NIGHTFALL
Sailor Moon flung herself into her mother's arms, and Queen Serenity held her daughter tight. The monarchs of Crystal Tokyo had left the palace to meet the returning inner senshi at the western gates, and were pleased and surprised to see two extra senshi. King Endymion placed a hand on his wife's shoulder and Serenity reluctantly broke free of her daughter's embrace. The inner senshi bowed formally to their queen, and Serenity inclined her head in greeting before gathering her dearest friends in a warm hug.
"I'm so glad you're back safely," Serenity told them.
"Was there ever any doubt?" Jupiter asked with a wink.
Serenity moved past her friends to the two senshi who stood demurely behind them. Sailor Nyx bowed and Serenity could see Abyss's crystal gun strapped to her back. Nyx held out a cylinder that contained a swirling aquamarine gas.
"I hope we're not too late," Nyx said as Serenity accepted the cylinder.
The queen smiled at the girl. "I hope not, too. Nice to see you safe, Akumu."
The blue haired girl bowed again as the queen of Crystal Tokyo moved to stand in front of the red haired senshi. The girl wore a quiver of arrows on her back, held a bow tightly in one hand, and had a gray gem on her forehead. She didn't bow to the queen, to the shock of all those assembled, but Serenity didn't seem to mind.
"Welcome to Crystal Tokyo," the queen said. "I am Neo-Queen Serenity."
"I am Sailor Apollo of Pythia," Apollo replied.
Serenity inclined her head in greeting and turned back to her friends, clenching the cylinder in one hand.
"You must all be tired," she said. "Rest and change while I see to some unfinished business."
"I'm afraid the Shadow King won't like your plan," Apollo remarked. "We must prepare now for the attack, or your city will fall."
Serenity forced a smile. "My troops can keep this Shadow King away when he appears. None of you can fight when you're exhausted."
Apollo shrugged and followed the other senshi into the palace. Serenity watched her go and wondered why this new senshi was so serious. She turned to see Endymion, tightly holding the hand of Sailor Moon.
"She really is a character, isn't she?" Serenity sighed.
"I want to know why she's so rude," Sailor Moon huffed, "and bossy, too."
The queen looked to her daughter. "Why don't you go change and see Hotaru? She's been worried sick since you left."
Sailor Moon smiled and ran toward the palace. Serenity and Endymion followed after her, heading for the room of Haruka and Michiru. Behind them, a darkness descended over the countryside.
********
The Shadow King landed on Earth and immediately began gathering life energy to feed himself. His insatiable hunger drove him forward, closer to the sparkling city of Crystal Tokyo. Abyss had served him well by telling him of this place. Here, he would never be hungry again.
********
Akumu sat in her room, staring out her window to the ruins of Old Tokyo. She thought back to her life as a thief, to Sentou Karasu, and to Galaxia. Her earliest memories had been false, the senshi she had despised was the greatest senshi of them all and had been her only tie to her past. The more Akumu thought, the more she wished she had never saved the lost princess so long ago. She craved her simpler life when everything had made sense.
"Akumu-chan?"
Akumu turned and saw Usagi and Hotaru standing in the doorway. Usagi had changed into a white gown and her crescent moon on her forehead glowed. Akumu smiled and her regrets melted away. Her life may have become more complicated, but at least she was no longer alone.
"Usagi-chan!" Akumu said. "I didn't hear you come in. Hello, Hotaru-chan."
The purple haired girl smiled and Usagi looked around the room. Lying on Akumu's bed was Abyss's crystal gun. The princess frowned at it in distaste.
"Why are you keeping that?" Usagi asked, pointing to the weapon.
Akumu shrugged. "A momento, maybe? I don't really know."
"I think you should get rid of it," Usagi said. "Think of all the horrible things it has done."
"Speaking of horrible things being done, how is Lady Neptune?" Akumu asked.
"She's recovering," Hotaru replied. "So is Haruka-papa. Ami-san thinks they'll be at full strength soon."
"In time to face the Shadow King," Akumu murmured, looking back out the window.
On the distant horizon, the huge Shadow King was drawing closer, blocking out the sky. Usagi shivered and hugged her arms to her chest. Akumu gazed at the insubstantial threat, knowing that nothing the senshi could do would destroy it. Galaxia had fallen before the Shadow, and if the most powerful senshi in the galaxy had failed, how could they hope to succeed? Akumu's eyes turned to Hotaru, the frail senshi of Death and Rebirth. Akumu wondered if the battle would result in the destruction of Crystal Tokyo.
"It may not come to that," Hotaru told Akumu, reading the girl's thoughts through her expression.
Usagi looked at her two friends. "It won't come to that," the princess said firmly. "Hotaru-chan, promise me you won't die."
Hotaru smiled warmly. "I promise, Chibiusa-chan."
The three girls stood in silence for a few moments, each lost in their own thoughts. None of them made eye contact with the others, as if looking would make them disappear.
"Oh yeah!" Usagi said suddenly, "Akumu-chan, we're supposed to come and bring you to the audience hall. Mama and Papa are holding a senshi council before the fight."
"And I thought you just came to say hello," Akumu teased. "We shouldn't keep the King and Queen waiting."
