Kooin Ya no Gotoshi
The Purging
by rosa lunae
I do not own Sailor Moon or its characters. BTW, I apologize for the inexplicably long delay, and my thanks goes out to JadesRose and Neonlights and everyone else for periodically sending me the nag that I needed! I hope that you all enjoy this chapter, because it was long and extremely difficult to write! Don't forget to review! And you might forget, because this chapter is THIRTEEN full pages. Enjoy!
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"Wiseman!" Mars shrieked. "Are you insane? He's dead! Usagi killed him!" Jadeite laid a careful hand on her shoulder. She let it linger before she anxiously shoved it away.
"I don't know, Rei," Zoisite countered. "He altered time back then, he could do it again."
Pluto shook her head. "This is different. It takes an extreme amount of power to create an anomaly of a person. Power that Wiseman, or the Death Phantom as he liked to call himself, did not have."
Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn all watched and listened stoically, unable to contribute to the debate.
"Well, time travel takes a lot of power too, doesn't it?" Venus wondered.
Pluto nodded agitatedly, frustration with herself evident in her eyes. "Yes. But it was easy enough for him since he was able to knock me out."
The discussion continued for a few more moments until it reached a stumped standstill. Finally, Endymion lifted his bloodshot eyes from the floor.
"Maybe he wasn't defeated in the past."
Pluto's head jerked in his direction. Instantly, words began to fall from her lips. "That's the only explanation. He must have found some bit of the Dark Crystal to feed off of and grown stronger. It has been over 50 years. He's had plenty of time to regain his strength and then some. And he must have been watching all this time, calculating the exact moment, the weakest point in Usagi's life to interfere with."
"Creepy," Jupiter remarked darkly.
"He knows that putting Serenity through this Time Sickness ordeal would be the only way he could truly weaken her enough to defeat her in her equally strengthened state," Pluto continued excitedly. "He knew we'd fix it all along. That wasn't his goal."
"So the question is, of course," Uranus muttered, "where IS she!"
"I can help with that," Mercury chirped. Her fingers flew over the keyboard. "Unfortunately, Wiseman's power indicator is cloaked, and nonetheless, it would be severely corrupted, but luckily I've been able to isolate a datum from Serenity's proverbial signal that should prove to be perceptible."
Despite the situation, Nephrite rolled his eyes. "In layman's terms, Ami."
"Oh," she said, flustered. "I can't trace Wiseman. I can trace Serenity."
"Thank you, Mercury," Kunzite said, shooting a warning glance at Nephrite, who opened his mouth to comment.
"So where is she?" Neptune asked calmly, leaning over Mercury's shoulder.
Mercury stared at the screen like it had grown lips and insulted her. "That can't be possible," she muttered absently. Zoisite moved to inspect it, and his face, too, was contorted by frown.
"What?" Saturn asked curiously.
"We couldn't have missed such a drastic change in the system!" Zoisite exclaimed.
Finally, Endymion stepped forward. "What do you see?" he demanded softly.
In an instant, they reported. "You aren't going to believe this, Mamoru," Zoisite began.
"-but Serenity is on Nemesis," Ami concluded.
Endymion's jaw dropped. "Nemesis! Nemesis was destroyed!"
"That's what we thought," Zoisite said grimly. "And since the energy of the Dark Crystal completely faded because of Serenity's victory, no one ever bothered to run a trace for it years later. We assumed that it was completely destroyed. But according to Mercury's computer, the essence of the Dark Crystal endured."
"The essence. Wiseman." Jadeite fairly snarled the name.
"Yes," Ami whispered. "According to my calculations, he completely revived about 7 years after Usagi and Chibi-Usa killed him with their two Silver Crystals. For the last 45 years, he's been gaining strength, renewing Nemesis, and feeding the energy of the Dark Crystal up to thrice the power it had in our last meeting."
"But what's the motive, here?" Sailor Neptune asked. "He's been defeated by her once. Why try again? Hubris? Vengeance?"
"No," Pluto answered, strongly. "Power. Now Serenity controls the entire system. She's the center of the Universe. Before, she was just… Sailor Moon. And though she was invincible, she didn't have the extent of the power she does now."
"But what good can she be to Wiseman?" Mars asked.
