Epilogue - Last Dance.
"One and two and three and four…" Ms. Yakamori clapped her hands as she counted the beat. "Very good, Alexia." she complimented the young dancer as she spun past her. The music stopped. "Matthias? It's your turn."
"Good job." 'Matthias' remarked as he took the stage and she sat down.
"Thanks." She grinned at him, grabbing her towel. She sat back and sighed happily. It had been a week since her return to Earth and so far everything had been fantastic. It was a Friday evening, the next evening would be the recital, and so this was the last rehearsal before the big run-through that would occur the following morning. As she watched Caliban move gracefully to the music a smile came to her face. The best thing was the fact that she and Caliban could now be happy…and safe. She recalled the immense relief she'd felt as she'd woken up, revived by Nerissa's power, to discover Lucilius and Quintus were gone - presumably dead; and it had been the first thought that had crossed her mind every morning since then. However, mixed in with the joy was a deep feeling of sadness, for she knew that Caliban would have to go home soon, to makes amends with his father and people and then to take his rightful place as Emperor. She continued to watch her boyfriend dance when someone spoke from the seat next to her.
"He's really good, isn't he?"
Alexia turned her head to smile at Rei.
"Yeah, he sure is. What are you doing here?"
"It's eight-thirty, I said I'd come meet you, remember?" Her best friend reminded her.
"Is it that time already? Gosh, it's flown by!" The dancer exclaimed.
"So, are you finished?" The black-haired girl tilted her head. Alexia stood up and at the same time Caliban stopped dancing.
"Ms. Yakamori? Is it alright if I go now?" The teacher looked at her watch.
"Yes, Alexia, try and get a good night's sleep. It's going to be a very long day tomorrow."
"Yes, Ms. Yakamori, see you tomorrow." She bowed respectfully to her teacher then looked at Rei. "Come on then, shall we go?"
"Sure." Rei got to her feet, and the girls walked to the changing room backstage so Alexia could change. "So, how's it going? Are you going to be read y for the big night?"
"There's still a couple of things we need to go over again in the morning, but apart from that, all's well." She pulled a jumper on. "I'm so excited! It's going to be so…" she fell silent and sat down. "Oh, who am I kidding? I don't want tomorrow evening to come, Rei! I don't want to the recital to happen, because…"
"Because Caliban won't have any more commitments on Earth and will have to go home." Her companion finished the sentence for her, putting a supportive arm around the saddened Alexia. "I know it's going to be hard for you and that you're going to miss him, Alexia, and that's why I'm gonna be there for you, no matter what. My shoulder is always free for you to cry on and my ears free to listen to your every worry, you know that." The green-haired girl managed a smile.
"Thanks, Rei; no wonder you're my best friend." She said gratefully.
x x x x x
"I simply cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of her; only 13 Xyloxian years old and she can already handle a Mithraeic dagger better than I ever could!" Nerissa nodded slowly, resisting the temptation to roll her eyes. She was sat with her arms folded and legs propped up on the console, looking at the computer's main monitor on Caliban's ship. On the monitor was a woman with red hair and eyes of the same colour, who was grinning proudly.
"That is wonderful news, Teio." Nerissa remarked, managing to keep the boredom out of her voice.
"Well, I must go now," the woman said apologetically. "I promised Pei I would contact her before she leaves Mithra for her next destination. Oooh, I can't wait to find out what she learns next!"
"Neither can I, Teio, neither can I." The orange-haired woman responded, not meaning it one little bit.
"Well, then, rijam, Nerissa!" Teio twinkled her fingers before signing off.
"Rijam." Nerissa muttered, then took a deep sigh of relief as the screen went blank.
"You speak Xyloxian now, do you?" Caliban commented as he joined her. "Who was that?"
"That was Teio, Xyloks Guardian." Nerissa explained, lowering her feet from the console. "She's nice enough I guess…if you can stand her talking about her daughter Pei and what a brilliant Planet Guardian she's going to be every two seconds…"
"Oh, no wonder you looked so relieved when she signed off." The blonde prince remarked.
"Yup, I just had a whole hour of 'Pei's adventures on Mithra'." She told him, leaning back in her seat and closing her eyes.
"What are the other Planet Guardians like? Have you had to go on any group missions with them?" Caliban inquired curiously. He realised he had a lot of catching up to do…
"No, we haven't, and I'll tell you this - I'm not looking forward to the day we have to." She sighed wearily. "Not one little bit…" She looked at him and smiled. "You and Alexia were great at rehearsal, by the way, the recital should be a real success."
"Yeah…" He said rather distantly. Suddenly the computer signalled that someone was trying to contact them.
