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-one: A Battle to the Finish. Dispel the Negaforce!
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Mercury looked at the readings from her visor with intense focus as an ever-expanding maelstrom of dark energy swirled high above Tokyo. "Jedite's energy disguised it until now but now its in full view. That vortex has to be the Negaforce. It has somehow gained the ability to absorb life energy directly without a mediator like Jedite. It's sucking dry everyone under its shadow and getting larger by the second."
"We have to get down there!" Mercury Knight said.
"No kidding!" Jupiter stated, her voice troubled. "Who knows just how much this demon will take…"
Sailor Moon stood up from where she had been resting on one knee. "We can't think about that now. Mercury, which way do we go to find what is creating this?"
Mercury finished typing a final command in her mini laptop, then switched off her visor as she stared out at the imposing skyline. "The Eye of the storm, straight into the center of the vortex."
Uranus grasped her sheathed sword tightly. "Then that is where we'll meet it."
"And end it." Saturn's hair blew about eerily, her power already rising for the coming battle.
"Whatever you do keep moving, we can't afford to waste a second," Mars ordered as the sailors ran at superhuman speeds across the city.
Venus looked up at the foreboding sky, "Is it me or is that thing getting darker?"
Pluto looked at the cats, who were having trouble keeping up, "You two had best seek cover once we get close. We won't be able to effectively watch out for you." Luna and Artemis nodded in silent agreement and wished them luck.
The streets and sidewalks were littered with unconscious people, their energy drained. Moon gasped as she spotted someone familiar. "Molly, Melvin!" She ran to where they lay on the sidewalk.
"How is it they always get attacked?" Jupiter wondered aloud.
"They'll be fine," Pluto assured Moon as she indicated they should keep going. Moon nodded.
"Why aren't we being effected?" Moon asked as they ran.
"The same reason we weren't effected by that screeching Diamon at the cathedral when the rest of the audience fell unconscious," Tuxedo said.
Uranus nodded, "We have the blessings of the planets."
"Our bodies are resistant to their powers," Mercury said, "We won't be affected unless the Negaforce targets us directly."
"Which it will, we're nearly there," Neptune said as they continued headlong toward the center of the dark storm.
Mars Knight looked at Venus Knight, "Learn something new every day right pal?" The knight nodded slightly.
Soon they had reached a clearing on the edge of the park, where they could look up at the center of the storm clearly. The soldiers stepped cautiously out into the open, now in plain sight of their foe.
"Well?" Jupiter asked after several seconds, wondering why they hadn't been addressed yet.
"Who's going to make the first move…" Uranus pondered aloud.
Mars looked up in impatience. "Why isn't it doing anything?"
Almost as soon as the words left her mouth, the center of the maelstrom surged with ebony bolts of power, then shot down as a massive bomb of black energy. The ensuing explosion obliterated everything for twenty feet in each direction, but as the dark vapors dispersed the soldiers were revealed still standing, a dark dome of power formed over the group by Saturn, who now held her scythe high to maintain it. She looked up at the storm's eye, her eyes dark and threatening, "Was that supposed to be a greeting?"
A chuckle echoed through the air as two blood red eyes formed from the swirling vapors, and a mouth outlined with long fangs appeared. The Negaforce spoke. "I am impressed that you defeated my servant, but it does not matter. I have grown in power to the level where I now no longer need Jedite's support to maintain myself. And now I have reached a power level greater than you have the ability to defeat in your weakened condition. From here I will grow, feeding on the life energy of your planet's people till I am strong enough to unleash myself against the rest of the galaxy and beyond!"
"We'll see about that. We're ending this for good here and now," Moon said as powerfully as she could."
