Sailor Moon
Ghosts of the past
A fanfiction by Jonathan Schmidt
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon so don't sue me. There I said it J
This series is based almost entirely on the dub which, despite its shortcomings, I prefer to the original. Judge the story by how well made you think it is not by whether I include those questionable aspects of the original. Try to regard it as a different reality and dimension. It takes place a few months after the end of the Stars season. Any question/comments? Email me at fiore17@flash.net enjoy.
Text in italics are thoughts.
Text in Triangular Brackets is psychic or telepathic communication
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Episode twenty: Sailor Moon vs. Jedite! The Warrior Queen Awakens!
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Serena hummed to herself as she strolled down the sidewalk, window-shopping. She sighed in longing as she spotted a dress she wanted then sweatdropped at the price tag. "Jedite's loose, the Negaforce is no where to be found and now to top it all off I'm broke. Ah the trials I must endure!" she said dramatically bringing a hand up over her head and pretending to swoon. Unfortunately she stumbled while doing so and fell flat on rear, bumping her head on a wall in the process. She covered her mouth in surprise as she blurted out a most un-Serena-like word, and glanced at the various pedestrians who had observed the odd display. "Hahahahaha!" Serena laughed it off while keeping a hand to her throbbing skull, her audience soon losing interest and continuing on. Wow, I need to talk to Amara about how she uses her language, at least when I'm around. Imagine how Mom would react if she heard me talk like that… (she imagines a funny cartoonish drawing of her mother breathing fire as she bears down on a terrified Serena). Serena then looked up at the sound of a familiar motorcycle approaching. She quickly stood to her feet and brushed herself off, wanting to look her best.
Darien smiled as he lifted the visor on his helmet. "Hello there gorgeous, want to go for a ride?"
Serena smiled, she loved it when they played like they didn't know each other. "Well… I don't know," she said innocently, "I mean I don't just go riding with any guy." She turned away from him and tried to look aloof. "I have high standards you know."
"How about I take you out for a snack?" he suggested, "My treat."
"Well then you know my weakness," Serena said than adding slyly, "But will you ask for anything in return?"
Darien cocked an eyebrow, "How about a peck on the cheek per donut?"
"I'll give you more than that for free," Serena said enthusiastically as she got up on the motorcycle and grasped him around the waist. As soon as she got her helmet on they were off.
"Daddy! Hurry up!" Hotaru cried as she ran down a path in the park. She finally stopped and, looking behind her, put her hands on her hips in fake indignation. "You used to have to wait for me."
"Hey, give me some credit," Souichi replied as he caught up, "some people thought I'd never walk again."
"Oh… ah!" Hotaru gasped, suddenly panicked, "You're feeling all right aren't you Daddy?"
Tomoe laughed, "relax Firefly, I've never felt better. Now, where is this place you wanted to have our picnic?"
"Right over here!" Hotaru said with glee and went into the trees.
Tomoe shook his head, he couldn't describe how proud he was of his daughter, every day it seemed she was becoming more wise and beautiful. He considered it to be the ultimate honor to bring up such an incredibly special child, and not just because she was also a Sailor Soldier, let alone the second most powerful of the group. As he considered these things he entered a sheltered clearing in the trees where Hotaru stood proudly. It was a beautiful sight, a carpet of soft grass covered the center, various flowers sending up sweet wafts of their perfume. The sunlight beamed down on the clearing, dappled by the leaves and branches above. "Hotaru…" he asked in awe, "how did you find this place?"
"Me and Serena were going for a walk here a few days ago, and when we was just wandering around we stumbled onto it. Serena wanted to bring Darien here for a date but I convinced her to let me bring you here first. I thought you'd like the scenery and it would give us a chance to talk and get some fresh air."
"I do need to get out more," Tomoe agreed with a smile, "this place is wonderful Hotaru. Thank you." A wry grin then crossed his face, "Say, do you intend to bring your own boyfriends down here someday?"
Hotaru blushed cutely, "Dad!" and Tomoe laughed merrily.
Serena sighed happily as she laid against Darien in his arms, "I love it when we're like this," she cooed, "I forget all about our problems." The two had found a quiet place in the park and now cuddled underneath a large cherry tree.
"Me too," Darien said, "When we're together I don't have a care in the world. And when there are problems its never more real to me that we'll get through them."
"You know what would make things even better?" Serena asked.
Darien smirked, "I have a fair idea," he then pulled her into a passionate kiss. Serena placed her hands on his shoulders, leaning him further against the tree as she returned the kiss.
After a while they stopped breathless. Serena looked up at him longingly, "Its times like this I wish we didn't have to stop."
Darien touched her face, "I know it will be more than worth the wait when the time comes. Till then…" he smiled mischievously and lifted her up in his arms, spinning her around as she giggled and laughed.
