Intruder at the Gates 7:
Please Let It Be Over Now...
"Duo... there is the portal Setsuna left open... she could be on the other side... or we could be far behind her... either way... I'm not sure I'm able to face her... Duo..." Usagi whimpered as Duo rocked her back and forth. "I don't think I can... I need the other Senshi with me... I need Setsuna with me... I can't do this with out them..."
"Shhhhh, it will be all right Usako, it will. I won't let it turn out any different. You may not have your other Senshi... but you have me. And we are a part of Setsuna that she'll never abandon, no matter how distant it may feel to her, it will be there. She'll remember us, all the time we spent with her. She'll never be able to deny those good memories..." Duo said, trying to convince himself as well as Usagi.
"Remember, we are going to her out of our love for her, not to fight or to hurt her. But to show her love she might not have seen before. But if we stop now... she'll hurt forever. Her misery will never end. I don't know why she is doing this, I really don't, but we may be able to help. Usako... we have to go now." Duo continued, rubbing Usagi's back. She swallowed hard, and then nodded. Usagi stood up, drying her tears. Duo stood up with her, trying to smile, be it a real smile or not. Usagi smiled back and took her Ginzoushou in her hand.
"She may be on the other side, she may not; but no matter where she is, we can't stop." Usagi said, then closed her eyes and stepped through the portal, Duo directly beside her...
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Setsuna leaned on her staff, slowly regaining strength. Her vision was no longer blurry, her head no longer fuzzy. {"Please let it be over now, please let it be over now..."}Setsuna thought over and over again. Her own desire for bliss cost four innocent lives and her best friend, plus hundreds that she had never met. And now her selfishness would cost her queen and her lover. {"Please let it be over soon, please let it be over soon..."} Her mind chanted, praying. Everything ached, and what didn't ache didn't work. {"I just want to be done with this; I'll do anything to be done with this..."} She had run out of tears and all that she could feel was a cold pain. Her mind was a jumble of words and feelings, but soon it leveled out to its usual calm, collected nature. Finally a void fell upon her as voices sifted through the wind to her ears. Finally, it would end.
"Oh my Goddess! Duo, there's Setsuna! There she is; she's there!" Usagi yelled, beginning to sound hysterical. Setsuna lifted her head; her bangs fell by her eyes, a slight crazed, dark look came to her Garnet eyes. Usagi ran forward and threw her arms around Setsuna, embracing her tightly. Setsuna didn't move.
"Oh Setsuna what happened to you, why are you doing this?" Usagi quickly reeled out over and over again. Duo walked over to Setsuna, a faint and scared smile on his face.
"Hey Setsuna... Are you ready to end this? Ready to come home with us? With me?" He said quietly, in contrast with Usagi's panicked rambling. Setsuna still didn't move; then, in one quick motion, Setsuna grabbed Usagi by the hair and flung her hard into the ground and away from her. Usagi whimpered as she hit the ground with force, unearthing the ground as she skid. Duo took a step back from Setsuna, and then quickly went to Usagi, who was very dazed and confused.
{"How dare you come here and act like my friend! Have you no shame! You stupid bitch, how dare you act like my friend! How dare you act like you care!"} Setsuna screamed.
"Setsuna!" Duo called to her gently from Usagi's side, "Aren't you ready to end this masquerade?"
"The only way to end this now is for you two to die!!" Setsuna screamed at them, moving her staff in front of her and hurling a blast of red energy from the space where her garnet orb used to be. The blast hit Duo and Usagi, throwing them further away from each other. Usagi was first up to one knee. Her face was scratched and cut, her golden hair falling from its odangos.
"Why? Setsuna, answer me! Why are you killing all these people? Why do we have to die?" Usagi cried out as another blast of red energy hit her, knocking her backwards. Setsuna slowly walked over to the struggling Usagi and grabbed Usagi by her Senshi fuku, hoisting her up off of her feet.
"Why do you have to die, you ask?" Setsuna said, a smirk tugging at her lips. "You have to die so that I can!" She screamed. Setsuna then began pulling Usagi closer to her, to breathe away Usagi's soul, but Duo's vice suddenly sliced through the air.
"Setsuna!" Setsuna turned around ninety degrees to see Duo pulling himself off of the ground.
"What?" She said, her voice as cold as steel.
"Your eyes... they're different... what happened?" He asked, stepping towards her slowly.
