Chapter Twelve

And wilt thou weep when I am low?
-Lord Byron

Sublimely unaware that her friends were being slaughtered, Usagi floated in the hazy pink mist of dreams. She knew what had happened to her, like a faded memory, and what struggles were to come, but at that moment none of it mattered. Her former thoughts of worry and doubt were gone as she basked in the healing glow. It was peaceful to simply relax and fly, without regard to her dangerous situation or that of her friends. She felt free, and very safe.

A shimmering light in the distance caught her attention, and she floated towards it with vague interest. Before her was a scene with familiar figures… Why, it was herself! Queen Neo-Serenity holding a tiny baby, smiling down at her child. Often, Usagi had wondered what Chibiusa would look like as an infant, and was delighted to finally see the tiny face.

But as she looked closer, she realized that the baby couldn't be her daughter, because King Endymion sat nearby with a young Chibiusa of about four cradled in his lap. Usagi pursed her lips together, looking from the sleeping pink-haired girl to the baby that was stirring in the queen's arms. Confusion overwhelmed her. This couldn't be right. Chibiusa would have told her if she had a younger sibling… And yet, looking at the little bundle, Usagi felt a curious sensation of longing. She edged closer. She wanted… she needed to see the baby's face.

The scene before her was dissolving and Usagi cried out, not wanting the happy family to leave. For an instant she was surrounded by darkness, and then with gradual light another scene appeared. This time, she saw herself lying in a glass coffin. A beautiful Snow White… but unlike the fairytale princess, she knew no amount of kisses would wake her. King Endymion was standing to the side with a teenaged Chibiusa, watching his wife glassy-eyed, beyond tears or screaming. Their daughter was crying silently, tears dripping down her pale face, and on the other side of the coffin stood Averill.

Or was it? This boy, so like Averill in face, was only about thirteen years old. Usagi watched him, more unsettled by this than the fact that her future self was lying in a coffin. The boy turned to conceal a sob in shadow and Chibiusa's lips parted to call to him, but he furiously shook his head and wiped his eyes. Trying to be brave, but failing. All three silently looked at the queen.

Don't be sad, Usagi tried to call to them. I'm here. But none noticed her ghostly presence. She tried to run to them, to prove to that she was alive and well, but the harder she tried, the farther they were pulled from her open arms and sucked into blackness.

Don't leave me! she cried, but the figures disappeared and Usagi found herself running blindly into the dark.

Desperation shook her. She didn't know where she was going, only that she was needed. As she was thinking this, a gust of wind blew away the darkness and Usagi found herself running into a room of light. She slowed her steps and glanced down at herself, noticing with a troubled mind how small her hands were. She was dressed as Princess Serenity - a very young Princess Serenity. She wriggled her fingers and moved her wrists in slow circles to make sure they were still her own, and then with a half-satisfied grimace, she looked around in confusion. What was going on?

"Dance with me!" a voice requested and Usagi spun around in surprise, her long dress sweeping the crystal floor. Facing her was another little girl. The child was dressed in faded rags, but her blue eyes sparkled with laughter and life. She was very pale, almost ghost-like with porcelain skin and silvery-gold hair that fell down her back and gleamed like a star.

"Come," the girl insisted and grabbed Usagi's little hands with a silvery peal of laughter. Without knowing why, Usagi allowed the girl to pull her into the dance. Her head was filled with a silver light, and delighted, carefree laughter escaped her lips as she and the girl spun each other around and around…

But nothing lasts. Slowly, the girls were growing, changing. Usagi returned to her normal height, but appearance-wise she was the same. The other girl's transformation was more breathtaking. She changed from a tiny girl in a dirt-streaked skirt to a beautiful teenager in a silvery dress. Her hair fixed itself from the pale waterfall into an exquisite twist on top of her head. But as the she grew, her laughter ceased and her smiles diminished until she stared at Usagi without emotion.

Finally, the girl jerked herself out of the joyous dance and backed away, her eyes troubled. Usagi stopped twirling and held out a welcoming hand, but the girl shook her head and continued to step away.

Come back! Usagi called but the girl didn't hear. She shrank into the darkness behind her and ended up in the arms of a dark-haired man. Usagi gasped when she saw them together and wrung her hands, trying to fight off the chills that suddenly overtook her. Why, she didn't know, for they made a beautiful couple. The man's eyes were closed and his lips pressed against the top of the girl's silvery head. But she, her sparkle of life had drained away and she slumped against him, her eyes unfocused and unseeing.

