By Yohann DeSabrais
a.k.a. Technuma Saturn
Wow, already my tenth story.
Before I go on any further, I`d like to thank the one person who
gave me the idea to write Sailor Moon fanfics in the first place:
Kenton Cernea, the Great Requiem. He`s the one who suggested I try
to write one and thus pushed me to create my first piece, "Swimming
in Dark Waters" (yeah, I know, it`s really episode 3, but at that
moment I didn`t know it`d go so far).
One story led to the other and eventually this alternate universe
I came up with took a life of its own.
And now things are about to turn a new corner and head in a
different direction; as the scouts are preparing to face their newest
challenge, they try to put their lives together the best they can.
Then again, it can`t be that easy to have a normal life when you`re
a reincarnated hero from a fallen civilisation of the moon, right?
Once this fight has ended, many things will have changed, hopefully
for the better.
* * *
CYCLES OF LIFE: EPISODE 10
SECOND CHANCES AND NEW BEGINNINGS
"This is Yamamoto Masaki reporting for channel three action news
live from the very place where, one week ago, a demon calling herself
Lady Daemonfang appeared to issue a challenge to the sailor scouts.
The sun is rising slowly on this cool morning and we all wait in
excitment, wondering if any of these people actually exist and if so,
will any of them show up? We`ll stay here all day with updates as the
events unfold. Back to you in studio, Yoshiko! "
* * *
Usagi woke up calmly and tried to shake away the feeling of dread
in her heart. It was no use, as the threat of Lady Daemonfang loomed
over her head like the proverbial sword of Damocles.
"Happy birthday, Usagi." said Luna, trying as well to cheer her up.
"Thanks, Luna, I only hope I can live long enough to enjoy being
seventeen years old."
"The scouts can triumph over her like they did over Beryl, the
wiseman and Ronmar." said Luna.
Luna struck a raw nerve at the mention of the first knightmare of
the spheres. It was him who had killed her best friend Naru while
attempting to destroy Sailor Moon, as well as his wife who was
coming today claiming vengence for his death two weeks before. Usagi
opened her brooch and looked at the silver empirium crystal.
"Father, please help me go through this new ordeal." she whispered.
At the same moment, alone in his room, Shingo was preparing himself
for the conflict ahead as well. He opened his backpack and threw in
the movie he had rented the night before and removed from under his
bed a ninja-inspired emerald green costume. He had hidden sewing
talents and was very proud of this very well done uniform of sorts.
Shingo had also sewn a strange symbol he had seen many times in his
dreams.
"Jendra" he thought as he stared at the symbol. It must have meant
something.
Stuffing the suit in his backpack, he tried to figure where to go
now. He could almost feel the evil force coming and intuitively knew
where to look.
* * *
Right in the middle of the place where the future city of Crystal
Tokyo would stand, a small cosmetics shop called *Beauty 4 you*
stood, doing business unaware of its incredibly strategic value.
Many months ago, a Dark Moon denizen called Rubeus had tried to
seize control of this place, the core of the greatest utopia that
would ever created on earth, to corrupt it and prevent this
majestuous city from being built.
This beauty store was now the sole property of the same sisters
whom Rubeus manipulated to attain his goals. Their tiny booth had
been successful enough to allow them to afford a more permanent
location, so they chose this place. Not only was it a great location
in the biggest commercial district of the city, but it was also the
best way to prevent another enemy from the future from repeating
Rubeus`s evil plan.
They didn`t even have to change the name of the store, wich fitted
the four sisters perfectly.
Normally, the very busy store would already be open. Not today, as
the sisters were getting ready for their first battle in months.
They knew a thing or two about the ruling family of Changraloor.
"How long as it been since we tangled with those goons from the
tenth sphere?" asked Catsy, slipping on her purple tights and tutu.
"Not long enough, that`s for sure." replied Prisma, strapping on her
revealing black satin suit
decorated with feather covered shoulder pads.
"If I remember correctly my history lessons, Lady Daemonfang was the
fifth ruler of the tenth sphere for over four hundred years. She met
an abrupt death sometime between... let`s see... today and fifty
years from now, I can`t remember the exact date or year. It`s hard
to say if we win today or not." explained Avery who was carefully
verifying she hadn`t forgotten to clamp any of her valkyrie-style
suit`s many buckles.
"I`m just glad we still all fit in these things." said Birdie,
seeing that her light blue, very revealing suit perfectly matched
her slim shapes.
They now looked exactly as they did during their last confrontation
with the sailor scouts, to one detail: the dark crescent moon on
their foreheads was gone, erased by Sailor Moon`s healing process.
"Ready girls?" asked Prisma, black lightning pulsing around her
closed fists.
"No, but let`s do it anyway." answered Birdie, putting the final
touch to her makeup.
"That`s the spirit!" said Catsy, checking if her fingernails were
sharp enough.
"Let`s go help out our friends, then!" concluded Avery, waving her
whips in the air.
* * *
The utterly repulsive creature named Ithzhanh nervously storked the
handle of his burning cold whip. As overseer of Lady Daemonfang`s
royal guards, he was to punish any who showed weakness among the
ranks, killing them as he saw fit. He loved his job with a passion.
Lady Daemonfang joined Ithzhanh in the portal court where her army
gathered in order to march upon the battlefield in the first sphere,
the light world. Ithzhanh showed remarkable physical ressemblance to
Daemonfang, wich wasn`t surprising considering he was her son. His
body pretty much followed the same model, except that he had the
typical slimy wings of most demons. He was much shorter that his
mother who stood over seven feet tall and didn`t help himself by
keeping a needless hunchback stature most of the time; no taller
than five feet tall, Ithzhanh looked like a dwarf next to her.
On the mental level, however, he was her exact opposite. Cowardly
and opportunistic to the extreme, he obeyed his mother out of both
greed and fear.
"How are the troops coming along?" she asked in a voice that hinted
disgust, but not so much as to actually offend the vile overseer.
"Wonderful! They`re all sooooo afraid of me, they`re running all
over the place! I even got the chance to punish a few weak ones...
they died so it serves them right!" said the ecstatic creature.
"Good. Don`t kill too many of them, though, we need every trooper we
can muster." she said coldly.
"Can I kill one more before we cross the portal?" he asked with the
demonic equivalent of sad puppy eyes.
"All right, but no more!" she almost barked. She couldn`t stand
extended conversations with her own son; for some reason, even
demons got sick in this little wretch`s presence.
Ithzhanh batted his slimy wings in excitment. "You, there, lazy one!
Come here and learn proper respect!" he yelled at an unlucky
knightmare who was the closest to Lady Daemonfang`s spawn.
In abominable screams, his life ended under the icy touch of the
young demon`s weapon.
* * *
Laurella walked down the street by herself, lost in a daydream. She
didn`t take her motorcycle, knowing that she`d probably get into an
accident if she had; sometimes, she really needed to take her time
and think. She carried along a movie she rented the previous night
in the futile hope to raise her spirits. Sailor Jendra hadn`t fought
that many monsters so far and the she-demon scared her like hell.
She was just about to enter the video store when a young teenage boy
came out and walked right passed her toward a nearby bus stop. His
face was familiar- it was HIM! She didn`t recognize him immediately
because he wasn`t thousands of years old, but there was no
possibility of error.
Laurella snapped out of her frozen haze and ran after the boy. That
face, those eyes, Kitechnum Jendra had walked right passed her and
she didn`t even say anything to her one true love from a millenium
ago! Unfortunately, he got on the bus before she could reach him,
speeding away from her.
"WAIT!" she vainly screamed. Too late, he was gone. Laurella couldn`t
believe that, of all mornings, she had to chose THIS ONE to leave
her motorcycle home.
On the bus, Shingo thought that the brunette girl he passed by on
his way to the bus reminded him of the one he often saw in his
dreams...
"Nah, it couldn`t be her." he figured.
Besides, he had no time to lose thinking about his dreams; Sailor
Moon would need his help again today, big time.
