off at nothing.
"She'll be all right," Serenity told herself. "She'll handle it."
"Well done, Your Majesty," Luna assured her.
"She's using her crystal," Serenity told her.
"Trust and faith, Your Majesty," Luna reminded her.
"Come on," Serenity said with a tremor in her voice. "Let's not keep the kids waiting."
But as the door opened, Luna caught Serenity looking toward a window at the end of the hall, as if she hoped to see something.
Saturn was the first to revive. She was on her side, still in equine form, and feeling drained. As she tried to alleviate the disorientation she felt, Saturn could see Vesta and Juno similarly flat and groggy. Struggling to roll over onto her stomach, Saturn spotted Pallas and Ceres. Then she got a surprise.
Pegasus was there, similarly flat on his side.
"Sailor Moon?" Saturn called out. When there was no answer, her fears racheted up. "Sailor Moon!"
Frantically she struggled to her hooves, spreading her wings to steady herself. Her movements seemed to spur Vesta and Juno. Saturn took two steps toward Pegasus, then stopped. Nerites was there. And he was looking, transfixed, up into the sky. Saturn followed his line of sight, even as Pallas began to stir.
"Ooh, look at the Princess!" gasped Pallas.
Floating above them, surrounded in a warm, pink glow, was Usa - - and she was human. Her head was flung back and her arms and legs were straight and extended a little away from her body. Above her was her pink crystal, glowing almost like a pink sun. It seemed to hold her by her chest, with head and limbs dangling beneath her as her body slowly rotated around.
"What's wrong?" Vesta asked, staggering to her feet. "Is she . . .?"
"No, Vesta," Pallas said gently and confidently. "The Princess hasn't gone with the angels. Pallas can hear her."
Usa began to change. Her clothing, the filmy and revealing nightie she had worn before all of this started, began to fade. Out of the air itself, a white gown began to knit itself around her maturing figure. Three rabbit ear barrettes formed on either side of the part in her hair, just behind her bangs. Pearls formed between them. In moments she had gone from Usa to Princess Usagi.
"Is she," Saturn stammered as Pegasus and Ceres began to stir, "is she making her final ascension?"
Almost in answer, Princess Usagi's gown began to shimmer. Replacing it was a white sailor tunic with a pink ribbon, white opera gloves with pink, yellow and blue piping at the top, and a white skirt with pink, yellow and blue piping at the hem. Pink boots formed on her feet and two decorative white wings formed on the back of her costume. As the crystal gently spun her down to the ground, Eternal Sailor Moon straightened and brought her hands across her heart, bowing her head in a state of ultimate bliss. By now everyone was awake and staring in awe.
Eternal Sailor Moon opened her eyes and looked around. She seemed grateful that all of her friends were alive and unhurt.
"Helios?" she spoke softly, questioningly, upon seeing her love in Pegasus form staring straight at her. "How . . .?"
"You have taken the final step, Maiden," Pegasus told her. "You no longer need me to complete your Sailor Moon form."
"Oh," Sailor Moon said and to the surprise of everyone a look of genuine melancholy descended over her. "I guess it was going to happen sooner or later." Spotting Nerites, she asked, "Do you know if we managed to change the Skoteinos?"
"You did, Princess," Nerites nodded. "The Skoteinos are no more a threat than the morning dew on the grass. You have my gratitude."
"And mine," Kaniss spoke up. Everybody turned and found her on the slope of the hill, at a safe distance from the others. "You have saved this world and all who dwell upon it. The wolves acknowledge their debt to you."
"And I must, in good conscience, extend my apologies for my harsh words, Princess," Nerites continued. Cassandra was a few paces behind him, while the rest of the herd was farther down, cautiously watching Kaniss. "Please forgive them."
"You were upset," Sailor Moon offered. "I get it. I'm just glad everything worked out. There was a point where I wasn't sure it was going to."
"And this new form of yours?" Nerites observed.
"Guess I reached down deep enough to touch something and trigger the transformation," Sailor Moon replied.
"So you will be staying this way?" Nerites asked.
"Yeah," Sailor Moon said, surprised by the question.
"Pity," Nerites mused. "You were such a beautiful horse. Those flanks . . ." He savored the memory for a moment. "May you and your comrades fare well on your return to your world. And Helios - - take care of this one or I may yet steal her away from you."
"Duly warned," Pegasus nodded.
As the equine Senshi gathered around Eternal Sailor Moon, they noticed how deflated she seemed. Saturn in particular noticed that something bothered her friend.
"Sailor Moon?" Saturn inquired. "What is it?"
Her friend pasted on a half-hearted smile. "Let's go home," she said.
The six horses touched their noses to Eternal Sailor Moon's extended hand and in unison called out "Sailor Teleport". The winds began whipping around them. Nerites and Kaniss turned back and watched them as a whirlwind encircled them all. There was a brilliant flash of light and when it died away they were gone. Nerites continued to watch for a few moments, then rejoined Cassandra and his herd.
