Good Morning Everyone! For all those that live in the United States you will probably wake up to find that the last two chapters are posted. I thought it would be a good surprise for everyone. Today is sort of a bitter sweet moment for me. I started this story 7 years ago and now this story is officially coming to an end. For months this story was all I talked about with my family, especially my mom who became my editor in chief for quiet sometime and still is when I can't figure out the odd word. Both of my parents encouraged me to put this story on and I thank them for it. My writing has improved greatly over the years. My friends were a great help to me by both encouraging me and allowing me to bounce ideas off of them. I can't thank them enough. And you, the reader, has been a big influence on me. Though I wasn't sure anyone was reading my stuff until recently, I know that I wouldn't have the numbers I do have if you guys didn't read it so thank you so much.
So I'm sorry for the speech but I figured I would get it out of the way now, though I have more to say at the end of everything. Before I get into another speech/rant again I'll let you read this chapter and I'll see you on the other side.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of its characters. I do own my Original Characters (Sailor Cheetah A.K.A. Crystal/Blizzard, Dash, Queen Thornrose, Bearjaw, Lionclaw, Wolfear, Snakefang, Sharptooth, all the Dream Animals, all the children of the Sailor Scouts, and any characters that may appear in future chapters) and my ideas for this story.
Chapter 25
The Last of All Things to Come
It was true Sailor Moon didn't know what to do. Their whole plan was to get to Sailor Cheetah before the enemy did. Now that the enemy had summoned the Darkness Dragon, Sailor Moon wasn't really sure whether they would win or not. It never really was a question to fight or not but would they win was the ultimate question. They had fought many enemies before… all of them seemed to have the upper hand at one point or another but the Sailor Scouts seemed to always triumph. But it was threw their bond as friends and the love they shared.
Sailor Moon now looked into the blood red eyes of the Darkness Dragon. He grinned as he looked down at her. She made her decision there and then. But before she could say anything to the other Sailor Scouts, Queen Thornrose addressed the dark Dream Animal.
"Greeting, almighty Darkness Dragon!" The dragon turned his attention towards her. He wore a look of annoyance as if her tone had set him off in some way. "I have released you from your chains in order for you to serve a greater purpose."
At this the dragon's expression changed. "What greater purpose do you think I can serve that is far greater than killing you and everyone around you, fox."
Queen Thornrose's ear twitched slightly but she kept her cool as she stared the dragon down. She couldn't show any emotion besides dominance, if it was an emotion. "You will serve me in my quest for dominance over the Animal World and Earth."
The Darkness Dragon laughed a low rumble. "You think that I care about ruling a world… let alone if you do. If I did then I would have stayed in my host. I care about destruction and death more. And at this moment you're first on my list of those I must kill."
The Darkness Dragon bent down low as if he was going to swallow Queen Thornrose but she began chanting something in a langue that seemed so foreign to the Sailor Scouts. The Darkness Dragon blinked slightly then stood up to his full height again. Something had happened to him enabling him to change his actions.
Then Queen Thornrose laughed, "Now go, my minion, kill Sailor Moon and the Sailor Scouts!"
The Darkness Dragon roared and began to spit a steady stream of fire towards the group. The Sailor Scouts jumped backwards dodging the flames. Sailor Moon fell on her butt. The dragon laughed and attacked, this time with claws. The Sailor Scouts found themselves running backwards towards the wall and where the weasel guard they had accidently killed early still sat, his body slumped over and the magic crystals of Lionclaw and his family still sat in the bags.
While the Sailor Scouts ran around busy with the attacks of the Darkness Dragon, Dash made his way to Queen Thornrose's throne. He looked up at her, begging that she helped him now. His demon was screaming for him to join the fight, even pulling his body towards the fight. But Dash continued towards Queen Thornrose.
"Please," he begged, "Take away this demon that lives in my head. Destroy the black wolf that won't stop controlling me. Please help me."
