Chapter Fourteen

Redemption

Midnight had descended over Tokyo, the city silent and dark. Innocent civilians slept in their beds, without the slightest inkling of what was about to take place. Unaware of what had transpired during the battle, Luna and Artemis watched from the roof of Serena's house, their eyes keen to any disturbance over the quiet skyline.

"It's been too long," Luna said nervously as she scanned the horizon. "The girls left at twilight, and we haven't seen them since. I hope nothing's gone wrong."

"They've done this before," Artemis consoled her. "And they've always come back. This time will be no different."

Luna nodded. It was true. Her charges had gone through much worse and had always come up victorious. This woman, though they knew nothing about her, would end up just like the others, and they would regain peace once more. The cat's reverie was severed when a clap of thunder rolled over the city, clouds roiling above a section to the east of town. Lightning sparked around the vortex, some platinum white, others a sparkling amethyst. The two cats huddled closer, thinking the same thing.

The battle for the universe was about to begin.

The scouts appeared on the crest of a large hill, their clothes whipping in the wind. Mina clenched the Specter in her hand, her blue eyes narrowed.

Where are you? she thought, gazing at the angry clouds above her. I know you want me, so here I am. If you want a fight, I'll give you a fight.

As if summoned by her thoughts, a bolt of lightning flashed and struck the ground just ahead of them, and when it cleared, Cassandra and Diamond stood proud, both dressed for battle. Another scepter glowed in Cassandra's hand, the emerald orb swirling with dark magic.

"So," she purred, her voice carrying in the storm. "The princess had finally awoken, and she carries the Scepter! Queen Ann is truly foolish, handing over such power to a mere child. Hand it to me girl, before someone gets hurt."

Mina did not shrink back, nor did she react to the insults, but calmly stepped forward, holding the Scepter before her.

"This ends here, Cassandra," she said, her eyes defiant. "You've tortured those I love and threaten to destroy the universe I am sworn to protect. My mother has faith in me, and so do my friends. And my Prince too."

They all stood behind her, flanking her on either side, while Andrew grasped her shoulders, glaring at his foe without fear. Diamond mirrored Andrew's stance, standing behind the sorceress, lending his power to hers. Cassandra smirked.

"Impressive," she drawled. "But enough talk. Let's end this, here and now. Prepare to die, princess of Venus!"

Mina grinned back. "Bring it on."

The vortex swirled above them, lighting flashing from every side. The scouts grasped hands to keep each other grounded, ready to unleash their power at any moment. Darien and Serena flanked the couple, their faces set with grim determination. Serena was prepared to use the Silver Crystal if need be, but for now, this was Mina's fight.

Cassandra summoned her magic first, the orb in her hands glowing a bright jade. Supplied by Diamond, swirls of black intertwined with the green, and a pillar of energy blazed from the scepter and raced toward the princess. Mina closed her eyes for a moment, recalling her mother's words.

I knew the Scepter would be yours one day, and the time has finally come for you to embrace your destiny.

Steeling herself, she opened her eyes and raised the Scepter high above her head.

"VENUS CRYSTAL POWER!"

Golden light burst from the Scepter, a brilliant Venus symbol blazing on Mina's forehead. The two forces collided, and the force of it nearly knocked her back. She focused the power that coursed through her, and for a moment, it held. Sweat poured down her back and into her eyes, her arms shaking with the effort to contain her magic. If it weren't for her friends and the man beside her, she was sure the energy of the Scepter would overwhelm her. As it was, two strong arms surrounded hers, and she saw tendrils of silver energy embracing the pillar of orange light. She felt Andrew's strength pouring into her, and she used it to her advantage. It carried on like that for a few tense minutes, neither side gaining ground. Then, to Mina's horror, the battle began to shift, and Cassandra's magic came bearing down on her own, inch by heart-stopping inch. Growing in confidence, the sorceress floated into the air, pitch-black wings sprouting from her back. She cackled with triumph.

"Give up yet, princess?" she yelled over the wind. "Hand over the Specter and I will give you and your friends the honor of a merciful death!"

This was it. Something needed to change, or they were all going to die. Mina shut her eyes, searching for any reserve of magic within her. She found none, and the despair nearly overwhelmed her. She had failed them, all of them. She wasn't strong enough, and everyone was going to die because of her. Helpless tears flowed from her eyes, and she was about to forfeit, when something happened. Down in the recesses of her soul, something sparkled, and she nearly laughed with joy. It was there that she kept her love for Andrew, the love for those she cherished most. It was small, but it spread through her like the light of the sunrise, and she opened her eyes.

"No!" she screamed. "Never! I will not let you destroy those I love!"

Orange light engulfed the princess, and Andrew was forced to take a step back. The light grew and spread, and two enormous wings burst from between her shoulder blades. The feathers were white tinged with gold, sparkling like the noonday sun. With a war cry, she thrust herself upward, chasing Cassandra into the heart of the twister.

"Mina!" Andrew cried, but he could do nothing as the two women were swallowed by the whirlwind, Diamond following close behind.

Like it or not, Mina was on her own now.

Wind whipped madly around them, making it hard to see anything clearly. Bolts of lightning lanced everywhere, making the air sizzle with electricity. Suspended on either side, the battle still raged, gold colliding with emerald. They spun in endless circles, the columns of magic keeping them apart. At last, Mina began gaining the upper hand, and she knew victory was within her grasp. With a burst of energy, the magic surged from the Scepter and obliterated Cassandra's defenses. The sorceress could do nothing but watch as it blazed toward her, bringing certain death along with it.

