Sailor Starlights 5
Hi. Hope you enjoy the next chapter. ~QT-chan
P.S. Oh yeah, and I hope you know that when the starlights transform they turn into girls so remember that when I start referring to them as her's!!!
Beginnings
Usagi stepped outside of the small cave-like room structure that had a crude door made of an ash tree.
Instantaneously she was soaked through by a cold and rainy gale, sneezing she leaned up against the hard rock wall.
Looking up at the sky she caught a blurred sight of the new moon. Just a sliver of it could be seen.
'if it was a full moon when we arrived here then...How long have I been asleep?'
"Orb!" Usagi called out into the freezing rain.
Seconds later the Orb came hovering near her, dripping from the rain.
"How long have I been asleep?"
"Four days and one quarter night."
Usagi's eyes widened, "Where is everyone?"
"In the room behind you and in a room on the other side of the crater."
"Did any of the dragons fool with you?"
"No, I would have come and awoken you but rest was heavily needed and also, Dragons are good creatures here in this crater."
All of a sudden Chibi-Chibi and Rini shot out of the heavy curtains of rain hugging Usagi's legs as tightly as they could.
"We were so worried! We thought you were sick and goin' to die!" Rini cried out.
Usagi smiled slightly, "Really?"
Rini looked up and smiled nodding her head, "Chibi-Chibi and the dragons said that you were just tired but I wasn't so sure."
"Thanks for worrying about me but I'm just fine."
"Do you want to meet the others?"
Usagi nodded her head and shivered slightly as she was led out of the shelter of the rock room to head out into the rain.
The dragons immediately surrounded the threesome draping blankets on their shivering shoulders.
"You three warm now?"
Usagi nodded her head, then stepping out of the shadows came a pure white dragon. They all had long slender necks and bodies, with large bat-like wings and some had the beginnings of a mane.
But this one, was a pure white with a fully-grown mane around its neck. Though it wasn't nearly half as long as it's Ocean related cousins it had the same features.
"So, finally, I meet the white one to find that she is not here at all."
Several gasps went up at the news, "But Silven told us! She's the third elder and she can't be wrong!"
"But Damont is the head elder! He's the wisest so why should we listen to some 869-year-old dragon! She's only 400 years older then us!"
Damont then drew up to his full height, his head brushing the top of the ceiling, "Silence! In a way Silven was right..."
"What's that supposed to mean Damont."
Damont angrily shot his tail out, firmly clubbing the dragon into silence.
"She needs the locket to fully awaken"
At the mention of the locket Usagi butted in, "Please tell me where it is!"
Damont and the encircling dragons looked in bemusement at the small girl.
One of them scoffed, "If you are not the white one then what hope do we have, you are no use to us."
Indignation shot through Usagi's veins, 'but if I'm not the one why should I be offended'
The dragons were nodding at the dragons scorning comment, Damont's nostrils were glowing with a hot orange light.
"You foolish yearlings! She needs the locket to fully awaken! But obviously from staying in the sun for too long I see that your brains are muddled! This is a council not some battle of the words ring match!"
The dragons surrounding him were edging away and took the beating tail as their punishment.
Damont's ears flickered, "It's time you leave."
"What? Now?" Usagi whispered, trembling uncontrollably at the thought.
"Yes. Now, the raptors are coming."
Chaos reigned in the room, Damont bellowed, looking at Usagi he shouted over the roar of voices, "The orb knows the way, I confided in it! Hurry little one before the time for you to leave is cut short!"
A terrifying yowling screech rose above the gale of the wind and rain. Striking a chord of fear in everyone's heart.
Rini and Chibi-Chibi pushed Usagi out of the room.
Guiding her towards another rock room they opened the door and stepped in.
"Usagi, Damont talked to us earlier and he told us to stay and that Pegasus would be coming soon to take us back home before someone started worrying about us...but if you tell us to go with you we will!" Rini cried out suddenly grabbing Usagi by the waist and crying.
Usagi, even though she would have greatly enjoyed the company she knew it would be a selfish mistake to bring the two along.
"No...you stay here. I'll come back for you after I find the locket."
Usagi now noticed the Pegasus quietly watching the scene from their large stalls. Small caster-oil lamps lined along the walls lighted the entire room. The floor was strewn with hay and dried grass, the feed holders were filled to the brim.
Sadly Usagi grabbed a bridle from the wall, harnessing a Pegasus she kissed it on the forehead.
"I'm sorry I have to bring you on such a mission."
Hazel eyes gazed back at her quietly before he spoke, "If I must."
The two quickly disappeared in the silvery sheets of rain, Seiya glanced backwards at the company he had been with for longer then he cared to remember. Before taking the reins in his hand and lifting into the sky.
Usagi turned and slowed her Pegasus when she heard Seiya call her name.
"Seiya...You shouldn't be here."
Seiya looked slowly at her, "You know that's not true."
Usagi shrugged, "But it's too dangerous, and,"
"And, you can't do it alone."
Usagi sighed, "Fine, but it's your party."
Seiya glanced sideways at Usagi, "You're letting the Orb guide you to the crystal?"
Usagi nodded her head as she raced after the small almost inconceivable ball of white, which flitted through the rain easily.
Usagi was glad to land on the ground, the Orb flew into her hand like an obedient pet.
Usagi glanced back at Seiya before she boldly stepped into the cavern. It was filled with Stalactites and other cave formed crystals.
Their steps echoed hollowly on the ground as they continued on the narrow path that the stalactites had formed.
The orb went slowly towards the back of the cave darting left and right now and then.
Usagi yelped as she tripped over a stalactite, Seiya grabbed her shoulder at the last moment.
He grunted as he pulled her up, "You should be more careful."
Usagi nodded her head as she cautiously took the next step.
Usagi screamed as the floor beneath her collapsed into a hole. Seiya grabbed Usagi's hand just before it slipped through, Usagi grabbed his hand with both of hers.
"Don't let go, please!"
Seiya managed a short smile, "Don't worry I won't."
Usagi looked fearfully down at the black abyss below, Seiya gritted his teeth.
He looked up at the orb, "You could freaking help me anytime!"
A light from within the orb blinked before it sent out a beam of light that gently pulled Usagi up out of the pit.
Usagi found her legs too weak to hold her up as she stumbled onto Seiya. Seiya held her in his arms as he sank down onto the ground.
"That was too close."
Usagi shrugged, "We're close...to the locket. I can feel it."
Seiya looked down at Usagi's face worriedly, "Are you sure?...are you sure you can go on?"
Usagi pushed herself out of his arms and jumped over the small pit. She turned and smiled at Seiya in response.
Seiya jumped over next to her, as he landed the ground under Usagi split in half Usagi gasped as she fell into the darkness.
Seiya yelled out and reached into midair, the Orb had sent out ray of white light into the abyss.
Seiya grabbed it and found it surprisingly like a rope. His rest was cut short as the orb suddenly shot past him into the darkness.
Seiya was pulled along immediately, he wasn't sure if the orb cared enough about him to come and get him too if he let go of the rope so he hung on tightly.
The orb suddenly stopped sending Seiya swooping down below him, Seiya looked up irritantly, "What the hell are you doing!"
The Orb if it had eyes at all didn't even look like it was listening, Seiya sighed.
Then Seiya realized that they had come to the bottom of the pit, he jumped off of the rope landing easily on the hard rocky floor.
He had a sudden flash of Usagi's body cracking against the hard floor. He bit his lip and shivered visibly.
He glanced up at the orb, a sudden anger took hold of him as he grabbed the orb and threw it at the far wall.
"blasted piece of junk!"
A brilliant 'bomb' of light flashed in the cave as the Orb cracked clear through the middle. Seiya gasped in wonder as a large snowy white bird rose up out of the midst of the bright light.
The bird had fluffy white feathers and piercing blue eyes. He had three head feathers that gracefully fell down onto it's back. His tail feathers dangled a foot below him. His talons were covered in the white feathers, so he was entirely covered in the thick cover of his white feathers.