The Negaforce's mouth seemed to twist into an even more gruesome smile. "It is your prerogative to try. But as this will be the last time we ever meet I have something to say first. We have shared so much history together perhaps it is only proper that you know just who I am and where I come from." (Flashback to a black cloud issuing from a star.) "I was born long ago from a dark spot on a far away sun. My dark influence soon spread to the peoples of the nearby planets and those with weak or corrupt hearts became my servants. I pulled them away from the light and created a new dimension, the Negaverse. Back then I was known by another name, Queen Metalia, and I was the supreme power in my domain. But I was not content with this, I wanted the jewel of space, the power of the Silver Crystal, Serenity's kingdom, and I soon found the perfect pawn to get it. She was a young sorceress so consumed by hatred for the People of the Moon and obsessed with desire for Prince Endymion that bringing her under my command was simple. Over time she became Queen Beryl and through her I unleashed myself against The Moon Kingdom. I must admit I underestimated Serenity's power, I did not know the Silver Crystal was capable of sealing my forces away or that she was willing to give up her life to do it."
Amidst the clouds of vapor the Negaforce's shape was becoming clearer. Thick black arms tipped with dark talons and a crown of long spines began to form as she drew in more power. "It was of course only temporary and in time we were released. Though weakened we grew in power till victory once again seemed within my grasp. However, I then underestimated you Sailor Moon as I had your mother. All seemed lost save for one remaining loyal disciple, Jedite. The perfect pawn to mold to my purposes, to fill with delusions of power, and to weaken you enough to win. Because of him I once again stand at the verge of my ascension to supremacy over the human race and this very galaxy. I tell you this to say this, I have learned from my previous mistakes, now that you lack the power to use the Silver Crystal's full strength there is nothing you possess strong enough to stop me!"
"I don't care who you are or where you came from," Moon said darkly. "You failed then and you will fail now. There will be no more chances this time, Crystal or no Crystal."
"Then I dare you to give me your best shot," it hissed in a mocking tone.
"So be it! Uranus Ethereal Blaze!"
"Pluto Chronos Typhoon!"
"Ebony Silence Scream!"
"Blossom Tempest!"
The knights combined their powers. "Planetary Symbol!"
The myriad of attacks sped up towards Metalia with great force. However, her body rebuilt just as quickly as it was destroyed.
Venus spread her hands, "Stop! We're giving it more energy than damage!"
"It's just like when we fought it back in the Silver Millennium…" Mercury pondered as she looked up in awe. "Unless we can attack with enough force to completely overwhelm its power, we'll only end up benefiting it."
"Then you realize your futility!" The Negaforce unleashed another attack, this time a beam of black energy from her mouth.
Sailor Moon's staff met the attack, as she leaped in front of the others, and obliterated the beam in a great flash of silver light. Supporting herself with the lengthened staff, Moon tried to recover her waning power.
The Negaforce's eyes narrowed. "It is true my powers cannot stand against the might of the Silver Crystal, it evaporates my very being. But you know full well that your battle with Jedite means you cannot use its full strength now, you only delay your death. There is no hope for you."
Moon was breathing heavily but her face shone with optimism and warmth. "You're right, I can't stop you," she admitted as the other sailors gasped at the comment, then added with certainty, "But my friends will. I have faith in them."
Metalia sneered. "Then your faith is misplaced. The Sailors are nothing without the Silver Crystal. Without your power they have no hope."
"You're wrong, that power you fear is not mine alone but lives in the hearts of all those I love." Sailor Moon was staring up at the Negaforce, her face had taken on the look of a queen again. She closed her eyes in concentration; "Your arrogance will be your end, and you will be banished forever from the realm of life." Metalia screamed in rage and unleashed a huge and rapid burst of power straight down at Moon. Before the scouts could defend her, light exploded all around Moon, extinguishing Metalia's attack and briefly blinding the scouts. As the light dimmed it revealed Princess Serenity, the Eternal Blade raised high over her head and crossed with the Eternal Tier, her staff, from her other hand..
