Konnichi wa, minna! Here's the chapter you've all been waiting for!!!! Oh, and this has some In Happy Hiding references in it, so those who have read the first story will catch them! I hope you enjoy!
BTW, the story the Makaiju tells is not of my original making. In order to get it right, I copied it directly from an episode guide, from this site: www . eternalmoon. org / illustrated / for the corresponding episode. I highly reccomend this illustrated episode guide: it is very thorough and enjoyable!
-rosa
Review Replies
Moosagi: Thanks! I'm glad you like it! Here's the next chapter
Mango-Moo: LOL! Glad you got into it! Hope you like this chapter!
JadesRose: Hi! I'm thinking your review was cut off but what I got was great, too! Thanks! Hope you like the finale!
Vi3t Babii: Evil, yes, I know. Sorry! Here's another chapter! Thanks for reviewing!
Newfie Child: Please don't die from the suspense! Here! Here's the next chapter! Thanks for reviewing!
Serenity Darkness: Why must I end it there? For suspense, of course! Lol! Thanks for reviewing!
ells: Yay, a meaty review! Lol! Thanks for all your kind words! This particular story ends here, but the series continues with a Crystal Tokyo story. But I'm working on ideas for a R season story, so don't worry! Thanks for all your help through this story!
omystars: Yes, Minako just couldn't help herself, lol. Glad you had something to come back to! And thanks for reading and reviewing!
WingsofaDream: LOL! HAHAHAHA! I was wondering if you went on vacation or something! But now I know… fanfiction dot net is responsible! Oh, well, you made up for them losing the review by this really funny one! And yeah, you can start a new review story in my next project! Yay!
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PisxiePam: Don't worry, I didn't forget about the story! And yes, "Ja ne" is goodbye! Thanks for reviewing!
Moonmoore: Expecting more as in length? Well, don't worry, because this chapter is about twenty pages. Phew! Have fun!
Senshi no Panku: Hmm… you'll just have to wait and find out! Hope you like this chapter! And thanks for reviewing!
pure-sweet: Wait not more! Here's the next chapter! I hope you like it!
angel313: Thanks! I wrote Usagi in this story as I think she should have been portrayed and I'm glad you're enjoying yourself! Hope you like this chapter! Thanks for reviewing!
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Neonlights: You think at some point the cliffhangers would cease to surprise people! LOL! Guess not! I might even leave off the whole book on one so people would read the next book! …. Nah… too evil. Thanks for sticking with me this whole time!
cardcaptor eternity: I think that was all for the llama since Minako knows that Kunzite sees right through her! But it was fun though! Thanks for reviewing, your review was funny!
Rose: Thank you so much for your kind words! I hope you like this chapter!
Nazi Hater: Yay! You're back! And I think I might have explained the blowing up building bit… but no, I did not perform a massacre! LOL! Yes.. waning moon.. negative symbolism. YES! And don't worry, the whole Mamoru thing will be resolved… read and find out! Thanks for all your help through this story!
insanechildfanfic: Thanks!
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Thank you to all my reviewers! Your kind words mean so much to me!
-rosa
Chapter 19: Five, I'm Afraid, My Lady
The Strategist, the Seer, the Vindicator, and the Contender met at an impasse but did not recognize each other. Kunzite noticed that he had seen Nephrite at the arcade with a tall brown haired girl. Zoisite noticed he'd seen Jadeite at the temple when he'd gone there to purchase a love charm, and Nephrite had seen Kunzite at school once or twice.
Other than that, they remembered nothing.
But Jadeite, the Seer, the Shitennou tamer of the Sixth Realm, even without his memories, saw past these. He looked at the man with the pale, almost white-blond hair, and saw instead a blond woman, hanging limply from a chain tied around her neck. And he looked at the guy with the curly ponytail and saw a girl with short ebony hair that seemed blue by the ice all around her with a huge, sharp icicle through her stomach. And he looked at the tallest one, the one with hair a woman would covet, and saw a tall, brown-haired girl being electrocuted to death.
Then the Seer looked at his own hands, and saw his firefly, Hino Rei, Sailor Mars as he knew now, walking reverently into a sea of flames. He could see the steam from her evaporated tears; he could hear the hiss as the salty drops turned to vapor.
"Sweet Kami, what is this terrible vision?!" he cried, agitated.
"It is your past life, my friend," came a familiar voice. The four of them turned, and there, there was a man clothed in white with his face hidden.
