Author's Note: This is the final chapter, Hopefully this story will get you to want to read more of my stories. R&R! ~_^
Hotaru walked, almost as if she was dead, to
her mother's grave. Unable to keep up her strength, she fell to her knees
in front of the tomb. "I'm…here…mother…" Hotaru said as she struggled
to breathe. She clutched at her heart. "Please…where are…you…" A
ghostly figure appeared on top of the grave. "Hotaru, dear," it said while
smiling evilly, however, Hotaru was too weak to notice this. "Do you still
have it?" "…What?" Hotaru asked. The spirit looked slightly irritated,
but quickly recovered. "Why, the amulet, dear. The family heirloom." Hotaru
nodded and shakily handed it to what she thought was her mother.
She never got rid of it, even though she knew what power it had. She hadn't
even really touched it or even looked at it until now, though. The spirit
suddenly changed its fake caring expression and its face was twisted with
anger, hatred. "Oh, Hotaru dear." She said, still sweetly, "There is one
more thing." Hotaru looked up. "What?" The spirit laughed. "I'm not your
mother! Foolish girl! But as thanks to lending me your body as a host and
giving me this, I will make your death quick." The spirit grabbed Hotaru,
choking her. Hotaru felt the energy drain out of her, and everything getting
black…
"FIRE SOUL BIRD!" Mars' attack hit the demon,
but wasn't enough to kill her. Hotaru fell limply to the side. Her breathing
was irregular, and she didn't have much time. Mistress 9 threw Mars roughly
aside and went back to Hotaru.
"Submerge Reflection!"
"Space…Sword…BLASTER!"
The attacks from Uranus and Neptune temporarily
ripped the evil spirit apart, but it formed together.
"Moon Spiral Heart Attack!"
"Shine Aqua Illusion!"
"Love Me Chain!"
"Sparkling Wide Pressure!"
All the attacks hit it at once, but had the
same effect as it did when Uranus and Neptune hit it. "What's going on?"
demanded Jupiter. Neptune held up her mirror. "Hmm…we can't kill it. It's
already dead." So how do we beat it?" asked Mercury. Neptune didn't have
time to answer, when Mistress 9 attacked again. Uranus swore loudly and
tried to hold it back, blasting it over and over with World Shaking. The
other senshi helped. Over the ruckus, Neptune yelled. "It's no good! This
is an evil spirit that's lost, the Goddess of death must bring it back
to Hades!" Her eyes fell on young Hotaru, who was getting up. "She has
to do it soon!" Venus yelled. "We can't keep this up forever!"
"Ugh…" Hotaru was just getting back up. She
saw Mistress 9 fighting with the other soldiers. They'd never make it,
she thought. She had to help. She closed her eyes and concentrated.
Saturn.
The planet of ruin, occupied by the Goddess
of Death.
That's me, Hotaru thought dully.
It is time.
Yes, it is.
AWAKEN!!
The sign of Saturn burned hotly on Hotaru's
head. "SATURN PLANET POWER, MAKE UP!" She shouted. In a burst of energy,
she was Sailor Saturn. She jumped in front of the senshi just as Mistress
9 was about to deal a killing blow to them. "Silent Wall!" Black energy
surrounded them as the attack bounced harmlessly off of the wall. Saturn
turned to her attention back to Mistress 9, her eyes glowing a royal purple.
She raised her glaive dangerously high above her head and slammed it on
the ground in front of Mistress 9, shouting wildly as she did. Energy shot
out from the ground surrounding her. As she screamed in agony, shadows
dragged her down below the earth.
Everyone was silent. Without any warning,
Hotaru fell to the ground, sobbing. Nobody was sure if they should comfort
her or leave her alone, but Uranus went over to her, kneeling down and
hugging her tightly, letting Hotaru sob on her shoulder. Then, very hesitantly,
Neptune went over and gently touched her shoulder. "I thought," Hotaru
said between sobs, "I thought that she might actually…that she'd be…" she
choked on her words and continued to cry. In a soft voice, Neptune said,
"She's with you. She's a part of you that won't ever leave and never leave.
Remember that day? Hiding from Kaori? It was her who protected you. She's
never forgotten about you." Hotaru stopped crying and looked up at Neptune
with sad but grateful eyes. She hugged her tightly and then whispered,
"Let's all just go home." Neptune nodded. Uranus helped her to her feet
and faced the other senshi. "We'll take her home."
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That night, Hotaru had another dream, but
it wasn't a bad one. She dreamed about when she was two, before the fire.
She, her mother and her father were all on a picnic and having fun, going
to get ice cream and playing games all day. Just before the dream faded
away, the voice of her mother rang out loud and clear inside of her head.
Sleep well, my little Firefly.