"No!" Diamond roared.

In a blur, he was there, shielding her from the blow that was sure to kill her, and he took it instead. He screamed as it struck him, throwing his head back in agony. Cassandra cried out as well, the scepter falling from her hands. It crashed to the ground, the orb shattering upon impact.

In a moment, the storm began to clear and the violent winds died down, revealing what was left. Mina stood at one end, bewildered at what had just occurred. Her wings vanished and the light from the Scepter faded, leaving her weak and trembling. Andrew lurched to her side as she fell, cradling her in his arms. She leaned against him, breathing heavily, but remained conscious. A few yards away, the group stood stunned, not believing the scene before them. Diamond, Prince of the Dark Moon and their archenemy, had taken the brunt of the attack, sacrificing himself in the process, for her. He lay bleeding across Cassandra's lap, looking up at her with love as she bent over him.

"Diamond, you idiot!" she cried. "Why did you do that? Why?"

He smiled at her, lifting a hand to wipe the tears from her eyes. "I think it's obvious by now," he whispered. "I just didn't know what it was at first. You infuriated me, yet I didn't resent you for it. Even when you brushed me off, I knew there was a reason behind it. Now I know, no matter how hard I tried to deny it, that I was falling in love with you."

Cassandra inhaled sharply, stunned by his confession. That was what stirred in his eyes before the battle, and it radiated from him now, wrapping her in its embrace. He grimaced, and she held him tighter, desperate to keep him with her.

"I'm so sorry," she said, tears falling freely from her face. She had not cried since her parents died, an eternity ago it seemed like, and now, Diamond had proclaimed his love for her, only to die. "I wish…I wish we had more time."

He smiled weakly. "So do I. But I am content. For me, knowing you has been the highlight of my existence. For that, I thank you."

With that, his eyes fluttered shut and his body slumped against her. Cassandra shook her head, tears falling onto his white jacket.

"Diamond, please," she pleaded. "Don't go. Please don't leave me. I don't want to be alone anymore."

"You can save him."

It was Serena who spoke, calmly walking toward the wayward couple, the Silver Crystal in her hands. "You both can be free."

The woman stared at Sailor Moon, her green eyes glistening. She remembered the many properties of the crystal, not the least of which was the power to heal, to restore what had been lost. She believed that she was beyond redemption, that her enemies would strike her down as soon as they had the chance. And yet, here they were, sharing the same look Diamond had given her. She stole a glance at the woman she had tried to kill, expecting to see resentment and bitterness, knowing she deserved both. The princess of Venus showed nothing but love and compassion, mirroring the expression of those around her. She couldn't believe it, but that didn't make it any less true. She had not felt like this in so long; she thought she had forgotten. But it was there all along, and now she hungered for it.

"Yes," she whispered, a beautiful smile lighting her features. She took Diamond's hand, his touch still warm, and pressed it against her heart. "We're ready."

Serena nodded and raised the crystal high, the light of the rising sun making it sparkle.

"Moon Healing Escalation!"

Light and warmth flooded Cassandra and Diamond, and they floated into the air, their bodies glowing as they transformed. The sign of the Black Moon vanished, the dark magic coiling into the sky as the Silver Crystal cleansed them. At length the light receded and they floated gracefully to the ground, unconscious. They both wore mortal clothes, all traces of their previous lives gone. Cassandra was the first to awaken, a pair of pure green eyes gazing up at the lightening sky.

"Uhn…what? Where am I?"

She sat up and upon seeing the Sailor Scouts; all of her memories came flooding back. She had been corrupted by evil, bent on destroying the universe and everyone in it, only to be redeemed by the power of the Silver Crystal. Tentatively she looked down, her eyes widening in surprise. She wore a floral green top and jeans, her wavy hair a glossy chestnut brown. She glanced around her, and her heart lurched. Diamond lay beside her, also in street clothes. He was dressed in a form-fitting ivory shirt with buttons along the collar, jeans covering his slender legs. His platinum white hair shown in the strengthening sunlight, shading his closed eyes. Cassandra bit her lip and bent over him, the tears flowing anew. Perhaps it hadn't worked after all. She moved his bangs aside, a sad smile on her lips.

"Please forgive me," she whispered. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm so very sorry."

She closed her eyes, fresh tears cascading down her cheeks. Something brushed against her skin, as light as a feather, and a voice she thought she would never hear again beckoned to her.

"Don't cry."

Her eyes flashed open to see Diamond looking up at her, his hand against her cheek. She grasped it, her heart in her throat.

"Diamond!"

He sat up slowly, his violet eyes never leaving hers. They both beamed at each other, captivated by the power of a second chance. At last, Cassandra felt free to say the words she had been longing to say for an eternity.

"I love you."

Diamond grinned, his eyes glittering as he leaned closer. "I know."

In a heartbeat, he closed the gap and kissed her with every fiber of his being. The group looked on with admiration and hope. Andrew held his beloved closer to him, and she smiled in response. Darien embraced his Moon Princess and the scouts beamed at one another.

Peace was restored, the universe was saved, and a new love was born.

It was the perfect time for a new beginning.