The bird swooped and landed on a rocky crag of the cavern. The orb had shattered, completely.
'so it was hollow' Seiya fingered the pearly Orb shards before glancing up at the bird. His gaze rested on the diamond that rested firmly on its forehead.
The bird eyed Seiya before swooping down onto the ground below Seiya.
"So...you must be the one that broke the orb."
Seiya locked eyes with the bird angrily, "I wonder why."
The bird snorted, "We must find Usagi."
Seiya nodded his expression flushed worriedly. The bird watched his expression closely.
"I'm called Gesa."
Seiya turned away and looked upwards, "Where can she be?"
Gesa lifted into the air and flew at a slow pace to allow Seiya to keep up.
"Gesa!"
Gesa turned and stopped, hovering in the air he watched as Seiya looked around.
"Where the heck are you taking me?"
"To Usagi."
"How are you so sure she went that way. How can she get this far after she..."
"She never hit the ground...Or else you would have heard as I would have also."
Seiya could feel quick relief at the statement, "But where is she then?"
"Down there. "
Usagi struggled against the hands that held her down and glared at the face that hovered above her.
"We caught you just in time Ms. Tsukino."
Usagi made a face at the women, "Who the hell are you."
"Me?...I'm nobody you should be considering about. I'm the death bringer for you."
Usagi remained silent at the cruel remark before she stuck her tongue out and tried once more to break free.
"Star Serious Laser!"
Usagi gasped partly from surprise as Seiya grabbed her away from the lady as she started her on a head start run.
A whip cracked the air and latched itself firmly onto Usagi's leg, Usagi fell and as she did she had her first look at the ceiling.
"Seiya! The locket! It's in the ceiling." Usagi yelled out
Seiya looked upwards and gasped, it gleamed in the minimal light, it was at the very center of the ceiling with intricate designs that covered the entire roof of the ceiling.
Seiya hesitated, glancing at Usagi, then Gesa suddenly leapt upon the women screeching loudly.
"Get the locket Seiya!"
"right!"
"STAR SERIOUS LASER!"
The attack sped forwards and cracked through the ceiling making the center chunk of rock that held the locket, fall from the ceiling. Leaving a large hole in the ceiling, Seiya ran forwards towards the rubble heap.
The thin lanky women snarled, teeth and claws burst from within her body. She began to turn into a large monster. It shot its large claw out and knocked Seiya into the wall, Seiya winced but staggered upwards.
Usagi called out to Gesa, Gesa swooped downwards and latched her mighty talons onto the head of the large wolf-like monster.
Usagi ran forwards, the monster turned despite the effort to distract it, slamming its foot paw down a small earthquake issued. Usagi tripped but her finger just brushed against the locket.
(AN: this is where the people's of ssm do a retake of her finger touching the crystal a bazillion times and highlight the background with that yellow light to make the point clear.)
Usagi gasped and jerked upwards, the locket glowed with such an intense white light that everyone had to shield their eyes except Usagi who loosed the locket from the pile of rubble.
She held it in her hands and turned to the beast that had a horrific look on her face. Usagi opened the locket and let it fall to the floor as she took the Imperium Silver Crystal from inside of it.
Usagi smiled gently and then narrowed her eyes, "MOON ETERNAL, MAKE UP!"
Seiya watched wings blossom from Usagi's back, she stood in front of the beast in her eternal sailor moon fuku.
The beast could actually be seen quivering under her hard gaze.
"Starlight Honeymoon Therapy Kiss!"
The attack blasted towards the thing, destroying it on contact.
The room shook from the attack, a few chunks of rock flew down from the roof of the cave, before the sides of the room started to cave in completely.
Usagi grabbed Seiya's arm, Gesa taking his other arm in his talons as they quickly lifted towards the hole in the roof.
Dust erupted out of the entrance, Usagi and Gesa landed choking on the dust. She turned when the rumblings had stopped. The entrance was completely blocked off by the rubble of the cave.
She turned to Seiya and smiled, "So, we still friends."
For a minute Seiya thought she had forgotten about the last few days.
Usagi laughed and helped him up, "C'mon we have to keep going."
Seiya grabbed Usagi's hand in his and turned her around, "That wasn't funny."
Usagi giggled, Seiya leaned forwards until their noses touched.
Usagi felt a small blush as he glanced up into her eyes before kissing her gently on the lips.
Gesa was flying ahead of the two, she turned to see a still silent Usagi. The kiss had numbed her senses completely as she still sat dumbfounded.
Usagi ran her fingers over the crystal as she leaned against the tree. They had stopped earlier before they would travel again to take the final journey to Bardo's castle. Seiya watched her for a few minutes before lying back against the inside of the small rocky hollow and closed his eyes.
He woke up with a start as hands wrapped themselves around his waist. Usagi looked up at Seiya, "Thanks, for coming after me."
Seiya laughed, "Anytime, besides your worth it."
Usagi blushed audibly, "Thanks..."
Seiya glanced out at the forest as the bushes began to shake and quiver.
"Usagi, get ready."
Usagi stood up alongside of Seiya waiting, then out of the bushes exploded a bomb of orange energy. Seiya gasped as he roughly grabbed Usagi and threw themselves away from the blast. Seiya transformed and retaliated quickly, a small spiky ball came rolling out of the bush after the attack.
It sprang into the air and revealed it's hairy underside and it's massive digging claws. Its eyes were white and translucent, it was as ugly as anything could get.
"Star Serious Laser!"
The attack soared in the air towards the thing, the animal rolled tightly into a ball. Seiya gasped in surprise as the attack was absorbed through the spikes in it's back.
Seiya wasn't prepared for the assault to go towards Usagi as it shot Seiya's attack, back at Usagi.
Usagi bit her lip when the attack hit her back, she had transformed but that didn't mean the attack would hurt any more or less.
"Moon Tiara!"
The monster rolled itself into a ball from the attack, Usagi smirked as the tiara closed around the small spiky ball making it unable to open up anymore.
The tiara squeezed inwards the thing squealed before a large popping sound thundered around the clearing and dust filled the air. Usagi put her tiara back on and felt her vision cloud over and then return to normal. She was glad that the disturbance was destroyed, because she felt a slow and tired at the moment.
Seiya turned to Usagi relief was written on his face, Usagi smiled weakly before she walked drunkenly towards him, she tripped and fell into his arms.
"Usagi! What's wrong."
Seiya glanced at her back where she had been hit by the attack, there wasn't a mark anywhere except for one tiny pin prick at her side.
"Gesa!"
The bird looked worriedly down on the scene, "She might have been poisoned by that blast from the Armokan, I'll have to go and look for the antidote, stay here with Usagi and wait."
Seiya gathered Usagi in her arms, detransforming he quickly tucked Usagi under her cloak and held her in his arms. Usagi whimpered and cuddled closer to Seiya. Seiya glanced up at the sky worriedly hoping to glimpse Gesa on her way back, it had been around four hours. Usagi had looked worse and worse as each hour passed.
Seiya looked down and was met with Usagi's fevered look, "Usagi, I'm here. Don't worry. I'll take care of you now."
He whispered as he pulled her closer, Usagi closed her eyes and opened them again, it had become increasingly hard for her to breath.
She heard everything in a faint, distant and foggy way.
She could barely feel Seiya's kiss on her lips, it called her back to semi-consciousness, she swallowed the thick soup that was being put to her lips before she fell asleep again.
Seiya wiped his forehead, "That was close."
Gesa nodded her head, "Yes...I had to travel only a few yards but some Armokans were guarding it..."
Seiya washed the clay pot out in the stream, tiredly he looked at the sky as it turned Pink with the morning suns first hues of light.
Usagi blearily woke up in Seiya's lap, glancing upwards her eyesight cleared somewhat as she focused on his face.
"Seiya..."
Seiya blinked his eyes open when he heard Usagi call his name, "Oh, hey, Odango. Better now then?"
Usagi nodded her head and watched as Seiya flashed her a smile before falling back asleep.
