Disclaimer: Thanks to everyone who stuck with me to this very moment. It has been hard finishing this story while practicing law, teaching dance fitness and finding enough time to sleep. This has been one of my favorite pieces to date.
This moment counts on Serenity being able to use the crystal to repel Metalia's invasion and ensure peace on the Moon. If she is not able to activate the crystal's powers, Metalia will bring ruin to the Moon and murder them all.
Breathe, just breathe. You activated the crystal so this should be a piece of cake, right? Metalia is looming overhead, coming closer to us. What if I...no Serenity. We cannot think like that. Serenity gulps and wipes the beading sweat from her brow as she puts one foot in front of the other, walking toward Metalia. She pushed the gates open and walked away from her place of safety.
This was the destiny of Princess Serenity. Her duty as the future Queen.
Selene watches her daughter, her owns nerves rattling and agitated. Endymion stands beside her, feeling uneasy about Serenity taking nobody with her to confront Metalia. All the intelligence in the world, could not prepare them for this ancient monstrosity. Beryl was small time compared to Metalia, that he knew.
"She won't lose, Endymion." Selene states, watching the Senshi begin their assault from above. "Have faith."
Sailor Jupiter leaps from the tower, releasing several electrical attacks, followed by many fireballs from Sailor Mars.
"I have so much faith in her, I'm just worried. I can't lose her." He responds quietly. Her death would mean eternal suffering for him because of their bond but more than that, he finally found someone he could be open with and losing her now would be devastating.
The pain was obvious to Selene. She couldn't remember what it felt like to worry over her own mate due to it being so long ago. The poor Terran Prince was indeed suffering. "I cannot stop you from following her out of those gates, if you wish to." Selene looks out the corner of her eye and smiles at him. "I know you promised her that you would protect me, but I am not the future of this world. I won't outlive her."
"I can't do that." He objects, frowning at the older woman, "I cannot let anything happen to you. She wouldn't forgive me."
"It is your decision." Selene relents and turns her attention back to the fighting.
The Senshis' defensive line holds as Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Mercury jump into the fray at the gates as soon as Serenity leaves them. The combined water and electric attacks stun them and freeze them.
Sailor Mars stays atop, throwing her deadly fire power at any youma daring to attempt to breach the walls. She spits venomous words at them as she watches them burn to crisps.
Sailor Venus prepares her crescent beam from the highest point of the tower, drawing in immense amounts of energy while the other girls hold them at bay. She notices the Shitennou's first defensive line crumbling as more youma storm the city. Dammit, Kunzite, fall back! I cannot lose you.
The silver haired general, kicks the youma backward he had been fighting upon a internal zap, one he only placed as being from Minako. Her worry, fears, all of it. As he turns he sees her standing atop the tower, preparing her attack. He knew this meant, Serenity was making her way to Metalia, that freaky thing floating above them.
"Kunzite, behind you!" Zoicite yells, immediately reacting to the oversized, midnight colored, fanged, youma that crept upon Kunzite in his daze. Kunzite half turned and sidestepped only to be grazed by the youma before running it through with his blade.
Zoicite hurries to Kunzite, followed by Jadeite who is pushing youma back with his own shield. "Don't worry, he barely touched me."
"You idiot! Minako is preparing that damn beam attack. If she accidentally releases that now, we're all fried." Zoicite hisses as he begins checking the injury. Nephrite sees the men and begins making his way over as well. Concern is written all over his face. "He's fine, Nephrite. I just gave him the third degree too."
Annoyed with his subordinates, Kunzite huffs and hurries to fall back with the other soldiers.
Minako's eyes widen watching as Kunzite was struck and the others rushing to him. Orange and yellow sparks emit from her finger tips, the small orange ball of energy becomes frantic.
"Focus, Minako. You'll hit them if you aren't careful." Rei reminds her, trying to remain calm herself. "Or, you might blow us up."
"I know. I'm trying." Minako responds and takes a deep breath to calm herself.
