Warning: Angst. Slightly gory. Nothing like Chapter 10. Definitely not 'happily ever after...' *thinks* Oh, and Welcome Shi means Welcome Death. Enough said. *sighs*
Author's Notes: I slightly changed the Sailor Planet Attack as you'll see when you read. ^^\\// This is the last chapter of Love's Ways, but there may be an epilogue. Of course, there will be a sequel called Fate's Ways. For those who watched the season finale of the first season, you'll know which parts are from the show.
"Once in a while, the gift of love will come to us in full blossom, and we will take hold of it. If love chooses to leave, then set it free. It would surely come back if it's meant for you. Just be glad that it came to live for a moment in your life."
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Love's Ways
Chapter 11 - Welcome Shi
Author: Krys Yuy
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"The spell is at an end," Selene whispered as she sat on her throne. She glanced at her fellow gods as they stared back at her with expressionless faces.
"One day," Aphrodite whispered as she let a tear slip from her eye. "At least they had one day..."
Aries growled low in his throat as he refused to look at the images floating in the center of the room. "Damn fate, damn destiny," he muttered in anger. "Damn..."
Hermes said nothing, staring at the images with sad eyes. 'Daughter... find your way back, o-negai,' he thought silently.
"Be strong," Zeus prayed aloud, watching the sunrise in the images. "Have faith, children..." He placed a hand on his forehead as his elbow was propped on the side of the throne.
Selene stood and walked to stand straight in front of the images. As she reached out to touch one, which was of her daughter and Heero, it shimmered with ripples like a lake. "We will always watch over you," she murmured.
"Yes, always," a new voice echoed.
* * * * *
The sunrise cast its warm rays over the sleeping city, signaling a new day. Five couples stirred from their sleep as the light fell on them through the now open door. A warm breeze entered the room, circling around them. As the rays touched each of them, they began to glow slowly. A curtain of glitters fell over them as they began to fade. When their bodies were completely gone, two felines entered the empty room with sad expressions.
"Good luck, Serenity-hime," Luna whispered to the air.
Artemis sniffed and let himself curl up on the spot where Minako and Quatre had slept. "Be careful Senshi... princesses," he murmured. "Believe in yourselves..."
* * * * *
Usagi's eyes snapped open to face a whirlwind of ice and snow. "Nani?" She whispered as she stood. She brought her hands up to rub her arms as she looked around in confusion. "What happened?" Then everything hit her like a truck. Tears gathered in her eyes as she raised her head to the sky. "You did what you could, mother," she murmured. "Thank you."
As she looked down at herself, she realized she was now in Cassandra's choice of clothing. She shuddered involuntarily and took her brooch from her sub-space pocket. Usagi ignored the cold surrounding her as she traced the designs. It held so many memories, so much power. She had yet to tap into it, and she hoped beyond hope that she could destroy the frozen monster before her. Through her tears, she glared up at the huge form of Beryl, who was still immobile. She felt a hand touch her shoulder, and she whirled around.
Heero stood behind her, looking as if the cold was not affecting him whatsoever. His face wore no expression, yet his eyes softened as they looked upon her. He wore his jeans and a green tank top. "I love you, Usagi," he stated bluntly.
Usagi's tears magically disappeared and she hugged him for alls he was worth. "I love you too, Heero," she whispered. She reached up and captured his lips in a kiss that scared him.
As Heero responded to her, he couldn't help but feel afraid of it. It was as if Usagi was telling him something. She was pouring all her love and passion into it, just as Heero was. It was more intense than any kiss they ever shared before. It was as if she was saying... goodbye...
Usagi pulled away from Heero and touched his cheek softly, sending tingles through his body. "Forever..." she whispered, before she turned away from him and faced the frozen Beryl again. She took a few steps forward and raised the brooch over her head. "Moon Prism Power!!"
After a bright show of lights, Sailor Moon stood in the place of Usagi. She felt the presence of Heero come up behind her, and she found comfort knowing that he was there. She readied herself as the light around Beryl began to disappear. The evil queen laughed evilly as she moved her arms and her hair flew up, staying that way by some unseen force.
