THE HALF I NEVER KNEW

BY HEATHER MARTIN

I decided to just go ahead and finish it today. Hope you enjoy it. Please send comments!

CHAPTER 17

Glowing light emerged from the senshi circle. It sent them soaring into space. The next thing they knew, they were transported into a room.

Sailor Mercury lifted her blue head. She glanced around, taking in her surroundings. "I think we made it. This is probably Beryl's castle," she informed.

Tuxedo Kamen opened his eyes. He had ended up on the floor in a heap. But, he made it. Their plan had worked. Now, all they needed to do was find Usagi.

His thought was answered by a yell. "I can't give up!"

Immediately, Tuxedo Kamen got to his feet. He ran toward the sound. He would know that voice from anywhere. It came from his angelic Usako.

The senshi followed behind him. They all came to a halt when they saw what was happening.

Their princess was giving off a thin stream of light from the silver crystal. It barely held back the darkened power that came from Queen Beryl. Usagi had fallen to her knees, ready to collapse.

"Don't give up! We need you," Venus called to Usagi.

Tuxedo Kamen watched his love with desperation. She was so weak. The crystal was draining all her strength. If she didn't stop now. . . No, he wouldn't think about that. He wouldn't let it happen. There had to be someway to save her.

Sailor Jupiter stepped forward. "Supreme Thunder!" she cried. Electricity burst out of her. It went racing toward Beryl, its target. The hit seemed to have no affect.

A shrill laugh came from Queen Beryl. "Your pathetic attacks can't harm me. And, neither can the ginzuishou. I am invincible!" To prove her statement, she directed more power shooting at Princess Serenity.

A tear streamed down Tuxedo Kamen's face. He wished that he could take Usagi's place. He would gladly die for her. If only he could use the crystal instead.

Tuxedo Kamen needed to go to his princess. He couldn't stand it. He didn't care if it would be his downfall. All he wanted was to get to his Usako. He went into the battle.

A shout came from Mars. "Tuxedo Kamen, what are you doing? You will be disintegrated!"

He hardly heard her. He had finally reached the princess.

**********************************

"Usako!"

Princess Serenity turned her head. She couldn't believe her eyes. Tuxedo Kamen was right beside her. She smiled, faintly. This was good. She would get to see her love one more time before she faded away.

"Mamo-chan," she whispered.

Tuxedo Kamen reached out to her. He touched her face, bringing tears to her vision. "I'm here," he said. "And, I'm not leaving you."

Serenity leaned on him. Her eyes wanted to close. Her body was ready to shut down. "Help me hold on," she pleaded. "I have to defeat her."

He reached out, and held on to her. He tried to give her all his love, all his warmth. That was all that he could do.

A dizziness overcame her. Serenity felt herself giving out. She was being thrust into the nothingness.

********************************

A shriek exploded out of Tuxedo Kamen's lungs. The outburst contained the devastation that he felt. He saw the princess's eyes close. Her body slumped to the floor, the crystal falling from her grasp.

In a swift motion, Tux grabbed the ginzuishou. As he did, something happened. A flash of luminescence engulfed his form, altering it. Thick armor came to his shoulders and chest. He was dressed all in black, and was accompanied by a silver sword.

With rage, he faced his opponent, that of Queen Beryl, the one who hurt his Usako. He didn't know how, and he didn't care, but the crystal was in his control now. He set out on using it to its limit. He sent all that he could of the energy spurting at Beryl. The white light had penetrated through her power, and straight at her.

Queen Beryl shrieked and squirmed as she dissolved into the pure energy. Soon, the crystal flickered and then dimmed. The Negaverse queen was gone.

***********************************

Mamoru didn't have time to think. He crawled over to the still figure of his princess. With a shaky hand, he lifted her into his arms. He stared down at her sweet face.

Her eyes slowly fluttered open. "Endy?" she murmured. She sounded so faint.

"Yes, Serenity, it's me," he confirmed. He held her tighter to him.

She smiled. "I've finally found my prince." She took in a shallow breath. "This is so nice. I can feel your love inside me. It took away the pain. I don't feel anything but that now."

Hollowness had taken over the prince. Princess Serenity suddenly shut her eyes and became limp. Everything seemed to stop. Tears streamed down his cheeks. He buried his face into the chest of his dead lover and just wept.

_____________________________________________

Don't get to excited yet. This isn't the end, an epilogue is coming your way.