He looked like a drug addicted almost as he clung to the red silk robes that Queen Thornrose wore. She looked at him discussed for a moment then batted him away with her staff. "You really thought I would help you?" she laughed.
Dash came back to her feet looking desperate. "I did everything that you asked… please."
Queen Thornrose laughed then called to the Darkness Dragon. He stopped his assault on the Sailor Scouts for a minute and turned to Queen Thornrose. Sailor Venus was within reach of his claws. One swipe and Sailor Venus would have been toast if it wasn't for Queen Thornrose's actions.
"Take care of this one first," she said pushing Dash towards the dragon with the butt end of her staff. "He has proven his worth."
"But you promised!" Dash cried as the Darkness Dragon turned his attention towards him.
"But it doesn't mean I'm going to keep it," she said. At that moment the black wolf that had been haunting him was standing beside Queen Thornrose smugly. He looked up at Queen Thornrose admirably then looked back at Dash.
"It has been a blast knowing you… too bad this is the end of you. I'm sure you would have loved to see what I have in store for your body when I control it," it said to him seriously. It eyes did shine with enjoyment in Dash's breakdown.
The Darkness Dragon's tail was now wrapping around him and lifting him into the air. Dash clawed at the black dragon scales and roared with furry at what had happened. He betrayed his best friend and potential lover only to be betrayed himself. He would not be killed, he would not allow it.
In Dash's desperate struggle he looked down at the Sailor Scouts. Sailor Moon was holding her staff out in front of her. It was at that moment that he could see her eyes. They were determined. It was a quality that he really hadn't seen in this situation before because this determination that was brimming from Sailor Moon was the kind that basically said that she was going to fight until she died. Dash knew that he had reached a cross roads and he had to choose quickly. Fight with Sailor Moon or die at the hands of the Darkness Dragon.
Sailor Moon looked up at Dash and saw his expression. She knew what he was thinking. He saw the cross roads of his life before him and Sailor Moon hoped that he would side with her. Dash would be a powerful ally for now. But she also knew that he might try to betray them before this was all over. Sailor Moon had to help him. Sailor Venus came up to her. Sailor Moon knew what was on her mind now.
"What are we going to do know? We can't just stand here!" Sailor Venus asked parroting the question that Sailor Uranus asked previously.
"We will fight!" Sailor Moon shouted, "Moon Rabbit Star-Love Blast!"
"I will fight!" Dash roared at the same time as Sailor Moon. He still had his lance in his paws and he stabbed the dragon's tail just as Sailor Moon unleashed her attack. The lance exploded into a ball of yellow light and Sailor Moon's attack collided with the tail as well releasing Dash. He rolled as he hit the ground and stood before Sailor Moon, giving her a nod of thanks and loyalty. He would fight for her now.
The Darkness Dragon roared in pain for a few minutes. Looking in distress as he torn at the lance still stuck in his tail. But only a few seconds later did the roaring and pain cease. The Darkness Dragon's tail glowed slightly as he began to heal himself then her turned back to the shocked Sailor Scouts. The dragon laughed and took a swiped at Sailor Moon. He missed only because Sailor Mercury pulled her out of the way just in time. Now backed into a corner, Sailor Moon and Sailor Mercury had nowhere to go. Sailor Mercury held her hand out towards the Darkness Dragon.
"Mercury Polar Bear Ice Age!" she shouted and a snowy version of a polar bear formed in front of her. It gave a roar then charged at the Darkness Dragon. It hit him in the leg and caused the Darkness Dragon to roar in pain again. Sailor Mercury saw the opportunity to escape from the corner they were trapped in and ran over to where Sailor Cheetah's unconious body was. Sailor Moon was right behind her. Sailor Mercury began working on her minicomputer, analyzing the Darkness Dragon. She couldn't find much on its weaknesses besides for the place where the lance was still stuck inside the dragon's tail. Sailor Mercury looked over at the other Sailor Scouts.