* * *
Michiru picked up her transformation pen on her dresser and Haruka
did the same. They had seen Daemonfang`s message in person, being
there quite by chance the day Jormunder attacked Tokyo to get the
scouts` attention. Even if they had missed it, all the television
channels spoke only of this, so they would have found out anyway.
Most TV show hosts were convinced this was a hoax, a publicity stunt
of some kind. A few more daring than the rest were announcing their
belief in the existence of Sailor Moon and the scouts, wishing them
good luck against the forces of evil.
"And so our fight continues." said Michiru.
"We have to help Sailor Moon. This creature is not likely to announce
herself this way only to show up alone. If anything, she`s likely to
have her personal army along for the ride." observed Haruka.
She had no idea how right she was.
* * *
In his appartment, Mamoru took care of his beautiful roses,
carefully selecting the most perfect ones he`d cut to give to his
girlfriend Usagi. The scouts had written his name right on top of
their guest list for her birthday party and he wanted to do
something really special in addition to the gift he had picked out
for her. The roses seemed like the perfect complement.
He thought about the terrible fight she`d have to go through today;
this Lady Daemonfang was certainly a powerful one and he wanted to
help, but how? Altough his broken bones had healed remarkably fast
after his recent accident, Mamoru didn`t have all of his memories
back from his amnesia and he was certain that the holes in his head
contained some crucial pieces to the puzzle he had become.
And so he waited, hoping and praying for the love of his life to
triumph again.
* * *
On her way to the temple for a final meeting before the arrival of
the demon lord, Ami heard a small beeping sound from her laptop
computer. She checked it and discovered that Daemonfang was on her
way, announcing her impending entrance into the first sphere with an
easily detectable energy signature located in an empty lot some
distance away.
She obviously wanted a battlefield without any curious bystanders,
one that the scouts could find fast enough so they`d be there when
she arrived.
Ami called the others to direct them to the location her laptop
indicated.
* * *
The troops of Changraloor were finally assembled in ranks, filling
the entire portal court of the evil fortress from wich the demon
lords traditionaly controled the tenth sphere. The royal magicians
were already concentrating on the complex dimensionnal portal spells
that would enable this army to march over the earth realm.
Dark thunderclouds formed in the sky above the fortress, announcing
the return of Stormrider just in time to participate to the battle.
Jormunder joined Lady Daemonfang, ready to fight by her side.
"Where have you been, Jormunder? You almost missed my moment of
revenge." she said.
"Forgive me, my lady, but the seeker resists well the binding magic.
I had to refresh the spell before the battle, lest we lose control
of its power during the fight." he explained.
"Of course, I understand. We cannot risk the Storm Seeker helping
our enemies, can we?" Daemonfang said. She caressed the pleasing
features of his face. "I missed you last night, though."
"Do not worry, I won`t be leaving for quite some time now that the
spell is strong again." said Jormunder, smiling invitingly.
Within minutes, it would begin- her army would go forward and
she`d crush the so-called protectors of the earth.
* * *
Shingo got off the bus in a part of town he`d never been before;
there were many construction sites and empty lots as the
neighbourhood was in an expansion boom. He easily found a spot to
switch clothes and hide his backpack until he could retrieve it
later. He couldn`t help thinking of his dreams again. This girl, she
had called him by a strange name that somehow sounded familiar,
"Kitechnum".
Strange name.
Cute girl.
He felt that a powerful evil force was on its way over to one of
the empty lots close by; he snuck there discreetly and saw the sailor
scouts waiting for the same fiend he was. The six scouts were joined
there by two more scouts and four weird ladies he never saw before.
Shingo knew he did not have much power yet, so he`d have to use it
sparingly, when the moment was just right. He`d be the ace up their
sleeve, like the last time.
He felt fear, but he wouldn`t let it stop him.
* * *
"Hello, Sailor Moon, long time no see." said Sailor Neptune.
"This is one fight we`re intent on being a part of " proudly said
Sailor Uranus.
"Thank you very much, we`ll need all the help we can get." said
Sailor Moon.
"In that case, you`ll be glad to know we`re here too." said Prisma as
the sisters arrived on the battlefield.
"Why did you come?" asked Mars.
"You healed us and showed us how Rubeus was taking advantage of us.
Today you need help, so we`re repaying you the favor." said Avery.
"The twelve of us should have a good fighting chance." observed Ami,
revising the tactical situation in light of these reinforcements.
"All we need now is an enemy to fight!" joked Sailor Jupiter.
Ask and you shall receive, goes the old saying.
An immense swirling interdimensionnal door of gold, silver and bronze
opened up a hundred meters from the female warriors. Hordes of
knightmares and minor demons brandishing weapons of all kinds known
and unknown were regurgitated from the tenth sphere upon the
defenders of the earth.
The battle had begun.
* * *
A safe distance from the raging battle, the two strangers from the
video store observed the combat from a construction site. They sat
atop the incomplete structure of what would become an electronics
factory by the end of the year.
"It`s started." commented the woman.
"Now we`ll see if he truly is who we believe him to be." replied the
man.
* * *
Mamoru felt something weird inside him, pressing and urgent. He had
felt this before, always when Usagi was in danger, he was certain of
that. A soft odour floated in the air, it had followed him all
morning, where did it come from? It wasn`t from the roses in his
appartment, it was a sweet smell, delicate... Usagi`s perfume!
He suddenly realized that his jacket pocket contained a small piece
of paper, so he picked it up and noticed it was a small pink
enveloppe with a white bunny on it. On the enveloppe was written
"In case I don`t come back" in Usagi`s handwriting.
He quickly opened it, reading the letter wich was scented to his
girlfriend`s favorite fragrance.
Mamoru, my love,
Endymion, my prince,
Ever since Luna revealed me my past and destiny as Sailor Moon, I
have fought many strange and dangerous creatures and vile fiends.
Today I must face one from wich I fear I will not return. It pains
me that there is a chance we will never get to spend our lives
together as I have dreamed so many times.
Even if I die in combat today , I would not regret anything I have
done in my years on this planet for I have known true love, one that
survived the centuries despite the evils that would have destroyed
it.
I love you, I always have and always will.
your Usagi.
The honesty and tenderness of the letter brought tears to his eyes.
He wanted to help her, to die with her if it came to that! Then it
came back to him. The roses. Every time she had ever been in
trouble, he was there holding a rose. They were the key. He picked
one up and let the delicate odour fill his being, along with Usagi`s
image- he was ready at last, the final piece fell into place as he
transformed. The shining red light swirled around him, turning his
everyday clothes into a classic style tuxedo and cape. His slowly
healing arm`s cast was shattered by the light and his broken arm
was healed.
Tuxedo Kamen was back.
"Hold on, Sailor Moon, I`m coming!" he thought, leaping through the
air towards the place where he knew he`d find her.
* * *
The sheer intensity of the attack left the girls overwhelmed- so
many knightmares and demons so fast caught them off guard at first.
"What`s the situation?" screamed Jupiter.
"Not good, too many of them!" responded Uranus.
The evil hordes rushed forward relentlessly, regardless of the
staggering amount of casualties among their ranks. The elemental
attacks of fire, lightning, water, light and ice kept erupting from
the defenders of earth were doing a lot of damage, although not quite
enough to turn the situation around in their favor.
By the time most of the incoming troops had been neutralized, many
of the scouts and their allies were out of the fight.
Avery, Birdie, Minako and Michiru were unable to go on fighting while
Haruka, Ami and Catsy were unconsious.
The brunt of the enemy fighting force had done its job remarkably
well, weakening the scouts and thus facilitating the task of Lady
Daemonfang to defeat her enemies. She entered the earth realm in full
force with her remaining troops and her high commanders, Ithzhanh and
Jormunder.
Dark clouds filled the sky.
Moon, Jendra, Mars, Jupiter and Prisma stood their ground, awaiting
for Lady Daemonfang and her goons to attack.
"Let`s hope we have enough strenght left." thought Usagi.
A young warrior came to their side at this point, dressed in a green
costume that conceiled his identity and bore the alchemical symbol
of the dead planet Jendra. Laurella recognized him immediately.
