FAREWELL, MY FRIENDS
At Crossroads Junior High School, Serena ate lunch alone in the shade of an old oak tree. Amy had gone to the library to study, leaving her friend alone to think about recent events and future happenings. As Serena ate slowly, she remembered the fun times she had had with her companions – laughing and playing, even fighting with Raye. She thought of that final look of terror in her enemy's eyes as she destroyed Queen Beryl and saved the world. She remembered how scared she had been and how they had helped her through.
"My friends, what am I going to do without you?" she whispered.
"Hey Serena! I'm so glad you're okay!" Melvin interrupted her thoughts.
Serena broke out of her reverie and looked up. Melvin was standing at the edge of the small grassy area, smiling at her and waving his hand in the air to catch her attention. When he saw her look up, he ran towards her.
"Melvin, what do you want?" Serena demanded irritably.
Melvin sat beside her, uninvited, and began to tell her the days gossip. He ignored Serena's obvious remarks to make him leave and kept talking. Finally, he arrived at something Serena found interesting.
"I saw you and Amy and Lita talking to this strange lady the other day, then you all disappeared, poof! Into thin air! I'm just happy your safe. By the way, did you hear the latest gossip? Rumor has it that Lita was sent to military school and Amy's heading back to Brighton Academy. There's also been a report that another girl from the private school vanished," Melvin babbled.
"Let me get this straight. You thought you saw Lita, Amy and I vanish into this air? I think you need your eyesight checked, or maybe you've been spending too much time on the computer and it's fried your brains," Serena said bluntly. She was in no mood to talk to Melvin or anyone right now.
"Oh Serena, even though your beautiful, you've go no sense. Computer's can't fry your brains!" Melvin said.
Serena continued to eat when she realized Melvin had said something about Amy.
"Did you say Amy's going back to Brighton?" she asked.
Melvin nodded. "That's what I heard," he said.
"Who did you hear this from?" Serena questioned.
Before Melvin could answer, Serena lifted her head and saw Amy coming to join them. She quickly shoved Melvin away. The boy stumbled to his feet, brushed off his clothes, and walked away.
"I'll find out the truth from her," Serena thought.
Amy sat down and looked in the direction Melvin had gone. She smiled brightly at Serena and opened her lunch.
"Was that Melvin just leaving?" she wondered.
Serena laughed. "Yeah, he's such a total dweebster! He's spreading rumors around that you're going back to Brighton Academy, isn't that silly?"
Amy bowed her head and didn't reply. She began to remove the contents of her lunch and spread them on the ground before her. Serena blinked and felt a wave of fear spread through her.
"Amy? I said, isn't that silly?" Serena repeated.
"He wasn't lying," Amy said, her head still bowed.
"What do you mean?" Serena asked in a quiet, sad voice.
Amy looked up at her friend, tears forming in her eyes. Serena felt her own tears forming as she guessed what Amy would say next.
"I'm going to be the next, Serena. All the Sailor Scouts have gone because we've been protecting you. When the next Shadow Warrior comes, it'll be my time to leave," Amy said sadly.
Serena's eyes began to water and she threw herself into Amy's arms. Amy looked shocked at first, then hugged her friend back as Serena wept in her shoulder.
"Amy, you can't be serious, I mean, you don't have to protect me," she sobbed. "I don't want you to protect me if you're going to leave me."
"Yes, I do have to protect you, Serena," Amy said gently. "You're the Moon Princess, and I'm sworn to defend you, as I have done for over a thousand years. You have to defeat Prince Rutile yourself and win back Sailor Sun. The Scouts have taken care of the Seven Shadows, that was our part. The rest is up to you."
The bell rang and Amy gently pried herself free of Serena's embrace. They both stood and headed back into the school. As the walked down the hall, Amy leaned closer to her friend.
"I suspect the attack will come tonight. Be ready for it," Amy whispered.
Too overcome with grief, Serena could only nod. The two girls separated to head to their individual classes, and as Amy disappeared down the hall, Serena caught a last glimpse of her shining blue hair and cheerful smile. She knew she would never again see that image in the crowded halls again.
The Dark Scout of the Negaverse was once again in the cavern of the dead warriors. She looked at the three brave Sailor Scouts before her and felt a small sadness within her. She grimaced in distaste at the emotion. She didn't understand why she could grieve for her enemies, and the sensation was unpleasant. Suddenly, she was aware of another presence and turned to find Azurite standing behind her. The elder general's face was cold and expressionless.