"Try harder, dammit." Rei barks at the blonde before turning back to throw more fire power at the youma. Becoming frustrated with the youma below the gate, Rei stops firing and sighs before jumping onto the ground below to join the others.
Makoto braces herself as a youma lunges toward her, producing electricity in the palms of her hands, she grabs the youma's shoulders to stop it in place. It convulses for a moment before dropping and disintegrating. She moves toward a small group, leaping into the air as the antenna springs up from her tiara and calls upon her own infamous thunder and lightning attack.
Ami skillfully dodges two whilst preparing her infamous bubble attack on them.
Serenity follows the looming darkness above her, knowing that she is leaving the scene of the attack and protection of her friends and mother. What other choice does she have? Metalia could unleash hell and kill them all before her eyes.
Finally, she stops coming to the end of the street into a green field. She clenches her fists and swallows a lump forming in her throat. This is it.
The clouds part above and wind is thrust downward. A figure begins to take shape as they descend to the ground. Hair flowing wildly around them, eyes glowing darkly and the woman's outfit transforms into a dark armor around Metalia. A silver chest plate covering her, a jewel with mist swirling around it sets center on the chest plate, gauntlets on her forearms, leather boots wrapping around her legs which turn into knee pads.
"I am Metalia." She introduces herself to Serenity, though it isn't needed. Everyone knows. "You're the Princess of the Moon, aren't you?"
"I am." Serenity answers her, noticing the eerily calm settling over the scene. "Serenity."
Looking over her shoulder, Metalia grins, "If you'd like to go back and help your friends, I don't mind to wait a few more moments before I filet you."
Disturbed by her words, Serenity furrows her brow and nods, "My fight is with you. My Senshi and the Shitennou are capable."
"You plan to fight me in that garb you wear? Hahahaha!" Metalia taunts her, having a good laugh and holding her arms around her stomach. "At least wear armor. Put up a fight."
As a princess, she never needed to don the Senshi uniform. Did she even have one? Selene never explained that much. It is true, this long white dress could possibly hinder her speed and evasiveness.
"Go on, change. I'll wait." Metalia says straightening herself. "I want to fight you at your best."
She knew the words her friends, her guardians used to transform, calling out for their plants to lend them their powers. Would the Moon answer her? Her nostrils flare, deep in thought. It was worth a shot, right? Everyone counting on her, it had to work. Otherwise, what? Rip the ends of the universe's most expensive gown off and throw the heels out yonder?
"Well?" Metalia sneers watching the woman lost in her own thoughts. "What is wrong?"
Serenity looks up at her, resolve written across her face and body language. Raising one hand to her chest, a light begins glowing. Within that light, an object appears taking the shape of a blooming flower.
"So that is the ultimate crystal, eh?" Metalia observes as she crosses her hands over her chest. "I've seen better baubles in my life."
"Moon..." Serenity holds the crystal above her head, yet keeps her eyes focused in front of her. "Crystal Power - Makeup!"
For several seconds, neither woman says a word. The crystal despite shining brilliantly does nothing more. Serenity brings the crystal back to her chest and stares at it. What is going on? I've seen everyone else chant the exact same words!? I don't understand.
Laughter. Horrendously loud mocking laughter comes from Metalia, who is now holding her gut and bent over. "Is that it? Oh sweet Selene. Are you in your armor? Is it just invisible?"
Serenity, tries again, "Moon Crystal Power - Makeup!"
Again nothing except Metalia wailing as she watches.
"Oh, wait a minute, I thought there was a flicker of something. No, just the reflection of the damn bauble. Are you sure that is the crystal?"
"Shut up!" Serenity snaps, glaring at her, a wave of desperation washing over her. If she couldn't call upon her power like her friends then she didn't know how which meant she was vulnerable. If Metalia wanted to, she could kill her at any minute.
Metalia straightened up and wiped the tears from her eyes and her brow furrowed at Serenity, "My turn, you weak bitch."