Several palace maintenance workers turned when they felt the wind inside the palace corridor begin the whip. A swirl of wind at the end of the corridor exploded in light. When the light died away, the workers saw Sailor Moon, her beloved and her senshi.
Just another day in the Crystal Palace.
"WE'RE HUMAN AGAIN!" Ceres exclaimed. Indeed, Helios, Saturn and the senshi had all regained their human forms, while Eternal Sailor Moon retained hers. "God, I never thought I'd be so grateful for such a simple thing!" She turned to Sailor Moon. "Is there anything else we have to do? Because I'd REALLY like to call Hiroki."
"Sure," Sailor Moon nodded. Ceres squealed, hugged her, and then sprinted off.
"Vesta," Pallas thought-cast to her fellow senshi. "Pallas is sorry things didn't work out with the Horsie King."
Vesta looked at her, startled. Then she calmed.
"No big," Vesta thought back. "Wouldn't have worked out anyway. I'm back where I belong and that's a good thing." Pallas beamed at her.
Watching Ceres sprint down the hall until she was out of sight, Sailor Moon turned. There, standing several feet from them all were the King and Queen. A moment passed when nobody moved.
"Usa," Serenity said gratefully. She swooped in and hugged her daughter. "You're back to normal again."
"Yeah, Mom," Sailor Moon replied, hugging her back. "You don't have a horse for a daughter anymore."
"And none the worse for wear, I hope?" Endymion asked, leaning in to share the hug. He pulled back after a few moments. "Your costume is different. Did you take the next step?"
Serenity pulled back and looked her over. "Endymion, you're right! That's Eternal Sailor Moon's uniform! Oh, Usa, I am SO proud of you!"
Serenity hugged the girl again. This time Sailor Moon didn't hug back. Noticing immediately, Serenity pulled back and looked at her daughter inquiringly.
"Usa?" Serenity asked anxiously. "I thought you'd be happy. This is what you've wanted for years, isn't it?"
Reaching in and gently taking possession of her from Serenity, Helios turned Eternal Sailor Moon to him. She avoided eye contact immediately and seemed to struggle to control her emotions. Helios looked in, trying to connect with her.
"Maiden," he began. "What troubles you so?"
She wouldn't answer.
"Maiden, we are all your friends," Helios continued. "You do not need to be embarrassed or fearful around us. We only wish what is best for you. Please tell me what troubles you so."
An eternity passed in which Sailor Moon struggled with whether or not to confide in them. Her love, her parents and her friends all waited anxiously for her. Finally, lip quivering, she swallowed and began.
"I took the step," Sailor Moon said. "I became Eternal Sailor Moon. And I don't need your help to transform anymore."
"Yes," Helios nodded. "We are all quite proud of you."
"So you don't have to stay anymore," she continued hoarsely. "You can go back to Elysian." Her breath shuddered out. A tear trickled down her cheek. "I don't want that. The thought of you being there - - it's so far away. I don't want to have to live without you - - again!"
She collapsed against his shoulder, crying and clutching his robe. Helios put his arms around her and cradled her against him.
"I understand now, Maiden," he said softly. "And I understand your bitter tears and your wounded heart."
"I'm sorry for crying," she whimpered.
"But you have forgotten one thing, Maiden," Helios told her.
Her head whipped up and she stared at him in confusion.
"To separate from you now would cause me as much pain and anguish as it causes you," Helios confessed to her. "Maiden - - Usagi - - I love you, with every particle that makes me who I am. The thought of a life without you, even for a short time and even upon my cherished home of Elysian is a life so desolate that it would be akin to death itself. Just because you no longer need me to transform does not mean I am leaving."
"B-But your duties . . .?" Sailor Moon sputtered.
"Are successfully performed now under the current arrangement," Helios told her. "Maiden, I am never leaving your side. I am staying right where I am." Then a thought occurred to him and he sheepishly turned to the King and Queen. "If you will have me, of course, Your Majesties."
"Never once entertained any other scenario," Endymion smiled.
"Oh, Helios!" Sailor Moon half-squealed, half-sobbed. She flung her arms around him and crushed him to her. "THAT'S MY GUY SAID THAT!"
That drew a laugh from everyone there. Sailor Moon and Helios kissed, gratefully and passionately. Saturn cooed and the others smiled warmly.
"Well, I think I need to start planning a wedding," Serenity murmured to her husband.
"MOM!" Sailor Moon bellowed in exasperation.
"Just a small one," Serenity assured her. "Only seven or eight . . . thousand guests."
Sailor Moon rested her forehead against Helios's, next to his crystal horn. "Are you sure you want to stay and put up with all of this?"
"Wild horses could not drag me away," Helios smiled.
"Cute," Sailor Moon smirked.
"Oh, and I've got the most wonderful gown in mind for you, Honey," Serenity continued.
"Mom, could you let ME AND HELIOS decide when we're going to get married!" the Princess fumed.
"And you're GOING to have a western ceremony," The Queen continued, as if her daughter hadn't spoken. "I don't CARE what Rei says!"
End
