The Magic Force
Moon Crystal Reunion
The Conclusion:
The Power of Love in Many Ways

During their ride back to the Magic Express, they all felt dejected at what had happened to two of their friends. As the group exited from the van, Sailor Moon helped Sailor Mars out of the vehicle. "You gonna be okay, Raye?"
"Yeah, I think so. Thanks, Serena." Raye smiled at the fact her friend was being as true to herself as she had ever been, thanks to the prank Angie pulled earlier that day.
Once everyone was in the living room, Ace spoke, "Okay, we have a major problem on our hands. Malkyrion's got two trump cards on his side right now: Cosmo as a hostage and Ulene as a servant. If we're going to stop that vampire, we've got to rescue them first."
"Agreed," said Helios. "Before we do anything, though, we need to hear from both Rini and your friend Angela, since they said they have some information on Malkyrion."
Rini and Angie looked at each other. Rini said, "You go first, Angie. You'd explain it better than I would."
"Okay, Rini." The female magician took a deep breath. "We all know what Malkyrion's capable of and what his one weakness is - natural daylight. However, Rini and I discovered that Malkyrion may be just a shell."
That comment made the others gasp. "How's that possible?" asked Sailor Mercury.
"Both of us have heard a voice from within Malkyrion – a call for help. If Rini and I are right, Malkyrion isn't the being we think he is. If we can somehow keep him frozen in one spot just long enough, I may be able to go into his soul and find out who he really is."
"Chibi-Moon?" said Sailor Moon. "How come you didn't say anything before?"
"I was afraid you'd scold me. You know how we've always been."
The older Sailor Scout took little Chibi-Moon into an embrace. "I understand, Rini. But this time it's seriously important we know as much as we possibly can." She looked at Angie and added, "What should we do now?"
"We have to figure out where Malkyrion is, but he's split away from Ulene, and we have no idea where she and Cosmo could be right now."

During his unwilling flight with the new and dangerous Ulene, Cosmo lost consciousness and fell into a deep sleep. In his mind, he saw himself in a tug-of-war between Ulene and Lita.
"Cosmo's mine!" yelled Ulene. "I've known him since I was a kid!"
"Yeah," Lita shouted, "but he found love because of me!"
Cosmo was being pulled on both sides by the two girls. "C'mon, you two, stop! I've got enough to deal with as it is right now!"
Ulene said, "Then decide who you're going to be with, me or Lita the loser."
"LOSER!? I'll show you who's the loser!"
Suddenly the two girls started fighting each other by pulling each other's hair and scratching each other like cats in a catfight.
"Stop it!" yelled Cosmo. "I care about both of you! Why does it have to be like this!?"
When it became too much, he woke up with a start, only to discover he was tied up and more than 20 feet off the ground. "What the heck—? How'd I get all the way up here?"
A wicked female voice spoke. "Ah… you have awakened at last, my love," said the evil Ulene as she floated to Cosmo. "Finally, we are together, as it was meant to be."
Cosmo shook his head. "No, you couldn't be Ulene. The Ulene I know as my friend wouldn't look like trash and hurt the people I care about."
"Don't you understand anything?" she asked angrily. "I'm doing this for us. Master Malkyrion has shown me the truth, and I do not intend to lose you to anyone, especially that girl Lita!"
"Ulene," Cosmo sighed, "Malkyrion's lying to you. He's not trying to get you to love me. He's just using you to gain more energy for himself. When he gets what he wants, he'll get you out of the way so fast you won't know what hit you."
"You're wrong, Cosmo. Master Malkyrion knows I am loyal to him, and my loyalty shall be rewarded greatly… when you and I become a powerful couple under his rule."
Cosmo angrily said, "Ulene, I hate you right now."
She gasped in shock. "How can you say that? You're supposed to love me."
"I can never love someone who isn't being true to herself and who she is. I can't love someone who looks like a hooker and uses dark powers out of jealousy. I can't love someone who would hurt my friends and listen to an alien who doesn't know anything about love."
Those comments infuriated Ulene, making her powers stronger and her eyes glow in angry red. "You will learn, my love. Master Malkyrion will make you see the truth, and when he takes over Earth, we will live together in true happiness. Now, stay put while I go gather more energy for my master. It will give you time to change your mind about him."
Ulene floated away to begin her own energy-draining mission for Malkyrion.
Cosmo breathed heavily and looked up to the ceiling. "I don't even know where I am. I can't—no, wait! I could contact the others by—" He looked at his wrists and realized his wrist communicator was not on either one. "Ulene took them off. Smart move. Now what can I do? I'm not sure anyone's gonna be able to find me."

