FANTASTIC FIGHT
Sailor Moon and her two companions ran blindly through the tunnels. Tears blocked her vision as Tuxedo Mask dragged her behind Sailor Sun. Finally they stopped running and hid in a small alcove. There, Sailor Moon sat on the ground and wept. Tuxedo Mask crouched beside her and kissed her softly on the cheek. She threw her arms around him and sobbed quietly. Sailor Sun kept watch at the entrance.
"She's going to kill them, this time for sure," Sailor Moon gasped.
"Not if we can destroy the Negaverse first!" Sailor Sun said from the doorway.
Tuxedo Mask helped his beloved to her feet.
"How can we destroy the Negaverse?" Sailor Moon asked through her tears.
Sailor Sun turned to face her. "As the Dark Scout, I was supposed to release the full power of the Negaforce on the Earth when I had reached my potential. Fortunately, you healed me before I became that strong. The portal for the Negaforce is located in a small room behind Rutile's throne. If we destroy the throne, we should be able to destroy the portal, sealing the Negaforce forever."
Sailor Moon sniffed. "I don't know if I can do this," she said. "Not with the others lying at the mercy of Azurite."
"You must be strong, Princess," Tuxedo Mask said. "For them, and for the rest of the world as well."
Sailor Moon looked up at him and nodded bravely. The trio rose and went out of the alcove. With Sailor Sun once more leading the way, they headed deeper into the Negaverse.
Azurite hovered over the sleeping scouts menacingly. They seemed dead as they lay unmoving on the cold, stone beds. Azurite smiled to herself. They were only unconscious. They had fooled her, even in death. She went to the first scout they had captured. She lay still as Azurite formed a ball of dark energy in her hand.
"This time," she muttered, "I'll kill you for real!"
The ball hovered in the air above Sailor Venus' face for an instant before beginning its descent.
"Mars Fire Ignite!" a cry came from further down the aisle.
The ball was destroyed by the trail of fire as Azurite looked up sharply. She saw Sailor Mars standing before her, a determined look in her eye.
"Leave her alone," Mars warned.
Azurite laughed to herself. The sailor scout was too weak to do any real damage to her. Another sphere of dark energy was made and Azurite stepped away from Sailor Venus and turned instead to Sailor Jupiter.
"Mars Fire Ignite!" she called again.
Azurite dodged the fire and released the ball.
"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!"
A beam of light demolished that ball as well. Azurite found herself between two scouts, each prepared to kill her. With an angry hiss, Azurite saw her chances of survival disappear.
"I'll be back!" she promised and vanished.
On the last table, Sailor Jupiter woke and sat up.
"Wow, I've never felt more rested than I do now!" she exclaimed, stretching. "That was the best night's sleep I'd ever had."
"I had the strangest dream," Sailor Mars said, sitting on the stone bed she had once slept on.
"So did I, and you all were in it," Sailor Venus agreed.
"I dreamt that Queen Serenity was with us and we were on the Moon again. She told us of our lives in the Moon Kingdom," Sailor Jupiter reminisced with a fond smile.
"So did I," Sailors Mars and Venus said at the same time.
They looked at each other for a while. Jupiter stood up and the three exchanged glances. The cavern of fallen heroes was silent.
"Were we dead?" Jupiter whispered.
Sailor Venus nodded. "I know I was," she answered.
"Me, too," Mars added.
They noticed that the fourth stone bed was empty.
"Where's Sailor Mercury?" Venus asked.
"Do you think she survived?" Mars wondered aloud.
"We'd better find her, and Sailor Moon," Jupiter decided. "Who knows what happened while we were . . . gone."
The three revived scouts dashed for the same exit Sailor Moon had used a few hours earlier. They headed down a different tunnel and into the frozen cavern.
The temperature remained cold in only that cavern, thanks to Mercury's spell. It was snowing gently when the three scouts entered. At first, they saw nothing but snow, but as they walked further into the wintry room, a statue of ice was seen. The scouts gasped collectively as they realized what the statue was. Sailor Jupiter shivered as she tapped the statue on the head.