In the seconds it took her to speak, Metalia lunged upward in the air, a blade forming in her hand, the tip pointing toward Serenity. She dove toward her.
Thinking even quicker, Serenity recalled the crystal and dodged with seconds to spare, landing clumsily on her butt and scrambling to continue moving. She released a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding in. Unfortunately, she scraped her palms and ripped her dress.
Serenity throws her hands forward, the Moon crescent on her forehead glowing brightly as a silvery barrier surrounds her, deflecting the energy attacks. She smirks as she watches Metalia recoil. I did it. I managed to defend myself.
"What is that? It is hideous." Metalia sneers stopping to analyze the situation. She stalks back and forth, watching the silver barrier glow. Figuring that the bright glow is the signal of it's strength.
"Metalia, stop this. Please." Serenity says. "Go back home and leave the Moon."
Stopping, Metalia growls and clenches her fists in frustration at her words. "Home? My home was destroyed hundreds of years ago!"
Serenity's lips pursed at her words.
"Those damn Terrans were not the first. I was. I was a queen up in the North. I used my magic to provide for the families who were refugees until we were invaded. They left me for dead after killing everyone." Metalia screams at her. "Only one man came to me. Offering me eternity and powers beyond those of practical magic. So I took it at the price of turning into a fucking swirling mist and losing my body."
"Metalia, I-"
"Shut up you spoiled Princess!" She hisses as she interrupts. "I found Beryl on the edge of death and offered her eternity at the price of being my slave. She took it. She never listened and wanted your Prince Charming as her own. I killed her after you decimated her army on Earth for her insolence. I used her body to regain my own form."
Metalia alternated between attacking from above and direct attacks, hoping to land any kind of hit. To Metalia's dismay, the barrier held. She snarls in disgust at the glowing barrier.
Serenity focused all her attention on defending herself against Metalia. She pushed away the feeling of inadequacy because she couldn't transform like her Guardians. There was no time to analyze what she was doing wrong.
"I can do this all day." Metalia held her hand up and pointed a single finger at Serenity, a purple energy ball surrounded by lightning forming, small but frightening.
Serenity began moving, weaving as she did. Despite her defenses holding, she didn't have a back up plan. There was nobody else because they were all fighting against the youma Metalia unleashed back at the gates.
"I thought you were the one who would defeat me. Supposed to have magnificent powers of the Moon." She smirks, continuing to toy with the Princess.
I can't transform. She isn't going to give me time to try again. It has been an onslaught. Serenity draws in a deep breathe, forcing herself to continue concentrating.
"Tch. Resisting me is futile." Metalia creates several small purple energy balls and flings them at Serenity without hesitation.
The two women traded spots in the field and Serenity was unlucky. Her foot slipped on a dislodged rock, breaking her concentration as she fell down, sparing just enough time for the barrier to flicker then disappear.
"Gotcha!" Metalia hisses, lunging forward with her sword once more, a wicked glint in her eye, an overly confident smirk writing across her lips. "This is the day, the future queen dies!"
Serenity's eyes widen as she watches the tip of the sword come closer and closer. Time seemingly slowing down as her heart pounds against her chest. It isn't supposed to end like this. I'm supposed to live. To save my home, family, my friends. Endymion. Serenity stiffens as she feels something change.
Metalia's own eyes widen and she draws back and looks at the blonde woman before her. "What just happened.
The crescent moon on Serenity's forehead begins to flicker before glowing brightly, filling her body with a radiating energy. She stands, nervous regarding the feeling inside her. Her chest aches terribly for minutes, causing her to groan and her hands to clutch herself. "What is happening?" She whispers. She looks down and sees her skin glowing.
"The crystal?"
Indeed. The crystal was becoming active upon hearing her wishes to save everyone. Surrounding the petite princess within the light to protect her, the glow brightened, encasing the area where Metalia stands.
