Chapter 14: Calming the Demon

Sailor Moon dove to the side as the seven foot sword ripped through the floorboards she had been standing on moments earlier, throwing splinters and chunks of wood into the air. Rolling into a crouch, she lifted the Moon Scepter and tightened her grip on it, trying to keep the fear from flooding her mind. Watching as Koaru turned to face her, she swallowed hard as his burning red eyes locked onto hers, his long balck hair slowly waving around his head while the markings of the Scar continued to spread, covering most of his face already, turning his skin pitch black as it reached further across his body. Lifting his sword, he charged again, and Sailor Moon leapt over him, landing beside the other Scouts, each one looking as scared as she felt.

"What now?" Jupiter asked, sweat dripping from her brow as they all watched the Guardian slowly turn to face them; like a demon stalking a helpless human.

"We need to calm his soul!" Luna shouted up at the girls as she and Artemis ran into the room, each one throwing a look of terror in the direction of King Soul and Koaru.

"How are we supposed to do that?" Mars asked as Koaru took a slow step forward. All five girls shivered as they watched him exhale, causing a dark purple smoke to vent from his mouth.

"Mercury," Artemis said, looking up to Amy. "You're the only one who can stop him."

"What?" Sailor Mercury asked in shock as Koaru sudden't rocketed towards them, the sword trailing behind as he bore down at Sailor Venus.

"You're connection with him will sever Soul's control!" Luna shouted as the Scouts scattered, and Amy realized what they had to do.

"Alright, everyone!" she shouted as she activated her computer. "I need you to slow him down."

Jupiter and Venus both smiled at Mercury's words.

"On it!" they shouted as the two of them leapt into the air.

"Mercury Bubble Spray!" Sailor cried, filling the room once more with her icey fog. "Now!" she shouted as she dove aside, allowing Koaru to blindly charge past her and into the center of the room.

"Venus Love-Me Chain!" Venus' golden chain shot through the air and wrapped itself tightly around Koaru, binding him.

"Sparkling Wide Pressure!"

Everyone watched as Jupiter's attack cleared the fog as it struck Koaru, causing the Guardian to roar in pain before dropping to his knees, his body smoldering as he gasped for breath.

"Now Mercury!" Sailor Moon shouted as she released the power of the Silver Crystal, bathing Koaru in its healing light. Amy dropped to her knees before Koaru and looked into his glowing red eyes, searching for some hint of the man she had fallen in love with. Far beneath the demonic glow, she saw the glint of brown; the dark sparkle that had enchanted her so long ago. Leaning towards him, she pressed her lips against his, her hands grasping onto his head and pulling him closer.

Across the room, everyone watched with anticipation as Mercury kissed the Guardian.

"Will it work?" Serena asked, and Luna answered honestly.

"We can only pray."

King Soul gritted his teeth as he watched the girls trying to cleanse the darkness from his nephew. Remembering how they had succeeded back in the Silver Millenium, he charged forward and grabbed Koaru, yanking him out of Sailor Mercury's embrace. Holding the Guardian against him, Soul glared at the Scouts.

"You will not have him back, not until you are all dead." he growled as he opened a portal to escape with. "I will bring him back, and next time, none of you will even have time to pray."

"Wrong." Koaru muttered, turning his glare onto his uncle. "We're not going anywhere," he said as he reached up and grabbed hold of the elder man and raised his sword, aiming its tip at himself.

"What are you thinking, you fool!" King Soul roared as Koaru's sword arced down, plunging into his gut, passing through its wielder's body before it burst through King Soul's chest.

"I'm taking you to Hell with me," Koaru mutter, smiling as blood dripped from his mouth.

"Koaru!" Mercury screamed as she watched the Guardian impale himself and King Soul with his sword.

"You idiot!" Sailor Moon shouted as tears dropped from her eyes, locking her gaze on Koaru as he looked to her, his face etched in pain.

"Do it now, sis!" he yelled, and Sailor Moon realized that he was right; this was the only way.

"Moon Scepter Elimination!"

King Soul watched as the energy from the Scepter rocketed towards the two of them. Smiling in defeat, looked down at his nephew.

"So, you decided to die with me, Koaru?" he asked. Koaru looked back up to him, grinning.

"Hell no," he said, smiling through the blood. "You're dying on your own."

"What?" Soul gasped as Koaru dove forward, using the hole in his chest to slide across his sword, then screaming in agony as the guard and hilt burst through him, tearing the hole even more, but freeing him from its hold.

"Good-bye, Uncle." he groaned as he blacked out on the floor.

"Damn You!" King Soul roared as Sailor Moon's attack blasted into him, the ferosity of the energy ripping his body apart. As his body vanished, Koaru's sword dropped to the floor with a loud crash, and Sailor Moon dropped to her knees, exhuasted from the amount of energy she had put into the final attack.

"Amy!" Sailor Mars shouted as she ran over to Koaru. "Freeze his wound, quick!"

Across the room, Luna sat beside Artemis, watching as everyone recovered from the battle. Smiling, she looked to Artemis, who shook his head.

"It will never cease to amaze me how they always forget that the Shadow Scar will keep him alive, no matter what happens to him."

"I know," Luna agreed, turning her head to look at Artemis. "But it just shows how much they all acre for one another."

"Though I have to agree with Lita," Artemis replied. "Koaru is more likely to kill himself before the enemy does."