"Mamoru-kun?" Zoisite blurted, stunned. The sapphire eyes burned behind the white cloth, and the resonant voice couldn't be mistaken.
"Never before has anyone called me by that name," said the figure, advancing on them slowly, hands out, palms upturned. "I am Tsukikage no Knight. But the four of you once called me Endymion."
Slowly, he lifted a gloved hand and, inch-by-inch, revealed his face.
"You are Mamoru!" Zoisite murmured, thinking.
The Knight replaced the mask. "No, Strategist. I am Mamoru's memory. I am his past life; I am every recollection he once had of his life as Endymion, then, the months he spent as Tuxedo Kamen. I am the part of Mamoru that loves Serenity and knows Sailor Moon."
"You mean, Usagi?" Zoisite ventured.
"Serenity. Sailor Moon. The shining star. Tenshi Pacis. The White Princess." he said, then murmured, "And my lily. My lily among thorns…." He snapped back into reality. "Yes, Tsukino Usagi—as you know her now—is in grave danger."
He grabbed the hilt of his curved Arab sword, and yanked it deftly from its sheath. His white cape waved in a wind the other four could not feel.
"The time is come. You four are the Ancient Shitennou of Earth, and I can no longer protect her alone. Not now, when she needs me most."
The self-loathing in his voice was enough to put a lump in their throats.
"What must we do?" Kunzite asked, his voice filled with certainty. He could remember Tsukino Usagi from her occasional visits to the arcade, and though the idea that she was Sailor Moon was really weird, the thought of someone messing with her was infuriating.
Tsukikage no Knight looked up, and looked them all in the eye, one-by-one.
"You must remember."
----------------
In an instant, all Chiba Mamoru knew to be true and constant was shattered. Instead of Seijuurou and Natsumi, Mamoru saw only two aliens. And the building they'd been in was slowly crumbling further, just as Seijuurou shoved him into a closet and then disappeared from his sight.
But it wasn't a closet. It was a huge, void expanse of space, and in the center, a huge tree.
A huge tree that happened to have one of its thick vines coiled around a screaming Usagi.
"Stop! What are you doing to her?!" Mamoru demanded, mind whirling. He couldn't think straight. He could think at all. All he knew was Usagi and her howls of pain—the sound made his back arch.
Then, WHOOSH, and he was trapped next to her. Usagi was biting her lip now, and it was bleeding. She was bravely fighting the screams now… light and warmth left Usagi's body, and collected in the tree. The tree was glowing with Usagi's life.
Without warning, Mamoru turned his head and vomited, sickened by the slowly weakening struggle of the only women he'd ever loved, and the shame and the helplessness and the shock …
And the fear.
"What is this?! What have we ever done to you?!" Mamoru protested, tears running down his face as he wrenched to get free. Usagi voice was going hoarse.
The pink alien leapt like a cat to the branch he was tangled in. Up close, he recognized her instantly. With a feral grunt, he resumed his efforts to free himself.
"YOU!" he snarled. "You're the one who smashed Usagi's knee! I should wring your alien neck for that cheap shot!"
Ann only grinned. "Ah, so you know this girl's secret as well. Understandable… she would tell you that to keep you enspelled. Mamoru, you know she's Sailor Moon, our hated enemy… you know she has fearful powers, Mamoru, and she's cast her evil over you! If not for her, you would have loved me! And without her, all will change!"
Mamoru froze. For a moment, the only sound was that of the occasional crumbling wall and Usagi's quick, raspy gasping.
"Oh, Kami. You're Natsumi!"
"Bingo. Well done, Mamoru."
At that moment, Usagi's struggles stopped all together. She went limp, and hung silently from the vine. The last of her light went in to the vine and brightened the tree.
"Usako! Stop it! Usako!!!"
Ann continued the conversation casually. "Our Makaiju is very fond of Usagi's energy. Apparently fond enough to take all of it."
Mamoru looked desperately to Usagi. Her lips were blue, and her face pale. Sweat rolled in streams down her face, but her limp body, tinted blue, shivered violently. The pre-med student in him suddenly gasped in alarm.
"Kuso… she's going into shock."
-----------
Ail watched, bewildered, as the Makaiju sucked Usagi dry. He watched as Ann, the only other sentient being he'd known in his life up till earth taunt Mamoru and gloat over Usagi's still form.
"How could it come to this?" he whispered to himself. "What could possibly motivate Ann to hurt Usagi?"
LOVE.