Sailor Moon took a deep breath as Heero placed a hand on her waist. "Enjoy that laugh, Beryl! 'Cause that's the last one you'll ever have!" she yelled.
* * * * *
The four Inners and the rest of the pilots opened their eyes to find themselves standing in the dark castle of Beryl's. They glanced around each other in puzzlement before memories that were blocked came slamming into them. They realized that they were given one day to be carefree and happy before the final battle. They each bowed their heads in silent thanks to whoever granted it to them. As they raised their heads, they spotted the still frozen Malachite at the end of the room. They looked down at themselves to find that they were detransformed. They embraced their respective loves, before the Senshi grabbed their wands from their sub-space pockets.
Minako breathed deeply and turned to face Quatre. "Ai shiteru," she whispered, caressing his cheek. "Remember your promise..." She refused to let any tears fall as he brushed his lips against hers.
Quatre let his lips linger on hers before he pulled back. "How could I forget?" he replied softly. He gently pushed her away from him. "Knock him dead." She smiled and faced the frozen Malachite.
Ami looked Trowa in the eye as she hugged him. "Ai shiteru, always," she murmured. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him tenderly.
Trowa pulled back and let his hand touch her hair. "Of course, Ami. Ai shiteru," he said. She smiled at him and turned to stand next to Minako.
"Wo ai ni, Wufei," Rei whispered as she gave him a chaste kiss. She let her hands brush through his shoulder length hair.
Wufei let his fingers touch her lips after they pulled away from each other. "Wo ai ni," he mumbled back. "Show him what your fire is made of." She winked at him as she joined her fellow Senshi.
"Love ya, Duo," Makoto said as she tugged on his braid. She kissed him lightly as his bangs tickled her face.
"Love ya too, babe," Duo replied as he pulled away. "Burn him for me!" She giggled as he said that before she went to stand by Rei.
The pilots all took out their guns from their respective places, readying themselves. Malachite began to move as the light surrounding him disappeared. The general shook his head before he glared at the Senshi and pilots. Then he suddenly smirked and snapped his fingers. Five youma that resembled women appeared in front of them. Their bodies were various colors with wings extending from their backs. They had very little covering them as their clothes looked just like a second skin.
The one who was red and looked like the leader stepped forward and smiled seductively. "Why, hello," she nearly purred. "We're the Doom & Gloom Girls." She looked past the Senshi and winked at the pilots, who glared at her in disgust.
Minako looked at the Doom & Gloom Girls with hatred and loathing. "Hey! They're ours!" she shouted, moving in front of Quatre.
"Yeah!" Makoto agreed as she stood to block Duo. She clenched her fists, looking as if she was itching for a fight. She gripped her wand in her right hand.
"Bakas! Don't mess with us!" Rei added, her eyes becoming fiery. Wufei found his view of them blocked when she moved in front of him.
"We're a lot more powerful than you think!" Ami shouted, surprising her friends as she stood in front of Trowa.
"I highly doubt that," another of the Doom & Gloom girls commented, a sadistic smile on her lips as she let a hand roam on her blue skin.
"Let's show her, Senshi!" Minako exclaimed, narrowing her eyes. She raised her wand over her head. "Venus Star Power!!" Stars placed on ribbons erupted from the wand to encircle her.
Rei quickly followed her example. "Mars Star Power!!" Fire licked her skin as it shot out from the wand.
"Jupiter Star Power!!" Lightning crackled as it formed several crossing rings around Makoto.
"Mercury Star Power!!" Liquid ribbons wrapped around Ami's form as she let the power wash over her.
When the bright lights died down, the furious Inner Senshi glared at the Doom & Gloom girls. They immediately took fighting stances, waiting for the youma to make the first move.
"What are you waiting for?!" Malachite demanded, floating slightly above the ground. He scowled at the five youma, pointing his finger. "Get them!"
The orange D&G girl smirked at the Senshi. "Think your little light show is going to kill us?" she asked.
"Going to take a lot more than that," the green D&G girl commented, grinning suggestively.
The last D&G girl, who was pink, smiled and disappeared. She then appeared right next to Mercury. "Let's get started, shall we?" She said as the surprised blue Senshi backed away from her. "Die!" She moved to strike her when she a shot rang through the air. "Nani?" she choked out in pain. She glared at Trowa, whose gun was smoking.
