Chapter Twenty-one: Revisited

"Princess… I think it's time that I should leave you," Hotaru spoke calmly to Usagi, trying to hide the emotions welling up inside her. Setsuna-mama… this enemy is so strong. I have to hold him off so Sailor Moon can get out of here and use her full powers. Taking note of Usagi's shocked expression, Hotaru continued to turn around and walk further back into the maze. "You're almost at the exit, I'll—" she paused when she felt Usagi grab her wrist, begging her to stop.

"Please, Hotaru, stay with me! Whatever may be coming, we'll face it together," Usagi exclaimed. I don't think I could stand to be alone. But it's not just for me that I said that. Hotaru is just a young girl, not much older than… never mind. It should be me protecting her, not the other way around.

Though feigning exasperation, Hotaru was secretly relieved. "Alright, I'll stay with you." Her eyes appeared to glaze over and her expression went blank as she proceeded to say "You will not need to be alone during this battle—that is a promise." Immediately Hotaru grew concerned of her own words. Ever since my rebirth, I've had visions… I can do nothing to stop them- they just flow through me, often without me even knowing their meaning. Will I be the one to stay with her during this battle? I already know the answer. I should feel assured that they will reach her side in time, and yet I fear that it is distorting the future we all held faith in…

Usagi didn't notice Hotaru's concerned expression, and took her words as a promise that Hotaru would remain with her, and stay safe. Her grip on Hotaru's wrist loosened, though she still refused to let go. "Thank goodness", she said.

….

Dimande struggled to shake the image of the defeated Pluto from his mind. I have to continue pressing forward now… we have come so far, and have made promises to so many people. I need to be there for her.

"Brother, can you tell if we're getting close?" Saphir spoke cautiously. I can see that my brother is getting tense… as if preparing himself for what lies ahead. I've reached the limit of my abilities. I feel that I am now just being a burden on him, another person he feels the need to protect. No—that's wrong. He came here to support Usagi, to make sure she was never alone. Her strength is far greater than any of us- but she needs to have faith in her actions for the power of the Silver Crystal to release.

My brother is here to make sure she keeps her faith. I must be here to ensure that he keeps his own, that he can carry on even when knowing that it may lead to more pain. Pausing very briefly from their running, Saphir faced his brother, placed his hands on Dimande's shoulders, and looked him directly in the eyes.

Dimande glanced at the hands on his shoulders and smiled. Not so long ago it would have been me placing my hands on Saphir's shoulders, supporting him. Clasping his own hands over Saphir's, he nodded and said, "We are very close, I can sense it." And somehow I know that we will be needed very soon…

….

Hotaru held out her glaive in front of her, trying to grasp it tightly to hide the shaking of her hands. She glanced over her shoulder to check on Usagi.

Usagi's face showed nothing but concern for Hotaru. It's happening to her too, isn't it? Why can't he just face me instead? "Hotaru…" she began, but stopped as she heard Hotaru cry out and saw her double over in pain. Usagi ran over to try and help Hotaru somehow… but Hotaru pushed her away, swinging her glaive at Usagi to ensure that she stayed back.

"Don't come too close… Usagi," Hotaru forced a pained smile. I know what monster Minos is planning to summon… Typhon, the father of all monsters, son of Gaia and Saturn, my namesake. There is only one thing that will stop it…

….

Mamoru stayed asleep but Petz noticed his eyelids fluttering wildly as his whole body began to shake.

I don't know what to do… of course as the oldest I took care of Koan, Calaveras, and Berthier like a mother… I basically raised them. So I know how to ease pain and lower fevers… but he is beyond that. I don't know what I can do… but I promised Saphir that I would care for him.

Doing all she could think to do, Petz replaced the wet cloth on Mamoru's forehead with a fresh one and wrapped another blanket around him.

"Usako…" he mumbled over and over.