Ail whirled, searched for the source of the voice. He found nothing.
"Ann! Matte!" he cried, running to her. "What are you doing?!"
Ann whirled, fire in her eyes. "Stay out of this, Ail! You have also fallen under this girl's spell!"
Ail shook his head, trying to clear it desperately. "What are you TALKING about, Ann?"
Eyes wild, Ann turned on him. "Your little crush—THAT GIRL—," she cried, pointing wildly at Usagi's limp body, "is SAILOR MOON!"
Ail was stunned silent.
"Yes," Ann hissed, drawing out the word. "You were weak! You managed to develop a little thing for our hated enemy! The one responsible for the Makaiju's slow death!" But a sick grin crossed her face. "But that's all okay. Because all the energy she stopped us from collecting, Sailor Moon has very kindly donated to our Makaiju."
Ail began to shake. "Ie, ie… Who are you? You are not my Ann!"
During this exchange, Mamoru hissed Usagi's name over and over. Eventually, her eyes opened. Her pupils were fully dilated—she was obviously hallucinating out of sheer weakness. Her words were slurred by loose, blue lips.
"Endymion… onegai… help me!" she whispered, strangled. Her eyes saw visions that his did not.
"Usako! Usako, it's me! Mamoru! Your Mamo-chan!" he hissed desperately. "Can you hear me?"
"Don't… leave me… Endymion!" was her plaintive response.
The cry made his heart wrench. Fueled by compassion and concern for her deepening shock, not to mention a rush of adrenaline, Mamoru ripped one arm free of the vine. He stretched his arm to its full length until his fingers were micrometers from brushing her face.
"Usako," he whispered, and threw all his effort into stretching… just… a little… further.
Her skin was freezing. Cold and clammy. But she reacted instantly to his touch.
"Endymion…" she whispered, her features softening.
That name… there's something about that name…Mamoru mused absently, stroking her cheek with the tip of her finger.
"Usako, I'm here… you're going to be okay… just try to stay awake…"
--
Ann noticed the communication between the two captives, and turned and viciously kicked Mamoru's hand away. A crack sounded through the void and Mamoru's eyes widened, and he bit down on his mouth to stop the scream of pain. He snatched his hand away, and cradled it against his chest, but his eyes, full of tears of pain, were yet on Usagi.
The crack in Mamoru's hand awakened her. For a moment, her eyes were clear. And they were full of righteous anger and remorse. But then, they closed again.
Apparently, the crack in Mamoru's hand had awakened the Makaiju as well. He screamed as the vine began to squeeze him tighter.
Ann whirled on him. "Nani?!" She kicked the vine. "Matte, Makaiju! Ie! Kill the girl!"
Without warning, the tree let both victims loose, and they plummeted to the floor. Ail quickly caught Usagi and laid her down on the ground gently. Her skin was death—cold and clammy. The blue tint in her lips and fingers terrified him.
"Usagi-san… Sailor Moon… this was never supposed to happen!" he whispered haggardly.
Her eyes fluttered open. "I… know," she sighed weakly, before lapsing back into unconsciousness.
--
Ann caught Mamoru to slow his fall, then dropped him roughly. He was still cradling his hand against his chest, and his wrist was beginning to swell.
"I didn't mean to hurt you," she murmured, an unreadable expression in her eyes. She backed slowly away from him.
Mamoru looked up, meeting her eyes. Tears of pain pooled in those dull sapphire depths. Instead of answering, he ripped off his jacket and tore a piece off to bind his wrist and hand. When he had finished, she was still gazing at him.
"I know, Natsumi," he whispered. "You are not evil."
With that, he turned and fled to Usagi's side. Ann's eyes flashed and she moved to follow him, hands cracking with energy.
STOP!
-----
Sailor Mars studied the vines blocking the entrance. The silence following Usagi's stream of screams had her unnerved, but she had to remain calm. There had to be a way in.
Something on the vines caught her eye. They made small adjustments, barely perceptible movements… almost… in order to get comfortable. On a sudden hunch, she touched the vine, bracing herself. Instead of attacking her, the plant leaned into her touch.
A flash of images flashed through Mars's head until she broke the connection, breathless.
"Sparkling Wide—,"
Mars whirled, and grabbed Jupiter's arm. "Matte!" she cried. Jupiter looked at her quizzically.
"What, Mars?" Venus asked, approaching her. Even Ami stopped typing on her computer for a moment.
