Shades of Gray
A Sailor Moon Fanfic
By: Aaron Nowack

Chapter 15: Shiva

"United we stand, divided we fall."

- saying



Disclaimer: Sailor Moon is owned by Naoko Takeuchi, whose creative talents far exceed my most humble own. Distribution and other rights to Sailor Moon belong to lots of different companies that I do not own. I make or imply no claim to ownership of Sailor Moon or its characters. However, the text of this fanfic is mine, and should not be used without permission. Thank you.


It was a familiar sight. It did not look magnificent, not in the way that the ancient Moon Palace had, but it still conveyed a feeling of power. If its design lacked in splendor, it was due only to a deficit of desire, not resources or power. Black stone walls surrounded it, each massive stone block enchanted with powerful protective magics. Even at the height of the wars following Beryl's death, when Mordrangar and Scalae had warred over the surrounding wastelands, no army had dared to attempt to take this stronghold from the handful of diehard loyalists who held it.

Jadeite's frown deepened as he took in the sight. Once this palace had been Beryl's. After that, it had been his, but now it had been stolen from him. Even from this distance, he could tell that he could no longer claim to control this place. Above the dark steel gates, a number of fresh heads were spiked, heads that had belonged to foes of Ishamanar and Nyxan.

A curse escaped Jadeite's lips as he thought of the two Overlords. He should have realized their treacherous intent long ago. They had been far too eager to set aside their apparent hatred in the face of Mordrangar's invasion. It was a little bit humbling, to think that they had managed to fool him for so long and so well. After their service in the war with Mordrangar, he had even come to trust them. That trust had been betrayed, and Jadeite swore that there would be a reckoning for it.

In the back of his mind, Jadeite realized that vengeance was unlikely. His body was a mass of terrible burns, and it was only through sheer willpower that he remained on his feet. He was already working at healing his wounds, but there was only so much he could do without time and security, both of which were in short supply.

Yet, even were he at full strength, a part of him feared he would fail in the task of assaulting the palace alone. He could feel a new, yet somehow familiar power radiating from the castle, a darkness he could not hope to triumph against. This had to be the source of the power surge. But what was it? He felt as though he ought to recognize it, but however desperately he searched his memories, he could not.

He cautiously probed the palace's magical defenses, and was relieved to sense that Ishamanar had not yet changed them. He knew these defenses inside and out; indeed he had created a fair number of them himself, over the millennia this palace had been his home. He should be able to get into the castle without triggering any, but where to go? It would do no good to simply appear in the throne room, not in the state he was in.

It took him only a moment to decide. His chambers had to be the best place. From there he could use the monitoring spells he had created to survey the situation, and hopefully there was less chance of being spotted.

As Jadeite vanished from the hilltop overlooking the palace, another figure appeared in his place. Scalae frowned. The wards on the palace would prevent her from following Jadeite any further, unless she wanted to risk an all-out magical assault. More troubling was the dark energy every part of the palace was emanating. Whatever was causing it had more raw power than herself, and that was a truly frightening thought.

After a moment, Scalae too vanished. She had preparations to make, and most likely not too much time to make them.



"Welcome." Pluto's voice echoed through Castle Charon's teleportation chamber even before the new arrivals had taken stock of their surroundings. "I am glad that you are all here." It had at times been far too likely that the Senshi would suffer another casualty, but at least that had not come to pass, even if many of her other fears had.

When the other Senshi had recovered from the disorientation of their teleportation, Sailor Moon spoke. "The Champions are coming here."

"I know." Pluto's voice was calm. "They seek to break the Great Seal. If they succeed, it would be catastrophic."

"Do you know what they plan?" Sailor Mercury asked. "Mamoru, he said -"

Pluto interrupted her. "They plan to use the Great Seal to free the ancient rebel fleet." She paused. "When that is done, they will take it to Earth, and deliver an ultimatum."

Sailor Uranus's eyes narrowed. "What do they plan to demand?"

Pluto met the other Outer Senshi's eyes. "They will demand that the Gates of Time be sealed and I turned over to them. If the demand is not met, they will destroy a city, and keep on doing so until you capitulate." Murmurs of shock and disbelief came from the other Senshi, but Pluto continued. "That is why we must stop them now. We must end this today."

After a moment, Sailor Moon nodded. "All right."

Pluto smiled. "Follow me." She turned and led the other Senshi out of the room and through the castle, through ancient halls that seemed more than half-familiar to the other Senshi. As they walked, Pluto spoke. "The Great Seal is in the main courtyard with the Gates of Time. There are eleven entrances, one for each planet and Luna. You will each have to enter through the appropriate one to get through the defenses." Pluto frowned. "I had planned to stop the Champions in the Halls."

"But?" Mercury asked.

"It would be best to show you," Pluto replied as she stopped in front of a set of black double doors with the sigil of Pluto marked in ivory upon them. As they swung open, Pluto continued, "The other halls are laid out in a circle around the courtyard. I will meet you inside." Without further word, she stepped inside the dark hallway and vanished as the doors swung shut behind her.

Uranus sighed. "All right. Mercury is the next on the right, and they go in order from there." Uranus began to walk left.

"How do you know that?" Sailor Jupiter asked, puzzled.

"We've been here before," Neptune replied as she followed Uranus.

When the Senshi regathered inside the courtyard, Pluto was standing atop the Great Seal's dais. Sailor Moon let out an almost silent gasp as she saw the tiny, dark crack running through the Seal.

Pluto smiled grimly. "This is why we cannot risk defending the Halls. Were the Seal whole, it would take most, perhaps even all the Champions to break the wards around the rebel fleet, and if we could stop but one or two in the Halls, we would win." She paused, weighing her next words carefully. "As it is, I fear that it might only take one or two of them to accomplish it."

"So rather try and win seven battles, you would risk it all on one," Mercury stated, and Pluto silently nodded in response.

Venus giggled nervously. "Just like always, then. We've done this before."

"But not with the stakes so high," Uranus said.

Sailor Moon suddenly took a step forward, onto the dais. "It's so close," she said, shuddering. "It's already here."

"What -" Mars began, but she stopped as a light began to glow from Sailor Moon's brooch. Pluto stepped off the dais, eyes wide.

"So close," Sailor Moon muttered as knelt in the center of the Great Seal, plucking the Ginzuishou from her brooch. In an instant, a cocoon of silver light formed around her as her eyes shut. A low hum began to fill the courtyard, and Sailor Moon did not respond to the Senshi when they called to her.

"What... what's happening?" Mars finally said, but none of the others ventured an answer.

After a moment, Jupiter asked, "What now?"