"Pleeease don't be Teio again!" Nerissa begged as she set up the communication. It was Florizel.
"Greetings," he looked sombre as he appeared on screen. He had returned to Reimo three days before to inform Caius of everything that had happened and to check how the ailing Emperor was doing. "I am on my way back to Earth and so thought I ought to get in touch."
"What's happened? How is my father?" Caliban asked anxiously, the man shook his head gravely.
"He is greatly looking forward to seeing you again, Caliban, and he shall…very soon." He paused. "I am afraid that his condition is now critical, the doctors say he shall only live at most for another week…we have no other choice but to leave Earth immediately after the recital." Caliban lowered his head, his eyes fixed on the floor.
"I see," He murmured. "And I understand…"
"I am sorry, Your Highness." The Royal Adviser said honestly.
"It's okay, really it is, Florizel," the prince replied, looking up again. "I knew this was going to happen sooner or later…I guess I just hoped it would be the latter rather than the former…"
He stood up, "I'm going to bed, I'm tired, goodnight." and with that he left the control room.
"Poor thing…" Nerissa sighed sympathetically as she watched the door slide shut behind him.
"How are you, anyway, Nerissa?" Florizel asked her.
"Me? I'm fine; happy and excited at the thought that we can finally go home." She replied, a dreamy look on her face as she thought about Reimo.
"Go home…and be together?" Florizel inquired, his dark eyes sparkling with curiosity. Her smile broadened.
"That depends on what you mean by 'be together'." She teased.
"You know exactly what I mean." He smiled back at her, wishing he was actually with her rather than talking over the computer.
"Well, in that case…" Her cheeks reddened as she lost herself in his warm gaze. "Most definitely."
x x x x x
The next day…
"Okay, here we are." Caliban announced as he led Alexia through the woody area near to his ship. His hands were firmly covering the girl's eyes and so she was walking in front of him, her arms spread out wide, making sure she didn't walk into anything. It was early, before the dress rehearsal. The day before he had asked Alexia to meet him early at his ship, although he hadn't explained why.
He sat her down on the trunk of a fallen tree and finally removed his hands from her face. "Well, what do you think?" He inquired hopefully. They were sat in the same place where Nerissa and Florizel had often met secretly at the beginning of their mission. The leaves of the trees were a thousand shades of green, brown, gold, red and orange and they looked ablaze in the bright sunlight of the early morning.
"It's beautiful," Alexia commented, taking in the scenery. "But why have you brought me here?"
"Am I not allowed to be alone with my girlfriend now?" The prince inquired, putting his arm around her. Alexia giggled bashfully; she was sure she'd never get used to him calling her his girlfriend. He spoke again, his voice this time quiet and sad. "After all, we only have a few more hours together…"
"What do you mean?" She inquired, although she knew deep in her heart what he was going to say, and so in the end she decided to answer her own question, unable to hear him say it. "You're leaving after the recital, aren't you?" He merely nodded. "Is your father…dying?" He nodded again. "I'm so, so sorry…" The Charonian sighed, leaning her head against him. "I'm starting to wonder if there'll ever be a time when we'll be able to be together without something coming between us…" She gasped, covering her mouth as she realised what she'd said. "I'm sorry! That was so selfish of me…I understand you need to go back, really I-"
She was cut off by his lips, which suddenly came into contact with her own.
"I feel the same way, Alexia. But there will be a time when we'll be together for the rest of our lives - I'm sure of it." He responded optimistically. "We are meant to be together - and I have the proof." He reached into his pocket to take out the glass cube which held – "This is a Charonian Ice Blossom, also known as the Flower of Eternal Love." He explained, not knowing if she knew what it was.
"You still have it!" Alexia responded, her blue eyes wide with astonishment.
"You know about it?!" Caliban exclaimed, just as surprised as she was. The girl smiled and nodded. She took the flower from him and examined it carefully through the glass.
"Last night I was just sitting thinking when I realised I could remember something that happened back on the Moon. It was strange, one moment it wasn't there and the next I couldn't stop thinking about it…can I tell you about it?"
"Sure, I'd love to hear it." The prince replied. Alexia smiled fondly at the flower as she remembered.
"Well, it all starts with me in a garden…"
…Charon hummed to herself cheerfully as she dug the soft soil of one of her flower beds with a gardening fork. She had been in a very good mood ever since she had woken up that morning; in fact she had been in a good mood since the day before. The other princesses had inquired into her happiness but she had simply shrugged and told them she didn't really know the cause of her joy. That of course had been a lie, and although she felt bad about not telling her friends the truth she didn't want to tell them why she was so happy just in case everything went wrong…
For deep within her, hidden below the cheerful exterior, Charon was worried.