"Kitechnum Jendra! I knew you had reincarnated!" she said, happiness
filling her heart like never before. At the same moment, a rose
soared across the sky, striking down Ithzhanh who twisted in pain.
"Tuxedo Kamen! It`s really you!" yelled Sailor Moon in joy.
"Yes, Sailor Moon, I`m completely healed now and I`m here to fight
by your side " he said as he landed next to her.
Now the sides were equal in strenght; Kitechnum began to summon his
Technum powers and gave, in an altered voice to preserve his secret
identity, the rallying cry of the forces of good:
"CHAAAAAAAARGE! "
* * *
"He`s doing good for himself, I think." the man said, observing
calmly the battle from the construction site.
"I can`t stand to watch like this and do nothing!" said the woman.
She pointed her hand towards the battlefield and it began to charge
up with primordial Technum. The man grabbed her by the wrist,
forbidding her to interfere.
"What do you think you`re doing?!?" he asked, angry.
"Helping our brother not get killed! Would you have him seperated
from us another thousand years?" she argued.
"If this be his destiny, so be it! Techniliyis Pluto told us to do
nothing and trust in destiny, that`s what we`ll do."
"He`s our brother, he emerged from the bioengineering tanks at the
same time we did; doesn`t that mean ANYTHING to you?" she asked,
anger flashing in her eyes.
"Would you desecrate Technazul`s memory by breaking your vow to
Serenity? Remember that only the Prime may allow us to interfere
with the humans if he judges it necessary, as he did when he sent
Technuma to capture Celeste after she broke out of containment!" he
told, reminding the woman of her obligations.
The flashing pulses of Technum vanished from her hand.
"You`re right. You know, you can be more rigid than Technuma
sometimes, Noratech Neptune." she said.
"And you, Technulis Mercury, are the heart of the guardians. You
remind us not to think with our brain alone but with our souls as
well, so don`t ever change." he replied.
The fight raged on as a thunderstorm begun. Jormunder had unsheated
Storm Seeker and things were not going well for the scouts and their
friends.
* * *
Crashing bolts of lightning did horrible damage to the ground as
they exploded all around Sailor Moon. She quickly realized that the
sword had to go if the forces of good were to win today. Taking
advantage that Ithzhanh and Daemonfang were busy fighting the rest
of her friends and that strange green ninja whom Laurella seemed to
know, she dashed forward through the rows of knightmares, giving a
serie of punches faster than thunder streaking across the sky. She
quickly made her way through and looked Stormrider in the eyes,
snapping her fingers as she did so. The twenty knightmares all fell
down to the ground, clutching their chests and stomachs.
"Impressive." he said. Thunder fell from the sky, striking Storm
Seeker and infusing Jormunder at the same time. He felt immeasurable
pleasure from the rain wich started to pour down at that moment.
"MOON TIARA MAGIC!" screamed Sailor Moon as she hurled her tiara
towards Stormrider.
He laughed, using his sword to deflect the shooting disk of light.
As he struck it, however, it glowed intensely in an explosion of
blinding radiance unlike anything he had seen before. Blinded by
this light, he couldn`t dodge Sailor Moon`s special "Meteor kick"
aimed at his wrist. Storm Seeker flew into the air, circling and
tumbling until it landed in the hand of the noble-hearted pretty
soldier of love and justice.
Unknown to her, this sword was much more than a simple piece of
forged metal. It was a living entity trapped in the shape of a sword.
Finally freed from the clutches of the evil Jormunder, Storm Seeker
was only too happy to lend his legendary power to his liberator. She
only pointed the sword in Jormunder`s direction and a bolt of
lightning fell from the sky to incinerate him where he stood. The
winds picked up Sailor Moon inside a small vortex, granting the
power of flight to the champion of the earth.
Usagi did not fear the lightning as she felt it as a part of
herself.
Lady Daemonfang was horrified. Her knightmares were dead or dying.
Her servant Stormrider was obliterated. Storm Seeker was in Sailor
Moon`s possession. Only that wretch of a son of hers remained to
stand against those she swore vengence upon. The battle was lost.
In a flash of metallic light, the portal exploded, returning to the
tenth sphere Lady Daemonfang and her acolytes, be they alive or
dead. A second later, only Storm Seeker remained to prove the battle
had taken place. Not even the sudden rainstorm remained, the dark
clouds overhead disappeared as fast as they came.
The unconscious girls slowly came to, most of them showing serious
wounds of all sorts. Tuxedo Kamen hugged his dear Sailor Moon who
dropped down the sword wich she really did not care to keep. To
everyone`s surprise, it rose into the air, an image of a faerie of
some kind superimposing over the sword`s form. The strange and
wonderful being smiled.
"Thank you, pretty soldier Sailor Moon, for liberating me from
bondage." said the spirit.
"Who... what are you?" asked Tuxedo Kamen.
"I am the spirit called Storm Seeker. Your legends speak of my
passing to your world in the past. Many years ago, the one called
Jormunder captured me in this very world as its laws dictate that
my shape be that of the sword you used in combat to defeat your
enemy." he explained.
"Thank you for helping me, Storm Seeker." said Sailor Moon.
"Since you helped me so much, I will give you my help in return,
simply make a wish and I will make it come true." said the spirit.
"Well, could you heal all my friends?" asked Usagi, concerned for
their well being.
"Done and done!" said Storm Seeker, exhilarated to use his magic to
heal rather than destroy. The many cuts and slashes over the bodies
of the scouts and sisters vanished. "There is still one more friend
of yours that I can heal, but I`ll need some backup."
Storm Seeker, Kitechnum and Sailor Moon vanished.
* * *
"I think we can rest assured that Kitechnum Jendra as been truly
brought back to us." said Noratech Neptune. "Wait a minute, he just
vanished along with Sailor Moon!" he added, not noticing the events
of the past two minutes on the battlefield.
"Never mind that, Noratech, I just got a written message on my
wristband- from the PRIME!" said Technulis.
"HIMSELF? What does it say?"
"It gives us some coordonates to go to immediately in order to meet
with the other guardians."
"Well, let`s go then."
* * *
In a graveyard somewhere, Umino prayed silently over the grave of
the girl he loved with all of his heart. Naru had been gone for two
weeks and the pain still burned his heart as strong as the day she
died. He should have been preparing himself to go to Usagi`s
surprise party later in the afternoon. but he didn`t feel like it.
All he wanted was to stay there and pray. Not even those storm
clouds up forming up in the sky could make him leave.
"Hello, Umino." said Naru`s mother as she came up to Umino.
"Good day, Miss Osaka." he replied politely. "It`ll rain soon, I
think, why did you come today?"
"I don`t know, really, something told me that I just had to be here
today, right now."
"That`s weird, so did I!" said Umino.
A strange group of people walked in their direction, formed of
people neither of them had ever seen before. All of them wore a
uniform of a different color, bearing the symbol of a planet.
Sapphire blue Technuma Saturn.
Ruby red Technara Mars.
Pale yellow Litechnae Venus.
Jet black Ramatech Jupiter.
Pure white Techniliyis Pluto.
Living turquoise Technumina Uranus.
They formed silently a half circle around Naru`s grave, waiting
for something.
Umino and Naru`s mother watched them carefully, unsure of what
to do next.
These weird people were soon joined by another group composed of
Sailor Moon, Kitechnum Jendra, Noratech Neptune, Technulis Mercury
and... a spirit whose heart is a sword?
"Why are we here?" asked Sailor Moon.
"One of your friends requires of me a little more power if I am to
heal her." said Storm Seeker, pointing to Naru`s grave.
"But... she`s dead!" argued Sailor Moon.
"Minor detail." said Storm Seeker. "Technum guardians of the silver
millenium, you all know why you have been summoned, don`t you?"
All the guardians nodded in agreement, even Kitechnum who
intuitively knew what was needed of him.
"Sailor Moon, you brought the spirit of Technazul Terra with you,
haven`t you?" asked the spirit.
"Yes." she answered.
"Take your place among the circle then."
