THE CHILD
The sun shone high and bright over the park. Dozens of people roamed around the grassy refuge, sailing on the lake or enjoying a peaceful day away from the city's bustle. For others, it was a chance to spend time with dear friends.
Chibiusa sat on the grass, playing with baby Hotaru. The infant senshi of Death and Rebirth giggled happily and clapped her hands together as Chibiusa tickled her nose with a blade of grass. Chibiusa smiled, enjoying their private world, knowing that Rei and Minako were just beyond the hill waiting for her to return. It was so rare that she got to spend time alone with Hotaru, that Chibiusa relished every moment.
As Hotaru laughed, Chibiusa felt her hand growing warmer. She ignored the sensation for a while, thinking it was just the hot afternoon sun on her skin, but it grew more and more persistent. Finally, she looked down at her hand to see the source of the annoyance.
The golden ring Puu had given her was glowing.
Chibiusa brought the ring to her face and looked from it to Hotaru. The baby noticed it as well and was reaching out with chubby hands. The glow intensified in the infant's presence.
"Poor Hotaru," Chibiusa sighed. "Not you again."
"I'm afraid so," a sinister voice replied from behind the girls.
Hotaru's face lost its carefree expression as large purple eyes took in the person before her. Slowly, Chibiusa turned to see who was interrupting their afternoon. She recognized the face immediately and as it's face grinned down at her, she screamed.
********
"Are you sure?" Makoto asked.
Ami halted in front of the large central fountain of the park and looked around. Her small computer was in her hand, scanning the people in the park.
"Positive," Ami replied. "The Child is around here somewhere."
Makoto sighed and sat down by the fountain as Ami walked around slowly, checking her computer every few seconds. They had detected the strange signal a few minutes ago at Ami's apartment and had ran to the park in seconds. Now that they were here, actually pinpointing the location of the Child proved to be more difficult than anticipated.
"This way," Ami said, pointing.
As if to confirm the direction, a scream rang through the air. Makoto and Ami exchanged glances and took off at a run again.
********
Michiru wandered through the park, trusting her instincts to lead her. She felt the disturbance growing, filling the park with an electric energy. She knew that if Haruka was with her, she would have felt it too. Michiru pushed back the ever present tears and kept moving. Haruka's death would not be in vain. She would make sure of that.
Danger
The voice of Sailor Mirage in Michiru's head warned her before she even heard the terrified scream. Quickly, she ran off in the direction of the sound, pausing as Ami and Makoto past her at a run. If they noticed Michiru standing there they didn't show it, so Michiru followed at a safe distance, concealed in the growing shadows.
********
Rei and Minako were sitting on a bench, enjoying their ice cream and a moment's rest. The search for the Child had been futile so far and time was running out for Usagi. They welcomed breaks like this, but couldn't help but feel the pressure of their situation.
They talked about trivial things, school and friends. Rei told Minako all about her private girl's school while Minako told Rei about her previous life in England. Their worries were almost forgotten when a scream shattered the stillness.
Rei and Minako leapt to their feet in an instant, dropping their ice cream on the ground.
"Chibiusa!" Rei gasped.
Drawing out their transformation pens, the two girls dashed over the hill that separated them from Chibiusa and Hotaru.
********
"I think you have something I want," Chaos said, looking past Chibiusa to the baby Hotaru.
Chibiusa rose and placed herself between Chaos and Hotaru. Her face was grim. "Never."
Chaos sighed. "Move, little one. You can't stop me from taking what is mine."
Chibiusa didn't budge. Chaos smiled somewhat sadly and took a step backwards. Raising its hand, it pointed to Chibiusa. The girl squeezed her eyes shut in preparation for the attack.
"Venus Love-Me Chain!"
Chaos pulled back its hand and winced in pain as the heart chain snapped across its wrist. It looked up to the top of the small hill that separated them from the rest of the park, and saw the two senshi. Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus leapt from the hill landed in fighting stance between Chibiusa and Chaos. Chaos rolled its eyes.