She hadn't seen Caliban since the party they'd had to welcome him and his father's adviser to the Moon, and with every hour that had passed since then the princess had wanted to see him more and more. However there had been no sign of him, and it pained her heart to think that perhaps…she shook her head - no, she couldn't think like that. "The only way you shall ever know the one you are destined to be with is by meeting him," her mother had once told her during one of her long educating talks back on the Outer Moon. Charon was now sure that her mother had been correct, and that she had met that very person yesterday. She would never have even thought of giving him a Charonian Ice Blossom otherwise. She placed down her gardening fork and sighed sadly.
"Perhaps he had to rush back to Reimo for something important," she wondered out loud. "Oh, I do hope I see him again!"
"See who again, Your Highness?"
Charon's heart leapt as she heard the male voice pipe up from behind her. Getting up from the cloth she was kneeling on in order to keep her dress clean she turned to face Prince Caliban, who was looking at her with serious grey eyes.
"You are here! I was worried you had returned to Reimo!" she exclaimed as he walked over to where she was stood.
"You were worried? My Princess, I would never have left this place without saying farewell to you beforehand." He told her, smiling, although his eyes were still grave. She noticed how he held his hands behind his back.
"What are you hiding behind your back, my Prince?" She inquired, teasing over his use of the possessive. "Could it be what I think it is?" Her heart was beating quickly with anticipation.
"Well, what do you think it might be?" He teased back. The princess couldn't help but feel slightly nervous, his eyes had still not lost their seriousness since his arrival.
"Please, you know what I think! Just tell me!" He sighed and brought one hand around to his front. In it was…nothing.
"Alas, my Princess," he murmured sadly. "The flower you gave me wilted and died not long after you gave it to me…"
Charon had to sit down quickly.
A lump immediately formed in her throat as she realised what he was saying and she bit her lip, unprepared to cry in front of him.
"I see…" she managed to say, swallowing hard. "I am sorry to have wasted your time…" she stared at the ground, unable to look at Caliban. She had been so sure! So sure that he had been the one she'd dreamed of her whole life…the one who would love her like her father loved her mother.
Suddenly Caliban started to chuckle.
The Outer Moon Princess's head snapped up as she glared at him, not believing what was happening. "How dare you! How dare you laugh at me!" She cried out furiously, however the prince continued. "Get out of my garden! Leave at once! How could I ever have believed that we were meant to be together?!"
The prince's laughter came to an immediate halt.
"You believed we were meant to be together?" He inquired quietly and the girl nodded, feeling hurt. Suddenly he grabbed her hand and grinned, his eyes now sparkling joyfully. "Well, my Princess, what if we were?" Charon looked at him in amazement, beginning to wonder if this strange young man was the same person she had become acquainted with the day before.
"Whatever do you mean?!" She exclaimed in annoyance. Caliban continued to keep a hold of her hand, a mischievous glint in his eyes, and that was when the Princess noticed something.
His other hand was still behind his back!
"I'm sorry," he smiled. "I just had to get revenge for how you tricked me yesterday." He finally brought his other hand around to his front. "You were quite correct…" Charon's eyes lit up joyfully as she switched her gaze between the Charonian Ice Blossom that the prince held and his face.
"I should be mad at you for being so cruel to me…" she told him, the smile returned to her face. "But, oh!" She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him close. "I'm so happy!" Caliban carefully placed the flower in his pocket so he could hold her by the waist and they looked deeply into one another's eyes.
"I love you, Charon." He told her frankly.
"And I love you too, Caliban." She replied, wondering if all of this was actually happening or if perhaps she was dreaming. Not sure what to say or do next the princess simply continued to gaze at her true love expectantly. A feeling of nervousness washed over her as the prince leant his face in further towards hers, their eye contact never breaking. She knew what was going to happen, just as she had the day before, and she hoped, although she was nervous about it, that they wouldn't be interrupted this time.
His lips brushed against her gently and she closed her eyes, deciding she shouldn't think about what was happening, that perhaps kissing would come naturally. It was a strange but altogether very pleasant experience, she found. When the contact between their lips finally broke the princess couldn't help but giggle, her cheeks so red they were almost glowing.
"That was…wonderful," she told him quietly, suddenly feeling rather shy. "Could I possibly have another one?"
"My Princess, you can have as many kisses as you like." Caliban grinned, holding Charon so close that she could feel his heart beating along with her own…
"…And that's all I can remember." Alexia concluded.
"That's a shame, since the best part was what happened after that." Caliban informed her. "Well, it wasn't great at first, but in the end it turned out just fine."