The guardians encircled the young girl`s grave with Sailor Moon
holding the silver crystal, the heart of Technazul Terra, standing
among them. Technum flowed from the nine guardians and the crystal,
building up in intensity to a point no seen on earth in thousands
of years.
"Young Sailor Moon, you asked of me to heal your friends. There is
one of them wich you mourn the death of to this very day. I am owed
a favor by the being who is the creator of the most powerful beings
of the solar system, the Technum guardians. By focusing his power
through his children, he will restore life to she who has none."
said Storm Seeker.
The figure of the Prime appeared in the air, looming above the
circle of power wich was so charged that it almost seemed alive.
It was effectively capable of creating life.
The cold body of Naru rose through the ground and floated in the
middle of the Technum circle, being infused by the energy that would
give her new life.
"Awaken, young Osaka Naru." ordered Storm Seeker.
Naru began breathing again; Umino, Miss Osaka, Kitechnum and Sailor
Moon couldn`t believe their eyes. She opened her eyes and looked
around. She saw Sailor Moon.
"I told you to have faith in destiny, Sailor Moon." she said, a
tired smile on her lips.
The energy faded and the image of the Prime looked at Storm Seeker.
The Prime told something to the spirit without actually using any
words, as he always did.
"Yes, great Prime, your debt towards me has been repaid in full. I
thank you." said Storm Seeker.
The image of the Prime disappeared and the guardians left silently,
including Kitechnum who went his own way. He had much to learn yet,
the Prime had silently told him, and until he was ready he was to
stay on earth where he belonged.
Sailor Moon hugged her resurrected friend along with her boyfriend
and mother. She was back from the dead, they couldn`t believe it.
It would be hard convincing the authorities that Naru`s death was
some kind of mistake, of confusion between the various people
involved in declaring her deceased, but it didn`t matter now. Usagi
had received the greatest gift she could ever receive for her
birthday: her best friend was alive.
"Thank you Usagi." whispered Naru in her friend`s ear. Usagi was
surprised that Naru knew her secret. "There is much I have forgotten
from the other side, but the most important is still remember."
"Now if you`ll excuse me, my people are waiting for me." said Storm
Seeker, turning ito a flashing ball of light that soared into the
sky and towards an unknown direction.
* * *
In recorded history, few birthday parties have been such great
occasions to celebrate. Usagi was reunited with her best friend
and that was the one thing she never would have dared to hope for.
Surrounded by all of her friends, she had opened her gifts, blown
the seventeen candles of her cake and stuffed her mouth with the
best food she ever ate. She was radiant and so was Umino who had
found again the part of himself Ronmar had tried to take away.
The music played and the many, many guests were scattered all over
the Tsukino residence, talking and chatting about a variety of
subjects, playing games and dancing.
Shingo took the opportunity to meet face to face with this girl
from his dreams, Laurella Hammerson, Sailor Jendra.
"Hi." he said.
"Hello, Shingo. I never would have thought that you were Usagi`s
brother." she told him, a bit embarassed.
"I know, it`s strange. I always figured my sister to be a total
goof-off, but a superhero from the moon? That`s a shock. Kinda like
discovering these powers I have."
"Do you remember us, on the moon kingdom?" asked Laurella.
"Yeah, I remember training you to use your powers, the chromatic
blast, the prismatic seven slasher, the spectrum whiplash..."
"What`s the last one?"
"You don`t remember the spectrum whiplash? Well, I`ll have to teach
you to do that one again!" laughed Shingo. "I also remember how
close we were." he whispered.
"I was wondering if you`d remember..." said Laurella, blushing.
"So where do we go from here?" asked Shingo. He blushed as well,
but felt like he was very close to her. She gave him a kiss on the
forehead.
"Why don`t we just see where this will take us?" she said.
* * *
Hidden under a table with a long tablecloth, Luna was enjoying a
nice piece of salmon away from all the noise. Many of the guests
did not know about Usagi being Sailor Moon, so she had to keep
quiet. This wasn`t going to ruin it for her, on the contrary.
Artemis slipped in under the tablecloth and joined Luna in her
hiding place. "Hiya, Luna." he said.
"You`re not getting this piece of salmon, if that`s why you`re
here." she said in a cold voice.
"That`s not why."
"Why, then?" she wondered.
"I`ve been thinking, Luna. About us, back then on the moon."
Artemis said.
"You know very well we`re through, Artemis, after what you`ve done."
Luna snarled.
"I want to appologize."
"What?!?"
Luna was quite taken aback by this sudden declaration. It had been
over a thousand years since her breakup with the white cat and he
always claimed he hadn`t done anything wrong in that matter.
"I`m sorry, Luna. I treated you like rotten fish while you went out
of your way to make me feel special. I`m terribly sorry for all I`ve
done." he appologized humbly.
Luna thought for a moment.
"Appology accepted." she said.
"Thank you, Luna, you`re wonderful." he said, turning his back to
return to the party.
"Where are you going, Artemis? There`s enough salmon here for the
two of us!"
* * *
Mamoru finished drinking his glass of punch, looking at Usagi
through a window. She was sitting in the backyard, talking with the
Dark Moon sisters, laughing and giggling in the moonlight. She had
very much matured since the first time he met her three years ago.
She now had much more feminine shapes, having bloomed into a young
woman as the years went by. She had also matured emotionaly,
turning from a careless teenager into the champion of justice Sailor
Moon, sworn to defend earth with her life. Of course, she was still
every bit as klutzy as she was then, but that was part of her charm.
She was beautiful, sitting there with her friends. He put his hand
in his pocket and felt the small velvet box he kept there. He had
thought of delaying this moment for a while now, considering all
they went through recently, his amnesia, Naru`s death, Daemonfang`s
arrival... but everything was fine now and nothing could seem to
go wrong.
Now was the time.
He went outside and coughed a little to attract attention for a
moment.
"Excuse me, ladies, may I trouble you to get a few minutes alone
with our birthday girl?" he asked politely.
"Certainly. Come on, let`s give them some privacy here!" said
Birdie, pulling her sisters back in the house. They all giggled on
their way in.
He sat next to Usagi and took her hands into his.
"Usagi, my love, we have to talk." he said.
Uh-oh, sounds serious, thought Usagi.
"We`ve been through some rocky times together, we suffered many
setbacks, gone through many obstacles... and always we managed to
endure, to make our love come out stronger." he said.
Is he trying to break up with me, she wondered. No, not on my
birthday! Besides, he has that happy "I love you" smile on his
lips.
"What I`m trying to say, Usagi, is that I want you in my life now
more than ever, I want you there tomorrow and in a thousand years".
He took from his pocket a little black velvet box, which he opened.
"Usagi, will you accept this ring as a promise to one day become
my wife?"
Usagi, the talking machine, the motormouth, was at a complete loss
for words. This moment she had dreamed of all of her life was really,
really happening. This time, there wouldn`t be an alarm clock to
wake her up or an evil monster to interrupt them.
She looked at the golden ring and was delighted by the beautiful
setting: a delicately crafted blue diamond shaped as a crescent
moon along with a smaller pink diamond shaped as a star. There was
only one response she could make to his request.
"Yes, I accept." she said, tears of joy rolling down her cheeks.
Mamoru gently placed the ring on her finger. All this was like a
dream come true for the both of them. They kissed each other for
a long time.
"I simply have to show it to everyone!" she said, looking at her
engagement ring.
"Go ahead, I know you`re dying to do that." he answered with that
loving sparkle in his eyes.
She ran inside to show the wonderful ring her fiancee just gave her
to all her friends and especially to her mother.
"Mom, mom! I have some great news!" she said, waving her hand to
show the gold band she wore.
"Me too, Usagi! Guess who came back to visit us for a while!" Ikuko
said with a big smile.
Usagi`s heart stopped for a second. NO! IT COULDN`T BE....
"Hi, Usagi, it`s been some time!" said a little pink-haired girl
who looked exactly like a miniature version of Usagi.
"I knew you`d be happy to see Chibi-Usa again!" said Ikuko. "Usagi?
Hey, somebody get some cold water, Usagi just fainted!"