Across the city Jupiter Knight bounded across the roof with amazingly long strides beyond a normal humans capability. His armor was surprisingly light and flexible and he found it easy to run in as he tested his new abilities. Still, he was having trouble keeping up with his partner. He was about to yell for her to wait up when they came to a large gap in-between buildings. Jupiter leaped over it without a hint of hesitation but the knight skidded to a stop.
"What are you waiting for Ken?" Jupiter called to him, "Come on."
"Jupiter this has to be at least a hundred foot leap, you have to be kidding," Jupiter Knight said, ignoring that his girlfriend had just made the jump easily.
"Come on you can do it," she encouraged, "And even if you miss you'll be okay. Just be sure to land on your feet and your powers will protect you from most of the effects of the fall."
"'Most' of the effects she says…" the knight muttered to himself sarcastically.
"I'll give you a reward if you make it," Jupiter said with a suggestive wink and smile. That was all the knight needed. He tensed his legs and took a running jump. He nearly made it too, only to falter the last few meters and end up gripping the edge of the roof. Jupiter ran to him and pulled him up.
"Well that didn't go too well…" he remarked sadly.
"Hey, its okay," Jupiter said sweetly. "None of us were very good at this until Uranus, Neptune and Pluto taught us. You should see them move, they put me to shame." She looked at him with new interest, "You know, I never used to notice but you look a lot like my old boyfriend." When this brought a smile to his face she looked at him tenderly, "How about we rest a while and try again later?"
Jupiter Knight looked at her a second then smiled, "You know it's a little strange. All those years I was there to comfort you, now you're here for me."
"Its only fair Ken, and what else could a friend do?" She sighed at the memories, "I know you've never asked for anything in return but I've always wanted to somehow pay you back for all those times you watched over me and healed my heart when it broke. If helping you understand your new powers helps you know how thankful I am for you than all the better."
He smiled, and then a thought seemed to occur to him. "Say, why do you always call me Ken even when I'm transformed?" the knight asked curiously.
"Well let's face it 'Jupiter Knight' is a bit awkward to say, besides I like Ken better. Do you mind?"
Jupiter Knight chuckled and touched her face; "You can call me anything you want green eyes."
"I believe I owe you a reward," she said softly, her face now inches from his.
"But I didn't make it across," the knight pointed out.
"I think I'll give you an A for effort," she replied sweetly, casually flicking some hair out of her face, her lips inviting.
There on the rooftop they embraced and kissed till the sun finished setting.
Serena waved as Darien sped off and then turned to walk to her house, humming happily to herself. She always felt so alive after being with him. Her whole body still tingled from his gentle, comforting touch, and her head was still a bit dizzy from the spinning, but a good dizzy. I'm really so lucky, she thought to herself. If having to fight evil is the price I have to pay for knowing such love and so many good friends then its more than worth it. I wouldn't want any other life if they weren't a part of it.
Uranus intnesely eyed the darkening horizon as she looked over the city on a high rooftop. I know you're out here somewhere you coward, she thought as she searched with her senses for any trace of Jedite or the Negaforce. I don't care how much you know about our abilities you can't hide forever.
"Its obvious we're not going to find anything tonight," Neptune said as she returned from her own search. "We should go home, I have a painting I've been neglecting."
"What's more important, your hobbies or our duty?" Uranus asked d a bit more testily than she had intended.
Neptune sighed, "I wasn't suggesting that it was more important, I was only saying we've searched all day and not found a trace of him. We can't wear ourselves out like this."
Uranus clenched her fists, "I'm sorry… Its just the thought of Jedite being free in this city sickens me. We have to find him."
Neptune laid a hand on her partner's shoulder, "The instant anyone senses something we'll be on it. For now we need rest, for all we know Jedite is too injured to do anything to anyone. We'll start the search again first thing in the morning okay?"
Uranus closed her eyes and sighed in resignation, then smiled slightly "You're right, as always."
Neptune laughed, "If only that were true."
Meanwhile across the city, in a dark alley among several large abandoned warehouses a shadowed figure sat against the wall, deep in thought. He had failed so many times, and now had even lost his base, being forced to hide in these run-down areas like a common criminal. Still, there was hope, one last chance for victory. All that was needed was a little bit more time.
Jedite's thoughts were interrupted by the barrel of a gun suddenly being pressed against his head. "Don't move," a hoarse voice said threateningly. "Shimi, search his pockets."
Jedite grimaced; he had been so focused on his brooding that he had failed to notice these two scraggly muggers sneaking up on him. He should have expected it, this was a pretty bad neighborhood, it was night and he was all alone in an alley. He rolled his eyes in irritation and stood up. "Hey I told you not to move!" the one with the gun yelled and put the gun against Jedite's forehead.
Jedite smirked, "Go ahead."