'I'll take care of you too, seiya...promise'
Seiya quietly noted the changes that were rapidly taking place as they neared the stronghold of Bardo. The landscape was slowly fading to a land of rocky nothingness.
Gesa began a slow descent downward, the Pegasus landed besides the majestic bird.
Seiya and Usagi slipped off of the backs of the Pegasus, the Pegasus quivered.
Gesa folded her great wings, "From here we should walk. The Pegasus know the way back to their homeland."
The Pegasus shook their heads, "No, we can do this."
Gesa stared at the two intently before nodding his head and turning to Usagi and Seiya.
"Usagi from this stump on, Bardo has complete control over the earth, and other elements. We must be careful."
Usagi nodded her head, the Imperium Silver Crystal twinkled even though there was no light to reflect off of it.
They flew a few yards above the ground heading towards the castle, which was plain to view for hundreds of miles.
Usagi was surprised as she landed the trembling Pegasus at the entrance of the castle.
"Something tells me this was too easy." Usagi whispered
Seiya nodded his head before he transformed into his fuku.
"We have to be even more cautious here then ever."
Usagi nodded her head as she opened the door, a blast of moldy air gusted out.
Gesa sat silently on Usagi's shoulder and turned to look out at the dark sky before the door slammed shut behind him.
The Pegasus trailed behind their riders fearfully as they continued across the main hall.
The entire room looked like it hadn't been occupied for years. Tattered rugs and flags were draped ominously around the room.
Usagi stopped to stare out a broken stone window, the forbidding dark clouds had massed overhead.
Usagi looked down with disgust as a rat ran in front of her. It turned and stared at the two as it sat down on it's round haunches.
Seiya had been calming the Pegasus when he felt dark energy erupt around him. He turned and saw the single rat sitting on its haunches on the stony floor.
Seiya grabbed Usagi as a ray of black energy blasted where Usagi had been, the Pegasus reared away from the ray that had fizzled right next to it.
Usagi landed on top of Seiya, she turned to the Pegasus.
"Go!"
The two immediately lifted into the air, Gesa screeched and flew down towards the rat as it grew in size and the skin burst to reveal a human under the rat skin. His clothing was all jet black which was an offset to his silvery hair.
His hair flowed midway down his back, he had piercing dark red eyes with a dark and muscled body.
In his fist another ball of black energy was forming he shot it at the two, Seiya pulled Usagi up and jumped with her to safety as the floor crumbled from the blow of the attack.
Seiya and Usagi looked up as Sailor Uranus's attack came blasting into his back.
Usagi gasped, 'it didn't even scratch him'
The senshi and starlights jumped down in front of Usagi and Seiya sending out attacks at the same time.
Bardo watched the oncoming attack with a bored glance, the senshi gritted their teeth and readied themselves for any oncoming blow as the smoke cleared from the attack to reveal an unscratched Bardo.
Bardo smiled, with lightning fast reflexes he threw an attack at them. The senshi and starlights were thrown off of their feet.
The senshi were slowly picking themselves up from the floor, the starlights stubbornly threw out another attack.
Bardo laughed, "Do you really think that you can even touch me with your puny attacks."
Rei narrowed her eyes, "We'll do what we can to protect Usagi."
Bardo tightened his fist as another ball of crackling black energy formed.
Rei ducked out of the way, Ami who was behind Rei yelped as she was thrown off of her feet by the attack.
Rei gasped as she saw a streak of white, Usagi was hovering precariously over the edge of crumbled stonework holding Ami by a single hand.
"Usagi watch out!" Seiya screamed as the energy cracked through the air.
Usagi turned her head in time to see the attack as it smashed into her and sent her slamming into the wall, Ami lay in Usagi's arms.
Bardo lifted both of his hands, black energy crackled around his hands as a ball of energy slowly started to form.
"STAR SERIOUS LASER!"
The attack hit home, blasting the energy as it formed, Bardo was knocked off of his feet.
He made a sound similar to an animal-like snarl before he sent out volleys of attacks.
The senshi and starlights were blasted off of their feet, the floor beneath them was crumbling forming a large crack that ran through the very center of the room.
Seiya lifted his head with failing strength and caught eyes with Usagi, she still held Ami in her arms.
Usagi clenched her teeth as she gently laid Ami down and stood up.
Bardo turned around when he heard a small voice cry out, "SILVER MOON CRYSTAL POWER KISS!!"
Bardo had time to shield his eyes before the attack hit him in the stomach and sent him flying through the wall.
Usagi felt some small corner of hope etch into her as there was no sign of Bardo.
Lita looked up and was in time to see the wall burst from behind Usagi.
"Usagi!" Lita called in pain
Usagi turned when she heard the rumbling crack of stonework behind her, Bardo flew through and throwing up his hands he sent a blast of black energy at Usagi. Usagi flew across the gap and bumped to a halt on the other side with the senshi.
Seiya pulled her aside as another attack blasted where she had just lain.
Bardo turned to eye the young women who had grabbed Usagi aside, "What do you think you're doing!" Bardo thundered
Seiya glared upwards defiantly, "I'll protect her through anything, even if it means I'll die."
Bardo smirked and then laughed, "You! You won't be able to protect her when you're dead."
An attack hit the two and sent them rolling into the wall.
Usagi looked up to see Seiya's defiant gaze boring into Bardo as he sent out another attack.
Usagi remembered the senshi and starlights lying on the ground defeated.
She closed her eyes, 'it's over...I can't defeat Bardo...it ends here'
Seiya bit her lip almost to the point where she drew blood the pain was abominable everywhere on her body. She looked at the girl in her arms, and she felt another blast of an attack on her back.
She looked down again, bending down she kissed Usagi.
Usagi opened her eyes a sharp intake of air was taken in. Seiya slumped over her as yet another attack blasted into her.
Seiya suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Usagi and smile faintly, Usagi saw the attack coming to blast Seiya into death.
Usagi narrowed her eyes and picking Seiya up she jumped out of the way. The attack sent the floor crumbling. Usagi looked down and was relieved to see that the unconscious senshi had not disappeared with the crumbling ground beneath them.
Seiya managed to return the light kiss on his lips. Seiya would have smiled if she had the energy left to, when she remembered that she was still transformed...she was still in the female body when Usagi had kissed her.
Usagi was playing a dangerous game of leap frog as she leapt from side to side to avoid Bardo's attacks.
Gesa looked up when he heard the click of heels, above him Usagi was breathing lightly as she prepared herself for the next attack.
Bardo shot out another attack as she leapt into the air she was caught off guard as an attack burned itself into her side.
She clumsily flapped her wings, just remembering that they weren't part of the costume.
'I have to get out of here before he cracks the entire floor!'
She shot out the window, Bardo blasted the wall away and shot after her.
She landed on the hard ground, she still held Seiya in her arms.
Seiya weakly tried to struggle out of her arms, Usagi looked down and smiled, "It's my turn to protect you Seiya."
Seiya gazed into Usagi's eyes, it began to rain, she met her gaze calmly, it came as a shock when Usagi was suddenly thrown off of her feet into the rock wall that held the castle up in it's lofty position.
"Usagi!" Seiya cried out
Usagi who was next to him struggled to pick herself up, she fell backwards lightly. Seiya struggled himself but couldn't summon up the energy that wasn't there. Usagi pushed herself up off of the rock wall, she looked down at Seiya. Seiya took Usagi's features in slowly.
Her hair looked ragged and tired, she had a numerous amount of bruises and cuts on her body as she stood there in the drizzling rain.
Bardo felt such a great rage take hold of him from the calmness of the small female warrior who possessed the crystal.
He formed an attack that he knew would blow them into oblivion.
Usagi looked up at the mass of bright purple light that Bardo was forming in his hands.
Usagi looked down at Seiya and then burst into tears and started to sink to her knees.
Amazingly Seiya stood up and grabbed Usagi in her arms and sunk to their knees together.
"Seiya, it's over, I can't defeat him! He's invincible, I wasn't the true locket holder! I'm not strong enough!"