Usagi nodded and the three girls left the room. As she closed the door, Akumu looked from the crystal gun to the window and sighed.
********
Everyone assembled in the audience hall of the Crystal palace. The two thrones and the ornate chairs of the Planetary Ladies and the princess lay empty as all the senshi gathered in a circle in the middle of the massive room. Akumu, Hotaru, and Usagi rushed in late and saw the whole council was waiting for them.
Queen Serenity sat facing the doors, with Endymion to her left and Ami to her right. Next to Ami in the circle was Rei, Makoto, Minako, Kyn, two empty seats for Akumu and Hotaru, then Junjun, Vesves, Cerecere, Parapara, an empty seat for Usagi, Michiru, Haruka, and in the seat next to Endymion
"Puu!" Usagi exclaimed in delight.
"Hello, Small Lady," Setsuna smiled.
"This must really be serious for Setsuna to leave her post," Hotaru whispered as they took their seats.
"It is," Akumu replied, thinking of Galaxia.
"We face a serious danger," King Endymion began, silencing the circle and catching everyone's attention. "With the Shadow King, we cannot even spare senshi to raise the Shield."
"But the palace will be vulnerable!" Makoto objected.
"We have no choice," Serenity said quietly.
"We can't stop the Shadow King's advance," Endymion continued. "Luna and Artemis are monitoring its approach as we speak, but we can make a stand against it."
"We won't run," Haruka assured them, her voice sounding weak. Michiru held Haruka's hand tighter and nodded.
"The senshi will meet the Shadow in waves," Setsuna told everyone. "Haruka, Michiru, and I will meet it first. Should we fail, the Asteroid senshi will fight. The inner senshi will remain at the palace gates with Kyn as a final wave. If we all fail, it will be up to Hotaru-chan."
The senshi nodded gravely, knowing the likelihood of them all dying was very great.
"Wait a minute," Usagi objected, "what about Akumu and me?"
"You will stay in the palace," Serenity said. "It's too dangerous for both of you."
"Why?" Usagi demanded. "Aren't we senshi too?"
Setsuna smiled gently. "Should the Shadow King defeat us all, you must live to guard the Silver Crystal, Small Lady."
"You are the last descendant of the Moon," Ami continued.
"If you don't escape, no one else will be able to use the Crystal to save the Earth," Michiru added.
"What about me?" Akumu spoke up.
"You have to protect the princess," Minako said.
Akumu balled her hands into fists. "It's because of what I can become, isn't it? You're all afraid of the Fury."
The group fell silent. Hotaru rested her hand on Akumu's clenched fist and the blue haired girl looked up, her eyes filled with tears. Beside Hotaru, Junjun huffed and looked angrily away.
"We're not afraid of you, Akumu-chan," Hotaru said.
"You're not in control of your powers yet,' Haruka spoke up. "If you face the Shadow King, you'll just get yourself killed."
"And what about all of you?" Akumu cried. "You're all just going to walk into death? We know our attacks can't touch it. We already tried that!"
"True," Rei said, "but now we're all together, and maybe if we pool our powers"
"You'll all die together, except Usagi-chan and me," Akumu interrupted. "Did you invite me into a real home, with a real family, just to orphan me again?
One of the Asteroid senshi snickered and tears began to trickle down Akumu's cheeks.
"Enough!" Serenity said angrily, rising to her feet. "No one will die. By the light of the Silver Crystal, we will be born again. The senshi are eternal."
"Except Kami," Michiru whispered.
The circle fell silent again, the only sound from Akumu's muted sobs. Serenity remained motionless, standing in front of her chair. Abruptly, she sat and lowered her head to look at her lap.
"We have all been told what to do," Serenity said softly without raising her head. "When Luna and Artemis raise the alarm, we will start. Until then, I advise you all to rest."
The circle quietly broke up, each woman going to take care of last minute preparations before battle. Queen Serenity, King Endymion, and Princess Usagi retired to their private rooms for some time alone. The last to leave, Akumu wiped her eyes and headed to her room to follow the queen's advice.
As Akumu walked down the hall, she passed Haruka and Michiru's room. The door was open, so Akumu knocked politely and entered. Inside it was as if the two women were not facing death in a few hours. Michiru sat on her bed, playing a sad tune on her violin. Haruka was practicing kicks and punches on an invisible opponent. Akumu cleared her throat and Michiru looked up, smiling.
"Akumu-chan!" she greeted. "What brings you here?"
Akumu curtsied like Michiru had taught her and an amused grin spread over Haruka's face.
"I just wanted to thank you both for everything you've done for me," Akumu said, "especially you, Lady Uranus."
Haruka smiled and shrugged. "You're welcome, and call me Haruka when we're not in court, okay?"
Akumu blushed and nodded. Quickly, she continued her speech. "I used to think the two of you were the meanest people in Crystal Tokyo, the way you both moved through the ruins like the wind, catching thieves."
"Except you," Michiru remarked gently.
Akumu's blush deepened. "Anyway, I guess what I want to say is without you, I'd still be in the ruins, stealing food and hating the senshi."
"So, you don't hate us anymore?" Haruka asked.
Akumu shook her head. "Knowing what I know now, I don't think I ever could."
Haruka laughed. "I'll remind you of that the next time I make you run laps all afternoon."