The men looked at each other in disbelief then the lead one laughed hoarsely. "Hey Shimi, looks like this guy has a death wish. What do you say we grant it?" Shimi smiled evilly and nodded. The lead one cocked the handgun and fired but the bullet never made it out of the barrel. The force of the shot not leaving the gun knocked it from the man's hand. He stepped back, his eyes wide with shock as were his partner's. A small scorch mark on his forehead was the only evidence on Jedite that the gun had even fired. "W-what, what are you?" the would-be-murderer stuttered.
Jedite slowly raised one hand, energy gathering into it. "Your Master. Your end." He opened his palm and unleashed a wide blast of power.
The two men were dead before they knew what hit them and left no bodies to bury.
Jedite casually walked back into the warehouse. The Negaforce's form floated about the building, its huge red eyes glaring in the room. "You should not be throwing your energy about like that," it hissed, "It is difficult enough to hide our presence as it is."
"I was just letting off some steam my Master. We can't hide much longer anyway," Jedite said, "We must prepare for the final attack now before they find us."
"Yes," the evil being replied, "Our energy reserves remain intact within me despite the stress of transferring my form from my chamber to this place and transporting you along with me, all without the Sailor's knowledge. Now I have a final gift to give you."
Jedite stepped forward, "I am ready."
An elegant, lone figure stood at the edge of a rooftop overlooking the city. The staff she held was pulsing randomly, in response to it's mistress's trouble state of mind. Pluto was confounded that an evil being of such power as the Nagaforce could be so close, and yet remain hidden from her senses. During its years of looking upon the world from within Jedite it had clearly acquired an immense amount of knowledge concerning the sailor's abilities.
Even so, though she could not pinpoint it, her senses still remained aware of the ever present and growing danger. A great evil pervades the air tonight… the very earth seems to shake with fear… She looked into the crystal ball atop her rod, how ironic, that even with my talisman I can't predict with certainty what is coming. Jedite will play his final hand soon, that much is certain, but what about the real enemy? …what are you planning ancient queen of darkness?
The dark run-down area that Jedite and the Negaforce had hidden themselves now echoed with the former Generals screams. Any civilians who heard it weren't foolish enough to investigate, and after a few minutes all was quiet again.
The Negaforce's semi-ethereal form looked down upon the prone body of Jedite, his body smoking and crackling from the massive energy that had been pouring into him. It was some time before he began to stir. "You have received your last infusion of energy, your power has reached its peak," the entity's voice hissed.
"I can feel it," Jedite said smiling. He raised himself to his knees and clenched his fists as they crackled with dark energy.
The Negaforce's voice took on an almost tender tone if that were possible. "Despite all your failures you have always served me faithfully Jedite. As reward I will allow you to deal the first crippling blow to the Sailors. You now have the power to destroy Sailor Moon. Use it well."
Jedite bowed, "I will not fail you. And I thank you my Master."
With that Jedite disappeared leaving the Negaforce to its thoughts. It chuckled ever so slightly and the dark mass of energy began to stir. "Delusional fool… I only hope he is strong enough to weaken Queen Serenity's spawn to the point where my real plans may succeed."
As a thin, dark stream it exited the building and ascended above the clouds.
Its words echoed darkly. "Soon… very soon this precious orb will be all mine… the cornerstone of the universe… the world of the brightest Star Seed. At long last… it will be mine!"
Jedite reappeared high above Tokyo and took a moment to observe the scenery. "To think…" he whispered, "This city, this planet, all of it will soon be under the rule of the Negaforce and through it I will have the control I have always desired. Yes… before the coming day is done all will be decided. Now, time for me to play my part in the Negaforce's grand scheme."
Serena wasn't sure why she had woken up so early, it was at least two hours before sunrise, a strange thing for a girl who loved rest and slept as heavily as she did. Still, something inside told her she needed to be looking at the sky right now. The feeling grew ever stronger till she instinctively looked up and was greeted with a frightenly familiar sight.
"This look familiar Sailor Moon?" Jedite's voice boomed from a projection of his face and upper body that filled much of the horizon. "I am calling you out again so we may finish this for good. Bring your friends if you wish but face me alone if you have any pride as a sailor. Meet me at dawn at the former sight of the Mugen School. I am sure you would prefer to have your blood shed there than among the civilians. I would say more, but I have many preparations to make." With a low chuckle and devilish sneer, the image faded out of sight, leaving Serena still staring out her open window, her expression resolute.
Serena glanced aside as she noticed Luna walk up to her, apparently having sensed the same thing she had and had observed the entire scene. "So you're going to accept this challenge then," Luna stated as she could already tell from the look in her eyes that Serena was going to.
Serena nodded slightly, returning her gaze to the night sky. "Yes, and this time I will finish it. I am prepared to do whatever I have to stop Jedite. Even if it means destroying him with my own hands. I won't have his ghost haunt my dreams any longer, nor have his shadow darken our future."