"No! That's not true! And you know it! Usagi you're the strongest person I know and you can't give up, you can't! The dream world and all of the starlights and senshi are depending on you Usagi! You are the locket carrier and you have to believe it!"
Seiya suddenly leaned down and grabbed Usagi's lips in a rough kiss.
Usagi stared up into Seiya's warm eyes and felt the despair in her melt. She looked up at the oncoming attack that was imminent to send them reeling into the dark abyss of death. Seiya looked up also, the two of them were on their knees and watched as the attack hit them with full force.
The senshi cried out in anguish as they saw the attack hit them.
***************************
Michelle looked up when she felt the glaring bright purple light fall on her face from the high arched windows. Looking around the senshi were scattered on the edges of the room, Michelle shook Amarra awake.
Amarra winced as she rose to her legs, Michelle began to wake the others.
Gesa vainly tried to find the strength in him to flap up to the window and see what was happening.
It was dark inside the castle the only light came from the purple light which shot in from the windows.
"C'mon, we have to help Usagi!" Amarra yelled as she flexed her legs ready to jump up onto the smooth windowsill.
Mina cried out as she stepped on her leg and collapsed onto the ground.
Yaten grabbed her unwillingly in his arms, "You should be more careful." He grumbled as he helped her up.
She bit her lip and stood on her twisted leg before she sunk to the floor.
She looked up at Yaten who was watching her quietly with an unknown emotion in his eyes.
Mina took that emotion to be annoyance, she looked down at the ground, "I understand Yaten...You can go."
Mina almost gasped in surprise as Yaten picked Mina up in her arms and leapt up onto the sill of the window. She looked into his eyes and grabbed him around the neck kissing him with a pent up emotion. Yaten looked down at Mina and laughed suddenly, "We look like two girls kissing."
Mina looked up worriedly by the comment, but was soothed by Yaten's mischievous smile
Taiki let Ami lean against his side as they leapt up onto the sill of the window. Ami looked at the battered senshi around them, "Where's Usagi?"
Ami and the other scouts looked down when they heard Hotaru scream out loud, she was already jumping down the jutting rocks as the attack sped towards Usagi and Seiya.
Yaten felt tears drip freely from his eyes as he tripped and stumbled after Hotaru, Mina felt cold tears of her own slip from her eyes as she remembered the scene. Usagi and Seiya were briefly outlined by the hot purple light kneeling next to each other before the ball of energy blasted into them.
Dirt was still showering down on the senshi as they stopped before the large crater, smoke was so thick around the crater that they couldn't see anything inside of the crater.
Setsuna turned to Bardo as tears were streaming down her face, "You bastard!"
She sunk to her knees and slammed her fist on the ground and sobbed with the pain of the loss.
Hotaru had sunk down to her knees by the edge of the crater, Ami turned away from the scene and sobbed. Taiki leaned against the rocky wall, his legs were trembling fiercely, "So she wasn't the locket holder..."
Yaten looked at Taiki as he breathed the words tiredly, Yaten felt an enormous ache in his heart but couldn't bring himself to believe that Seiya wasn't there...wasn't existing anymore then his home-planet was...
Amarra was on her knees, her fingers dug into the earth, she looked up with a dazed and sad gaze, "We failed! We failed her!"
Bardo smiled pleased with the results of his attack, "I will give you a day to run from me before I come and destroy you!" He called out mockingly.
Lita didn't want to fight or run anymore. She just wanted everything to stop and understand her pain...their pain.
Bardo smiled, "Then you can die right NOW!"
He lifted his hands and threw an attack at the lost senshi.
Hotaru looked up at the attack hoping it would destroy her, when a bright light blasted out of nowhere and deflected the attack. The senshi and starlights looked around themselves in desperate hope.
Rei sighed in relief as Usagi was seen stepping down from the sky.
She held Seiya in her arms as she stepped down onto the ground. She turned to the senshi, her wings had disappeared. Her silvery hair flowed around her, her odangos had changed to hearts with pearl clips on them. She had diamond studs in her hair, a winged heart shone from her forehead. Her fuku had changed to a pure white and gone up to a one layered skirt. She had an air-light, silky cloak that flowed behind her. Sparkles of light outlined her body and glowed around her.
Bardo gasped, "That was my strongest attack!" He sneered then, "Well, don't worry I'll destroy you anyways!"
Bardo began to gather purple energy bomb in the palms of his hands.
Usagi looked down at the girl she held in her arms for a long moment. She looked up when she heard Bardo yell her name.
"Usagi! You'll regret the day you set foot in my castle!!"
He threw the attack at her angrily, Usagi's eyes narrowed, "I will never allow you to hurt me or anyone again!!"
She closed her eyes as a bright light soared out of her then flew back into her. As the energy hit Usagi the light flew out of Usagi in a transparent shield that blasted the attack upwards before it, itself turned into a jagged lightning shape.
Bardo gasped as it cut through his energy ball and struck him in the face, killing him instantaneously.
Ami stood up and ran towards Usagi as she sunk to her knees.
Yaten fearfully looked Usagi in the eye, Usagi beamed, "She's alive. Just barely but she's alive."
Yaten and Taiki sighed in relief, Hotaru hugged Usagi tightly, Usagi giggled.
"Hotaru! You're going to squash Seiya-chan!"
Hotaru wiped tears away and nodded her head as she pulled away.
Seiya's eyelids flickered, before they opened, he blinked a few times before Usagi's face came into focus.
Wind was brushing against his face lightly, he gasped and sat upright only to double over in pain.
Usagi looked down, "It's good to see you awake Seiya."
Seiya nodded his head, "Same here...I thought we were dead!"
Usagi giggled, "We were close to it..."
"Your wings..."
"Yes...They disappeared when I transformed into this. But I can still fly if you haven't noticed."
Usagi looked down to see that Seiya had fallen asleep again, she felt a tender squeeze in her heart before she kissed his forehead.
The group landed inside the walls of Dwindelin, raucous cheering began to erupt at the news of the eleven warriors returning with the locket holder who defeated Bardo.
The group was warmly welcomed and for the next two days the entire dreamland celebrated by bringing numerous gifts of their own to Usagi and the warriors.
************************************
Usagi sighed contentedly and leaned back against Seiya's back. At night the feast would die down a little and be transferred to a comfortable room where there was always a fire to light the cavern dimly. There were thousands of cushions and comfy chairs around the place. This was where tales were told over and over again...
The dwarf children in particular would like to come to the room.
"We were so close Seiya...to death..."
Seiya looked down at the mass of blonde hair, "But you saved us."
Usagi nodded her head slowly at the remark.
"But how did you save us? You attacked Bardo earlier you said yesterday! But you had to end the story before you finished!" Cried a younger dwarf indignantly
Usagi sighed, "I saved us by...by the power of our love."
Seiya looked down at Usagi, she looked at Seiya and smiled.
"I couldn't have defeated anyone without Seiya Kou here. He believed that I had the strength to defeat Bardo...It's all thanks to him."
The dwarf looked thoughtful before sputtering out complaints on the use of words Usagi had used, "But that would mean Seiya saved us!"
Usagi nodded her head and smiled, "Uh-huh."
"That was too short! What was it like, what did Bardo look like!"
Usagi sighed, "Gesa!"
The bird silently took perch on the back of a chair, automatically the dwarf children who had been intently listening crowded around the chair.
"Well, what Usagi means to say is that..." Gesa began
Usagi sighed in relief, Seiya laughed, "Tired of your audience already?"
Usagi shrugged her shoulders, Seiya tipped her chin upwards so that he could see her face.
"Do you mean it? That you saved the dreamland by our love though?"
Usagi giggled, "Of course. I wouldn't lie about it."
Seiya kissed Usagi deeply as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
Michelle leaned against Amarra's shoulder happily, "Everything's back to normal then."
Amarra nodded her head smiling to herself, "I just can't wait to go home and take a shower with warm water."
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Hope you guys liked that last chapter!!! Lol well ttyl and PLEASE review!
