Chapter 28
Believing in Love and the Future: Usagi's Decision
Things were not looking so good in Juban since the fall of Saphir. The Malefic Black Crystal was still growing even larger, as Usagi and Sora raced down the road to see what was going on, after Tuxedo Mask had told them to stay behind as he wanted to find out what the Black Moon Clan was plotting, even warning him to be cautious, while Rei stated that they would meet up at the Hikawa Shrine. Usagi and Sora looked up at the crystal, and noticed how the crystal was continuing to increase it's mass, when Naru approached them.
"Oh, hi Naru," Usagi said.
"Hey there," added Sora.
"What is it? Is something wrong?" Naru asked.
Usagi was confused.
"Lately, you've been acting strange. Could it have something to do with that bizarre phenomenon going on over there?" she continued inquisitively.
"We do, Naru. And we both know what it's all about. But, we understand that if there's anything we'd want you to do, we'd have to ask you," replied Sora.
"But Naru, I…" Usagi tried to say, but she brushed it off.
"How come I would know anything?" she asked with a sheepish giggle.
"Of course you wouldn't, and you wouldn't be able to talk about it if you did," replied Naru.
"What do you mean?" asked Sora.
"You guys, please just try to be careful. I'll see you both later, okay?" Naru said.
"Thanks Naru, see you then," replied Usagi.
"See ya," added Sora.
Then they raced off into the distance as Naru called after them. However she said a silent prayer to whoever was listening to keep Usagi, Sora, and the world they lived upon safe. Usagi however, was mildly upset for not telling Naru who she really was, but deep down knew that they'd do everything in their power to keep the world safe from the darkness with Sora at her side. Meanwhile, as Demande was looking at the reactor core, Wiseman appeared behind him.
"The time has come," he said.
"Wiseman, you have a lot of nerve coming here, after ignoring my orders, not to mention killing Saphir for no reason at all," Demande replied sharply.
"We have toiled for years to rewrite the world's history. Those not true to our vision, those who do not follow our ideals, must be cast off," countered Wiseman.
"What made you think you had the right to kill him?" Demande asked furiously.
"Gaze upon the beauty of this magnificent Malefic Black Crystal. Now that the Crystal has been nurtured and further strengthened by Black Lady's power, we have long awaited to fulfill our long held dream to take revenge upon the Earth and its people for their transgressions against us," replied Wiseman.
"Our long held dream," Demande said.
But he grew angry at the cloaked man.
"Wiseman, your words will not distract me. Why did you defy my orders and kill Saphir? I need an answer now!" he snapped.
"Saphir's passing was a minor occurrence, compared to the great things about to come," replied Wiseman.
"So are those your true feelings?" demanded the dark prince.
"Prince Demande, have you forgotten why our Black Moon Clan was forced to come to nemesis in the first place? For ages we have waited for this unique set of circumstances to present themselves. You're not seriously thinking of letting this chance of revenge to slip away, because of an inconsequential casualty," countered Wiseman.
"You're right, occupying Earth and finally getting our vengeance has always been our clan's dream for a long time. So go ahead and proceed with our plans, but do not think I have forgotten or that I have forgiven you for what you have done. Once we have crushed the Earth completely, I intend to reexamine your actions. Consider yourself warned," replied Demande, though he was still sore about losing his brother.
"Of course, as you wish. You are free to carry out any investigation, if you are still alive my prince," said Wiseman, as he chuckled malevolently.
Out on the streets of Juban, everyone was now gathered around the Black Crystal.
"The Malefic Black Crystal's energy continues to get stronger," said Ami.
"Yeah, if this keeps up," added Minako.
"It'll destroy us all," piped in Rei.
"We need to do something quickly," finished Makoto.
"I'm also worried about Tuxedo Mask. After all, he's still inside of that thing," said Luna.
"The only way for us to help out, is for us to go in there," replied Artemis.
The two cats charged forward, but they were sent back by a powerful barrier that badly injured them as they landed on the ground, making Usagi and Minako worried about them.
"We just have to get past that barrier," said Rei.
"I bet if we transform, we can do it," added Makoto.
"We'll help to, you guys," said Sora, and the other Guardians of KIngdom Hearts nodded in agreement.
"'Kay, let's do it," agreed Usagi.
"Just one more thing. If anyone has something to say, then say it now," said Riku.
"I just want to say thanks, and that I was really looking forward to going out for cakes again," said Ami.
Everyone was surprised to hear that coming from Ami.