Luna looked at her emotionally. "I know I've said it before Serena but I want you to know how proud I am of you. You've grown up so much." (Flashback to when they first met.) "In some ways I hardly recognize you, but you're still the kind caring girl I've grown to love as one of my dearest friends. You will win, of that I am certain."
Serena's face softened. "I love you too Luna, and thank you. I could never have come this far without your help."
"And I'm coming with you, I may not be able to do anything but I want to be there to see my queen in action. We have only a little over an hour till dawn so you'd have best prepare for this fight all you can."
Serena was now holding her broach out, staring at it in contemplation. "I don't think I'll be any more ready than I am now," she whispered and held the broach to the sky. "I'll play Jedite's game, and win it! Moon Eternal Power!"
"She's gone already?!" Jupiter cried, her voice stressed with worry. When Serena hadn't answered her communicator, Uranus had sped to check on the house only to find her not there. Jupiter knew that meant only one thing. "I can't believe she's doing this! It's obviously a cover for some other plan. We have to find the Negaforce, we know that Jedite is just a pawn in all this."
"I agree," Uranus's voice replied from the communicator, "but she must have had a reason."
The other sailors were also on the line. "Either way it's also very important that we defeat Jedite," Venus pointed out.
"In any event we need to get to Mugen School's ruins before dawn," Tuxedo added. "I've already started, and we should all be able to get there in time if we hurry."
"Right!" the rest of the team cried out in unison.
The sky around the triangle delta was still rather dark by the time a winged figure with streamer-like hair, followed by a small cat, bounded onto the scene. The delta was no longer quite a triangle, given that the bay's shape had changed significantly when it filled the huge crater left by the destruction of Pharaoh 90. The figures, still visible in the light as little more than silhouettes, eventually came to a stop in the midst of a large collection of strewn debris, half-standing walls, and rubble.
"This place… reeks of evil," Luna said in a disgusted tone as she caught her breath.
He's here," Moon said with a sense of foreboding, ignoring, and at the same time confirming, Luna's remark as she scanned the area in the growing light.
"Miss Moon, you're early. I guess miracles do happen," Jedite said, making himself known from a shadowed area across from the two. He remained composed as Moon took a defensive stance, and glanced aside, a smirk forming from his lips. "And here comes the rest of your merry band."
Moon followed his look to see the rest of the Sailors and the Knights, running toward her. "Guys?…" she stated, not sure what to say.
"Sailor Moon have you gone insane?!" Mars chastised angrily. "Going off like this without so much as telling us!"
Tuxedo Mask ran up and put his hands on her shoulders. "Serena what is going on here? Why did you come alone?" he asked earnestly.
Luna looked offended, "And what am I then?"
"Someone who should have talked with me before leading our princess off into something so reckless and stupid!" Artemis, unusually angry, yelled at her. Luna sweatdropped, she hadn't thought of much of a defense for her actions.
"… I'm sorry guys," Moon said, looking with sympathy to Tuxedo and the others as she put a hand on the caped man's chest. "I knew you'd not want me to come so I left as soon as I could. This is something I have to do, I'm sure of it." She turned back to Jedite, "What about you? Do you have anything to say before this starts?"
Jedite smirked as he leaned nonchalantly against a hunk of rubble. "As a matter of fact… I have always wondered… How can you stand to protect the people of Earth in the first place? What possesses you to think it is in any way worthwhile? Have you ever looked around you? Your world is full of murderers and rapists, thieves and prostitutes. The greed of humanity is matched only by its lack of desire to care for the well being of others. Along the way these same humans you risk so much to protect are slowly driving themselves to extinction by destroying their own environment, the very world they live in. Surely such a corrupt, destructive race is better suited to my ruling then yours. Do you really think you are capable of bringing order and peace to this planet through your ideologies of love and justice? The loyalty of this species is fickle at best. Sooner or later they shall turn on you. For the simple fact remains that humans only truly respond to pain and fear, it is their nature, it is what is required to control them." He stepped forward, his eyes piercing. "I shall prove today that I deserve to rule them, when my power at last overcomes yours."
"You're wrong," Moon replied resolutely. "The world can be a terrible place, I know all about the horrors people can inflict on one another but I've also seen all the potential for good in the human heart. As long as that potential remains I will never lose my hope for a peaceful future. I didn't become a Sailor to be treated as a hero, nor will I be Queen to gain respect. I only want to open people's hearts to true knowledge of love and understanding and help them achieve it. And I want to protect them from anyone who would interfere with them living peaceful, fulfilled lives. It may sound naïve, but so long as one loving heart remains, it's more than worth protecting all of them."
