Part 36

It is the End of the Moon as We Know it...

And Phil's Feelin' Fine

By Bobcat

Disclaimer: If you can read this, you don't need glasses. Oh, and I didn't invent too many of these characters. Those that are mine... I like to think that they're pretty cool, so please; only use them with my permission, OK?



Universe FC-1

Earth's Moon, Sol System

Throne Room, Imperial Palace

8,000 B.C.

Three Days after Part 35

Phil's jaw dropped. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

Having saved Io from the ravages of Queen Beryl's Youma army, Phil had put a MAJOR monkey wrench into the workings of the space time continuum. According to Phil's admittedly sketchy knowledge of the incident, the Youma were supposed to have taken their objectives, and then moved in on the Moon. Using the power of the Silver Imperium Crystal, Queen Serenity would seemingly defeat the hordes of the Dark Kingdom. However, the defeat of the Youma would simply be an illusion cast by Beryl. Later, at a costume party thrown in celebration of the victory, Beryl's Generals would strike from the shadows, killing the Senshi and mortally wounding Queen Serenity. The reaction would remove the small measure of mind control from her subjects, who would enjoy total freedom for the rest of their lives. Which, admittedly, wouldn't be very long, once the terraformed planets of the Solar System lost their inhabitability. The Earth Kingdom, the Moon Kingdom's allies, for reasons unclear, would be forced back to the stone age by this event as well.



Using the last of her energy, she would do a number of things simultaneously. First, she would seal Beryl and her generals with the magic of the Crystal. (The obvious question is, "If you have enough energy to seal them away, why not just kill them?) Then, she would ensure that all of her Senshi and most loyal subjects were reborn at an undetermined date. Finally, she split the Crystal into eight shards and set it so that they would be placed into eight human hosts at the proper time.

Eventually, as the Sailor Senshi became more aware, the reverberations from their magical auras would awaken Beryl and her minions. However, Metallia would be robbed of all energy by the sealing, so Beryl's Youma would be responsible for gathering the life force of supposedly the greatest power source in the universe, young girls. (Author's note: When, in fact, they could have just started filling those energy absorbing crystals of theirs with common household electricity, but hey, what do I know?)

Phil had mucked that up royally by managing to defeat one third of the Youma army for real. Then, somehow, another part of the Dark Kingdom's forces was ripped apart by a hurricane on Galileo. (Unbeknownst to Phil, but knownst to us, this was also Phil's fault. Tag and Bink were supposed to be successful in their mission to take Planet X. Queen Serenity, not wanting Lady Kalt to profit from the death of her subjects, set it up so that the planet would self destruct. Instead, Tag and Bink ended up working for Beryl with humorous... oops, I meant disastrous results.)

So, when Phil was summoned to the Moon to attend a gala to commemorate this great victory, Phil suspected that Beryl lacked the forces necessary to pull of her surprise attack. Sure, the armies that attacked Europa had been successful, but Phil just didn't know how much of an effect her actions would have.

She didn't, that is, until after an hour at the ball. That was when Phil was given a major shock to her system.

Queen Serenity, still seated upon her throne, called everybody to attention. All conversation stopped immediately. The General that Phil had been conversing with was rather happy about this, since Phil had been harping him about the complete lack of military readiness on Io and the other planets of the Kingdom.

Serenity spoke thusly: "Loyal subjects, I have called you here for three reasons. For one, to celebrate the defeat of the armies of the Dark Kingdom." She paused as a light round of polite applause filled the air.

"Secondly, I wish to bestow a previously unheard of honor. Never in our history has a new post for a Senshi been created. However, the backup Senshi who is being awarded this honor has defended the Silver Imperium from not one, but two great threats. Although she failed in her first battle, I have it from a reliable source that not one of the Senshi could have defeated that threat. In her second battle, she fought off a full third of the Dark Kingdom's forces."

Phil grew increasingly nervous as Serenity continued her speech.

"Such brave actions deserve great reward. Thus, in my wisdom, I do hereby promote Sailor Io from Backup Senshi to Full Senshi!"

For once, both Phil and Io were in full agreement. Both stood there with dazed expressions upon their face, and both let their jaw drop. She ran on full autopilot, as various nobles and dignitaries attempted to elevate their own standing by being the first to congratulate her. Sailor Jupiter looked upon her daughter with a look of obvious maternal pride upon her face.

However, the biggest and most fateful surprise was still to come.

"And finally, on to a more serious matter. As you know, the recent rebellion of the Dark Kingdom was brought about because certain members of the populace had too much free will. Hundreds of citizenry joined this revolution, which was almost a success! Steps must be taken to ensure the continued survival of the Moon Kingdom.