Hi. Hope you enjoy the next chapter. ~QT-chan
P.S. Oh yeah, and I hope you know that when the starlights transform they turn into girls so remember that when I start referring to them as her's!!!
Beginnings
Usagi stepped outside of the small cave-like room structure that had a crude door made of an ash tree.
Instantaneously she was soaked through by a cold and rainy gale, sneezing she leaned up against the hard rock wall.
Looking up at the sky she caught a blurred sight of the new moon. Just a sliver of it could be seen.
'if it was a full moon when we arrived here then...How long have I been asleep?'
"Orb!" Usagi called out into the freezing rain.
Seconds later the Orb came hovering near her, dripping from the rain.
"How long have I been asleep?"
"Four days and one quarter night."
Usagi's eyes widened, "Where is everyone?"
"In the room behind you and in a room on the other side of the crater."
"Did any of the dragons fool with you?"
"No, I would have come and awoken you but rest was heavily needed and also, Dragons are good creatures here in this crater."
All of a sudden Chibi-Chibi and Rini shot out of the heavy curtains of rain hugging Usagi's legs as tightly as they could.
"We were so worried! We thought you were sick and goin' to die!" Rini cried out.
Usagi smiled slightly, "Really?"
Rini looked up and smiled nodding her head, "Chibi-Chibi and the dragons said that you were just tired but I wasn't so sure."
"Thanks for worrying about me but I'm just fine."
"Do you want to meet the others?"
Usagi nodded her head and shivered slightly as she was led out of the shelter of the rock room to head out into the rain.
The dragons immediately surrounded the threesome draping blankets on their shivering shoulders.
"You three warm now?"
Usagi nodded her head, then stepping out of the shadows came a pure white dragon. They all had long slender necks and bodies, with large bat-like wings and some had the beginnings of a mane.
But this one, was a pure white with a fully-grown mane around its neck. Though it wasn't nearly half as long as it's Ocean related cousins it had the same features.
"So, finally, I meet the white one to find that she is not here at all."
Several gasps went up at the news, "But Silven told us! She's the third elder and she can't be wrong!"
"But Damont is the head elder! He's the wisest so why should we listen to some 869-year-old dragon! She's only 400 years older then us!"
Damont then drew up to his full height, his head brushing the top of the ceiling, "Silence! In a way Silven was right..."
"What's that supposed to mean Damont."
Damont angrily shot his tail out, firmly clubbing the dragon into silence.
"She needs the locket to fully awaken"
At the mention of the locket Usagi butted in, "Please tell me where it is!"
Damont and the encircling dragons looked in bemusement at the small girl.
One of them scoffed, "If you are not the white one then what hope do we have, you are no use to us."
Indignation shot through Usagi's veins, 'but if I'm not the one why should I be offended'
The dragons were nodding at the dragons scorning comment, Damont's nostrils were glowing with a hot orange light.
"You foolish yearlings! She needs the locket to fully awaken! But obviously from staying in the sun for too long I see that your brains are muddled! This is a council not some battle of the words ring match!"
The dragons surrounding him were edging away and took the beating tail as their punishment.
Damont's ears flickered, "It's time you leave."
"What? Now?" Usagi whispered, trembling uncontrollably at the thought.
"Yes. Now, the raptors are coming."
Chaos reigned in the room, Damont bellowed, looking at Usagi he shouted over the roar of voices, "The orb knows the way, I confided in it! Hurry little one before the time for you to leave is cut short!"
A terrifying yowling screech rose above the gale of the wind and rain. Striking a chord of fear in everyone's heart.
Rini and Chibi-Chibi pushed Usagi out of the room.
Guiding her towards another rock room they opened the door and stepped in.
"Usagi, Damont talked to us earlier and he told us to stay and that Pegasus would be coming soon to take us back home before someone started worrying about us...but if you tell us to go with you we will!" Rini cried out suddenly grabbing Usagi by the waist and crying.
Usagi, even though she would have greatly enjoyed the company she knew it would be a selfish mistake to bring the two along.
"No...you stay here. I'll come back for you after I find the locket."
Usagi now noticed the Pegasus quietly watching the scene from their large stalls. Small caster-oil lamps lined along the walls lighted the entire room. The floor was strewn with hay and dried grass, the feed holders were filled to the brim.
Sadly Usagi grabbed a bridle from the wall, harnessing a Pegasus she kissed it on the forehead.
"I'm sorry I have to bring you on such a mission."
Hazel eyes gazed back at her quietly before he spoke, "If I must."
The two quickly disappeared in the silvery sheets of rain, Seiya glanced backwards at the company he had been with for longer then he cared to remember. Before taking the reins in his hand and lifting into the sky.
Usagi turned and slowed her Pegasus when she heard Seiya call her name.
"Seiya...You shouldn't be here."
Seiya looked slowly at her, "You know that's not true."
Usagi shrugged, "But it's too dangerous, and,"
"And, you can't do it alone."
Usagi sighed, "Fine, but it's your party."
Seiya glanced sideways at Usagi, "You're letting the Orb guide you to the crystal?"
Usagi nodded her head as she raced after the small almost inconceivable ball of white, which flitted through the rain easily.
Usagi was glad to land on the ground, the Orb flew into her hand like an obedient pet.
Usagi glanced back at Seiya before she boldly stepped into the cavern. It was filled with Stalactites and other cave formed crystals.
Their steps echoed hollowly on the ground as they continued on the narrow path that the stalactites had formed.
The orb went slowly towards the back of the cave darting left and right now and then.
Usagi yelped as she tripped over a stalactite, Seiya grabbed her shoulder at the last moment.
He grunted as he pulled her up, "You should be more careful."
Usagi nodded her head as she cautiously took the next step.
Usagi screamed as the floor beneath her collapsed into a hole. Seiya grabbed Usagi's hand just before it slipped through, Usagi grabbed his hand with both of hers.
"Don't let go, please!"
Seiya managed a short smile, "Don't worry I won't."
Usagi looked fearfully down at the black abyss below, Seiya gritted his teeth.
He looked up at the orb, "You could freaking help me anytime!"
A light from within the orb blinked before it sent out a beam of light that gently pulled Usagi up out of the pit.
Usagi found her legs too weak to hold her up as she stumbled onto Seiya. Seiya held her in his arms as he sank down onto the ground.
"That was too close."
Usagi shrugged, "We're close...to the locket. I can feel it."
Seiya looked down at Usagi's face worriedly, "Are you sure?...are you sure you can go on?"
Usagi pushed herself out of his arms and jumped over the small pit. She turned and smiled at Seiya in response.
Seiya jumped over next to her, as he landed the ground under Usagi split in half Usagi gasped as she fell into the darkness.
Seiya yelled out and reached into midair, the Orb had sent out ray of white light into the abyss.
Seiya grabbed it and found it surprisingly like a rope. His rest was cut short as the orb suddenly shot past him into the darkness.
Seiya was pulled along immediately, he wasn't sure if the orb cared enough about him to come and get him too if he let go of the rope so he hung on tightly.
The orb suddenly stopped sending Seiya swooping down below him, Seiya looked up irritantly, "What the hell are you doing!"
The Orb if it had eyes at all didn't even look like it was listening, Seiya sighed.
Then Seiya realized that they had come to the bottom of the pit, he jumped off of the rope landing easily on the hard rocky floor.
He had a sudden flash of Usagi's body cracking against the hard floor. He bit his lip and shivered visibly.
He glanced up at the orb, a sudden anger took hold of him as he grabbed the orb and threw it at the far wall.
"blasted piece of junk!"
A brilliant 'bomb' of light flashed in the cave as the Orb cracked clear through the middle. Seiya gasped in wonder as a large snowy white bird rose up out of the midst of the bright light.
The bird had fluffy white feathers and piercing blue eyes. He had three head feathers that gracefully fell down onto it's back. His tail feathers dangled a foot below him. His talons were covered in the white feathers, so he was entirely covered in the thick cover of his white feathers.