"What is this? Make it stop? I'll kill you! I'll kill everyone you love!" She screams swinging her sword wildly in confusion. Just as suddenly as Serenity could see Metalia swinging her sword, her body began to disintegrate before her eyes. Washing away her very existence.
"I think you fried them all, Venus."
The Senshi look around at the youma lying scattered about the streets, steam and what they assumed blood seeping out of them. Ami opens her visor and begins surveying the area for total amount of damage taken as well as casualties.
Minako smirks and brings her finger to her lips and blows the smoke from it, "It was nothing."
Rei rolls her eyes and Makoto grins. The generals having made it atop the walls, collectively sigh. Zoicite and Jadeite share a laugh and Nephrite stands to survey the area.
Kunzite hoists himself up and walks over to Minako and pulls her closely, kissing her forehead, "You did well, love."
Minako wraps her arms around him and buries her blushing face in the crook of his neck, "I worried you were hurt much worse." She whispers to him.
"Has anyone felt Serenity since she ran off to meet Metalia?" Rei asks looking in the direction their princess ran to. Everyone joined her in their gaze toward the area.
"No."
"I felt energy but that wasn't Serenity. It was dark and we all heard Metalia laughing." The clouds looming in the direction Serenity ran to, sent chills over them. Ami removed her visor and looked at Rei and Minako. Everyone did.
"Tch. Stupid princess. Ladies, we can't let her fight alone." Rei shouts beginning her trek toward Serenity. Minako turns to the generals, "Stay here. We can provide Serenity with the fight power she needs."
"Be safe, Minako." Kunzite warns, concern written in his battle weary eyes. She offers a warm smile of reassurance before she and the other girls follow Rei.
"Where are they headed?" Endymion asks, appearing atop the walls, surveying the actual decimation beyond the gates. The putrid smell wafted through the air, yet he didn't cringe.
"They've decided to follow Serenity." Zoicite responds, shoving his hair behind his ear and wiping the sweat from his brow.
Just as soon as the dark clouds appeared, they disappeared moments later, surprising everyone watching from afar. Soldiers whispered as they pointed to the skies clearing.
The energy that Metalia brought to the moon no emanated but instead disappeared.
The Sailor Guardians hadn't made it very far from the gates before they stopped and waited, for they saw a swirl of mist and a shape beginning to emerge from it.
"Guardians, defensive position!" Minako ordered as she raised her hand. Rei drew back her hand, fire crackling as it formed a bow and arrow. Ami raised her own hands preparing as did Makoto.
"Don't any of you even think about attacking me."
They collectively stiffened hearing the weakened voice of none other than Serenity. She emerged, smirking. Her appearance was anything but ladylike. Her hair managed to unravel, holding loosely atop of her head, her bottom lip split and face dirty from the flying dust. Her arms were bruised and palms scratched up. Her dress ripped.
"You won?" Makoto asked breaking the stunned silence. "Did you kill her?
Serenity sighs but nods, "No. I turned her back into energy and sent her to the beginning of the Galaxy. Someday she will be reborn."
"Was that wise?" Rei asks.
They all knew of the Galaxy Cauldron and its ability to regenerate powerful beings or Sailor Senshi. It took a powerful force to recall their energy to the Cauldron. They only heard legends of anyone doing such as that, until now.
"I couldn't kill her and erase her." Serenity admits. "It is my hope, she gets a second chance to redo her life." A silence broke over them again and Serenity began wiping grime from her face in an attempt to make herself look presentable. Minako crossed her arms over her chest and looked at everyone questioningly.
"At least you can marry Jadeite in peace now, Rei." Minako says smiling, as if a light bulb turned on. "Heck, the rest of us can marry our soulmates in peace too!"
"She's right." Ami says nodding her head. "I suppose that is a plus of the situation."
"So true. Metalia and Beryl can't ruin my plans now!" Rei beamed. Makoto and Rei walk over to Serenity and help her walk back to the castle. The girls begin giggling and talking about Rei's impending nuptials.
"I think you should let me concoct a potion for your wedding night..."