Jedite looked at her long and hard, trying to find any weakness in her features, any uncertainty. "We have made our stands then," he said finally. "But we both know this cannot be decided with words. I have reached a power level to where your Sailors are no longer worth fighting, strong though they are. You are the one I want. On your honor as a Sailor Soldier and Princess of the Moon Kingdom I demand you fight me one-on-one to the death."
"You expect us to believe this isn't another one of your plans? There is no way we're going to let Sailor Moon fight you alone!" Venus cried out.
"No Venus," Sailor Moon said not taking her eyes off Jedite. "I've known Jedite long enough to know he's not lying to me, he truly desires a fair fight."
"A fair fight to him would still be dirty by my standards!" Jupiter growled.
"Perhaps true… but still if you doubt my sincerity then touch me Tuxedo Mask," Jedite said with a confident smirk. "Use your psychometry to test me."
Tuxedo knew he didn't need to, he could sense Jedite's intentions easily enough from here, the dark general's power had so filled the area. "Even if you are telling the truth that doesn't mean we will allow it," he said dangerously.
Jedite's smirk remained "Isn't that for your leader to decide?"
"We can take him for sure if we attack together," Mars Knight said.
"Yeah," Mercury Knight agreed. "Why risk it?"
"You can't really be considering this?" Mars pleaded to Moon, her eyes teary.
Moon looked at her with compassion. "I have for so long relied on others to fight for me, and even though it may be a quality of a good leader to accept the help of others, true leaders must also be confident in their ability to do things on their own when they need to."
"But you've already proven that you can many times over," Uranus pointed out strongly.
"Maybe to you, but not to myself" Moon said, addressing them all. "I have never had any great confidence that I was in the least bit capable of being a ruler of a nation let alone a planet. In my own eyes I am too weak willed, just not strong enough… even after fighting Galaxia I felt that way…" Her eyes shone with a new determination. "I have to make this stand for my own sake. Just as I did that day when I battled with you and Neptune, I have to fight now in the name of my own future. I cannot leave a challenge to my throne unanswered."
"Serena…" Mars breathed in confusion and concern, taken aback by how her longtime friend was speaking.
"Look at her eyes," Luna said in awe. There was something in her features that hadn't been there before. She looked incredibly regal and stronger than ever.
"Princess Serenity…" Artemis gasped, remembering the kind yet powerful gaze of his mistress thousands of years ago.
"Its beginning," Luna realized.
"What are you talking about? What's beginning?" Uranus asked.
"The first stages of the final merging between the aspects of Princess Serenity and Serena's spirit," Luna answered. "She needs this battle."
"I can sense this day will be another defining point for all of us," Pluto said. "We must let her fight. It is the only right thing to do."
Tuxedo Mask took Moon's hand and looked in her eyes, "I believe in you that can you can do this without our direct help, but we are always fighting together whether we are together physically or not. Unlike Jedite we never have to do things truly on our own. Remember that, for that is our true strength." Moon nodded and smiled slightly under his touch.
Uranus sighed in consent with the others; "We're rooting for you Moonface."
"Be careful," Mars said putting a hand on her shoulder. "You know we all love you."
"I've always known you were tough," Jupiter said, "Now give Jedite the thrashing of his life. We believe in you." The Knights agreed, then offered their own encouragement.
"I trusted your abilities in the battle with Galaxia and so I do the same now, you've never let me down my Princess," Saturn said with affection. "I only wish Rini could see you in action now, she'd be so proud."
"Keep a clear head and I know you'll do well," Mercury said.
"Fight well my future queen," Pluto said giving a slight bow.
"Realize your destiny," Neptune said, doing the same.
Moon looked back at them and smiled, her eyes watery with emotion, "Thank you."
"If the discussion is over let us commence," Jedite said impatiently. "The time has come." He raised his arms and the earth began to shake. Great waves of power shot from his form, clearing away the massive amounts of rubble till an area of several hundred feet around them was left a barren, cracked up, concrete slab. The ground continued to shake and four spiked columns rose from the ground. They crackled with energy and together formed into a huge rectangular shield over an area the shape of a stadium ground, separating Moon from the others. Jedite caught her eyes, "This will be our field of battle, though we may fight outside of it if you can break through the shield. It is mostly there to make getting in harder should your friends change their minds about joining in the fight."
Moon only nodded and stepped toward him till they stood about twenty feet from each other. They looked at each other long and hard, waiting to see who would make the first move. The others looked on concerned.
*Battle music begins to play*
Moon closed her eyes, Ancient spirit of Princess Serenity, Eternal Sailor Soldier of the Moon, guide me in this battle. May I honor the name of the Moon Kingdom... Her eyes snapped open and a huge light flashed before her. "Eternal…" She raised her right arm and the light converged in her hand. "Moon Blade!" With a final great flash the sword appeared in her hand as she held it out in front of her face. Wind generated by her power began to blow her hair and uniform about her as the ground cracked apart and debris flew from her presence. With a smooth motion she brought the blade down ready to strike.