They were on the far side from her and Sailor Moon. Dash was across the room from them. He looked as though he was talking to himself but Sailor Mercury was sure that he was probably chanting something. Sure enough the sword that Dash had first attacked them with shone brightly in his paws as if it was happy to be resummoned again.
Sailor Mercury looked back at the other Sailor Scouts. Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus combined their attacks again and flung them at the Darkness Dragon's legs. It roared and swiped at them, scattering the group again. Sailor Saturn had summoned her lion again only to have it disappear by a single tail swipe from the Darkness Dragon. Sailor Mars's phoenix Dream Animal and Sailor Uranus's hawk Dream Animal attacked the Darkness Dragon's head but had been swatted away before any real damage could be done. Sailor Moon stood beside her, holding her staff in the air.
"Sailor Moon hit the lance again when you see it," Sailor Mercury said pointing to the part in the Darkness Dragon's tail where the lance was still sticking up. It took only a few seconds but Sailor Moon finally saw it clearly. It was her chance.
"Moon Rabbit Star-Love Blast!" she shouted and hit the lance dead on. The Darkness Dragon roared.
Deep Within Sailor Cheetah's Mind
She could hear the roar of pain more clearly than anything else that was going on. She felt the pain of the Darkness Dragon was enduring and deep down inside, Sailor Cheetah wished it to stop. But they were tied together threw her mind. The Darkness Dragon existed as long as she existed. Everything was slowly become clear to Sailor Cheetah in the blank space she inhabited. Disturbing as it seemed, she know knew why the Darkness Dragon would be in her dreams and every thought she had. It was because they were one.
Another attack hit the Darkness Dragon in the real world. But this time it felt cold and chilly to Sailor Cheetah. She cried out in pain into the darkness. She couldn't hold onto this much longer. But she felt as though a spell was keeping her in this blank world. She didn't know how to release herself from it either.
"Sailor Cheetah," a voice called out to her. Sailor Cheetah slowly opened her eyes to the darkness that surrounded her, trying to find who was calling her.
The voice continued, "My precious daughter. How much you have grown. If only the darkness hadn't overcame your side of the moon."
Sailor Cheetah was now intrigued by what was happening. She turned to see what was behind her only to find the women from the book that Dash had lent her. She was wearing the same Sailor Scout costume as her. The only thing that really set the two of them apart was the helm that she wore, which was in the shape of a lion's head can covered her whole head up to the jaw. The second thing was the staff that she held. What had once been a long, green staff with the Earth at the top inside a crescent moon, now had a black dragon circling around the staff until it got to the top and looked as though it was going to eat the Earth and moon.
"Who are you?" Sailor Cheetah asked staring at the Sailor Scout before her that held her staff.
"I am Sailor Lion," the women said staring back at Sailor Cheetah threw the transparent lion eyes. "I am your mother."
"Mother?"
"Yes," Sailor Lion said and looked away. She looked to Sailor Cheetah as if she was in pain but then not being able to remember her own mother hurt Sailor Cheetah as well. "There isn't much time. You must help Sailor Moon."
Sailor Cheetah looked at her surprised. "How can I do that? If you haven't noticed the Darkness Dragon is running amuck out in the real world and I found out from hanging around in here that my powers where based of his magic!"
"Then find your own magic."
Sailor Cheetah looked at her mother in surprise. She hadn't even thought of the fact that she had her own magic inside of her. She had to have transformed somehow but Sailor Cheetah was starting to believe that she was only able to transform because of the Darkness Dragon. She closed her eyes, searching within for the source of everything, her inner magic. It was then that she touched it mentally, letting its warmth wash over her before she opened her eyes again. It wasn't as much as she was use to but it would do.
Sailor Lion now held out the staff she held to Sailor Cheetah now. "I officially pass on my powers and responsibilities to you, Sailor Cheetah. You are now the Animal World's Sailor Scout."
