Chapter 21

Princess

Hina saw Seiya's approach and sent lightning strikes at her. Luckily she was able to dodge them and continued traversing the obstacles, making her way to Kiyoko. Incensed, Hine's grimaced and shouted, "Try as you might Starfighter, you are not strong enough to help her! That power will be mine or it will cease to exist!"

Seiya wouldn't be daunted or distracted, she'd reach Kiyoko of that she was certain. At the same time the others clasped hands and began concentrating on Kiyoko and the Golden Crystal. Settling their gaze on her Haruka and Michiru both whispered, "…Princess…" As they did their planetary symbols appeared to glow on their foreheads allowing them to release their energy. Taiki and Yaten each took a cue from them and concentrated, calling to her, "…Princess…" They'd never done this before and were surprised to feel the shape of a star on their own foreheads and the energy it allowed them to release. They began believing this might really work.

Kiyoko could feel the energy flowing from them into the crystal. She was overcome by the love she felt, even from Taiki and Yaten. They'd known her less than a week and yet they genuinely loved her.

Hina seemed to be able to sense the growing power in the crystal as well and pushed back against it with great force. Kiyoko started to lose ground, to stumble in place. At the same time she felt the arms of her beloved. Seiya had made it and was supporting her, not letting her fall as Haruka had said. Kiyoko spared a second to smile at Seiya and then turned her attention back to the crystal. He beseeched it with her thoughts, "Please help me defeat this evil and protect everyone so dear to me, give me the strength. We must watch over Estara and everyone on it, Senshi or not they deserve the chance at peace again!" She felt the crystal respond to her pleas.

In her mind she felt Seiya, her rock, speak to her, "You can do this Kiyo-chan. I believe in you! I love you!" She gripped Kiyoko's shoulders more tightly to emphasize her presence and her message. The swirls and clashes of black energy increased, Hina attempted to fight back.

Just as Kiyoko felt her life force draining, pushing into the crystal she felt another set of hands on her shoulders and heard a voice from her other side, "Now," was all her mother said. All she had to say. Kiyoko spared a single glance and saw that her mother wasn't simply with her in spirit, but that she was awake and standing by her side.

She was there and wearing the mantle of a Senshi again, Eternal Sailor Moon, coming to her aid. Kiyoko heard everyone gasp, but no one faltered, so she couldn't either! Hina had lost control of the darkness by this point and was only a vessel, incapable of feeling or saying anything. Kiyoko nodded to her mother and called out, "Crystal Power!" Suddenly the darkness was obliterated in a flash and replaced by nothing but a blinding golden light.

Kiyoko felt like even she were made of pure light. She started to collapse, but Seiya took a firm hold, keeping her promise not to let her fall. She was so happy that she'd been able to do it, she'd been able to defeat the darkness and save not only Estara, but the rest of the galaxy from Hina's terror. These thoughts made her smile as she lost consciousness, crumpling into Seiya's warm arms.

*Chibi-Usa*

Serenity had emerged from her bedchambers with some coaxing from her beloved. She'd enjoyed her distraction with Helios. But it was time to get back on task. She knew she wouldn't find answers in the surveillance room. Estara was too far away. So she and Helios went to the temple together. It was the only thing she could think to do. As she tried to center herself and look for guidance, she glanced out the window. It was dark and the stars shone brightly in the night sky. There was a shooting star making its way across the sky and Serenity couldn't help but make a wish. She wished for the safety of everyone fighting the good fight.

Slowly this feeling crept into her. She wasn't like Helios, or her father, or Kiyoko. She didn't have psychic powers but it was like she could feel the struggle within Kiyoko. She gasped, taking Helios' hand. What could she do? She had to something. She held so much power, but was powerless here. The anger started to bubble up and she pushed it down, concentrating and reaching out to lend Kiyoko anything that would reach her.

A few minutes later the doors to the temple flew open and Sailor Pluto ran down the corridor of golden and silver to the altar Serenity and Helios knelt at. She put her hands on her knees, panting from running so fiercely. Serenity and Helios turned towards her. She looked at the floor first, afraid to look Setsuna in the eye.

Pluto eventually regained her breath and said, "Serenity. She did it! Kiyoko won. She held the crystal until the very end." Her face seemed sad despite her encouraging words…. But Serenity wanted to know what she meant by the end? She tried to voice the question, but the words wouldn't come out.

*Chibi-Usa*