Back at the Magic Express, Helios and Sailor Saturn discussed a two-part plan on how to deal with Malkyrion and how to rescue both Cosmo and Ulene.
"I suggest," stated Sailor Saturn, "we split up into two teams. One team needs to concentrate on finding Malkyrion while the other can work on finding the other two."
Helios nodded. "That would work. Now, how do we determine who'll be in each team?"
"We'll have it split this way," said Ace. "The team for Cosmo and Ulene must at least include Lita and Zina. Zina could easily track Cosmo down, and Lita can get him down with the Oak Evolution. Next, we—" Ace suddenly stopped when he noticed something floating through the air of the living room. "What is that?"
Everyone gasped as the object continued floating. Lita noticed the oval and the number "4." "I don't believe it! My old transformation pen? I gave this to Cosmo three years ago." The pen floated into her hands. "I don't get this. What can this do?"
"Perhaps the pen could be of help in some way," Ace suggested. "Wait a minute… if Cosmo's hands have been on that pen, Zina could sniff the pen for his most recent scent, and maybe the scent of where he is! That solves that part of the problem, but we have to consider how to deal with Ulene without hurting her."
"There are two experts in that," said Rini. "Serena and Darien helped me once before, when I went bad for a little while. They should be a part of the team."
"And I could hold off Ulene with my Silence Glaive if and when she shows up," noted Saturn. "Our team should consist of Ace, Zina, Serena, Darien, Lita, and myself, with Ace leading the group."
Ace looked at Angie. "Angie, you'll lead the charge against Malkyrion with Rini, Raye, Amy, and Mina."
"I'd better have Victor and Helios come along also. Helios knows the vampire, and Victor could be needed for when Rini and I take that trip into Malkyrion's soul."
"Will we have a role in this?" asked Diana.
Darien shook his head. "Sorry, Diana. You, Luna, and Artemis will stay here. This could get dangerous for everyone, and if we don't make it back—"
"Don't say that!" scolded Luna. "I know you'll make it back. You have to take dangerous chances to save the world. It's up to all of you now."
Angie looked at everyone. "It's time. Let's get out there and find Malkyrion, Cosmo, and Ulene—in no particular order."
Everyone laughed at that comment as they took the two vans and left the Magic Express on the most important mission of their lives.

In the police chief's office, Vega looked through his window and wondered if he could do anything to stop Malkyrion. "He's getting stronger all the time. Nobody in the force is equipped to deal with this situation. And knowing Dobbs, he's probably cowering in fear under his bed. If Friedrichs were in charge, he'd dismiss this as nothing. It's all up to Ace and those girls now. They're the only ones who can stop him."
He suddenly noticed a streak of red in the sky. "Is that Malkyrion?" He quickly grabbed his binoculars. "No, that's a girl—no, that's Ulene! She looks so…different."
Ulene noticed some people walking through the streets when she landed on the ground between them. "Give me your energy, humans, to feed my master!" She grabbed one young man and immediately drained his energy. "You cannot resist my power!" She laughed wickedly as her darker powers grew stronger with each being whose energy was drained.
The panicked crowd ran as quickly as they could, but Ulene was easily able to track them down, stealing the energy of at least 15 different people.
Vega was taken by surprise by her actions. "Oh, no. Ulene's being controlled by Malkyrion. I'd better prove my worth as interim police chief." He grabbed his plasma gun and set it just to stun her. "I don't want to hurt her with this thing, and I sure hope I don't have to use it."
He pressed a button on the console. "Nearest 10 officers head for the corner of Emerson and Daxley. We've got a new problem. Set plasma guns to stun mode only; we don't want anyone getting hurt." He quickly ran out the door and straight to his car. As he sped towards the scene, Vega became nervous, as he prayed for the safety of the citizens…and Ulene.
Two young men also heard all the commotion and Ulene's wicked-sounding voice. They also started following her by foot from a safe distance. They hoped they could also help her regain control of her life.

In the van with Angie's group, the female magician discussed their plan on slowing Malkyrion's progress and finding out who he really was. Sailor Mars's sixth sense for evil went into high alert. "He's close. I can feel his presence."
Angie and Rini also heard the call for help, confirming Mars's suspicions. As soon as Angie pulled over the van near the Ring Theatre, she could see the energy vampire in the sky. "There he is," she whispered. "Everyone, get into position fast."
It only took seconds to have almost everyone in Angie's group disappear, except Angie and Sailor Mars.