"Please," it said. "You're no more of a match for me than the girl."
"Supreme Thunder!"
Chaos gasped in shock and pain as the attack caught it off guard. It staggered back another step and Sailor Mercury and Sailor Jupiter placed themselves beside Mars and Venus. Behind them all, Chibiusa picked up Hotaru and held her tight.
"More of you," Chaos spat. "Your feeble attempts to stop me are starting to become annoying."
"Deep Submerge!"
Again, Chaos was knocked back a few steps by the unexpected attack. From the shadows of the park, Sailor Neptune stepped into view. She moved to stand beside Sailor Jupiter, further blocking Chaos from its goal. It glared angrily at the five senshi standing before it.
"Pesky senshi," Chaos snarled. "You are making me waste precious energy by killing you. Perhaps a trade would be better."
Chaos snapped its fingers and another figure appeared behind it. The senshi gasped and Chaos smiled evilly.
"Usagi-chan!" the inner senshi said.
Usagi stood with her head bowed and her eyes hidden. Her hands were clasped in front of her in submission. She did not appear to be restrained in any way and Sailor Venus and Sailor Mars took a step toward her.
"She is not what she seems!" Neptune warned them.
Chaos frowned. "You spoiled it! I told you not to!"
Usagi raised her head and smiled. The senshi were shocked as a hostile face stared back at them where the friendly face of Usagi should have been. Their friend's eyes were dead, yet full of hatred and darkness, and her smiled held no warmth.
"Usagi-chan!" Chibiusa whispered, hugging Hotaru close. "No!"
Venus and Mars were frozen in shock as Usagi turned on them. The blond haired girl pointed and a beam of dark energy shot towards them. They leapt aside, but the beam struck Mars and knocked her down.
"Usagi-chan," Venus pleaded. "It's us!"
Usagi replied by advancing on Venus next. Venus avoided the energy as best she could, but dodging the attacks was very tiring.
"Venus Love-Me Chain!" she called.
"What are you doing? That's Usagi!" Mars yelled.
Venus ignored her friend and tossed the chain. It wound its way around Usagi's torso, pinning her arms to her side. Usagi seemed surprised for an instant before charging the chain itself with negative energy that exploded in Venus' hand, flinging her backwards.
"Venus!" Jupiter cried.
Usagi spread open her arms and threw Jupiter and Mercury aside with an intense blast of Chaos' energy. The path to the Child was open, save for Sailor Neptune. As Usagi walked forward to take Hotaru, Sailor Neptune held up the sun-shaped ring she wore on her finger.
"Sailor Mirage!" she called. "We need you!"
A cloud blocked the sun, covering the world in a deep, dark shadow. From this darkness, a being of light appeared. The inner senshi could hardly believe their eyes when their phantom ally appeared.
"Mirage is back?" Mars said. "Did we miss something?"
Chaos, Mirage called. You know this is neither the time, nor the place for our meeting.
Mirage made a sweeping motion with one arm and Usagi's attack broke off. The blond girl returned to her submissive pose and the senshi rose to their feet, injured but not defeated. They scrambled back to their original positions, guarding Chibiusa and Hotaru.
"This is business," Chaos growled to Mirage. It turned back to the senshi. "Perhaps I should sweeten the deal."
Chaos snapped its fingers again and a second form appeared. This one was cocooned in black vines and sagged lifelessly in its bonds. Its face was completely covered, but its form was distinctly human.
"The Child," Chaos called to the senshi, "for the lives of Sailor Moon and Sailor Uranus."
Chaos moved its hand in a sweeping gesture and the black vines freed the head of their prisoner. Neptune gasped and stepped forward in spite of herself. Sailor Uranus lay contained within the vines, unconscious but very much alive.
Sailor Mirage turned to Neptune, sensing the other's feelings. She could see the hope returning to Neptune's face, her broken heart mending at another chance to save her beloved's life, but at the last second, her face steeled and her emotions drained from her face.
"You will have to kill us all first," Neptune said.
Chaos shrugged. "Suit yourself, but the Child will be mine."
