15 - "Trust Your Instincts."
"How much longer have we gotta wait? I'm starving!" Sailor Moon complained, clutching her stomach.
"Shut up, Serena!" Sailor Jupiter snapped from her position at the window. "There's more important things to think about other than your stomach!"
"Leave her be, Lita, I think we're all ready for a good meal."
The brunette looked over at Charon, who was the one who had just defended Serena. She was still sat with her eyes closed; her face was pale apart from the shadows under her eyes, the slight gash on her cheek and the dark cut on her bottom lip. She shuddered at the sight of the scratches and bruises on her friend's arms and legs and she couldn't help but wonder what Lucilius had put her through. At least it was over now…
"Oh no!" Sailor Charon's spoke up again as her eyes flew open. "No, no, no!"
"What's wrong?" Mercury inquired gently.
"The Plutonian Sphere! It was on Lucilius's ship when it blew up!" Tears fell down her cheeks as she put her hand against her forehead. "Pluto will be furious!" The blue-haired Scout put a comforting arm around the upset girl as she sat down beside her.
"It's alright, Alexia, Sailor Pluto will understand; it wasn't your fault…"
"Of course it is! I let my guard down!" She wept into Mercury's shoulder. The others looked at one another sadly, suddenly jumping as an alarm sounded.
"What is it?" Venus asked.
"The ship's computers have picked up an energy reading in sector HZ-52." Caliban announced from the screen he was watching.
"HZ-52? That's where Lucilius's ship exploded!" Nerissa exclaimed. Florizel looked grim.
"We need to investigate." He muttered. "Nerissa, turn us round and head back - full speed."
"Wait," she said, placing a hand on his forearm. "You need to get Charon home, plus Sailor Moon needs to eat." she smiled at the blonde Scout. "I'll take the Ithara out to check it out." Florizel looked into her deep green eyes and smiled.
"Very well, Nerissa, I know you are capable of looking after yourself."
"Hey, what's the Ithara?" Sailor Moon asked.
"My space cruiser." Nerissa grinned.
"Cool." Jupiter remarked.
"Good luck, Nerissa." Mars said.
"Yeah, come back soon." Venus added.
"We'll miss you!" Sailor Moon exclaimed.
"Thanks, guys." she smiled and with a final wave of her hand walked through the door.
"Be careful." Florizel murmured under his breath…
x x x x x
Sector HZ-52 was quite a large expanse of empty space, the only thing apart from stars in it were the floating parts of what had been Lucilius's ship. Nerissa checked her radars for any sign of the energy that Florizel's ship had picked up.
"Anything to report?" Caliban asked over the communicator.
"Not yet…" Nerissa muttered as she pressed a few buttons. Suddenly a white dot appeared on the radar. "Aha, there it is!" she looked out of the window and spotted a small silver-grey object speeding towards her. She bit her lip nervously as her face paled. "It's…it's an escape pod," she announced. "It's coming in my direction." The radio crackled slightly with static. "Are you reading me, Caliban?" More static. "Hello? Ithara to Nesbah - are you reading me?" Still nothing. "Come on, don't let me down now." She urged as the pod continued to move towards her. Suddenly the static faded. "Finally," she sighed. "Caliba…"
"Greetings, Nerissa." A deep voice growled mockingly over the radio. Her eyes widened.
"Who the…?"
"Who do you think I am, Nerissa?" the voice chuckled. The orange-haired woman gasped.
"Oh no…" she tried to move the cruiser, but discovered the controls were frozen. "Don't do this to me!" she yelled, banging the computer. She looked up again with fear in her eyes as the pod sped up and headed directly for the Ithara…
…Nerissa's scream ripped through HZ-52, shattering the peace…
"Nerissa! Nesbah to Ithara - can you hear me?" Florizel slammed his fist on the arm rest of his chair. The static just got worse. He placed his head in his hands. "I should've gone, I shouldn't have let her go alone." he muttered. Sailor Venus looked up at Jupiter.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" she whispered.