"Ready with that warning shot?" asked Angie.
"Ready." After a quick nod from Angie, Sailor Mars launched her attack. "Mars…Flame Sniper!" The arrow shot into the sky, missing Malkyrion by about six inches.
"What—?" He turned around and looked downward to see the two ladies. "It seems their friends have abandoned them. Perhaps I can get them to help me with my mission, as I did with that other girl." He darted from the sky and landed on the ground. "What is wrong, my dears? Your friends have left you behind, like the other girl, who has lost the one she loves?"
Angie narrowed her eyes in anger. "So you have taken Ulene under your power."
"Yes, and I can help you gain more friends if you decide to work with me."
"You know, the offer does sound a bit tempting."
Suddenly, a chain of hearts wrapped itself around Malkyrion's arms, preventing him from being able to do anything. "What is this!?"
"I said it sounded tempting, but we're not stupid. Mercury, do it!"
With a couple of quick spins and one drop of water, Sailor Mercury yelled, "Shine Aqua Illusion!" The force of water landed on Malkyrion, and the water quickly froze, leaving just the area from his head to his chest open.
Super Sailor Chibi-Moon saw him frozen and ran towards Angie with Victor and Helios not far behind. "I'm ready for my part of the plan!"
"Great! Give me your hand, and hold on tight. I'm going to channel through Malkyrion, and I'll need your help to control it. Victor and Helios, stay very close. When we return, this could be rough." Both men nodded, knowing how dangerous this move was.
Malkyrion noticed Angie and Chibi-Moon holding hands, and the pair slowly approaching him. "What will you do with me? Do not get near me!"
Angie reached out with her right hand. "Now, Malkyrion…we're going to find out everything about you! You won't be able to hide anything from us this time!"
The moment her hand touched Malkyrion's forehead, they and Chibi-Moon felt the jolt surging through their bodies. "Hang on, Rini! We're going in!"

Angie and Chibi-Moon found themselves in an area of completely dark space. "Where…are we?" asked a frightened Chibi-Moon.
"Inside his soul. Now, if we can figure out where that voice is, we can finally do something to help." Angie took Rini's hand. "Stay with me. It won't do us good to split up in here. We can't stay for too long."
The mysterious voice called out to them again. "Help me, please…"
Angie closed her eyes to concentrate on the location of the voice. "It's to our left. Come on, Rini."
After searching for nearly five minutes, Chibi-Moon noticed a small light. "Hey, what's that over there?"
Looking carefully at the light, Angie realized what it was. "It's him! We've found the source of the mysterious voice!" The two ran as fast as possible to the gentleman, who looked surprisingly like a normal human being.
"Excuse me," said Angie. "Were you calling for help?"
The gentleman uncurled from the fetal position and noticed the pair. "Who are you?"
"I am Angela Jacobs, and this is my friend Rini. We heard a call for help."
"I couldn't tell if anyone could hear me, but I'm grateful you have. I am Marcane, a courier between both the Silver Moon Kingdom and the Dark Moon Kingdom."
"What happened to you?" Angie asked curiously.
"At about the time Queen Nephrenia turned evil, I was in the middle of delivering messages and gifts from the Silver Moon to the Dark Moon. Then, a seed hit me in the face and immediately started entering my body through my head. Soon, I was transformed into the energy vampire known as Malkyrion. The rest I can barely remember, except as Malkyrion, I was general of the Dark Moon forces when we launched an attack against the Silver Moon."
"Ace told us the princesses of Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus were able to send the vampire to the furthest reaches of space."
"The journey back to Earth has taken a millennium and a few years… and I am growing weaker."
Rini asked, "What's this seed you're talking about?"
"It's called the Daeldrios Seed. It is the source of this vampire's power. Get rid of it, and I will be free. It lurks deeper within, and the journey could be dangerous."
Angie stood and said, "Rini, stay here with Marcane. I'm going to find this Daeldrios Seed."
Marcane said, "It will not be easy."
"Actually, it is going to be easier – by relying on my own darkness."
"How can you have darkness in your soul without going mad?"
"It's simple. If I didn't acknowledge the darkness that is part of me, I would've gone mad. I'll be back as quickly as I can. Rini, don't leave Marcane's side for any reason."
"Okay, but please, Angie – be careful."
"I will. I just hope Ace and the others are doing okay locating Cosmo and Ulene."

Zina was ahead of the van with Ace and his friends, the panther taking a good sniff of Lita's old transformation pen to follow Cosmo's scent. "That's it, girl," said Ace, "Keep going. Find Cosmo." Soon, Zina stopped in front of another old building near the Grand Canal, and soon Ace pulled over the van.