"She's frozen solid. I doubt she's still alive in there" Jupiter said.
Sailor Venus rubbed some warmth into her arms.
"Well," she said, "there's only one way to know for sure. Let's melt her out!"
Sailor Mars nodded and pointed to the statue of her friend.
"Mars Lava Explosion!" she cried.
The heat of the molten lava slowly melted the ice. Sailor Mercury became visible as the water dripped onto the ground. Finally, when all but her legs were free, she toppled forwards and inhaled sharply. Sailor Venus dashed forward to catch her friend as she fell. Jupiter broke the ice that held Mercury's feet and the blue sailor scout was free.
"She's alive!" Sailor Venus said, holding Mercury. "But very cold."
Sailors Mars and Jupiter breathed a sigh of relief. Sailor Jupiter carried Mercury out of the winter wasteland, back to the warmth of the Negaverse caverns. There, they found a small cavern and waited for Mercury to regain consciousness.
Sailor Moon and her companions entered the frozen cave a while after the other scouts had passed through. She turned angrily to Sailor Sun, who stood shivering beside her.
"I thought you said this path led to the throne room!" she cried.
"It did, until someone insisted we take a wrong turn!" she retorted.
Tuxedo Mask stepped between the two girls.
"Easy, we're supposed to be fighting the Negaverse, not each other," he reminded them.
Sailor Sun held out her hand, palm facing upwards.
"Solar Flame Sprout" she called.
A fire was lit in the palm of her hand, casting some friendly light on the barren cave. The trio kept walking in silence.
"Mercury!" Sailor Moon cried suddenly.
Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Sun looked at each other in confusion.
"What about her?" Tuxedo Mask asked.
Sailor Moon pointed ahead. "She's gone!"
The other two looked to where their friend was pointing. Sure enough, the statue of Sailor Mercury had vanished. In its place was a puddle of water that was slowly turning to ice. Sailor Moon knelt by the water and scooped some into her hand.
"They've melted her! She's gone forever, now," Sailor Moon cried. "She might have been alive, like the others. She might had survived."
Tuxedo Mask looked at her helplessly. Sailor Moon raised her
head, her sadness suddenly replaced by anger and a lust for vengeance.
"They'll pay for this!" Sailor Moon vowed, rising to her feet.
She turned and headed back in the direction she had come. In the snow ahead of her, three tracks of footprints could be faintly seen, only partially hidden by the falling snow.
Sailor Mercury woke up to find her friends looking down at her. She was beside a warm fire, thanks to Sailor Mars, and she sat up slowly.
"I'm alive again?" she asked.
The others nodded.
"We all are," Sailor Venus said.
Mercury looked around. "Where's Sailor Moon?"
"We don't know, but we're looking for her," Sailor Mars replied.
A form suddenly appeared, blocking their only exit.
"You seem to have run out of time," Azurite said. "You four have been a nuisance for long enough."
The four scouts were on their feet in a moment, ready to fight. Azurite laughed at them.
"This will be our final battle, scouts. After you're gone for good, Sailor Moon will fall as well and the universe will belong to Prince Rutile!" Azurite cried.
"You should take some medication for those delusions," Sailor Mars yelled. "We're not so easily beaten."
She held her hands in front of her face. "Mars Fire Ignite!" she called.
Azurite easily dodged the flame. "Is that all you can do?" she demanded.
"No, that was a distraction," Mars answered calmly.
"From what?" Azurite asked.
"Jupiter Thunder Crash!" Jupiter called.
The rocks above Azurite's head collapsed and landed heavily on her. She dropped to her knees and wiped blood from her forehead.
"You'll pay for this!" she vowed.
"Like we've never heard that before," Mars said.
"Quick, while's she's weak," Venus called.
Each scout held up their powersticks.
"Jupiter Power!" Sailor Jupiter called.
"Mercury Power!" Sailor Mercury's stick touched Jupiter's.
"Mars Power!" Sailor Mars added hers.