The sailors were awed especially the Outer's who had not seen Sailor Moon's Serenity form since the Moon Kingdom days and Saturn who had never seen it at all. Uranus stared wide eyed, "Princess Serenity…"
"Every one of you, charge the Sailor Planet Attack, I know the Knights and Tuxedo Mask have never done it before but it is possible," Princess Serenity ordered, her voice full of power and authority while at the same time soft and sweet as honeydew. "I will hold off Queen Metalia."
"Even in this form your power might not be high enough," Mars warned in concern.
Serenity looked at her warmly. "It will be sufficient, I need only power enough to hold Metalia back."
Saturn stepped forward and bowed on one knee, her eyes shut in respect, "My princess you need not risk yourself again. You know I can end this myself, I am willing."
"That is very noble of you Saturn," Serenity replied, "But I will lose no one today, especially you," she smiled, "it would break my Rini's heart, not to mention mine." She looked to the Sailors and Knights. "I believe in all your powers, we can stop Metalia without sacrificing anyone if we only support each other with all our strength. The Silver Crystal's might has always relied on the collective emotions of us all, its power is a part of each of us, it brings us together. Its strength can be expressed in many ways, some of which do not rely on it being used directly."
Mars Knight stepped forward, "We won't let you down Princess."
"We will fight with all of our strength," Tuxedo said and in a flash became Prince Endymion. He bowed, his eyes showing great love, and at the same time, deep respect for Serenity.
Neptune bowed, "our dearest friend, princess, and future queen, we will not fail you."
Venus bowed with the others; "We will prove to every dark force in the universe that we can face any challenge as long as we are united heart and soul."
Serenity smiled, nodded slightly and turned back towards the Negaforce. White feathered wings sprouted from her back and stretched to their full length. She held the sword and staff, crossed them in front of her, and rose into the air with the slightest of a flap.
Endymion rose and looked up, his face resolute. "Let's do it," he commanded. His hair began to whip about as his cape flailed around him. A golden aura of energy began to grow from his form and the concrete beneath him started to crack.
"You heard him!" Venus commanded and closed her eyes as everyone began to concentrate their power.
"Princess Serenity…" The Negaforce hissed in recognition, its voice full of suppressed rage at the sight of her. "I killed you once I shall do so again."
Serenity rose up to the level of the Negaforce, Metalia's huge vaporous form dwarfing the Moon Princess. Still she showed no fear, "That was a long time ago. Once you stole from me everything that mattered, my world, my love, my friends, and even my mother. It will not be repeated here!" the woman who was just short of being a goddess cried out. "We end this now once and for all!"
Down below the soldiers continued to charge, the ground cracking apart around their surging auras.
"Mercury Crystal Power!"
"Mercury Planetary Power!"
"Mars Crystal Power!"
"Mars Planetary Power!
"Jupiter Crystal Power!"
"Jupiter Planetary Power!"
"Venus Crystal Power!"
"Venus Planetary Power!"
"My power…" Mercury gasped, "It's never risen this high before."
"Mine too," Jupiter said.
Venus's aura surged brighter and brighter, "Same here."
"How is it happening?" Mars wondered.
"Symbiosis," Pluto stated as her hair whipped about from the surging auras. "You and the Knights share the same power, when your energies merge it allows all your bodies to support higher levels of energy than you could before."
Jupiter Knight smiled, "Incredible."
"This time I will blot out your light!" Metalia roared and slashed at Serenity as she dodged and drove her sword through the demon's vaporous arm, huge clouds of vapor blood issuing from her swath. Metalia threw her other arm forward and sent down a beam of energy toward the sailors. Almost too quick for the eye to follow, Serenity got in front of the beam and held out the glowing tier. The beam rammed against the rod with surging ferocity but to no avail. Using one arm to hold the staff, Serenity positioned her sword like a throwing dagger in the other hand, then sent out a huge surge of light as she threw the sword forward. The energy tore through the dark beam and blew away Metalia's hand. However, within seconds it had grown back. Serenity flew forward to meet her again.