"Well… another building close to the old Company of Wolves hideout," said Ace. "I know this is one of Ulene's favorite places to go when she needs time to think."
Zina scratched the garage door, giving Ace the indication they found Cosmo, Ulene, or possibly both. Sailor Jupiter held her old transformation pen close to the door when it suddenly emitted a powerful lightning bolt, sending the group back a few feet. "Whoa. I didn't know my pen could do things like this."
Sailor Moon said, "This may sound stupid, but maybe the pen wanted to help us find Cosmo."
"Serena," said Tuxedo Mask, "That actually makes sense. Of course, if Amy were here, she'd disagree."
"Let's worry about that argument later," said Jupiter. "Right now we need to rescue Cosmo."
Ace and the others ran inside, with Sailor Saturn remaining behind in case Ulene returned before they could rescue Cosmo.
Where Cosmo was tied up, he started hearing voices. "Am I going mad?" He suddenly heard Lita's voice among the group. "Lita! Lita!"
Everyone heard Cosmo's yell and ran into the main warehouse room of the building. "There he is!" exclaimed Sailor Saturn. "We need to get him down."
Jupiter ran towards Cosmo as she said, "Leave that to me." She stopped just a few feet away. "Cosmo, don't take this the wrong way, but don't move an inch, okay?"
"Okay, Lita. Fire when ready!"
"Jupiter—Oak—Evolution!" The sharp leaves quickly cut the ropes above Cosmo, which allowed him to fall, but not before Ace caught him with his magic.
"Cosmo, are you all right?" asked Jupiter.
"I am now, with you being here, Lita."
"Where's Ulene?"
"Out gathering energy for Malkyrion. We've gotta find her and get through to her somehow." Cosmo suddenly noticed not everyone was present. "Hey, where are Angie, Rini, and the rest?"
Ace answered, "They're out looking for Malkyrion himself." His wristwatch communicator beeped. "Cooper here."
"Ace, it's Vega. Ulene's causing problems over at Emerson and Daxley, and she looks like a—"
"I know. We'll head over there immediately." He looked at the others. "Vega's got his hands full with Ulene. Tuxedo Mask, you drive the van while I give directions."
They left the warehouse behind and made their way towards the two streets.

Meanwhile, Angie started her search for the Daeldrios Seed within Malkyrion's soul. Guided by her own darkness, she soon found herself at the center of the storm. She noticed a kidney-shaped seed with vines growing everywhere around it. "This is it…the Daeldrios Seed."
She approached it cautiously when she heard a groaning voice: "Who dares to enter the soul of my host? No one is allowed here."
"I have dared," declared Angie clearly. "You're the cause of all this trouble here on Earth."
"A child of Earth challenges my power? You will learn how powerless you are against me!" From the center of the seed, a set of vines shot out towards Angie.
"Darkness…be my ally," chanted the female magician as she focused her magical energy from within to create a barrier around herself, forcing the vines to deflect away from her.
"This cannot be possible," said the seed. "How is it darkness has not consumed your soul, your being!? How can darkness be an ally to someone of the light?"
"There can't be light if there is no journey through the darkness. It was not long ago when I was afraid to face my own darker feelings of anger and hatred."
"Why is it you are able to control your darkness?"
Angie's eyes began to glow in light blue. "It's not a matter of controlling my darkness. It's embracing my darkness – allowing my darkness to be a part of my life…something a monster like you would never understand!" She focused as much of her magical energy from her heart to her hands, unleashing two powerful lightning bolts against the seed. "Marcane's soul shall be free!"
The Daeldrios Seed felt the hot light of Angie's powers seething through it. "No! It's not possible! I cannot stay in this body any longer…"
Angie knew she had to return to Chibi-Moon and Marcane before it was too late. She ran back the way she had come with guidance from her light and found them. "We've got to return to the real world now! The seed's going to be leaving here shortly!"
Chibi-Moon and Marcane took Angie's hands as she yelled, "Guided by the light, take us home!"
In a matter of seconds, Angie and Chibi-Moon were recoiled backwards but caught by Victor and Helios, respectively. "Angie," said Victor with worry in his voice, "Are you all right?"
"I'll…be fine," said Angie slowly. "Just a little overwhelmed by what's happening to Malkyrion over there. Look!"
The Daeldrios Seed was forced to leave Malkyrion's body after its encounter with Angie, as it could not stand the light. But it was not defeated; it had a plan. "I am not finished yet!"