"Venus Power!" Sailor Venus cried.
Around the touching powersticks, a giant ball of power was formed. Azurite stumbled to her feet, pushing the rocks aside.
"United Planet Power!" all the scouts called together.
The energy ball was released and it crashed down on Azurite. She cried out once in pain and lay still. Seconds later, her body disappeared back into the Negaverse.
The scouts were exhausted by the effort, but quickly ran out to find their missing leader.
Sailor Moon stepped into the throne room of Prince Rutile. She
remembered her meeting here with Queen Beryl and the battle she had been forced to fight against Prince Darien. Now she turned to Tuxedo Mask, calmed by his presence and the fact that he was now on her side forever. The throne was empty as she approached it. There wasn't a sound in the entire chamber.
"Be on guard," Sailor Sun warned.
"Wise decision," a deep voice agreed.
Prince Rutile of the Negaverse materialized on the throne. His eyes shone confidently at his yet to be won victory.
"Prince Darien, be welcome once more to the Negaverse," Rutile said.
"Save it, Nega scum," Tuxedo Mask replied. "I will never feel welcome here."
"My precious Dark Scout, so nice of you to return her to me," Rutile beckoned for Sailor Sun to come to him. "She is almost at her full power and then, your world will fall, Sailor Moon."
Sailor Sun felt herself move forward as she struggled against the hold he had on her. Tuxedo Mask stepped between the two of them, blocking Rutile from her view. The pull he had left her and Sailor Sun took several steps back.
"Sailor Moon, you've decided to face me. Alone, I presume?" Rutile said.
Sailor Moon nodded. "You're moon dust, buddy," she said, holding up her wand.
Prince Rutile laughed. "With that toy? You possess a greater power which can be used."
Sailor Moon held out her wand and pointed the crystal at the man standing before her. Sailor Sun and Tuxedo Mask watched as their Moon Princess unleashed her full power.
"Cosmic Moon Power!" she called. Her sailor uniform was stripped away, leaving her standing in her beautiful princess gown. The crescent on her forehead glowed.
Rutile swept away the beam with his hand. Princess Serena felt the power leave her and she looked at the wand in her hands.
"My wand . . my power," she stammered, falling to her knees.
"You're too weak to stop me!" Rutile laughed. "Come to me, Dark Scout, and fulfill your destiny!"
Back in Tokyo, Serena's parents looked out into the storm that was brewing. Luna and Artemis sat in Serena's bedroom and also watched the approaching storm.
"Just like when Beryl almost killed our scouts," Artemis commented.
Luna shot him a dirty look.
"What did I say?" he asked.
Tuxedo Mask was at Princess Serena's side in a second. He gently helped her to her feet, took her hands and made her hold up the wand once more.
"Try again Princess, and use my power to help you," he said.
"And mine," a voice called from behind.
They turned to see the four Sailor Scouts. Venus stepped forwards.
"We defeated Beryl together, we can do it to him," she said, placing her hand over Tuxedo Mask's.
"Yes, united we will win," Mercury agreed, adding her hand as well.
"Let's do it!" Sailor Jupiter said, putting her hand on Mercury's.
"Let's beat this evil, once and for all," Mars added her energy as well.
Surrounded by her friends, the Princess of the Moon stared defiantly at the evil Prince of the Negaverse. The crescent on her forehead glimmered as raised her crescent wand.
"Mercury Power!"
"Mars Power!"
"Jupiter Power!"
"Venus Power!"
Rutile smiled at the combined effort.
"Cosmic Moon Powers Unite!" Princess Serena called.
Prince Rutile held up her hand to absorb the blow. The scouts and Tuxedo Mask kept it up for as long as they could until, one by one, they dropped to their knees. Only Tuxedo Mask and Princess Serena were standing when their energy was finally spent.
"I don't understand," Mars said.
"That got Beryl," Jupiter agreed.
"He must be a lot stronger than she was," Mercury concluded.
Prince Rutile laughed at them. Serena glared up at him.
