Here it is, Chapter 9. This is the second to last
chapter. I am so excited. I actually managed to keep the
whole story under 10 chapters. Yay for me!

Thank you Mary Ann and Corie for sticking with me.
It's almost over, and then I can start on my new fan-fic!
Promise you'll read that one too. Shin_kazima, MJ Parrish,
Kimoco and all my allies on the WP forum, thanks for an
interesting few weeks!

Disclaimer: Guess what? No, go on, take a wild guess.
I'll give you three chances. What's that? You say I don't
own Sailor Moon?! You win! Right in one! Yayyyyyy for you!

Rainbow Eclipse
Rated PG

Chapter 9
Forgiveness


The scouts watched, helpless, as Sailor Moon flew
backward. The World Shaking threw her over Eclipse's
motorcycle and into a scaffold. The scaffold, shaky at
best, collapsed on top of her, scattering paint cans and
tools everywhere. All the scouts stood still, unable to
make their bodies move. A shrill scream broke the silence.
"NO! Oh, gods, not again!" Sailor Eclipse, who had
been lying flat on the ground, pulled herself up.
Staggering slightly, Sailor Eclipse began jogging toward
the rubble. Bending down, the rebel scout pulled a board
off the top of the pile and threw it aside. Working as
quickly as she could, the sailor scout continued pulling
metal cans and wood scraps away from the last place she had
seen Sailor Moon. Breaking free of their mental paralysis,
the other scouts rushed to help. All animosity between
Eclipse and the others was momentarily forgotten. Uranus,
tears pouring down her face, had collapsed where she stood,
and Neptune was comforting her. Tuxedo Mask was digging
fervently.
he thought.
Finally a shout came from Sailor Mercury. She had
uncovered Sailor Moon's leg. All the scouts rushed to that
spot, nearly killing each other by throwing metal and wood
haphazardly. It was Tuxedo Mask who uncovered her at last.
Hauling her away from the debris, he held her in his arms.
Mercury began her scan.
"No pulse," Mercury whispered. The other scouts gaped
at her. Tuxedo Mask merely stared, unable to comprehend the
statement.

Darien didn't realize he had spoken his thoughts
aloud. At these sentiments, all the scouts began sobbing.
Sailor Uranus closed her eyes in a pain beyond tears.
Sailor Mars was immobile, her face and eyes blank. She just
sat, staring at the lifeless body of her best friend,
memories of Serena racing through her head. But Sailor
Pluto gave a small smile. She turned to Sailor Eclipse, who
smiled back. Together they approached the group of
mourners.
"How much do you love her?" Sailor Eclipse asked,
completely out of the blue. The grieving scouts looked at
her incredulously.
"How can you ASK that?" Sailor Jupiter raged. "You as
good as KILLED her!"
"Control yourself, solider. I ask again; how much do
you love her? Enough to die for her?"
"Yes." Tuxedo Mask replied no hesitation in his voice.
"Then listen well. I am the antithesis of Sailor
Saturn. While she has the power to destroy, I possess the
power to create. I can restore buildings, oceans…and
lives. Not on the scale of a civilization, but nonetheless,"
Eclipse shook her head bitterly and fell silent. waiting for
the scouts to absorb this information.
The scouts gasped at this matter of fact statement. A
slim ray of hope pierced their grief.
"I can save her, but I need a spark, a spark of life
from each of you. When I have that, I shall use my life
energy to weave a new life force for Sailor Moon. I cannot
do it without you, and the choice is entirely yours. But
be aware, time is limited. I know that I have given you no
reason to trust me, but you must do so now."
The scouts considered for a moment. They had nothing
to lose…except Serena. That thought decided them. As one,
the scouts, all eight of them and Tuxedo Mask nodded.
"Very well. Close your eyes, and think of Serena. The
removal of life will hurt a great deal, but you must be
strong and think only of the one you wish to save. Begin."
Sailor Eclipse closed her eyes, and the scouts
followed suit. One by one they formed thoughts of Serena.
Eating ice cream, studying, playing video games, running
after Darien, and fighting with Raye. One by one they all
focused on Serena, the beautiful girl who had forever
changed their lives by saving them from their loneliness.
Mars was the first to feel the tug. It felt like a part of
her was being ripped forcibly away, and her mind
automatically tightened against this. But as thoughts of
Serena returned, Mars forced herself to relax. She let go
of the small piece of her that was wanted. Sighing, she
felt a peace descend on her. The balance of her life was
being restored. One at a time the scouts felt the tug, and
the ensuing pain, and they let it go.
they thought as one