"Of course, my Senshi, the upper class and the military require free thought, so they shall maintain it. Otherwise, the commoners having free will is asking for revolution. In light of this, I do hereby revoke the right of free will within the confines of the Silver Imperium!" Taking the Silver Imperium Crystal in her hand, Serenity furrowed her brow in concentration for several moments.

After what seemed an eternity, she looked up again. "It is done." This time, the applause was much louder. It was fueled partially by support for the decision, and partially by their relief that they weren't affected. Luna nodded her head, a look of satisfaction upon her face. After all, it had been her plan.

Phil didn't know that it was anatomically possible to further drop her jaw, but apparently it was. She immediately noticed that several of the servants had a happy, glazed over look on their faces. A few minutes before, they had been fully functioning human beings. Now, they were two dimensional versions of their former selves, each without a care in the world. "This... this isn't right!"

As the applause came to a sudden halt, Phil realized that she had put a bit more volume behind her statement that she had intended to.

Serenity was livid. "I give you a great honor, and this is how you reward me? With dissension?"

Io attempted to settle it diplomatically. "Y-you're majesty..."

Phil slapped herself across the face, drawing several odd looks from the audience. "Stuff it, Io!" Using all of her will, she rendered her "roommate" unconscious. Phil glared hatefully at Serenity. "Undo what you just did. Now."

Serenity's anger elevated to previously unheard of levels. "You would order ME!?"

Phil instinctively powered up. "Yes, Serenity, I would."

Jupiter grabbed her daughter's arm. "Io, what do you think you're doing?"

"Back off." With an almost casual motion of her arm, Phil sent the Senshi of Jupiter flying. She went back to her staring contest with Serenity. "I said, undo what you just did."

Serenity accessed the power of the Crystal, peeling back the layers of Io's mind. "What is this? You are not Io!"

Phil nodded. She decided to play all of her cards. "Indeed." The air around her began shimmering as the energies of the Mystical Powerup surrounded her. "I am Phil, of the Physics Police. I have seen many monsters in my day, but lady, you take the cake. You, who would rob billions of the most basic of rights, the right to freedom of thought? I SAY NAY! In the name of John Locke, I will punish you!"

Off to the side, Princess Serena took out a pad of paper. "I will punish you? I'll have to write that one down."

Serenity sensed the power of this newcomer, and realized that she was far beyond any one of the Sailor Senshi. "Senshi! Destroy this traitor!"

Jupiter was enraged at the thought of her own daughter taken by this demon named Phil. She concentrated, and lightning played between her fingers, quickly forming a sledgehammer. "Get out of my daughter's body, foul demon!"

"I would if I could, but I can't."

Jupiter paused for a moment, considering this. If the demon was unable to leave, then... her daughter would never be returned to her. A tear ran down her cheek, as she realized that she would be forced to slay her own flesh and blood to rid the Moon Kingdom of that dark influence. The other Senshi formed a circle about her and voiced similar sentiments. The nobles and servants fled to safety.

"OK, the odds are... one, two three... seven to one. That doesn't seem particularly sporting. I guess I'll have to put a hand behind my back."**

They attacked as one. Phil became nervous as she realized that she wasn't familiar with any of these attacks. She also sensed far greater manna going into each assault than any of the future Senshi could put out.

"Mercury Ice Storm!" Shards of ice flew out.

"Venus Heart Breaker!" A string of gigantic hearts composed of energy were sent out.

"Mars Inferno Blast!" A wave of flame flew towards Phil.

Jupiter swung her hammer, sending a barrage of lightning bolts at Phil. "Mjollnir's Fury!"

"Silence Wave!" Sailor Saturn fired a wide wave of black energy.

"Annihilation Wave!" Uranus's attack was similar to Saturn's, except yellow.

Sailor Neptune was the last. She held in her hand a golden triton. From it issued a circular bolt of energy. "Neptune Flash!"

As the attacks converged, there was a massive explosion. The Senshi were thrown off of their feet. Serenity, shielded by the Crystal, was unaffected. A thick haze filled the air, obscuring all details.

Mercury peered into the dust cloud. There was no sign of Sailor Io. "Did we vaporize her?"

She never noticed the traitorous Senshi appear behind her. Phil punched her in the back of the head and she fell to the ground with a thud. "Not quite."

Mars saw the shadow standing over Sailor Mercury's fallen form and attacked. "Mars Burning Mandala!" Red circles of flame flew out. Phil faded away just before the fire caught her. "What?"

Fading away once again, Mars found herself in a full Nelson. Phil grinned savagely. "Hmmm. Going back to more basic attacks, are we? I guess that attack really drained you."

The raven haired Senshi attempted to fight back, but found herself completely incapacitated. "How are you doing this?"