With another snap of its fingers, Chaos and its two captives disappeared. As the cloud blocking the sun began to move, Mirage took a last, sad look at the disillusioned senshi and vanished with the shadows. Neptune fell to her knees, staring at the space where Uranus had been, overcome with greif.
********
The moon was high in the night sky when the senshi met two days later at the Hikawa Shrine. Chibiusa stood to one side, playing absently with her ring, with Mamoru standing protectively next to her, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. The other senshi sat on the steps of the shrine, wondering why they were gathered so late at night. Michiru stood apart from the group, cradling the sleeping baby Hotaru in her arms. She had taken the Child after the park incident and had disappeared with her until tonight. Luna and Artemis sat on the porch next to the senshi, looking just as confused as the girls.
"What are we doing here?" Makoto finally asked.
"Ask Michiru-san," Rei grumbled. "She's the one who called us."
"I didn't call you," Michiru said quietly.
The senshi blinked in confusion. "Then who did?"
In the dimness of the night, a glowing ghostly figure appeared at the top of the stairs and began walking toward them. When it reached the middle of the group, it took the shape of a senshi.
I summoned you here, Sailor Mirage said. The time has come to stop Chaos once and for all.
The girls all leapt to their feet in anticipation. Makoto smiled and stepped forward.
"What are we waiting for? Let's go!" she cried.
Sailor Mirage held up a hand. Patience, Mako-chan. First I must spend some time with the Child. If she is to be free of Chaos' influence, she must first know mine.
Rei nodded. "We'll put you two in the shrine together. You'll be safe there."
Sailor Mirage nodded and gestured for her to lead the way. Rei opened the doors and motioned for everyone to enter. Mirage glided past on her insubstantial feet, followed closely by Michiru and Hotaru. Inside the dark room, Mirage grew more visible as the only light came from the Great Fire.
Place the Child here, in front of the Fire, Mirage instructed.
Michiru obeyed and Hotaru woke up. She looked around in confusion, large purple eyes taking in everything. Mirage smiled down at her and she smiled back.
"We'll wait in my room," Rei said.
I will let you know when I am finished, Mirage said.
The girls and Mamoru bowed and left the room, closing the large wooden doors behind them.
********
The figure ran blindly through the dark forest, breathing deeply, her long hair flying out behind her. She tripped once but brought herself to her feet in an instant, glancing over her shoulder for any signs of pursuit. She took of again, not stopping until she reached her goal. The Hikawa Shrine rose out of the trees like a haven and the fugitive girl collapsed gratefully on the steps. She remained motionless for a few seconds, catching her breath and listening to the conversation inside. Finally, she felt safe enough to stand and knocked on the door. Mamoru opened it and she fell into his embrace. He stared in shock before looking down at the girl in his arms.
"Usako?" he asked.
********
The inner senshi were all thrilled to see their friend again. As Mamoru brought her inside, the others leapt to their feet and surrounded her. Usagi smiled wearily and greeted each of them before Mamoru lead her to Rei's bed where she sat. Chibiusa quickly sat next to Usagi and hugged her tightly.
From the corner of the room, Michiru watched, forgotten in the excitement. There was something wrong with Usagi, something she couldn't put her finger on. The girl's greetings were far too informal and she had stiffened noticeably when Chibiusa's arms had gone around her. There was no way she could have broken free of Chaos so quickly when she had been consumed so completely.
"What happened?" Mina asked.
Usagi passed a tired hand over her face and leaned against Mamoru. He put his arm around her reflexively and she snuggled closer into his embrace.
"Chaos took me back to its palace," Usagi said. "It was weakened by the fight in the park, so its hold on me was less. I used my Crystal to break completely free and escape the planet."
"But it took all of us together to reach the planet," Michiru spoke up. "How could you have the energy to escape by yourself?"
The inner senshi all turned and shot her a dirty look. Tears filled Usagi's eyes and she began to cry, burrowing her head into Mamoru's shoulder.
"Maybe you should go," Rei said.