"Oh, tell me what happened, please!" Alexia exclaimed, looking at him imploringly. He chuckled as he started to relate the story to her.
"Now I look back at it I can't help but laugh. We went back to the palace to tell everyone the good news, only to be immediately dragged apart and grimly informed we were expected at an emergency council meeting. It turned out that Luna had seen us kissing and was concerned I'd led you astray! She suggested that I was sent back to Reimo unless I agreed to keep away from you and, quite surprisingly, Queen Serenity agreed! Well, there was no way you were going to stand for that, so you practically leapt onto your seat and declared in an extremely loud and angry voice that you would not stop seeing me because you loved me! What a commotion that caused! And then, to add to the action, who should walk in but your mother and father, announcing that they'd received an urgent message to come to the Moon Kingdom as quickly as possible! I swear, if looks could kill Luna would have dropped dead there and then - you were absolutely furious!
"However, Luna hadn't sent the message - I had! I explained what had happened between us and showed them the Charonian Ice Blossom - they were delighted! And even more so when I told them the reason why I had sent for them - to ask personally for their daughter's hand in marriage." He paused to take a breath. "They agreed to it straight away - and that, my dear Alexia, is the crazy story of how we became engaged."
"That does sound pretty crazy…" Alexia remarked, smiling. "Anyway, look at the time! We have to go! Ms. Yakamori will kill us, we're going to be late!"
"No fear!" He grinned as they stood up. He wrapped his arms around her and ordered her jokingly to "Hold on tight!" before teleporting. It was a strange feeling, like everything was moving past them at an impossible speed, but soon Alexia found they were stood a little way from the theatre.
"Wow, that is handy!" She remarked approvingly.
"Come on, let's get in there before Ms. Yakamori blows up!" He grinned, grabbing her hand and running towards the steps.
x x x x x
"Alright ladies and gentlemen, we're done!" Ms. Yakamori clapped her hands, a smile adorned her face - something that the class weren't used to seeing very often. "I'm very proud of you all," she added. "Tonight will be a complete success if you dance as well as you have this morning! So I want you all to go home, have a good meal, and above all, relax!" She looked at Alexia as she said this. "I expect you all to be backstage by five, that gives you two hours to warm up, get in costume and made up." She disappeared backstage and Alexia sighed and stood up. She watched as Nerissa, obviously disguised as Crystal, got up from the piano, studying a piece of music. She looked up and waved before going in the same direction as Ms. Yakamori had gone. Alexia then walked slowly back to the stage, wondering what she could have for dinner and trying not to remember what Caliban had told her that morning. She couldn't help it, though; it was eating away at her and had been doing so throughout the rehearsal. Even looking at him hurt, knowing that she had to store as many images of him in her memory before it was too late-
"So, you think they are an item?"
"Of course, have you seen the way they look at each other?"
She realised the voices were coming from the other side of the curtain and so, very carefully, she leant closer to have a look around. She discovered a group of girls, including Shishu and Saya, were stood there, whispering to each other earnestly.
"She's so lucky! Shame really, because I was thinking of asking him out on a date after the recital…" One of the girls, who was called Mai, murmured.
"You, get a date with Matthias?! In your dreams!" Saya laughed.
"Yeah, anyway, you have no chance with Alexia around!" One of the others exclaimed.
"I think they make a sweet couple…" Shishu announced.
"That's if they are!"
"Well, we'll just have to ask them, won't we?" Alexia managed to keep her laughter under her breath.
"What's so funny?" Caliban whispered in her ear. His sudden appearance startled her and she clung onto the curtain while her heart returned to its normal rate.
"Oh, nothing, really," she smiled, finally turning to look at him. "Nothing at all."
x x x x x
Backstage was utter chaos. Some dancers were dashing around asking about missing toe shoes or other items; others were stood chatting; and Caliban was stood on his own, in a deep state of concentration.
"He's been like that since he got here! He's so calm and collected!" Someone exclaimed.
"I wish I was, I've got a really minor part but I'm still a nervous wreck." Another said. "I wonder where Alexia is?"
"Oh, she's with her friends, getting ready, she's gonna look gorgeous!"
Inside the small dressing room, which everyone had been ushered out of an hour or so before so Alexia could prepare herself in relative calm…
"Stop moving around, Alexia!" Mina exclaimed as she stuck hairpins into the girl's piled-up hair.
"I can't! I'm too nervous!" She exclaimed, fidgeting in her seat and repeatedly tapping her thighs with her hands. Rei sighed, knelt down next to her and grabbed her hands.
"You need to calm down, now." She said seriously, her dark eyes looking straight into Alexia's. "Otherwise you're never going to be ready in time!"