"I'm thousands of times faster and stronger than any of you. Care to go for a ride?" Before Mars could respond, Phil sent her flying. By this time, the smoke had cleared enough for the Senshi to establish line of sight with their targets. "Venus Love Me Chain!" The attack was intercepted by the unconscious form of Sailor Mars. Sailor Venus fell to the ground as her ally flew into her.

Jupiter sent another barrage of lightning bolts at Phil. This time, Phil wasn't quick enough to dodge the attack. Her cry of pain filled the air as a million volts of electricity passed through her body. She fell to one knee and fought to remain conscious.

Uranus and Neptune didn't give her a chance to recover. "Earth Shaking!"

"Deep Submerge!"

The gold and blue energy balls slammed into Phil, sending her flying through a wall. She coughed, and attempted to get back on her feet.

Phil assessed her situation. "OK, obviously they all put most of their strength into the first blast. Had I still been at ground zero, I'd be dead right now. Thank God for the Instant Transmission. Even if they are forced to use more basic attacks, they have more power when fighting together then I do. I'll have to strike hard, and quickly, without any warning." She cupped her hands, and began to draw Chi for an attack. In a mocking tone she said, "Heeeeeere, target target target."

Sailor Saturn obliged her as she ran through the hole in the wall. She saw the bright blue aura surrounding Phil, and realized that it hadn't been a very bright idea to come barging towards a foe as strong as Phil. "Oops."

"Kamehameha!" The blue energy wave caught Saturn dead center. When she became visible again, the Senshi of Death and Rebirth was significantly crispier than she had been at the start. She collapsed in a heap. Phil nodded. "Very good. The most powerful one is down. That means that there are three left." Phil powered up and flew through the hole that she had made before. Unfortunately, she made much the same mistake that Saturn had. Sailor Jupiter was waiting for her.

Jupiter glared hatefully at the person who had been her daughter. "Mjollnir's Fury!" The electric hammer lashed out, catching Phil across the face. Once again, electricity coursed through her body. This time, Phil didn't go flying. She fell to the ground in a crouching position and kicked Jupiter's feet out from under her. While she was still in freefall, Phil righted herself and caught her torso with an uppercut, followed by a jab to the face. Finally, the Senshi of Jupiter could take no more. She fell to the ground with an audible "whump."

"Earth Shaking!"

"Deep Submerge!"

The balls of energy flew towards Phil once again. However, Phil was on guard. The Deep Submerge was knocked away like a volleyball, while the yellow ball was sidestepped. Phil grinned. "Payback's an ass, no?" She disappeared in a flash, and then rematerialized between the shocked Outer Senshi and administered a Vulcan Neck Pinch.

As Uranus and Neptune collapsed, Phil turned to face Serenity. "Now, are you going to give the nice people their minds back, or not?"

Serenity was completely and utterly confused. During the entire battle, she had been attempting to exorcize poor Io. However, no matter how she tried, the Crystal kept responding that it was unable to harm the Senshi in, quote, "any way, shape or form." She had no idea what that meant.*** After all, that couldn't possibly apply to this demon. She glared at Phil. "No! They are my subjects, and I shall do as I will with them!"

The venom in Phil's eyes intensified. "You speak of billions of human beings as if they were toys. You nobles. You're raised to think of the "peasants" as tools for your own advancement. In your own way, you're more evil than Metallia. This ends now." Phil faded away again, and then reappeared next to Queen Serenity. She grabbed the Crystal. "Yoink!"

Suddenly, Phil felt as if she was having (another) out of body experience. Her senses were absorbed completely as she interfaced with the Silver Imperium Crystal. She didn't know if this is what happened every time Usagi or GoChibi accessed the Crystal, but it was as if she was joining with something greater than herself.

And then she "heard" a voice. Actually, she didn't so much hear it, as much as she "thought" it. It was all in her head. "Please input task." Phil, attempting to sort through the sensory overload, didn't respond. It repeated itself. "Please input task."

"Task?"

"What do you want?"

"Give the people their minds back!"

The oddly computer like voice said, "Processing... error. Unable to perform function, as I do not have physical possession of their minds."

Phil thought. "Um, then..." She briefly wondered why magical artifacts always needed such specific wording. "Well, then, I wish you would put the Moon Kingdom back together, so that it was like it was before Serenity's last wish."

"Processing... wish granted. Please input next task."

"Er... I don't have a next task."

"Severing mental link." With that, Phil found herself back in the physical plane. She found it hard to adjust to her normal state.

Taking advantage of Phil's momentary confusion, Serenity snatched the magical artifact from Phil's hands. "I wish that you would undo whatever this traitor just did!"

Somehow, Phil still possessed a small connection to the Crystal's consciousness. And for some odd reason, she could sense just the slightest hesitation on its part. However, since it was bound to perform whatever duties its registered user gave it, it said, "Wish granted."