Pluto's gloved hands caressed her staff as she seated herself by the Gates of Time. "We wait for the Champions."



The door to Nyxan's chambers swung open. "Jadeite's here."

Nyxan bolted up from his desk. "What? Are you sure?"

Ishamanar grimaced. "Well, someone just triggered every alarm we set up in his chambers. I told you it was a mistake for you to come here!"

Nyxan growled, then calmed himself. "Drop it. Arguing over that won't do any good now." After a moment Ishamanar nodded, and the two left the chamber. "What do we do now?"

Ishamanar angrily slammed one of his fists into the dark wall, cracking the stone. "I don't know. We haven't planned for this, not now."

"We'll have to guard the sanctum," Nyxan said. "We can't let him get there."

"You're right. You do that. I'll gather my soldiers and to try and stop him before he gets that far. We don't have to hold long. Asphara should be coming here with the last of the energy." Ishamanar suddenly grinned fiercely. "This is it. All or nothing."

Nyxan nodded, his narrow eyes glowing a soft red. "You're right. This is the last battle." With another nod, he darted off down a side corridor.

Ishamanar moved only slightly slower as he burst into the throne room, shouting orders. It took only a handful of minutes for youma to fill the hall. He quickly ordered detachments to guard all the other Overlords, and their retinues. It wouldn't do for hidden loyalists to rise up at this point.

As alarms began to sound, Ishamanar took the best of the remaining youma and sent them up the narrow spiral stairs that led to Jadeite's chambers, atop the highest tower in the palace. Jadeite's return was only a minor problem. Victory was so near he could almost taste it.



"This is it." Ares glanced over the deserted park. It had an eerie feel, cloaked in shadows cast by the early morning sun, just barely peeking out from the tops of the building surrounding the small patch of nature.

"So it is," Zeus muttered. "Are we sure about this?"

Hades nodded. "We have no other choice. If we hit Pluto now, we can end this war in one swift stroke."

"There may be other ways," Zeus said.

Medea frowned. "And there may not be."

Zeus was silent a moment, but then he spoke again. "I know at least one solution," he said in a voice barely above a whisper.

Poseidon's eyes blazed. "Surrender, you mean?" he said, his own voice nearly a yell.

Aphrodite shifted uncomfortably, looking at her brother. "Negotiation," she said after a moment.

"It is far too late for that," Hermes said. "It has been too late since Vulcan's Gap."

"That was ten thousand years ago," Zeus said.

"We cannot negotiate," Ares said. "Remember why we are taking this course in the first place. Pluto must be stopped. We've seen what can result from that sort of meddling before. There can be no negotiation on that, and the Senshi will not yield her."

After a long moment, Aphrodite nodded. "You are right." Her brother echoed her a moment later.

"So, are we ready?" Hades asked.

"I think so," Hermes said.

"No." Zeus's voice was quiet, yet it sounded as loud as a gunshot. "There is one more thing we must do."

"What?" Medea asked impatiently.

"We have put off this decision far too long. We must know what we plan to do before we leave." Zeus paused. "Will we do it? Will we turn the fleet on Terra?" He looked straight at Ares.

"We agreed to wait until we had the fleet to decide," Poseidon said angrily.

Zeus's gaze did not leave Ares. "I want to know now. If you would, I want no part of it."

Shocked silence greeted this statement, until Aphrodite spoke. "Nor I." Silence then returned for some time, and the sun inched further up in the sky.

Medea suddenly walked over to stand beside Zeus. "I will not, either."

Hades looked torn, but Poseidon exploded. "Damn it, I would!" He paused, collecting himself. "Either we are right in this, or we are wrong. If we are wrong, we should not be doing this at all. If we are right, to hold back so close to victory would be to betray all our oaths."

"We swore to defend the defenseless, not to kill them!" Aphrodite retorted.

Hermes sighed. "It is my plan. I suppose I must stand for it."

Hades's eyes hardened. "As do I. I hate this, but... I cannot see a better path." His fists clenched tightly. "I pray it does not come to that."

All gazes turned towards Ares, who still stood between the two groups. Zeus's stare seemed to bore into the Champion of Mars. "Well, Deinas," Zeus said quietly, "it comes to you."

Ares was silent.

Zeus growled. "Decide, damn you, Deinas!"

Ares clenched his fists, glaring back Zeus. "What kind of monster do you think I am, Gladian, to easily make such a decision? If I choose one way, I might bring terrible destruction, but perhaps save the world from something worse. Another way, and though their blood will not be on my hands, I may doom those I spared to that same thing."

Zeus's eyes softened slightly, but when he spoke he said, "You must decide, just as you did before... Betrayer of Peace."

Ares twitched. "I never thought I would hear that name from one of my own brothers," he said, half-growling the words. Behind him, Hermes winced.

"You wish another title? Then decide, and earn it!"

Ares shuddered, and lowered his head. "We will not," he whispered. "We cannot do it. Not without becoming the same thing we seek to fight. We will threaten it, but if the Senshi do not capitulate we will... we will have to find another way. So shall it stand, until all are one."

Zeus smiled. "Then I am content. Until all are one."

Even those who had voted for the plan seemed relieved. After another moment, Poseidon spoke. "The majority rules. Until all are one."

A moment later, the other Champions had echoed the ancient oath as well, and a moment after that, the park was empty.



Jadeite smiled as he heard footsteps echoing from the stairwell below his chambers. He had not chosen these rooms simply for the symbolism of living atop the entire palace. The fact that they were easily defensible had also played more than a small role in that decision.

He flexed his arms, and smiled as he felt only the slightest pain. The spells he were using were dangerous: when they ran out his many wounds would return, worse then ever. Most likely he would die then, but it would grant him enough time to see the traitors dead as well. Flames gathered in Jadeite's hands. There was no point in conserving energy now, no reason to hold back.

A fierce grin on his face, Jadeite burst out the door of his chambers, spraying flame down the stairwell. Screams came back up to meet him and he smiled even wider as he began to race down the stairs. It was time for vengeance.

His first attack had not killed all of the enemy youma, of course. Calling a sword of fire to his hands, Jadeite cut down the first youma he met with one swift blow. He was past the next few before they could react, and he paused to half turn and send a burst of fire at them with his free hand.

An insectile youma flew at him, pale green light gathering in one clawed hand. Jadeite's fire sword severed that hand, and an instant later the youma's head. Jadeite was out of sight before the youma's dissolving body had hit the floor.

A burst of flame sped towards Jadeite as he reached the bottom of the stairs, and Jadeite blocked it with one gloved hand as he stopped at the entrance to the throne room. He smiled as he saw who had sent it on its way. "You will pay for betraying me," Jadeite said, the first words he had spoken since he arrived at the palace.