No! Usagi cried as the two were enveloped in darkness. You can't have her! Bryn, don't marry him! Don't marry Ahriman! But the girl was deaf to Usagi's screams. Her eyes slowly fluttered shut, and with a cruel smile, the man dropped the girl and she fell into a heap at his feet, her pale hair coming loose from the fancy twist.

The man looked up. And when he saw Usagi watching in horror, he smiled. As his golden eyes met hers, she felt a tsunami of fear crash into her. He radiated Evil. She felt frozen under his gaze, unable to move or breathe. Only when he took a step forward, arms outstretched, did Usagi began to scream, and the sound echoed in the crystal hall until all shattered and she was alone again in the darkness, sobbing uncontrollably.

0 0 0

Back in the real world, the senshi were facing Boss' demon army in the streets. Although weary from the morning's events, they were putting up a good fight. Mars had just finished off a demon with three horns and greenish-brown skin when she noticed another behind Mercury. Her friend was so absorbed in her tiny computer, glancing at the vortex every now and then with a puzzled expression, that she was oblivious to the danger.

"Mercury, look out!" Mars screamed and shot her fire arrow. The demon moaned and melted within seconds, and Mercury glanced over her shoulder with a pale face.

"Thanks," she said as Mars trotted over with a wary eye on the demons. For the moment they were occupied with the others, but the senshi were clearly losing steam. The outers were the most valuable: Uranus was on a wild rampant, slicing demon after demon with her Space Sword, and Neptune was close beside, blasting demons with Deep Submerge. Pluto was doing her part with Dead Scream, and Saturn was everywhere, shielding her friends with Silent Wall. They were doing well, but even they didn't have everlasting energy.

Jupiter was also trying her hardest, but with each attack she grew paler and looked as if she would faint. Tuxedo Kamen and Kyanite were off to one side grappling with Azurite and Alexandrite, and Venus was facing down Calcite, breathing heavily as she waited for the right moment to attack.

Mars clenched her fists and looked over at the only motionless figure. Boss stood apart from the battle, his black eyes shiny as he watched the scene. He looked pleased with the progress of the fight, apparently assuming that the senshi would eventually burn out and lose.

Not if I can help it, Mars thought with gritted teeth and turned back to Mercury.

"Did you find out anything?" she gasped and the blue soldier nodded.

"We need to close the vortex," she said seriously and Mars rolled her eyes.

"How?"

But Mercury merely shrugged. "I don't know," she admitted, and then her eyes widened. "Mars, behind you!"

"Right," Mars said wearily and spun around to see a demon with an array of colorful eyes heading towards her. She spent thirty seconds tossing fire on the creature before it disappeared with a high-pitched shriek. With a sigh, she wiped her forehead with the back of her glove, feeling weary rather than triumphant. Because for every demon killed, three more dropped from the sky and she was going to have to work even harder.

"I wish Sailormoon was here," Mercury said quietly. So did Mars, but she said nothing, because wishing rarely led to solutions.

"Keep at it," she urged her friend. "I'll shield you. I know you'll figure out what to do." Mercury didn't look very confident, trembling lip caught between her teeth, but she nodded and turned back to her computer.

As for Mars, she took a deep breath and turned with a weary expression to face the next two demons stepping towards her. It was going to be a long day.

0 0 0

Usagi stood alone in the darkness, shaking with the aftershock of the dark man's eyes. He was evil. She had never felt such fear from anyone in the years she had been fighting. His mind was focused only on power and death, and he had destroyed the pale girl. Usagi let out a sob that echoed in the blackness. She hadn't been able to stop him.

"You will," a warm voice assured her, and Usagi frantically turned her head to find the source.

Who are you? she demanded but received no answer. Another spot of light shone in the distance, and she raced toward it until it burst around her. She was in a room with three doors: gold, red and silver. Except, she discovered when she hesitantly looked down, it wasn't a room at all. She was floating in the sky, in space, and tiny spots of light burned bright in the distance.

Stars, her mind told her, and she turned back to the doors. She floated towards the golden one and placed her hand on the knob. The door was very ornate, covered with colorful jewels and coins. Beautiful, but a little too glitzy for her taste.