"I know, I'm sorry…" Alexia murmured, looking down at her lap and starting to play with the lace of her tutu. "In a few hours Caliban will be gone." She whispered, totally out of the blue.
"It's been a strange few weeks, hasn't it?" Rei remarked.
"Tell me about it," the dancer remarked. "Not long ago I knew nothing of Caliban or Lucilius. Now I feel like I know a lot more about my past life." She looked up again. "I really wish I could recall it entirely, sometimes I ask Estrella to tell me stories of the Moon Kingdom but she's pretty reluctant to, she says I ought to stick to living this life rather than try to re-live my old one."
"For a kitten she's pretty wise." Rei commented.
"Ta da! All finished!" Mina declared. "Time for you to have a look!" Alexia got off the chair and walked over to the full-length mirror.
"Is that really me?" The girl breathed as she turned herself this way and that. Her hair was piled on top of her head with a few strands hanging loosely round her face; her make up was just right - not too much, not so little that it wouldn't been seen under the bright stage lights. A sparkling gold tiara adorned her head, and she was wearing a beautifully made cream tutu, decorated with pearls, lace and golden embroidery.
"You look amazing!" Rei exclaimed.
"Of course she does!" Mina grinned smugly as she walked to the dressing room door. "Let's show the others! Caliban's going to go wild when he sees you!" With that she opened the door and announced loudly over the rabble: "And now presenting, your prima ballerina - Miss Alexia Risolto!" She stepped out of the way to allow Alexia to walk through and the troupe gasped.
"WOW!" Shishu gasped as she pushed through the group to grab the rather embarrassed Alexia's hands. "You look…wow! Like a real princess!" Rei and Mina looked at one another and couldn't help but giggle at Shishu's exclamation.
Caliban's grey eyes were impossibly wide as he stood staring at Alexia. For a moment he thought he'd gone back in time to the Silver Millennium and the Moon Kingdom, and that he was looking at Princess Charon just before she had danced on the evening he had been introduced to Queen Serenity's court. As she walked over to him his tongue was tied.
"Well? What do you think?" She asked quietly, and his response caused quite a stir. Unable to find the right words to express what he was thinking, he simply placed his hand on the back of her neck and kissed her with indescribable passion.
"Let's go and find the others." Rei said to Mina over the gasps and murmured comments of the dancers.
"Good idea," Mina responded. The pair patted Alexia on the back as they walked past her. "Hey, Matthias, don't mess up her make-up too much!" The blonde added teasingly as they left.
"I guess that answers our question." Shishu remarked to Saya, who nodded in agreement.
x x x x x
"Hey guys!" Mina greeted Amy, Lita, Darien and Serena as she and Rei joined them outside the auditorium.
"Here you are!" Lita exclaimed. "We've been waiting for you for ages!"
"How is everything backstage? Is Alexia nervous?" Amy inquired.
"A little, but she'll be fine once she gets on stage." Rei answered.
"Look at Alexia's parents, they're so proud of her." Serena remarked, looking over at Miaka and Alfredo, who were chatting earnestly to some other adults.
"Yes, she's always wanted to be a dancer, since she was tiny!" Miaka exclaimed, her eyes bright.
"She's been going to classes since she was 3. She's our star!" Alfredo looked as if he were about to burst with pride.
"We ought to get to our seats, it begins in two minutes." Mina announced. They nodded and walked into the auditorium. People were fighting to get to their seats before the curtain went up and the group had to squeeze through to get to their row.
"Is it safe?" Darien whispered, pointing to the holdall, which seemed to move around, on his lap. The other girls looked around, then nodded. He opened the zipper and Luna, Artemis and Estrella looked out.
"How exciting!" Estrella mewed.
"Shh!" The others hushed the kitten quickly as the lights went down and the curtains went up on a beautiful garden scene - the recital was beginning at last!
x x x x x
The audience cheered and clapped loudly as the curtain fell on Alexia. She sighed with relief as she relaxed and was handed a towel.
"Brilliant first part, people." Ms. Yakamori praised. "You have fifteen minutes to relax and go through anything you're concerned about." The troupe nodded and scattered. Caliban grinned as Alexia walked over to him.
"You were great." He told her, slipping his arms round her waist.
"You too." she said.
"Congrats guys, the audience were going crazy for ya!" Nerissa, disguised as Crystal, joined them. Her happy expression changed into a more sombre one as she got closer. "Florizel's returned." She informed them. "He brought back a crew to take your ship, they've already set off. We shall travel with Florizel." Caliban nodded understandingly, his eyes suddenly downcast.
"I see." He tightened his grip on Alexia, who smiled bravely at him.