Sailor Cheetah took the staff and felt everything go away from her.
Real World
The other Sailor Scouts where finally getting the idea. They started to attack the tail, beating in the lance little by little. Dash tried to do as much damage as possible to the Darkness Dragon but he had a hard time getting close to the dragon. Sailor Moon was beginning to wonder if they would ever defeat this enemy. She held her staff in front of her. The final words of her attack where on her lips when she heard a groan come from beside her.
Sailor Mercury looked over at Sailor Moon confused about what was going on until they heard another groan. It was then that Sailor Moon could see out of the corner of her eye that Sailor Cheetah had moved. It was ever so slight but it was better than nothing. Sailor Moon crouched down, looking worriedly at Sailor Cheetah. Then Sailor Cheetah growled and began to push herself up into a sitting postion.
"Good God," she growled as she looked up at Sailor Moon, "I guess I shouldn't fight with Dash when he is mad huh?"
Sailor Moon smiled at her and Sailor Cheetah smiled back for a moment. Then light green light surrounded Sailor Cheetah's hands and when the light was gone her staff took the lights place. Sailor Cheetah grinned and pulled herself up into a standing position. "Looks like it is time to kick some dragon butt!"
Sailor Cheetah focused on her staff for a moment. She imagined her bow in her hands and how it felt in her hands. Slowly the staff began to bend to her will until it became her bow. Sailor Moon and Sailor Mercury looked surprised at Sailor Cheetah and she shrugged. "I learned a few things…"
She held up her bow, pulling back the string as if she had something in it. "Thunder Dragon Strike!" she shouted as she let go of the string. Lighting formed into and arrow quickly before forming into a dragon. It smashed into the Darkness Dragon's back and he turned around, obviously annoyed with the blow.
Sailor Cheetah waved back at the Dream Animal. "You miss me, buddy?" The dragon roared and attacked. Sailor Cheetah jumped up and away from Sailor Moon and Sailor Mercury, who were know making their way over to there the other Sailor Scouts where.
Sailor Mercury's minicomputer started freaking out on the way over though. She turned to face the dead body of the weasel guard and the leather bag that he held. The minicomputer was focused the bag, reporting a magical energy from the bag. Sailor Mercury diverted her course and Sailor Moon did the same out of curiosity. There was roaring in the background as all of the Sailor Soldiers kept up their attacks except one.
Sailor Pluto was beside them in a heartbeat, trying to figure out what was going on. When she had reached them Sailor Moon and Sailor Mercury were already opening the bag in question and were staring at its contents.
Sailor Moon looked up at Sailor Pluto in surprise when she arrived. "They are the other crystals that I need for my staff."
It was true. Sailor Pluto looked down at the contents to see four different shaped crystals. Each reminded her of an enemy that she had fought. It was evident that these where the magic crystals of Lionclaw and his family. Sailor Moon looked up at Sailor Pluto as if she was unsure whether to use them or not.
"Remember what the Wolf Shaman said. There would be sacrifices. We must use these crystals to win the fight," Sailor Pluto said in understanding of Sailor Moon's problem. She hadn't wanted anyone to die. But as with every war there must be sacrifies.
Sailor Moon placed the crystals into her staff one by one until each one of them had been set in. The staff sparkled for a moment before returning to its original look. Sailor Moon looked surprise but the ghostly rabbit that sat on her shoulder understood what had happened. The staff was absorbed the power. Sailor Moon could now finish this battle.
Sailor Cheetah screamed as she was flung against the wall. She fell to the floor and struggled to get back up. The Darkness Dragon laughed at the same time that Queen Thornrose did.
"Miserable pest," Queen Thornrose laughed, "You are done for now. Finish it Darkness Dragon!" The dragon roared and pulled back his claws as if to swipe at Sailor Cheetah again. Then ghost rabbit whispered Sailor Moon the magic words.