Mars looked at the plant vines. "I think… I think this being… is sentient. And it has already been hurt enough."
Jupiter moved to protest, but an instant later, the vines receded and created an opening.
"Arigatou," Mars whispered, touching one of the vines.
STOP!!
All four Senshi froze. Mars shook her head, shivering, then began to walk again.
"She isn't talking to us," Mars whispered, and began to run.
----------------
Ann watched, silently containing her rage, as Mamoru left her to see after Usagi. When Ail refused to move aside, that was the last straw.
"NANI?! You still care only for her!" Ann roared. "Is the only way to make you both see her evil to destroy her? FINE! SO BE IT! DIE, deceptive girl! DIE!"
Ann threw both hands forward and electric energy shot from her palms and hurtled towards Usagi's still form. Startled, Ail leapt out of the way. But Usagi never received the blast—The energy crashed into Mamoru, who threw his own back to the blast. He gave a howl of pain and then fell limply to the floor, his body gently draped over Usagi's.
Shocked, Ann pulled her energy back. "I don't understand…" she whispered.
LOVE! came the silent voice again. The cry was deafening.
"Ann," Ail whispered, approaching her. "I think I do."
Suddenly a blast of fire and lightning exploded one of the walls, and four very angry Senshi streamed through the hole.
They didn't think. Not even Mercury. All they saw was the unconscious embrace of the two most important people in the world. Without hesitation, all four of them attacked. Ail and Ann were angered out of their touching moment, and thrown into rage. They countered the attacks, and gave some of their own.
The battle raged on.
---------
Tsukikage no Knight led the way, with his four Generals behind him. No, he couldn't restore their memories… he was a divided man. But he could give their powers. After all, he was Prince Endymion. But as long as Mamoru didn't have his memories, they Shitennou could not have theirs. But they were very willing to fight, especially when he told them who else was in danger.
They stopped at a smoking building, barely more than a pile of rubble. Rescue teams were still pulling people out, but the Knight had a feeling they wouldn't get to the ones he needed to get to.
Vines were covering the building, but in one spot, they had opened, just wide enough to allow a single human in.
Or four of them, if they went single file.
"Here!" he called to the Generals. And they ran through the tunnel as fast as they could, single file.
Then, they reached a smoking hole in the wall, still crackling with charge.
"I believe Lady Mars and Lady Jupiter have been here," the Knight mumbled bitterly, and rushed through the opening.
--------
Sounds of destruction… screams, attack sequences… crashes and explosions…Darkness… only darkness… cold, sweaty darkness and shivers…
Pressure… something on… warmth.
Warmth…
…drowning in waves of cold darkness… but the gentle warmth she'd felt from so long ago…
calling her…
------------
Mamoru could feel Usagi stirring underneath him. And he could hear the Sailor Scouts fighting Ail and Ann behind him. But his head was swimming… he couldn't move, couldn't open his eyes.
Until he got some incentive.
"Mamo-cha—oh…" Usagi murmured.
His head cleared like a sunny day. He climbed quickly off of her, using his good arm, and quickly hefted her head into his lap. He gently brushed the stream of blood from her lips, careful not to disturb the weak clot. "Usako… Usako, are you okay?"
Foolish question. She was an inch from death.
"Fine…" she wheezed, "as long… as… you're…here."
"Move," came a new, quiet voice, full of authority. The command of a princess.
Mamoru turned and his eyes fell on the Ice Maiden, Sailor Mercury.
"She's in deep shock," he said frantically, "but she's trying desperately to climb out of it."
"I can see that," Mercury responded anxiously. "Mars!"
The Soldier of Fire rushed over, looked Usagi's bluish skin over once, then knelt. Mercury rushed back to the battle.
Mars raised her hands and they began to glow red. She gently placed one glowing hand under Usagi's neck, and with the other, she grasped both of Usagi's hands. The blue slowly receded from her skin, replaced by a weak white. Usagi's trembling slowly calmed, and her breathing steadied.
Sailor Mars looked up, her gaze piercing Mamoru's eyes. "This will not last long. She needs you now," Mars whispered, imploringly.
"You know me?" Mamoru hissed, cradling Usagi near his heart.
The Princess of Mars smiled wanly. "For centuries."
At that moment, a burst of energy announced a new arrival.
Mars stood immediately and whirled, instinctively shielding her prince and princess, but the smoke cleared, revealing the Tsukikage no Knight and four very familiar warriors.