"Why does it matter?" Setsuna asked, growing a bit impatient.
"Because... I loved looking into your violet eyes... they were so beautiful. Violet, they used to be violet. I remember; how could I forget? I memorized every line of your face, it was so beautiful. Now you look tear stained, angry and your eyes... they're garnet red... why? What happened? What changed?" Duo's voice was soft, caressing to Setsuna's mind. But all that felt so distant, she could barely feel it.
"What changed?" Setsuna said, a wry smile formed on her lips, "You. You changed; you fell in love with this bitch!" Setsuna screamed, hurling Usagi into the ground. "I will not lose to her again! You two fell in love, you two get to live happily for the rest of your days! And what do I get? A fucking eternity in hell! And now I have the chance to die, to die and spend eternity in bliss! You have no idea how long I suffered at the Gates alone, how agonizing everyday was! I will do anything for that!" Setsuna turned back to Usagi.
"You! I hate you; I hate everything that you are! You get a loving husband, you get the most wonderful child, you get a palace, and you get who ever you want! And IT'S YOUR FAULT! YOU SENTENCED ME TO THIS HELL! YOU COULD HAVE PARDONED ME, BUT ALL THAT MATTERED WAS YOUR DAMN MAMO-CHAN! I FIND A LOVE AND YOU TAKE IT AWAY!" She screamed again, readying her staff for another attack.
"Wait!" Duo called out, "Who did you love?" His voice was still calm, still soft, no matter what Setsuna said. Her eyes narrowed and fell icy, yet they filled with tears at the same time.
"You..." she whispered. Her eyes then flashed with anger once more as she turned back to Usagi. "And YOU! YOU TOOK HIM AWAY FROM ME! YOU FELL IN LOVE WITH HIM AND THEN NO ONE ELSE MATTERED!" Setsuna screamed, her voice reaching new levels, the pain and hatred heavy in her voice. As Setsuna raised her staff to strike Usagi, Usagi held out her Ginzoushou, a white light emanating, knocking Setsuna back ten feet. Setsuna slowly pulled herself to her feet, staring at Usagi wide eyed.
"You... you would fight me?" She said, not believing it. Usagi looked away quickly, then back directly at Setsuna's eyes.
"No, but I will not just let you kill me. I have a life to survive for—"
"Did that matter after Galaxia killed the rest of us?! NO! Chibi chibi had to beg you to fight Galaxia! WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU HAVE NOW THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE THEN! WHAT CHANGED?!" Setsuna then rushed another blast at Usagi, only this time Usagi used the Ginzoushou and blasted back. Their energies clashed, red and white swirling together, yet not mixing. The energies then erupted, blasting them both back, along with Duo.
{"No, I'm not going to lose; all I've done will not be in vein! Their lost souls will not be wasted; after all I've done... I can't turn back. It will be over soon, all over."} Setsuna thought, the darkness locked in her heart beginning to grow. She then quickly grabbed the pocket mirror from where her brooch used to be and opened it, glaring sharply into the image.
"Garnet orb! I need Dometry here with me! Bring his body to my plane!" She called out, summoning on her Garnet Orb. A flash of red light erupted from Setsuna's chest, and Dometry stepped through her, grinning wickedly. The red light faded and Dometry stood tall and proud. He turned around to Setsuna and placed his hands on her cheeks.
"My Dove, you are so close, I will help where needed, but you have to finish this so all the souls can combine."
Setsuna blinked. "What do you mean, combine?" Dometry rolled his eyes slightly.
"The souls are locked inside of your heart; that is why you can still talk to them. Now, quickly take their souls and it will be all over! All the pain, anger, hurt, hatred, tears and lives will go away; it will all be worth it!" He said triumphantly.
Duo glared at this new man. This guy was calling {His} Setsuna dove? No chance in hell, be it irony or bleak truth. "Who are you?" Duo called out. Dometry turned to him, then smirked.
"Ah, Duo Maxwell, I've always wanted to meet the Shinigami who fucked up. If it weren't for you, then I'd still be living a normal life! Setsuna, take care of this moon brat, I'll deal with this twig." He ordered. Setsuna inhaled a deep breath and stepped around him, facing Usagi. Dometry then turned back to Duo.
"Duo, I am Shinigami. The {real} Shinigami." He said, a cruel smile spreading his handsome features. Duo scowled deeply. Things turned from purgatory to hell very quickly.
