Disclaimer: I own nothing except my Zodiac Senshi and Emperor Nyx. Computers are horrific. (groans) (has to complete this fic in math class) Two more chapters to go. :D
Heirs of Tomorrow - The True Heir (Part 2)
"Think of why…" Venus repeated slowly, "we follow the princess…"
Suddenly, images flooded through the Soldier of Love's thoughts. Mingling visions of life with Princess Serenity during the Silver Millennium, times spent with Usagi playing video games or going shopping. Emotions of joy and happiness entered Sailor Venus as she quietly reminisced on the past.
All those happy times I spent with her…is that what we were always fighting for? The feeling of contentment and uniqueness I always felt in Usagi and Princess Serenity's presence…they've always been the same person…
An explosive stream of topaz light shone from Sailor Venus, now clad in a bright, flowing yellow gown, her bound golden hair fluttering gently around her, long bangs framing the feminine symbol of Venus where her tiara was once placed. On either side of the young girl stood two Sailor Soldiers, one in olivine with chocolate brown hair and a sweetly smug expression, and the other dressed in rose, sugary blond locks cascading down the back of her pink mantle as she gazed about serenely. All three Sailor Soldiers smiled brilliantly. The Princess of Venus suddenly cried out with delight; standing alongside the golden haired young woman were the other Sailor Senshi, now also dressed in gowns of jewel-like shades, their own planetary sigils prominent on their foreheads. Each lady stood beside one or two shimmering Zodiac Senshi.
Near the back of the party stood a dark haired youth with sharp, sapphire eyes, clad in intricate ebony and pewter armor, nocturnal mantle swirling gently. Two Sailor Senshi, one in gold, peridot gaze sparkling, and one in silver with deep ruby eyes, stood beside this young prince. However, unlike the other ladies around him, the Prince and the duo of Sailor Soldiers were flanked by four others; four young men in silvery gray matching uniforms with fluttering ivory capes.
"Everyone…" the Princess of Neptune spoke gently, sea blue gaze sparkling.
"…Usagi needs us…" the Princess of Saturn finished. All nodded in agreement.
With that, a hailstorm of glittering, ethereal hues of sapphire, topaz, amethyst, emerald, aquamarine, azurite, onyx and gold surged rapidly towards Nyx; the draconic, crystalline creature roared in outrage and confusion. A great taloned paw swiped at the shining rainbow, but the brilliant arc merely swerved effortlessly around the keen claws.
Unimpeded by the monstrous enemy, the shining rainbow of Sailor Soldiers rapidly pierced the rocky flesh and disappeared within Nyx's enormous form.
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
In an instant, Sailor Moon felt several pairs of arms clutching her tightly. The multitude of fair limbs encircling her came from seven young, beautiful ladies, all clad in gowns in rainbow hues, heart-shaped crystals blazing at the center of their attire. "Everyone…" The ocean blue gaze dilated, shimmering like twin stars.
"Usagi, we're here…" The Princess of Venus whispered gently, beaming sweetly at the winged Senshi. "Princess, we're all right here, by your side."
"We're never going to leave you alone," the Princess of Jupiter interjected fiercely, emerald eyes sharp yet friendly.
"How could we? We love you so much," the Princess of Pluto finished quietly, but her scarlet gaze was intense, focused solely on the Moon Senshi.
"Everyone…" Sailor Moon heaved a sob, before clutching back with all her strength to the princesses entwined in a mutual embrace around her, allowing the tears to trickle down freely. "Thank you so much…I love you all!"
In an instant, the princesses of the Solar System exploded with multihued light, before vanishing as a small meteor of radiance within the body of the blond, claret draped Senshi. The winged, triple skirted Sailor Senshi uniform shone rapidly with every imaginable color: sapphire, navy, emerald, hunter green, topaz, ebony and finally amethyst.
As rapidly as thought, the empty sockets of the Celestial Staff filled, seven new, gleaming crystals joining the preceding ruby crystal. Only one slot on the ivory, potent weapon remained vacant.
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
Eyes remaining concealed beneath fair eyelids, Sailor Moon was hardly surprised, yet overjoyed all the same, to feel a final pair of arms surround her frail shoulders from behind.
"Endymion…" The former Moon Princess smiled sweetly. "How could you not be here, you're always there for me…" Ocean blue eyes opened, sparkling, and the girl turned to face the Prince of Earth.