"If you're talking about Florizel and Nerissa - I think I am." Jupiter replied quietly. "Poor guy, he really cared about her."
"I just can't believe she's gone…" Mercury murmured sadly.
"Hey look guys! We're home!" Sailor Moon announced from the window, changing the subject quickly. The other Scouts, minus Charon, who was too tired to move, walked over.
"Home sweet home." Mercury smiled.
"Finally," Charon said weakly. "I was beginning to think I'd never see it again."
The ship landed in an empty parking lot near to the Hino Shrine.
"Come on now, time to get up." Caliban said gently as he helped Charon to her feet.
"Thanks." The green-haired girl smiled as she slowly walked off the ship.
"Terra firma, there's nothing like it." Mars sighed, stretching her arms out above her head.
Charon closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the cool evening air. She looked up at Caliban and smiled; she was holding onto him tightly, never wanting to let him go again.
"Everything's really going to be alright now, isn't it?" She murmured, her pale eyes searching his for reassurance.
"Yes, yes, my Princess, everything will be just fine." He pulled her closer and kissed her on the top of her head.
"So, what shall we do now?" Mercury inquired.
"I don't care as long as there's food involved!" Sailor Moon declared.
"And I don't care as long as there's sleep involved." Charon added, her head leant against Caliban's chest.
"I know, why don't we go back to my place and I'll rustle us up a victory feast; you can take a nap on my bed while I cook, Alexia." Jupiter suggested.
"That sounds like a brilliant idea!" Venus enthused.
"Will you join us, Caliban? Florizel?" Mercury inquired.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." Caliban grinned.
"I am afraid I shall have to turn down your invitation," Florizel looked sombre. "I must return to HZ-52 and locate Nerissa."
"Oh, of course." The blue-haired Scout lowered her head sadly, wondering what could have happened to the Planet Guardian, for all they had heard over the communicator was static.
"Ummm…we'd better pick up the cats and Darien on the way on the way." Mars pointed out, breaking the silence which had fallen over the group.
"Don't worry about that. I left my communicator with Artemis; I'll just tell them to meet us at Lita's." Venus spoke up.
"So, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Sailor Moon exclaimed, as was about to skip off when a low rumbling sound, like distant thunder, sounded from overhead.
"Hey, what's that noise?" Jupiter inquired, looking up at the sky.
"It sounds rather like thunder," Mercury replied, also raising her eyes heavenward. "However, the clear skies rule out the possibility of a storm."
"Hey, look!" Sailor Moon exclaimed over the sound, which was becoming louder by the second. She pointed to a bright red light in the sky.
"What the hell is that?!" Venus yelled as it got closer and closer.
"Damn," Florizel muttered, his eyes narrowing. "I knew it."
"Knew what?" Charon murmured nervously, clinging onto Caliban's arm. "He doesn't mean…" the red light was now hovering directly above them.
It was the escape pod Nerissa had encountered in HZ-52.
"No!" Charon exclaimed frantically, knowing almost instinctively who was within the pod.
"Please, no, it can't be!" She hid her face in Caliban's chest.
"It's alright, my Princess, we'll protect you." he whispered soothingly, stroking her hair.
"Too right we will!" Sailor Moon declared. "Scouts, take your positions!" Venus, Mercury, Mars and Jupiter all nodded as the pod landed directly in front of them.
There was a gush of steam and a loud hiss as the door flew open, and their worst fears came true.
Stood in the entrance were Quintus and a young man of about the same height as Caliban.
He was dressed entirely in black - black trousers, black boots, a long black coat and a black shirt. He had dark crimson hair and eyes of the darkest midnight blue, sparkling wickedly as he smiled. The girls couldn't help but notice how dashingly handsome he was, and felt almost drawn to him.
"Why, hello again; so nice of you to have a welcoming committee waiting for me." He laughed deeply.