Michiru shrugged and stood up. Quietly, she left the room the way Usagi had come. Once outside, she slipped comfortably into the shadows and drew out her transformation pen.
"Neptune Planet Power, Make-Up!" she called.
Ever vigilant, Sailor Neptune watched the foolish younger senshi make the biggest mistake of their lives.
********
Much later that night, Usagi awoke. She lay on Mamoru's chest with Chibiusa nestled tightly against her side. Both were asleep, as were the other senshi who were sprawled around Rei's room. Usagi glanced over at the clock and saw that it was well past midnight.
Cautiously, Usagi moved Chibiusa to take her place across Mamoru's chest and eased her way past the sleeping girls to the door. She slid it open soundlessly and tiptoed into the hallway, closing the door behind her.
From where she and Artemis slept, Luna opened her eyes.
********
The room that housed the Great Fire was dark and quiet as Usagi slid open the door. She paused as her eyed adjusted to the dim light and eased forward into the blackness. The Great Fire cracked and Usagi saw the form of the baby Hotaru sleeping near the flames.
Hotaru woke as Usagi drew closer and stared up at her with fear filled eyes. Usagi smiled wickedly and reached out to pick up the Child.
Stop!
Usagi turned around and saw the faint shadow of Sailor Mirage standing behind her. The Phantom senshi was translucent and Usagi knew that to be a sign of her weakening powers. Straightening, the girl looked at the ghost with confident eyes.
"You cannot stop me, phantom," Usagi said with Chaos' voice. "The Child will be mine."
I can stop you, and I will, Mirage argued. Not only for destroying our host, but for perverting a senshi of love and justice into your minion. In the name of the Afterlife, I will punish you!
Usagi growled and pointed to Mirage. A blast of dark energy shot from her finger. Mirage disappeared before the blast could strike her and it made a smoking hole in the far wall of the room. Mirage reappeared near Usagi again and the girl turned and fired once more. Again, she missed.
"Stay still, damned specter!" Usagi/Chaos snarled.
The Phantom senshi didn't reappear. Cautiously, Usagi circled the room, knowing her eternal opponent would not be so easily dissuaded. Suddenly, Mirage appeared directly in front of her, catching her off guard.
Forgive me, Usagi-chan, Mirage said. Mirage Silver Mist!
The sun-shaped gem on her tiara glowed and Mirage's body disappeared in a silver haze. Usagi jerked backwards reflexively as the mist entered her body.
From the doorway to the room, the inner senshi had gathered at the sound of the blast from Usagi's attack. They were just in time to see Mirage disappear into Usagi and they hesitated before attacking.
"The Child!" Tuxedo Kamen said.
Sailor Mercury dashed out and grabbed Hotaru from where she lay. Usagi could only watch as the senshi acted, unable to move on her own accord. A split second later, Mirage broke free of Usagi's body.
Such torment Mirage gasped. Such pain and sadness
Usagi yelled and pointed to Mercury. The ice senshi screamed in pain as the negative energy slammed her against the wall causing Hotaru to fly through the air. Usagi caught the Child easily and turned to the senshi.
The time to act is now, Mirage told them urgently. Save your princess and the Child!
Usagi disappeared into the darkness, taking with her Hotaru and Sailor Mirage.
********
The senshi assembled outside the Hikawa Shrine. Less than an hour had passed since Usagi had taken the Cosmic Child from them and the wasted no time in going after her. The senshi joined hands with Sailor Chibi Moon in the centre and bowed their heads in concentration.
"Wait!"
They looked up to see Sailor Neptune standing in the shadows. She stepped forward and looked at them with her chin raised.
"You need all the allies you can get," she said. "I suggest we travel first to the Gates of Time and then the planet."
Sailor Mercury held out her hand to Neptune and the senshi of Water gratefully joined the circle. They once again bowed their heads in concentration as Chibi Moon drew out her Cronos Key.
"Cronos, Father of Time! Take me to the Gates so we can save my mother and the future!" Chibi Moon cried.