"Why are you doing this Shinigami? What use is she to you? Surely you don't actually care about her?" Dometry laughed wickedly.
"No, I don't {actually} care, but I have something she wants, and she can do something that I can't exactly, so where is the problem? These are her real feelings, if that's what you're wondering. I have only given her he offer!" Dometry cackled as Duo scowled.
Setsuna glared at Usagi, standing about twenty feet away from her. "Make this quick, 'Usagi'. I've wasted enough time on you!" Setsuna hissed. The two women then hurled their strongest blast at each other. The energies collided with a powerful blast and clashed with each other, both energies fighting for dominance. Red and white clashed, but neither colour mixed with the other.
The white energy ball then erupted, blasted both of them back. As the white energy hit Setsuna it tore through her with out wounding her, but the Garnet Orb inside of her shattered, the pieces flying out of Setsuna back, falling around her as she lay on the ground, trying to recover from the blow. The pieces of Garnet glittered as blood ran down the edges. The blast had not wounded Setsuna, but the shards tore through her back. The gash on her leg had torn in length and was still bleeding fresh. Her entire body wracked with pain. Setsuna rolled onto her side, wincing from the pain...
Duo and Dometry circled the other and then leapt at each other, fists bared and teeth clenched. They exchanged blow after blow, each getting in equal hits. Duo then quickly reached into his pocket and pulled out a knife long enough to be a dagger. He slashed across Dometry's face, his blood splashing to the ground. He then quickly put the knife back in his pocket, not wanting it to be knocked away from him. Dometry growled, and then smirked wickedly. His fist then began to glow with a dark aura, the aura of death. One hit would surely knock Duo's life right out of him. Duo then bent backwards, dodging the fast coming hit. He grabbed Dometry's arm and launched him over Duo, knocking him roughly into the ground. Duo then quickly moved over to Setsuna. She seemed dazed, like enlightenment had dawned upon her.
"Setsuna, your eyes... they're violet... they're back to normal. Please, end this. This is your story; you are the only one with the power to choose then ending. You can die, and get your eternal bliss, but then I have to live with out you! I can't do that, I can't, and no one else can either! Please, don't make us suffer with out you..." Duo said as he took her hand and removed her glove, holding her bare hand. Setsuna didn't seem to be listening; she was off in her own world.
"I have their souls... locked in my heart... they can still live... if I... end this." She said, her lips barely moving. She then reached her hand into Duo's pocket and pulled out a long knife, sat up and thrust the dagger into her heart. A silver light radiated the wound, releasing five blue incandescent lights. The last light to escape its prison stopped and in a feminine voice thanked her. Setsuna smiled at the light, her mind in a daze. Alaura. It was Alaura, she could feel her essence. Setsuna's smile faded and she slipped into unconsciousness falling back into Duo's arms. Duo looked mortified, tears streaking down his face. His shoulders trembled with a white hot rage. He then stood up and walked back over to Dometry very calmly and slowly, grabbed him up by his shirt and grabbed his face, crushing it in his hand.
"Fucker, if you ever call her "dove" again..." Duo said, leaving the threat open to the wandering imagination. Duo then closed his eyes, remembering his long forgotten powers from hell. His hand began to glow with the same eerie dark aura that Dometry's hand had. Dometry then began to scream in pain, writhing under Duo's clenched hand. Soon his body lay motionless in Duo's hand. Duo dropped the carcass and walked over to Usagi. She picked herself up from the ground, holding a deep gash on her arm. Her purple eyes glanced up meeting Duo's gaze, both a worried glance. Duo helped Usagi limp over to Setsuna's still body. They both knelt down beside her. Duo gently took Setsuna's pulse and sighed in relief. He nodded to Usagi and gently picked up Setsuna. Usagi pulled out her Ginzoushou and silently plead to it to take them home, tears of overwhelming joy streaking down her face. It was all over...
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Warmth. Tranquility. A sharp breath. Slowly Setsuna opened her bleary eyes. Her entire body ached, some areas a sharp stabbing pain, other areas were a slow burning pain. Yet the pain was all so distant. Setsuna gazed around the room, taking in the confusing surroundings. A light over head, a sterilized scent wafting into her senses, an iv in her arms, and package of blood dripping into the iv. She quickly sat up after realizing her surroundings were not that of the Time Gates, but a hospital room. Usagi was sleeping in a chair in the corner. She had a few bandages on her head, arms and legs. A large shopping bag sat next to her. And there was a bed next to Setsuna where Duo lay, peacefully staring at the ceiling. An iv was also hooked up to his arm. A blood transfusion. Duo was giving her his blood.