"Lucilius," Florizel growled coldly. "So you did survive the explosion." Lucilius nodded.
"Yes, and how do you like my new, or should I say old, look?" he spied Charon, hiding behind Caliban. "Ahhh and there's my dear Charon, did you miss me?"
"Leave her alone!" Sailor Moon declared. "We've all had enough of the way you've treated our friend and fellow Sailor Scout!" The others nodded in agreement. "I am Sailor Moon, champion of love and justice! I will right wrongs and triumph over evil - and that means you!" Lucilius laughed.
"What a pretty little speech," he jeered. "Alas, you are at an unfair advantage at the moment. You see, due to our unexpected…mishap…I didn't manage to get enough of your energy to regain my strength and full power; so if you'll give me a moment…" he closed his eyes, and the area surrounding him seemed to distort. Once again the Scouts felt their energy draining. Sailor Charon groaned helplessly as she dropped to the floor.
"Charon!" Caliban exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, Caliban," she whispered weakly. "It's just too much for me…" she felt dizzy as her vision went hazy and then everything turned black.
"Charon!" Caliban yelled again.
x x x x x
"Alexia's in trouble!"
"Serena's in trouble!"
Estrella and Darien, who had turned up straight after work, just as promised, spoke in perfect unison as they both leapt to their feet.
"What?!" Luna inquired in confusion.
"I don't know how, but I know Alexia's in grave danger - I can sense it!" Estrella exclaimed, her green eyes wide.
"They're back on Earth, quite nearby." Darien added as he transformed into Tuxedo Mask.
Then, almost as a sign, a flash of white lit up the darkened sky nearby.
"See?" The kitten exclaimed. "Let's go!"
"Right." Luna and Artemis nodded, and followed Estrella and Tuxedo Mask.
x x x x x
"Ahhh, much better." Lucilius smiled with satisfaction. He was now fully powered-up and stood over the Scouts, who were on their knees at his feet. "And now it is time for you all to go and join Nerissa." He chuckled at the thought of what had happened in HZ-52. "So, who is going to beg for their life first…?" He looked at each Scout in turn. "Hmmm I think I'll choose…you." he pointed at Mercury. "Now, my pretty little Mercury, beg for me to spare you."
"Never!" she spat. "I would never do that!"
"My, you used to be so quiet!" He exclaimed with mock surprise. "Shame you didn't keep your mouth shut this time." With a wave of his hand he sent her flying backwards. "How about you, Jupiter?" He knelt down to her level; she turned her face away in disgust. "Tut, tut, that's not the right answer either." He sighed, and with a tap on her chest knocked her back. "So, who will it be next? Venus or Mars, the choice is yours!" The two Scouts glared at him with contempt. "Perhaps a little persuasion is needed." He closed his eyes, and the unconscious Charon was transported into his arms. "Lovely, isn't she?" He breathed, looking directly at Caliban, who was helping Mercury to her feet. Then, raising an arm so as to bring Charon's head closer to his, Lucilius did something that neither the prince would never be able to forget.
He pressed his lips firmly against the out cold Scout's firmly and without emotion, his dark eyes continuing to beckon silently to Caliban.
The prince let out an almighty roar of anger as he swung his sword over his head.
"How dare you trespass!" He yelled at the top of his lungs. "For that you shall die!"
"Not before your beloved Charon!" Lucilius spat back, letting the girl's legs drop as he raised his hand over her.
No one saw the red rose cut through the air.
It struck Lucilius's raised hand, cutting it. The man dropped Charon to the hard ground and cursed loudly.
"The Sailor Scouts will never beg, not even for you." Tuxedo Mask announced. Estrella, Luna and Artemis were stood near him. Venus, Mars and Moon all jumped to their feet.
"Venus Love Chain - Encircle!" Venus quickly wrapped the distracted Lucilius up in her chain of gold hearts.
"Moon Tiara…"
"Mars Fire…"
"Magic!" Sailor Moon threw her tiara.