Ishamanar laughed, flexing his four arms. "You will try to make me pay, you mean."

Jadeite laughed as well. "I have always been stronger than you, Overlord. Even without the Flame Diamond." Jadeite smiled and raised his free hand. "Soul Flame!"

The firebolt evaporated as it hit the youma Overlord, and Ishamanar smiled. "You are not strong enough, human. Great Metallia protects me."

Jadeite hesitated. "What?"

As Jadeite paused, Ishamanar leapt forward and struck Jadeite with a powerful blow, sending him flying back up the stairs. "Pathetic," the youma said with yet another laugh.

Jadeite growled as he rose, his sword vanishing. "You think so? Try this!" Jadeite snarled as he focused all his power. He had never attempted this without the Diamond, and never would have, if he had any plans to survive. "Hellfire!"

White flame poured from Jadeite's outstretched hands and covered his foe. Ishamanar began to scream, stumbling back under the assault. Yet as he fell, the fire died down and Jadeite collapsed, unable to finish the spell. For a moment the two were still.

Jadeite rose first, and slowly made his way over to the Overlord. "Underestimating me was the last mistake you'll ever make," Jadeite said he touched Ishamanar's forehead with one finger. He hoped he had enough strength left to pull this off. "Inciner -"

A sudden bolt of dark lightning hurled Jadeite away. Asphara hovered protectively over her consort, crackling darkness in one hand and a globe of energy in the other.

Ishamanar rose, and smiled as he saw Asphara. "You succeeded," he said.

Asphara laughed. "Did you ever doubt I would?"

"Never. Where is Orinas?"

Asphara shrugged. "When I left Terra, he was fighting one of the Champions."

"A pity. He was a strong warrior. Now, then," Ishamanar replied, chuckling deeply as he paused and turned to Jadeite. "Now to finish you... your majesty."

The whole palace rang like a bell. Ishamanar's eyes widened. "Someone's attacking the wards." He closed his eyes a moment. "Scalae!" he gasped, real fear suddenly in his voice.

He turned away from Jadeite's fallen form. "Quickly," he told Asphara. "We have to get to the sanctum." His consort nodded, and the two quickly vanished, leaving Jadeite alone in the throne room. He began to rise, just as Scalae's first youma began to teleport in.

Far below the throne room, in the dark room that housed Metallia's chrysalis, a figure stirred from where it had lain against the far wall. It stood on legs that no longer shook, and it purposely walked over to the altar. It paused a moment, then slowly took up its weapon, gazing sightlessly at its dull reflection in the metal.

And Metallia's silent laughter sounded in its deaf ears.



Mamoru shuddered in his bed. He winced as the wound in his chest throbbed slightly. Usagi was in danger, and he was stuck here, unable to help. He could feel something terrible, something dark that resonated in his inner being. It was so terribly familiar, so horrible. And he could do nothing.

Damn it! It seemed that whenever it really mattered, he couldn't help her. He could feel, deep in his soul, the terrible danger that surrounded her. Every part of him cried out to leap from the bed, to race to her side. Yet he could not.

He weakly fingered the blood-stained bandages that covered his chest. He knew that his wound was healing far faster than any normal human's would. Yet when his fingers brushed it, his world still exploded in pain. In another day it might be healed enough for him to fight, but he did not have a day.

He started as he heard a scratching at the window. As he turned his head to look at it, the window slowly raised itself, and he smiled weakly as he saw a feline head peek in over the windowsill. "Hey, Luna," he said in a voice not far above a whisper.

"Me too," Artemis said as he joined Luna on the windowsill.

"Come on in," Mamoru said, and the two cats quickly took his advice.

Luna leapt onto the bed and walked up to Mamoru's face. "How are you doing?"

Mamoru's weak smile faded. "Not good." He looked away, absently slamming his fist into the bed. "It hurts," he whispered.

"Well, that's to be expected, I suppose," Artemis replied.

"No, not that," Mamoru said. "I know Usagi's in trouble, but I can't help her!"

"She'll be all right." Luna's quiet voice was calm.

Mamoru sighed. "I hope so. Just before... she told me that she was hearing voices."

"What?" Luna asked.

"She didn't tell you? She said that she could feel something evil coming. Something that knew her and hated her." Mamoru paused. "I can feel it now too."

"Like a darkness at the back of your mind?" Artemis asked.

"You feel that too?" Luna asked.

"Do you?" Artemis said.

Luna paused. "I think it is the same, yes. I thought I was just nervous." She paused. "It feels so... familiar. I can't quite place it."

"It does, doesn't it?" Mamoru paused. "Oh God, no!" he said, and suddenly started to rise, nearly throwing Luna from the bed.

"Calm down!" Luna said. "What's wrong?"

"Can't you tell?!" Mamoru replied, throwing off the sheets. "It's her!"

"Her? Who?" Artemis asked.

Luna's eyes widened. "It's just like... Metallia!"

"Metallia! She's dead!" Artemis's voice was panicked.

"Got to... warn.. Usagi," Mamoru said as he sat up. "She won't be... ready..." Mamoru suddenly collapsed back onto the bed, unconscious.

The two cats wordlessly looked at each other for a moment, then Luna hit the call button next to the bed with one paw and raced out the window. Artemis quickly followed.

When they were a safe distance away, he asked, "What do we do now?"

Luna stopped and sighed. "What can we do?"

"Nothing." Artemis didn't like the answer one bit, but it didn't make it any less true. "Nothing but hope."



The Champion's swords were ready the instant they arrived at Castle Charon. A brief surge of magical energy poured at them as they triggered a trap, but they were prepared for the possibility and easily weathered it.

"I'll scout ahead," Medea said when it became apparent that there were no other traps. Her suggestion was met with nods from the other Champions and she slipped out of the teleportation chamber, followed a short while later by the rest.

They made their way swiftly through the corridors, not surprised by the lack of resistance. There were too many ways for them to get from the teleport chamber to the courtyard for Pluto to risk defending any of them. They knew where she would make her stand.

When the Champions reached the circular hallway that surrounded the courtyard, they paused in front of their respective doors. Poseidon laughed nervously. "Are we ready?"

Beside him Hades smiled. "As ready as I'll ever be." His hands tightened on the hilt of his sword. Most likely Pluto was waiting for him behind the dark doors before him. The last time he had faced her here, he had lost, even with Chronus's aid. And now Chronus would never aid him again.

After a moment, Ares spoke in a loud voice that was heard all down the hallway. "Now!" As one the Champions burst through the doors, and as one they halted, ready for any attack. Then they stood still, surprised at the lack of resistance. The Halls were the best chance to stop them. Why would Pluto abandon them?