Meanwhile, Ulene was continuing to drain people's energy when she felt a sharp jolt in her mind. "What is happening? I cannot… no – Master Malkyrion! Someone has harmed my master!"
Vega fired a warning shot into the air. "Stop, Ulene. I don't know why you're doing this, but I'm going to make sure you don't hurt anyone else."
Ulene looked at him with full fury in her eyes. "You can't stop me, Lieutenant Vega! I will make those who have harmed Master Malkyrion suffer, starting with you!" She started floating towards him with her hands glowing in hot red light. "You will not interfere with my master's mission!"
Suddenly, Cosmo yelled, "Ulene, no! Stop!"
Ulene abruptly stopped and saw Cosmo. "How did you escape? You were supposed to be tied up!"
His friends emerged from behind him. "I had help, Ulene. I had the help of my friends… something you have, but you're blinded by your jealousy and your powers."
Ulene breathed heavily as her anger became rage. "You were supposed to be mine, Cosmo. How dare you turn your back on me!"
"If I turned my back on you, then why am I here? Why am I not at home cowering in fear? I'm here because I want to help you, Ulene. My friends and I all want to help you."

The Daeldrios Seed emerged above Malkyrion's body, which slowly changed into the real form of Marcane. "I shall find a new host body, one that is young and vibrant with energy. This one has outlived its usefulness to me!" The seed soon floated away.
Angie used her magic to free Marcane from Mercury's Aqua Illusion trap, but he soon collapsed to the ground. "You…saved me," said Marcane as he was being helped by Angie, Chibi-Moon, Victor, and Helios. "Helios, my old friend. I am glad you came to help them."
"Please, Marcane, thank Angela and Rini. They were the ones who risked their lives to help you."
Marcane's breathing became more shallow with each passing second. "It's been far too long for me… my time has come."
Chibi-Moon pleaded, "No, Marcane, please don't go."
Angie placed a hand on Chibi-Moon's shoulder. "No, Rini. He is far past his time. Death is a part of life. Wait—the seed, what about the Daeldrios Seed?"
"It is not over yet," said Marcane with a cough. "The Daeldrios Seed has collected more than enough energy to grow into the Daeldrios Plant, more dangerous than anything Earth has ever encountered. Now he will go seek the one who assisted… and try to take a new host body."
"No!" said Angie worriedly. "It's going after Ulene!"
"Yes Whatever happens, do not let the girl merge with the plant. If she does so, she will be imprisoned the same way I was. It is time for me, but I leave you with my life essence. Perhaps it can help stop the Daeldrios Plant before it's too late for Earth." Marcane slowly morphed into a shining ball of white light.
The light floating between her hands, Angie said, "Marcane, I promise… your death will not be in vain." After the light vanished, she looked at the others. "We've got to stop that plant before it gets to Ulene. Otherwise, she'll be in greater danger."
As that group left the scene, Angie contacted Ace by thought. Where are you?
While Cosmo confronted Ulene, Ace heard her telepathic message. We're at the corner of Emerson and Daxley. What's wrong?
We were able to stop Malkyrion, but I was right—he wasn't the cause of the trouble. Something called the Daeldrios Seed inhabited the body, but now it's heading for you and Ulene. By the time it gets to where you are, it will have grown into the Daeldrios Plant, and it will seek Ulene as its host body! Do not let it merge with her at all costs. We're on our way to meet you now.
I understand, Angie. We'll be on guard for that plant.
Cosmo continued trying to reason with his longtime friend. "Ulene, please, don't do this. We all care about you too much. Remember that time I was addicted to that Hardbeat music and couldn't control myself? Who went and contacted Ace for help? It was you. I've never forgotten that time. I could never forget what you did to help me. Now I want to return the favor and help you break free, get back to the Ulene I know and love as my friend."
"I…I remember that," said Ulene. "What am I doing?"
"You are doing as I say, my servant!" said a deep and groaning voice.
Tuxedo Mask gasped, "What was that?"
Vega looked to his right and said, "Oh, my God…"
From behind the trees emerged a gigantic plant, moving slowly towards where they were.
"That must be the Daeldrios Plant," said Ace.
"How do you know?" Vega asked, eyes widening as it got closer.
"Angie contacted me mentally and told me."
Ulene turned around and saw the large green plant. "Master?"
"Yes, my dear. I have come for the energy you have collected for me."
Sailor Moon spoke, "No! Ulene, don't give him that energy. It will only fuel his powers."