"Why are you here?" Azurite demanded.
"I could ask you the same question," the Dark Scout answered in a dead voice.
"Could it be that your past memories are returning?" Azurite wondered stepping closer.
"I have no past memories, only the Negaverse," was the reply.
Deep within the Dark Scout, she felt something begin to cry. Again, she surpressed the emotion, allowing the darkness to extinguish the brief spark of light.
"Then, you have no problem killing Sailor Moon?" Azurite asked.
"It shall be done when the time comes," the Dark Scout replied. "The Master has not yet commanded it."
The Dark Scout inclined her head to Azurite and disappeared. The general walked closer to the fallen warriors and smiled. She touched the cold face of Sailor Mars almost tenderly.
"You'll be grateful you're dead when we rule the universe," she told them.
The bodies remained motionless and Azurite vanished. The cavern returned to its accustomed silence, with three faint pulses beating as one, as the only sound.
Amy and Serena spent after school at the arcade, trying to cheer themselves up. Amy's computer course had been canceled and they used the time as if it were their last. Andrew watched them spend all their money on games, food, and cheap stuffed animals that they later gave away. He was surprised at how calm and gentle Serena was being, not raising her voice and speaking to Amy as if she were about the leave. He was touched by her generosity and offered her a few free tokens. She accepted one and gave it to someone who was out of money. Then, she left. Amy stayed for a few minutes to talk to Andrew.
"What's with Serena? She's acting like she only has a few hours to live," he wondered.
"She's going through tough times," Amy answered quietly.
"What about you, Amy? The only time you ever come here is when you and your friend Raye want Serena," he said.
"I thought, since this might be my last time here, that . . ," she began, her eyes downcast. She hoped Andrew didn't catch the meaning of her words.
"Wait a second! This might be your last time here? Are you moving?" Andrew asked.
Amy lowered her head. A tear slid down her cheek.
"I don't mean to pry . . ," Andrew started, shocked that he had caused her to cry.
"Hey Andrew, are you coming or not?" Darien called from the door. The other boy didn't even notice Amy standing there.
"Well, I have to go. Good bye Amy, and remember to visit if you're ever back this way," Andrew called, leaving his work apron on the counter and heading out the door.
He turned once to wave to her as the glass doors slid closed between them. The smile never once left his face.
"Good bye to you as well," Amy whispered.
Azurite found them later that evening, walking home from the movie theater. She didn't show herself, but opened a portal in front of them. Serena and Amy stopped and gazed into the deep, black nothingness. They hesitated and Serena looked at her friend uncertainly. Amy's face was grim with determination, but her eyes revealed an inner sadness.
"Come on, let's finish this fight," Azurite's voice rang out, filled with impatience.
Melvin stuck his head out from around the corner and saw Serena and Amy standing in front of the portal. He gasped, but remained hidden, waiting to see what his friends would do.
"We'd better get this over with," Amy said.
Serena nodded. "Just remember, self sacrifice is a last resort, okay?"
Amy smiled gently at her and nodded in agreement. They held hands and stepped calmly through the portal. Melvin couldn't believe his eyes and he suddenly realized he was the only one there who could protect the girls.
"Serena, no! Wait!" Melvin cried as he jumped in after them.
The portal blinked once and closed, sealing the two girls and the unwanted visitor to their fates.
They landed in the all too familiar caves of the Negaverse. The
tall, stone walls loomed around them, their tops hidden from view. Amy took out her power stick, then realized that they were not alone. She turned and saw Melvin behind them, unconscious. Amy turned her gaze to Serena, who had also seen the boy.
"We should transform before he wakes up and sees us," Amy advised.
Serena nodded and held up her hand.
"Moon Crisis Transform!" she cried.
"Mercury Star Power!" Amy yelled.
The two remaining Sailor Scouts stood ready for anything. Mercury switched on her VR visor to scan the caves while Sailor Moon watched the dark walls for movement. Behind them, Melvin moaned and sat up.
"Wow, where am I?" he asked.
Sailor Moon turned around to look at him.
"You're in the caves of the Negaverse. Stick close to me and stay out of the fighting. We'll get you out of here," she said.
Melvin shook his head. "I have to find my friends, Serena and Amy. They came in here and I have to make sure they're safe."
Sailor Mercury turned as well. She smiled at the boy for his concern.
"Do what she says Melvin. Your friends are fine and are already on their way home. Keep close to Sailor Moon. I'm afraid I won't be around long enough to see you home," she said.