After another moment, the Champions simultaneously rushed into the courtyard. A barrage of magical attacks met them, but they were ready for it, and avoided any serious damage.

Ares rose from the ground where he had thrown himself to avoid a Burning Mandala. "This is your last chance," he said. "Stand aside, give us Pluto, and nobody has to get hurt."

Sailor Pluto glanced at the Champion. "You think I would give up that easily?"

Ares's face was grim. "No. But I hope others of you might be more reasonable."

Uranus unsheathed her Space Sword. "After what you have planned? Hardly." She launched herself at Ares, who barely raised his sword in time to deflect the blow.

The courtyard exploded into a storm of magic. Venus's Love Me Chain swept out like an impossibly long whip, knocking Aphrodite and Hermes from their feet. Before they could rise, Sailor Jupiter had hit them both with a powerful Sparkling Wide Pressure. As she prepared a second ball of electricity, Zeus leapt in front of her, forcing her back with one sweep of his crackling sword.

Hades, meanwhile, raced straight for Pluto, his sword glowing a pale, ethereal white. Pluto easily caught the blade on her staff, then nearly swept her foe off his feet with it. Hades struck again; yet once more Pluto effortlessly blocked and counterattacked, this time scoring a light blow to the Champion's shoulder.

Sailor Mercury launched a Shabon Spray that covered half the courtyard in thick fog. Under this cover, Mars and Neptune pummeled Poseidon and Hermes with their attacks. Yet even as they did so, Medea suddenly appeared behind Mercury and knocked her to the ground with a swift blow of her dark blade.

Medea turned, smiling. No one stood between her and the Seal. She leapt up on to the dais, frowning as she observed both the thin crack and Sailor Moon's still, glowing form. She cautiously approached the kneeling princess. After a moment's hesitation, she struck as she heard Mercury rising behind her and beginning to shout a warning.

The explosion that resulted when her blade struck the silver aura sent her flying backwards, hitting Mercury and sending her tumbling back to the ground.



Nyxan frowned as the alarms began to sound, and the music of battle began to come from the upper stories of the palace. There was far too much fighting for just Jadeite. Someone else was attacking. He slowly rose from where he sat against the door to Metallia's sanctum. Who could it be?

He received his answer as a woman appeared before him in a burst of flame, and he nearly froze in fear as he saw her solid red eyes. Scalae.

"Yes." Until the Dragon replied, Nyxan did not realize he had spoken aloud. "Stand aside, youma, and I will allow you to live, and serve me."

Nyxan took up a fighting stance. "I am Nyxan, Fire Dragon, and you may not pass. I stood against Mordrangar, and I will stand against you too."

"I heard you were dead," Scalae replied with a smile. "No matter." She gestured and flames engulfed Nyxan. "What a waste," she stated as she stepped forward, only to stop as Nyxan began to laugh.

The youma Overlord strode, unharmed from the fire. "You will not defeat me like that, Dragon." Darkness gathered in Nyxan's hands. "Shadow Bolt!"

Scalae raised her hand to block the attack, but was shocked yet again as the bolt of dark energy leapt past it and struck her full on. She stumbled back, but was not truly hurt. "You surprise me, youma. But that will not be enough." White fire poured from her hands, and it was Nyxan's turn to be forced back.

The youma growled as he raised a shield to force the fire to either hand. "I said... you may not pass!" With a sweep of his hand he sent a wall of darkness racing towards the Dragon, who merely smirked and summoned a fire aura that the darkness shattered itself upon.

Scalae stepped forward. "Oh, but I will pass. And you... will die." Fire so white it was painful to look at began to gather in her hands.

Nyxan frowned, feeling the power the Dragon was gathering. He could not stand against it, even with the strength he was drawing from his goddess. One last shot, then. "Shadow... Storm!" All his energy erupted from his body in a tornado of darkness that swept towards the Dragon. The youma Overlord sank to his knees, smiling as he heard Scalae screech in pain.

The smile faded as his final attack vanished, and she rose and began to stalk towards him. "That... was painful, youma," the Dragon snarled. "I admit that. For that, you have earned some measure of respect... and an equally painful death." Fire rippled off of Scalae's body, and Nyxan was forced to avert his eyes.

A bat-winged figure leapt out of the shadows and tackled the Dragon. In an instant, Scalae had tossed her attacker aside to fly against the wall with a sickening thud. The Dragon frowned as she walked over to Nyxan's now-unconscious form. The doorway the youma had been guarding was now cracked open. Someone must have slipped through in the brief moment she was distracted.

Not wasting time to finish Nyxan off, Scalae entered the room, only to stop in mixed horror and longing at the sight that awaited her. A four-armed youma - Jadeite's general Ishamanar, a part of her mind told her - knelt before an altar, offering a massive globe of energy to a monstrous chrysalis.

As the energy began to pour into the cocoon, Scalae screamed in pure terror and unleashed her flame.



For the third time in a day, a low chime sounded in Castle Charon's teleportation chamber. It was an automatic response spell, cast millennia ago by the Silver Millennium's magi to warn people to clear the chamber in preparation for arrivals. However, now there was no one to hear it.

The figure appeared in a flare of darkness, and somewhere deep in the castle an ancient alarm sounded, but none heard it either. The figure walked forward with a steady gait, passing without noticing layer upon layer of wards and shields. Were the figure a youma or other demon, it would have been struck down a thousand times already by the automated defenses.

As the figure shattered the chamber's doors with one blow of its weapon, it hesitated. Memories upon memories were sorted and discarded, until the hidden, long-forgotten one that was needed was found. As suddenly as it had stopped, the figure resumed its steady walk, threading its way through the castle's labyrinthine corridors.

Were any present to observe the figure's process, a number of oddities might have been noticed. It walked in a perfectly straight line, each step covering the same distance. It did not look from side to side, its blank eyes remaining fixed straight ahead. The only sound it made was the sound of its footsteps and its slow, steady breathing.

The figure stopped as it reached a set of double doors, colored a dark purple with the sigil of Saturn marked upon them in nearly indistinguishable black. An instant later, the doors swung open and the figure stepped into the hallway. It ignored both the doors as they shut behind it and the painting of Saturn as seen from Titan that hung against one of the short corridor's walls, yet when it reached the second set of doors it hesitated for a moment.

Then those doors too opened before it, and the figure displayed a new behavior. It raced forward into the courtyard, ignoring the battle that raged around it. As the combatants began to notice the new arrival, it leapt into air, quickly reaching an impossible height, whirling its weapon around with incredible speed and leveling it at the Great Seal.