* * *
Serena was vapor. She was insubstantial and she didn't
care. Red and white was all around her. Suddenly, a glimmer
caught her eye. Turning, she saw a figure in a rainbow cape
materialize.

The woman nodded and grinned. In her hand she held a
ball of fire. The fire sparkled with ten colors, from blue
to red to garnet to black. The colors shifted and blended.
Eclipse closed her eyes and Serena saw a surge of white
light leave her heart. Smiling, Serena watched, as the ball
of fire became a beautifully vibrant pink.
Serena thought.
Eclipse trailed
off. Another glimmer had appeared. A figure materialized,
but this woman had long silver hair confined in buns and
pigtails. A long white dress flowed to the ground, and a
golden crescent moon sigil on her forehead shone in the
pale light. Queen Serenity had appeared.
Serena called out in delight. Queen Serenity
smiled at her daughter.
The queen turned her attention on
the scout still holding the ball of fire.
I greet you, friend of my heart. Eclipse replied,
her mental voice shaky.



Eclipse
hung her head, tears dripping onto the ball of fire,
causing it to glow more brightly.





Eclipse nodded, smiling through her tears.
I miss you, Serenity. Every day, its like a constant
ache.

Eclipse laughed with Serenity. The two women looked at
each other, smiling.
Queen Serenity
began to fade.




Eclipse fired back.
I must go. Save my dear Serena, Destiny. You are in
my heart, always.

Eclipse replied.
Queen Serenity faded from view.
Turning, Eclipse saw Serena. She grinned cheekily and
held out the ball of pink fire. she
intoned.

Gift of the hearts
Who love
Heart of the souls
Who give
Soul of the minds
Who trust
ALCADIRIA!

Serena watched as the ball of pink flame left
Eclipse's hands and rose towards her. Unafraid, Serena
opened her arms to the glow. As it entered her body, Serena
felt warmth and life spreading through her. All doubt and
fear was banished in the face of that blinding light.
Serena noticed that both she and Eclipse were glowing.

Serena asked

Laughing, the two turned toward a glowing white light
that had formed at another point in the never ending red
and white space.
* * *

Serena woke slowly in comforting arms.
"Darien!" she gasped.
"Welcome back, my love." Darien said, tears streaming
down his face. The rest of the scouts dashed away tears as
they attacked her with hugs. After the initial relief,
Serena powered down and stood. Supported by Mars and
Darien, Serena made her way to Uranus. Uranus threw herself
at Serena, clutching her close as she sobbed.
"I am so sorry Serena! I wasn't thinking, I lost my
temper, I never meant to…"
"Shhhh. It wasn't your fault. Eclipse can be
aggravating at times."
"To say the least." Uranus said, wiping away her
tears.
"Where is she, anyway? I want to thank her." Serena
looked at all the scouts who stared blankly back. Serena
turned to Sailor Pluto, a question in her eyes. Pluto gave
a little half smile.
"She had to leave. She must sort things out, decide
how she feels. Besides, her band is about to become wildly
famous and she'll be busy. But you will see her again. She
is always with you."
Serena nodded, bizarrely content with this strange
answer. If ever the time should come when Eclipse was
needed, Serena knew she would come. After all, that's what
friends are for.


Let me know what you think! Stay with me for Chapter 10.

Skiangel_sv@lycos.com