"I'm sorry everyone, I don't mean to be pessimistic, but I had to tell you, just in case," she finished.
"Aw, come on now, we'll be scarfing down cakes again, before you know it," assured Rei.
"How about we get the all you can eat deal, next time?" asked Makoto.
Usagi agreed with a light giggle.
"Last time, you did eat it all," said Minako.
"Hey, I didn't eat that much," protested Usagi.
"Well anyway, let's get ready to do this. We'll show this Black Moon Clan the really super power of FAMILY!" said Sora.
"Okay, first we protect the world, then we celebrate," agreed Makoto.
"Let's go do this, for our future," added Minako.
"We'll do our best to save Chibiusa and the people of the future city of Crystal Tokyo," said Ami.
"Let's all put our hearts together," piped in Rei.
"To protect our beloved world," said Usagi.
"To safeguard the light from the darkness," said Sora.
"To walk the road to dawn," agreed Riku.
"For our mothers and fathers," said Kairi.
"Our precious siblings," agreed Roxas.
"Standing together as one," said Xion.
"Going all out with a bang," smirked Axel.
"To decide our own fate," said Ventus.
"To have strength to protect what matters," put in Terra.
"To balance duty with our lives," said Aqua.
"For those we cherish with our hearts," said Mickey.
"For Daisy, and my nephews," quacked Donald.
"And for those who will be our legacy," finished Goofy.
Everyone nodded, as Luna and Artemis told them to be extremely careful in the final battle, and that they would be counting on them.
"Okay, time to transform," Usagi said to her friends.
Then Usagi and her friends assumed their Sailor Guardian identities in a brilliant flash of light and varying colors, as Sora and his friends summoned their Keyblades for battle. At the same time, the Malefic Black Crystal suddenly reacted to their presence, as they charged towards it. A beam of darkness struck Sailor Moon squarely in the chest causing her to crash to the ground, causing her friends to grow concerned as they helped her back up.
"We can't let this thing stop us, we have to break through with everything we've got. So let's take it into overdrive," Sora said.
"He's right, we can do this. Come on, one more time," replied Sailor Moon.
They all charged forward together again, but this time they were prepared for the defensive blasts of the Black Crystal, as everyone gave Sailor Moon encouragement to endure.
"We're coming for you Chibiusa! I'll turn you back into the cute girl you once were! And put an end to this evil energy forever!" Sailor Moon cried out.
Calling upon her friends to lend them her strength, everyone soon united their powers as one and together they soon burst through the barrier and entered the inner workings of the Malefic Black Crystal.
"Think they'll be okay?" Luna asked worriedly.
"I'm sure they're gonna come back to us in one piece, Luna," replied Artemis.
Thanks to the Sailor Teleport, Sailor Moon, Sora and all their friends were now inside of the Black Crystal.
"It looks like we made it inside," said Sailor Venus.
""This place is like a maze of mirrors," observed Sailor Mars as they saw reflections of themselves.
"Well, let's get moving," replied Sailor Moon.
Sora nodded, and the two friends bravely walked forward.
"Wait you guys, we really should be cautious," warned Sailor Mercury.
Suddenly, a trap door opened underneath them, and caused Sora and Sailor Moon to fall through it. This made everyone worried, as it closed on them.
"They disappeared," Sailor Mars said with a look of concern in her eyes.
"Where do you think they'll end up?" asked Sailor Venus.
"We'd better go find her," Sailor Mercury replied, making everyone nod at her.
"I'm afraid you're too late," Maleficent replied when she appeared behind them.
Everyone turned and glared at the dark fairy.
"This where your journey ends. Any moment now, the Malefic Black Crystal will be too powerful to stop. This world will be plunged into darkness. It is inevitable," Maleficent said.
"Silence! We've had enough of you! Give back our friends!" snapped Aqua.
"You poor simple fools, you think you can defeat me? Me, the mistress of all evil!?" cried the wicked fairy.
"Well guess what, Maleficent, we're not gonna let you or anyone else create a future where darkness wins!" Sailor Jupiter said furiously at the evil witch.
Meanwhile, Sora and Sailor Moon were soon transported to another part of the Crystal.
'Where are we?" she asked.
"Sailor Moon, Sora, let me welcome you inside our Malefic Black Crystal," Demande said as he stepped out of the shadows with his sword at the ready.
"So, Prince Demande, I see you're still gonna try and turn Sailor Moon into your puppet just so that she can become your queen," Sora replied darkly.