"Yeah," Jupiter continued, "because only Serenity can control the Silver Crystal. And it's not like she's going to hand over the key to Crystal Tokyo."
Pluto shook her head vehemently. "No, not at all. Wiseman isn't after her throne. That is useless to him. If he destroys her, the entire system, the universe will collapse into itself, and with his renewed power, he may be able to survive over time like he has in the past. And even if he doesn't survive, he'll be able to complete his malignant mission from all along. To destroy. After all, evil is irrational."
"So is love," Venus muttered under her breath. Endymion heard her.
"This is all fascinating," he exploded impatiently, "but honestly, I don't care how Nemesis still exists or why the hell Wiseman wants to destroy Usako. All I care about is that he is alive, he does want to kill her, and that's where he is. So let's not debate about the nature of evil. Let's debate about how we're going to get there and how we're going to kill him once and for all and how we're going to save Usako and Naru."
There was a brief, startled silence. But Zoisite quickly picked up. "Okay, well Nemesis is a long way to teleport without the help of the Silver Crystal, obviously, but I am sure it is possible. It will cause greater stress on the Golden Crystal since Serenity is gone, though."
Endymion frowned. He didn't care about that, but he wanted to be strong when faced with Wiseman. "Ami, the Golden and Silver Crystals are linked. What are the chances that she'll be able to help us from where she is?"
Ami's eyes widened. "I don't know. Its never been done. But its certainly is possible. It just depends on her." Whether she's conscious or not.
"Well, I'm tired of waiting. Wiseman knows we'll be weak after the teleport. He knew Serenity would be weak after the stint with the Time Sickness. He's got the advantage. And on top of this, Serenity's hurt. He threw her into a mirror for Kami's sake! And the longer Serenity and Naru are alone, the greater his advantage. Let's stop trying to reason this and do it. We don't have the luxury of a plan right now."
"Works for me," Sailor Uranus ground out. "Let's do this."
In an instant, they joined hands, and disappeared.
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From where she was bound, Serenity could sense Naru. Naru still hadn't stirred. She probably had a concussion from where Wiseman had tossed her into a wall. Well. It was probably for the best she wasn't awake to antagonize Wiseman, Serenity thought with a tight smile, despite the situation.
He was hovering somewhere beyond her sight, but she could make out his wispy hands waving ceaselessly over the crystal ball he used to control the Dark Crystal. Probably watching Endymion, waiting to see what he'd command.
That was easy. "Teleport!" he'd say. She knew it. But that was a bad idea. She'd need them to be strong when they got here.
She closed her eyes. She searched deep within herself, blocking out the massive danger she was in, her worry for her friend, the pain in her shoulder, the dizziness, the weakness, the feel of her own blood escaping, the sting of the energy binding her to the pole, everything. She blocked it all, and found the connection to Endymion.
Yes, the Golden Crystal was active. He was using it to help them teleport. She closed her eyes, and activated the Silver Crystal, willing some its power to them. Unconsciously, she began to give off a soft, white glow.
Wiseman watched carefully. Yes, Serenity. Go ahead. Use some more of the energy you have left. That will make it all the easier to destroy you.
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Even through the void of teleportation, Endymion could sense his wife aiding them. It certainly worried him that she was exerting power so soon after waking up, but he tried to shove that thought away since the battle hadn't even started yet. Besides, he wanted to be strong enough to protect her from that evil. But he pushed worries away leaving nothing but Usako in his mind as the fuzz of the teleport faded and feel of Serenity's presence flooded his senses.
The time to ponder was over. The time to fight had begun.
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Sailor Mars, already distressed by the sights from the warped timeline and the knowledge that they'd been tricked and their Queen wounded, was utterly overwhelmed by the massive amount of evil energy in her presence when the teleport faded. It drove her to knees and she grabbed desperately at Jadeite's sleeve, but he was no help, as he was clutching his head, deeply affected by the evil presence.
Her eyes cold, Sailor Neptune gently soothed Rei and gave them both a hand up, her eyes on the foe she'd never fought before.