"We'll be alright." She whispered, fighting the tears that threatening to form. There was an hour to go before the end of the recital, and then…
Suddenly the moment was destroyed by an ear-piercing shriek, coming through the backstage door that led outside. A distraught woman ran in.
"A monster!" She cried out hysterically. "A huge, hideous monster!" She broke down into tears as a huge group went to comfort her. There was a bleep from Nerissa's communicator.
"We have company," Florizel announced as she answered the call. "Looks like I brought a visitor back from Reimo." Nerissa, Caliban and Alexia looked at one another sternly.
"Come on, we haven't got long." Caliban instructed.
"Let me contact the others." Alexia said, and sent Rei a telepathic message: We've got trouble at the back of the theatre. Meet us quickly.
Right, Alexia, we're on our way.
"Okay, ready!" She announced, and the trio sneaked away.
"What is that thing?!" Alexia exclaimed as they met Florizel.
"I dunno, but whatever it is it's not happy." Lita replied as the rest of the Scouts joined them.
"That is a Rock Eagle," Caliban told them. "They're common to Reimo and usually pretty good tempered…"
"I think it's the atmosphere, I don't think it agrees with it." Florizel remarked. They all looked up at the huge brown bird, which was swooping and screeching wildly at anything in its sight. Every now and then its huge wings clipped the theatre, knocking off loose parts of the building's ornate façade.
"We've gotta do something about it before it demolishes the theatre!" Mina yelled, ducking her head as the bird got far too close for comfort.
"Leave it to us, we'll sort it!" Serena said courageously.
"I'll help too!" Nerissa called.
"Where's Darien?" Caliban asked.
"He's looking after the cats in the theatre." Serena explained. "We couldn't leave them alone!"
They all held their Transformation items high-
"Reimo Power - Transform!"
"Mercury Star Power - Make Up!"
"Mars Star Power - Make Up!"
"Jupiter Star Power - Make Up!"
"Venus Star Power - Make Up!"
"Charon Moon Power - Make Up!"
"Moon Crystal Power - Make Up!"
The six Sailor Scouts and Reimo Guardian stood together.
"Shine Aqua Illusion!"
"Glittering Ice!"
"Jupiter Thunder!" Sailors Mercury, Jupiter and Reimo Guardian attacked together, freezing the bird's wings and sending it crashing to the ground. Its call got louder and angrier as it struggled to break the ice.
"Venus Love Chain Encircle!" Venus tied its wings in place.
"Charon Psy-Wave!"
"Mars Celestial Fire - Surround!" the Scouts of Mars and Charon double-teamed perfectly.
"We're going to have to destroy it - it's the only way!" Florizel yelled over the Rock Eagle's furious shrieking. Sailor Moon nodded and swung her sceptre around her head:
"Moon Sceptre Activation!" The bright beam of energy struck the bird, immediately turning it into nothing but dust.
"Good job, everyone." Luna commended as the group changed back into their normal clothes.
"We better get back before Ms. Yakamori misses us." Alexia announced.
"You're right, c'mon." Caliban and Nerissa sprinted off, followed by Alexia.
"See y'all later! She called over her shoulder to her friend.
"Sure! Great first half, by the way!" Rei called back.
"And where have you been?" Ms. Yakamori looked stern as the trio entered breathlessly.
"Sorry, it's my fault." Alexia blurted out. "I felt a bit faint so Crystal and Matthias took me outside to get some air."
"I see," Ms. Yakamori's voice lost its harshness. "Well, I hope you are feeling better now, Miss Risolto."
"Oh, much, thank you." Alexia replied as the teacher walked away.
"Nice one, Alexia." Nerissa breathed a sigh of relief.
"Yeah." Caliban agreed, putting his arm around Alexia's shoulders. "So, shall we take a break now?"
"Definitely." The Charonian nodded, allowing him to lead her to some chairs nearby. "'No rest for the wicked'? More like 'no rest for the good guys'!"
x x x x x
The music slowed, and the audience relaxed into it as Alexia took a deep breath and danced in from the right side of the stage. She twirled and leapt in time to the music as Caliban joined her. She caught his eyes mid-pirouette and smiled within herself as he caught her. This was the final dance of the night, but to Alexia it was the first - the dance that they had performed together at the audition. As he lifted her above his head she found herself thinking about all of the things that had happened since she had first met him: how he had made her feel so scared at first; their first date; the Scouts telling her who he really was; how Lita and Rei fell out with her; her time on Lucilius's ship; and lastly the great fight against the man himself…so much had happened since that day she had fainted at the Shrine, and she knew that she would never forget any of it.