Metalia raised both hands over her head, a huge sphere of black energy forming between them, and threw it down at her foe. Serenity brought the Eternal Blade out in front of her face, cutting the incoming orb in two, the halves flying off to either side of her where they landed and dissipated around the other sailors.
Endymion closed his eyes in concentration, the golden energy of his aura adding to the surging mass of energy that now surrounded the group.
"Pluto Crystal Power!" Pluto cried out summoning all her strength.
"Neptune Crystal Power!
"Uranus Crystal Power!"
"Saturn Crystal Power!"
"Serenity now!" they called out to her.
Unleashing a final blinding flash of light in front of her, Serenity flew down and landed in the front of the group, sword raised. "Moon Eternal Power!" The Negaforce began to charge up for the finishing blow.
"SAILOR PLANET ATTACK!!!" The Sailors, their energies combined, fired the attack out toward the Negaforce as a huge multicolored beam.
"Now DIE!!!" Metalia screamed as she extended her hands and unleashed the energy Jedite had given her plus all the power she was absorbing now.
The attacks met about a hundred feet in the sky and the force of their collision shook the ground for miles around. Great bolts of energy shot from the contact point tearing through the ground and surrounding buildings. The battle between the two great powers truly began.
Thirty seconds passed. "Impressive, but still futile," The Negaforce hissed as the two beams struggled.
A minute passed and Venus's knees began to buckle. "We've never maintained the Planet Attack this long before."
Venus Knight strained to speak; "I… don't think I can hold it… much… longer!"
Mercury collapsed to one knee as she tried to maintain her power flow; "it's just too strong…"
"No!" Endymion cried out, "We must believe!"
"We can't fail," Saturn said as she tried to support herself. She had the power to destroy Metalia on her own with Death Reborn Revolution but the attack took concentration and in her current state was not an option. She truly didn't want to destroy herself, but she knew she would have back there if Serenity had not told her otherwise. It was her duty and she accepted it as an honor.
The sailors beam was forced downward toward them.
Jupiter struggled to speak. "We need the Crystal! We're just not powerful enough without it."
Through all of this Serenity remained serene, her calm aura easing the sailors panic. She let her thoughts touch their minds as she closed her eyes. Come on guys we don't need the crystal for this. We've gotten through far tougher situations without it. (Flashback to battles against The Heart Snatchers and Nehelania.) Yet some of our greatest struggles have been the ones amongst ourselves. (Flashback to various fights the sailors have had with each other, Uranus punching Jupiter, arguments etc.) We got through them all stronger then we were before and we will get through this but we must believe. We've come so far. Don't let it end here. We have so much to fight for. (Flashbacks to scenes of Chad, Greg, Ken and Jamie with the girls, Doctor Tomoe cradling Hotaru, Scott Parker talking with Serena, Neptune asking for forgiveness, Uranus protecting Moon from Bountyhunter, images of the days the group spent together during this series.) Make those bonds, those loves, your power and we will triumph. Our future is waiting for us let us seize it. She opened her eyes and raised her face in defiance to the Negaforce. "For we are Planet Power!"
"We are Planet Power!" the Sailors and Knights, empowered by her words, chanted after her, their powers surging even higher, their tiaras letting out huge beams of light. From each tiara the Sailor's sign issued forth as did the symbols on the Knight's blades as they held them out high. They combined into a brilliant multicolored orb that surged along the beam created by the Planet Attack. It slammed into Metalia's beam and cut through it like a knife.
"N-no!!" The Negaforce stammered in disbelief as the sailors attack came ever closer. "This can't happen, I anticipated everything!"
Serenity looked up at it. "You can never anticipate what our power can do."
"DAMN YOU!!!" The Negaforce's eyes blazed even redder as the energy of the Planet Attack surged into it. Beams of light began to pour from its vaporous body till it was extinguished with one last cry of rage and denial. The light exploded outward and enveloped the city in a brilliant flash.
