Act 13: Reincarnation
Endymion, she thought as she lay dying, bleeding to death, I love you. You are my first and only love. Even if we are reborn, I know we will meet again, and we will fall in love all over again. Our souls are going to cross time and space, and maybe next time we can find happiness. Endymion...
Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter stared in horror as they watched their princess die. Finally Venus screamed out, "Princess! We... we weren't reborn for this! Fate can't repeat itself! Nooo!"
The Silver Crystal hovered over Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen's corpses. Tuxedo Kamen began to glow a little, and a light shot out of his body and absorbed itself back into the crystal.
"It reunited!" Luna cried out in shock.
The Silver Crystal once again shone with a brilliant light, which hardened around the prince and princess, creating a crystal shield. It grew larger and larger, creating a shining mausoleum.
"Make it stop!" Mercury cried out, "That crystal can't grow here!"
Queen Metallia laughed, "Oh my, what a strong light. This energy is flooding my empire. I... I am free! I can move where I please! Finally, this world will be mine!" her darkness overflowed and surrounded the crystal tomb.
"No!" Luna cried out, "She's going to swallow them!"
And sure enough, Queen Metallia rose to the surface through the roof, and the crystal tomb was gone. She had absorbed the crystal.
"Princess!" Luna screamed, feeling hopeless. She remembered taking her oath of fealty to the princess, long ago. The Queen had told her that she must do everything to protect Princess Serenity, even if she was reborn and her body changed. Luna felt faint as she realized she had ultimately failed, and collapsed to the ground.
The castle started to shake and crumble around them. Mercury held Luna tightly as they ran for the surface. When they emerged, they were all stunned. The ocean that they were just hovering over had turned to stone. It was now a rocky desert. Above it, Queen Metallia was growing so large that she was filling up the sky. Her massive face looked down at her new domain, "After being sealed away for so long, I am finally at my fullest power! I am free! And everything on this planet will be mine!"
Makoto, Ami and Rei looked at each other, not knowing what to do. They turned to their leader, who resolutely raised her hand in the air and cried out, "Venus Power!"
The rest did the same, "Mercury Power!", "Mars Power!", "Jupiter Power!"
"Sailor Planet Attack!"
Their attack went straight at Queen Metallia, who absorbed it and grew even larger, "Yes, sailor soldiers. Give me more energy! Your attacks are nothing but food to me, now that I have the Silver Crystal!"
They just gaped at their enemy. Luna stirred in Mercury's arms, moaning.
"Guys, she's hurt," Ami said, "We have to go back. We can leave her with Artemis."
Venus stared angrily up at Queen Metallia, trying desperately to think of a plan.
"There's nothing we can do here!" Mercury yelled, "We can't attack her! Let's go back to our base!"
"Fine," Venus grumbled before they teleported back to their home.
Artemis was desperate to see them, "What's happening out there? Where's Usa... Luna, what's wrong?"
Ami lay Luna by Artemis's side, and Luna gave out a whimper of sadness.
Sailor Venus was pacing as she debriefed Artemis, "Queen Metallia has been set free. She's filling up the sky over the Arctic Circle and is growing larger and larger every second. She swallowed up the princess and Prince Endymion, after they... she killed him and herself, and the Silver Crystal formed a barrier to protect them."
"Metallia is using the crystal," Artemis sighed, "Guys, this is not good. This is what's been happening here," he switched on a monitor, which was playing a news report.
"An abnormal cold front is sweeping over many parts of the globe, creating hurricane force winds. Many countries have declared a state of emergency. Evacuate to a safe location calmly and swiftly!"
"She's going to take over the whole planet," Ami said quietly.
"What about the prince and princess?" Rei asked, "Are they safe?"
"Usagi-chan is alive!" Luna called out, making everyone jump, "The Silver Crystal is protecting the both of them, and healing them!"
"Then we have to go back!" Sailor Venus declared, "We have to rescue our princess and get the Silver Crystal back, then defeat Queen Metallia before she takes over the planet!"
They hastily joined hands, teleporting back to the Arctic Circle.
Luna stood to join them, groaning as she did so. Artemis dashed to her side, "Don't push yourself! Look, the wound you got from Tuxedo Kamen has opened up again. You need to relax."
"I can't, Artemis!" she insisted, "This is all my fault!"
"How could any of this be your fault?" Artemis asked.
"I forced Usagi-chan to fight the person she loved. She was so confused... Artemis, let's go to the Moon!"
"What?"