After a moment of hesitation, Usagi turned the handle and was sucked forward with startling speed. She screamed as she was hurtled into the starry night, but soon her feet touched ground and she was able to steady the dizziness that clouded her. When she looked up, the moon was shining overhead and dark shadows of trees surrounded her. She was in a forest.

Usagi's hair was loose and hanging down her back in soft waves, and her curious hands discovered that she was wearing a crown of wildflowers. She was clothed in a simple white dress and her feet were bare except for a silver crescent moon anklet fastened around her ankle. How delightful! Usagi laughed and twirled so that the full skirt fluttered around her.

Usagi stopped dancing and cocked her head to the side. Did she hear something? It sounded like faraway laughter, and she felt a sudden urge to join the fun. Showing through the thick of trees was the faint flickering of a campfire, and she hurried towards it eagerly, ignoring the small twigs and pine needles that stabbed painfully into her bare feet.

The laughter grew louder as she neared, and she recognized the music of a kind of fiddle. Brushing aside a stubborn pine branch, Usagi stepped into a clearing and found what she was seeking. Most of the people she saw were dressed in mismatched bits of cloth that had been carelessly sewed into passable outfits. Some looked like they hadn't bathed in weeks, but the firelight dancing on their features made them look quite amicable as they danced around the campfire. Eyes bright with expectation, Usagi moved closer.

She pushed her way through the crowd, knowing she was looking for something… or someone. A tall redhead with ruggedly handsome features wanted to dance with her, but she politely declined and stepped around him. He wasn't the one she wanted.

Away from the circle of dancers was a scattering of stone benches. Most were occupied with young couples kissing, but on one sat Nick and Mamoru, deep in a conversation. Usagi smiled and started towards them. Mamoru looked positively dashing in his princely clothes, and Nick, although wearing a lesser version of the costume, was rather appealing as well.

The boys stopped talking when they noticed her standing before them. Wordlessly, and without knowing why, Usagi held out a hand to Mamoru. He was clearly terrified by her invitation, and a laughing Nick had to physically shove him off the bench before he got up to accept her hands.

Nick winked at her once before fading into the night, and Usagi pulled Mamoru into the circle of dancers. Neither of them knew the dance, but they learned to move with the rhythm and ended up laughing and swinging each other around, perfectly content with the world.

Mamoru's lips were moving and she frowned at him, unable to hear against the strange instruments in the background. I don't understand, she said, but Mamoru laughed and his arms tightened around her. Her heart beat steadily in anticipation. He was going to kiss her.

But just before his lips met hers, Usagi was sucked backwards, away from his arms. He reached out a hand to catch her, but she was too far away to grasp his fingers. Mamo-chan! she screamed, but it was no use. After a bright flash of light, she was back in the sky, floating before the two doors. The golden one had disappeared.

Not fair, she thought bitterly before turning to the second door, the one that was the color of blood. The sight chilled her and even though she didn't want to go, her body floated closer. She watched in horror as her hand rose to the doorknob and pulled, moving on its own. She gritted her teeth, preparing for the rushing speed and flashes of light. Her eyes squeezed shut as she waited out the weightless feeling of acceleration. Finally, her feet landed on solid ground and she opened her eyes.

She was in the middle of a battle.

Usagi's hands slowly rose to cover her mouth. All around, her exhausted friends were fighting an army of demons, while a smiling Boss watched from a safe distance. You'll kill them! she cried desperately, but as in her other visions, no one heard. She spun with horror, seeing the visible weakening on each of her friends' faces. And try as she might, she couldn't help, because every time she rushed at a demon, she passed right through as if she was made of nothing more substantial than smoke.

"I wish Sailormoon was here," someone said and Usagi turned to see Mercury watching the action with worried blue eyes.

I am! Usagi cried to her friend. I'm right here! But though she waved her arms, Mercury's troubled eyes passed through her. Usagi hated feeling this helpless, watching the surrounding destruction and unable to act. She shut her eyes and screamed…

…and when she opened them again, she was floating in front of the silver door and the heavens were still. Tears slid down her cheeks - her friends were in danger, possibly dying, and she was floating in a surreal universe, unable to do anything. This was crueler punishment than anything she'd experienced since she first set eyes on Averill.