Endymion's eyes passed over the ominous glow he was sure was Wiseman, and searched until they rested on his wife. He could barely make out her form; she radiated a weak, white glow. Fierce, crippling relief washed over him as he saw her awake and defiant, though some sort of energetic bonds bound her to a pole. One shoulder hung limp while the other was held back in brazen poise. Several deep cuts were leaking scarlet all over her white gown. But she was alive. She and her eyes. Alive with anger.
"Welcome, Mamoru," came the eerie, cold voice. The air seemed to vibrate with the force of his evil. His use of Endymion's first name infuriated the King. Reminded him how the Wiseman had haunted the most intimate corners of his mind.
"It's King Endymion to you, scum!" he bellowed through the shadows, the scowl in his eyes seeming to glow gold even in the dark. He could feel Serenity's eyes on him, cautioning him, willing him to control his anger.
"Yes, I am all too aware of your title, boy. You, your Senshi, your Shitennou, robbed me of all I ever desired! The power, the control, the universe! I have brought you here, so I can return the favor."
A cold chill seized Endymion's heart just as Serenity let out a startled cry as her bonds began to shock her.
"Stop!" Uranus bellowed, yanking her Sword from its sheath and into a fighting stance. "It's useless! You can't defeat all of us together!" As she screamed, Zoisite and Sailor Mercury rushed to Serenity's side. But despite the pain, Serenity's eyes lit with authority and she jerked her neck towards Naru. Obediently, Zoisite left his wife to analyze the Queen, and searched for Naru in the darkness.
"Patience, Sir and Lady Mercury. I assure you, the civilian woman is quite safe. And don't fear for your Queen, I won't kill her just yet. Don't you want to know how exactly you all find yourselves here to be defeated?"
There was a tense silence, but finally, Sailor Pluto muttered a guilty "Hai."
"I thought so, Lady Pluto." Wiseman had no face, but there was an arrogant smirk in his voice. Pluto's eyes flashed and her fingers whitened around her Time Staff.
Zoisite stumbled through the dark, and barely made out Ambassador Osaka's limp form. He quickly knelt and took her pulse. Weak, but normal. He let a hand hover over her mouth and nose. Regular breathing. Most likely a head trauma, concussion. Nothing serious as long as she wasn't here in the heavy presence of evil much longer.
He quickly scooped Naru into his arms, and carried her over to the group. He placed her gently behind the group, but not before he saw Endymion's eyes twitch with anger and concern.
Naru was powerless, innocent. She'd watched over Serenity in her time of need. Not a single Scout or Shitennou here didn't want to pound something into the ground at the sight of her harmed.
As Wiseman began to talk, Sailor Mercury analyzed the electrical bonds around the Neo-Queen. With surprise, she noted that they were not very strong at all. They could in fact cause Serenity great pain, but she could easily escape them. Confused, her head snapped up. Serenity was already looking at her.
She smiled. Despite everything. She smiled! "Trust me!" she mouthed, and winked her slightly exhaustion-glazed blue eye.
That said, Mercury nodded, making her best effort at a weak smile. Serenity's eyes gave her confidence, but Ami knew she was hurt. She could see a deep cut across her collarbone and into her chest. Was that bone or glass shining beneath the blood? She couldn't be sure. The arm underneath the wound was limp, useless. And the Queen was exhausted. But as usual, even in the direst situations, she managed optimism.
Amazed, Mercury turned away towards where could see a faint glow where Wiseman must be floating. And she listened.
"It was easier than I thought it would be to manipulate you. The invincible Neo-Queen and King and their fierce guards. You could do nothing to stop it. And although Lady Pluto did put up a bit of a fight, she too was nothing but a stumbling block. Then, it was simple to go back in time, to twist your pasts. Especially considering Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen's unfortunate parting.
"I worked on the anomaly of that hideous Emerald for years. But despite how I hated her, she was perfect for the task. Once I created a copy of her, she responded instantly to my alterations to her memory. She had such blind love for that fool Diamond and such raw hatred for you, Serenity. Even if she hadn't been robotic and completely under my control, she still would have eagerly agreed to kill you. You were so blind and accepting in your virgin grief. I knew, even as I waited all those years for my power to resurface, then double, then triple, how easy it would be.