"We have to go to the Prayer Room, where the Crystal Tower once stood. We have to."
Not wanting to doubt Luna, Artemis set the coordinates for the crumbled Moon Kingdom. When they arrived, Luna rushed to the pillar, crying out, "Queen! Please appear before us again, Queen Serenity! You have to release the great power of the moon to stop Queen Metallia and save everyone! Please!"
There was silence.
"Luna," Artemis said quietly, "We..."
"I can pray," Luna continued, "I'll pray in the princess's place. Just please help us! Usagi-chan, you are not dead! You can't die!"
Artemis looked up at Earth, "Look at that. The Earth is being covered in a shadow. It's completely dark." He tried not to think about what was happening on the surface. The winds would be toppling buildings, people would be dying, or even killing each other after being infused with Queen Metallia's evil. The entire planet was in chaos.
There was no more sky, only Queen Metallia.
"It can't be too late, can it?" Sailor Jupiter asked.
"Of course not," Sailor Venus said confidently, "The Silver Crystal can't be absorbed that easily! There must be a way to strike her down and protect the princess. Even if we can't seal her ourselves, we have to give our princess an opportunity to do so. We have to use our greatest power, the metamorphosis of our guardian planets!"
"You mean our transformation powers?" Mercury said.
"We can use our pens!" Mars said, and the four of them tightly held their transformation pens as if they were the greatest weapons in the world.
"This is it!" Venus said, "Once we give up this power, we have nothing. When a sailor soldier gives up her pen, she is laying down her life. Are you ready?"
They all nodded, with no hesitation.
Sailor Venus summoned their sword, which was glowing with white light, "Holy sword that protects the princess, shine brightly upon us. Pierce through the darkness and reach our princess. We offer you this power with our lives. Princess! Prince! You are not dead!"
She held up her pen, "Venus Power!"
"Jupiter Power!"
"Mars Power!"
"Mercury Power!"
"MAKE UP!"
A brilliantly strong burst of energy, guided by their pens, flew through the air at Queen Metallia. The entire Arctic Circle lit up. But once it reached Queen Metallia, the attack simply deflected back down to them. Their pens shattered. Their bodies flew hundreds of feet in the air, and they landed hard on the rocky surface. Their bodies snapped, and the four of them lay dead in pools of blood.
"What foolish soldiers," Queen Metallia laughed down at their corpses, and continued to swallow the Earth.
Princess Serenity tip-toed out of her bedchambers, trying not to disturb anyone. But before she could make it to the teleporter, Venus caught her.
"Aha! Caught you, princess! I hope you're not going to see Prince Endymion again, are you? It's dangerous to go there just for fun!"
"It's not just for fun!" Serenity insisted, "Besides, you've never been in love! You have no idea how it feels!" she stuck her tongue out ungracefully and rushed to the teleporter.
"Oh princess," Venus sighed, "You will never learn, will you?" and she followed her to Earth. It didn't take long to locate Serenity; she was in Endymion's garden. The prince had an arm around her, and they were both talking with Kunzite.
"Princess!" Venus called out, "Come with me, we are going home right now! This is forbidden and you know it!"
"Venus, dear," Kunzite smiled at her, "Let the princess have her fun. She's not harming anyone."
Venus blushed and crossed her arms. Even though everyone knew about her and Kunzite, she didn't want it paraded around, "It's the law. The oldest law."
"There's nothing wrong with curiosity, Venus," Kunzite continued, "She's safe here, go home."
She didn't want to, but she obeyed. Once she was back at the palace, she went to talk to the first soldier she found, which was Mercury.
"What's wrong, Venus? Not fighting with Kunzite again, I hope? Zoisite and I never have fights."
"It's not that," Venus sighed, "I'm just worried about the princess. Someday she's going to be Queen, and she will be in charge of watching over the Earth people and protecting the Silver Crystal. I just don't want her to ruin her life by falling in love."
Serenity and Endymion were in an embrace, looking out at the ocean. Serenity smiled, "It's incredible, all that water. We have barely any on the Moon. And I love this breeze, and the smell of the ocean... it all feels so calm. I'm safe here."
"It is relaxing," Endymion agreed, 'Tell me about life on the Moon."
"It's nothing compared to this," she explained, "It's peaceful in a different way. You know that, I've brought you there many times. You should come again soon."
"I will," he brushed her cheek, "What does the Earth look like from the Moon?"
"You already know that."
"Tell me, I like to hear you say it."