"Don't touch her," he warned in a deadly calm voice.
"Hey! No one messes with my friends and lives!" Jupiter shouted in fury. She crossed her arms over her chest as an antenna extended from her tiara. Lightning surrounded her yet again. "Jupiter Supreme Thunder!!"
The attack hit the pink D&G girl dead on. She winced and quickly teleported next to her comrades. "You Senshi are still too weak," she panted.
"Oh yeah?" Mars asked, her left eyebrow twitching. She felt a certain power consume her, and she embraced it. "Try this on for size!" She threw a charm in the air, and then clasped her hands together. Flames flickered around her fingertips. "Mars Firebird Strike!!"
A bird made completely of fire burst from her palms, breaking through the charm. It connected with the cocky green D&G girl, who screamed. She became nothing more than a pile of dust as the flames died out.
"All right!" Duo cheered, grinning. "That's the way to do it!"
"Nani?" the red youma asked. "That wasn't supposed to happen!" She glared at the Inners. "We're stronger than you are!"
"Apparently not," Ami retorted, a gleam in her eye. 'We can do this!' she thought in her mind. She felt a new source of adrenaline rush through her veins. 'Thanks to Pluto for our next level of transformation.' She thrust her hands in front of her as a blue sphere formed between her cupped palms. "Mercury Ice Bubbles... Freeze!!"
Bubbles surrounded the pink D&G girl before she could do anything. She was frozen in complete shock, her mouth wide open. The remaining youma continued to glare at them, while Malachite looked on in disbelief.
"What is this?" The evil general hissed to himself. "The weaklings have gotten new attacks!"
Jupiter cracked her knuckles as a new attack formed in her mind. "Let me try this again!" she exclaimed with a smirk. She crossed her arms for a second time as thunder roared through the air, pounding the walls. "Jupiter Thunder Dragon!!"
A huge dragon appeared above her and zoomed toward the block of ice holding the youma. Upon impact, the ice shattered as electricity hummed in the air, effectively killing the second D&G girl.
"This is beginning to get too easy," Jupiter commented, brushing off her hands.
The blue woman-looking youma narrowed her eyes and disappeared.
"Where did she go?!" Wufei demanded, stomping his foot as his eyes became alert for anything.
The ground below Mercury began to glow red, but she failed to notice. She was too busy looking around for her attacker from the sides. However, Trowa noticed and reacted immediately. He pushed Ami out of the way just as the red glowed bright. Vines shot out and wrapped around him, sky-rocketing nearly to the ceiling. He struggled to get free but it was to no avail.
Sailor Mercury groaned and got up despite the pain from when Trowa pushed her. She looked up at him with tears. "Trowa!!" she cried out. "Don't worry!"
Trowa tried to smile at her, but shut his eyes as the vines electrocuted him. His body jerked and he bit his lip, drawing blood. "Ami, sorry I couldn't protect you longer," he choked out as he also coughed up blood.
"IIE!!" Mercury screamed. She fell to her knees as she clutched her chest in pain.
Sailor Venus turned away from the sight of her friend in pain. Instead, she focused on the vines. She brought her arm up as her index finger pointed to the sky. She brought it down it front of her as a beam of light gathered at the tip of her finger. "Venus... Crescent Beam Smash!!"
The light burst from her hand in a single beam of power, cutting through the vines. Trowa started to fall as the pilots moved to catch him.
Wufei was delayed, however, when the orange D&G girl grabbed him from behind. "Let go of me, bakemono!" he exclaimed, drawing the attention of the Senshi of Mars and Jupiter.
"Wufei!" Rei cried. She took out her charms. "Get your hands off him, witch!" She threw them at her, and the youma found herself frozen in place.
Meanwhile, the blue D&G girl had flew up to the ground and thrust her arms forward. Vines shot out and caught Trowa before he could hit the ground. They wrapped around him once again, but this time they covered his whole body making it look like he was in a cocoon. The blue youma laughed and squeezed her hands together. As she did that, the body inside the cocoon turned to sparkles and disappeared.