"That is not all I desire. I also need a new host body, as the one I had occupied for more than a thousand years is no longer of use to me. Join me, my servant, and I will give you everything you have ever wanted: the man you love, the strongest powers in the universe, and no one to stand in our way! We can conquer this world and claim it as our own. This is a chance for you to have revenge on those who have hurt your heart."
"You mean to tell me you were inside Malkyrion's body for more than a thousand years?"
"Of course. I need a host body to survive another millennium. Yours, so young and beautiful, would be perfect for me."
"Maybe I should—"
Suddenly, two young men ran out from the bushes and yelled, "No, Ulene! Don't!"
Ulene noticed them. "Spud? Stick? What are you guys doing here?"
"We're here to knock some sense into you," said Spud. "Ulene, we're your friends. We don't want to lose you to that thing."
"My…friends?"
"That's right. Real friends stick together through anything and everything. The Company of Wolves, remember? When we didn't know what we were doing, you were the one who kept a level head and realized something was wrong from the beginning."
Stick added, "What about Hotchkiss when he was falsely arrested? You were the first to contact Mr. Cooper for help in clearing him. Have you forgotten all that already?"
Angie and her friends arrived in the van and ran to the scene of the action to join the others. Angie said to her, "Ulene, let me tell you something. If you merge with the Daeldrios Plant, your soul will be imprisoned for at least 1000 years, and by the time you're freed, we'll all be dead. Is that what you really want?"
"What!? I'd be stuck in there for that long!?"
Sailor Jupiter walked up beside Angie. "Ulene, I know you don't like me that much, but all I want is to be your friend."
"Lita? You would stick up for me, despite how I feel about you and Cosmo?"
"It's like what your friend Spud said: Real friends stick together through it all. We all love you, Ulene."
"I don't understand. How can all of you love one person?"
Vega said, "It's called friendship, Ulene. It's one way to love. What did you think love was, just something romantic?"
"I… yeah."
Angie smiled. "I love Ace, Cosmo, and my friends. But do you see me doing anything romantic? Love isn't just about romance. Someone told me love is a freely given gift, but in order to love and be loved, the person you have to start loving is yourself. When I didn't acknowledge every part of myself, including my darkness, I nearly took someone's life when my anger and hatred exploded out of me. Both Cosmo and Lita know you're a bit jealous, but is it really jealousy?"
"Well—no. I was upset only because he didn't tell me as a friend."
"That's understandable," said Jupiter. "I guess everybody got so caught up with life the subject never came around."
The Daeldrios Plant became infuriated. "Do not listen to them! You will merge with me, you foolish child!"
Those last two words did not sit well with Ulene. She turned around and faced the plant. "You know, I don't mind the fact I was foolish, but I will not accept being called a child!" Her eyes glowed in red as she focused her dark powers to her hands. "You know what? I don't want any part of you, these stupid powers, or this trampy outfit I'm wearing! I hate it!" She blasted the plant with her full powers, which caused a recoil and sent her flying backwards. Fortunately, Spud, Stick, Cosmo, and Lita were all there to catch her as her outfit changed from the black dress back into her off-white outfit with her hair shortening considerably with the returning dreadlocks. The plant itself was pushed back by the incredible power unleashed by his former servant.
"Are you all right, Ulene?" asked Jupiter.
She looked at her and responded, "Yeah. I'm so sorry for what I did. I let him get the best of me."
"Ulene, emotions are a powerful thing," said Cosmo. "Believe me, we know."
The Daeldrios Plant, though, was barely fazed by her attack. "Foolish human! You have given me more power to destroy this planet! Now, this world will suffer!" Soon, vines were quickly sprouting towards the entire group.
Angie stood forward and placed her arms outward to her sides. "I wouldn't bet on that!" She created a barrier around herself and the others to protect them from the oncoming vines. Her eyes glowing brighter than ever, she yelled, "You will not have your way on our planet! We will not give up!" Suddenly, a separate light started surrounding Angie, which left the others in complete surprise.
"What's happening to Angela?" asked Helios in concern.
Ace concentrated on Angie's heart. "Her powers… just like three years ago in Japan. They're evolving again."
When the light faded, Angie looked at herself and noticed something different. "Wow! No more miniskirt and all blue this time." She turned around to face them. "What do you all think?"
Sailor Saturn smiled. "Angela, it seems your powers have grown once again because of your love and kindness."
"Yes, they have," said Ace. "It's a sign of your advancement as a magician. You are a training magician no more."
