Chapter 25:

United Again

Meanwhile, Sailor Earth held up her dragon glaive in preparation of Daichi's charge. Daichi roared as he ran towards his sister. Sailor Earth jumped up into the air and swung her glaive below her. Daichi dove under it and leaped up behind her. Sailor Earth turned around and sent a ball of energy at him to distract him, but he sliced it in half easily and thrust his blade at her side. She grabbed the tip with her hand and twisted it, feeling the blade cut through her glove and into her palm. The pain almost didn't exist. Through her fingers, she sent blue energy up through the sword and it blasted his hand. He dropped the katana and shot beams of purple energy at Earth. She dodged to the left of the energy's path and flew around Daichi, thrusting her glaive diagonally against his upper back. She could feel the blade tearing through the leather in his cape and slice against his skin. As her blade swung through his back, energy spiraled from her wings, digging into his sides. The aroma of fresh blood filled her nostrils and she froze a moment, watching Daichi fall to the ground in agony.

A hunger had risen from deep inside Sailor Earth. She wanted to see him dead. It felt as though all her anger was seeping through her skin. Her nerves were on fire. His screams didn't seem to disturb the others in their battles since they were full distracted. The shadows started to fizzle away from Daichi's weakening condition. As they disappeared, the others turned their attention towards Sailor Earth and Daichi. Sailor Earth's eyes momentarily rose over Daichi and caught the sight of the great battle between Toshiro and Dornak.

"You grew in power, Toshiro," Dornak observed, thrusting his sword at his old student. Toshiro grinned and spun around, darting his own blade at Dornak's sides. The two leapt into the air and Toshiro spun his blade across the room, and pelted Dornak in the chest with energy blasts. Dornak laughed, "That tickles!" He felt the blade of Toshiro's deadly weapon swipe against his arm. He clutched his arm in pain for a moment as Toshiro grasped the hilt with no problem. He grinned a little and licked his lips, loving the pain in his enemy's face. Dornak shook off the pain and the two charged at each other in the air once again. Their blades crossed and a shimmering light blasted from the clash. Sparks flew from the light and burned out on the ground below.

Sailor Earth watched the small embers burn out and her eyes gazed upon Daichi once again. He was holding himself, shivering violently. Blood oozed from the wounds in his back and sides, causing him to whimper in pain.

"How...dare you....do this to me..." he said. A small pool of his warm blood formed around his shivering body. The senshi and knights gasped in horror as they watched on.

Chouri and Gakusai started to melt away the lock on the door little by little, oblivious to what was happening anywhere else.

"Sailor Earth! Heal him!" Sailor Estineon cried. Astinia looked at her friend with absolute terror.

"Sailor Earth! What is wrong with you?!" Astinia cried.

"I don't think she can hear us..." Moonlight Knight said.

"Daichi..." Sunlight Knight whimpered. Dragon Mist stared at his beloved in fright. He took a step towards her, his eyes staring at her face. She was frozen still, her eyes entranced by Daichi's condition.

Meanwhile, Toshiro grinned happily as he watched the blood drip from Dornak's arm.

"It's only a matter of time, Old Man," he said and Dornak chuckled. He flew backwards and laughed at Toshiro. He raised his arm and licked at some of the blood dripping from his wound.

"That may be, but If I must die, I will take you with me!" he replied with an sneer. A screech escaped his dry lips, echoing throughout the hallway. Toshiro took a defensive stance as Dornak began to glow. "My final attack....will turn you into dust in the wind..." Dornak whispered, his eyes glowing. Toshiro only grinned and waited for the attack to ensue. His sword began to change, the blades splitting into three separate blades. A wicked laugh filled the room and he started to spin around. "Prepare to die!!! SINAKAUSAI!!" Dornak exclaimed and flew towards Toshiro, his blades in front of him.

"Cool trick. Too bad you'll have to die before it will reach me." Toshiro smirked and charged at Dornak. The two became a blur for a moment. When it became clear again, one could see Toshiro slam his sword through the chest of Dornak. Dornak let out a bone-chilling scream as thick, red blood covered the blade. Toshrio then thrust Dornak towards a wall and wedged his blade into the rock. The ground shook underneath them as Dornak struggled to get free with his last few ounces of strength. Toshiro floated backwards a few feet and watched in triumph as his mentor quivered in his own blood. It seeped from his mouth and ran down his chin and was trickled off the hilt of Toshiro's sword. Dornak's armor and clothing began to shimmer brightly and his eyes rolled back into his head. His hair began to glow as well, and the darkness from within him began fade away. Even this made Toshiro's eyes widen a little in shock. Dornak was no more. What remained…was a lifeless Ecellious. The entire scene caught a few of the others' attention, but not Sailor Earth's.