Below the figure, Sailor Moon's eyes snapped open and she raised the Ginzuishou. Silver light poured up from her hands, racing towards the figure, which hung motionless in the air. Moments before the light reached the figure, its weapon snapped back into a defensive position.

"Silence wall." The flat whisper echoed through the suddenly silent courtyard. The silver light slammed into the shield, pouring over and beneath it, but none struck home. As the light exhausted itself, Sailor Moon slumped over, the Ginzuishou still clutched tight in her hands.

Her eyes flat and her face emotionless, Sailor Saturn once again leveled the Silence Glaive at Sailor Moon and the Seal that lay beneath her. "Silence glaive surprise."

And the Great Seal shattered.



Loriel, Water Dragon of the East, reclined on his throne. Matters were proceeding quite nicely. Whatever had caused that troubling magical surge was quiet, and the war, such as it was, was delivering success after success. Yes, things were going very nicely indeed. Better than he had ever dared hoped it might.

One of his Overlords was currently prostrating himself before him. Loriel gestured for the youma to rise, straightening himself. "You have news from the front?" the Dragon asked.

"Yes, great one," the Overlord replied as he rose. "Your armies have reached the Mountains of Desolation, and are preparing to strike into the Usurper's heartland."

Loriel smiled. "That is good news. And Jadeite has mounted no resistance?"

The Overlord shook his head. "No, my lord. His dogs do not dare to face us, and Mordrangar's former servants now rally to your banner."

Loriel knew his Overlord was exaggerating somewhat. A number of the survivors of Mordrangar's Overlords had joined him, true, but the majority were staying holed up in their own keeps, hoping to be left alone. Even if the entire Northlands was now nominally under his control, his reach was truly limited for the most part to the ground on which his armies stood. Given enough time, though, that would change.

"That is good," he said. "Tell my generals to -"

The Overlord blinked in puzzlement as Loriel stopped speaking and half-rose, aqua eyes distant and hands clutching his throne's armrests. "What is it, my lord?"

Loriel ignored the Overlord, instead teleporting away in a swirl of water. He frowned as he took in his new location. A dark hallway, like countless others in the Dark Kingdom. Had he miscalculated the new surge's location? No, he could feel it still, not far away.

Loriel stepped forward, and almost tripped over a body. A female youma, still alive, though barely. Not far away, in a half-open doorway lay a youma that matched the descriptions of Jadeite's general Nyxan, in similar condition. Loriel prepared to enter the chamber, only to stop out of the footsteps sounded behind him.

The Dragon whirled around to see Jadeite himself lurching out of the darkness, in a state only slightly better than the unconscious youma. Loriel smiled, and with less than a thought summoned a burst of water to pummel the former General. Jadeite screamed, and flames formed around him, turning the water to steam.

Loriel raised an eyebrow in surprise. The human had not seemed capable of resisting. Jadeite took a step forward, then suddenly collapsed, and Loriel smiled once more. It took only a glance to see that the human was not dead, but before Loriel could finish him off, the door swung fully open.

The Water Dragon took a step back at the sight that appeared before him. Scalae stumbled out of the chamber, and though she did not appear to be physically wounded it seemed to him as though she too was close to passing out. Loriel frowned, and a ball of water formed in his hand.

Scalae straightened herself slightly, leaning on the doorpost for support. "Do not," she stated quietly.

Curious, Loriel allowed his attack to vanish unlaunched. "And why not, Fire Dragon?"

"You are bid to enter, Water Dragon," Scalae said, stepping away from the doorway.

Truly puzzled, Loriel stepped inside. Almost instantaneously, his look of confusion vanished to be replaced with one of mixed fear and adoration. A moment later, the fear too vanished, and Loriel knelt.

"My Queen."



Castle Charon was gone. That was the first thought in almost all the Senshi and Champion's minds as they stirred. The inner courtyard now floated in a sea of darkness, in which could be seen, if one looked hard enough, pulsing, malignant lights. By coincidence, or perhaps by some being's design, the explosion had sent the Champions to one side of the courtyard and the Senshi to the other.

Over the shallow crater that had once been the Great Seal, Sailor Saturn floated stilly, surrounded by an aura of flickering dark purple and black light. Her face was utterly emotionless, and there was no sign that she either recognized or cared about the people strewn over the courtyard below her. The Silence Glaive glinted menacingly in her hands, seeming to shine with an unholy light of its own.

Almost as soon as they had risen, the Champions hurled themselves at Saturn, wordless, primal screams of rage and terror emerging from their throats. Sailor Uranus clenched her sword tight, and seemed halfway to racing forward herself, though whether to stop or aid the Champions even she could not say. She was decided a moment later when Sailor Moon leapt up.

"No! Don't hurt her!" she yelled, but the Champions showed know signs of stopping their charge.

The instant the first Champion reached the crater, Sailor Saturn, who had watched all this motionlessly, reacted. The Silence Glaive whirled about with impossible speed. "Silence glaive surprise."

Ares growled as the force of the blast knocked him and the other Champions back, yet a part of him was surprised. The attack had been far short of its full power. If it had not been, he might have been unconscious or dead. As he rose, the question played on his mind: was Saturn... playing with them?

"Spread out!" he yelled. "Don't let her catch us together again!"

"Silence wall."

Ares could feel the energy wall in front of him, pinning the Champions on their side of the courtyard. He had been right... she was playing with them. But why?

On the other side of the courtyard, Sailor Moon raised the Ginzuishou. Silver light poured from the crystal, washing over Saturn. The Senshi of Silence did not even seem to notice, instead floating closer to where she had pinned the Champions. Slowly, the light faded away, and Sailor Moon fell to her knees exhausted.

Someone laughed. "She is mine now, Princess."

"Who -" Sailor Moon's question was interrupted by a second laugh.

A figure emerged from the darkness that surrounded the courtyard, though shadows clung to it like cobwebs. The Senshi fell into a defensive stance around Sailor Moon as the figure advanced, shadows falling away from its now obviously female form. "So, at long last we meet again, Princess," it said, mirth evident, as it took another step forward.

"Dead Scream!" Pluto uncharacteristically shouted her attack, pure panic obvious in her voice. The figure raised one elegant hand and the energy ball reversed course before it even reached her, hitting Pluto and knocking her back against the Silence Wall, where she lay still.

Sailor Moon rose. "You... you... I killed you!"

Even as the Senshi exchanged puzzled glances, the figure laughed, continuing to advance on Sailor Moon. "You slew Beryl, Princess. Not I."

Mercury's eyes suddenly widened. "Metallia!"