"Duo..." Setsuna said, her voice barely above a whisper. Tears immediately filled her eyes, tears of remorse and self loathing. "Duo... what happened?"
"You ended everything... that's all that matters. You're safe, you returned their lives, and we did the rest." Duo said looking over at her with his soft, sweet violet eyes. "Your eyes..." He began, "they're violet. They're beautiful."
"Oh God..." Setsuna said, her heart stopping. It had all really happened. Tears began to spill down her cheeks. She covered her face quickly in her hands and sobbed. "Duo... oh god... it all really happened..." Duo quickly got up from his bed and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her.
"Shhh, it's all right Setsuna. Yes, it all happened, but it's all over, it's all okay. Usagi fixed things with her crystal, the lives have been restored. We forgive you, there is nothing left." Duo cooed.
"How can you forgive me? After all I said, after all I've done, how can you forgive me? How could Usagi—no, Serenity, forgive me? I've betrayed her trust, abandoned my duty and have forsaken my loyalty to her! How can any of this be forgiven? How can any of this be okay?" She sobbed into his shoulder, her face still buried in her hands out of shame. Duo smiled lightly.
"Because we love you, Setsuna, even those of us that you hurt, we still love you. We've talked with the Senshi of the moon; everyone loves you so much that they don't care! We're just glad to know how you feel; we love you too much to hold it against you."
Setsuna's sobs hushed. "Is it true? ... Do you love Serenity?" Setsuna said in a whisper, almost scared of the answer. Duo laughed lightly.
"Nope, only as a younger sister. Setsuna, I love you. Since the moment I met you, I've loved you. I was a bit confused because Usako is so much like Hilde was, but I have moved on. You have one hundred percent of my heart, and not a bit less."
Setsuna smiled, fresh tears appearing, but they were tears of overwhelming happiness. Duo leaned down and kissed her gently, his hand caressing her new fallen tears away...
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Duo, Usagi, Quatre and Setsuna stood together in a line. Usagi and Setsuna had henshined. Setsuna held her Time Staff in her right hand, her hand wrapped protectively around it. Usagi had mended the Garnet Orb with her Ginzoushou and rightfully returned it to the Time Staff. The Garnet Orb had been a lovely surprise in Usagi's shopping bag. Setsuna looked at both Duo and Usagi, who nodded at her. She stepped forward with a deep breath held out her staff and released a Dead Scream. Her attack whirled and screamed in front of her, devastating the Time Gates. The Gates were destroyed, pieces of splintered wood falling to the ground around them. The gate way to Time and Hell was obliterated.
Setsuna returned to Duo's arms, kissing him lightly. Usagi smiled to herself and leaned back into Quatre, who seemed surprised, but he also seemed to like it. In turn he wrapped his arms around Usagi's waist. A perfect fit.
"So it's over..." Setsuna said, a faint smile on her face. Duo laughed.
"Not quite. One more thing..." Duo trailed off. Setsuna nodded then turned around to face Usagi and Quatre. Usagi smiled.
"Are you sure about this Setsuna? You know you are always welcome with us, no matter what, right?"
Setsuna nodded again. "Yes, this is something I must do... ready Duo?"
"Hell yeah!" Duo said. Setsuna then used her Time Staff and rifted a portal in the air. On the other side of the portal Alaura, Galaxia and her Senshi were waiting, waving her forward. Duo and Quatre shook hands while Setsuna and Usagi hugged tightly. Tears of sweet sorrow nagged at Usagi and Setsuna's eyes as Duo lead Setsuna through the portal by her hand where Alaura received them with welcome arms. Duo and Setsuna waved as the portal closed around them.
Usagi sniffled and pulled out her Ginzoushou, looping her arm through Quatre's. He blushed slightly, but smiled down at her.
"I'm so glad... that they'll be happy... that Setsuna finally gets her bliss. Let's go home Quatre." The crystal enveloped them in a blissful warm light, transporting them back to Usagi's home where the Senshi eagerly awaited their Queen's return...