Dragon Mist again approached Sailor Earth and placed a hand on her shoulder and shook her a little. "Emochan...can you hear me?" he whimpered. No response. Toshiro floated down to the floor and took a look at Daichi, who was on the fence between life and death. Dragon Mist shook her again and yelled into her ear but she still didn't respond. After a moment, he firmly took hold of her arms and pulled her towards Daichi. "Emochan...you have to heal Daichi...or he will die..." he said. He gently kissed her cheek and lowered her head down at Daichi.

The others were in shock of what was happening. Sailor Chouri and Sailor Gakusai had successfully unlocked the door and approached the circle formed around Daichi, Sailor Earth, and Dragon Mist. The four senshi held hands, summoning a barrier to form around the group. Sailor Earth was like a zombie. No emotion was on her face as she watched her brother die before her. Then, as if it was happening very far away, strange warmth started to emanate from her side. Her hand slowly responded by reaching into her skirt and pulling out her blackened pendent. Why so warm…? Her mind wondered aimlessly.

"E...Emochan..." Daichi whimpered. His body shuddered for a moment. Lowering the pendent form her sight, Sailor Earth's gaze went towards Daichi. His face was lowered, blood and sweat-drenched hair covering his colorless face. "Help me...I can't fight it...The darkness...it's eating me alive...please..." he pleaded. Sailor Earth watched him tilting her head. She fell to her knees in front of him to get a closer look.

"Sailor Earth! Save him!" Sunlight Knight cried. "Please! Daichi!"

"Toma-chan...I'm so sorry...for everything..." Daichi coughed. Tears ran down his bloodied face. The pendant in Sailor Earth's hand started to glow white, burning into her glove. A bright light exploded from the pendent, making Sailor earth realize what was happening around her.

"D...Daichi....is that really you?" she asked. She grabbed a hold of her brother and held him tightly. His blood stained her fuku as she held him. The aroma of death surrounded the two as she pulled back and wiped his drenched hair away from his face to look at his eyes. They were Daichi's green eyes. No longer were they clouded by the evil hold of Morgana. "It is you!" she exclaimed and hugged him again. "Daichi....I was so lost without you!" Tears ran down her face profusely. "I missed you so much..." she cried.

"I-I can't hold on..." he whispered, his breathing very slow. Sailor Earth's eyes widened and she took his hands into hers.

"I'll heal you, Daichi. Hold on a little longer…" Sailor Earth whispered as she closed her eyes. The pendent began to glow brighter as green energy surged from Sailor Earth's body, into Daichi's. As Daichi's wounds healed, Sailor Earth's body began to deteriorate. His black armor melted away into his yellow and green prince suit. The pendent returned to its golden luster and floated into the air, wrapping around Sailor Earth's neck. Once Daichi was fully healed, her eyes rolled back into her head and she fell backwards. Dragon Mist rushed to her aid and felt her limp body crash into his embrace.

"Sailor Earth!" everyone cried as they rushed to her. Daichi joined them and took hold of one of her hands. Emochan felt like she was out of her body, and was watching this from afar. The voices were muffled and her vision was blurry.

"Her pulsssee....sloooowwww...." Daichi's muffled voice quivered. What was happening?! Was she dying? Suddenly, Emochan felt a pull from the side and saw an image of Usagi.

"Usagi-chan?" she murmured. Usagi's image smiled then started to laugh.

"You can do it, Emochan! Your friends are waiting for you! Gather your strength for the final battle! We're waiting for you!" Her cousin's voice lulled through her head like a dream. Emochan then nodded slowly and closed her eyes.

In front of her chest, her golden crystal began to form. It bloomed into the shape of an elegant flower and shimmered like a thousand stars. Everyone watched in awe as Daichi's crystal formed in front of him and started to glow as well. Then, their own crystals appeared and began to glow. The golden crystal emanated power as it absorbed the energy from the other crystals. Sailor Earth's eyes opened slowly as energy replenished itself within her.

"Minna..."she whispered.

"Princess!" The senshi cried in relief. Dragon Mist grabbed his love tightly and Daichi smiled.

"Thank goodness you are alright!" Sailor Estineon exclaimed. Sailor Earth let go of Dragon Mist and looked at Daichi.

"Thank goodness you're back." She smiled. Daichi squeezed her hand as Dragon Mist helped her to her feet.

"Did you get the door open?" Sailor Earth asked Chouri and Gakusai. They nodded.

"It was hard, but we got it," Sailor Gakusai said.

"Good. Let's finish this!" Sailor Earth exclaimed and the others cried out in agreement. As a group, they ran through the large door, towards what would surely be an epic final battle.