"Stop this madness!" the Knight called, yanking out his sword and casting a frantic glance towards Usagi. "Hatred can only lead to death!"
Mercury scanned them as she ran to take Mars' place beside the Prince and Princess—Mars was better suited to combat than she.
As the comrades passed each other, Mars hissed, "Is it for real? Are they back?"
Mercury shook her head. "Not completely. As our friend Tsukikage no Knight is not wholly Endymion, he could not wholly restore them. They have powers, not memories. He can restore the powers, but only the complete Endymion can restore their memories."
"Shimatta." Nonetheless, Mars rejoined the battle, and was surprised to find that the warrior known as the Seer was none other than Jadeite, who knew exactly who she was.
The Knight rushed over to the pair. Mercury glared him down for a moment, then bowed, and allowed him to see the royal duo.
"Chiba Mamoru."
Mamoru tore his eyes away from Usagi's face and saw his own.
"Nani…"
The Knight gripped his arm. "Mamoru, I am you! I am your memories, your complete love and desire to protect Serenity! Or, as you know her, Tsukino Usagi."
Mamoru did not question it. He nodded curtly.
"Would you like to be whole again?"
Mamoru was about to answer with a resounding yes, but before anyone could draw breath, Ann threw a viscous blast at them. The Knight, Mamoru, and Sailor Mercury were all blown away and crashing into the wall of the expanse.
Ail was angered by Mamoru's tenderness with Usagi. His revelation was forgotten. Eagerly, he launched a crippling blow at the rest of the posse. The Shitennou and the Senshi crashed into the opposite side of the room.
Ann leapt to the ground, and walked over to Usagi. Suddenly, she yanked the girl up by her hair, and kicked her viciously in the knee. A plaintive cry escaped her lips. Mamoru struggled to pull himself up, but fell. Pain shot up his arm at any movement.
Ann glared at Usagi's face. "When you're gone, there'll be no one left to protect this planet, and it will be mine for the taking," she hissed. "The people will mourn the failure of their beloved heroine, and they'll spit on your corpse. And I'll take great pleasure in killing Mamoru and your friends myself."
Ann's gaze was piercing Usagi's closed eyelids.
Until they snapped open, bright and clear with anger.
-----------
Yards away, Tsukikage no Knight pulled himself to his feet, and drew an awe-struck breath.
---------
"You might not be evil, Natsumi…" Usagi breathed weakly, but her eyes were fierce, "but I will not allow anyone to threaten what I am born to protect."
Usagi sucked in a quick, deep breath, then wrenched herself from Ann's grasp. She tried to stand on both feet, but her right knee buckled. She winced with pain.
"I will save you, Natsumi!" Usagi vowed, then threw her hand into the air.
"MOON CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!"
----
Ail watched wordlessly, tears streaming down his face. The warmth swept over him. Instead of vowing to kill her, Usagi vowed to save Ann. And she refused to call her Ann… she believed they could be Seijuurou and Natsumi.
The lights of her transformation blinded him. So it was true; she really was Sailor Moon. It did not surprise him. He now saw that Sailor Moon's anger towards them was righteous… they had done evil, and she was only protecting her people. Everything was clear now… and the warmth. He understood it all.
----
Sailor Moon and Ann squared off. When Sailor Moon summoned her scepter, Ann shielded her face, but no blast came.
Sailor Moon was using the deadly weapon as a cane.
"Natsumi, I will not hurt you!" the girl pleaded. Her voice was weak and hoarse from screaming. "Please, just listen to me!"
Ann threw her hands over her ears. "You are nothing but lies and deceit! Your spells stole Mamoru-san from me!"
Tears streamed down Sailor Moon's face. "Look inside your heart, Natsumi! You never loved Mamoru, and you know it!"
Ann's eyes snapped open, and for a moment, Sailor Moon thought she'd reached her. But instead, her eyes went wild and desperate.
"Yes, yes, you're right, Sailor Moon! Then it will make everything better if I destroy him!"
Just as Mamoru gained his footing, he looked up to see a blast hurtling towards him. He clenched his eyes shut and braced himself.
Again, the blast never came. A slender body, weak and battered, was taking the blast. Her arms were crossed in an X at the wrists, and she ducked her head behind them.
"Stop this, Natsumi! You have love all around you! There isn't any need for you to covet Mamoru and I! You have love all around you, but you never noticed it!"
That time, she did hit a nerve. Ann's eyes widened, and the blasts stopped for a moment. Sailor Moon sagged to her good knee, leaning forward onto her hands.