Black fire shot from Jedite's right hand and formed into an equaling imposing sword dark as night. He twirled it in his hand then held the blade at the ready. His cape blew about majestically as his power rose, his aura flaring. So, no more speeches this time, heh, all the better… I won't wait a minute more to use my new strength. He took a fighting stance and smirked in anticipation. "For the new Dark Kingdom," he hissed under his breath, "and my future glory."
All at once the battle began. The two flew at each other almost too fast for the eye to follow and their swords clashed; great sparks of energy flying from them as they sped past each other. They collided again and Jedite broke away, issuing a barrage of energy blasts from his free hand as he did so. Moon back-peddled into the air to avoid them then raised her sword, coming down on Jedite with great force as he blocked her blade with his own and was forced back. Jedite threw his left hand out unleashing more small blasts of energy. Moon spun her body away, avoiding them as she flew about the field, Jedite firing a barrage of energy grenades at her speeding form, then came up behind and slammed her sword against his again. As they struggled against each other the energy built until it forced them to break away as the collision site ruptured in all directions.
Jedite was back on the attack in moments, charging at Moon with great speed once more. Moon threw the Eternal Blade into the air over her and extended her palms forward. "Moon Gravity Force!" Jedite teleported just as the wave of intense gravity was about to come upon him. Moon had clearly expected this and leaped up a good ten feet, Jedite reappearing an instant later, and firing a blast at where she had just been. Moon caught her sword as it fell back towards her and, still in midair, slashed the blade down upon Jedite. Her blow cut through the air and tore a great swatch in the concrete, but Jedite was still too fast and had leaped up to above Moon's level in the air, then coming down, sword raised, with tremendous force. A quick flap of her wings sent Moon back just far enough to narrowly avoid the blow. Jedite continued down, the momentum of his vertical strike causing him to crash into the floor and disappear in a cloud of dust-sized concrete fragments.
Not wasting as moment, Moon rocketed down for her own strike, just as Jedite instantly cleared the debris cloud around him with a forceful shock wave from his body. The wave was enough to divert Moon's trajectory slightly, and Jedite accentuated the effect by throwing his body away from her as her sword came down, struck the ground, and sent a thin focused seismic wave of energy across the field. Even so, Jedite still endured a large cut on his right cheek as evidence of the narrowly avoided blow.
Yet this only enraged him, and banishing his sword in a wisp of dark energy, Jedite slammed into her and grasped her by the wrists, his momentum pushing Moon into the shield wall on the far side of the field. He held her there with murderous glee as the energy of the barrier coursed through her body mercilessly. To keep the energy from effecting him and to hold her there Jedite sent out his own discharge of power from his hands into where he held Moon pressed against the shield, doubling the shock to her body. Harder and harder he pressed her as she screamed in agony.
"This isn't fair play!" Jupiter roared.
Tuxedo Mask couldn't contain himself, he moved to attack the barrier. He trusted her, but he couldn't bear to see her in such pain.
More and more power coursed through Moon as she screamed. Then amidst all the surging energy something strange happened. Before Jedite could notice it all the energy going through Moon suddenly redirected itself at him in the form of several large lightning-like bolts of energy that slammed into Jedite's body and rammed him into the opposite wall of the shield. The energy bolts held him there for several seconds as he received his own thorough shocking then all the energy gave out and both he and Moon fell to the floor, their bodies smoking and crackling with residual energy.
Tuxedo lowered his hand from the attack he was about to make as the others wondered what had just happened. He clenched his fists. I know you have to do this to help you become who you're meant to be… but I don't know if I can watch anything like that happen again.
"You weren't able to concentrate enough to issue an attack…" Jedite thought aloud as he breathed heavily on his knees, "nor could you match my physical strength… so you used your body as a conduit and sent the shield's energy out to counter mine…" he panted. He looked at her with some respect; "Very clever… it leaves me wondering where someone like you could have acquired such an unusual battle tactic…"
Moon was similarly panting but she showed no other weakness as she replied, "I don't really know. Perhaps a memory that resurfaced from my past when I was training in the Silver Millennium." As she spoke she propped herself up with the Eternal Blade, which had fallen from her hand when she impacted with the energy barrier.
Jedite slowly stood back up, closed his eyes, and smiled. "Well… let us see if another will save you this time." He threw his arms forward and the cement beside and behind him shattered into hundreds of large and small fragments, which proceeded to rush towards Moon. While flying toward him Moon sent her sword down in a great arc that produced a shock wave in front such that not one fragment struck her. As she continued toward him she moved her sword back up smoothly, then struck forward with a mighty horizontal slash even as Jedite reformed his dark blade to block the attack. The force of her blade's impact seemed to shatter the very air, and Jedite was flung across the field by the blow, somehow managing to keep his sword in his hand despite it all. It was only seconds before the battle started up again.
