"She's waking… Mercury… that's a good sign, right?," asked Mamoru.
Sailor Mercury scanned her and sighed with a pain filled expression. "It doesn't change anything I'm afraid, Mamoru. She's still dying."
"No! We have to do something, scan her again…Can't we get her to a hospital. A transplant, something? " Mamoru demanded. "Or maybe Saturn, can you help?"
Sailor Saturn stepped forward touching Usagi's cheek. "Her body won't receive my energy, it's like her light is going out."
Luna looked down at her compact. "She's right — look at the silver crystal, it's so dim."
"It's ok, Mamo-chan," said Usagi. "They are all right, I'm afraid. This human body is failing. It was never meant to carry Sailor Moon's power. Now, please, I must speak to you all. I don't have much time."
Mamoru closed his eyes unable to contain a stream of tears. "Usako - I can't bear to live without you."
"I know, my love," said Usagi.
Haruka, ever the most loyal gathered the rest of the guardians, the guild at brushing off her condition almost more than she could bear. Dutibound she said, "Kneel before our princess. She has something important to tell us."
They all obeyed, eyes filled with tears.
"My faithful guardians. I am so sorry to leave you alone in this world, you always protected me with your very lives and I will forever be grateful. Now our beautiful world needs your protecting. Give it the attention that I would have - to all the creatures, and people in it. They deserve your love," said Usagi.
"We will, princess," said all her guardians in unison.
"Seiya?" Usagi whispered weakly.
"I'm here," said Seiya, jumping forward, gently brushing his hands over one of her buns. "Odango."
Usagi smiled. "I'm so happy to have found you, brother. My twin. I'm so sorry we only had our sibling bond for such a short time. Will you take care of my earth family, The Tsukino's? I worry for Shingo, and Mom and Dad."
Mamoru let go of Usagi momentarily so Seiya and Usagi could share an embrace. He kissed her forehead. "Anything for you, sis. How will I light up the moon without you around? I'll always feel empty."
"Whenever you feel lonely, look to the sky. The moon will still reflect the sun's light…just not on this earth anymore…" said Usagi slumping forward.
"Usako!," cried Mamoru. Seiya gently returning her to Mamoru's arms. "Usako, Usako please…"
"Mamo - chan," said Usagi fighting now to speak, her voice only a whisper. "You are the earth's prince, I know it will be hard without me, but you will still be the future king of Crystal Tokyo. Please watch over this planet, protect it with your life… as you and I would have together." Usagi leaned up for a kiss and stared at Mamoru with her beautiful blue eyes. "I love you, and please … be … happy.."
With that Usagi eyes closed and she fell back into Mamoru's arms, her arms limp.
"Usako? Usa? Usa! Mercury?"
"I'm sorry, Mamoru… she's… she's gone," said Sailor Mercury.
Makoto was fuming. "Maybe she's not, maybe she will come back… she has before!"
"I don't think so," said Minako. "Not this time."
Just then Sailor Mars appeared out of thin air. "Where, where am I? Usagi? Usagi! Guys, why are you just standing around. What's wrong with her?"
Venus pulled Sailor Mars aside whispering, silently explaining. As Mars's mind filled with understand she fell to the ground sobbing.
Their thoughts and sentiments settled in with the rest of the guardians. Makoto, Mercury, and Minako sobbed quietly. Rei balled her fists screaming. Haruka fell to her knees wide-eyed, with Michiru comforting her. Seiya walked away to cry on his own. Sailor Pluto comforted a crying Hotaru. Mamoru cried silently while never letting go of Usagi.
Sailor Pluto was the first to speak. "I know this will be painful, but we must take her home and place her in bed wearing her pajamas. Her parents will need to think this was a natural death."
Mamoru glared at her. "What a heartless thing to say… no…. I can't let her go."
Haruka said. "It may be heartless, but it's the truth. We have a duty as guardians. Do you want her parents finding out she was Sailor Moon?"
Mamoru grimaced. "I hadn't thought about that. I guess not… just give me a few minutes. I'll be the one to do it."
Mamoru took some time to embrace his princess a little while longer. Not feeling the rise and fall of her breath was beyond heartbreaking. He took Usagi home and laid her up in her bed in the manner Sailor Pluto had suggested. Staring at her lying there it looked as if she was only sleeping.
If only that were true, thought Mamoru.