Numbly, she looked at the silver door. It was the shortest of the three and a pearly crescent moon glowed near the top. Looking at it, she felt a wave of comfort pass into her, and in an instant knew she was ready for whatever lay ahead. Taking in a long breath, Usagi closed her eyes and placed her hand on the knob. Whatever happened, this was her last challenge. Letting the air go in a soft exhale, she went through.

This time, Usagi felt no rushing speed, and when she opened her eyes she found herself in a vaguely familiar crystal ballroom. The room was still and silent as death, and Usagi bit her lip as she slowly spun around. The movement brought memory - of course! This was where she had danced with the pale girl! But this vision was clear, not clouded as the others had been.

Usagi soon grew impatient with the silence. The air was cool and she shivered against the chill. She squinted, but could see nothing beyond the crystal room. What was going on? She didn't have time for more dream games!

"What do you want me to do?" she yelled and heard her voice echo. Her real voice, not the surreal, mental whisper of before. It occurred to her that this wasn't a dream: she was really there, wherever that was. A answering laugh made her jump and she spun around to see…

"Queen Serenity!" Usagi gasped and clumsily made her way to one knee in a feeble attempt at respect. The queen laughed harder and reached down to gently tilt her chin up.

"No need for that, my daughter," she said in her musical voice. "You asked what I wanted… well, I'd prefer a hug."

"Of course," Usagi said, hopping up with slight embarrassment. She obeyed and when the queen was satisfied, stepped back with a furrowed brow and asked, "Why am I here?"

Her mother smiled. "I brought you here," she explained. "You're almost healed, but not entirely. I have a gift for you."

"Thank you," Usagi said politely, and then her eyebrows shot up as she remembered. "My friends are in danger! I have to help! Oh please, let me go to them!"

"Not yet," Queen Serenity said sternly and frowned her disapproval. "You need my energy before you are able to do anything." She sounded very much like a worried mother as she took Usagi's shoulders and softly ordered, "Close you eyes."

This time the energy that flooded into her was a silver light and Usagi felt it boost her power and break up the remainder of the poison. When it was done, she felt rejuvenated, and brimmed with more energy than a single person should be able to hold.

Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled. "Thank you," she whispered with true gratitude and the taller woman nodded demurely.

"That isn't all. I have another gift for you." The queen's hand moved through the air in a complicated pattern and a golden rod appeared in her hand. Usagi's eyes traveled over the object in wonder. It was beautiful - the handle was covered with brilliant jewels, rubies and diamonds, and on the tip was a wide ball, etched with patterns of silver and gold.

Usagi looked at Queen Serenity and the question was clear on her face. "This is a powerful tool from an old friend," her mother said gravely, "one you will use to help your friends, but that won't be the end. You will also use it after the battle and then again within a year. When the time comes, you will know what to do."

"I…" Usagi took the rod and examined it carefully. "Thank you, but… what is it?"

Queen Serenity only smiled. "You will learn. For now, use your existing knowledge to trap the dark lord."

Usagi looked at the silver etchings, trying to decipher meaning, and for some reason her mind jumped to the earlier visions she'd had of the crystal ballroom. "Mother, before I had dreams of this place, dreams of dancing with a pale girl. Do you know who she is?" Although the queen's face was as cheerful as before, her eyes were saddened.

"It's time to help your friends, darling," she said gently and Usagi frowned, noticing the evasion.

"But…"

"Close your eyes," her mother suggested, and Usagi obeyed. "Goodbye, dearest," Queen Serenity whispered, and Usagi felt her body falling into a cool wind. And when she jolted awake seconds later and found herself lying in Mamoru's bed, the question she had asked was forgotten entirely.

0 0 0

"Did you hear something?" Nick asked and Averill tilted his head, listening.

"No," he said sullenly. "It's your imagination."

Nick chewed his lip and stood for the thirteenth time to refill his glass of Coke. Averill wished he would sit down and be quiet. The younger boy's constant fidgeting and speech was making Averill agitated, and it took all his control to keep from moving himself. Waiting was tiresome, especially when he knew he should be helping instead of babysitting a nervous, useless boy.

Nick returned. "Think they're okay?" he asked and Averill eyed him with dislike.

"I don't know. Just like I didn't know the other fifty times you asked. Would you shut up, please!"

Nick sat, and immediately began squirming. "I really did hear something,"" he insisted and ducked his head when Averill sent him a deathly stare. "Don't you think we should check on her?"