"She's incredible…" Venus Knight said in shock
"I'll say," Venus agreed. "I've never seen Serena fight or move quite like this before, she really has become a warrior."
The fighting continued, the opponents appearing quite equal as they matched blow to blow, sword to sword, moving with such speed that they appeared as streaks of light. They collided time and time again then broke away, landing in a crouch twenty feet from each other.
Moon appeared to be far from tiring as she smiled slyly at the former General. "I have another technique you know, it's not my most dignified one but is still pretty effective," she said confidently.
Jedite looked at her in scornful confusion, "What are you muttering about?"
Moon smiled knowingly, took a deep breath, and unleashed one of her trademark wails. Instantly the red spheres in her meatball hair amplified her voice many times over, sending out great sound waves that cracked the concrete as Jedite collapsed to his knees holding his ears in pain. "Stop it!" he screamed, his voice barely heard against Moon's, "Stop that terrible sound!" He tried to raise his right hand to fire an energy blast but found it too painful, his hand immediately going back to his ear.
"Our future queen sure has some lungs," Venus Knight said, holding his ears even though most of the sound of Moon's screams were directed at Jedite.
"She should try out for a opera some time," Neptune commented.
"And I thought her regular crying was bad," Mars joked.
Moon kept the barrage of sound up for some time but eventually had to stop. As she caught her breath Jedite remained on his knees, still visibly shaken. "You…" he panted, "I won't suffer such an attack again!" Jedite almost instantly threw his hands forward, unleashing a violent orb of dark energy.
Moon swiped the orb away with her sword then folded her wings back as they glowed. "Angel Wing!"
Jedite brought his arms up to block the two swaths of light and strained as he held them back. Moon sheathed her sword and raised her staff, a beam of light issuing from it and causing the energy wings to explode as it hit them, knocking Jedite back. He disappeared then came up behind her, Moon barely blocking this time with her sword. The force of Jedite's strike sent them both back onto the ground, cracking and crumbling the stone and concrete as the two bodies bored through the piles of rubble with great force. Jedite roared in anger and knocked the Eternal Blade from Moon's hand with a tremendous stroke of his dark sword. It landed and stuck fast in the ground.
"Sailor Moon!" Everyone cried in fear for her.
Jedite's eyes were wide with blood lust. Moon attempted to dive for her sword only to have Jedite violently grasp her left wing, lifting her higher into the air before snapping the wing with a hard throw that landed Moon in a crater on the ground. In the next swift motion he slashed at her, Moon's staff answering the strike from the dust as it shimmered into her hand. Sword to staff, Jedite pushed Sailor Moon several steps backward then onto her back and brought the blade closer and closer to her face.
"That's it!" Uranus yelled as she raised her arm for a World Shaking.
"No!" Tuxedo yelled as he ran in front of her. "Believe in her, I know she can do this," he said even though he wanted with everything in him to help her too. Uranus strained with the decision but conceded. She took Neptune's hand for comfort.
The Dark General turned Negaverse Lord pressed down on Moon with ever increasing force as energy surged everywhere. "At last you will die! By my hand! …and that crystal… I will be heir to it's power!" Jedite said the words like they were honey on his tongue.
Moon raised her scratched and bruised face, her eyes becoming bright and piercing with a limitless determination, and an inner light capable of both healing and destroying worlds shown in the depths of the wide orbs. It all culminated into one word.
"Never…"
Her broach began to glow, pure white light issuing from it and growing stronger every second as it pulsed in rhythm with her heartbeat. The light spread through her suit and body, filling her veins with its power, her snapped wing restoring itself in seconds. The Eternal Tier glowed as it stretched out to its full length, the top of the staff shimmering brightly. The floor beneath them began to crack slowly as, inch by inch, Moon began to rise up back to her feet, pushing Jedite back as he struggled to keep her down, his sword to her staff. The holy light began to illuminate the whole area. Jedite's shield flashed then shattered in its presence and the light emanating from the sailor expanded further, to engulf the whole area in white.
Mercury gasped at the reading from her visor, even as she squinted to see through the blinding light that had engulfed them. "She's… she's drawing energy directly from the Silver Crystal… and without our help."
"No she'll die!" Mars cried out and tried to run to her.
Pluto held her back; "she's learned by now to use the crystal only to the extent that it doesn't endanger her life. Let her prove she can fully control its power."
"No! It's not possible!" Jedite screamed in rage and panic. "I was supposed to be stronger then you!"
Moon spoke powerfully as she rose up and glared into his eyes, the light from the initial discharge of her power beginning to fade as it was concentrated into her body and staff. "You've been living under a delusion from the beginning Jedite. The Negaforce was never going to let you rule. You don't know what I do about the final moments of Queen Beryl's life. The Negaforce betrayed her and took over her body to try to destroy me (we see flashbacks). Hear the truth Jedite, you will never rule anything nor will you ever possess my crystal!" She looked up at him with a mixture of anger and pity. "You've never known what it's like to love, to care about others, the things that make life worth living! All you've ever known is hate."