"And now, thanks to your husband for deserting you all those years ago because of those mindless dreams I sent him, we find ourselves here. You went through all that trouble to fix your timeline for naught, because as soon as I kill you, it will collapse upon itself."
Sailor Mars's crackling hands shook with anger and flame. "How can you be sure our future selves won't come back and fix the timeline just as we did!" she demanded, her skin glowing a dangerous red.
"Simple, Lady Mars. First of all, your future selves are at war protecting Crystal Tokyo from a future enemy. Second of all, who will come back through time if they are all stricken by the time sickness!" After this, Wiseman let out a stream of cold, draconic laughter that sent chills even up Serenity's spine.
"Who cares!" Uranus exploded, shaking her sword at the dull glow in the darkness that must have been Wiseman. "You won't get that far! So I say, prepare to die, Wiseman!"
Just as her mouth opened to let loose an attack command, a blinding light swept across the blackened planet, and then suddenly, Uranus saw her Space Sword embedded into the frail chest of Princess Serenity, stiff with death and covered with blood.
Uranus paled, and staggered backwards. "What the hell! Nooo!"
But just as the hideous vision had appeared, it vanished as a blast of power blasted Uranus and Neptune, who attempted to shield her, away into the absolute darkness. They landed with a crash, and then there was silence.
"Haruka! Michiru!" Sailor Venus cried and started to run towards them, but she was stopped by the figure of a blank-eye Kunzite attempting to destroy her. A blast exploded from his hands before her eyes as the real Kunzite ran towards her. Wiseman blew both of them away.
"What's going on!" yelled Nephrite, struggling to find his wife's hand in the darkness. But he suddenly he could see Jupiter's hands, channeling a fierce current of electricity towards him. From the darkness, another blast exploded into them, and throwing them back into the darkness.
"Don't be fooled, minna!" Sailor Mars screamed desperately, her voice piercing the shouts of the remaining Senshi. "Wiseman is using his mind control powers to distract—," Suddenly, she saw Jadeite diving towards her, arms outstretched. He grabbed her throat and began to squeeze. And no matter how the two of them fought, Wiseman was able to get an attack in, neutralizing the Seer and his wife.
Panic threatened to choke Mercury as her computer was blown from her hands. She didn't know whether to run and check on her comrades or the Queen or to fight. Suddenly, in the midst of all the chaos, she felt a satin cape brush her legs. Then, Zoisite's blank, murderous face appeared before her eyes, and she tried to grab his fingers before the two of them were blasted into the shadows.
Suddenly, like a pinprick of light in the solid darkness, Serenity's weak voice rang out through the screams. "Be strong, my friends! Resist!"
Sailor Saturn tried to turn towards the source of the voice, but in the darkness, she could feel her body warping into the form of Mistress Nine and she could hear Sailor Moon's cries as Wiseman's energy attack sent the soldier of Silence shrieking with protest into the dark.
Sailor Pluto heard her comrades screaming in horror and agony as their darkest fears played out before their eyes. But as she raised the Time Staff defensively, bracing her mind for the horrible vision that was sure to come, she realized.
This. This was her deepest fear. She almost didn't feel the sting of the blast or the crunch of the rocks under her bones as she was thrown to the ground. She couldn't move, couldn't feel as she watched, going in to shock as her wide eyes stared into the darkness, listening as her worst fears came true.
Fear and panic coursed through the veins of King Endymion as he ran frantically through the darkness. "Usako! Don't move, I'm coming!"
He wasn't sure if she could hear him, because the sounds of the Senshi and Shitennou writhing and screaming were deafening in his ears. Wiseman was silent, somewhere in the darkness, no doubt enjoying himself.
Suddenly, he tripped over something soft, and found himself kneeling over the form of his wife, tied down on their marriage bed, with a gunshot through her forehead and blood. The cold metal of the gun seemed to cut into his fingers, as he placed it over the wound, watching as her dead mouth whispered, "No, Mamo-chan, no, no, no…."
"No, Mamo-chan!"
He blinked, and there, softly glowing, her white light a candle's flame in this darkness, her soft voice a bell through the screams, she was, squeezing his hands, coaxing him. "No, Mamo-chan, resist! It isn't real!"
When their hands linked, his mind was clear. He began to give off a soft golden light.