She smiled, "It's like a beautiful blue crystal ball. But," she leaned in toward him, "I prefer the view from here."
They passionately kissed for a very long time, one with each other, and feeling nothing but pure happiness and love.
"You're so warm, Endymion," Serenity said as she rested her head against his chest, and he lay his head on top of hers, between her buns, "I can truly feel my power whenever I'm with you. It flutters in my heart. I don't want to move from here. Can we just stay here forever? For all eternity... Endymion, what's that?"
He opened his eyes and followed her gaze back out to the ocean.
"It's a rain cloud," he explained, "Remember, I told you about rain."
"I remember. But it's different. That cloud is ominous. I have a very bad feeling."
"I know," Endymion nodded, "I don't like it either. There's so much unrest here, and there have been talks of rebellion. People are creating some strange stone circles, summoning something. There's one near that cloud, actually..." he hesitated before saying, "Let's go to the Moon. I want to get away from here for just a little while."
The rebellion happened then. The people of Earth stormed the Moon Castle, waging war with the people of the moon. Endymion stared in horror from the window of Serenity's bedchamber, while she wept at his side.
"I have to go," Endymion said, putting on his armor and sheathing his sword, "I have to stop this madness!"
"I'm coming too!" she rushed to retrieve the Silver Crystal from its container near her bed, and clutched it closely to her chest.
"No, Serenity," he quickly embraced her, "I want you to be safe."
"Wherever you are, I am safe."
He gave her a quick kiss before they rushed outside. There was a woman standing above the crowd, crying out orders, "Kill them all! Find the Queen and take her crystal! With it, we will be all-powerful!"
Endymion pulled out his sword and charged at her, "What are you doing? Stop this at once!"
She turned to him, smiling, "Endymion, it's you!" A black mass with a frightening face emerged from the woman's body, controlling her. Her eyes glowed white, and she leaped from her podium with her sword and brutally stabbed Prince Endymion.
"NOOO!" Serenity rushed to his side, "Endymion! No! You can't die!"
The woman seemed to regain control of her body. She looked down at what she had done, horrified, and ran off with tears in her eyes.
"Endymion!" Serenity cradled her lover, "Endymion, don't die! I won't live without you! I can't!"
Once there was nothing else to be done, she grabbed his sword and plunged it into her chest. The last thing she heard were her protectors calling out to her, and she laid down beside Endymion as she bled to death.
"Endymion," Serenity whispered, "We will be reborn on your planet someday, I know it. There we are going to be happy. I'll keep the Silver Crystal close to me, here, in my chest, and when we are reborn it will still be there, and we can both protect it, and we will be happy."
Serenity weakly opened her eyes and found herself surrounded by darkness. Her heart was beating loudly in her ears. Wondering where she was, she looked down at her crystal, which had a faint glow, giving her a tiny amount of light.
"Endymion?" she looked down and saw Tuxedo Kamen, lying dead by her side.
She felt her chest where she had stabbed herself with the sword, and oddly enough, her wound was gone. But there was a strange sound of crunching glass on her person, and she took out the pocket watch. It had been smashed by the blade.
Usagi felt anxious, realizing that of course the blade couldn't hurt her. It was made of Silver Crystal, all it would do was heal her. But Tuxedo Kamen was obviously dead. Tears instantly sprung from her eyes. It wasn't fair that she came back to life alone.
A tear splashed against the crystal, and it made a chiming sound as it evolved into the shape of a lotus.
A horrifying sound of screaming filled Usagi's ears. It took her a moment to realize she was hearing what was happening in the outside world. Death and destruction was happening everywhere. People were turning evil. Then she heard Metallia's voice, "Beautiful hearts of darkness, destroy one another! Turn this world into a planet of death! It is glorious to finally have the Silver Crystal!"
Sailor Moon jumped to her feet when she realized what was going on. She was inside of Queen Metallia! She looked around, not knowing what to do, her heart beating at a rapid pace.
"Oh, little Heir to the Moon Kingdom, I see you've awakened!" Metallia's voice was all around her, "You're an impudent little one, aren't you? But you're in my hands now, and I will destroy you, once and for all!"
The Silver Crystal was humming with such power that it was floating between Sailor Moon's hands. This was going to be the battleground, she realized. She held the glowing crystal above her head.
"What's happening?" Metallia called out, "My body is getting warmer!"
Usagi focused all of her energy into the crystal, and she was soon blanketed by its soothing light. She closed her eyes, feeling the power all around her, and when she opened them, she was surprised to find she was encased in some kind of large cage made of silver crystal. She peered through it, and all she could see was a desert of rocks.