The bird swooped and landed on a rocky crag of the cavern. The orb had shattered, completely.
'so it was hollow' Seiya fingered the pearly Orb shards before glancing up at the bird. His gaze rested on the diamond that rested firmly on its forehead.
The bird eyed Seiya before swooping down onto the ground below Seiya.
"So...you must be the one that broke the orb."
Seiya locked eyes with the bird angrily, "I wonder why."
The bird snorted, "We must find Usagi."
Seiya nodded his expression flushed worriedly. The bird watched his expression closely.
"I'm called Gesa."
Seiya turned away and looked upwards, "Where can she be?"
Gesa lifted into the air and flew at a slow pace to allow Seiya to keep up.
"Gesa!"
Gesa turned and stopped, hovering in the air he watched as Seiya looked around.
"Where the heck are you taking me?"
"To Usagi."
"How are you so sure she went that way. How can she get this far after she..."
"She never hit the ground...Or else you would have heard as I would have also."
Seiya could feel quick relief at the statement, "But where is she then?"
"Down there. "
Usagi struggled against the hands that held her down and glared at the face that hovered above her.
"We caught you just in time Ms. Tsukino."
Usagi made a face at the women, "Who the hell are you."
"Me?...I'm nobody you should be considering about. I'm the death bringer for you."
Usagi remained silent at the cruel remark before she stuck her tongue out and tried once more to break free.
"Star Serious Laser!"
Usagi gasped partly from surprise as Seiya grabbed her away from the lady as she started her on a head start run.
A whip cracked the air and latched itself firmly onto Usagi's leg, Usagi fell and as she did she had her first look at the ceiling.
"Seiya! The locket! It's in the ceiling." Usagi yelled out
Seiya looked upwards and gasped, it gleamed in the minimal light, it was at the very center of the ceiling with intricate designs that covered the entire roof of the ceiling.
Seiya hesitated, glancing at Usagi, then Gesa suddenly leapt upon the women screeching loudly.
"Get the locket Seiya!"
"right!"
"STAR SERIOUS LASER!"
The attack sped forwards and cracked through the ceiling making the center chunk of rock that held the locket, fall from the ceiling. Leaving a large hole in the ceiling, Seiya ran forwards towards the rubble heap.
The thin lanky women snarled, teeth and claws burst from within her body. She began to turn into a large monster. It shot its large claw out and knocked Seiya into the wall, Seiya winced but staggered upwards.
Usagi called out to Gesa, Gesa swooped downwards and latched her mighty talons onto the head of the large wolf-like monster.
Usagi ran forwards, the monster turned despite the effort to distract it, slamming its foot paw down a small earthquake issued. Usagi tripped but her finger just brushed against the locket.
(AN: this is where the people's of ssm do a retake of her finger touching the crystal a bazillion times and highlight the background with that yellow light to make the point clear.)
Usagi gasped and jerked upwards, the locket glowed with such an intense white light that everyone had to shield their eyes except Usagi who loosed the locket from the pile of rubble.
She held it in her hands and turned to the beast that had a horrific look on her face. Usagi opened the locket and let it fall to the floor as she took the Imperium Silver Crystal from inside of it.
Usagi smiled gently and then narrowed her eyes, "MOON ETERNAL, MAKE UP!"
Seiya watched wings blossom from Usagi's back, she stood in front of the beast in her eternal sailor moon fuku.
The beast could actually be seen quivering under her hard gaze.
"Starlight Honeymoon Therapy Kiss!"
The attack blasted towards the thing, destroying it on contact.
The room shook from the attack, a few chunks of rock flew down from the roof of the cave, before the sides of the room started to cave in completely.
Usagi grabbed Seiya's arm, Gesa taking his other arm in his talons as they quickly lifted towards the hole in the roof.
Dust erupted out of the entrance, Usagi and Gesa landed choking on the dust. She turned when the rumblings had stopped. The entrance was completely blocked off by the rubble of the cave.
She turned to Seiya and smiled, "So, we still friends."
For a minute Seiya thought she had forgotten about the last few days.
Usagi laughed and helped him up, "C'mon we have to keep going."
Seiya grabbed Usagi's hand in his and turned her around, "That wasn't funny."
Usagi giggled, Seiya leaned forwards until their noses touched.
Usagi felt a small blush as he glanced up into her eyes before kissing her gently on the lips.
Gesa was flying ahead of the two, she turned to see a still silent Usagi. The kiss had numbed her senses completely as she still sat dumbfounded.
Usagi ran her fingers over the crystal as she leaned against the tree. They had stopped earlier before they would travel again to take the final journey to Bardo's castle. Seiya watched her for a few minutes before lying back against the inside of the small rocky hollow and closed his eyes.
He woke up with a start as hands wrapped themselves around his waist. Usagi looked up at Seiya, "Thanks, for coming after me."
Seiya laughed, "Anytime, besides your worth it."
Usagi blushed audibly, "Thanks..."
Seiya glanced out at the forest as the bushes began to shake and quiver.
"Usagi, get ready."
Usagi stood up alongside of Seiya waiting, then out of the bushes exploded a bomb of orange energy. Seiya gasped as he roughly grabbed Usagi and threw themselves away from the blast. Seiya transformed and retaliated quickly, a small spiky ball came rolling out of the bush after the attack.
It sprang into the air and revealed it's hairy underside and it's massive digging claws. Its eyes were white and translucent, it was as ugly as anything could get.
"Star Serious Laser!"
The attack soared in the air towards the thing, the animal rolled tightly into a ball. Seiya gasped in surprise as the attack was absorbed through the spikes in it's back.
Seiya wasn't prepared for the assault to go towards Usagi as it shot Seiya's attack, back at Usagi.
Usagi bit her lip when the attack hit her back, she had transformed but that didn't mean the attack would hurt any more or less.
"Moon Tiara!"
The monster rolled itself into a ball from the attack, Usagi smirked as the tiara closed around the small spiky ball making it unable to open up anymore.
The tiara squeezed inwards the thing squealed before a large popping sound thundered around the clearing and dust filled the air. Usagi put her tiara back on and felt her vision cloud over and then return to normal. She was glad that the disturbance was destroyed, because she felt a slow and tired at the moment.
Seiya turned to Usagi relief was written on his face, Usagi smiled weakly before she walked drunkenly towards him, she tripped and fell into his arms.
"Usagi! What's wrong."
Seiya glanced at her back where she had been hit by the attack, there wasn't a mark anywhere except for one tiny pin prick at her side.
"Gesa!"
The bird looked worriedly down on the scene, "She might have been poisoned by that blast from the Armokan, I'll have to go and look for the antidote, stay here with Usagi and wait."
Seiya gathered Usagi in her arms, detransforming he quickly tucked Usagi under her cloak and held her in his arms. Usagi whimpered and cuddled closer to Seiya. Seiya glanced up at the sky worriedly hoping to glimpse Gesa on her way back, it had been around four hours. Usagi had looked worse and worse as each hour passed.
Seiya looked down and was met with Usagi's fevered look, "Usagi, I'm here. Don't worry. I'll take care of you now."
He whispered as he pulled her closer, Usagi closed her eyes and opened them again, it had become increasingly hard for her to breath.
She heard everything in a faint, distant and foggy way.
She could barely feel Seiya's kiss on her lips, it called her back to semi-consciousness, she swallowed the thick soup that was being put to her lips before she fell asleep again.
Seiya wiped his forehead, "That was close."
Gesa nodded her head, "Yes...I had to travel only a few yards but some Armokans were guarding it..."
Seiya washed the clay pot out in the stream, tiredly he looked at the sky as it turned Pink with the morning suns first hues of light.
Usagi blearily woke up in Seiya's lap, glancing upwards her eyesight cleared somewhat as she focused on his face.
"Seiya..."
Seiya blinked his eyes open when he heard Usagi call his name, "Oh, hey, Odango. Better now then?"
Usagi nodded her head and watched as Seiya flashed her a smile before falling back asleep.