"It's a pleasure to see you again. But this time, things are going to be a bit different now," the dark prince said to them.
He soon jumped towards them, but Sora was prepared for him as he forced him back with a swing of his Keyblade, stopping him from laying a finger on Sailor Moon.
"I won't let you control Sailor Moon's heart," he said.
"Very well then, if it's a fight you want, then it's a fight you'll get. And when you fall, both Sailor Moon and the Silver Crystal will be mine forever,' smirked Demande, as he used his third eye.
Sailor Moon was now paralyzed, but Sora was now growing more furious.
"Leave her alone!" he shouted.
Lunging furiously at him, Sora uncharacteristically swung his Keyblade towards Demande, who quickly blocked it with his own weapon. Then, Sora attacked Demande furiously, forcing the other man back away from Sailor Moon, as he did his best to block each attack with his sword, only for Sora to kick him back.
"Very impressive, Sora. Use your aggressive feelings, and let your hatred flow through you," he said, with a chuckle.
"Sora, don't let him deceive you," warned Sailor Moon.
Sora nodded towards her and lowered his Keyblade.
"King Regis has taught you well," complimented Demande.
"I will not fight you, Demande," countered Sora.
Demande stalked towards him like a predator in the wilderness, as Sora slowly stepped back from him.
"It is unwise of you to lower your defenses!" Demande said furiously.
He swung his sword at Sora who quickly protected himself, but was soon driven back as they entered a blade-lock. Demande soon pressed the attack against him, driving Sora back ever since their previous encounter, entering another blade-lock, which Sora purposely broke and jumped away from the dark prince as he swung furiously at him, and missed him completely as the young Keyblade Master landed between him and Sailor Moon.
"Your thoughts betray you, Demande. I feel the good in you. The conflict," Sora said to him.
"There is no conflict," countered Demande as he held his sword in front of him.
"You couldn't bring yourself to kill me before, and Sailor Moon knows that you won't destroy me now," argued Sora.
"You underestimate the power of darkness. If you will not fight, then you will meet your demise!" snapped Demande.
He then threw his sword towards Sora, forcing him and Sailor Moon to duck and run away from the battle. Quickly summoning his sword back to him, Demande continued to pursue his prey. He was now searching menacingly for them, as he looked around him in the dark shadows of the Crystal, that Sora and Sailor Moon were hiding in.
"You cannot hide or protect Sailor Moon forever, Sora," he said.
"I will not fight you. But you can't force Sailor Moon to say her heart belongs only to you. You claim that it's all about power, instead of love, friendship, and respect. Those are the things that make us strong, and Tuxedo Mask would be forced to kill you as revenge for trying to turn Sailor Moon against those she holds dear to her," argued Sora.
"Sora's right, power alone never solves anything. Can't you see that?" agreed Sailor Moon.
"Foolish blights, you will give yourselves to the darkness. It is the only way you can save your friends," countered Demande.
Sora and Sailor Moon glanced worriedly at each other, as Demande continued to hunt them down.
"Yes, your thoughts betray you, Sora. Both your's and Sailor Moon's feelings for them are strong, especially for Kairi, Twilight, Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Yang, and Sailor Venus," he said.
Sora gasped in shock, as Sailor Moon shivered with fear.
"So, you're in love with Sailor Venus, Sora. But your feelings have now betrayed her too. Sailor Moon was wide to hide her from me, but now her failure is complete. If Sailor Moon will not become my queen, then perhaps Sailor Venus will," Demande said malevolently.
"NEVER!" exploded Sora.
Demande glanced towards him, but then suddenly found himself being driven back by an enraged Sora, who was now attacking him for threatening him, as Sailor Moon watched in horror at this change within him. Demande tried to counter attack, but Sora still continued his relentless assault on Demande, swinging his Keyblade furiously at his sword, as Demande barely blocked each blow and tried to fight back. They fought their way back to where they first encountered each other, and Demande was now forced onto his knees as he tried to block each angry blow directed towards him with his sword, until Sora's final blow broke the blade into pieces, causing Demande's grip to loosen, and he toppled to the ground. Sora now held his keyblade dangerously near Demande's throat, as the dark prince panted wearily at this new display of power.
"I see you are strong, Sora, but your hatred has made you much stronger than before. Now, fulfill your destiny, strike me down, and your hands will be stained in my blood, right in front of Sailor Moon," Demande said to him, as he lay defeated.
Sailor Moon quickly rushed to Sora's side, and wrapped her arms around him.