The End
a.k.a. Technuma Saturn
Wow, already my tenth story.
Before I go on any further, I`d like to thank the one person who
gave me the idea to write Sailor Moon fanfics in the first place:
Kenton Cernea, the Great Requiem. He`s the one who suggested I try
to write one and thus pushed me to create my first piece, "Swimming
in Dark Waters" (yeah, I know, it`s really episode 3, but at that
moment I didn`t know it`d go so far).
One story led to the other and eventually this alternate universe
I came up with took a life of its own.
And now things are about to turn a new corner and head in a
different direction; as the scouts are preparing to face their newest
challenge, they try to put their lives together the best they can.
Then again, it can`t be that easy to have a normal life when you`re
a reincarnated hero from a fallen civilisation of the moon, right?
Once this fight has ended, many things will have changed, hopefully
for the better.
* * *
CYCLES OF LIFE: EPISODE 10
SECOND CHANCES AND NEW BEGINNINGS
"This is Yamamoto Masaki reporting for channel three action news
live from the very place where, one week ago, a demon calling herself
Lady Daemonfang appeared to issue a challenge to the sailor scouts.
The sun is rising slowly on this cool morning and we all wait in
excitment, wondering if any of these people actually exist and if so,
will any of them show up? We`ll stay here all day with updates as the
events unfold. Back to you in studio, Yoshiko! "
* * *
Usagi woke up calmly and tried to shake away the feeling of dread
in her heart. It was no use, as the threat of Lady Daemonfang loomed
over her head like the proverbial sword of Damocles.
"Happy birthday, Usagi." said Luna, trying as well to cheer her up.
"Thanks, Luna, I only hope I can live long enough to enjoy being
seventeen years old."
"The scouts can triumph over her like they did over Beryl, the
wiseman and Ronmar." said Luna.
Luna struck a raw nerve at the mention of the first knightmare of
the spheres. It was him who had killed her best friend Naru while
attempting to destroy Sailor Moon, as well as his wife who was
coming today claiming vengence for his death two weeks before. Usagi
opened her brooch and looked at the silver empirium crystal.
"Father, please help me go through this new ordeal." she whispered.
At the same moment, alone in his room, Shingo was preparing himself
for the conflict ahead as well. He opened his backpack and threw in
the movie he had rented the night before and removed from under his
bed a ninja-inspired emerald green costume. He had hidden sewing
talents and was very proud of this very well done uniform of sorts.
Shingo had also sewn a strange symbol he had seen many times in his
dreams.
"Jendra" he thought as he stared at the symbol. It must have meant
something.
Stuffing the suit in his backpack, he tried to figure where to go
now. He could almost feel the evil force coming and intuitively knew
where to look.
* * *
Right in the middle of the place where the future city of Crystal
Tokyo would stand, a small cosmetics shop called *Beauty 4 you*
stood, doing business unaware of its incredibly strategic value.
Many months ago, a Dark Moon denizen called Rubeus had tried to
seize control of this place, the core of the greatest utopia that
would ever created on earth, to corrupt it and prevent this
majestuous city from being built.
This beauty store was now the sole property of the same sisters
whom Rubeus manipulated to attain his goals. Their tiny booth had
been successful enough to allow them to afford a more permanent
location, so they chose this place. Not only was it a great location
in the biggest commercial district of the city, but it was also the
best way to prevent another enemy from the future from repeating
Rubeus`s evil plan.
They didn`t even have to change the name of the store, wich fitted
the four sisters perfectly.
Normally, the very busy store would already be open. Not today, as
the sisters were getting ready for their first battle in months.
They knew a thing or two about the ruling family of Changraloor.
"How long as it been since we tangled with those goons from the
tenth sphere?" asked Catsy, slipping on her purple tights and tutu.
"Not long enough, that`s for sure." replied Prisma, strapping on her
revealing black satin suit
decorated with feather covered shoulder pads.
"If I remember correctly my history lessons, Lady Daemonfang was the
fifth ruler of the tenth sphere for over four hundred years. She met
an abrupt death sometime between... let`s see... today and fifty
years from now, I can`t remember the exact date or year. It`s hard
to say if we win today or not." explained Avery who was carefully
verifying she hadn`t forgotten to clamp any of her valkyrie-style
suit`s many buckles.
"I`m just glad we still all fit in these things." said Birdie,
seeing that her light blue, very revealing suit perfectly matched
her slim shapes.
They now looked exactly as they did during their last confrontation
with the sailor scouts, to one detail: the dark crescent moon on
their foreheads was gone, erased by Sailor Moon`s healing process.
"Ready girls?" asked Prisma, black lightning pulsing around her
closed fists.
"No, but let`s do it anyway." answered Birdie, putting the final
touch to her makeup.
"That`s the spirit!" said Catsy, checking if her fingernails were
sharp enough.
"Let`s go help out our friends, then!" concluded Avery, waving her
whips in the air.
* * *
The utterly repulsive creature named Ithzhanh nervously storked the
handle of his burning cold whip. As overseer of Lady Daemonfang`s
royal guards, he was to punish any who showed weakness among the
ranks, killing them as he saw fit. He loved his job with a passion.
Lady Daemonfang joined Ithzhanh in the portal court where her army
gathered in order to march upon the battlefield in the first sphere,
the light world. Ithzhanh showed remarkable physical ressemblance to
Daemonfang, wich wasn`t surprising considering he was her son. His
body pretty much followed the same model, except that he had the
typical slimy wings of most demons. He was much shorter that his
mother who stood over seven feet tall and didn`t help himself by
keeping a needless hunchback stature most of the time; no taller
than five feet tall, Ithzhanh looked like a dwarf next to her.
On the mental level, however, he was her exact opposite. Cowardly
and opportunistic to the extreme, he obeyed his mother out of both
greed and fear.
"How are the troops coming along?" she asked in a voice that hinted
disgust, but not so much as to actually offend the vile overseer.
"Wonderful! They`re all sooooo afraid of me, they`re running all
over the place! I even got the chance to punish a few weak ones...
they died so it serves them right!" said the ecstatic creature.
"Good. Don`t kill too many of them, though, we need every trooper we
can muster." she said coldly.
"Can I kill one more before we cross the portal?" he asked with the
demonic equivalent of sad puppy eyes.
"All right, but no more!" she almost barked. She couldn`t stand
extended conversations with her own son; for some reason, even
demons got sick in this little wretch`s presence.
Ithzhanh batted his slimy wings in excitment. "You, there, lazy one!
Come here and learn proper respect!" he yelled at an unlucky
knightmare who was the closest to Lady Daemonfang`s spawn.
In abominable screams, his life ended under the icy touch of the
young demon`s weapon.
* * *
Laurella walked down the street by herself, lost in a daydream. She
didn`t take her motorcycle, knowing that she`d probably get into an
accident if she had; sometimes, she really needed to take her time
and think. She carried along a movie she rented the previous night
in the futile hope to raise her spirits. Sailor Jendra hadn`t fought
that many monsters so far and the she-demon scared her like hell.
She was just about to enter the video store when a young teenage boy
came out and walked right passed her toward a nearby bus stop. His
face was familiar- it was HIM! She didn`t recognize him immediately
because he wasn`t thousands of years old, but there was no
possibility of error.
Laurella snapped out of her frozen haze and ran after the boy. That
face, those eyes, Kitechnum Jendra had walked right passed her and
she didn`t even say anything to her one true love from a millenium
ago! Unfortunately, he got on the bus before she could reach him,
speeding away from her.
"WAIT!" she vainly screamed. Too late, he was gone. Laurella couldn`t
believe that, of all mornings, she had to chose THIS ONE to leave
her motorcycle home.
On the bus, Shingo thought that the brunette girl he passed by on
his way to the bus reminded him of the one he often saw in his
dreams...
"Nah, it couldn`t be her." he figured.
Besides, he had no time to lose thinking about his dreams; Sailor
Moon would need his help again today, big time.