Melvin blinked in confusion, wondering what the blue Sailor Scout meant by that last comment. Before he could ask, Azurite appeared, holding the last two crystals. She laughed evilly at the two girls.
"Azurite, promise that you'll let the boy go. He's completely innocent," Sailor Moon ordered.
Azurite let one of the crystals go and it hovered in mid-air. She made it spin, toying with it as if it were a rubber ball. She considered Sailor Moon's request.
"I'm a woman of my word, and you have my word that he'll be returned to his world, unharmed," she said finally. "I make no such promise to you, however."
"Quick, head for cover behind those rocks," Mercury whispered urgently.
Melvin stood and ran to their safety. Secure in the knowledge that Melvin was safe, the two scouts faced Azurite, their faces grim. The Negaverse general smiling a chilling smile and her brown eyes flashed with power.
"Indigo Crystal! Release your captive!" Azurite commanded.
The crystal shattered and the shadow within it grew. When it reached its full size, it leapt high in the air and landed between the two scouts.
"Mercury Supreme Arctic Blast!" Sailor Mercury called.
The monster was hit with the worst snow storm known to the planet Earth; but they weren't on Earth anymore. The Shadow was weakened, but not destroyed.
"Moonbeam Attack!" Sailor Moon said, facing her enemy.
The beam didn't harm the creature at all. Sailor Moon bit her lip in frustration, wondering what she could do to save her last ally.
The Dark Scout appeared behind Azurite and watched the battle carefully. She saw the boy hiding behind some rocks and her eyes narrowed. Almost negligently, she formed a energy ball in her hand and was about to toss it when Azurite stopped her.
"The boy goes home unharmed. I gave my word," she said.
The Dark Scout shrugged and returned to watching the ongoing battle. She felt her heart growing heavy as her enemies were beaten. Their destruction almost pained her.
Sailor Moon wiped the blood from a cut on her cheek. The arm she had landed on when the creature had thrown her felt limp and lifeless. Sailor Mercury crouched on the ground, her hair singed in some places and her lip bleeding. The Shadow, seemingly unharmed from all the attacks they'd thrown at it, prepared to lunge.
"I have no choice," Sailor Moon heard Mercury whisper.
She pointed at her friend. Sailor Moon saw Mercury's face smile sadly, her blue eyes full of determination and regret. Sailor Moon straightened and returned the look to her friend.
"Mercury Wind Banishment!" Sailor Mercury called.
A wind swept down and surrounded Sailor Moon. The Shadow lunged at Sailor Moon, but was brushed aside by the gale. Sailor Moon stood in front of the rocks that protected Melvin, shielding the boy as well. From behind the sheltering winds, Sailor Moon saw her friend take a final look
"Let this be my final gift to you, Princess," Sailor Mercury said.
Sailor Moon and Melvin watched, their eyes glued on the brave girl. She stood in front of the monster and formed a blue bubble in her hands. She spun around and faced the creature. It stopped and looked at her in confusion.
"Mercury Snowcrystal Detonation!" she yelled, throwing the bubble into the air. It smashed to the ground.
The entire cavern was frozen solid in a matter of seconds, including the Shadow Warrior and Sailor Mercury. Azurite and the Dark Scout had disappeared the moment Sailor Mercury had unleashed her deadly attack, and the winds that had protected Sailor Moon and Melvin slowly faded away.
The ice sculpture of the Shadow crumbled, and Sailor Moon left the rock outcropping to retrieve the Indigo Rainbow Crystal. She turned to the statue that used to be alive. Sailor Mercury's features were perfectly etched in the design and Sailor Moon wept. Melvin came up beside her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"The Negaverse has them all, now," Sailor Moon cried, falling to her knees.
Melvin felt himself disappear and, before he could say a word, he was back on the streets of Tokyo.
Azurite's voice floated down from the ceiling.
"I gave my word he'd be back safely, and he is," she said.
Sailor Moon looked up and tried to find where the voice was coming from. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she struggled to her feet. It was snowing lightly in the cavern, perpetual winter as a result of Mercury's attack.
"Where are you, snake?" Sailor Moon yelled.
"Now, now," the voice chided. "I'm in the throne room with your friend, Jenny. Come and get me, if you can."
Sailor Moon looked back at her frozen companion.
Believe in yourself, Serena. I know you can do it, Amy's voice said.
At the statue's feet was Mercury's powerstick.
Sailor Moon picked it up and started down one of the many possible corridors that would lead her to the throne room, Jenny and Prince Rutile.