Akumu smiled and bowed once more. She bid the two women farewell and left the room. She paused for a moment outside the open door, listing for Michiru to start her song.
"She's a good kid," Haruka remarked. "I hope we see her again."
Akumu grinned and continued down the hall. The sad, haunting music of the violin trailing after her.
********
Ami, Rei, Makoto, and Minako sat in their private gathering room for what they all believed would be the last time. They had faced many dangerous enemies together and had always triumphed in the end, but fighting the Shadow King was like fighting the air - everything they could throw at it went right through. All they could do is slow it down and hope for the best.
Ami had a notepad in her hand and was trying to come up with a way to contain the Shadow King. Makoto, like Haruka, was practicing her kicks and punches. Rei was in deep meditation and Minako was reading a manga. The girls didn't speak; none of them had anything left to say. They had been through this many times before, yet their destiny had never been this unsure.
Suddenly, the door from the hall opened and Kyn appeared. The four senshi's eyes all snapped up at once to focus on the intruder. Kyn half stepped through the door before she realized where she was.
"Sorry," Kyn apologized. "I'm trying to find my room."
"Why don't you come talk with us?" Minako invited.
Kyn smiled and came fully into the room, sitting on a chair with her back to the door. For a few awkward moments, the five girls sat in silence.
"How do you like Earth?" Ami asked politely.
"It's nice," Kyn said, "but I miss Pythia."
"How long did you live on Pythia?" Minako asked.
"My whole life," Kyn replied, smiling wistfully. "My mother was from Kinmokusei and she met my father on Pythia."
"So your father was . . . ?" Makoto began.
Kyn nodded. "Yes, he was a Pythian, or a serpent man as you like to call us. My mother died not long after I was born."
"You were raised completely by serpent - uh, Pythians?" Rei asked. "How did you learn our language?"
"My father sent me to Kinmokusei to learn to be human," Kyn said the last few words in distaste. "I met Princess Kakyuu there and her three protectors."
"The Starlights?" Minako asked.
Kyn nodded. "They told me all about my senshi destiny. My mother had been Sailor Apollo before me, guardian of a small moon circling an uninhabited planet. Princess Kakyuu gave me my mother's bow and arrows and sent me back to Pythia. I became Priestess of the Temple once the Pythians learned I was a senshi."
"So you just stayed on Pythia?" Makoto asked. "Doesn't sound very exciting to me."
"Not compared to the stories I've heard about you," Kyn replied. "I was speaking with Michiru before the council. Did you ever have a year when you didn't save the Earth?"
Rei laughed. "Earth has always been a popular place to attack."
"Remember when Usagi and Rei had those drums around them?" Minako asked. "I love that story!"
"Who told you that?" Rei snapped.
"Haruka-san. She said you two looked ridiculous."
"At least I didn't try to date two enemies at once," Rei fumed.
"I didn't know they were enemies!" Minako objected.
As the final evening progressed, the five women laughed and told stories of happier times.
********
"He's at the city gates!" Luna cried, running down the halls.
"And moving fast!" Artemis added, easily keeping pace with his wife.
"Hurry everyone!" Diana piped up. "He's coming to the palace!"
Queen Serenity and King Endymion stood at the large, open palace doors, staring down the garden path to the western gate. As much of the populace as possible had been evacuated, and those who had stubbornly remained were now fleeing for their lives. The Shadow King loomed high over the buildings, searching for life energy to absorb as the people ran. Serenity stared up at the figure, its empty black eyes and gaping mouth above the peculiar red mark on its left breast, searching for its next victim. Endymion put his arm around his wife's shoulders as the rest of the senshi assembled behind them. The outer senshi had already transformed, and they bowed briefly to the monarchs before running out to the western gate.
"Good luck," Serenity called after them.
Sailor Uranus paused, winked at the queen, drew out her sword, and disappeared into the night after Neptune and Pluto. A chill wind blew across the garden path and Serenity shivered, still staring out where her friends had been.
"We're next," Sailor Ceres said.
The Asteroid senshi turned to where Usagi stood with Hotaru and Akumu. The four girls bowed formally, Sailor Vesta tossing an angry look at Akumu.
"Please be careful," Usagi pleaded.
"We will, Small Lady," Sailor Vesta said.
"Be strong, Princess," Sailor Juno added.
"Stay safe," Sailor Ceres said, looking more at Akumu than the princess.
"Wait a minute," Akumu said.
The four senshi turned to Akumu, malice brimming in each of their eyes. The blue haired girl forced a smile and stuck out her hand.
"Good luck to you all," she said. "I know we never got along well, but I hope you four return safely."
The quartet blinked in surprise and shock. Slowly, Sailor Juno extended her hand and grasped Akumu's hand. They shook and Juno smiled. The other three girls each took a turn, fighting over who would shake Akumu's hand next.
"Protect her well," Sailor Ceres whispered to Akumu.
"I will," Akumu promised.
Sailor Pallas waved playfully and the quartet followed the outer senshi out the western gate. A minute after they disappeared, Rei, Ami, Minako, and Makoto turned to face Serenity. Kyn stood off to one side, holding her bow in one hand. Serenity's eyes filled with tears and she clasped her hands together. Her friends smiled bravely.