* * *
Michiru picked up her transformation pen on her dresser and Haruka
did the same. They had seen Daemonfang`s message in person, being
there quite by chance the day Jormunder attacked Tokyo to get the
scouts` attention. Even if they had missed it, all the television
channels spoke only of this, so they would have found out anyway.
Most TV show hosts were convinced this was a hoax, a publicity stunt
of some kind. A few more daring than the rest were announcing their
belief in the existence of Sailor Moon and the scouts, wishing them
good luck against the forces of evil.
"And so our fight continues." said Michiru.
"We have to help Sailor Moon. This creature is not likely to announce
herself this way only to show up alone. If anything, she`s likely to
have her personal army along for the ride." observed Haruka.
She had no idea how right she was.
* * *
In his appartment, Mamoru took care of his beautiful roses,
carefully selecting the most perfect ones he`d cut to give to his
girlfriend Usagi. The scouts had written his name right on top of
their guest list for her birthday party and he wanted to do
something really special in addition to the gift he had picked out
for her. The roses seemed like the perfect complement.
He thought about the terrible fight she`d have to go through today;
this Lady Daemonfang was certainly a powerful one and he wanted to
help, but how? Altough his broken bones had healed remarkably fast
after his recent accident, Mamoru didn`t have all of his memories
back from his amnesia and he was certain that the holes in his head
contained some crucial pieces to the puzzle he had become.
And so he waited, hoping and praying for the love of his life to
triumph again.
* * *
On her way to the temple for a final meeting before the arrival of
the demon lord, Ami heard a small beeping sound from her laptop
computer. She checked it and discovered that Daemonfang was on her
way, announcing her impending entrance into the first sphere with an
easily detectable energy signature located in an empty lot some
distance away.
She obviously wanted a battlefield without any curious bystanders,
one that the scouts could find fast enough so they`d be there when
she arrived.
Ami called the others to direct them to the location her laptop
indicated.
* * *
The troops of Changraloor were finally assembled in ranks, filling
the entire portal court of the evil fortress from wich the demon
lords traditionaly controled the tenth sphere. The royal magicians
were already concentrating on the complex dimensionnal portal spells
that would enable this army to march over the earth realm.
Dark thunderclouds formed in the sky above the fortress, announcing
the return of Stormrider just in time to participate to the battle.
Jormunder joined Lady Daemonfang, ready to fight by her side.
"Where have you been, Jormunder? You almost missed my moment of
revenge." she said.
"Forgive me, my lady, but the seeker resists well the binding magic.
I had to refresh the spell before the battle, lest we lose control
of its power during the fight." he explained.
"Of course, I understand. We cannot risk the Storm Seeker helping
our enemies, can we?" Daemonfang said. She caressed the pleasing
features of his face. "I missed you last night, though."
"Do not worry, I won`t be leaving for quite some time now that the
spell is strong again." said Jormunder, smiling invitingly.
Within minutes, it would begin- her army would go forward and
she`d crush the so-called protectors of the earth.
* * *
Shingo got off the bus in a part of town he`d never been before;
there were many construction sites and empty lots as the
neighbourhood was in an expansion boom. He easily found a spot to
switch clothes and hide his backpack until he could retrieve it
later. He couldn`t help thinking of his dreams again. This girl, she
had called him by a strange name that somehow sounded familiar,
"Kitechnum".
Strange name.
Cute girl.
He felt that a powerful evil force was on its way over to one of
the empty lots close by; he snuck there discreetly and saw the sailor
scouts waiting for the same fiend he was. The six scouts were joined
there by two more scouts and four weird ladies he never saw before.
Shingo knew he did not have much power yet, so he`d have to use it
sparingly, when the moment was just right. He`d be the ace up their
sleeve, like the last time.
He felt fear, but he wouldn`t let it stop him.
* * *
"Hello, Sailor Moon, long time no see." said Sailor Neptune.
"This is one fight we`re intent on being a part of " proudly said
Sailor Uranus.
"Thank you very much, we`ll need all the help we can get." said
Sailor Moon.
"In that case, you`ll be glad to know we`re here too." said Prisma as
the sisters arrived on the battlefield.
"Why did you come?" asked Mars.
"You healed us and showed us how Rubeus was taking advantage of us.
Today you need help, so we`re repaying you the favor." said Avery.
"The twelve of us should have a good fighting chance." observed Ami,
revising the tactical situation in light of these reinforcements.
"All we need now is an enemy to fight!" joked Sailor Jupiter.
Ask and you shall receive, goes the old saying.
An immense swirling interdimensionnal door of gold, silver and bronze
opened up a hundred meters from the female warriors. Hordes of
knightmares and minor demons brandishing weapons of all kinds known
and unknown were regurgitated from the tenth sphere upon the
defenders of the earth.
The battle had begun.
* * *
A safe distance from the raging battle, the two strangers from the
video store observed the combat from a construction site. They sat
atop the incomplete structure of what would become an electronics
factory by the end of the year.
"It`s started." commented the woman.
"Now we`ll see if he truly is who we believe him to be." replied the
man.
* * *
Mamoru felt something weird inside him, pressing and urgent. He had
felt this before, always when Usagi was in danger, he was certain of
that. A soft odour floated in the air, it had followed him all
morning, where did it come from? It wasn`t from the roses in his
appartment, it was a sweet smell, delicate... Usagi`s perfume!
He suddenly realized that his jacket pocket contained a small piece
of paper, so he picked it up and noticed it was a small pink
enveloppe with a white bunny on it. On the enveloppe was written
"In case I don`t come back" in Usagi`s handwriting.
He quickly opened it, reading the letter wich was scented to his
girlfriend`s favorite fragrance.
Mamoru, my love,
Endymion, my prince,
Ever since Luna revealed me my past and destiny as Sailor Moon, I
have fought many strange and dangerous creatures and vile fiends.
Today I must face one from wich I fear I will not return. It pains
me that there is a chance we will never get to spend our lives
together as I have dreamed so many times.
Even if I die in combat today , I would not regret anything I have
done in my years on this planet for I have known true love, one that
survived the centuries despite the evils that would have destroyed
it.
I love you, I always have and always will.
your Usagi.
The honesty and tenderness of the letter brought tears to his eyes.
He wanted to help her, to die with her if it came to that! Then it
came back to him. The roses. Every time she had ever been in
trouble, he was there holding a rose. They were the key. He picked
one up and let the delicate odour fill his being, along with Usagi`s
image- he was ready at last, the final piece fell into place as he
transformed. The shining red light swirled around him, turning his
everyday clothes into a classic style tuxedo and cape. His slowly
healing arm`s cast was shattered by the light and his broken arm
was healed.
Tuxedo Kamen was back.
"Hold on, Sailor Moon, I`m coming!" he thought, leaping through the
air towards the place where he knew he`d find her.
* * *
The sheer intensity of the attack left the girls overwhelmed- so
many knightmares and demons so fast caught them off guard at first.
"What`s the situation?" screamed Jupiter.
"Not good, too many of them!" responded Uranus.
The evil hordes rushed forward relentlessly, regardless of the
staggering amount of casualties among their ranks. The elemental
attacks of fire, lightning, water, light and ice kept erupting from
the defenders of earth were doing a lot of damage, although not quite
enough to turn the situation around in their favor.
By the time most of the incoming troops had been neutralized, many
of the scouts and their allies were out of the fight.
Avery, Birdie, Minako and Michiru were unable to go on fighting while
Haruka, Ami and Catsy were unconsious.
The brunt of the enemy fighting force had done its job remarkably
well, weakening the scouts and thus facilitating the task of Lady
Daemonfang to defeat her enemies. She entered the earth realm in full
force with her remaining troops and her high commanders, Ithzhanh and
Jormunder.
Dark clouds filled the sky.
Moon, Jendra, Mars, Jupiter and Prisma stood their ground, awaiting
for Lady Daemonfang and her goons to attack.
"Let`s hope we have enough strenght left." thought Usagi.
A young warrior came to their side at this point, dressed in a green
costume that conceiled his identity and bore the alchemical symbol
of the dead planet Jendra. Laurella recognized him immediately.