Ami moaned in pain, feeling as if something was being ripped from her. "Tro-chan..." She brought a hand to her head.
"Trowa!" Duo yelled, turning his head away, unable to believe he had let his friend down.
Venus tried to reign in her anger. One of her friends was gone, therefore causing pain to another. Her eyes spotted the frozen orange youma, who still had a charm stuck on its forehead. She brought her hands down to her sides, as her hair flew up by an unseen wind. A glowing chain of hearts circled around her form. "Venus..." She brought one of her hands up, the chains following her movements. "Love Chain Encircle!"
She flicked her hand to the right, and the chain shot out. It wrapped around the frozen youma, whose face looked at her with fear. "Go to hell," Venus whispered in hate. An orange light spread from the chain, surrounding the youma. She wrapped her hand around the part of the chain she held, and pulled hard. It squeezed the youma as it choked, before dissolving into a pile of nothing.
Wufei fired his gun at the blue D&G girl, furious that she was able to kill one of his fellow Gundam pilots. "Why can't you just die?!" he demanded in frustration. The bullets were going through the youma's skin, causing pain but not effectively destroying it.
The blue Doom & Gloom girl youma looked into his eyes. "Why can't you just die?" she asked, repeating him and frowning. Then suddenly, her own eyes lit up with triumph.
Wufei scowled at her look. "What you smiling abo-?"
His question was cut off as he gasped in pain. He doubled over, letting his eyes widen in shock. The lead D&G youma smiled in satisfaction as she retracted the vines from his stomach. Wufei fell completely on the ground, wrapping his arms around himself. His vision became blurry as the pain increased. He glanced up to see Rei rushing toward him, fear written on her face.
"I'm sorry, Rei," Wufei said faintly, gingerly touching his stomach to feel something wet. He frowned at himself as she was about to hold him. "I was too weak..." He smiled at her one last time before he slumped forward.
"Mars, watch out!" Quatre shouted, pushing her out of the way just as the blue youma was about to shoot vines at her. He was able to tackle her and roll away in time.
The blue D&G girl's vines covered Wufei instead. He was wrapped in the same manner as Trowa. Rei was frozen in her spot, only able to watch. Wufei's body became lights and vanished as the blue youma squeezed hard, like she had done with Trowa.
As the lights disappeared, Sailor Mars snapped out of her trance. She screamed as pain enveloped her heart. "No..." she cried out. "Wufei..." Struggling to get up, she glared at the blue D&G girl. "You killed him!" Her eyes burned with wild fire. She put both of her hands together, making it to look like a gun. Sparks of red flew from her fingertips. "Mars Fire Ignite!"
Two huge balls of fire erupted from Mars's hands, shooting at the blue youma as she shielded her face. It quickly turned her into dust as Rei finally let the pain consume her. She collapsed on the ground from both the grief of her loss and the extensive energy use.
Jupiter and Venus looked at each other in sadness and acceptance. They let their faces harden as they faced the last Doom & Gloom girl, the leader. The ground below Venus began to glow because she readying her attack. Jupiter's hands crackled with lightning energy. The red youma licked her lips in anticipation.
"You're a horrible leader," Makoto hissed in anger. The antenna on her tiara extended for another time that day.
The red youma just smirked. "It was well worth it to see your friends' sorrow," she purred. Then her eyes widened in blood lust. "You'll now join their boy toys!" She threw one fist forward, vines shooting from them heading at an incredible speed towards Jupiter.
"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!" The beam of light cut through the vines, canceling them out.
"You pest!" exclaimed the last youma in fury as she saw Venus smiling.
"You've hurt us enough!" Venus exclaimed, her smile turning into a frown. "Now you'll pay!" She thrust her hand out as the chains appeared for a second time. "Venus Love Chain Encircle!!"
The glowing chain of hearts wrapped around the lead youma tightly, causing her to scream in pain. Sailor Venus smiled in satisfaction as she tugged even harder on the chain.
Sailor Jupiter thrust her hands out, as lightning shaped like a dragon drew near the youma. "Jupiter Thunder Dragon!!"