Finis
Please Let It Be Over Now...
"Duo... there is the portal Setsuna left open... she could be on the other side... or we could be far behind her... either way... I'm not sure I'm able to face her... Duo..." Usagi whimpered as Duo rocked her back and forth. "I don't think I can... I need the other Senshi with me... I need Setsuna with me... I can't do this with out them..."
"Shhhhh, it will be all right Usako, it will. I won't let it turn out any different. You may not have your other Senshi... but you have me. And we are a part of Setsuna that she'll never abandon, no matter how distant it may feel to her, it will be there. She'll remember us, all the time we spent with her. She'll never be able to deny those good memories..." Duo said, trying to convince himself as well as Usagi.
"Remember, we are going to her out of our love for her, not to fight or to hurt her. But to show her love she might not have seen before. But if we stop now... she'll hurt forever. Her misery will never end. I don't know why she is doing this, I really don't, but we may be able to help. Usako... we have to go now." Duo continued, rubbing Usagi's back. She swallowed hard, and then nodded. Usagi stood up, drying her tears. Duo stood up with her, trying to smile, be it a real smile or not. Usagi smiled back and took her Ginzoushou in her hand.
"She may be on the other side, she may not; but no matter where she is, we can't stop." Usagi said, then closed her eyes and stepped through the portal, Duo directly beside her...
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Setsuna leaned on her staff, slowly regaining strength. Her vision was no longer blurry, her head no longer fuzzy. {"Please let it be over now, please let it be over now..."}Setsuna thought over and over again. Her own desire for bliss cost four innocent lives and her best friend, plus hundreds that she had never met. And now her selfishness would cost her queen and her lover. {"Please let it be over soon, please let it be over soon..."} Her mind chanted, praying. Everything ached, and what didn't ache didn't work. {"I just want to be done with this; I'll do anything to be done with this..."} She had run out of tears and all that she could feel was a cold pain. Her mind was a jumble of words and feelings, but soon it leveled out to its usual calm, collected nature. Finally a void fell upon her as voices sifted through the wind to her ears. Finally, it would end.
"Oh my Goddess! Duo, there's Setsuna! There she is; she's there!" Usagi yelled, beginning to sound hysterical. Setsuna lifted her head; her bangs fell by her eyes, a slight crazed, dark look came to her Garnet eyes. Usagi ran forward and threw her arms around Setsuna, embracing her tightly. Setsuna didn't move.
"Oh Setsuna what happened to you, why are you doing this?" Usagi quickly reeled out over and over again. Duo walked over to Setsuna, a faint and scared smile on his face.
"Hey Setsuna... Are you ready to end this? Ready to come home with us? With me?" He said quietly, in contrast with Usagi's panicked rambling. Setsuna still didn't move; then, in one quick motion, Setsuna grabbed Usagi by the hair and flung her hard into the ground and away from her. Usagi whimpered as she hit the ground with force, unearthing the ground as she skid. Duo took a step back from Setsuna, and then quickly went to Usagi, who was very dazed and confused.
{"How dare you come here and act like my friend! Have you no shame! You stupid bitch, how dare you act like my friend! How dare you act like you care!"} Setsuna screamed.
"Setsuna!" Duo called to her gently from Usagi's side, "Aren't you ready to end this masquerade?"
"The only way to end this now is for you two to die!!" Setsuna screamed at them, moving her staff in front of her and hurling a blast of red energy from the space where her garnet orb used to be. The blast hit Duo and Usagi, throwing them further away from each other. Usagi was first up to one knee. Her face was scratched and cut, her golden hair falling from its odangos.
"Why? Setsuna, answer me! Why are you killing all these people? Why do we have to die?" Usagi cried out as another blast of red energy hit her, knocking her backwards. Setsuna slowly walked over to the struggling Usagi and grabbed Usagi by her Senshi fuku, hoisting her up off of her feet.
"Why do you have to die, you ask?" Setsuna said, a smirk tugging at her lips. "You have to die so that I can!" She screamed. Setsuna then began pulling Usagi closer to her, to breathe away Usagi's soul, but Duo's vice suddenly sliced through the air.
"Setsuna!" Setsuna turned around ninety degrees to see Duo pulling himself off of the ground.
"What?" She said, her voice as cold as steel.
"Your eyes... they're different... what happened?" He asked, stepping towards her slowly.