"Don't listen to him, Sora. That's what he wants you to do. Make you give into your darkest feelings so that he can watch you turn into Vanitas," she cried.
"It's a trick, Sailor Moon. Demande is too dangerous to be alive, and he deserves to die for trying to control your heart," countered Sora who was still seething with rage.
"I know you hate him, but if you strike him down in anger, he'll never be able to see redemption," Sailor Moon said in a tone of voice that brooked no arguments.
Relenting from his rage induced trance, Sora backed off, and lowered his Keyblade.
"I know you and everyone around disappeared to Nemesis, after Neo-Queen Serenity exiled you. But choosing to live together in peace and harmony is better than living with hatred and vengeance Demande. Saphir loved you because he was worried about you, and he still loves you even in death. Nothing's impossible for people to live with each other in peace and harmony, no matter how many differences you have. Even when Rubeus banished the four Spectre Sisters, Sailor Moon still helped them understand the light of redemption, because Wiseman viewed them as pawns to be sacrificed," he explained calmly.
"Is it true? I wonder. Could it be Wiseman was lying to us?" Demande questioned himself.
"That was probably the reason Wiseman killed your brother. Saphir was trying to warn you about Wiseman's betrayal," said Sailor Moon.
"That's right, Saphir was trying to tell you that Wiseman can't be trusted, because he views you and everyone else in the Black Moon Clan as sacrifices for his ultimate goal, to destroy both this world, and the Realm of Light itself," added Sora.
"Wiseman is…. I just can't believe this. Those eyes of yours, they could only belong to someone who tells the truth," admitted Demande.
He was about to apologize to Sailor Moon for what he had done, when Wiseman appeared, making Demande turn and glare furiously at him.
"These two fools are in our way, they're keeping us from achieving our goal, they must be disposed of," the cloaked demon said.
"So, we meet at last, Wiseman," Sora said as he prepared himself for battle.
"No, leave him to me, Sora. You stay back and protect Sailor Moon," Demande said holding his arm in front of him.
Sora nodded and stood his ground.
"I don't take orders from you! Stay out of this!" the prince said furiously at Wiseman.
"I have no use for a fool who believes the words of some foolish children," countered Wiseman.
"What's that!?" Demande asked angrily.
"I have Black Lady to do my bidding now, and the dark power is growing with every moment. You're no longer needed," answered Wiseman.
Bracing himself for Wiseman's attack, Demande now saw what the cloaked man really was.
"If you think you can kill the leader of the Black Moon Clan so easily, give it your best shot!" he said, and counter attacked.
The two beings of darkness clashed furiously with each other as Sora and Sailor Moon stood watching the clash between them.
"Destroying the world and ruling over it's ruins, that is what the great ruler Death Phantom Desires!" cried Wiseman.
"Death Phantom?" Sora and Sailor Moon asked themselves.
"Turning the Earth into a dark world? Is that what you intend!? I won't let you do it!" yelled Demande, firing a beam of darkness at Wiseman's orb.
But the cloaked man turned his attention to Sailor Moon, and was about to strike him down, when Demande pushed her aside and took the full force of the attack for her. Wiseman laughed wickedly at what he saw.
"Demande!" gasped Sailor Moon.
"Are you okay?" Sora asked.
Demande nodded as he clutched at his wound, and stood up.
"So you still have enough strength to stand. Then you will die with these fools!" roared Wiseman.
"Don't underestimate me," countered Demande.
Then he fired a beam of power towards the dark sorcerer, and destroyed him. But the attack left him drained as he dropped to his knees, just as Sailor Moon and Sora rushed to his side.
"Sailor Moon, Sora, it appears I was wrong about some things. I truly believed moving our clan to Earth was the only way forward, and I was willing to give my life to make that happen. I became so totally obsessed with my mission, I couldn't see through Wiseman's deception, so I allowed countless lives to be sacrificed. I guess I've simply forgotten what it means to be human," admitted Demande.
"But you didn't forget. You not only saved Sailor Moon from certain death, you earned her respect as well as mine, when you asked me to stay by her side," replied Sora.
"Now that you know what the truth is, you won't make those mistakes again," added Sailor Moon, as Wiseman's orb slowly rose.
"You're right, but it's too late for me," said Demande.
"Don't say that," Sora and Sailor Moon begged.
"I'm glad to hear that the spectre sisters are living so happily on earth, and the fact that you and your friends tried to save Saphir, makes me think we might have been all able to live in peace," replied Demande.
"We can do it, with your help, we can make anything happen," Sailor Moon said as she cried.