"Why? She's asleep."

"I heard a voice."

Averill shook his head. "I never knew you were this annoying."

"Huh?"

"Nothing." Averill drummed his fingers on his thigh for a minute and then stopped when he realized what he was doing. Damn! The boy even had him fidgeting.

"I wish Usagi was here right now," Nick muttered, and Averill didn't yell at him this time because he agreed. He sighed and glanced at the clock, and was noticing how the minute hand had barely moved since his last look when he heard a voice.

"You called?"

Nick and Averill both swung their heads around. Standing outside the bedroom door was Usagi. Her voice was clear and focused, not confused as one would expect after being unconscious for so long. She looked great, too, glowing with a strange white light that surrounded her body. Although her posture was strong, her expression was troubled.

"Usagi!" Nick cried happily and raced to her. She threw her arms around him with a short laugh, but the sparkle didn't endure. There was something serious in her eyes that told Averill she knew all that had been going on while she slept. There was no use explaining the current battle to her: her look of sadness gave everything away.

Averill also rose to his feet but made no attempt to touch her. Much as he wanted to hold her, he knew such a gesture would be unwelcome. All he could give were words.

"I'm sorry," he said.

She nodded. "I know." They stood looking at each other for a moment, simply looking, and Averill was somewhat comforted by the fact that she could meet his eyes without flinching. He hadn't expected forgiveness, and this lack of hatred was better than he had hoped.

If Nick noticed the tension between the two, he chose to ignore it. "How do you feel?" he asked, tossing a casual arm around her shoulders. "Ready to kick some Boss butt?"

Her smile lasted only an instant and her eyes closed at his words. "Yes," she said. And she did seem ready, more ready than Averill was. "I have the tool we need," she continued and held up the golden rod Queen Serenity had given her. It shone with a celestial glow, and Averill's eyes widened at the sight.

"Why, that's…"

"Yes?" Usagi was looking at him again, her expression hopeful, wanting to know more than Queen Serenity had revealed. But Averill felt a wave of apprehension and simply shook his head. If she didn't know now, there was no reason for her to ever find out.

"Nothing. We'd better go. And... Usagi?"

"Hmm?"

"Good luck." Without another glance, Averill grabbed a yelping Nick by the collar and pushed him out the door to give Usagi a chance to transform. Whether he liked it or not, destiny had arrived, and he knew in his heart that before the day was through, everything in his world was going to change.

0 0 0

The battle had been going downhill for the senshi while their leader slept. Their bodies were weary, but wills of steel forced them to go on, despite their protesting muscles. Super Sailorvenus was especially upset. Her fight with Calcite had ended abruptly when she scratched the redhead across the cheek, leaving an ugly, bloody welt, and Calcite had scurried out of the action to whimper and cradle her head.

She's not so tough, Venus thought as she wiped her forehead and gasped for breath. Now, on to more important matters. She glanced around and saw that all her friends were busy fighting. The only inactive participant was Boss, and before Venus knew what she was doing, she found herself striding towards him. All she could see was a mass of red, with the smirking Boss in the center. It was his fault. Boss was doing this to the people she loved. And for that, she would make him pay.

Boss grinned when he saw her approaching. "Why hello, my little dear," he said pleasantly. "How are you enjoying my spectacle?"

"I will much more when you're dead," Venus said, and his eyes sparkled at her bravery.

"I'm afraid that won't happen. I am very hard to kill. Although if you want to try, you are more than welcome. How would you like that?"

"More than anything," Venus said through clenched teeth.

Boss spread his arms with a confident smile. "Take a shot."

With pleasure, Venus thought to herself and took a deep breath. "Venus Love and…" she started, but never got to finish, for Boss had somehow signaled to Azurite, and the evil Adonis stepped forward to yell his own attack, "Searing Fireball!"

With a gasp, Venus swung around and her eyes widened as the blue fireball hurtled towards her. She couldn't move, completely paralyzed in the face of danger. No thoughts of running were able to penetrate her mind - there was no time - and she could only stand frozen as the fireball grew bigger and bigger, and then…

…and then something hit her from behind and the next she knew, she was lying facedown on the ground with something heavy draped over her back. Venus lay stunned for a moment. Something had hit her, but it wasn't a fireball. Other than a full body bruise, not a bit of her was burned. What was had happened? She struggled to turn her head, and what she saw made her gasp.