"Why does it matter?" Setsuna asked, growing a bit impatient.
"Because... I loved looking into your violet eyes... they were so beautiful. Violet, they used to be violet. I remember; how could I forget? I memorized every line of your face, it was so beautiful. Now you look tear stained, angry and your eyes... they're garnet red... why? What happened? What changed?" Duo's voice was soft, caressing to Setsuna's mind. But all that felt so distant, she could barely feel it.
"What changed?" Setsuna said, a wry smile formed on her lips, "You. You changed; you fell in love with this bitch!" Setsuna screamed, hurling Usagi into the ground. "I will not lose to her again! You two fell in love, you two get to live happily for the rest of your days! And what do I get? A fucking eternity in hell! And now I have the chance to die, to die and spend eternity in bliss! You have no idea how long I suffered at the Gates alone, how agonizing everyday was! I will do anything for that!" Setsuna turned back to Usagi.
"You! I hate you; I hate everything that you are! You get a loving husband, you get the most wonderful child, you get a palace, and you get who ever you want! And IT'S YOUR FAULT! YOU SENTENCED ME TO THIS HELL! YOU COULD HAVE PARDONED ME, BUT ALL THAT MATTERED WAS YOUR DAMN MAMO-CHAN! I FIND A LOVE AND YOU TAKE IT AWAY!" She screamed again, readying her staff for another attack.
"Wait!" Duo called out, "Who did you love?" His voice was still calm, still soft, no matter what Setsuna said. Her eyes narrowed and fell icy, yet they filled with tears at the same time.
"You..." she whispered. Her eyes then flashed with anger once more as she turned back to Usagi. "And YOU! YOU TOOK HIM AWAY FROM ME! YOU FELL IN LOVE WITH HIM AND THEN NO ONE ELSE MATTERED!" Setsuna screamed, her voice reaching new levels, the pain and hatred heavy in her voice. As Setsuna raised her staff to strike Usagi, Usagi held out her Ginzoushou, a white light emanating, knocking Setsuna back ten feet. Setsuna slowly pulled herself to her feet, staring at Usagi wide eyed.
"You... you would fight me?" She said, not believing it. Usagi looked away quickly, then back directly at Setsuna's eyes.
"No, but I will not just let you kill me. I have a life to survive for—"
"Did that matter after Galaxia killed the rest of us?! NO! Chibi chibi had to beg you to fight Galaxia! WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU HAVE NOW THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE THEN! WHAT CHANGED?!" Setsuna then rushed another blast at Usagi, only this time Usagi used the Ginzoushou and blasted back. Their energies clashed, red and white swirling together, yet not mixing. The energies then erupted, blasting them both back, along with Duo.
{"No, I'm not going to lose; all I've done will not be in vein! Their lost souls will not be wasted; after all I've done... I can't turn back. It will be over soon, all over."} Setsuna thought, the darkness locked in her heart beginning to grow. She then quickly grabbed the pocket mirror from where her brooch used to be and opened it, glaring sharply into the image.
"Garnet orb! I need Dometry here with me! Bring his body to my plane!" She called out, summoning on her Garnet Orb. A flash of red light erupted from Setsuna's chest, and Dometry stepped through her, grinning wickedly. The red light faded and Dometry stood tall and proud. He turned around to Setsuna and placed his hands on her cheeks.
"My Dove, you are so close, I will help where needed, but you have to finish this so all the souls can combine."
Setsuna blinked. "What do you mean, combine?" Dometry rolled his eyes slightly.
"The souls are locked inside of your heart; that is why you can still talk to them. Now, quickly take their souls and it will be all over! All the pain, anger, hurt, hatred, tears and lives will go away; it will all be worth it!" He said triumphantly.
Duo glared at this new man. This guy was calling {His} Setsuna dove? No chance in hell, be it irony or bleak truth. "Who are you?" Duo called out. Dometry turned to him, then smirked.
"Ah, Duo Maxwell, I've always wanted to meet the Shinigami who fucked up. If it weren't for you, then I'd still be living a normal life! Setsuna, take care of this moon brat, I'll deal with this twig." He ordered. Setsuna inhaled a deep breath and stepped around him, facing Usagi. Dometry then turned back to Duo.
"Duo, I am Shinigami. The {real} Shinigami." He said, a cruel smile spreading his handsome features. Duo scowled deeply. Things turned from purgatory to hell very quickly.