"Ignite!" Mars's flames engulfed it as Lucilius broke free of the chain. He grinned wickedly as he deflected it using his coat - straight at Venus. She screamed as she fell to the ground.
"Sailor V!" Mars and Moon yelled helplessly.
"Florizel…?" Caliban inquired, looking at his father's adviser expectantly. Florizel nodded understandingly.
"Yes, Caliban, it's time we got involved." Quickly their clothes were replaced by beautiful suits of armour. "This is for Nerissa!"
"And for the princesses of this galaxy!" Caliban declared.
"And for Reimo!" They yelled together, firing energy out of the tips of their swords.
"This fight is getting boring…" Lucilius pretended to yawn as he lifted his hand. The energy blasts stopped in mid-air and turned back on the fighters. They leapt into the air to avoid them as Tuxedo Mask ran forward and attempted to strike Lucilius with his cane. The man dodged it and sent the gallant youth to the feet of Jupiter and Mercury, who were summoning their powers at that moment.
"Shine Aqua Illusion!"
"Jupiter Thunder - Crash!" the attacks combined and successfully struck the man. He glared angrily at them as he melted the ice.
"Stupid girls!" he yelled, once again knocking them to the ground.
Sailor Moon regarded the scene with serious eyes, jumping out of the way as a ball of black flames flew in her direction.
She didn't like this one little bit. The fully powered-up Lucilius was a great deal stronger than she'd imagined.
There was only one solution to this problem.
Stepping forward, her hands on either side of her brooch, Sailor Moon summoned the Imperium Silver Crystal.
"No!" the Scouts and cats yelled as they realised just what she was doing.
"Sorry guys, but this is the only way!" she called back to them as her Sailor Scout uniform was replaced by the Moon Princess's long, white gown.
"What's so wrong?" Caliban asked, unable to take his eyes off the blonde as she walked closer and closer to Lucilius.
"If she uses the Silver Crystal - she'll die!" Luna exclaimed frantically. "It will use all her power and destroy her!"
"Cosmic Moon Power!" The princess called, regardless of her companions' cries, and the crystal shone brightly, the heavenly, white light aimed towards Lucilius.
"Is that all you've got?!" He sneered as she got closer. There was no way he was going to let her know the truth - that his energy levels had started to lower as soon as the power of the Silver Crystal had struck him…
"Wh…what? Where am I?" Charon murmured weakly as her eyes fluttered open. She found herself staring at a dark sky, stars blocked out by thick clouds. As she lay there she could hear Lucilius laughing and the Scouts yelled out desperately, although what they were saying was incomprehensible to her swimming head. She noticed how the sky at the right edge of her vision seemed to be brighter than anywhere else. Turning her head, so that her cheek came into contact with the cold concrete below her, she looked at what was happening.
The Scouts - Venus, Mercury, Mars and Jupiter, were stood with Tuxedo Mask, Caliban, Florizel, Luna and Artemis, watching as Lucilius stood, bathed in a white light, which was coming from the hands of a blonde girl in a beautiful white dress…Sailor Moon?
"Charon!" A voice exclaimed, sounding happy yet somehow sad at the same time. Charon felt Estrella's soft fur against her arm.
"What's happening?" The girl inquired quietly, looking down at the kitten and seeing the tears in her eyes.
"It's terrible," she told her, letting out a small sob. "Sailor Moon's using the Imperium Silver Crystal! She's going to sacrifice her life to save us all!"
The words hit the Scout hard and gave her the momentum she needed to sit up sharply.
"What? No!" She exclaimed, a lump forming in her throat as she managed to pull herself onto her knees. "This is all my fault! Sailor Moon is going to die because of me!" Tears rolled down her cheeks and landed on her gloved hands. "I should be helping! Why did I lose the Plutonian Sphere?" Her tears fell harder as she looked up at the sky again, guilt rising within her heart.
It was then she noticed the star.