Alexandrite lay over her, his face and body blackened from the blast of the fire when he had shielded her from the attack "Alexandrite?" Venus whispered in disbelief, staring at him in shock, and then again with tears. "Alexei!"

She struggled out from beneath him and lifted his still form to lay his head in her lap. Her tears dripped down, leaving streaks on his smudged cheeks. Slowly, his eyes opened and he blinked up at her. "I don't know why I did that," he croaked and reached up to wipe her tears with a strained laugh. "No, I do. Kai was right." He laughed softly as his eyelids dropped, and Venus screamed.

"No! Please, Alexei, stay with me."

"I'll be okay," he murmured, eyes shut. "So tired…"

"Okay," she said to him and sniffled. "Rest. I'll be with you soon." Venus gently lay him back on the ground and looked up at Boss, who had been watching them quietly. Seeing her glare, he shook his head.

"I am disappointed in Alexandrite. I had thought he had more potential than to throw away all we have worked towards over a woman. The fool."

"He's braver than you'll ever be!" Venus yelled, so angry that more tears hung in the corners of her eyes. She was ready to fight, but for a different reason now. She wanted to kill Boss because he'd caused her Alexei pain. Strange… she wouldn't have believed it before. All this suffering and anger for a man she barely knew. Shaking, she got to her feet.

Boss' eyes narrowed with pleasure, knowing her thoughts well. "Come on then, little Aphrodite," he taunted. "Show me what you've got." Venus balled her fists, furious that he dared call her the same name Alexandrite had. She took a step forward.

"No, Venus!" a new voice cried and Venus hesitated, despite her will.

"Usagi-chan?" she whispered as the sound sunk in. She spun around and saw Eternal Sailormoon standing in the distance, looking strangely calm. "Sailormoon!" she cried and ran to shield her from Boss.

"Out of the way," Sailormoon ordered and Venus reluctantly obeyed.

"What a pleasure this is!" Boss crooned, absolutely delighted. "I didn't think you'd make it."

"There was a change in plans," she told him with narrowed eyes. "And for the better. Why don't you call off your minions? This is between you and me."

"Wrong," Boss said, his eyes growing dark. "This is between me and everyone who has betrayed me."

"Betrayed you?" Sailormoon felt a wave of disgust. "You said this? You, the ultimate betrayer? You betrayed your so-called loyal followers and Averill… most of all Averill. You kept him imprisoned in delusion!"

"Usagi, please," Averill said, coming up behind her, and looked at Boss with disgust. "He can't help it. It's in his nature."

"That doesn't excuse him," Sailormoon said dryly. She felt a light pressure on her arm and looked up to see that Tuxedo Kamen had broken away from the battle and joined them.

"Are you okay, Sailormoon?" he asked, and then paled when he looked over her shoulder. "Why did you bring Nick?" he demanded, and Sailormoon turned with a start to see the boy who stood on the side with a gaping mouth, looking completely out of place in the midst of the battle. Most unfortunately, Boss looked too, and when he saw Nick standing there, his face went utterly blank.

"I didn't bring him. He must have followed us," Sailormoon whispered back, now doubly worried. Boss continued staring at Nick, and then his face twisted fiercely before he let out a roar.

"So!" he growled and his eyes glowed red.. "You've come to face me, have you? Harboring delusions of saving the princess. Well, come on, then, little boy, I'm more than ready for what you've got."

But poor Nick simply swallowed and looked faint. Venus shot forward to shield him, but Boss only lifted his lips in a smirk and shook his head.

"As I expected. Pathetic. I would have thought you'd seek out grander company, Sailormoon."

"You leave him alone. He has nothing to do with this," Sailormoon insisted and Boss raised his eyebrows to look at her. "Enough," she said, lifting her tiny chin. "It's time we finish this."

"I agree," Boss said coldly and took a step towards her. "My, and don't you look wonderful? I see you've recovered, princess. I congratulate you. I suppose it's well that you escaped when you did, because I was tiring of you. Another word from your pretty little mouth and you'd have driven me to murder. I've always hated you, you see. I should have done it in the beginning instead of using you as my toy. If I'd killed you and your friends, there wouldn't be sides to pick and I'd be free to take what is mine."