Angie smiled proudly. "Thank you, Ace. However, that doesn't mean we're finished here yet. We still have this plant to stop. Now it's time for all of us to come together." Angie made the ball of light appear between her hands once more. "This is Marcane's life essence. It's what we need now to defeat the Daeldrios Plant once and for all. To do this, we must look inside ourselves and find the strength within each one of us. Allow light and darkness to work together, for without the darkness, we can never make the journey to the light to begin with."
Everyone in the group started searching within themselves to find their true strength. Helios soon transformed into the Pegasus horse once more to play his role in this final stand.
Chibi-Moon heard a familiar voice inside herself, but it sounded more friendly. Hey, Rini. Remember me?
Wicked Lady?
Yeah, but this time, your darkness is working with you, not against you. Angela's right. Without me, you wouldn't have remembered the light. I won't take you over, Rini. I'm going to help you against the Daeldrios Plant.
Thanks, Wicked Lady. Darkness is important because it leads the way to the light.
Soon, each person found their own inner strength, including Vega. "I never knew how much strength I had inside myself."
Each of the Sailor Scouts, including Sailor Saturn, held hands together and felt their powers coming together at Saturn's Silence Glaive weapon. Sailor Moon, Sailor Chibi-Moon, and Tuxedo Mask took hands, and two wands mysteriously appeared in the girls' hands. Ace and Angie joined Cosmo, Ulene, Victor, Spud, Stick, and Vega in a group of hands. Zina soon joined them with her paws. Marcane's life essence floated in between them.
Angie felt the essence reaching out to her. "Gift of Marcane…enrich us all with your power."
The Daeldrios Plant laughed wickedly. "There is no power in the universe that can stop me from conquering your world!"
The ball of light floated above everyone and shone its light brightly among them.
"Mercury Crystal Power!"
"Mars Crystal Power!"
"Jupiter Crystal Power!"
"Venus Crystal Power!"
Sailor Saturn's glaive glowed brightly as she yelled, "Saturn Star Power!"
Ace, Angie, and their friends together shouted, "Magic Force, unite our powers!"
Sailors Moon and Chibi-Moon walked away from Tuxedo Mask and mounted onto Pegasus. Ace and Angie floated into the air with the strength of their friends guiding them. They lifted Sailor Saturn to help her with her Silence Glaive attack.
The Daeldrios Plant noticed this one team floating upward. "Unbelievable. You think that five humans and a flying horse will stop me? Let me see you try!" It soon shot more vines toward the group of six.
Ace and Angie concentrated together to create a stronger shield around their floating group. Sailor Moon and Sailor Chibi-Moon held up their identical weapons, the Kaleida Moon Scopes. The wands had unique wings which would sprout to the sides when used for the attack. As for Pegasus, the Golden Crystal shone brightly on his forehead. The group had all their powers at the ready.
In perfect unison, all the Scouts, Cosmo's friends, and the others shouted, "The powers of goodness and love shall prevail!"
Sailor Moon and Sailor Chibi-Moon used their Moon Scopes together. "Moon—Gorgeous—Meditation!"
"Silence Glaive Surprise!" yelled Sailor Saturn as she started swinging her glaive weapon.
Golden Crystal Power! Pegasus yelled by thought.
"Magic Force," Ace and Angie yelled together, "unite our powers…for our world!"
All six beings transformed together into one large ball of light and surged at the core of the Daeldrios Plant.
Somewhere within the ball, Angie loudly declared, "Begone, plant of evil, for your reign of terror ends NOW!"
The ball broke through the front and blasted its way out the back side.
"No! It cannot be!" screamed the plant. "The powers of light have proven – too strong for me! I cannot believe I have been defeated by ones who can trust the light and the darkness!"
When the ball landed on the ground safely, the six forms reemerged safely. Angie made one final statement to the plant. "Now, Daeldrios Plant, you understand that light and dark can work together when both are acknowledged as part of the soul!"
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" The Daeldrios Plant exploded all around the group, vines and leaves flying everywhere, but the plant had at last been destroyed, never to cause problems for the people of Earth ever again.
"It's done," said Angie. "The world is safe. The Daeldrios Plant is no more. Marcane can now finally rest in peace."
Pegasus quickly transformed back into his human form Helios. "Yes, he can, Angela. He is now safe among the heavens. The Daeldrios Plant is no longer a threat to Earth, or any other world."
Cosmo and Sailor Jupiter both looked at Ulene. "Listen, uh," said Cosmo, "I'm sorry for not telling you about Lita and me sooner. You still mad at us?"