The thunder and lightning hit the lead youma with deadly accuracy. The last Doom & Gloom girl became nothing more than a pile of ashes. Makoto and Minako hugged each other in victory. Venus caught a flash of maroon in the corner of her eye, but paid it no heed, too caught up in the moment. Finally, they had killed the last youma. Two cries of pain brought the Senshi from their embrace.
Jupiter and Venus turned slowly in dread to the right to be faced with a horrible sight. Their victory was short-lived as they saw Duo and Quatre on their knees, fighting hard not to scream. They each had what looked like a boomerang in their backs. The weapons were maroon and looked deadly. The two standing Senshi drew a sharp intake of breath, pain swelling inside them. They collapsed just like Mars and Mercury had done.
Duo gasped, trying to take in gulps of air. He fell to the side and looked up at the shocked Makoto. "Hey babe," he smiled weakly, before he coughed violently. "I'm sorry..." He tried to say something else, but black consumed his vision as he fell limp.
"Duo..." Jupiter whimpered as her eyes filled with tears. Her love's body was surrounded in light as he disappeared. "No... gods no..."
Quatre let a few tears escape his eyes before he wrapped his arms tightly around himself. His eyes locked with a horrified Minako's. "I'm sorry I can't protect you," he said, wincing. "Don't forget..." He said no more as his body became sparkles that quickly vanished.
"No..." Minako whispered, shaking her head in denial. "Quatre... no... no... No!!" She screamed in agony just as a person laughed.
"Now all of you know how I feel!" Malachite exclaimed, an insane look on his face. He laughed evilly as he stared at them all.
Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus all climbed to their feet, hatred and anger burning in their eyes for the dark general. They felt nothing inside, their hearts and souls now empty... containing nothing. There was nothing left of what they needed, what they loved. Pain and sorrow blurred their senses, making only one thing clear: Malachite had to die.
The Inner Senshi's grief consumed them entirely as their bodies began to glow with their respective color. Random energy flew from their auras, making the castle shake with the ferocity. The power was everywhere at once, Malachite trying to shield himself from it. Each Senshi had a determined face as they lifted their arms with a great amount of strain.
"Wisdom!" Mercury cried as she thrust her hand into the air.
"War!" Mars shouted, following her friend's example.
"Protection!" Jupiter yelled, despite the pain weakening her.
"Love!" Venus exclaimed, not willing to give up.
Then they shouted as one, "Sailor Planet Attack!!"
The large amount of energy shot towards Malachite, knocking him down to the ground. They smiled in triumph but soon frowned when he stumbled back up. He smirked at all of them, though they could tell he was in serious pain.
"I may be going," he said, clutching his shoulder. "But at least I'm not going first."
All the Inner Senshi could do was glare at him before they fell to the ground in exhaustion and overwhelming pain. They couldn't defeat him. Their powers had weakened too much during the battle. They didn't have enough energy to kill him. He deserved to die. Why couldn't he just die?!
They each fought to stay conscious, but it was a quickly losing battle. They tried to find some grip on reality. They needed to know that the dark general would get his punishment. Just as their eyes were going to close, new yet familiar voices pierced the air, sounding angry and full of sorrow.
"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!!"
"Mars Flame Sniper!!"
"Jupiter Oak Evolution!!"
"Venus Love & Beauty Shock!!"
The Inner Senshi's eyes widened in confusion and shock as they heard the attack cries. But they watched in victory as Malachite screamed in pain, turning to dust. Before their vision faded, they saw four figures approaching them. When they came into the light, the Inner Senshi gasped through the pain. The stared at the figures hard, trying to determine if they were an illusion or not.
For what they saw couldn't be possible. They ran it through their heads again and again, but it still didn't make sense. They each saw... themselves. Yet the figures were slightly different. They looked more mature and older than the age they were now. Despite their puzzlement, the younger Inner Senshi smiled gratefully at their copies from where they lay on the ground. The figures could only smile back before the Inners' vision went black as they welcomed death.
The four older figures sighed as the bodies became nothing more than glittering lights. They looked at each other and then at the crumbling castle.
"Memories," whispered the one who looked like Venus.
"At least we got to kick Malachite's ass," the older Jupiter smirked.
"The future is so much more different," said the Mercury look-alike.