"Kitechnum Jendra! I knew you had reincarnated!" she said, happiness
filling her heart like never before. At the same moment, a rose
soared across the sky, striking down Ithzhanh who twisted in pain.
"Tuxedo Kamen! It`s really you!" yelled Sailor Moon in joy.
"Yes, Sailor Moon, I`m completely healed now and I`m here to fight
by your side " he said as he landed next to her.
Now the sides were equal in strenght; Kitechnum began to summon his
Technum powers and gave, in an altered voice to preserve his secret
identity, the rallying cry of the forces of good:
"CHAAAAAAAARGE! "
* * *
"He`s doing good for himself, I think." the man said, observing
calmly the battle from the construction site.
"I can`t stand to watch like this and do nothing!" said the woman.
She pointed her hand towards the battlefield and it began to charge
up with primordial Technum. The man grabbed her by the wrist,
forbidding her to interfere.
"What do you think you`re doing?!?" he asked, angry.
"Helping our brother not get killed! Would you have him seperated
from us another thousand years?" she argued.
"If this be his destiny, so be it! Techniliyis Pluto told us to do
nothing and trust in destiny, that`s what we`ll do."
"He`s our brother, he emerged from the bioengineering tanks at the
same time we did; doesn`t that mean ANYTHING to you?" she asked,
anger flashing in her eyes.
"Would you desecrate Technazul`s memory by breaking your vow to
Serenity? Remember that only the Prime may allow us to interfere
with the humans if he judges it necessary, as he did when he sent
Technuma to capture Celeste after she broke out of containment!" he
told, reminding the woman of her obligations.
The flashing pulses of Technum vanished from her hand.
"You`re right. You know, you can be more rigid than Technuma
sometimes, Noratech Neptune." she said.
"And you, Technulis Mercury, are the heart of the guardians. You
remind us not to think with our brain alone but with our souls as
well, so don`t ever change." he replied.
The fight raged on as a thunderstorm begun. Jormunder had unsheated
Storm Seeker and things were not going well for the scouts and their
friends.
* * *
Crashing bolts of lightning did horrible damage to the ground as
they exploded all around Sailor Moon. She quickly realized that the
sword had to go if the forces of good were to win today. Taking
advantage that Ithzhanh and Daemonfang were busy fighting the rest
of her friends and that strange green ninja whom Laurella seemed to
know, she dashed forward through the rows of knightmares, giving a
serie of punches faster than thunder streaking across the sky. She
quickly made her way through and looked Stormrider in the eyes,
snapping her fingers as she did so. The twenty knightmares all fell
down to the ground, clutching their chests and stomachs.
"Impressive." he said. Thunder fell from the sky, striking Storm
Seeker and infusing Jormunder at the same time. He felt immeasurable
pleasure from the rain wich started to pour down at that moment.
"MOON TIARA MAGIC!" screamed Sailor Moon as she hurled her tiara
towards Stormrider.
He laughed, using his sword to deflect the shooting disk of light.
As he struck it, however, it glowed intensely in an explosion of
blinding radiance unlike anything he had seen before. Blinded by
this light, he couldn`t dodge Sailor Moon`s special "Meteor kick"
aimed at his wrist. Storm Seeker flew into the air, circling and
tumbling until it landed in the hand of the noble-hearted pretty
soldier of love and justice.
Unknown to her, this sword was much more than a simple piece of
forged metal. It was a living entity trapped in the shape of a sword.
Finally freed from the clutches of the evil Jormunder, Storm Seeker
was only too happy to lend his legendary power to his liberator. She
only pointed the sword in Jormunder`s direction and a bolt of
lightning fell from the sky to incinerate him where he stood. The
winds picked up Sailor Moon inside a small vortex, granting the
power of flight to the champion of the earth.
Usagi did not fear the lightning as she felt it as a part of
herself.
Lady Daemonfang was horrified. Her knightmares were dead or dying.
Her servant Stormrider was obliterated. Storm Seeker was in Sailor
Moon`s possession. Only that wretch of a son of hers remained to
stand against those she swore vengence upon. The battle was lost.
In a flash of metallic light, the portal exploded, returning to the
tenth sphere Lady Daemonfang and her acolytes, be they alive or
dead. A second later, only Storm Seeker remained to prove the battle
had taken place. Not even the sudden rainstorm remained, the dark
clouds overhead disappeared as fast as they came.
The unconscious girls slowly came to, most of them showing serious
wounds of all sorts. Tuxedo Kamen hugged his dear Sailor Moon who
dropped down the sword wich she really did not care to keep. To
everyone`s surprise, it rose into the air, an image of a faerie of
some kind superimposing over the sword`s form. The strange and
wonderful being smiled.
"Thank you, pretty soldier Sailor Moon, for liberating me from
bondage." said the spirit.
"Who... what are you?" asked Tuxedo Kamen.
"I am the spirit called Storm Seeker. Your legends speak of my
passing to your world in the past. Many years ago, the one called
Jormunder captured me in this very world as its laws dictate that
my shape be that of the sword you used in combat to defeat your
enemy." he explained.
"Thank you for helping me, Storm Seeker." said Sailor Moon.
"Since you helped me so much, I will give you my help in return,
simply make a wish and I will make it come true." said the spirit.
"Well, could you heal all my friends?" asked Usagi, concerned for
their well being.
"Done and done!" said Storm Seeker, exhilarated to use his magic to
heal rather than destroy. The many cuts and slashes over the bodies
of the scouts and sisters vanished. "There is still one more friend
of yours that I can heal, but I`ll need some backup."
Storm Seeker, Kitechnum and Sailor Moon vanished.
* * *
"I think we can rest assured that Kitechnum Jendra as been truly
brought back to us." said Noratech Neptune. "Wait a minute, he just
vanished along with Sailor Moon!" he added, not noticing the events
of the past two minutes on the battlefield.
"Never mind that, Noratech, I just got a written message on my
wristband- from the PRIME!" said Technulis.
"HIMSELF? What does it say?"
"It gives us some coordonates to go to immediately in order to meet
with the other guardians."
"Well, let`s go then."
* * *
In a graveyard somewhere, Umino prayed silently over the grave of
the girl he loved with all of his heart. Naru had been gone for two
weeks and the pain still burned his heart as strong as the day she
died. He should have been preparing himself to go to Usagi`s
surprise party later in the afternoon. but he didn`t feel like it.
All he wanted was to stay there and pray. Not even those storm
clouds up forming up in the sky could make him leave.
"Hello, Umino." said Naru`s mother as she came up to Umino.
"Good day, Miss Osaka." he replied politely. "It`ll rain soon, I
think, why did you come today?"
"I don`t know, really, something told me that I just had to be here
today, right now."
"That`s weird, so did I!" said Umino.
A strange group of people walked in their direction, formed of
people neither of them had ever seen before. All of them wore a
uniform of a different color, bearing the symbol of a planet.
Sapphire blue Technuma Saturn.
Ruby red Technara Mars.
Pale yellow Litechnae Venus.
Jet black Ramatech Jupiter.
Pure white Techniliyis Pluto.
Living turquoise Technumina Uranus.
They formed silently a half circle around Naru`s grave, waiting
for something.
Umino and Naru`s mother watched them carefully, unsure of what
to do next.
These weird people were soon joined by another group composed of
Sailor Moon, Kitechnum Jendra, Noratech Neptune, Technulis Mercury
and... a spirit whose heart is a sword?
"Why are we here?" asked Sailor Moon.
"One of your friends requires of me a little more power if I am to
heal her." said Storm Seeker, pointing to Naru`s grave.
"But... she`s dead!" argued Sailor Moon.
"Minor detail." said Storm Seeker. "Technum guardians of the silver
millenium, you all know why you have been summoned, don`t you?"
All the guardians nodded in agreement, even Kitechnum who
intuitively knew what was needed of him.
"Sailor Moon, you brought the spirit of Technazul Terra with you,
haven`t you?" asked the spirit.
"Yes." she answered.
"Take your place among the circle then."