"Of course it's me, Usa-ko…I love you as well, so I had to be here for you," Endymion returned the smile, giving Sailor Moon an affectionate squeeze.
For several moments, neither one could look away, volumes of unspoken love and emotion pouring in two directions in an intense circuit, from ocean blue to sapphire and back again. Reluctantly, the summery blue gaze broke the heated glance, only to dilate with deep surprise.
"Y-you…aren't you…?" Sailor Moon gasped, staring at the four youths standing before her.
"Of course, Sailor Moon. We, the Four Kings, are here," the eldest of the four, Kunzite, spoke, jade glance bright and warm.
"But how is this possible?" Sailor Moon wondered aloud, beaming with delight at the sight of the Prince's former guardians.
"Princess," the fair haired Jadeite answered, smiling gently, "wherever our Prince goes, we follow. We are at your service, Sailor Moon."
"As we protect him, we will always protect the ones he loves most, Usagi," Nephrite finished, pride reflecting in his sepia gaze. Zoicite nodded vigorously in agreement.
The four monarchs fell into a shallow, but reverent bow, before they all commenced to explode as the Sailor Princesses had, each transfiguring into colored light and receding within the Soldier of Justice's body.
Her Sailor Suit was suddenly and mysteriously replaced by a pewter gray uniform trimmed in white, moonstone epaulets pinning a snowy mantle in place around Sailor Moon's shoulders.
"Usa-ko…" Endymion whispered softly.
Sailor Moon slowly closed her eyes once more, turning her face up over her shoulder, a pristine, gloved hand reaching upwards to clutch the slender fingers entwined at her collarbone.
Just as their mouths tenderly touched, the Prince of Earth glowed explosively with fallow light. The gilded light of a miniature sun filtered silently through the Sailor Senshi's parted lips, filling her body with fiery warmth. The pewter uniform of the Kings of Earth grew brighter, until it shone molten gold.
In the final vacancy of the Celestial Staff, a crystal of shining gold appeared, its luminosity a match for the Silver Moon Crystal perched at the very top.
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
Farther away, a distance from the palace of dark obsidian crystal, the nebulous cradle known as the Galaxy Cauldron began to silently seethe. Without warning, a brilliant orb of light shot forth from the Cauldron, speeding like lightning towards the darkened palace. Seconds later, another starry orb flew from the luminous nebula. Then another, and another after it. A plethora of shooting stars ascended from the birthplace of universal life and commenced rapidly towards the far stronghold, harmlessly passing through its lofty walls as though illuminated ghosts.
Growling audibly, the horned monster of ebon watched motionlessly, half in fascination, half with outrage, as the army of starry projectiles hurtled straight for the grotesque, rocky mass, punching through as the hapless emperor cried out, willing the onslaught to stop, but to no avail. The stars continued to flow as an unstoppable, glittering tidal wave.
Sailor Moon: Heirs of Tomorrow
In a wave, the starry orbs crashed into the radiant Sailor Moon, restoring her winged, Eternal Sailor Suit, which flashed in thousands upon thousands of bright, unimaginable hues of color. Each tiny comet contained a young woman, the majority humanoid, clad in flowing gowns of different shades; the Sailor Soldiers of various planets from all over the universe, from different times of the universe's lifespan. Several times the Sailor Suit changed shape or gained new attributes: furry trim, skeletal pleats, glittering insect wings. As she absorbed the multitude of Sailor Senshi, Sailor Moon could feel their lives, their emotions, their affinities…as well as their love. They had all felt the strong love emanating from the blond's soul, and had wished to join with it.
Not all of those Sailor Senshi were unfamiliar to the Moon Senshi.
Before her now shone five, man-sized orbs. Three contained three tall young women, dressed in gowns of shining, onyx leather. Each lady wore her hair back in a lengthy ponytail, and all three were smiling broadly.
"Sailor Star Fighter…Star Healer…Star Maker…" Sailor Moon murmured, elated at the sight of the Sailor Starlights.
"Of course I'm here, Sailor Moon," Star Fighter replied, beaming, "I've been telling you I love you for a while now!"
Both Star Maker and Star Healer nodded in agreement. "Now don't mess this up, Odango!" Star Healer spoke, smiling.