"Yes, it is," the future Mars agreed. She looked around in sorrow. "Let's go."
"All right," the older Venus complied.
Then the four figures disappeared as they each touched their foreheads.
* * * * *
"You think you can stop me?!" Beryl cackled, raising her arms. "I don't think so!" She threw a large energy blast at Sailor Moon, who stared at it with emotionless eyes.
Usagi had felt the departure of her friends, and she was determined to beat the witch who was the cause of it all. She would kill her... for them. 'I won't let you down,' she thought.
Heero jumped in front of Usagi and embraced her as the blast made contact. Snow and ice flew up and around them, creating a huge white mountain. Queen Beryl laughed in what she thought was victory. It stopped short when the top of the ice broke apart to reveal the Moon Princess and Agent 01. He stood behind her royal highness, holding onto her waist as they both glared up at the evil queen.
"The pitiful little moon princess?!" Beryl exclaimed. "No matter. You will still die!" She raised her arms again, black energy gathering.
"I will defeat you, Beryl," Princess Serenity said calmly, closing her eyes and raising the Crescent Moon Wand above her head. Silver power began to gather inside the crystal.
Heero gripped her waist securely, lending her his own energy. 'Together,' he thought.
"Join your mother, pest!" Queen Beryl exclaimed as she thrust her arms towards the princess. The huge amount of black energy headed towards her.
Princess Serenity's eyes snapped open and she pointed the wand at the black energy. "I will not let you win!" she exclaimed.
Silver energy quickly countered the dark power. They seemed to battle each other, before the dark slowly began to win. The silver light desperately tried to regain its space, but to no avail.
The princess bit her lip and closed her eyes yet again. 'O-negai...'
"Usagi-chan! Let us help!"
"Yeah, Odango Atama!"
"Are you sure you don't want us to?"
"Come on! That's what friends are for!"
"........................"
"Trowa and I want to help!"
"You can't do everything by yourself, Bunny!"
"Onna, let's beat the bakemono!"
"I'm right here, Usagi," Heero whispered, breaking into her visions. He lifted his hands and placed them on her shoulders.
'Minna-chan, lend me your power,' Princess Serenity pleaded mentally. 'Help me, o-negai...'
Four transparent hands placed themselves on her wand, two on either side. Mercury and Mars smiled at Jupiter and Venus, who were across from them. Then four pairs of hands were placed on the Inner Senshi's shoulders. Trowa, Wufei, Duo, and Quatre nodded to each other, before pouring their energy to help the princess with their loves quickly following.
"Mercury Star Power!"
"Mars Star Power!"
"Jupiter Star Power!"
"Venus Star Power!"
The princess opened her eyes and cried out, "Cosmic Moon Power!"
"Unite!!"
Their energy gathered into the crystal, creating a huge sphere of planetary energy. It headed towards Queen Beryl, who stared at all of them disbelieving. The sphere reached her and she began to crumble into dust.
"How can this be?" she gasped out. "No!!" She was then tossed in the wind as ashes.
Princess Serenity and her court smiled in triumph before they collapsed. Their pilots caught them, setting them down on the ice. Then they laid down next to their respective love. With the wind and ice blowing around them, their eyes fluttered closed as they held each other tightly, letting sleep claim them.
However, one person stayed awake for just a little longer. Princess Serenity held her wand to the sky one last time, the Ginzuishou shining faintly. 'O-negai, let us all live again to have normal lives,' she pleaded. 'Don't tear us apart... let us find each other...' That was all she thought before her conscious blacked out.
The Ginzuishou grew bright, about to grant its mistress's wish, though it could only grant part of it. Every wish had its price. The price of this wish was that they would be separated yet again with no memories of each other. The events of them becoming Sailor Senshi did occur, but they would not remember that the Senshi were themselves. They would be forced to forget all that had happened, all that they had found. It was a fatal blow to the heart and soul, but it was the price.
A silver light cast its glow on the sleeping teenagers who had gone through so much. They dissolved into sparkles as the sunrise appeared on the horizon. It symbolized the start of a new tomorrow, yet the ending of something amazing. The wind blew softly, but then grew still as if in mourning.
"I'll always be in your heart..."