"I already thought I lost you once," Serenity said. "I don't want to lose you again."
"You said it yourself, Usagi-chan," Rei said. "We'll be reborn by the light of the Silver Crystal."
"We'll all be together again soon, Usagi-chan," Minako added.
"Stay safe," Ami told her friend, "be strong."
"And wish us luck," Makoto added with a wink.
Queen Serenity gathered her friends together in a hug, her tears now flowing freely. They remained motionless in the embrace for several minutes before Ami gently untangled the queen from her friends.
"We have to go, Usagi-chan," Ami said gently.
Queen Serenity nodded and tried to smile. Endymion touched her shoulder and she melted into his embrace. The girls looks at the queen for a split second longer before drawing out their transformation pens.
"Mercury Crystal Power, Make-Up!"
"Mars Crystal Power, Make-Up!"
"Jupiter Crystal Power, Make-Up!"
"Venus Crystal Power, Make-Up!"
Kyn drew an arrow from her quiver and aimed it into the sky. The royal couple watched curiously to see what the mysterious senshi would do.
"Make-Up!" Kyn cried, releasing the arrow.
A few feet above her head, the arrow exploded into a shower of gold, transforming priestess Kyn into Sailor Apollo. The four inner senshi and Sailor Apollo ran down the garden path to their post just outside the gate. Queen Serenity, King Endymion, Usagi, Akumu, and Hotaru stayed at the palace doors, hoping and praying for their friends.
********
Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus ran through the city. They didn't speak, but remained in view of each other as they darted down the dark streets. The huge body of the Shadow King loomed above them, oblivious to the coming attack as it searched for life to consume. Finally, when the palace was well behind them, the trio of senshi made their stand. Pluto held her staff at the ready and Uranus and Neptune held their talismans tight. As the Shadow King came upon them, Neptune gave her partner a smile. Uranus smiled back and launched herself into an attack.
"Space Sword Blaster!" she shouted.
The Shadow King gazed down at the senshi as the attack passed through him. Uranus gasped in surprise as the Shadow reach out for her.
"Submarine Reflection!" Sailor Neptune cried.
The attack caused the Shadow to turn abruptly to Neptune and sweep her aside with a negligent flick of his massive hand. It struck her and threw her into the wall of a nearby building. Neptune hit it hard, falling to the ground and causing the bricks to fall on top of her. She lay stunned and the Shadow King reached down for her.
"Neptune!" Uranus exclaimed.
"Dead Scream," Pluto said calmly, shooting a purple ball of energy at the threat.
The attack hit the King in the hand, and he howled in pain. Pluto blinked.
"It hit him," she remarked.
"When he's reaching for something, he becomes solid," Uranus surmised. "That's how we'll have to defeat him."
Neptune had shaken off the attack and stood again to face the Shadow. After Pluto's attack, however, his attention and turned back to the other two senshi. The King roared in anger and reached out to Uranus. Neptune watched in horror as the blonde senshi froze in place. When the hand had nearly closed around her, Uranus held up her hand.
"World Shaking!" she called.
The attack struck the Shadow a split second before his hand closed around Uranus. The earthquake injured the Shadow but he lifted Uranus from the ground and squeezed her. She screamed in pain as her life essence was ripped from her body and sucked into the gaping mouth of the Shadow King.
"Uranus!" Neptune screamed, tears welling in her eyes.
As if in slow motion, Neptune watched as the Shadow dropped the body of her partner. Neptune ran forward, blinded by tears, and caught Uranus before she struck the ground. The girl's skin was already cold and her eyes closed. Her face was relaxed and she looked at peace.
Neptune's face contorted in anger as she kissed Uranus for the last time. Pluto, who had watched the whole terrible ordeal, called out to stop the enraged senshi. Neptune didn't hear her companion cry out and charged the Shadow King.
"Deep Submerge!" she yelled, her anger strengthening her power.
Nevertheless, the attack passed clear through him. The huge face of the Shadow King broke into a grin and it reached down for the senshi. Neptune steeled her nerves, preparing for her fate. As the huge hand came towards her, a purple sphere struck the Shadow. It recoiled in pain.
"Submarine Reflection!" Neptune cried.
The two senshi stood side by side before the furious Shadow King. They faced the threat bravely to the end as the Shadow reached down to consume them both.
As the screams disappeared into the night, three bodies lay against a half destroyed building. The Shadow King stepped past them as he made his way toward the palace.
********
"It's coming!" Sailor Juno remarked.
The other three Asteroid senshi looked up from what they were doing to see the advancing Shadow. Sailor Ceres scanned the ground at its feet for any sign of the three outer senshi.
"It must have got them," she sighed.
"Parapara is scared," Sailor Pallas whined.
"No time for that now," Sailor Vesta told her sharply. "We must be brave for the princess."
Sailor Pallas took a deep breath and nodded. Together, the four Asteroid senshi stood to face the approaching menace. The King walked right up to them and nearly stepped on the senshi as they scrambled to get clear of its enormous foot.
"Magic Ball!" Sailor Pallas cried, throwing her blue balls high in the air.
The three balls soared upwards until they hovered right in front of the Shadow King. He stopped, staring at the twirling spheres in confusion as they danced before his eyes. The four senshi took this opportunity to focus their energy for the next attack. They joined hand and stood in a circle.