"Serenity," he whispered, touching her face, for a fleeting moment unaware of the chaos around them.
Her face, ever living up to her name, was at peace, despite the screams, despite the darkness, despite the pain. His golden glow seemed flashed streaks of would-be sunlight over her silvery hair. He ran his fingers through the strands, watching how the lights danced over his fingers, trying to accept the fact that she was here, alive, trying to figure out how they'd managed to end up in this nightmare, trying to remember to breathe…
"I'm okay, Endymion," she whispered, with a reassuring smile.
Wiseman roared in frustration as his visions of horror assailed their minds, then fell away. He in turn refocused his efforts on the Senshi and Shitennou, who had all of their strength and all of their focus. They were more of a threat to him right now.
"You could have stopped this," Endymion whispered, glancing towards the darkness where he knew their closest friends struggled against their deepest fears. "Why didn't you? Why do you let it continue?"
She closed her bruised eyes, listening to the terrified screams of the valiant Senshi, the furious and horrified shouts of the brave Shitennou. "Because," she answered, eyes fluttering open, still slightly glazed with exhaustion and disorientation, "they are strong enough to conquer their fears, and they must. Without my help."
"But you helped me. As soon as you touched my hand, I was no longer afraid."
She smiled again, something glistening in her eyes. "No, I wasn't helping you. I grabbed your hand to conquer my greatest fear—the fear of losing you. When I held it, I knew you were real, you were with me. I wasn't helping you; only conquering my own fear. It just so happens our fears are the same."
Then, in the soft light, he saw her eyes harden.
"Now. It's time. Time to destroy this evil completely; once and for all." She cupped her hands, and the Silver Crystal appeared between palms, making the blood strains on her sparkling silver dinner gown all the more prominent. Her left arm trembled with the pain and effort it took to simply lift her hand. The doctor within the King suspected a snapped collarbone to go with the exhaustion and severe concussion, among other things. He tried to stare some reason into her eyes.
"You can't. You can't! You can hardly see straight, Usako! Using the Silver Crystal's full power after having no time to recover from the Time Sickness and being thrown into a mirror… it's suicide!"
"Do you think Wiseman cares? If we don't stop him now, the entire Kingdom will fall. And listen!"
From the darkness, Endymion could hear the screams. He pulled Serenity to his chest, holding her tight, as they ripped through him.
The mighty Sailor Uranus could be heard sobbing curses on herself.
He could make out the sound of his head general, Kunzite, weeping and begging Sailor Venus not to kill him.
Sailor Mars, the defiant, hiccupping in her violent tears, shrieking for Jadeite to remember her, remember he loved her.
And Sailor Pluto only let loose an endless, wordless howl.
Every one of the Senshi and Shitennou, the warriors who had bravely and selflessly defended them for over a thousand years, were being tortured in the only place where they weren't invincible. Their minds.
"Endymion," Serenity breathed, the Silver Crystal pulsing in tune with her heart, "We can't conquer their fears for them; they've been fighting them for years. But we can stop Wiseman from assaulting their minds with those fears! Come on! Certainly, I'm not at my best, but I've got you! And the others will follow. Just have faith, Mamo-chan."
With that, Neo-Queen Serenity closed her eyes, and the Silver Crystal pulsed with a sudden burst of power and light, and the entire dark plain was lit, revealing Wiseman sending streams of dark energy at the Senshi and Shitennou. He turned his shrouded head their way.
"You dare to challenge me, Serenity? I've already killed you once today!"
Serenity gave a disarming smile as she warmed up the ancient crystal. "And yet, here I am, a thorn in your side. Besides, I happen to remember defeating you once before."
Wiseman's hood was suddenly lit with a foul glow, revealing a grinning skull. "And yet, here I am, Serenity. A thorn in your side. I invite the challenge; it will make your death more entertaining."
Endymion's eyes narrowed dangerously at the insinuation that his wife dying could constitute as entertainment, and suddenly, his hands, burning with gold energy, let loose a violent beam of gold light, illuminating the deserted black plain of screams. Now Wiseman's howl of pain was one of them.
Serenity shot her husband a surprised glance, but welcomed the assistance nonetheless. Despite her power, it took all her practiced poise to even remain balanced on her feet.