"Lies!" Ann declared suddenly, and sent a blast towards the helpless girl. Sailor Moon shielded her face, but two identical forms stood in front of her to shied her.
Mamoru. And Tsukikage no Knight.
Ann just kept increasing the attack, but the two didn't budge until they both fell unconscious.
"Stop it, Ann!"
Ann whirled. Ail flew towards her, hands outstretched.
"Just stop! Listen to Sailor Moon! She's telling the truth! You do have love around you!" he cried, tears streaming down his face.
Ann said nothing, eyes darting about, trying to discern if she was being tricked.
Sailor Moon chose to throw in her two cents. "Listen to him, Natsumi! I know you! Seijuurou is the one you loved all along!"
Ann whirled on her. "Silence!" she screeched, and a lightning bolt shot from her pink palm and sank into Sailor Moon's heart. She crumbled like a rag doll.
STOP! STOP! STOP! came the silent voice again, and suddenly a vine of the Makaiju shot forward, hurtling towards Ann, but Ail jumped in front of it. It crashed into him and he fell to the ground.
"Ail!" Ann shrieked.
A vine hurtled towards him to finish him off, but Ann shielded him with her own body.
The pointed vine impaled her, then jerked right back out.
The Senshi finally got the strength to haul themselves to their feet and hurried to Usagi. The Shitennou ran to Tsukikage no Knight and Mamoru, still confused, but knowing they had to protect both of them.
"Ann," Ail wept, "No…!
She smiled, weakly. "I didn't want you to get hurt. Sailor Moon was right all along. You are the one I love, and I went after Mamoru-san because…" she paused to cough. Blood dribbled from the corner of her mouth. "I was jealous of your attraction to Usagi."
"Don't speak, Ann!" Ail begged, cradling her body. "We'll get aid for you…"
"This strange warmth… I was fighting it the whole time… I didn't know what it was… but… I know now… It's love… My love for you. I love you, Ail…"
Then, her eyes closed and she went limp in his arms.
"NOOOOO!!!!"
----
Suddenly, a sound like a howling ocean wind in a storm that drowned a lover reached their ears.
The Makaiju was weeping.
Sailor Moon was so affected by this mournful wail, her limp body went into a seizure.
"Oh, Kami!" Mamoru cried, and desperately stuck the corner of his cape into her mouth so she wouldn't swallow her tongue. She shook violently until the cries of the Makaiju stopped. Mamoru removed his cape from her mouth and whispered soothing words to her.
I BECAME CAUGHT UP IN ANGER AND DESTROYED MY OWN CHILD.
"Who is it?" Ail cried, clutching Ann's body close to him.
I AM THE MAKAIJU. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO AWAKEN FROM THE LONG SLEEP. MY CHILD, I WILL SPEAK NOW ABOUT MYSELF AND ABOUT YOU TWO.
Sailor Moon's eyes opened as the voice, like gentle thunder began to tell its story. Mamoru used his good arm to help her sit up. She shook her head to clear it, then listened raptly.
I WAS BORN ON A BEAUTIFUL PLANET THAT WAS TOTALLY COVERED WITH WATER. BUT I WAS THE ONLY ONE ON THAT PLANET. I WAS ALONE FOR A LONG TIME, BUT ONE DAY ANOTHER LIFE FORM APPEARED FROM MY PODS. I LOVED THEM, AND THEY LOVED ME. I FOUND OUT THAT SOMETHING WITH A HEART COULD NOT BE ALONE.
BUT THEN THEY BEGAN TO FIGHT OVER MY ENERGY. THERE WEREN'T ANY LEFT THAT HAD THE SAME FEELINGS AS ME. THEN THEY FORGOT ABOUT LOVE AND WERE CONTROLLED BY HATRED. EVENTUALLY THEY FOUGHT A WAR AND DESTROYED THEIR OWN PLANET. I ESCAPED INTO SPACE WITH THE REMAINING ONES. BUT THEY NEVER STOPPED FIGHTING. SINCE I WASN'T LOVED, I BECAME WEAKER AND WEAKER. SO I DECIDED TO PUT MY HOPES ON THE TWO THAT WERE BORN AFTER I WENT OUT INTO SPACE. THEY WERE AIL AND ANN. IN ORDER FOR ME TO GIVE YOU ENERGY, I HAD TO KEEP MY ACTIVITY TO A MINIMUM SO I PUT MYSELF INTO SLEEP. I PRAYED THAT YOU TWO WOULD GROW UP TO HAVE CONSIDERATION FOR OTHERS.