As the last memory slowly faded into the distance, the music ended. She took Caliban's hand and curtsied as the audience got to their feet and applauded loudly. She looked up at the prince and grinned, he smiled back fondly. Flowers were flung at their feet and Alexia noticed the Scouts move from their seats and walk onto stage, carrying a large bouquet of blue flowers.
"Oh, you guys!" She hugged each of them tightly, swallowing hard as she felt tears in her eyes. She was overjoyed that the recital had gone so well, yet…
It was time to say goodbye.
x x x x x
Alexia and Caliban were holding each other tightly, back in their own clothes, feeling numb.
She was finding it harder and harder not to cry, breathing deeply to keep the misery she so desperately wanted to allow to cry out (but not in front of him) within. The time had gone by so quickly, and she wished that she could have the last week all over again - and again - and again…
"I'm scared, Alexia." He whispered into her ear. "What if the people don't accept me back? I don't know how to be an Emperor…what am I going to do?" She pulled away from him slightly, placing her hands on his cheeks and looking him deeply in the eye.
"You're going to be a great Emperor, Caliban." She told him firmly. "Florizel will be there to help you," she smiled at him. "And anyway, if the people don't accept you, which won't happen, you can always come back here…"
"Don't tempt me." He murmured before kissing her.
Meanwhile, Nerissa, back in her role as Reimo Guardian, and Florizel were stood nearby with the Scouts, Darien and the three cats.
"Once again, many thanks for all your help." The Royal Adviser was saying gratefully. "One day we shall return the favour."
"It was an honour to help you, Florizel." Luna replied. The man bowed deeply to the group, then turned to regretfully speak to the young lovers.
"Your Highnesses? It is time." He announced. Alexia bit her lip, holding onto her prince's hands as if she would never let go.
"We'll always be together." She told him. "No matter how far apart we are, our hearts will always be as one."
"Awww…" Serena couldn't help but sigh as she rested her head against Darien's chest, tears in her eyes. "It's so moving…" she sniffled.
"I know." Caliban ran a hand down her cheek, committing to memory the softness of her skin. "I want to do one more thing before I leave…" He took a breath and her hands in his. "Alexia, my Princess, Sailor Charon…" he said gently. "I love you and I will return for you one day." Amidst gasps of joy from the Scouts he got down on one knee. "When I return, will you marry me?" Alexia somehow managed to continue to hold back her tears.
"You'd better say yes!" Mina yelled, and the couple laughed.
"Yes, Caliban, of course I will!" She exclaimed, delighted. He smiled, taking her left hand and slipping a ring on it - the very same ring he had given her in the Moon Kingdom!
"Can you believe Florizel kept this all this time?" He grinned as he stood up again, grabbing the girl by the waist and spinning her around; both of them laughing loudly as they went. He looked over at Florizel and Nerissa and sighed, the smile once again leaving his face. "I must go now…"
"I know." Alexia looked at the ground; she didn't want him to see how much she wanted him to stay.
Their hands were still intertwined as he started to walk towards the ship, and their arms stretched out until finally they were too far away from each other. Alexia's arm dropped back to her side limply as the prince stood at the door with Nerissa, as Florizel had gone to start the engines.
"Good luck with everything! We'll miss you!" Serena called as she wiped her eyes.
"'Bye!" Nerissa waved to them. "It was a pleasure working with you all!"
"Ditto!" Lita called back. "Oh, and I'm sorry I hated you for a while!"
"I'm so glad we got the chance to learn to know the real you, Caliban." Amy said.
"I'm glad I got to know all of you again, too." The prince responded, his eyes never leaving Alexia, who was still looking at the ground.
"Hey, Caliban! I have a question – how old are you?!" Serena suddenly asked.
"The same age I was back on the Moon – 17 in both Earth and Reimoan years – Reimo goes around our sun at the same speed as Earth! Oh, and in case you were wondering, I stopped the anti-aging spell!"
"Anti-aging spell?!" The girls exclaimed, staring at him.
"I'll explain later." Artemis promised them.
"Look after yourselves, and each other!" Rei advised, continuing the farewells.
"I hope we see you all again soon!" Mina waved, and in her heart she knew that they would.
"Goodbye!" The pair waved, looking tearful as the doors finally slid shut, and the ship flew away quickly.
Alexia finally looked up as the ship disappeared into the starry heavens.
"Farewell, my love." She whispered, knowing she couldn't hold on any longer. She turned to look at Rei, the tears already filling her eyes. "Rei…I think I'm going to need that shoulder now…" she whimpered. Rei walked over to her quickly, throwing her arms around her best friend as she sobbed loudly.