Well, that's what it looked like, however Charon knew it couldn't be a star as it was in front of a dark cloud, rather than behind it. It was getting brighter and brighter as it came closer to Earth…
"Oh!" She gasped, her heart skipping a beat.
"What's that?!" Estrella exclaimed, looking upwards as well. Charon's face was joyful as she stood up shakily.
"It's…it's the Plutonian Sphere!" She announced, her voice full of amazement as she raised her hands to catch it. "It came back to me!" The Scout hugged the object close to her chest and as she did felt her energy levels rise slightly.
She slowly turned her head and felt sick to her stomach as she saw that Lucilius was still smirking.
Now it was time.
"Stop!" She yelled, and everyone turned to look at her, including the Moon Princess, who did as she was told and lowered the Silver Crystal.
"Charon! You're awake!" Mars exclaimed, feeling relieved to see her friend back on her feet.
"Aaaah, Charon; did you enjoy your little nap?" Lucilius sneered, glad for the break from the Moon Princess's attack.
"Shut up." Charon muttered, her eyes narrowing.
"Oooh, getting nasty, aren't we?" He said sarcastically.
"Shut. Up!" The man laughed, however Charon simply ignored it. "You have been judged for your crimes and the jury has found you guilty; the sentence has been passed and I am here to give you your punishment! I am Sailor Charon - defender of hope and peace and for Charon, the moon of Pluto, I will destroy you!" Lucilius laughed again and the Inner Moon Princess saw her chance - she raised the Silver Crystal again, giving it her all, and the smirk was knocked from Lucilius's face. As he dropped to his knees, yelling out in pain, Sailor Charon marched forward slowly, the Plutonian Sphere held firmly in her hands. The wind blew her hair about, and what was left of her plait fell out. "Sailor Pluto, give me your power…" She commanded and the Sphere began to glow and floated from her hands. Sailor Pluto's stern face appeared on the surface.
"No, Charon! You are too weak to fight!" The Guardian of Time declared harshly, Charon took a breath. She had been expecting this and knew exactly how to respond.
"Pluto, you once told me to trust my instincts, and at this present moment they are telling me that I need to do this." Pluto's face relaxed and she smiled gently.
"Then I cannot argue with you."
"Thank you, my Plutonian Sister. I love you." Charon said sincerely, and with that she lifted the Sphere above her head as they called out in unison -
"PLUTONIAN SISTER PLANET POWER!!"
"Nooooo!!" The Scouts yelled as she walked past them. "Not you too!" They stared, not knowing what to do, as her Sailor suit seemed to melt and change into a long sleeveless lilac dress with a slit up to the knee on one side. Around her waist was a pink sash and gold earrings hung from her ears. As she closed her eyes the symbol of Charon appeared on her forehead. She joined her fellow Moon Princess, reopening her eyes. The two girls smiled at each other fondly, understanding what they must do.
"Ready?" Serena whispered.
"As ever." Princess Charon replied. The two girls lifted their arms higher as the energy from the Silver Crystal and Plutonian Sphere combined into a blinding white light, Lucilius howled in agony as it struck him. He could feel the pure energy of the two princesses burning away all of the dark power he had successfully managed to reclaim that night. Yet as he cried out he was still laughing triumphantly deep inside his black heart…
"What shall we do?!" Sailor Venus exclaimed as the group continued to watch the events before them.
"There's only one thing we can do," Tuxedo Mask declared. "Help." With that he ran to Serena, transforming into his regal armour.
"I'm coming, Charon!" Caliban called out, following Darien. The two princes stood behind the Inner and Outer Moon Princesses, giving their power to the cause.
"I'm so glad you're here…" Charon whispered to Caliban as he held onto her waist tightly.
"Come on, Sailor Scouts." Mercury said calmly, taking Mars's hand. They formed a circle, their Planet Powers rising, and called:
"Mercury Star Power!"
"Mars Star Power!"
"Jupiter Star Power!"
"Venus Star Power!"