"Sailor Teleport!" the other senshi yelled.
In a flash, the sailor senshi were gone. From the stairs of the Shrine, Luna and Artemis watched them go.
"I've never been more worried about them," Luna remarked.
"They'll do fine," Artemis said. "They've defeated worse."
"But they've always had Sailor Moon with them," Luna argued. "Now, she is the one they must battle.
Luna waited for Artemis to sooth her with comforting words, but instead found the white cat gazing up at the stars.
"Come home safely," he whispered.
********
Chaos clapped its hands eagerly as Usagi presented Hotaru to it. Gently, Chaos picked up the Cosmic Child and rocked her back and forth, soothing her to sleep. Usagi watched with a puzzled expression on her face.
"That is all for now, my puppet," Chaos told her.
"But the senshi will follow," Usagi said.
"Then you better rest up," Chaos replied.
Usagi bowed and left the throne room. Chaos cooed at the infant and walked over to where her favourite wall hanging decorated the throne room. She held the Child up for Sailor Uranus to see.
"All is lost," Chaos said. "I have the power now. This is your last chance to fight by my side."
"Never," Uranus spat.
"Then you shall be the first to be sacrificed to me when I rule the universe," Chaos said cheerfully. "I will enjoy your blood, so hot and full of energy."
"Don't hold your breath waiting," Uranus said. "You may not like what you end up with."
Chaos shook its finger at her. "Now, now," it chided. "You'll upset the baby."
A smile past over Sailor Uranus' lips. "You don't know who she is, do you?"
"What do you care?" Chaos yelled. "She is the Cosmic Child, the Double Soul, the only person in all the galaxies who can become my host. All else is irrelevant."
Uranus said nothing but kept smiling. Chaos gently lay Hotaru on the throne and returned to stand in front of the trapped senshi. With a wave of its hand, the vines that locked Uranus against the wall became electrified. Sailor Uranus grunted in pain and squeezed her eyes shut, but did not cry out. Chaos waved its hand again and the electricity stopped.
"Next time, you'll think twice before addressing me," Chaos grumbled.
Suddenly, the two massive wooden doors burst open and disintegrated into burning ash. Eight sailor senshi stepped into the throne room that had once belonged to Queen Olivine. Neptune thought for a split second how far they had come since that first night in France when she and Haruka had been brought to meet the Queen.
"Welcome!" Chaos said brightly.
"Give us the Child and Usagi," Tuxedo Kamen demanded.
"Never," Chaos laughed. "Did you really think I would if you just asked?"
"Supreme Thunder!" Sailor Jupiter called.
Chaos side stepped the attack easily and sighed.
"If it's a fight you want, then I will just have to kill you all."
Chaos snapped its fingers and Usagi appeared, standing beside the throne where Hotaru lay.
"Kill them," Chaos ordered.
Usagi bowed once and lunged at the inner senshi. They leapt aside surrounded their friend.
"We hate to do this, Usagi-chan," Venus said.
"Shabon Spray!" Mercury called.
The room filled with a thick mist. Lost and confused, Usagi searched for a target.
"Crescent Beam!"
The bolt of light struck Usagi from behind, knocking her forward a few steps. She cried out in pain and wheeled around to face her attacker. The mist continued to block her view.
"Supreme Thunder!"
Again, Usagi was hit and she fell to the ground, remaining motionless. The mist cleared and the senshi stood around her, their faces full of concern.
"I hope we didn't hurt her," Mercury remarked.
"Not too much, anyway," Mars added.
********
As the senshi battled their former leader, Pluto and Tuxedo Kamen fought Chaos. They kept Chaos distracted enough for Sailor Neptune to sneak up to her partner.
Sailor Uranus was unconscious, sagging in her tight bonds. Neptune drew out her mirror and looked up at her beloved, feeling the pain she knew Uranus felt. Neptune stepped back and held up her mirror.
"Submarine Reflection!" she called.
The vines that held Uranus disappeared and the outer senshi fell forward into Neptune's arms. As Neptune caught her partner, the inner senshi defeated Usagi. Chaos saw its power slowly starting to crumble.