"It will be okay, Alexia…I promise." She whispered, stroking her green hair comfortingly.
"Oh, Alexia…" Estrella sniffled, and Luna nuzzled her face against the kitten's, like a mother soothing her daughter.
x x x x x
"Choices, choices…" Merula sighed as she looked up at the list of departure times. Her time in England had come to an end. "Wherever next? After all, I haven't got much holiday time left…" she sighed and placed a hand on her chest. Just as she'd always expected, her heart was yearning to see her again.
"How about Berlin? I've always wanted to go there!" The purple-haired girl's reverie was broken by the distinct accent of the girl stood beside her. Merula's brown eyes flicked to the side to look at Alice, who was looking at her expectantly. "Well? How's your German?"
"Not as good as my English, but there's no harm in practising!" Merula placed an arm around Alice's shoulders and she beamed.
"Fabulous!" her sunny expression suddenly switched to one of doubt. "That is, if you don't mind me coming along…"
"Hey, I asked you if you wanted to keep me company, remember?! Anyway, you look like you could do with a holiday." Merula grinned at her companion, who smiled back.
"You're right, silly me!" she giggled as Merula ushered her along.
Japan could wait…for now…
x x x x x
"Well, that was an interesting class!" Alexia exclaimed as she and Estrella reached the top of the temple steps.
"What's up?" Rei inquired as the girl flung her bag down. They were all there, awaiting Alexia, who had asked if they could all meet up and do something to take her mind off the departure of Caliban.
"Well, it all started with Ms. Yakamori introducing our new pianist and sadly informing us that Crystal and Matthias would no longer be able to come to classes due to the fact that they have to move due to family issues!" She explained, sitting down with Estrella in her lap. "So I had all these girls around me for the whole class, being all sympathetic and then some of them were telling me about how they manage to have relationships with guys who live in different towns to them!" She couldn't help but laugh. "It was actually quite funny; part of me wanted to say to them 'different towns would be no problem - you try keeping a relationship going in different galaxies!'" They all laughed with her. "It seemed really, really strange though, not practising for the recital and Caliban and Nerissa not being there…"
"Hey you guys!" Serena announced as she leapt to her feet, deciding to change the subject. "I decided something after the recital - I wanna be a dancer too!" She began to spin - and tripped over Luna! Amid the laughs of the other Scouts and the wails of Serena Alexia sat quietly, staring at her engagement ring with a troubled expression.
Last night, before Caliban had left, Florizel had asked to talk to her in private. His words were still echoing in her mind…
…The Royal Adviser and girl walked a little way away from the group.
"Alexia, I would like you to sit down, please." He told her, indicating the bench they had arrived at. She did as she was told, wondering what he was going to say. "I have something to tell you. I don't know how you'll take this but please, try to remain calm." He took a breath before continuing. "While I was travelling from Reimo I received a call from another of our ships in the Nether Zones of space."
"Nether Zones?" Alexia repeated.
"Yes, they are right at the edge of the universe, billions upon billions of light-years away from you. It is a terrible area, the resting place of the debris of thousands of destroyed planets. Anyway, I am now off the subject. This ship had discovered an extremely weak energy reading there - the energy reading matched that of Lucilius." He looked at her regretfully. "It seems that the power of the Silver Crystal and Plutonian Sphere were not enough to finish him off. Like I said, it was extremely weak and an incredible distance from you - so there's no cause for panic - yet." He added quickly. "Nonetheless, I am very sorry."…
She sighed, looked up at her friends, and bit her lip. Florizel's news hadn't really sunk in until she'd been in bed, trying to sleep. She had decided to place the message to the back of her head - there was no need to panic, she'd probably never see Lucilius again! However, she couldn't keep it from them - they had a right to know too…
"Hey Alexia, what's wrong?" Serena asked her, her eyes full of concern as she noticed the dark-haired Scout's trouble expression. Alexia got to her feet.
"Nothing, nothing at all," she smiled. "As for you being a dancer, Serena, maybe that's not such a good idea. Stick to what you're best at."
"What, sleeping and eating?" Rei suddenly inquired. Serena turned red.
"No, Rei! I mean, sure she's good at those but her biggest talents are making people happy and being a good friend. Oh, and of course, saving the world." Alexia responded. Serena smiled and blushed.
"You're pretty good at it too, Alexia." She replied. "Now we can all see there's something wrong - so please, tell us."
Alexia looked at each of her friends - Amy, Lita, Serena, Rei, Mina, Luna, Artemis and Estrella - in turn, then took a deep breath:
"I had an ulterior motive when I asked if we could all meet today." She explained, feeling nervous. "I have something important to tell you all…"
The End.