Serenity looked up and smiled at the bright sunshine that now showed through the evaporating darkness of the defeated Negaforce. She could feel the people of the city regaining their strength. They had won. She collapsed to her knees and returned to Eternal Sailor Moon, her sword and staff vanishing in sparkling light as she relaxed her power. The other sailors sat or dropped to their knees in exhaustion, but all the energy in the air meant they were quickly recovering.
It was then that they saw one remaining cloud of darkness falling toward the ground. It struck it and solidified into a dark, human sized figure. The Sailors quickly approached it; none needed to ask what it was as they regarded the being silently.
Her body was slightly humanoid yet dark and vaporous like the Seven Shadows. Her eyes lacked irises and were blood red. Her mouth was rimmed with fangs. The spiked crown she wore left no doubt to her identity. "In this form I began and thus I now return to it," Metalia said wearily. "Weak as I was when first born from that sun…"
"She's fading fast," Mercury said as she scanned.
"Good," Uranus said emotionlessly.
Metalia looked up at Sailor Moon and spoke with a mix of despair, longing, loathing and regret. "The power I desired so long… so near… and yet forever out of my reach… thus I die on my knees before you." She held up her taloned hand and reached for the princess vainly.
Pity shone on Sailor Moon's features. "I still don't understand. Why did you attack us to begin with? You had everything you could have ever needed."
Metalia laughed hoarsely, "As a child of Chaos my entire purpose was to blot out the light. All the good in the universe had its origin in the Moon and personification in you. That is why so many forces of darkness have ravaged Earth. Accept it or not you are the reason for all the suffering anyone has experienced by our hands and long as you exist the war… the struggle… the bloodshed… will never end. What an ironic curse for the… 'Champion… of Love and Justice…'" Her vaporous lips twisted into an evil smile before she completely faded away.
And so after millennia of struggle Queen Metalia, the Negaforce, the being that had created a new dimension, overthrown kingdoms and slaughtered millions at last forever vanished from the realm of life. Sailor Moon stood silent, pondering the being's words over and over in her head.
"It's not the whole truth," Tuxedo Mask said in a soft voice as he took her into his arms. He looked deeply into her eyes, "As long as those who fight for love and justice exist there will be those who oppose them, but we are not the cause of that opposition nor should we be blamed for it." Sailor Moon embraced him, content to just be in his arms.
"So its really over now?" Venus Knight ventured to ask.
Moon nodded and smiled slightly, "Yes… Metalia is gone for good. It is over… for now…"
Uranus sat down and looked up at the brightening sky after glancing at the Knights, "Best get used to it boys. In this line of work you're never truly off duty."
Jupiter Knight wiped some sweat from his brow. "As long as we get a breather every now and then I think we can handle it." The others laughed, happy to be at peace again.
Later that day the sailors stood before a setting sun atop a skyscraper. "The time for a new age will be coming soon," Pluto said enigmatically.
"So are you going back to the future then?" Neptune asked.
Pluto shook her head, "No, I shall remain here. I sense it is the right path for me now."
"But what about the future?" Mars asked.
"It will work out, I am certain," Pluto replied. "The Neo Silver Millennium will come."
"And our lives will change forever," Venus said wishfully, "in ways we can barely imagine now."
Saturn looked at the Time Guardian, "Do you think we will be ready?"
Pluto looked at them and smiled warmly, "If anything you are more than ready."
Moon took Tuxedo's hand and looked up at the beautiful evening sky, spotting the first star to appear. I have only one wish. That we walk to the future together. I pledge to endure anything to keep all of you by my side. Yes, that is my pledge as Serena Tsukino, Sailor Moon, Champion of Justice.
The End
I hope you enjoyed this journey. Until the next time, keep reading and dreaming. Jonathan Schmidt, April 2003.
P.S The next story I release will probably be an Oh! My Goddess story. And I'll try to never make people wait this long again.