"We will defeat you," she promised.
"How?" Rutile laughed. "Your most powerful weapon has failed. Your scouts are weakened and helpless. I am the only one still standing!"
As the evil Ruler of the Negaverse laughed, Sailor Sun stepped calmly between him and the Princess.
"Ah, have you decided to join the wining team?" Rutile asked, holding out his hand to Sailor Sun.
She didn't even bother to answer him. Sailor Sun raised her ringed finger high above her head, her eyes never leaving the wicked Prince's face. Rutile stopped laughing and Tuxedo Mask took Serena off to the side. The scouts, the Moon Princess, and Tuxedo Mask watched in awed curiousity as Sailor Sun faced their most powerful enemy yet.
"Universal Solar Eclipse!" Sailor Sun cried.
The light that came from the small ring was almost blinding as the force of the sun bore down on the Ruler of the Negaverse. He was struck, but didn't seem to be hurt too badly. The light kept him at bay. Suddenly, the light grew darker as the shadow that changed Sailor Sun to the Dark Scout leapt from the ring. She didn't show any fear this time, but pointed with her other arm to where Rutile stood. Grinning a white smiled, the force Queen Serenity had locked within the sun attacked the Prince. He screamed and when the light died away, he was gone with the shadow. The scouts rose to their feet and stared at Sailor Sun. The sixth scout was bathed in a golden light, her hair flowing behind her. Sailor Sun lifted her ring once more.
"Solar Portal Open!" she yelled.
As the portal opened, the scouts and Tuxedo Mask went through leaving the Negaverse, hopefully, forever.
Serena woke up and found herself lying in her bed. She wore her pajamas and Luna sat by her feet.
"Good morning," the cat said as she woke.
"I remember," Serena whispered.
"Remember what?" Luna asked.
"Everything. Prince Rutile, the scouts, Sailor Sun . . ," Serena broke off.
She jumped from her bed and got dressed hurriedly. Luna watched from where she sat.
"I've never seen you so eager to get to school," the cat said.
Serena ran out the door and down the street, without saying goodbye to her parents.
She saw Amy and Lita walking to school and caught up. Lita looked surprised when she saw her friend and glanced at her watch.
"Serena, you're going to be on time today!" she exclaimed.
Serena ignored the remark and asked her friends if they remembered. They said they did and arrived at school before the first bell. When Ms. Haruna saw Serena on time, she sent her to the school nurse for a check up. Patiently, Serena waited until lunch to see Jenny.
Jenny sat by herself, under a tree, and ate. Serena, Amy and Lita came up to her and sat down. Jenny looked at them.
"Do I know you?" she asked.
The three scouts exchanged at glance.
"My name's Jenny and I moved here from North America a few months ago. My Japanese is still a little rusty, but that's okay because I'm going home the day after tomorrow," she said.
Serena introduced herself and her friends and they ate lunch in silence for a while.
"Have you ever heard of Sailor Moon?" Jenny asked suddenly.
Serena nodded. Jenny blushed.
"I wish she were real so I could meet her. I don't think I'd ever be able to fight like she does. I'm too timid," Jenny said. "She's very popular in North America."
She packed up her lunch things and stood.
"Well, I'm going to the library to work. It was nice meeting you. I wish I had met you earlier so I could tell my friends at home that I had friends here. Oh well, goodbye!" Jenny raised her right hand to wave.
When she was gone, Amy turned to her friends.
"Did you guys notice that?" she asked.
"Yeah, Jenny doesn't remember anything," Serena moaned.
Amy shook her head. "Not that, Jenny's sun ring, the one she used to use to transform, was gone."
Deep in the Negaverse, a dark force fed off the residual evil energy of the man it had consumed. The evil Prince had been a real treat after so many centuries sealed up in the sun. Now, it was free and ready to return to the world of men. It only had to find the right host, the one it had inhabited before. The dark shadow slid away from the remains of its meal and into the shadows of the Negaverse to plan and wait.
Here ends
Sailor Moon R
Solar Saga