"What? No! Jadeite and I will be fine without your interference!"
"Have you decided what nail polish you want, Rei?"
"Ami do you want me to find some hair extensions for you? Maybe lighter blue or..."
"I think I want some glitter on my nails, Makoto."
"No, I like my hair short, Minako. Thank you though. Say Rei, what band is playing at your reception?
"Oh my god!"
"I totally forgot to find one."
"Oops!"
Rei turned purple and hissed under her breath, "This is just perfect! Damn that Beryl and Metalia."
This is how it is suppose to end. Serenity says to herself as she hobbles back with them. Her chest hurts and she can feel the electricity of the crystal surging through her after it activated so suddenly. The amount of energy it took to control hadn't been contemplated. Yet, she wouldn't trade this outcome for any other. They were all alive.
As they walked closer, she saw her mother atop of the gate smiling proudly at her, the soldiers and generals cheered and clapped for them, through her half lidded eyes. Today ended how it was supposed to end. She saved them all.
Endymion? He was standing at the edge of the town, walking to her much faster, worry etched all over his face. The girls stopped and Serenity untangled herself from her friends to stand properly. As much as her injuries allowed.
"Let her have her space." Minako pushed the other girls back and
"It is okay, Endymion. We're all going to be okay."
Endymion rushes forward and wraps his arms around Serenity, holding her tightly against him. The worry evaporating from his being. Her tiny arms wrapped around his broader frame, squeezing him as tightly as she could manage, all things considered. "I won't stay behind while you fight the bad guys, ever again."
"It was dangerous."
"I don't care. If you fight. I fight."
"Endymion.."
"No Serenity. You asked me to stay behind because you thought you were going to die and wanted to shield me from it. You were afraid I would take the blow. You don't realize, I can't live without you. You are everything to me. You light up this universe with your life. My life too. So if you fight, I fight. There is no arguments about this."
"You...you just.." Serenity doesn't finish her sentence, words escape her but the tears of happiness begin forming at the corners of her big blue eyes.
"I love you, you wonderful woman."
Serenity looks up at him and smiles, "I love you, you stubborn man." She
Rei purses her lips and looks at the other girls from the corner of her eyes, "They aren't getting married before me. I've waited too long for this. I will set everyone of you on fire if you even think of it." She challenges them.
"Oh would you relax!" Makoto groans and shakes her head.
"I am. I'm just saying." Rei huffs.
"He hasn't even asked her." Ami points out as she turns to eye Rei seriously. "Nobody was even thinking of that, Rei."
"Good, lets talk about my wedding then." Rei grins and walks off toward the castle.
"Oi." Minako shakes her head and follows behind her.
Serenity watches her friends along with Endymion who chuckles before turning back to her, "Should we jump the gun?" He knew what he was asking and he meant it with every breathe he drew. He couldn't imagine not being with Serenity after everything that has transpired. Bond be damned because he did love her regardless. Spending the rest of his life with Serenity, Princess of the Moon and Future Queen of the Moon and Earth, didn't sound bad to him
Serenity tilts her head, confused before understanding the meaning of his words and a grin brightens up her face, followed by a giggle. She leans up and kisses Endymion's chin before responding, "She's waited very long. It would be wrong of us to steal her thunder."
He moves around and the two of them join the others at the gates as they open.
"If you hadn't joined Minako on her trip to Earth, we would have taken much longer to get here." He states remembering the first time they met.
"I think our bond would found another way. Minako couldn't gotten pissed at Kunzite and she may have holed up here which would have led to you and him arriving and then one thing would lead to another..."
Endymion shakes his head, baffled by her antics, "Do you hear yourself? There is no way in hell that I would entertain that idea. Them two would be on their own. I'm not crossing your mother."
Serenity nods and squeezes his hand in hers as they arrive at the gates where Selene walks forward and Serenity walks into her mother's arms, whispering, "I did it, mommy."
"You did, and I'm so proud of you."
All is right in her world once more.