SAILOR MOON, WHEN YOU CAME INTO THE ROOM I FELT A STRONG LOVE AND STARTED TO AWAKEN. BUT AIL AND ANN DIDN'T HAVE THE CONSIDERATION. THEY ONLY THOUGHT ABOUT STEALING. I WAS CAUGHT IN ANGER AND I ATTACKED YOU. I EVEN KILLED MY OWN CHILD. PLEASE UNDERSTAND. WHAT I NEED IS NOT ENERGY. IT IS LOVE.
Tears streamed down Ail's face. "It was you all along. You were the one who protected us. Your love was the warmth we felt and did not understand. Gomen nasai, Makaiju-sama. Forgive us."
IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT. I WAS UNABLE TO TEACH YOU HOW TO LOVE, AIL. BUT SAILOR MOON SAW THE GOOD THAT WAS IN BOTH OF YOU THE WHOLE TIME.
SAILOR MOON, MY BODY DECAYING BECAUSE OF ALL THIS ANGER. PLEASE, USE YOUR POWER OF LOVE TO CLEANSE ME.
Sailor Moon looked around. The Senshi cast her concerned glances. The Shitennou were just lost. Tsukikage no Knight shook his head, knowing what she had in mind. But Mamoru gave her an encouraging smile.
"I can do that."
She cupped her hands, and the Silver Crystal appeared.
"No, Usagi!" Mars cried, lunging to her feet. "It will kill you!"
Tsukikage no Knight and Mamoru stood at each of her sides, and helped her to her feet, supporting her as she tried to stand.
"It's okay, Rei!" Sailor Moon whispered soothingly. "I was going to say, I can do that with help."
"Oh."
The Senshi joined hands with their Shitennou partners, and each couple glowed their signature color. The glow slowly transferred from them to Sailor Moon. Color returned to her face as their power enthused her. She also felt power coming from both sides of her, from each part of the man she loved.
In a flash, she turned into Princess Serenity. She closed her eyes, basking in the love all around her, as Ail watched, amazed. Clear, white power built up, and washed over the Makaiju. It glowed with the white, pure energy.
NOW, WITH THE LAST OF MY REMAINING ENERGY, I WILL HEAL MY CHILD ANN.
When the glow faded, the Makaiju was gone, and they were out in the open again. The sky was blue and birds sang in the warm breeze.
Sailor Moon was leaning heavily on both halves of Endymion, and watched tearfully as Ann woke up.
"Ail?" she whispered, blinking owlishly.
"Ann! You're okay!" Ail cried, elatedly, hugging her fiercely.
Then, a tiny orb floated between them as they rose to their feet. It was a tiny sprout, green and thriving.
"It's the rest of the Makaiju," Ann breathed, amazed.
"Let's raise this on a new planet…" Ail said, pulling Ann close.
"Yes, with the energy of our love!" Ann agreed, taking the orb in her hands.
They began to float away.
"Thank you, Sailor Moon!" Ann cried. "If it wasn't for you, we would have never experienced love!"
"You have given us new life and restored us to old love!" Ail called. "We will never forget you!"
They floated until they passed out of sight.
Sailor Moon watched for a moment, then slowly pulled away from her two paramours, leaning on her scepter.
"Now, Endymion, it is time to fully awaken. Earth needs its protector… and…" she smiled, blushing, "I need my Prince."
Tsukikage no Knight pulled his gaze off of her and settled in onto Chiba Mamoru.
"As I said before, Chiba Mamoru, would you like to be whole again?"
Mamoru looked at Sailor Moon, and saw the love in her eyes. Then he looked at the Shitennou. They bowed when he met their eyes. He looked back to Sailor Moon, once more, then returned his gaze to the Arab man in white, the man with his face.
"Yes."
Tsukikage no Knight closed his eyes, and his form became transparent. Then, he stepped forward, and dissolved into Mamoru. He went limp, and fell into Sailor Moon's arms. Her knee was re-injured, and she buckled under his weight. And apparently this was the straw that broke the camel's back, because she gently sighed into unconsciousness.
Mercury lunged for her, but Mars stopped her. "Mars, she's going back into shock!" Mercury protested, motioning to her skin, where the bluish tint was returning. Her breath became rapid and shallow as well."
"Don't worry, Ami-chan," Rei whispered. "Prince Endymion is awakened. She will be fine."