Ulene shook her head. "No, I'm not. I'm just glad we can be friends. It took true friends to help me learn my jealousy was never real. That plant took advantage of me, and I hurt a lot of people for what I did with the powers it gave me."
Vega patted her shoulder. "Don't blame yourself, Ulene. The plant, as Malkyrion, decided you were the most vulnerable because of how you felt, but don't worry about anything, okay? Besides, I don't know how I'm going to file this report. I can't arrest you because you were coerced under Malkyrion's control. I guess the only option is not to file any charges against you. Besides, I'm not sure anyone else would've recognized you in what you were wearing."
"I don't ever want to see an awful dress like that again, not after what I nearly did in that dress."
Ace and the other five walked toward the rest of the group when Sailor Saturn started to disappear. "Sailor Saturn, what's happening to you?"
"My mission has been accomplished, Ace Cooper. I am no longer needed for now."
Chibi-Moon ran to where Saturn stood. "No, Saturn, don't go. Please…Hotaru."
"Hotaru is still an infant right now, Rini. I promise this: The next time there is a threat against Earth, I shall emerge again. Right now is not the time for me. Besides, with my power to destroy planets, this is for the best right now. Ace Cooper, Angela Jacobs. Continue to use your powers of magic as a force for goodness and love, and Angela, do not be afraid to show your anger when you need to."
"I will, Sailor Saturn. I hope we will meet again someday."
"Farewell, my friends. Take care of yourselves." Sailor Saturn soon disappeared into nothingness.
Helios also knew he completed the mission as well. "I must return to Elysian to guard the Golden Crystal. I am glad I was able to help save the world, with many old and some new friends."
Chibi-Moon hugged him tightly. "Will I ever see you again, Helios?"
"In your dreams, Rini. In your dreams." He transformed back into Pegasus and started flying high into the sky. Goodbye, my friends. May your world continue to have such courageous protectors.
"Farewell, Helios," said Ace. "Good luck on Elysian."
The entire group all looked at each other and realized they all worked together to save the world. "We did it?" asked Spud. "We actually did it? We saved Earth?"
Stick answered, "Yes, we did. Love can be shown in many different forms, and when they all come together, nothing can stop it."
Suddenly, a group of reporters ran onto the scene, with Sensa-News reporter Duke Paparazzo leading the charge. "Lieutenant Vega, what happened here tonight? There must've been something."
"Yes, Duke, there was something…an immeasurable force called love."
Ace, Angie, the Scouts, and all their friends left the corner of Emerson and Daxley in the two vans and returned to the Magic Express - except for Vega, who returned to police headquarters to consider just how to file the report to Senator Dobbs.
The cats all greeted them happily upon their arrival. "I knew you would all come back," said Luna excitedly. "You all destroyed the plant and ended the threat to Earth."
"We sure did," said Chibi-Moon who changed back into Rini. "We all did it together."
Serena added, "Yes, we did. It took every one of us here to do it, including Ulene."
Ulene blushed. "I helped – a little."
Cosmo took Ulene into his arms. "C'mon, Ulene. You were just as much a help as the rest of us, and we all did it together."
When Lita changed back to herself, she added, "Ulene, listen, um, is it okay for us to be friends?"
"I – I'd like that, Lita. Really. I know it's you and Cosmo that are meant to be. My jealousy was for nothing. I hope you can forgive me for—"
"Ulene, it wasn't your fault. The Daeldrios took advantage of your emotions, and he tricked you. You were under his spell, that's all."
"I still feel bad about it, though." Ulene walked away from the rest of the group and left the Magic Express.
Lita said to Angie. "I know you're an empathic mage, but could you tell what Ulene's feeling right now?"
"Sorry, Lita, but being an empathic mage only lets my emotions guide the power. However, I can understand how she's feeling right now. It's not we who can forgive Ulene. It's Ulene who must be able to forgive herself. What happened to her in one night could take a very long time for her to heal. She will have a difficult process, and I fear she'll try to face this all by herself, like I did with the deaths of my parents for so long."
Victor walked over to his girlfriend and put an arm around her shoulders. "Angie, what's the matter? We destroyed the Daeldrios Plant and saved the world."
"Yes, we did, but Ulene seems unable to forgive herself…"


THE END…of this story, anyway.



This mega-story is now over, but the saga continues because Serena and her friends still have more than 1 ½ weeks left in their vacation in Electro City. Ulene feels she cannot be forgiven for what she did to her friends, though. Find out what Ulene tries to do in the first of six (yes, I said SIX) tag stories, coming soon.