Suddenly, his eyes opened and he leaped up. Now sitting up and no longer caring about himself, Mamoru looked at the startled Petz. "Where am I? Where is Usako?" Looking around and remembering, he forced himself to calm down. All the excitement had proved too much for his weak body, and he began to cough and wheeze. She is frightened… I need to go to her, she can't be alone—but then Mamoru remembered something else.

"I am about to leave now to be by her side and protect her as I promised you I would"

"I'm sorry, you're still very weak… you should lie back down," Petz said gently.

Momentarily confused by Petz's presence, Mamoru realized almost immediately who must have asked her to come. "You're right," he said hoarsely as he eased himself back down and rested his head on the pillow. That's right. She won't be alone. And it seems I have more to be grateful for than just Dimande: Saphir, as well.

But it worries me… It's not that I don't trust him to protect her… It's that she opens her heart to everyone. But that's part of why I love her.

I have to let her make her own path. Not everything has to be guided by destiny.

….

The Typhon is gigantic, worse than I had imagined. All I can do is swing my glaive wildly in the hopes of hurting it. I must protect Usagi! In the place of hands it has dragon heads, and I can feel the heat of the fire they breathe just barely missing my skin. It has wings, too, though I doubt it can use them in the labyrinth…

Hotaru began to grow tired. While preoccupied with fending off the dragon heads, she did not notice the beast's gaze turn to Usagi, who stood, frantic and unsure, behind Hotaru.

What should I do? My healing powers won't do much good against this, and I don't have a tiara anymore. How does everyone expect me to fight Minos when I can't even fight this? How can I protect Hotaru?

The Typhon spread its wings, revealing their green, scaly surface to hold what looked like silver feathers sticking up, as if about to shoot outwards. Hotaru noticed the monster's sneer and realized what was to happen. Those feathers… they're made of stone! If it releases those, Usagi will…

With no time to think, and still facing the fire from the dragon heads, Hotaru cried out, "Silent Wall!" forming a barrier protecting herself and Usagi. She began to pant. "I can't hold this for long. Usagi, stay back. It's time for me to end this." Hotaru closed her eyes and raised the Silence Glaive. The only way I can defeat the Typhon is to bring down my glaive. I will sacrifice myself to protect what I believe in. She began to bring the weapon down.

Usagi realized what Hotaru was doing, and ran towards her. "Hotaru, no! Don't waste your life for me!" She grabbed Hotaru's arms to stop her.

"Chibiusa, please—" Hotaru gasped as she realized her mistake. This happened before, as I protected Chibiusa from Nehellenia. But it's too late. As a result of Hotaru beginning to bring down her glaive, the ground began to shake as though from a massive earthquake, and the ceiling, all made of hard rock, came crashing down on top of Hotaru and the Typhon.

Dimande and Saphir arrived at Usagi's side just in time to witness the rocks tumbling down.

"Hotaru!" Usagi cried, frantically digging through the rubble.

"Usagi," Dimande knelt beside her and placed one arm around her.

Usagi looked Dimande straight in the eyes, tears streaming down her face. "Please," she pleaded. "Help me get Hotaru out of here!"

Without a second thought both Dimande and Saphir began lifting the large rocks covering Hotaru's unconscious body. Saphir checked for a pulse. "She's still alive! Weak, but alive." Putting Hotaru on his back, Saphir got up and started moving forward. "Come on, we're almost at the end of the maze." His voice was shaky, though he did his best to sound confident. As long as that monster is still alive under that rubble, it will continue to suck the power of this young girl's Star Seed. But there is no time to turn back. We must hope that Usagi can defeat Minos before then. No, I know that she will.

Still leaning against Dimande and crying on his shoulder, Usagi nodded and wiped the tears off her face. "Thank you… both of you."

Dimande looked down and into Usagi's eyes. No words were necessary. I have faith in her. She will overcome this, and protect this beautiful world, as she has done so many times before. He held out his hand, and Usagi placed her own delicate hand on top of his.

"Let's go," she said, suddenly determined.