"Circus Center Ring!" they shouted.
Great circles of energy began to spread outward from the four senshi. The first few passed right through the Shadow King, but he looked down in anger and reached out to grab the girls. They didn't waver and, as he materialized to pick up the senshi, he howled in pain. Several more rings struck him before he dematerialized once more.
"We got him!" Sailor Ceres exclaimed.
"Not quite," Sailor Juno pointed out.
The enormous hand was once again coming toward the four girls. Sailor Pallas whimpered, but did not cry out as the girls gathered the last of their diminishing energy.
"Jungle Arrow!" they yelled as the enormous hand picked them up.
The attack struck true, but did not defeat the massive Shadow. The four girls screamed in unison as their life essences were ripped from their bodies and devoured by the Shadow.
The four discarded bodies of the playful Asteroid senshi lay on the destroyed street of Crystal Tokyo. The Shadow King continued his advancement to the palace, his hunger growing more intense.
********
As the giant Shadow loomed over the palace, just outside the western gate, Queen Serenity watched bravely. Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she said nothing, gripping the Silver Crystal tightly in one hand. Endymion stood beside her, motionless and silent, with Luna and Artemis at his heels. Behind them stood Usagi, Akumu, Hotaru, and Diana, each lost in thought. They all knew what must have happened for the Shadow to have come so close. Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna, Junjun, Cerecere, Parapara, and Vesves were either badly injured or dead to have allow him to pass. Usagi cried, but like her mother, said nothing.
Suddenly, Serenity turned to her daughter and extended her hand. The white Silver Crystal lay in her palm, glittering despite the faded light. Usagi stared at it, but did not move.
"Take the Crystal, Chibiusa," Serenity whispered. "Take it and run. Go into the mountains with Akumu and Diana and save yourself."
Usagi shook her head fiercely. "No, Mama. I can't leave you!"
Serenity knelt and her daughter rushed into her arms. Endymion turned and stared at his family in sad silence.
"Darling, you must," Serenity said. "Be brave, and remember how much we all love you."
Usagi sobbed as Serenity pressed the Crystal into her daughter's hand and closed her fingers around it. She looked at the princess for a moment longer before raising her eyes to Akumu and Hotaru. Both girls nodded and pulled out their transformation pens.
"Saturn Planet Power, Make-Up!" Hotaru cried.
"Darkness of Night, Transform!" Akumu yelled.
Sailor Nyx walked up to the princess and put a hand on her shoulder. Usagi sniffed and looked up to her father. Endymion smiled slightly and Usagi ran into his arms. Serenity rose to her feet as Endymion embraced his daughter, then Nyx gently lead the princess into the palace. Sailor Saturn watched them go before placing herself between the monarchs and the Shadow King. Should all the senshi fall, the Earth would have to be destroyed.
********
"Akumu-chan, stop!" Usagi wailed.
Sailor Nyx pulled the girl deeper into the palace. Diana followed, looking over her shoulder every once in a while. The purple kitten had said farewell to her parents earlier, but was not pleased at all with leaving them.
"We can't stop, Usagi-chan," Nyx told her. "We have to keep going."
"We're not in the mountains again," Usagi said firmly.
Sailor Nyx stopped and released the princess's arm. Usagi's eyes were red and swollen from crying and her hand was clenched into a fist. The entire palace shuddered as the Shadow King came a few steps closer.
"We can't leave them. I won't leave them," Usagi said, starting to turn.
Nyx grabbed her arm again. "We're not leaving them, princess."
Usagi turned back to her friend. "What do you mean?"
Nyx smiled. "I know a place where you'll be safe. Then I can go back and help Saturn finish the fight. Hotaru-chan told me her powers won't reach you and you'll be spared from the destruction."
Tears welled up again in Usagi's eyes. "But Akumu, you'll die!"
Sailor Nyx tapped Usagi's clenched fist. "If I understand this Crystal thing correctly, all you have to do is use it and we'll all get reborn. We can't be saved if no one is alive to save us."
Usagi opened her mouth to object, then sighed. "You're right, Akumu."
Sailor Nyx smiled. "Of course I'm right. Now, follow me. Once I have you hidden, I have to sneak back outside again without the king and queen seeing me."
"I'll stay with you, Small Lady," Diana promised.
Usagi smiled. "Thank you, Diana. I don't think I can go through this alone."
********
Sailor Venus stood in front of the Shadow King as his massive hand descended. She stared up at him in anger, not moving until the hand was just about to close around her. At that moment, she leapt into the air.
"Now!" she cried.
"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"
"Mars Flame Sniper!"
"Jupiter Oak Revolution!"
The three attacks and a golden arrow from Sailor Apollo all converged on the materialized hand and the Shadow King screamed in agony. Sailor Venus landed next to Sailor Apollo and smiled.
"Told you it would work," she said.
Apollo rolled her eyes. "A foolish risk."
The red headed senshi nocked another arrow and pulled back her bowstring. She released the projectile and it soared high in the air, passing right through the Shadow King's eye. Apollo sighed.
"Any luck, Mercury?" Sailor Jupiter called.
The blue senshi dodged the Shadow's foot as she scanned the creature for weaknesses. Images flashed on her visor and she shook her head in frustration.