"Never!" it screamed. "I will not be locked up again!"
With astounding force, Chaos pushed Pluto and Tuxedo Kamen aside, knocking them to the ground with a wave of its hand. In no time, it was standing before the throne where Hotaru lay. Between it and the Child stood Sailor Chibi Moon.
"Stand aside," Chaos ordered.
Chibi Moon drew out her scepter and pointed it to Chaos.
"Pink Sugar Heart Attack!" she cried.
The attack did nothing. Chaos sighed and picked up Chibi Moon with one hand. He tossed her to the other side of the throne room as if she were a rag doll and she lay motionless on the floor.
"Chibiusa!" Tuxedo Kamen called weakly.
"Small Lady!" Pluto gasped.
"Chibi Moon!" the inner senshi yelled.
Chaos reached down to pick up the Child. Hotaru's large eyes opened as Chaos' arms came toward her, but they were no longer purple. They were grey.
You're too late, Sailor Mirage's voice rang through the throne room.
Chaos staggered back as the infant Hotaru disappeared in a blinding light to be replaced by Sailor Mirage. The Phantom senshi was a ghost no longer and had two giant, white wings sprouting from her back. She faced Chaos coolly with her hands on her hips.
"No!" Chaos cried.
The form of the Dark Scout turned insubstantial and a black shadow floated to where Usagi lay. The inner senshi could do nothing but watch as it landed on Usagi and their leader disappeared. In her place stood the Dark Scout again, this time with two massive, black wings on her back.
"Let the final battle begin," Mirage said.
********
The senshi withdrew to the sidelines as they witnessed the ultimate fight between good and evil, Chaos and Order. Tuxedo Kamen had gone to Chibiusa and brought her to the corner where the other senshi waited.
Chaos attacked first. Holding out its hand, a black sword appeared. With it, Chaos charged Mirage, slicing back and forth in a random manner. Mirage calmly dodged the clumsy blows and flew up to the ceiling. Holding both hand high above her head, she looked down to Chaos. A glowing ball of white light appeared cupped in her hands.
"Supernatural Light!" she called.
The stunning white ball enveloped Chaos and for a split second, the senshi thought the battle over. Suddenly, the ball turned dark and imploded, becoming absorbed into Chaos. Mirage gasped as the black winged senshi flew up to meet her.
"We have to do something," Sailor Venus said.
"We can't," Uranus replied, her voice shaky from her injuries. "This is no longer our fight."
Mirage avoided a few more attacks of negative energy from Chaos, flying in an intricate patter around the ceiling. Finally, Chaos' aim proved true and Mirage fell to the ground. The senshi ran to meet her.
Chaos drifted down and hovered over the ground, laughing at the foolishness of the sailor senshi. Pointing, it aimed first at Sailor Neptune, who was tossed away from Uranus by an explosion. Chaos then struck Tuxedo Kamen who covered Chibi Moon with his cape.
"Cut it out!" Sailor Mars cried. "Burning Mandala!"
The fire rings missed Chaos but burned the feathers from its wings. Chaos fell to the ground as Mirage rose shakily to her feet.
"This is not your fight," she called to the senshi. "Usagi's life-force has made Chaos too powerful."
Chaos opened its arms wide and a powerful energy blast brought all the senshi to their feet. Mirage fought against it and managed to rise. She turned back to where the senshi struggled.
"Get out!" she called.
"Not without our princess!" Jupiter managed to say.
Mirage held up her hand and a white light sprouted from her finger. The light grew until in encompassed the senshi in a glowing shield. Even Neptune was brought into its influence and returned to Uranus' arms.
"Then you better get your princess," Mirage commented with a wink.
As she turned back to fight with Chaos, the senshi inside their shield joined hands and bowed their heads. The white hemisphere of protection began to fade as they pooled their powers.
"For Usagi," Venus said. "Venus Star Power, Make-Up!"
"For Earth," Jupiter added. "Jupiter Star Power, Make-Up!"
