Here's the Interlude I promised. I'm warning you, it's really short.
*~* Interlude: Into The Kingdom of the Gods and Trial of Usagi *~*
Serenity looked her daughter sternly. What had occurred on the mortal realm was forbidden, but it had happened. And there was nothing she could do to change that now. "Usa, you must promise me that you won't tell Cronus what you've told me"
A confused expression crossed Usagi's face, but she slowly nodded "Demo, naze?"
She frowned slightly and shook her head "There's no time. I must bring you to him for your trial." She gently took up Usagi's arm, and started leading her into the mists "Onegai, just remember not to mention your...Goku"
"Hai I will" Usagi responded before stumbling slightly on a step. She caught herself, and continued walking at a swift pace in order to keep up with her mother.
The mists before her suddenly separated in front of them, revealing their destination. Everything was surrounded in light, the white stone floor and pillars clean and radiant. The figures that surrounded them glowed with their own inner beauty, some darker than others.
These were the Gods.
Each wore a stern expression, all knowing what she had done. All judging her on their own. But the only one that held her future was the King of the Gods himself.
Serenity stopped before a large set of stairs. And seated on a large throne of stone at the top of the stairs was Cronus.
"My daughter and Queen of the Stars, Serenity." The once queen of the moon announced stepping aside to reveal the silver haired woman beside her.
Usagi look up towards the large god, his expression sullen as if etched in stone, before casting her eyes down and bowing in respect. "My lord" she said clearly, though her voice quivered with fear.
Cronus grunted, shifting slightly in his seat "You know why you are here, do you not?"
"I do"
"And will you explain to me and anyone else present, why exactly?"
"Why, my lord?"
"Yes, why you sacrificed your immortality"
"I thought it would be the only way to defeat Chaos without sacrificing my own life"
A murmur rose up from the audience or the trial, most disapproving of her reason.
"But how will you be fit to serve as Cosmos without it?" the king of gods asked, leaning forward in his throne.
Usagi paused for a moment before answering, "I do not know"
The murmurs soon grew louder, and Cronus let out a growl of annoyance. "Silence!" he bellowed, immediately silencing the other gods. He turned back to the woman before him, his face still fixed in the same expression. "So, you did not consider your actions before you made them?"
"Hai"
His frown deepened slightly "So not only were you careless, but you sacrificed the greatest gift of the Gods?"
She barely kept herself from scoffing at his last remark. Greatest gift? She could have done without it. "Hai, I did. But I succeeded in riding the universe of the greatest evil, did I not?"
Cronus paused as he considered her words. "You certainly did. However, your careless sacrifice of our gift to you is a great offence to us! Not only are you no longer immortal, but now you are no longer fit to serve as Cosmos!"
"Would you rather I died?" she boldly asked
The gods began talking amongst themselves again. No one had questioned their lord like this before!
Cronus leaned back in his throne. "Hai, I would. Then you could have been reborn and gain back your immortality once again. But now, you are alive, and I, along with every god here is not willing to take your life against your will."
Usagi remained silent as she heard the great god sigh.
"There is no other reason for your sacrifice?" he asked quietly
She glanced to her side at her mother who stood by her. Her eyes clearly saying 'Remember your promise to me' She looked back at the God perched at the top of the stairs.
"Iie" she answered firmly.
"Very well then." He said solemnly "You must be punished for your carelessness. Yes, I know that you defeated the greatest evil to exist, but to discard such a high honor must be penalized." He closed his eyes "though I do not know how."
"My lord, with Chaos gone, will Cosmos be needed in the future?" Serenity suddenly asked
Cronus opened one of his eyes to look at the Goddess of the Moon "There will we wars raged throughout the universe, and she would certainly be an asset in stopping them. Great evils will rise again, though I do not know when. She will be needed then. But she is unfit to serve as Cosmos."
Serenity nodded, considering his words. "Then, my lord, may I suggest the greatest punishment of the gods be given to her"
He sat up straight in his chair, both eyes now fixed on Serenity "You suggest to sentence your own daughter to that?"
Serenity nodded, looking at Usagi "I do. I like every god here believes she has caused a great crime that must be punished."
Usagi looked confused and betrayed for a moment as she looked at her own mothers stern expression. But, she noticed something else, something hidden in her eyes...
Cronus nodded "Very well Serenity. By your wish, I will do it" He turned to Usagi and stood up from his throne.
"Here this! I hereby sentence you to the greatest punishment of the Gods!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the stone structure. "This is my word, and my word must be obeyed!"
Usagi looked back at Serenity, and noticed a small smile on her lips before gray mists surrounded her once again.
"Kaasan!" she cried out, but was cut off as she was dragged away from the Kingdom of the Gods.
"Be happy my daughter" a voice whispered in her mind before her body was overwhelmed with a great pain.
She screamed, it felt as if her own body was being torn apart, limb from limb. It was unbearable, and it seemed to last an eternity before it all stopped.
And then she knew no more as darkness settled in around her.
*~* End Interlude *~*
There you go minna! I told you it was short! But oh well. It was only meant to serve as a little teaser to the last chapter. Hmm...it's exactly 3 pages long on word! Lol
Well, the next chapter is the last, and I think I will have it out soon. I promise.
Sayoonara minna-chan!
Oh and remember: 8+ reviews, or no more!