The guardians encircled the young girl`s grave with Sailor Moon
holding the silver crystal, the heart of Technazul Terra, standing
among them. Technum flowed from the nine guardians and the crystal,
building up in intensity to a point no seen on earth in thousands
of years.
"Young Sailor Moon, you asked of me to heal your friends. There is
one of them wich you mourn the death of to this very day. I am owed
a favor by the being who is the creator of the most powerful beings
of the solar system, the Technum guardians. By focusing his power
through his children, he will restore life to she who has none."
said Storm Seeker.
The figure of the Prime appeared in the air, looming above the
circle of power wich was so charged that it almost seemed alive.
It was effectively capable of creating life.
The cold body of Naru rose through the ground and floated in the
middle of the Technum circle, being infused by the energy that would
give her new life.
"Awaken, young Osaka Naru." ordered Storm Seeker.
Naru began breathing again; Umino, Miss Osaka, Kitechnum and Sailor
Moon couldn`t believe their eyes. She opened her eyes and looked
around. She saw Sailor Moon.
"I told you to have faith in destiny, Sailor Moon." she said, a
tired smile on her lips.
The energy faded and the image of the Prime looked at Storm Seeker.
The Prime told something to the spirit without actually using any
words, as he always did.
"Yes, great Prime, your debt towards me has been repaid in full. I
thank you." said Storm Seeker.
The image of the Prime disappeared and the guardians left silently,
including Kitechnum who went his own way. He had much to learn yet,
the Prime had silently told him, and until he was ready he was to
stay on earth where he belonged.
Sailor Moon hugged her resurrected friend along with her boyfriend
and mother. She was back from the dead, they couldn`t believe it.
It would be hard convincing the authorities that Naru`s death was
some kind of mistake, of confusion between the various people
involved in declaring her deceased, but it didn`t matter now. Usagi
had received the greatest gift she could ever receive for her
birthday: her best friend was alive.
"Thank you Usagi." whispered Naru in her friend`s ear. Usagi was
surprised that Naru knew her secret. "There is much I have forgotten
from the other side, but the most important is still remember."
"Now if you`ll excuse me, my people are waiting for me." said Storm
Seeker, turning ito a flashing ball of light that soared into the
sky and towards an unknown direction.
* * *
In recorded history, few birthday parties have been such great
occasions to celebrate. Usagi was reunited with her best friend
and that was the one thing she never would have dared to hope for.
Surrounded by all of her friends, she had opened her gifts, blown
the seventeen candles of her cake and stuffed her mouth with the
best food she ever ate. She was radiant and so was Umino who had
found again the part of himself Ronmar had tried to take away.
The music played and the many, many guests were scattered all over
the Tsukino residence, talking and chatting about a variety of
subjects, playing games and dancing.
Shingo took the opportunity to meet face to face with this girl
from his dreams, Laurella Hammerson, Sailor Jendra.
"Hi." he said.
"Hello, Shingo. I never would have thought that you were Usagi`s
brother." she told him, a bit embarassed.
"I know, it`s strange. I always figured my sister to be a total
goof-off, but a superhero from the moon? That`s a shock. Kinda like
discovering these powers I have."
"Do you remember us, on the moon kingdom?" asked Laurella.
"Yeah, I remember training you to use your powers, the chromatic
blast, the prismatic seven slasher, the spectrum whiplash..."
"What`s the last one?"
"You don`t remember the spectrum whiplash? Well, I`ll have to teach
you to do that one again!" laughed Shingo. "I also remember how
close we were." he whispered.
"I was wondering if you`d remember..." said Laurella, blushing.
"So where do we go from here?" asked Shingo. He blushed as well,
but felt like he was very close to her. She gave him a kiss on the
forehead.
"Why don`t we just see where this will take us?" she said.
* * *
Hidden under a table with a long tablecloth, Luna was enjoying a
nice piece of salmon away from all the noise. Many of the guests
did not know about Usagi being Sailor Moon, so she had to keep
quiet. This wasn`t going to ruin it for her, on the contrary.
Artemis slipped in under the tablecloth and joined Luna in her
hiding place. "Hiya, Luna." he said.
"You`re not getting this piece of salmon, if that`s why you`re
here." she said in a cold voice.
"That`s not why."
"Why, then?" she wondered.
"I`ve been thinking, Luna. About us, back then on the moon."
Artemis said.
"You know very well we`re through, Artemis, after what you`ve done."
Luna snarled.
"I want to appologize."
"What?!?"
Luna was quite taken aback by this sudden declaration. It had been
over a thousand years since her breakup with the white cat and he
always claimed he hadn`t done anything wrong in that matter.
"I`m sorry, Luna. I treated you like rotten fish while you went out
of your way to make me feel special. I`m terribly sorry for all I`ve
done." he appologized humbly.
Luna thought for a moment.
"Appology accepted." she said.
"Thank you, Luna, you`re wonderful." he said, turning his back to
return to the party.
"Where are you going, Artemis? There`s enough salmon here for the
two of us!"
* * *
Mamoru finished drinking his glass of punch, looking at Usagi
through a window. She was sitting in the backyard, talking with the
Dark Moon sisters, laughing and giggling in the moonlight. She had
very much matured since the first time he met her three years ago.
She now had much more feminine shapes, having bloomed into a young
woman as the years went by. She had also matured emotionaly,
turning from a careless teenager into the champion of justice Sailor
Moon, sworn to defend earth with her life. Of course, she was still
every bit as klutzy as she was then, but that was part of her charm.
She was beautiful, sitting there with her friends. He put his hand
in his pocket and felt the small velvet box he kept there. He had
thought of delaying this moment for a while now, considering all
they went through recently, his amnesia, Naru`s death, Daemonfang`s
arrival... but everything was fine now and nothing could seem to
go wrong.
Now was the time.
He went outside and coughed a little to attract attention for a
moment.
"Excuse me, ladies, may I trouble you to get a few minutes alone
with our birthday girl?" he asked politely.
"Certainly. Come on, let`s give them some privacy here!" said
Birdie, pulling her sisters back in the house. They all giggled on
their way in.
He sat next to Usagi and took her hands into his.
"Usagi, my love, we have to talk." he said.
Uh-oh, sounds serious, thought Usagi.
"We`ve been through some rocky times together, we suffered many
setbacks, gone through many obstacles... and always we managed to
endure, to make our love come out stronger." he said.
Is he trying to break up with me, she wondered. No, not on my
birthday! Besides, he has that happy "I love you" smile on his
lips.
"What I`m trying to say, Usagi, is that I want you in my life now
more than ever, I want you there tomorrow and in a thousand years".
He took from his pocket a little black velvet box, which he opened.
"Usagi, will you accept this ring as a promise to one day become
my wife?"
Usagi, the talking machine, the motormouth, was at a complete loss
for words. This moment she had dreamed of all of her life was really,
really happening. This time, there wouldn`t be an alarm clock to
wake her up or an evil monster to interrupt them.
She looked at the golden ring and was delighted by the beautiful
setting: a delicately crafted blue diamond shaped as a crescent
moon along with a smaller pink diamond shaped as a star. There was
only one response she could make to his request.
"Yes, I accept." she said, tears of joy rolling down her cheeks.
Mamoru gently placed the ring on her finger. All this was like a
dream come true for the both of them. They kissed each other for
a long time.
"I simply have to show it to everyone!" she said, looking at her
engagement ring.
"Go ahead, I know you`re dying to do that." he answered with that
loving sparkle in his eyes.
She ran inside to show the wonderful ring her fiancee just gave her
to all her friends and especially to her mother.
"Mom, mom! I have some great news!" she said, waving her hand to
show the gold band she wore.
"Me too, Usagi! Guess who came back to visit us for a while!" Ikuko
said with a big smile.
Usagi`s heart stopped for a second. NO! IT COULDN`T BE....
"Hi, Usagi, it`s been some time!" said a little pink-haired girl
who looked exactly like a miniature version of Usagi.
"I knew you`d be happy to see Chibi-Usa again!" said Ikuko. "Usagi?
Hey, somebody get some cold water, Usagi just fainted!"
The End