"He materializes and dematerializes so quickly, it's impossible to hit him," Mercury called.
"Should we try Venus's trick again?" Mars asked.
"I think he's figured it out," Sailor Apollo told her. "Let's think of something else."
She negligently fired another arrow at the threat, knowing it would pass through. The golden arrow soared up and struck the Shadow King in the glowing red mass on his left breast. The King clasped at his chest and moaned in pain.
Apollo blinked in shock and opened her mouth to announce her discovery to the others. The Shadow King, however, had noticed that she was the one who had injured him and threw part of a building at her. Apollo tried to leap clear, but the King caught her in midair.
"Apollo!" Sailor Venus cried.
"Kyn!" Sailor Mars yelled.
Sailor Apollo screamed in pain as her life essence came free of her body and floated into the mouth of the Shadow King. He tossed Apollo over his shoulder and Sailor Jupiter ran to catch her. Kyn was dead before Jupiter even reached her.
"You'll never see your home again," Jupiter whispered. "I'm so sorry."
Jupiter gently lay the body down and growled in anger. She charged at the Shadow and ran right through his leg. The King looked down and materialized before Jupiter could break through the other side.
"Jupiter!" Sailor Mercury gasped.
"No!" Venus screamed. "Makoto!"
Jupiter pounded on the inside of the Shadow's leg, trying to break free. She was speaking, but none of the other senshi could hear what she was trying to say. Suddenly, her face contorted in pain and a green ghostly image separated from her body and floated up the Shadow King's leg. Sailor Jupiter's eyes rolled into her head and she collapsed.
The Shadow King stepped off her body and Sailor Mars ran over to her friend. Jupiter's skin was cold, but her face was peaceful. Gently, Mars lifted her friend and lay her next to Sailor Apollo. As the King began to move again, Mars ran to join her surviving friends behind a large piece of building.
"What can we do against this thing?" Sailor Venus asked.
"I'm still looking," Mercury said, "but it's hard when it keeps moving."
The blue senshi turned off her visor and stood. Sailor Mars tried to grab the girl as she walked out into full view of the Shadow King.
"Shine Aqua Illusion!" Sailor Mercury called.
She kept the freezing snow going for much longer than usual, slowly turning the gaseous form of the Shadow King into ice. Sailor Venus and Sailor Mars watched in disbelief. Sailor Mercury managed to freeze both the King's feet before it reached down to try and grab her. The blue senshi leapt clear of one hand, but was quickly caught by the other.
"Ami-chan!" Sailor Mars whispered.
"Aim at its heart," Sailor Mercury yelled as she was lifted up to the Shadow Kings mouth. "The red part!"
"What is she saying?" Sailor Venus asked.
Sailor Mars shook her head, straining to hear her friend's last words. As the Shadow King devoured Mercury's life force and threw her body aside, the red senshi turned to her friend with a cold determination in her eyes.
"It's up to Hotaru," Sailor Mars said.
"But we'll go down fighting," Sailor Venus agreed.
The two girls smiled at one another and left their hiding place. Already the ice from Mercury's attack was melting and the Shadow King was coming free.
"Venus Love and Beauty Shock!" Sailor Venus yelled.
"Mars Flame Sniper!" Sailor Mars cried.
The two girls kept up their attacks as the Shadow King seized them. They rose high above the city and Sailor Mars couldn't help but notice how beautiful their home was, despite the ruins from the recent battles.
Sailor Venus twisted her head to gaze down at the palace. She thought she could see Queen Serenity and King Endymion standing outside the doors, looking up at her. A tear fell from her eye and she turned her head to bravely meet her death.
********
Sailor Nyx ran through the deserted halls of the palace, the heels of her boots clattering on the polished floor. She had safely hidden the princess deep in the cellars of the palace, the one place where Hotaru had assured her the powers of destruction would not touch her. Sailor Nyx desperately hoped the battle would not end in the destruction of the world, and she was prepared to do whatever she could to keep Saturn from unleashing her powers.
Armed with her only weapon, the senshi of Night slid into the main hall and ran as fast as she could to the open doors.
********
Usagi sat in the dark cellar, Diana curled in her lap. The small kitten was not speaking and neither was the princess. Truthfully, neither of them had much to say. Their entire world was about to be destroyed and they knew they would be the only survivors.
Usagi turned over the Silver Crystal in her hand. There was barely any light in the dank hiding spot, but the Crystal seemed to brighten any space. She thought of her mother, standing undefended before the Shadow King and of her father, armed with only his sword. They could not survive without her.
"We can't be saved if no one is alive to save us," Usagi whispered, repeating Akumu's words.
"Did you say something?" Diana asked.
The princess smiled down at her friend. "Yes, Diana. We're going to save them all before its too late."
********
The Shadow King moved slowly up the path toward the palace, absorbing all life as he passed. The flowers and trees that lined the walkway withered and died as he walked up to the final humans who stood in his way.
Sailor Saturn held her glaive at the ready, her eyes cold and determined. Queen Serenity and King Endymion stood a few paces behind her, holding each other in their final moments. Luna and Artemis stood to one side, standing so close to each other that their fur blended together. Saturn was motionless, waiting for her command.