A moment later, Mamoru's eyes fluttered open. He shook his head owlishly, rubbing his temples. Kunzite helped him off of Sailor Moon.
"Arigatou…" he murmured, smiling wanly, cradling his arm. "Could someone call an ambulance?"
No one really wanted to leave the scene, but finally, Ami whispered something and it spread throughout the eight warriors. Reluctantly, they all meandered away to give the two some privacy. Some went to speak with the authorities on the situation and others went to summon an ambulance.
Mamoru gently removed her brooch from the bow on her uniform. In a dull flash, she detransformed into Tsukino Usagi. He replaced it quickly.
Before waking her, he tenderly moved her skirt up a few inches so he could see her knee. It was black and blue and swollen. Probably re-fractured, he'd guess, from where Ann had kicked her.
The bluish tint had returned to her skin and she was sweating profusely. Her skin was ice cold.
"Back into shock, love? Are you that happy to see me?"
Mamoru transformed into Tuxedo Kamen, and wrapped Usagi in his cape. He then drew her into his arms, cradling her, trying to warm her. Then he detransformed and stroked her cheek, memories of the past month flashing through his mind.
He remembered finding her battered body in the park. He looked at her knee, tearing up. He remembered visiting her at the hospital, having dinner with her family, finding out she was Sailor Moon, feeling helpless… but one memory was prominent in his mind.
Mamoru punched the steering wheel, frustrated. Usagi did not flinch. "Tell me!!" he bellowed. "Usako, this is ridiculous! How can I protect you like a man is meant to protect a woman when you are… who you are?! Why won't you tell me?!"
Usagi's eyes snapped open, eyes flashing.
"Because I LOVE YOU, Mamoru! Kuso! I can't tell you anything because I LOVE YOU, and if you know, YOU become a target! YOU become something my enemies can use against me! YOU become endangered, threatened, and by KAMI, I will NEVER put you in danger if I can help it! EVER!"
Tears streamed unchecked down Mamoru's face. "I will never let you carry that burden on your shoulders, Serenity. You already carry the world; you will not carry me. I will carry you."
She was beginning to warm up, he noticed with relief. But he still made no move to wake her. He was trying to maintain control of his emotions, and he was losing. Tears streamed from his tumultuous eyes.
It must have been so painful for her… to be with me yet still alone… for so many weeks… But I'm here now…Mamoru nuzzled Usagi's nose with his own. "Usako…" he breathed, kissing her nose. "Wake up. I'm here, Usako… everything is okay."
Her eyes fluttered open, and her eyes glittered with a weak smile.
"Four…" she whispered wearily. "That makes four visits to the hospital within the last month, Mamo-chan…"
A memory from the Silver Millennium times flashed across his mind.
Serenity was speechless for a moment. Then, she spoke.
"Four. That makes four people who have found out on their own or due to my clumsy disguise or misuse of magic, who I am."
"Five, I'm afraid, my lady."
Prince Endymion stood in the doorway.
Mamoru smiled wanly, pulling the frail girl close to his heart with his good arm. "Five, I'm afraid, my lady."
An ambulance's wail confirmed it.
Tears filled Usagi's eyes. It was a memory from the Silver Millennium, and it proved that Mamoru was whole again.
"Oh, Endymion… I missed you!" She weakly wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I was with you all along, Serenity," he breathed, kissing her fingers. "Even your Silver Crystal could not keep me from protecting you. Don't worry about me, my love. I will fulfill my destiny, just as you will fulfill yours. I want to be with you, no matter the danger. I love you, lily among thorns."
Mamoru produced a rose, and pointed out the thorns on it. Usagi began to cry.
"Ssshhh…" he soothed. "I'm here now, and I'll never leave you."
He drew her close, and gently kissed her slowly warming lips. She responded weakly, then sighed into unconsciousness.
With this weight off of his shoulders, Mamoru too succumbed to the weakness and pain, and fell unconscious beside her, just as the ambulance pulled up, and the sun began to rise.
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Well, that's it, everyone! LOL, just kidding. I couldn't end it there, what with the royal couple seriously wounded and memory-less Shitennou! Expect an Epilogue in a few days! And, then, I'll take a short break, and begin my final book this trilogy, which will be set in the Silver Millennium.
Please review! It would please me greatly to get to 300! I love all of you! Thank you so much for reading my story!
Stay tuned for the Epilogue and Merry Christmas to everyone!
-rosa