Tuxedo Kamen was still lying by her side, and now that it was brighter, she could see his body more clearly. That was when she realized that he didn't have a stab would either. Did the crystal possibly heal him too? She held his hand and could easily feel his warmth. It grew warmer, and his fingers closed around hers.
"Mamo-chan?" she whispered hesitantly, praying with all her might that he was fully healed and back to normal.
His eyes fluttered, and he moaned, "Sailor Moon?"
"Mamo-chan!" she grinned, rubbing his hand on her cheek, thankful for this miracle.
Mamoru opened his eyes, and Usagi noticed immediately something was wrong. They had turned clouded and milky. His hands went right to his face and he called out, "I can't see! I'm blind!"
"No!" she cried out, "Mamo-chan!"
There was laughter above them, and Usagi looked up to see Queen Metallia's massive face looking down at them. She quickly held up the Silver Crystal, focused her energy, and began her attack. Their crystal cage vanished, and everything was covered in a brilliant, white light.
"Now this is more like it," Queen Metallia continued to laugh, "This was the power I've really been looking forward to. It's even stronger than the lump I absorbed. Give me that crystal!"
Usagi was bewildered. The crystal was supposed to seal Metallia away, not make her stronger. She was confused, and knew that Luna would know what to do.
That was when she realized that Luna was nowhere around. Her soldiers were gone too. Where were they? They're weren't...
Usagi shut her eyes to stop the tears. If they were dead, she didn't know if she could continue on with the battle.
"Sailor Moon, are you alright?" Tuxedo Kamen was crouched by her side, feeling her shoulders for guidance.
She couldn't answer. Everything was wrong. All of her friends were likely dead, her lover was blind, and the power she finally obtained to destroy her enemy was only making it stronger. She realized that she wouldn't be able to defeat Metallia at all.
Mamoru felt something sharp poking him in his breast pocket, and he reached in and pulled out some crumbling rocks. He realized quickly that these were the four stones of his generals, and they were now in pieces. A light flashed before his clouded vision, and oddly enough, he could see a man kneeling before him.
"Kunzite?" Mamoru said, "Is that really you?"
"My master. I get to speak to you at last," Kunzite smiled at him.
"What's going on?" Mamoru asked, feeling like his past self again.
"Master, you must eliminate that demon. Queen Metallia is a monster, and she will never stop until she has swallowed the planet and covered it in darkness. That spot on her forehead is her heart, so you must concentrate your attack there."
The other three generals appeared before him, and Nephrite spoke, "Master, we have traded our lives so you can continue yours on Earth with the princess. Find peace with each other."
Their images quickly faded, and Mamoru felt the stones turn to dust in his hands and blow away in the wind. He felt his chest where he had been stabbed, finally realizing that he was completely alive and well. He said a silent prayer of thanks to his devoted generals for making the ultimate sacrifice for him.
"Sailor Moon!" he called out, and reached out his hands to try to find her face, "Metallia's weak spot is on her forehead! If you..." he touched her cheek and felt her tears, "Don't cry! You have to have faith in yourself! Everyone else has faith in you!"
Usagi answered in a quiet voice, "They aren't here. They're probably dead somewhere."
"Then they're looking down on you and guiding you!" he reassured her, "Use that strength. I can give you all of mine as well! You know I will always be by your side, Serenity."
He rested his thumb on her lips, feeling her smile and say, "Endymion."
She grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly, amazed at how much strength this man had always given her. She savored that moment, and then turned her attention back to the crystal. Tuxedo Kamen positioned himself so he was kneeling behind her, with his hands supporting hers. She felt his strength and his courage, and combined it with her own, and forced all of it into the crystal.
"Ohh!" Queen Metallia cried out, "You are finally manipulating the crystal. This little girl... no, I won't allow it! I will smash you into pieces! You will be nothing but dust!"
"No, Queen Metallia!" Sailor Moon cried out. She whipped out the Moon Stick, and marveled as it grew longer, turning into a staff. The Silver Crystal nestled in the curve of the crescent moon ornament, and Sailor Moon cried out, "You are the one who will become dust!"
Mamoru looked up and saw only a bright, glowing orb. It was the Moon, he realized, shining brighter than it could ever be.
"I am the sailor-suited pretty soldier of love and justice, and Princess Serenity of the Silver Millennium, Sailor Moon! And with the power of moon, I will seal you away!"