A quick heartbeat fluttered in her chest at the cold look in his eyes until she remembered the gift Queen Serenity had given her. Calmly, she pulled it out from the folds of her skirt and pointed it at Boss like a sword. At first, he stared at it with a stupid look on his face, but then the look turned to recognition and… well, not quite fear, for Boss feared nothing, but discomfort. Uneasiness. The dark lord didn't look quite as sure of himself.

"You…" he spoke in a trembling voice. "How did you…"

"Let's call it a present from an old friend," Sailormoon said coolly, remembering what Queen Serenity had said, and tightened her grip. Boss paled and started muttering to himself, words she didn't catch and didn't care to hear. She had a mission to complete.

Sailormoon closed her eyes. Mother, give me guidance, she thought and suddenly the words came to her.

"I call upon the celestial forces of the universe," she cried out, and felt an unknown power rush into her.

"Neptune!" Averill yelled and the aqua-haired girl stopped fighting long enough to turn to him and nod.

"Right," she gasped and retrieved the mirror from her skirt to toss to him. Averill caught it and held the glass towards Boss. The dark lord looked almost comical, like a buck trapped in the glare of oncoming traffic, paralyzed by his own wonder and fear.

"I ask to borrow Athena's power to send this creature of Darkness back to confinement where he can't hurt anyone," Sailormoon called, and her eyes flew open when the rod grew hot in response. She gasped and looked at her hands, which were glowing red with the heat. As much as it hurt, she bit her lip and forced herself to hold on. Too much depended on her and she was not going to let anyone down because of personal discomfort.

"I implore you," she cried and fixed her eyes on her enemy. "Send him back!" The glow around the rod became white hot and then shot towards Boss, surrounding him. He screamed, a horrible sound that would never leave her ears, and a minute later a dark mist left the body and shot into the mirror. Averill was flung backwards from the force and would have fallen if Tuxedo Kamen hadn't caught and steadied him.

As for the body Boss had been using, it fell to the ground with a thud, unconscious. Soon Hideo would awake, confused no doubt, but as healthy as ever. Sailormoon swayed with the aftermath of the power that had coursed through her and fell back against Averill and Tuxedo Kamen, causing all three to tumble to the ground.

"Look!" Mercury called in an awed voice and pointed at the sky. The black vortex was closing, for Boss was no longer around to sustain it. No more demons leaked from the sky, and the ones left behind were quickly destroyed by the senshi.

For a moment there was silence, and then Jupiter whispered, "We did it. We really did it! We won!"

"You had doubts, darling?" Kyanite asked and she threw her arms around him with a laugh. Cheers came from the group, slowly at first, until everyone was crying tears of joy. Only two were not sharing the celebration - the stunned Calcite and Azurite. With mutual understanding, they exchanged a look and took off running.

Sailormoon saw and struggled to stand, but Averill put a hand on her shoulder and shook his head. "Let them go," he suggested. "They're useless without him." Trustingly, she nodded, and turned to examine Tuxedo Kamen for scrapes and bruises.

"Hi, Mamo-chan," she whispered and felt a tear roll down her cheek. Tuxedo Kamen smiled at her, relieved.

"Hi, Usako." But their reunion was interrupted by a sob from Venus, who was kneeling over the fallen Alexandrite.

"Saturn…" Sailormoon started, but the small girl was already on her way.

"Let me try," she suggested to Venus, who obediently sat back to give her room and wiped her eyes on her glove. She looked up and smiled weakly when she saw Sailormoon looking at her.

"Thank God I didn't wear mascara. That's all I have to say," she said and Sailormoon smiled back. Her eyes wandered over the rest of the group. She felt a special warmth inside as she saw them. She loved them all dearly, and aside from a few cuts and burns, they were going to be alright.

Uranus stood with her arms around Neptune and spoke to Pluto, who laughed at whatever she said and pushed her dark hair out of her eyes. Mercury was smiling at the skies, and Mars stood beside her, simply looking relieved. She winked when she noticed Sailormoon watching.

Kyanite and Jupiter were the cutest, sitting on the ground holding hands, smiling at each another. Seeing them brought a sweet flutter to her chest and she looked at Tuxedo Kamen. He had been watching Saturn help Alexandrite, but the moment she looked at him, he turned and smiled at her. Sailormoon sighed in relief… relief that the last horrendous month had finally come to an end. In her mind, nothing was left to go wrong.

What a fool she was to be so optimistic.