'I'll take care of you too, seiya...promise'
Seiya quietly noted the changes that were rapidly taking place as they neared the stronghold of Bardo. The landscape was slowly fading to a land of rocky nothingness.
Gesa began a slow descent downward, the Pegasus landed besides the majestic bird.
Seiya and Usagi slipped off of the backs of the Pegasus, the Pegasus quivered.
Gesa folded her great wings, "From here we should walk. The Pegasus know the way back to their homeland."
The Pegasus shook their heads, "No, we can do this."
Gesa stared at the two intently before nodding his head and turning to Usagi and Seiya.
"Usagi from this stump on, Bardo has complete control over the earth, and other elements. We must be careful."
Usagi nodded her head, the Imperium Silver Crystal twinkled even though there was no light to reflect off of it.
They flew a few yards above the ground heading towards the castle, which was plain to view for hundreds of miles.
Usagi was surprised as she landed the trembling Pegasus at the entrance of the castle.
"Something tells me this was too easy." Usagi whispered
Seiya nodded his head before he transformed into his fuku.
"We have to be even more cautious here then ever."
Usagi nodded her head as she opened the door, a blast of moldy air gusted out.
Gesa sat silently on Usagi's shoulder and turned to look out at the dark sky before the door slammed shut behind him.
The Pegasus trailed behind their riders fearfully as they continued across the main hall.
The entire room looked like it hadn't been occupied for years. Tattered rugs and flags were draped ominously around the room.
Usagi stopped to stare out a broken stone window, the forbidding dark clouds had massed overhead.
Usagi looked down with disgust as a rat ran in front of her. It turned and stared at the two as it sat down on it's round haunches.
Seiya had been calming the Pegasus when he felt dark energy erupt around him. He turned and saw the single rat sitting on its haunches on the stony floor.
Seiya grabbed Usagi as a ray of black energy blasted where Usagi had been, the Pegasus reared away from the ray that had fizzled right next to it.
Usagi landed on top of Seiya, she turned to the Pegasus.
"Go!"
The two immediately lifted into the air, Gesa screeched and flew down towards the rat as it grew in size and the skin burst to reveal a human under the rat skin. His clothing was all jet black which was an offset to his silvery hair.
His hair flowed midway down his back, he had piercing dark red eyes with a dark and muscled body.
In his fist another ball of black energy was forming he shot it at the two, Seiya pulled Usagi up and jumped with her to safety as the floor crumbled from the blow of the attack.
Seiya and Usagi looked up as Sailor Uranus's attack came blasting into his back.
Usagi gasped, 'it didn't even scratch him'
The senshi and starlights jumped down in front of Usagi and Seiya sending out attacks at the same time.
Bardo watched the oncoming attack with a bored glance, the senshi gritted their teeth and readied themselves for any oncoming blow as the smoke cleared from the attack to reveal an unscratched Bardo.
Bardo smiled, with lightning fast reflexes he threw an attack at them. The senshi and starlights were thrown off of their feet.
The senshi were slowly picking themselves up from the floor, the starlights stubbornly threw out another attack.
Bardo laughed, "Do you really think that you can even touch me with your puny attacks."
Rei narrowed her eyes, "We'll do what we can to protect Usagi."
Bardo tightened his fist as another ball of crackling black energy formed.
Rei ducked out of the way, Ami who was behind Rei yelped as she was thrown off of her feet by the attack.
Rei gasped as she saw a streak of white, Usagi was hovering precariously over the edge of crumbled stonework holding Ami by a single hand.
"Usagi watch out!" Seiya screamed as the energy cracked through the air.
Usagi turned her head in time to see the attack as it smashed into her and sent her slamming into the wall, Ami lay in Usagi's arms.
Bardo lifted both of his hands, black energy crackled around his hands as a ball of energy slowly started to form.
"STAR SERIOUS LASER!"
The attack hit home, blasting the energy as it formed, Bardo was knocked off of his feet.
He made a sound similar to an animal-like snarl before he sent out volleys of attacks.
The senshi and starlights were blasted off of their feet, the floor beneath them was crumbling forming a large crack that ran through the very center of the room.
Seiya lifted his head with failing strength and caught eyes with Usagi, she still held Ami in her arms.
Usagi clenched her teeth as she gently laid Ami down and stood up.
Bardo turned around when he heard a small voice cry out, "SILVER MOON CRYSTAL POWER KISS!!"
Bardo had time to shield his eyes before the attack hit him in the stomach and sent him flying through the wall.
Usagi felt some small corner of hope etch into her as there was no sign of Bardo.
Lita looked up and was in time to see the wall burst from behind Usagi.
"Usagi!" Lita called in pain
Usagi turned when she heard the rumbling crack of stonework behind her, Bardo flew through and throwing up his hands he sent a blast of black energy at Usagi. Usagi flew across the gap and bumped to a halt on the other side with the senshi.
Seiya pulled her aside as another attack blasted where she had just lain.
Bardo turned to eye the young women who had grabbed Usagi aside, "What do you think you're doing!" Bardo thundered
Seiya glared upwards defiantly, "I'll protect her through anything, even if it means I'll die."
Bardo smirked and then laughed, "You! You won't be able to protect her when you're dead."
An attack hit the two and sent them rolling into the wall.
Usagi looked up to see Seiya's defiant gaze boring into Bardo as he sent out another attack.
Usagi remembered the senshi and starlights lying on the ground defeated.
She closed her eyes, 'it's over...I can't defeat Bardo...it ends here'
Seiya bit her lip almost to the point where she drew blood the pain was abominable everywhere on her body. She looked at the girl in her arms, and she felt another blast of an attack on her back.
She looked down again, bending down she kissed Usagi.
Usagi opened her eyes a sharp intake of air was taken in. Seiya slumped over her as yet another attack blasted into her.
Seiya suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Usagi and smile faintly, Usagi saw the attack coming to blast Seiya into death.
Usagi narrowed her eyes and picking Seiya up she jumped out of the way. The attack sent the floor crumbling. Usagi looked down and was relieved to see that the unconscious senshi had not disappeared with the crumbling ground beneath them.
Seiya managed to return the light kiss on his lips. Seiya would have smiled if she had the energy left to, when she remembered that she was still transformed...she was still in the female body when Usagi had kissed her.
Usagi was playing a dangerous game of leap frog as she leapt from side to side to avoid Bardo's attacks.
Gesa looked up when he heard the click of heels, above him Usagi was breathing lightly as she prepared herself for the next attack.
Bardo shot out another attack as she leapt into the air she was caught off guard as an attack burned itself into her side.
She clumsily flapped her wings, just remembering that they weren't part of the costume.
'I have to get out of here before he cracks the entire floor!'
She shot out the window, Bardo blasted the wall away and shot after her.
She landed on the hard ground, she still held Seiya in her arms.
Seiya weakly tried to struggle out of her arms, Usagi looked down and smiled, "It's my turn to protect you Seiya."
Seiya gazed into Usagi's eyes, it began to rain, she met her gaze calmly, it came as a shock when Usagi was suddenly thrown off of her feet into the rock wall that held the castle up in it's lofty position.
"Usagi!" Seiya cried out
Usagi who was next to him struggled to pick herself up, she fell backwards lightly. Seiya struggled himself but couldn't summon up the energy that wasn't there. Usagi pushed herself up off of the rock wall, she looked down at Seiya. Seiya took Usagi's features in slowly.
Her hair looked ragged and tired, she had a numerous amount of bruises and cuts on her body as she stood there in the drizzling rain.
Bardo felt such a great rage take hold of him from the calmness of the small female warrior who possessed the crystal.
He formed an attack that he knew would blow them into oblivion.
Usagi looked up at the mass of bright purple light that Bardo was forming in his hands.
Usagi looked down at Seiya and then burst into tears and started to sink to her knees.
Amazingly Seiya stood up and grabbed Usagi in her arms and sunk to their knees together.
"Seiya, it's over, I can't defeat him! He's invincible, I wasn't the true locket holder! I'm not strong enough!"