Metallia laughed. "You just guessed, Ice Senshi?" The shadows that still hung across her body began to fall away even faster than before.

As her figure became more clear, Ares gasped in sudden, horrified recognition. Behind him he heard Aphrodite mutter, "Oh, gods no," a sentiment he fully agreed with. He hurled himself forward, only to scream in frustration as he hit Saturn's invisible wall.

"Damn it!" he yelled. "Damn you, face us! We're the ones you want!"

"Oh, your turn will come, Champion," Metallia said. "But not quite yet." She looked up at Saturn's motionless, floating form, a smile evident on her still-shrouded lips. "But until then... Hotaru... kill."

For the first time some sign of sentience showed itself on Saturn's face, as her lips twisted into a feral grin. The Silence Wall suddenly vanished. An instant later, Saturn was among the Champions, Silence Glaive swinging out in a deadly arc. Ares caught the first strike on his sword, but a sweep with the unbladed end of the glaive soon knocked him off his feet.

Metallia took a final step forward, and the last shadows fell from her. As they did so, the Senshi took a step back in unison. Metallia was strikingly beautiful, and the black dress she wore did little to hide this. Her long raven hair was done in a style that Sailor Moon found far too familiar for comfort, and Metallia's pale blue eyes stared out from an aristocratic face. And upon her forehead shone a small, golden crescent moon.

Sailor Moon shrank back. "Who are you?"

Pluto began to rise. "She's -"

"Silence." A burst of darkness flung from Metallia's hand, which Pluto barely dodged. "I can answer for myself, girl. I am Metallia." A mocking smile formed on the dark goddess's lips. "But once I was called Serenity, daughter of Serenity, Queen of the Moon Kingdom and sovereign of the Golden Millennium. And, my most unworthy successor, it is time for me to reclaim my throne."

Sailor Moon stepped forward, past the line of Senshi. "You will not." The Ginzuishou shone in her hand.

Metallia laughed. "Your magic cannot save you, Princess. The Ginzuishou cannot save you. Nothing can save you."

Sailor Moon ignored her. "Everyone?" she asked, looking to both sides at the other Senshi.

"We're ready," Mars said as Pluto stumbled back into the line.

Sailor Moon nodded, and once again raised the Ginzuishou. As she did, her uniform rippled, becoming the familiar white dress as she became Princess Serenity. Energy poured into her from the other Senshi, and she focused it through the Ginzuishou, strengthening it a thousand times until she hurled it at Metallia.

The dark goddess extended both her arms, and a torrent of darkness poured from them to block the attack. And in the air between the two Serenity's, darkness and light began to war.



It was a dance. An extraordinarily deadly dance, but it was a dance none the less. Sailor Saturn was vastly outnumbered, yet she fought with a total unconcern for defense, the Silence Glaive continuously striking out and changing directions. The Champions were forced to keep their distance from the deadly weapon.

Ares began to rise, then thought better of it as the Silence Glaive whirled over his head as Saturn struck at Hermes. Instead he began to roll out of the way, snagging his fallen sword as he did so. As he reached the edge of Saturn's range he rose to a crouch, pointing the blade at her. "Flame Strike!"

Fire poured from the sword as Saturn spun about to face him, raising the Silence Glaive. As the flames reached her they parted, shooting off to either side and nearly hitting Poseidon. Ares cursed, throwing himself to one side to dodge a thrust of the glaive. It seemed as though all the Champions' nightmares had decided to come true this day.

Meanwhile, Hades took advantage of Saturn's momentary distraction to strike her unprotected back with his free hand. "Life Drain!" Saturn's purple-black aura pulsed, and Hades was flung back a good twenty feet, and did not rise. An instant later another thrust of the Silence Glaive struck one of Medea's legs, and she too fell.

Saturn's attentions next fell on Poseidon, and she launched herself at him. For a few seconds he managed to stave off her attack, but mere moments before Aphrodite could flank Saturn he fell for a swift feint and was knocked to the ground by, fortunately for him, the glaive's unbladed end. Yet he too did not rise.

The dark Senshi spun about impossibly fast to face Aphrodite. The Champion of Venus risked an attack with her shining blade, and managed to land a blow, though to no effect. Saturn backed up, rising into the air as her aura flared. A moment later the Silence Glaive swung down, severing Aphrodite's sword arm at the elbow.

As she fell, Zeus let loose with a terrible, wordless cry and charged Saturn. She spun about in midair to face him, and snorted, leveling her weapon. "Silence Glaive Surprise!"

When Zeus landed, his breastplate was shattered and he lay unmoving. Saturn smiled coldly as she searched for her two remaining opponents, sniffing like a hunting dog. She whirled about as she felt movement behind her, and her smile widened as she saw Ares racing towards her. She swung her weapon about and prepared another blast.

"Deep Freeze!" The burst of hyper-cold water struck her back, knocking the Senshi from the air. Instantly, she rose and spun about, charging Hermes.

"Flame Strike!" This time Ares's fire struck home, sending Saturn flying. As she landed, the Champion pounced, fiery blade stabbing down. A wet gurgle escaped Saturn's throat as the sword slid through her ribcage, and soon the Senshi lay still.

Ares slowly withdrew his bloody sword and turned to Hermes. "Let's go." The other Champion nodded, and the two charged across the courtyard to where the Senshi were facing Metallia. Ares's face twisted into a snarl that made any previous expressions of rage he had made seem calm, an expression that was nearly matched in intensity by Hermes. "Serenity!" Ares cried as they drew near.

Both Serenity's eyes turned almost instantly to the Champions. Metallia raised one hand, and suddenly the darkness halved, and the light began to surge forward towards the dark goddess. Metallia smirked at the Champions. "Are you so eager to die?" She gestured with her free hand, and the ground beneath the two Champions exploded, darkness pouring upward and launching the Champions into the air.

Yet Ares managed to twist about before he fell, extending his blade. "Flame Strike!"

Metallia sighed. "I tire of this game." Another flick of her raised hand, and the firebolt turned in midair, striking Princess Serenity's back. As she stumbled under the attack, Metallia redoubled her own attack, and soon the silver light that emanated from the Ginzuishou began to stutter and fail.

Metallia's harsh laughter was the only sound that could be heard as her darkness poured over the Senshi.


Sailor Moon groaned as she began to stir. It took her a moment to realize that her dress had vanished, replaced once again by her Senshi uniform. She breathed a sigh of relief as she discovered the Ginzuishou, now dull and lifeless, still clutched tightly in her hands.