"Sailor Planet Power!" Their energies combined, then arched out like a rainbow to join the energy of the Sphere and Silver Crystal.
"You won't win!" Lucilius yelled angrily.
"Master!" Quintus whimpered, running to Lucilius's side. The light became unbearable and everyone covered their eyes…
…As the light subsided the Scouts and Florizel all lowered their arms from their faces to look upon the aftermath.
Lucilius and Quintus had vanished.
And there, on the ground, knelt Caliban and Darien, cradling the lifeless bodies of Sailors Moon and Charon.
"No!" Sailor Venus cried. "No, they can't be!" She dropped down between the two Scouts. "They're not breathing!" She wailed.
"They're dead…" Mercury whispered, tears sparkling in her eyes.
"Serena, Alexia." Jupiter said sadly.
"Why? Why did you do it?" Mars said angrily, her tear-filled eyes glaring accusingly at Charon.
"Charon! No!" Estrella was hysterical, sobbing loudly as she rubbed her face against the girl's pale cheek, as if would bring her back.
"My beautiful Princess." Caliban whispered, his voice choked with emotion, as he lowered the girl's eyelids over her blank eyes.
"I can't believe this…" Venus sobbed. "I cannot believe they're gone!"
"Don't leave us, either of you, please." Mars whispered, her eyes closed as the tears escaped.
"Perhaps I can help." A gentle and familiar voice murmured. The group looked up tearfully to gaze at the delicate blue face of…
"Nerissa!" They all exclaimed, amazed to see her alive and well.
"We thought you were dead!" Mercury said, a smile managing to break across her tear-stained face. Nerissa, who was in her Planet Guardian uniform, smiled and shook her head.
"No, you see I can survive in space! I managed to teleport out of the Ithara just before Lucilius's escape pod hit it…my poor cruiser was completely wrecked, so I had to gather all my strength to teleport myself back here. I'm sorry I couldn't get back sooner-" she was cut off as Florizel suddenly threw his arms around her.
"I thought you were gone." He said lovingly, and the woman blushed furiously at the man's very public display of affection. Venus nudged Jupiter and they looked knowingly at each other.
"What did I tell ya?" The blonde whispered, winking.
"So, how can you help?" Estrella asked quickly, still close to Charon. Nerissa's smile broadened.
"Of course - your Special Power!" Caliban exclaimed, his eyes bright and hopeful.
"Special Power?" Jupiter repeated.
"Yes - you see, every Planet Guardian is granted a Special Power. Mine just happens to be the ability to restore life to those whose deserve it…and I can't think of a pair who deserve it more than Serena and Alexia."
"That's so cool!" Venus exclaimed, clapping her hands together joyfully.
"So, what are we waiting for?" Artemis smiled at Nerissa. "Let's get them back!"
Nerissa nodded, twirling her staff around her head. The jewel at the end glimmered.
"Reimo Regeneration!" she called, and pointed the staff at the girls, the jewel sending beams of light into their chests…
x x x x x
Charon was flying.
The sky was dark and sparkled with stars. She looked down on a beautifully lit place, a huge palace in the middle of many beautifully coloured gardens. It was warm and she felt relaxed as she floated along. But deep in her heart she was lonely.
"Where are the others?" She asked out loud. "I'm so alone here." She sighed miserably.
"Charon!" She heard the breeze call her name. "Charoooooon!"
Suddenly she realised it wasn't the wind - it was Sailor Moon.
The blonde girl flew to her, smiling.
"I'm so glad to see you." Charon said as they hugged.
"Ditto." Sailor Moon grinned.
"It's so beautiful here, but I want to go home." The dark-haired Scout sighed. Sailor Moon nodded.
"Me too…hey, do you know this place by the way?"
"Of course I do, how could I ever forget it? It's the Moon Kingdom." Sailor Moon nodded again.
"Yep, anyway, the others are waiting for us - let's go!" The Scouts held hands and faded away.