"Why are you doing this Shinigami? What use is she to you? Surely you don't actually care about her?" Dometry laughed wickedly.
"No, I don't {actually} care, but I have something she wants, and she can do something that I can't exactly, so where is the problem? These are her real feelings, if that's what you're wondering. I have only given her he offer!" Dometry cackled as Duo scowled.
Setsuna glared at Usagi, standing about twenty feet away from her. "Make this quick, 'Usagi'. I've wasted enough time on you!" Setsuna hissed. The two women then hurled their strongest blast at each other. The energies collided with a powerful blast and clashed with each other, both energies fighting for dominance. Red and white clashed, but neither colour mixed with the other.
The white energy ball then erupted, blasted both of them back. As the white energy hit Setsuna it tore through her with out wounding her, but the Garnet Orb inside of her shattered, the pieces flying out of Setsuna back, falling around her as she lay on the ground, trying to recover from the blow. The pieces of Garnet glittered as blood ran down the edges. The blast had not wounded Setsuna, but the shards tore through her back. The gash on her leg had torn in length and was still bleeding fresh. Her entire body wracked with pain. Setsuna rolled onto her side, wincing from the pain...
Duo and Dometry circled the other and then leapt at each other, fists bared and teeth clenched. They exchanged blow after blow, each getting in equal hits. Duo then quickly reached into his pocket and pulled out a knife long enough to be a dagger. He slashed across Dometry's face, his blood splashing to the ground. He then quickly put the knife back in his pocket, not wanting it to be knocked away from him. Dometry growled, and then smirked wickedly. His fist then began to glow with a dark aura, the aura of death. One hit would surely knock Duo's life right out of him. Duo then bent backwards, dodging the fast coming hit. He grabbed Dometry's arm and launched him over Duo, knocking him roughly into the ground. Duo then quickly moved over to Setsuna. She seemed dazed, like enlightenment had dawned upon her.
"Setsuna, your eyes... they're violet... they're back to normal. Please, end this. This is your story; you are the only one with the power to choose then ending. You can die, and get your eternal bliss, but then I have to live with out you! I can't do that, I can't, and no one else can either! Please, don't make us suffer with out you..." Duo said as he took her hand and removed her glove, holding her bare hand. Setsuna didn't seem to be listening; she was off in her own world.
"I have their souls... locked in my heart... they can still live... if I... end this." She said, her lips barely moving. She then reached her hand into Duo's pocket and pulled out a long knife, sat up and thrust the dagger into her heart. A silver light radiated the wound, releasing five blue incandescent lights. The last light to escape its prison stopped and in a feminine voice thanked her. Setsuna smiled at the light, her mind in a daze. Alaura. It was Alaura, she could feel her essence. Setsuna's smile faded and she slipped into unconsciousness falling back into Duo's arms. Duo looked mortified, tears streaking down his face. His shoulders trembled with a white hot rage. He then stood up and walked back over to Dometry very calmly and slowly, grabbed him up by his shirt and grabbed his face, crushing it in his hand.
"Fucker, if you ever call her "dove" again..." Duo said, leaving the threat open to the wandering imagination. Duo then closed his eyes, remembering his long forgotten powers from hell. His hand began to glow with the same eerie dark aura that Dometry's hand had. Dometry then began to scream in pain, writhing under Duo's clenched hand. Soon his body lay motionless in Duo's hand. Duo dropped the carcass and walked over to Usagi. She picked herself up from the ground, holding a deep gash on her arm. Her purple eyes glanced up meeting Duo's gaze, both a worried glance. Duo helped Usagi limp over to Setsuna's still body. They both knelt down beside her. Duo gently took Setsuna's pulse and sighed in relief. He nodded to Usagi and gently picked up Setsuna. Usagi pulled out her Ginzoushou and silently plead to it to take them home, tears of overwhelming joy streaking down her face. It was all over...
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Warmth. Tranquility. A sharp breath. Slowly Setsuna opened her bleary eyes. Her entire body ached, some areas a sharp stabbing pain, other areas were a slow burning pain. Yet the pain was all so distant. Setsuna gazed around the room, taking in the confusing surroundings. A light over head, a sterilized scent wafting into her senses, an iv in her arms, and package of blood dripping into the iv. She quickly sat up after realizing her surroundings were not that of the Time Gates, but a hospital room. Usagi was sleeping in a chair in the corner. She had a few bandages on her head, arms and legs. A large shopping bag sat next to her. And there was a bed next to Setsuna where Duo lay, peacefully staring at the ceiling. An iv was also hooked up to his arm. A blood transfusion. Duo was giving her his blood.