Beside the trio from Kinmoku was a more regally dressed young woman, her scarlet hair billowing down the back of her crimson gown. The scent of osmanthus blossoms permeated the air around the beautiful, composed girl.
"Princess Kakyuu…" The blond Sailor Senshi smiled proudly. The princess of the Tankei Kingdom returned the smile, gazing tranquilly.
Sailor Moon cried out, stunned, as she beheld the figure at Princess Kakyuu's side. Another Sailor Soldier, bound in a golden, armor-like variation of a Sailor Suit, her sunrise hued, flowing hair cascading beautifully about her. Her golden brown eyes settled, unwaveringly, on Sailor Moon.
"Sailor…Galaxia?" Sailor Moon inquired, unsure of how Galaxia had come to be here. The two had been dire enemies some months ago, before her destruction at the hands of Chaos.
"Yes, Sailor Moon, it is I," Galaxia replied. "You showed me what I wanted most…you showed me, even for a moment, that someone could love me. I had never forgotten that, Princess." Galaxia's lips curled into a light smile. "Besides, this creature had manipulated me for its own ends. I have no choice but to aid you."
So saying, all four women soared into the young girl's body, causing Sailor Moon's Senshi uniform to cycle between powder blue, golden white, coffee brown, crimson and finally, brassy gold.
"Don't you dare forget about me!"
Sailor Moon smirked as a small comet of pink sailed through the air towards her, the celestial rain gradually abating now.
"Do you really think I could forget about you, of all people? The one who causes me the most grief, and is a constant thorn in my side!" She stuck her tongue out at the pink haired child before her, dressed in a fluffy, pale pink gown.
In retaliation, the rose-haloed, regal girl reached out and yanked the blond Sailor Soldier's hair fiercely.
"OW! You little brat!" Sailor Moon screamed, blue gaze growing furious.
The ocean blue locked silently with ruby, as the girl started giggling.
Unable to hold onto her fury, both Sailor Moon and the princess of Crystal Tokyo burst out laughing hysterically.
"Usagi…" Chibi-Usa finally gasped, grinning happily.
Brushing away tears of mirth, Sailor Moon looked back at the small princess, nodding gently.
"Mother…" Chibi-Usa whispered, before plunging straight into the heart of the Moon Senshi's brooch.
Scintillation exploded across the darkness, eliminating its presence wholly. The forces and forms of Chaos dispersed, leaving only light in their wake.
Revealed, shaking in the brightness, a human figured garbed in ebony sable stood, sallow arms raised in defense.
"What is happening?" Nyx cried, demanding to know how such a small Sailor Soldier could banish the abyss in his very soul. "That child can't be strong enough to do this!"
Suddenly, the brilliancy compressed itself, though its shine remained far-reaching.
Nyx slowly lowered the onyx draped forearms, taking a quick breath in preparation.
The emperor's moonlight glare widened into a fearful, uncertain and awed gaze. His eyes drank in the sight of an elegant Sailor Soldier, something he had never encountered in all his long years. Snow white, angelic wings protruded from her back, brushing gently against the immaculate mantle draped over her golden-sleeved shoulders; each sleeve was decorated with smaller, translucent wings. Her entire outfit, from choker to winged high heels, was unmarred ivory, the centermost area of the skirt streaked with ribbons of rainbow. A circular brooch of ivory and gold rested at the center of her winged chest bow, while several jeweled rings glittered against her unconcealed, slender fingers. Her silvery white hair was arranged in heart-shaped buns protected by small moonstone covers, long rivers of shimmering locks fluttering softly from the buns. Neither tiara nor sigil of a planet or system rested on this woman's forehead, starburst of gold flanked by pearl beads replaced them both. The Celestial Staff remained upright and steady in her right hand. Two crystal clear eyes stared steadily at Nyx. The dark haired youth slid backwards, unnerved by the gaze. Surrounding the winged Sailor Soldier in white stood twelve shining Sailor Senshi, all in various shades of color, mantles gently swirling.
"Who are you?" Nyx demanded, his voice shaking. His snowy features twisted into a look of enraged horror.
"I am…" the figure replied, "Sailor Cosmos. I have come to put an end to your malice, Ophiucus."
Notes:
I truly apologize for this being late. Happily, I'm finishing this story this week. Stay tuned.