The Shadow was so close the queen could practically feel him when she opened her mouth to speak. Saturn watched out of the corner of her eye and held her glaive a little higher.
"Wait!"
The royal couple and Saturn turned to see Sailor Nyx standing to one side, between them and the Shadow. She held Abyss's crystal gun in her hands, but the cylinder that normally caught the life essence was gone.
"Akumu!" Serenity gasped. "Where's Usagi?"
"Safe, Highness," Nyx replied. "Please let me try to end this without destroying the world."
"What are you going to do?" Saturn asked.
"Please, Highness," Nyx begged, ignoring Saturn's question. "I can save you all, if you let me."
Serenity looked from the giant Shadow to the newest senshi and considered the request. Behind her, unknown by all, Usagi was running toward them with the Crystal in her hand. As the princess made it to the door, Serenity nodded.
"Thank you," Nyx said.
Usagi paused at the doorway as Sailor Nyx powered up the crystal gun and aimed it at her breast. The princess opened her mouth to scream and Serenity held out her hand to stop the senshi as Nyx pulled the trigger.
"No!" Usagi yelled.
Sailor Nyx's body fell backward, but a grayish ghost of herself materialized from the other side of the gun, where the cylinder once was. It looked at Usagi for a moment before soaring upwards to be engulfed by the Shadow King.
The princess rushed forward and cradled Nyx's body in her arms. Saturn came over as well and stood over her friend. Serenity stared in shock and Endymion looked up at the Shadow.
"You promised!" Usagi sobbed. "You promised you wouldn't die."
"I had no idea she would do this," Serenity whispered. "We've lost them all, now."
Usagi was crying and rocking back and forth, holding Nyx's dead body in her arms. Serenity went to kneel next to her daughter, tears also brimming in her eyes.
"The Shadow," Endymion muttered. "It's stopped."
********
Sailor Nyx drifted through the substance of the Shadow. Forces were pulling her along and she followed them, unconcerned with where they would take her. She thought of nothing as she moved, but felt a strange feeling in the back of her mind that there was something she should be doing.
The current brought her to a reddish area where she saw many people encased in clear globes. Hundreds of them were small animals and plants, but many more were the serpent people of Pythia. They were curled in fetal positions and seemed at rest. Nyx wondered if she would find such peace at the end of her journey.
As she drifted along, she came across more sleeping people, ones that she knew. First she passed Galaxia, and then Haruka and Michiru. Further along was Setsuna and the Amazon Quartet, all happy in their bubbles. Later still came Kyn, Makoto, Ami, Rei, and Minako, and finally an empty globe reserved for her. Here the currents stopped and Nyx paused. She turned back to look at her friend and realized they were not sleeping, but were dead and she was with them.
"This isn't right," Nyx thought.
The bubble before her burst and Nyx was thrown back the way she had come, far from her friends still in their spherical coffins. Nyx was tossed head over heels until she at last righted herself and came face to face with the Shadow King.
He appeared before her as a man who looked quite a bit like King Endymion, the only full grown man Nyx had ever known. The Shadow was black and featureless, with glowing red eyes.
"Who are you?" it asked.
"I am Sailor Nyx, Senshi of Dreams and Guardian of the Mind," she replied.
They spoke without moving their mouths and the Shadow King drifted closer, overcome by curiousity.
"What do you wish?" it inquired.
"For you to leave my planet and free my friends," Nyx answered.
"But I would die," the Shadow said. "Do you wish me dead?"
"You wish us dead," Nyx retorted.
The Shadow shook his head. "I have nothing against you. I am only hungry and require life to eat."
"We require life to live. I'm afraid we have a problem."
"It appears we do," the Shadow agreed. "However, I have already won. You are here, within me, and I shall feed off of you."
"Never!" Nyx cried.
The Shadow backed away and a red smile spread over his black face. He raised a hand and the spheres that held the senshi appeared. One by one, the bubbles opened and the senshi stepped clear. Their eyes were lifeless and they stood haphazardly, like puppets hung on a wall. The Shadow melted into darkness and disappeared from view.
"What are you doing here?" Sailor Neptune asked.
"I've come to free you," Nyx replied.
Sailor Uranus looked around. "It seems you've failed. We're still here, trapped."
"I'm working on it," Nyx told them.
"It seems you were right," Apollo said. "She is uncontrollable."
"If we had our powers," Sailor Mars added, "we'd be out of here in an instant."
"She can't even think of a way out," Sailor Mercury chided. "How shameful."
The senshi circled around Sailor Nyx, taunting her and reaching out with their dead hands. Nyx felt tears in her eyes and she pleaded with those whom she believed were her friends.
"Please, help me," Nyx begged.
Uranus laughed. "I thought you were our equal, but I was wrong. You'll always be an untrained child."
Sailor Nyx blinked in shock and felt her heart break at the words. Sailor Uranus smiled cruelly at her and Neptune joined her. Sailor Jupiter began to laugh, and soon the assembled senshi were laughing at her ineptitude.
"No," Nyx said softly.
She heard a sad, haunting tune in the back of her mind and concentrated on it. The sound intensified and Sailor Nyx's eyes turned white. She looked through the senshi to where the Shadow King stood, concealed.
"Why don't you run away, child?" Sailor Venus said, but it was the Shadow King's mouth that moved with her voice.