A brief survey of the area showed that she couldn't have been out for more than a handful of moments. Metallia hadn't moved from her position from near one shadowy edge of the courtyard, and so far as Sailor Moon could tell the dark goddess was the only one still standing. She could hear pained moans, both male and female, from all around, so there were other survivors.

She let out a pained moan of her own as she began to roll over onto her stomach and realized that she too was not in the best of shape. Her body was fast becoming a mass of ugly bruises, and she felt as though she had broken numerous bones she hadn't realized she had.

Bracing herself for the pain, she managed to successfully turn herself over, and found herself face to face with Zeus. The Champion seemed to be dead, his armor in tatters. Sailor Moon studied his bloody face for a moment. Intellectually, she understood that he had to be Motoki, but it seemed hard to connect the friendly arcade clerk that she had known for years to the fierce enemy that lay dead before her.

Her hands clenched tightly on the Ginzuishou as she thought of Mamoru, lying unconscious back on Earth because of this man. Because of someone they had both thought of as a friend. She could not imagine anything that would make Motoki do that. It was almost as though Zeus had been a totally different person from the Motoki she had known.

She looked up as she heard a sound, and saw Hades beginning to rise. He was not the only one, as she could see a number of the other, less wounded Senshi and Champions joining him. She began to try to stand herself, but her legs collapsed under her before she could even get to her knees.

Metallia let off another one of her harsh, grating laughs. "Good. I was afraid all of you were already dead." She paused. "That wouldn't have been nearly as much fun."

Though she couldn't see him from her position, Sailor Moon heard Ares speak. "Fun? You would be wiser to take this more seriously, Serenity. We defeated you before, at the height of your power. We will do it again."

Sailor Moon could almost feel Metallia's amusement. "The height of my power? You are the fool, Champion. The Void did not destroy me as you hoped. It forged me, it tempered me, and now I have returned, stronger than before." There was another pause, and Sailor Moon imagined Metallia was smiling. "And you? Where is the Lord of Fire now, Champion?"

Ares growled, and Sailor Moon heard him beginning to run. There was a thunderous crack, and than a loud thud not too far behind her. "Well? Which of you will be next?" Metallia asked mockingly.

Sailor Moon was suddenly distracted when Zeus let out a raspy breath. He was surprisingly still alive, but it didn't seem possible that he would survive much longer. Even if his wounds did not kill him, it seemed Metallia soon would. Sailor Moon stared at Zeus's face for a moment, unable to avoid thinking of Mamoru. Zeus had hurt him, and a part of her was filled with a terrible rage.

Yet, that was not all she felt. Another part of her remembered that it was Motoki who had saved Mamoru, who had delivered him to the hospital in time that his life could be saved. It was a decision that seemed so discordant with what she had seen of Zeus, but it was something she could easily see Motoki doing. An unpleasant feeling settled in her gut as it began to truly hit home that this was one of the people she had always considered a friend who was dying in front of her eyes.

For some time, Sailor Moon watched Zeus struggle to breathe, then made a choice of her own. She slowly managed to crawl closer to the Champion and extended her hands, placing the Ginzuishou on his shattered breastplate. Her eyes closed, and a flicker of light began to shine from the crystal.

An instant later, Sailor Moon felt as though she had been struggling for an eternity, fighting desperately against an implacable foe. It seemed a hopeless battle. She was weak, more exhausted and wounded than she could ever recall being, save for the half-remembered battle against Beryl, swollen to monstrous size by Metallia's power. She could feel herself failing, feel Motoki's life slipping through her fingers.

A cold, armored hand grasped her shoulder, and new strength flowed into her. It was not much, but compared to the tiny trickle she had left, it was a raging flood of power. Her eyes snapped open in surprise, and she half-turned to see Ares behind her, his face grim. The Champion's eyes were as hard as ever, but for once the rage did not seem directed at her. "Don't stop," Ares whispered.

After a moment, Sailor Moon nodded, and she began to pour Ares's energy through the Ginzuishou. She heard him gasp and felt him shiver as it burst into a sudden, blinding light. All she could see was silver, but she could feel herself rising slightly from the ground, surrounded by a rapidly growing aura of pure power.

She could feel the energy washing over the battlefield, pouring into Senshi and Champion alike, both the standing and the fallen. And she could feel a kernel of darkness and rage at the edge of her perception, a spirit so given to malice that even the Ginzuishou's power shrank back from it, unable to penetrate it. She could feeling it struggling against the silver light, and realized that she could hear Metallia screaming in frustration, and perhaps even no small amount of pain.

And then, as suddenly as it had come, the silver light vanished again. Sailor Moon blinked several times to clear the afterimages from her eyes as she settled to the ground, lightly landing on her feet. It was only then that she realized that her numerous wounds had vanished, and that though she was still somewhat tired, she was no longer nearly so exhausted as a moment ago. Ares stumbled backward, nearly falling as weakness ran through his limbs.

In front of her, Zeus was now beginning to stand. His armor was still cracked and battered, but it was obvious that the skin beneath it was whole. Zeus gave Ares a significant look over Sailor Moon's shoulder, then his eyes turned to her. "You have my thanks, your highness."

Sailor Moon's eyes widened, not sure of exactly how to respond, but that question was driven from her mind as Metallia spoke. "This means nothing, Princess. You may have healed yourself, but you still cannot stand before me." The dark queen raised one hand. "Now, die!" Crackling darkness leapt from her hand, speeding towards Sailor Moon, only to be stopped when Zeus caught it on the flat of his blade.

Sailor Moon glanced around the battlefield, confirming her suspicions that that light had healed the other Senshi and champions as well, and that they were beginning to rise. As Metallia's attack dwindled away, Sailor Moon stepped forward, the Ginzuishou beginning to glow softly again. Behind her gathered both Senshi and Champions, and before she could even ask she felt energy pouring into her, more than she had ever handled before.

She could feel the familiar presences of the other Inner Senshi, their energies melding together with practiced ease. Uranus's and Neptune's power was like a single, braided cord, Air and Water pulsing together. Pluto's contribution was dark and cold, but it too easily melded into the stream.

Those were not the only energies she felt, though. A mighty torrent of energy poured into her from the Champions, already combined into a single, surging river of power. At first it took all her control to avoid being swept away by the flood, but she soon had melded the Champions' energies into the greater whole.

All this she channeled into the Ginzuishou, until it shone like a small sun in her hands, so bright she dared not look at it. Slowly, she raised the shining crystal, feeling it pulse like a heartbeat in her hands. She somehow knew that with this much energy under her control, she could with the slightest thought shatter mountains and boil oceans, all without decreasing the energy but the tiniest fraction.

Metallia laughed. "What are you waiting for, Princess? Strike me!"