"And it's all I've ever wanted!" Jedite screamed as he continued to try to push her back.
"I pity you," the crescent mark began to draw in energy as her power surrounded Jedite and held him fast. The light soon became blinding. "Eternal…"
"Noooooo!" Jedite screamed as he tried to break free of her hold but to no avail.
"Moonbeam!" The light converged and fired outward into his chest and up his face, shooting him backwards and knocking him to the floor as the remainder of the beam's energy shot a great trough into the ground and dissipated high in the sky. Jedite was left lying on his back on the stone floor, his body twitching, a line of scorch marks extending from his chest and upwards where the beam had hit, his thick clothing torn. His sword lay several feet away and within seconds crumbled into black dust.
"What incredible power…" Tuxedo said breathlessly, then looked at Mercury. "Is she okay? Will using that power hurt her if she keeps it up?"
"I'm more concerned over how little damage that last attack did," Mercury replied, sounding perplexed.
"What do you mean?" Mars Knight asked. "Jedite was totally thrashed by that hit."
Mercury looked at him; "With the crystal Sailor Moon has reached a power level above Jedite's. At that range the beam should have ripped right through him."
"So she's holding back?" Jupiter asked.
Mercury nodded, "I believe so, but I can't figure out why."
Uranus clenched her fists in worry, "I hope she knows what she's doing…"
"We need not worry Uranus," Neptune said with certainty, "I believe this battle has already been decided."
Sailor Moon slowly stepped toward Jedite, holding her staff out before her as her body continued to radiate with the Silver Crystal's power. With a silent movement of her left hand she summoned the Eternal Blade from where it had fallen, and then purposefully sheathed it behind her as she continued forward. "We shall see if there is any good in you," she said with resolution.
Jedite struggled back to his feet, holding his side and breathing heavily. "No… I won't be beaten by this moon child!" He leaped back and fired two orbs of dark power.
Moon raised her staff and with one twirl of it deflected the blasts to each side of her where they blew large craters in the ground. Enraged beyond reason Jedite unleashed a huge mass of power. Sailor Moon held her staff out before her and struck the ground with its lower tip as Jedite's attack roared toward her. She showed only slight strain in blocking the attack, as her staff diverted the energy to either side of her and obliterated much of the surrounding area. When the energy cleared she was still standing with scarcely a mark on her, and eyes still piercing with resolve. Jedite roared in frustration and ran at her like a mad animal. Moon swiftly sidestepped and stopped him with one hard blow to the stomach, then struck him in rapid procession from all sides with her staff; each hit sending a painful wave of energy into him, till he fell to his knees.
Moon circled him once then stood in front of the broken General. "If there is an ounce of good in your soul this will reveal it." She raised her staff and it began to shimmer with power. "Silver Moon Crystal Power Kiss!"
"N-no!" Jedite screamed as the beams of golden light struck him, but he soon fell silent. He breathed weakly and glared up at Sailor Moon. He then closed his eyes, as though accepting his fate. His lower body began to disintegrate as Moon watched with regret.
Jedite smirked at her expression. "What did you expect Miss Moon? For me to be like Nephlite or any of those others who "saw the light" and turned to your side?" His body continued to dissolve into dark vapor but he spoke as though incapable of feeling it. "You have proven to be the superior warrior, but for actually believing there could be good in me… I still consider you a fool." As these words left his lips what remained of him dissipated and within seconds he was gone.
Sailor Moon looked for some time at the place where Jedite had died. Her face saddened slightly and she sighed, lowering her eyes. She looked up at a familiar touch to see Tuxedo Mask standing beside her, his hand on her shoulder. The other sailors had gathered around her with similar looks of understanding.
"You can't save them all," Tuxedo told her gently.
"In the end it is their choice, Jedite long ago pledged his allegiance as a follower of Chaos," Pluto said sympathetically.
"I know," she replied softly.
"So… is it over?" Mars Knight asked.
"No," Uranus replied flatly.
"Its never that easy," Neptune finished. As though in response to her words the sky over them began to noticeably darken and swirl like a giant vortex.
Not noticing it Moon cocked an eyebrow at her, "You think that was easy?"
"Uh, guys," Mercury said gravely as she scanned the horizon. "Something big is happening here."
Moon's eyes followed Mercury's, then widened and shook in dread as they came upon the maelstrom of dark power. …No…
As the soldiers took in the terrible sight, the sun's light began to fade and the vortex grew ever larger. In the suddenly cold air a dark laugh echoed through the city, now littered with thousands of unconscious bodies.
Notes:
Hotaru means "Firefly" in Japanese.