"No! That's not true! And you know it! Usagi you're the strongest person I know and you can't give up, you can't! The dream world and all of the starlights and senshi are depending on you Usagi! You are the locket carrier and you have to believe it!"
Seiya suddenly leaned down and grabbed Usagi's lips in a rough kiss.
Usagi stared up into Seiya's warm eyes and felt the despair in her melt. She looked up at the oncoming attack that was imminent to send them reeling into the dark abyss of death. Seiya looked up also, the two of them were on their knees and watched as the attack hit them with full force.
The senshi cried out in anguish as they saw the attack hit them.
***************************
Michelle looked up when she felt the glaring bright purple light fall on her face from the high arched windows. Looking around the senshi were scattered on the edges of the room, Michelle shook Amarra awake.
Amarra winced as she rose to her legs, Michelle began to wake the others.
Gesa vainly tried to find the strength in him to flap up to the window and see what was happening.
It was dark inside the castle the only light came from the purple light which shot in from the windows.
"C'mon, we have to help Usagi!" Amarra yelled as she flexed her legs ready to jump up onto the smooth windowsill.
Mina cried out as she stepped on her leg and collapsed onto the ground.
Yaten grabbed her unwillingly in his arms, "You should be more careful." He grumbled as he helped her up.
She bit her lip and stood on her twisted leg before she sunk to the floor.
She looked up at Yaten who was watching her quietly with an unknown emotion in his eyes.
Mina took that emotion to be annoyance, she looked down at the ground, "I understand Yaten...You can go."
Mina almost gasped in surprise as Yaten picked Mina up in her arms and leapt up onto the sill of the window. She looked into his eyes and grabbed him around the neck kissing him with a pent up emotion. Yaten looked down at Mina and laughed suddenly, "We look like two girls kissing."
Mina looked up worriedly by the comment, but was soothed by Yaten's mischievous smile
Taiki let Ami lean against his side as they leapt up onto the sill of the window. Ami looked at the battered senshi around them, "Where's Usagi?"
Ami and the other scouts looked down when they heard Hotaru scream out loud, she was already jumping down the jutting rocks as the attack sped towards Usagi and Seiya.
Yaten felt tears drip freely from his eyes as he tripped and stumbled after Hotaru, Mina felt cold tears of her own slip from her eyes as she remembered the scene. Usagi and Seiya were briefly outlined by the hot purple light kneeling next to each other before the ball of energy blasted into them.
Dirt was still showering down on the senshi as they stopped before the large crater, smoke was so thick around the crater that they couldn't see anything inside of the crater.
Setsuna turned to Bardo as tears were streaming down her face, "You bastard!"
She sunk to her knees and slammed her fist on the ground and sobbed with the pain of the loss.
Hotaru had sunk down to her knees by the edge of the crater, Ami turned away from the scene and sobbed. Taiki leaned against the rocky wall, his legs were trembling fiercely, "So she wasn't the locket holder..."
Yaten looked at Taiki as he breathed the words tiredly, Yaten felt an enormous ache in his heart but couldn't bring himself to believe that Seiya wasn't there...wasn't existing anymore then his home-planet was...
Amarra was on her knees, her fingers dug into the earth, she looked up with a dazed and sad gaze, "We failed! We failed her!"
Bardo smiled pleased with the results of his attack, "I will give you a day to run from me before I come and destroy you!" He called out mockingly.
Lita didn't want to fight or run anymore. She just wanted everything to stop and understand her pain...their pain.
Bardo smiled, "Then you can die right NOW!"
He lifted his hands and threw an attack at the lost senshi.
Hotaru looked up at the attack hoping it would destroy her, when a bright light blasted out of nowhere and deflected the attack. The senshi and starlights looked around themselves in desperate hope.
Rei sighed in relief as Usagi was seen stepping down from the sky.
She held Seiya in her arms as she stepped down onto the ground. She turned to the senshi, her wings had disappeared. Her silvery hair flowed around her, her odangos had changed to hearts with pearl clips on them. She had diamond studs in her hair, a winged heart shone from her forehead. Her fuku had changed to a pure white and gone up to a one layered skirt. She had an air-light, silky cloak that flowed behind her. Sparkles of light outlined her body and glowed around her.
Bardo gasped, "That was my strongest attack!" He sneered then, "Well, don't worry I'll destroy you anyways!"
Bardo began to gather purple energy bomb in the palms of his hands.
Usagi looked down at the girl she held in her arms for a long moment. She looked up when she heard Bardo yell her name.
"Usagi! You'll regret the day you set foot in my castle!!"
He threw the attack at her angrily, Usagi's eyes narrowed, "I will never allow you to hurt me or anyone again!!"
She closed her eyes as a bright light soared out of her then flew back into her. As the energy hit Usagi the light flew out of Usagi in a transparent shield that blasted the attack upwards before it, itself turned into a jagged lightning shape.
Bardo gasped as it cut through his energy ball and struck him in the face, killing him instantaneously.
Ami stood up and ran towards Usagi as she sunk to her knees.
Yaten fearfully looked Usagi in the eye, Usagi beamed, "She's alive. Just barely but she's alive."
Yaten and Taiki sighed in relief, Hotaru hugged Usagi tightly, Usagi giggled.
"Hotaru! You're going to squash Seiya-chan!"
Hotaru wiped tears away and nodded her head as she pulled away.
Seiya's eyelids flickered, before they opened, he blinked a few times before Usagi's face came into focus.
Wind was brushing against his face lightly, he gasped and sat upright only to double over in pain.
Usagi looked down, "It's good to see you awake Seiya."
Seiya nodded his head, "Same here...I thought we were dead!"
Usagi giggled, "We were close to it..."
"Your wings..."
"Yes...They disappeared when I transformed into this. But I can still fly if you haven't noticed."
Usagi looked down to see that Seiya had fallen asleep again, she felt a tender squeeze in her heart before she kissed his forehead.
The group landed inside the walls of Dwindelin, raucous cheering began to erupt at the news of the eleven warriors returning with the locket holder who defeated Bardo.
The group was warmly welcomed and for the next two days the entire dreamland celebrated by bringing numerous gifts of their own to Usagi and the warriors.
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Usagi sighed contentedly and leaned back against Seiya's back. At night the feast would die down a little and be transferred to a comfortable room where there was always a fire to light the cavern dimly. There were thousands of cushions and comfy chairs around the place. This was where tales were told over and over again...
The dwarf children in particular would like to come to the room.
"We were so close Seiya...to death..."
Seiya looked down at the mass of blonde hair, "But you saved us."
Usagi nodded her head slowly at the remark.
"But how did you save us? You attacked Bardo earlier you said yesterday! But you had to end the story before you finished!" Cried a younger dwarf indignantly
Usagi sighed, "I saved us by...by the power of our love."
Seiya looked down at Usagi, she looked at Seiya and smiled.
"I couldn't have defeated anyone without Seiya Kou here. He believed that I had the strength to defeat Bardo...It's all thanks to him."
The dwarf looked thoughtful before sputtering out complaints on the use of words Usagi had used, "But that would mean Seiya saved us!"
Usagi nodded her head and smiled, "Uh-huh."
"That was too short! What was it like, what did Bardo look like!"
Usagi sighed, "Gesa!"
The bird silently took perch on the back of a chair, automatically the dwarf children who had been intently listening crowded around the chair.
"Well, what Usagi means to say is that..." Gesa began
Usagi sighed in relief, Seiya laughed, "Tired of your audience already?"
Usagi shrugged her shoulders, Seiya tipped her chin upwards so that he could see her face.
"Do you mean it? That you saved the dreamland by our love though?"
Usagi giggled, "Of course. I wouldn't lie about it."
Seiya kissed Usagi deeply as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
Michelle leaned against Amarra's shoulder happily, "Everything's back to normal then."
Amarra nodded her head smiling to herself, "I just can't wait to go home and take a shower with warm water."
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Hope you guys liked that last chapter!!! Lol well ttyl and PLEASE review!