With a wordless cry, Sailor Moon complied, a beam of purest silver shooting from the Ginzuishou. It raced towards the dark queen, who stood unmoving until mere fractions of a second before the power incinerated her. Then, without even the flick of a wrist, darkness shrouded her, a darkness even the unimaginable power pouring through Sailor Moon could not pierce.

The dark cocoon pulsed, focusing itself into a beam of its own, which began to slowly force the light back. As the darkness surged forward, Metallia once again came into view, a mocking smile etched onto her lips. "Is this all you can do, Princess?"

Sailor Moon gritted her teeth, refusing to give her opponent the satisfaction of an answer. Slowly, painstakingly, she managed to first slow the rushing darkness, then halt it. And once again, light and darkness fought themselves to a stalemate in the air between her and Metallia.

"What a pity," Metallia said. "We've already played this game. I'll have to end it quickly." The darkness seemed to thicken, and began to creep closer to Sailor Moon.

Sailor Moon searched herself, pulling up the few dregs of power she had not already thrown into the struggle. A part of her tugged at her connection to Mamoru, so far away, and she drew what strength she could even from that. All this she poured into the Ginzuishou, and the advance of the darkness halted once again.

Forgotten, far behind the struggle, the still form of Sailor Saturn began to twitch. She rose to her knees, then to her feet, all unnoticed by the combatants. The Silence Glaive leapt into her hands and pulsed briefly as she began to approach the battle. Though none saw them, her eyes were cold and hard, her face expressionless.

As she approached, Metallia's face broke into a smile, and her darkness strengthened as she redoubled her efforts. Sailor Moon saw the dark goddess's smirk, but could not risk looking over her shoulder to see what it was that caused it, all her concentration bent on staving off Metallia's assault.

Behind the Senshi and Champions, Sailor Saturn slowly, shakily extended the Silence Glaive, which shone with the sickly, reflected light of the struggle playing out in front of her. The song of the Silence rang strongly in its Senshi's ears, beating in time to the pulse of the confrontation.

Metallia laughed. "Now, it ends!"

Saturn leapt, her weapon unerringly tracking her target. As she reached the peak of her leap, the glaive pulsed with its own unholy light and three harsh words escaped her grit teeth. "Silence Glaive... Surprise!"

The energy blast struck Metallia head on, knocking her back a half step. Almost instantly, even before Saturn had landed, the dark queen responded. The ground beneath Saturn cracked open, and a pillar of darkness sprung up, impaling her upon it. She screamed as the Silence Glaive dropped from her suddenly weak fingers and the darkness began to tear her apart from the inside.

Yet these distractions proved enough for Metallia's wave of darkness to begin to falter. With what seemed like impossible speed after the slow creeping back and forth, the beam of silver light plunged forward, scattering the darkness before it. Metallia threw up her arms to protect herself as the light approached, and screamed when it hit.

A moment later, the dark queen had vanished, and Sailor Saturn hit the ground with a loud crash. Before anyone could reach the fallen Senshi, both she and her weapon faded away as well. The darkness that had shrouded the edges of the courtyard began to fragment and lift, revealing Castle Charon once again.

Or, more accurately, what was left of the castle. What Sailor Moon could see of it from the courtyard was little more than rubble. Within instants, the Senshi and Champions had, seemingly without thinking about it, formed battle lines on opposite sides of the courtyard.

The Gates of Time were missing, Sailor Moon suddenly noticed. The spot on the courtyard's wall directly behind the Champions, where she remembered seeing them as she had entered the courtyard, was now home to a gaping hole into the shattered interior of the keep. Sailor Moon started as she heard someone begin to laugh.

It took her only a moment to locate the source. Sailor Pluto had sunk to her knees, and was laughing hysterically. Her eyes were fixed straight ahead, though it was impossible to tell whether they were looking at Ares or where the Gates of Time had used to stand. Seemingly of their own volition, Sailor Moon's own eyes sought out those of the Champion of Mars.

He stood between Hermes and Aphrodite, who was clutching her restored sword arm as though to reassure herself it was there. Ares himself held his sword in front of his face, staring into his own reflection. There was a twisted expression on his face, half a smile and half a grimace, but his eyes were as cold as ever.

Sailor Moon began to search for words, but none came. No one else seemed willing to speak either, and for a long time the two groups observed each other in silence. Then, slowly, Ares lowered his sword. His face was now expressionless, as he looked up and down the line of Champions, some wordless question passing from him to his brethren.

Whatever it was he was, met with nods, some quick, some slow and slight. His eyes suddenly met Sailor Moon's, and he began to slowly walk forward. Out of the corners of her eyes, she saw Mars and Venus, on either side of her, fall into ready stances, but she remained still as Ares approached.

For a brief moment, Ares's face twisted again, then smoothed. He slowly lowered his blade to the ground before him, no more than a few feet from Sailor Moon. His hands tightly clutched the hilt, and he almost leaned on the blade.

"Princess," he said after a long moment. "Do you realize who that was?"

Sailor Moon nodded. She was afraid to speak, something warning her that any words she might say now could only do harm.

"Serenity the Dark," Ares said, "mother to Serenity the Peacemaker, to whom we swore our oaths, until all are one." He paused. "But before that, we swore a different oath. We were created to fight Serenity the Dark, and we swore to the Master of Death, on the first day of our existence, that we would do whatever it took to fight her."

Pluto laughed again, sounding as though she did not believe what she was seeing, but both Ares and Sailor Moon ignored her. The Champion continued to speak. "That oath still binds us, just as it did when Serenity the Peacemaker came to us on the eve of the fall of the Golden Millennium. Serenity the Dark must be stopped."

Ares paused, as though it was a struggle to utter the next words. "We will help you fight her." He paused, and the struggle that had passed before was nothing next to the indecision now evident on his face, but it too passed. "I cannot say I like this, but I fear it is necessary, or there will be no trust between us." He slowly extended his blade, hilt first, offering it to Sailor Moon. "We will swear ourselves to you... if you will have us."

Sailor Moon slowly nodded, still afraid to speak. She reached out and grasped the blade, taking it from Ares's hands. It was lighter than she had expected, and warm to the touch. As she looked at it she saw her own tired and battered reflection. After a moment, she wordlessly handed the sword back to its owner.

Ares smiled weakly. "Then we are yours... your highness."



Author's Random Revised Ramblings

1) A handful of non-cosmetic changes this time, to the scene of the Champions voting.

2) No C&C whatsoever is desired... in Bizzaro World. In this world, it's all most welcome.

Released: April 09, 2003

Revised: December 16, 2003

Final: December 30, 2003