"Moonlight Rabbit Dream Seal!" Sailor Moon screamed. The ghostly rabbit came into existence in the Animal World so that all could see it. It charged swiftly at the Darkness Dragon, hitting it square in the back. The Darkness Dragon separated as if the Darkness Dragon was made of black smoke then followed the ghostly rabbit on its charge at Sailor Cheetah. It crashed into Sailor Cheetah's chest and at the same time the smoke like essences of the Darkness Dragon followed. When the black smoke cleared around her, Sailor Cheetah fell into sitting position. Her whole body felt exhausted but slowly she was able to gather enough energy to sit up.
Queen Thornrose stood in shock at the scene before her. She would not be beaten by humans! She refused to believe it! She turned towards Sailor Moon, who also looked like she was going to faint, angrily.
"YOU!" she shouted as she waved her staff towards Sailor Moon. "I SHALL KILL YOU MYSELF!"
Queen Thornrose began to chant in the unknown langue that she spoke before. She was so absorbed with what she was doing that she never noticed Dash sneak up behind her. Just as she was about to finish with her spell Dash stabbed her in the back.
"That one," he whispered in her ear, "Is for my father."
Queen Thornrose stood in shock for a few minutes then grinned. "If I'm going to hell then you're coming with me," she strained to whisper back as she turned and stabbed Dash threw his armor and his heart with a secret dagger that she had kept hiding in her robe. Sailor Cheetah screamed as her enemy and her best friend fell together. Dash hit the floor first and stared at Sailor Cheetah. His eyes where now wild with fear. Sailor Cheetah rushed over to him screaming his name.
"Dash! No! This can't be happening! Dash don't go!"
Dash's vision was slowly beginning to fade in and out. He didn't want to go. He was afraid and sad. There was so much that he wanted to do once he was free from the evil grips of his curse.
"Crystal…" he coughed calling her by her human name. Sailor Cheetah came closer to him so he could see her better.
"I'm right here! I'm not going anywhere. Please don't leave me."
Dash could see her eyes tearing up with sadness but he knew he couldn't do anything about it. His armor had been weak and poorly made. It was no wonder to him how Queen Thornrose was able to break thru it. He knew that even a well aimed rock could have broken his armor. He shook for a moment and reached for Crystal's face with his paw.
"If only this had been a different life time," he said stroking her face with great effort. "This would have been different."
Sailor Cheetah nodded the tears beginning to stream down her face. Though Dash wouldn't admit it but deep down he really did care for Crystal and wished that they could have been together.
"Maybe in our next life…" he said. He gave one final breath and everything went black.
Sailor Cheetah screamed in pain and clutched Dash to her chest. She wished for things to be different, she wished for things to change. Then Sailor Moon fell to her knees beside her. She looked just as exashusted as Sailor Cheetah felt but Sailor Cheetah knew that Sailor Moon wasn't done yet. She just let her staff fall down beside her. Sailor Moon hadn't wanted anyone to die but someone had. She closed her eyes trying to hold back the tears of pain. Then something whispered in her head.
"You can save him…"
Sailor Moon turned to see the ghostly outline of her Dream Animal sitting on the ground beside her. It looked like it was in just as much pain as she was but its tears were flowing freely down its face. "You can do it. Just believe and borrow my power."
Sailor Moon closed her eyes and thought back to the day when she first got her Dream Animal. How much of a surprise it was when Wolfear had attacked her and Darien. She hadn't ever expected it during a date. Now almost three months later she was talking with her Dream Animal as if it was normal. "Please lend me your strength… bring him back to this world… don't let it end like this."
The rabbit nodded slightly and the other Sailor Scouts could see the rabbit's ghostly shape. It hopped over to Dash's lifeless body, touched it with its nose, and then disappeared in an explosion of multi-colored, butterfly shaped, light. Sailor Moon feeling the last of her strength sapped fell backwards onto the cold title floor.
The story isn't done yet :) Quick read the epilogue!