Phil had never heard anything more ominous.

That was when the room began to shudder and shake. A few of the other Senshi were beginning to regain consciousness, and felt the vibrations. Mercury summoned her Mercury Computer and looked at the tiny laptop's sensors. And gasped. "This... this is impossible! The entire Kingdom is... collapsing!"

Jupiter was roused from her drowsiness by this statement. "What!?"

Mercury nodded. "It's as if some cosmic power just cut the support out from under the whole Kingdom! The Moon is rapidly losing its atmosphere. We have ten minutes at best until we die of asphyxiation as the terraforming of this planet fails!"

Jupiter was shocked. The Moon Kingdom, which she had spent so long fighting and killing for, was dieing. And she couldn't do a thing about it. She glared at Phil. "You monster! Mjollnir's Fur... oof!"

As the Senshi of Jupiter bent in half over Phil's fist, she snorted. "Unlike those Youma, I'm not stupid enough to let you get off one of your attacks if I can help it."

The brunette looked up at Phil with pure venom in her eyes. "You... traitor! As of today, I have no daughter!"

"Don't be too harsh. I ain't Io." As Jupiter went back to dreamland, Phil turned to face Serenity. Phil faded out of existence, grabbed the Crystal, and got back to her starting place in the time that it took the various Senshi to blink thrice. She addressed those gathered there. "Alright folks, here's the 411. You are all officially dead. Don't worry, though. All of you, except for Queen Moron over here, will be reincarnated in ten thousand years. I'll be taking this little magical doodad, and I'll make sure that everything happens the way it's supposed to."

Venus angrily pointed a finger at Phil. "You! You've destroyed the Moon Kingdom!"

Phil chuckled. "Actually, it was Serenity and her bad wish that struck the killing blow. You see, what I did was that I wished that the universe was put back the way that it was before Serenity's interference. So, I gave the people back their individuality. However, the Ditz over here wished to undo that. What's the opposite of putting something together? Why, taking it apart, of course. So, the Crystal interpreted her wish as a desire to destroy the Kingdom. Not my fault; simply bad wording on your part."

Phil gave Queen Serenity a smug grin. "Remember, Serenity; as each breath becomes more of an effort, it's all your doing. However, just for the sake of consistency, we'll say that it was a Youma attack that took place during a masquerade party. Now, goodbye, y'all. See ya in about ten thousand years!"

Putting her middle and index finger to her head, Phil sought out the Chi signature of one of the mechanics in the docking bay.

Said technician was rather surprised to see one of the Senshi teleport into the bay. He briefly considered mentioning it to his fellow mechanics, but decided against it. After all, the Senshi had all sorts of weird powers. Who was to say that they couldn't teleport? Also, none of the other techs were overly concerned about the event. If they weren't noticing it, why should he? He would just end up looking like a fool.

The others thought much the same thing.****

Phil briefly considered taking the Blue Heron, but decided against it. "After all, why take that when there are all sorts of other goodies to be had?" Keeping track of the time, she flew about the docking bay, looking for the best ship available.

The technician from before didn't remember the Senshi ever flying before, but his thought process went along the path of "don't draw attention to yourself."

Finally, her eyes rested upon a craft. It bore a resemblance to Queen Amidala's spaceship from Star Wars, with a sleek, rounded frame. However, unlike the other craft, this one was ludicrously well armed. It sported a pair of quad laser turrets on each wing, one on top, one on the bottom. On the nose were two torpedo tubes and what looked to be a fixed turbolaser battery. A quick scan of Io's memories identified it as the Queen's yacht. "I'll take it!"

A few moments later, the large spacecraft was floating up on the waves of antigravity produced by its repulsorlifts. A moment after that, it was leaving the Moon's waning atmosphere.

If sound was capable of traveling through space, the phrase, "To infinity, and beyond!" would have been heard issuing from the cockpit of the spaceship.



Oh, and do I even need to mention that Sailor Pluto was attempting to find some stronger headache medication while cursing up a storm?

End Part 36

*John Locke: A Scottish born citizen of England. He wrote many essays during the early 1700's, including "Two Treatises on Government," advocating greater rights for the average person. His writings provided much of the inspiration for the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. So, remember kids, stay in school!

** But wait! you say. There are nine Senshi! Well, you see, Sailor Pluto was on Pluto at the time. The post of Sailor Moon wasn't even created until far in the future, when Luna, operating on faulty memories and even faultier assumptions, didn't realize that Usagi was the moon princess. Luna was drawn to her for reasons that she didn't understand. So, she simply assumed that there had been a Sailor Moon and made her a transformation pen.

***Heh heh. Good old semantics.

**** Ah. Good old herd mentality.