Sailor Nyx held up her hand and a globe of white light appeared. "Nightmare Dissolution!" she called.
The images of the senshi vanished, replaced by the reality of her friends locked in the spheres. The Shadow reappeared before her, and an empty sphere appeared beside him.
"Surrender," the Shadow said. "You are alone."
"I am not alone," Nyx told him. " I command the powers of the Mind. You tried to cloud my vision with illusions, but we are in my domain now."
The Shadow laughed at her. Sailor Nyx narrowed her white eyes and the Shadow King's red eyes widened. He looked around in confusion as if he was seeing things that were not there.
"What are you doing?" it demanded. "I feel you within me."
"I have found your fear," Nyx replied. "Now, you will see it as well."
A light sparked in the recesses of the Shadow's mind and began to expand. The King backed away from the brightness, but it expanded to meet him. As it touched his foot, he screamed in pain.
"Release us," Nyx commanded.
"No!" the Shadow King cried.
The light intensified, burning the Shadow King with its brilliance. He covered his head in agony and Nyx made the light brighter still. Finally, he screamed once more and disappeared, shattering into a thousand pieces. The mind of the Shadow King went black and Nyx felt herself begin to fall.
********
King Endymion, Queen Serenity, Sailor Saturn, Usagi, Luna, Artemis, and Diana all watched as the Shadow King exploded in a brilliant light. They were forced to shield their eyes from the explosion and when they looked back, Akumu's body was gone. Usagi rose to her feet and wiped her tears with the back of her hand as the light from the Shadow King died away.
"Everyone!" Serenity gasped.
Pluto, Uranus, Neptune, the Asteroid Senshi, Apollo, Mars, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter all stood just below the steps of the palace where the Shadow King had been. Behind them were several confused Pythians, some frightened animals, and Galaxia. They all smiled at the queen and Serenity returned the grin happily, tears coursing down her cheeks.
"What happened?" she asked.
"We were dead," Sailor Apollo said, "then Sailor Nyx appeared and somehow we were freed."
"She defeated the Shadow in the one place he could not fight back," Galaxia said. "His mind."
Usagi craned her neck, looking around the mass of people for her friend.
"Where is Akumu?" she wondered.
"With me," a new voice said.
All heads turned to where a woman stood in a glowing yellow light. She wore a yellow gown, had brown hair, and white wings sprouting from her back.
"Kami?" Serenity gasped.
The woman smiled gently. "I am Lucis, the Light and the Day. I have come to reclaim one who was lost to me."
She gestured with one hand and Sailor Nyx appeared. The girl floated above the ground and her eyes remained lifeless. Usagi started to run forward, but was caught by her father.
"Akumu is not an ordinary senshi," Lucis said. "She was sent to Earth as Akumu and awakened as a senshi for the purpose of saving the Crystal Kingdom. Now that she has completed her task, she will come home."
"Home?" Serenity asked.
Lucis nodded. "After her chosen guardian was taken, Akumu was sent to Elysium where I had hoped she would stay. I placed her in the care of Elios, the Prince of Elysium and she remained an infant in that enchanted place until the Earth had need of her. When the future made it clear that the Shadow would soon be released, she was sent to Earth and grew up in Old Tokyo where it would be certain that Princess Usagi would find her."
"You had this planned all along?" Uranus demanded.
"If Akumu was destined to save us, why let us all die?" Neptune asked.
"She had to make the decision herself," Lucis replied. "The future is written, as you all know, but it is ever changing. Now that her task is completed, she will return with me."
Lucis snapped her fingers and Sailor Nyx's senshi uniform melted away to be replaced by a gray and blue gown and two large angel wings. She blinked and her eyes regained their spark of life.
"I - remember," she whispered.
She turned to Lucis and smiled. "Sister, I've been away too long."
"Sister?" Jupiter asked. "This is too weird."
"I am the Dark and Guardian of the Night," Akumu told them all, moving to stand beside Lucis. "The Light is my sister, my true family."
"And now we must go home," Lucis said.
The two girls began rising into the air, surrounded by glowing yellow light. Usagi ran forward, reaching up to Akumu, tears coursing down her face.
"I thought we were your family," Usagi cried. "This is your home."
Akumu looked down and then to Lucis again. The Day Guardian nodded once and disappeared. Akumu gently floated back to the ground. As she touched, Usagi threw her arms around her friend and Akumu hugged her back.
"Please don't go, Akumu," Usagi begged. "We need you here."
Akumu smiled. "If you need me, Usagi-chan, I'll stay."
Everyone cheered, even the Pythians as Apollo translated the dialogue for them. Usagi embraced her friend and Akumu's white wings disappeared, her gown melting into the dress she had been wearing before the battle.
"Let's all go inside," Endymion called. "We'll sort everything out over dinner."
The crowd cheered again and they all began to move into the palace. Usagi came up to her mother and placed the Silver Crystal into her palm. Serenity closed her hand around it and smiled.
"I'm proud of you, Small Lady," Serenity said.
"Thank you, Majesty," Usagi replied with a curtsey.
Serenity laughed and, taking her daughter's hand, they went into the palace together.
Here Ends
Sailor Moon: Crystal Night
by Queen Azura