"These tears of sadness are for me?" Demande asked as he gently brushed his fingers across Sailor Moon's cheeks.
"They are, Demande. But I promise you, that Sailor Moon and I will ensure that the future is always bright, instead of dark," replied Sora.
"Thank you, Sora. Please promise to look after my people, the Black Moon Clan, on Planet Nemesis. I thank the both of you for saving me from the darkness," Demande said.
Then his eyes clouded, his breathing stopped, the strength, and life went out of him, as Wiseman approached the mourning friends, and grabbed Sailor Moon by the throat.
"The Legendary Silver Crystal that possesses the power to change the world! Give it to me!" he yelled.
"But we saw you die!" choked Sailor Moon.
'How can you still be alive?" asked Sora.
"I am an immortal being," replied Wiseman.
"I would rather die, than give you the crystal!" Sailor Moon said bravely.
"You will hand it over to me!" commanded Wiseman.
"She will give you nothing!" shouted Sora.
"HEARTLESS! SILENCE HIM!" screamed Wiseman.
Then thousands upon thousands of Heartless appeared around Sora, while Sailor Moon tried to call for Tuxedo Mask's help.
"Help? Would you care to see where your Tuxedo Mask is now?" he asked cruelly.
Then Wiseman used his orb to show her images of what he believed to be true.
"Your precious Tuxedo Mask, also known as Mamoru Chiba, and Chibiusa, Or should I say Black Lady, have fallen in love," he said.
"Liar! Chibiusa's only a child! Mamoru would never fall for someone who's his own flesh and blood!" countered Sora as he fought the Heartless.
"You've been abandoned! They have forgotten you!" Wiseman continued ignoring Sora's words.
Sailor Moon soon began to feel herself becoming scared as tears poured from her eyes.
"Don't listen to him, Sailor Moon!" called Sora.
"Sora's right, Wiseman, I know all about your illusions, and I won't fall for your tricks!" Sailor Moon said in agreement with Sora's words.
"Do you really believe that? In this world, there is nothing that you can truly trust. You must loathe everyone and everything, Sailor Moon. Go on, instill the Legendary Silver Crystal with the power of hatred! Destroy this world! Turn it into eternal Darkness!" countered Wiseman, as he showed her images of Black Lady with Mamoru together.
"IT's not true, Mamo and Chibiusa would never betray me! How could they!? Answer me!" Sailor Moon said in denial.
But she suddenly heard Chibiusa's voice calling to her from the void, as well as the voices of all those she and Sora knew so well.
"Wait, why aren't you under my spell?" demanded Wiseman.
"It's because Sailor Moon believes that Mamoru and Chibiusa are very important people to her, just as I believe that my friends are important to me. Even if they aren't with us in body, they will always be in our hearts no matter what you do! We both know that they'd never turn their backs on us, because all you do is try and lie and deceive us through your illusions!" countered Sora.
"Well, in that case, return to darkness!" roared Wiseman.
Then he unleashed a burst of darkness upon them, but something stopped it.
"Using lies to toy with the hearts of people who are strong in the light is the work of a true coward. I Tuxedo Mask, will never forgive you," the caped crusader said, making Sailor Moon and Sora relieved.
"Don't forget about us," the rest of their friends said.
They both turned around to see that all their friends had arrived just in time and surrounded by Wiseman.
"How did you guys find us?" Sora asked.
"It's because of our connection, that we were able to find you guys," replied Sailor Venus, who gently kissed Sora's cheek.
"You are too late, the time has come. Black Lady's power has reached its full force. The Malefic Black Crystal's dark power has now opened the gate, and will turn your world into dust!" Wiseman said with a sinister chuckle.
"Are we really?" asked Goofy.
"I don't know," replied Donald.
""We won't let that happen," Sailor Moon said firmly.
"Watch as the entire Earth plunges into darkness forever!" roared Wiseman, who vanished.
"Everyone, I have discovered the Dark Gate's center, we must hurry," said the caped crusader.
"Okay, let's go!" agreed Sora.
Everyone nodded and followed after Tuxedo Mask, until they reached the top of the Crystal.
"This is it, the Dark Gate's center," he said.
"Ah, the heroes of light," Black Lady said.
"Look up there!" cried Sailor Moon.
"It's Chibiusa," everyone said.
"I am known as Black Lady, messenger of the ruler of darkness, known as Death Phantom. This world of yours will soon be destroyed, watch as it becomes filled with hate," she said with sadistic laughter.