"For Justice," Mars said. "Mars Star Power, Make-Up!"
"For Friendship," Mercury continued. "Mercury Star Power, Make-Up!"
"For this time," Pluto joined. "Pluto Planet Power, Make-Up!"
"And our future," Neptune said. "Neptune Planet Power, Make-Up!"
"For our lives and our princess," Uranus said. "Uranus Planet Power, Make-Up!"
"We will triumph over evil!" Chibi Moon finished. "Moon Prism Power, Make-Up!"
Chaos raised its head from Mirage's attack in time to see a sphere of many colours racing towards it. With a scream of terror and panic, the ball consumed it and exploded. Mirage was thrown backwards, but used her wings to stop her fall.
When the light cleared, Chaos was gone and Usagi remained, dressed like a princess. She held the Imperial Silver Crystal cupped in her hands and she smiled at her friends.
The black shadow that had been Chaos fluttered around the ceiling, helpless without a host. Princess Serenity lifted the Crystal above her head.
"Cosmic Moon Power!" she called.
As the glittering pink light of the Crystal struck the shade of Chaos, it screamed shrilly and vanished.
********
The sailor senshi ran to surround their friend. Usagi embraced them all warmly, thanking them for saving her. Then, they all turned to face Mirage.
Already the once solid form of the Phantom senshi was fading into nothingness. Usagi stepped away from her friends and looked up at Mirage.
"This is goodbye, for real?" she asked, tears in her eyes.
Mirage smiled gently. Yes, Princess. With Chaos gone, there is no longer any need for me to remain.
Usagi nodded, letting her tears flow freely. Mirage raised a hand in farewell and disappeared, leaving the infant Hotaru on the ground, unharmed and asleep. Usagi bent to pick up the baby and when she straightened, a new ghost stood before her.
"Kami-chan!" Usagi gasped.
The translucent phantom of Deruku Kami smiled at Usagi.
Thank you for setting me free, she said.
In the background, Uranus lowered her eyes uncomfortably. The ghost of Kami noticed and her smile grew larger.
You were right to have stopped me, Haruka-san. As the Child, I was a danger. Now that I am free, I am happy.
Uranus lifted her head and returned the smile, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Kami's eyes met Usagi's and they looked at each other until the ghost of Kami faded, never to appear again.
********
Setsuna, Michiru, and Haruka sat in the small coffee shop. They had returned Hotaru to her father and were celebrating their victory quietly. None of them had spoken to the flighty inner senshi since they had returned from the planet three days ago, but Michiru held Haruka's hand protectively.
"Will you remain in our time?" Michiru asked conversationally.
Setsuna sipped her coffee. "Perhaps. Someone will have to keep an eye on all of you."
Haruka smiled. "We didn't do too badly."
"Except you allowed the princess and the Child to be taken by Chaos," Setsuna reminded them.
Michiru squeezed Haruka's hand to calm her. Setsuna raised her eyes from her coffee mug and smiled.
"But it all turned out for the best," she concluded.
Haruka laughed nervously and finished her drink.
********
At the Hikawa Shrine, the girls began once again to prepare for their entrance exams. Usagi wiggled her pencil between her finger as she stared blankly at her book. She had been withdrawn since her return from Chaos' palace and her meeting with Kami's ghost.
"Usagi-chan?" Minako asked. "Are you okay?"
"She really is gone," Usagi sighed. "I keep expecting her to walk through the door, but she's gone."
"I wonder why she didn't get reborn, like us," Ami mused. "Perhaps she isn't truly a senshi, just a personification of Order."
"Persona - what?" Makoto asked.
Ami blushed. "Order in human form," she amended.
"Is that on our test?" Minako asked, flipping though her book.
The girls laughed and Usagi looked out at the sun. It shone brightly and cheerfully on the Earth and Usagi couldn't help but smile. Kami may be gone, but her memory would live forever. After all, it was a new day and who knows what the future would bring?
Here Ends Sailor Moon: Solar Shadow
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