"Duo..." Setsuna said, her voice barely above a whisper. Tears immediately filled her eyes, tears of remorse and self loathing. "Duo... what happened?"
"You ended everything... that's all that matters. You're safe, you returned their lives, and we did the rest." Duo said looking over at her with his soft, sweet violet eyes. "Your eyes..." He began, "they're violet. They're beautiful."
"Oh God..." Setsuna said, her heart stopping. It had all really happened. Tears began to spill down her cheeks. She covered her face quickly in her hands and sobbed. "Duo... oh god... it all really happened..." Duo quickly got up from his bed and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her.
"Shhh, it's all right Setsuna. Yes, it all happened, but it's all over, it's all okay. Usagi fixed things with her crystal, the lives have been restored. We forgive you, there is nothing left." Duo cooed.
"How can you forgive me? After all I said, after all I've done, how can you forgive me? How could Usagi—no, Serenity, forgive me? I've betrayed her trust, abandoned my duty and have forsaken my loyalty to her! How can any of this be forgiven? How can any of this be okay?" She sobbed into his shoulder, her face still buried in her hands out of shame. Duo smiled lightly.
"Because we love you, Setsuna, even those of us that you hurt, we still love you. We've talked with the Senshi of the moon; everyone loves you so much that they don't care! We're just glad to know how you feel; we love you too much to hold it against you."
Setsuna's sobs hushed. "Is it true? ... Do you love Serenity?" Setsuna said in a whisper, almost scared of the answer. Duo laughed lightly.
"Nope, only as a younger sister. Setsuna, I love you. Since the moment I met you, I've loved you. I was a bit confused because Usako is so much like Hilde was, but I have moved on. You have one hundred percent of my heart, and not a bit less."
Setsuna smiled, fresh tears appearing, but they were tears of overwhelming happiness. Duo leaned down and kissed her gently, his hand caressing her new fallen tears away...
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Duo, Usagi, Quatre and Setsuna stood together in a line. Usagi and Setsuna had henshined. Setsuna held her Time Staff in her right hand, her hand wrapped protectively around it. Usagi had mended the Garnet Orb with her Ginzoushou and rightfully returned it to the Time Staff. The Garnet Orb had been a lovely surprise in Usagi's shopping bag. Setsuna looked at both Duo and Usagi, who nodded at her. She stepped forward with a deep breath held out her staff and released a Dead Scream. Her attack whirled and screamed in front of her, devastating the Time Gates. The Gates were destroyed, pieces of splintered wood falling to the ground around them. The gate way to Time and Hell was obliterated.
Setsuna returned to Duo's arms, kissing him lightly. Usagi smiled to herself and leaned back into Quatre, who seemed surprised, but he also seemed to like it. In turn he wrapped his arms around Usagi's waist. A perfect fit.
"So it's over..." Setsuna said, a faint smile on her face. Duo laughed.
"Not quite. One more thing..." Duo trailed off. Setsuna nodded then turned around to face Usagi and Quatre. Usagi smiled.
"Are you sure about this Setsuna? You know you are always welcome with us, no matter what, right?"
Setsuna nodded again. "Yes, this is something I must do... ready Duo?"
"Hell yeah!" Duo said. Setsuna then used her Time Staff and rifted a portal in the air. On the other side of the portal Alaura, Galaxia and her Senshi were waiting, waving her forward. Duo and Quatre shook hands while Setsuna and Usagi hugged tightly. Tears of sweet sorrow nagged at Usagi and Setsuna's eyes as Duo lead Setsuna through the portal by her hand where Alaura received them with welcome arms. Duo and Setsuna waved as the portal closed around them.
Usagi sniffled and pulled out her Ginzoushou, looping her arm through Quatre's. He blushed slightly, but smiled down at her.
"I'm so glad... that they'll be happy... that Setsuna finally gets her bliss. Let's go home Quatre." The crystal enveloped them in a blissful warm light, transporting them back to Usagi's home where the Senshi eagerly awaited their Queen's return...
Finis