Through his oblivion, Kunzite blinked, and thought he saw the flash of gold. His screams paused for a moment, then resumed with even more desperate intensity.
"We may not have two Silver Crystals this time, Wiseman," he yelled, his voice echoing in the darkness, "but now you face the power of the Golden Crystal!"
"Meaningless!" Wiseman boomed, and fired a massive bean of dark energy at them, completely enveloping the royal couple. But a weak white beam shot out of the cloud of darkness, illuminating the entire plain, shoving some of the darkness back. Golden energy spiraled around it, resisting even more. The darkness lifted, and in the light of the pure energy, Neo-Queen Serenity was kneeling, Crystal cupped between her hands, the injured one trembling, pouring all of her power into that one colossal attack.
Behind her, King Endymion stood, leaning over slightly, and holding her hands tightly, keeping them steady and pouring his own power into her. The screams of their guardians grew suddenly louder and louder, then were abruptly and ominously silenced.
The attack slammed into the beam of darkness, pushing it away from them, then, reaching an impasse. Serenity's eyes began to flutter.
"De ja vu, Serenity!" Wiseman bellowed, cackling arrogantly hidden farther in the darkness. Now, even Endymion's face began to pale.
Across the plains, the Senshi's eyes fluttered open. The Shitennou shook their heads to clear them. Their eyes welcomed the darkness like a soothing salve to their horrified eyes, healing them of the terrifying images they'd seen. The Shitennou helped their wives to their feet. Sailor Uranus heaved herself and Sailor Neptune from the ground, her legs trembling just slightly. Sailor Pluto stood alone until Sailor Saturn's hand fell on her arm. It took them a moment to orient themselves, to see that they were alive, not being attacked, that there was hope. And after their minds were clear, all 12 pairs of eyes flashed.
"Come on!" Sailor Pluto called out over the roar of the colliding energies, her confidence retuning to her, "Now is the time to destroy this evil once and for all!"
Quickly, as Wiseman was distracted, they formed a semicircle around the King and Queen. Then, one by one, they invoked the powers of their planets.
"Mercury!" cried out Zoisite and Sailor Mercury, their joined hands sending out a sapphire beam. The silver and gold beam received a streak of blue.
"Venus!" Kunzite and Sailor Venus sent out a blinding yellow blast, adding their own power to the attack.
"Mars!" Sailor Mars and Jadeite added a fiery red striation to the mass of energy.
"Jupiter!" A crackling emerald streak of power burst from the joined hands of Nephrite and Sailor Jupiter. The mass of pure energy began to crackle with tension.
"All this is futile!" Wiseman's voice boomed over the roar of power. "FUTILE! Surrender now!"
Serenity, eyes almost clouded, began to smile.
"Saturn!" The purple blast made Nemesis tremble.
"Uranus!" Sailor Uranus threw her sword out in front of her, falling into a fighting stance as her own fierce navy beam burst from the tip of her sword.
"Neptune!" The undulating aquamarine wave of Sailor Neptune's power seemed to wash over the collective beam as it quickly began to gain ground.
"NOOOOOO!" Wiseman's howl of desperation rattled every stone on Nemesis.
Sailor Pluto hesitated before adding her power. She clenched her eyes shut, fighting wave after wave of guilt, trying to deafen her ears to the sound of her own voice tell her the blame for the whole situation fell on her shoulders. She gripped the Time Staff tightly in her bronze hands.
Suddenly, a soft, almost whispered phrase floated to her ears, though it should have been well drowned out by the roar of the battle.
"Kooin ya no gotoshi, Setsuna…"
Sailor Pluto's eyes snapped open. Serenity's head did not turn away from her Crystal, but her eyes bore into her own. And King Endymion's as well. Both of them were smiling, encouraging her, no impugning in their eyes.
"Pluto!" The final burst of power exploded mightily from Pluto's time staff.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Their allied powers pushed Wiseman's own power away, and into himself. Now visible in the dancing rainbow lights, his cloak blew away, leaving only a hideous mass of bones and dead flesh.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
A final burst of fused silver and gold energy from the joined hands of the King and Queen of the universe sent both Wiseman's power and all of their own into Wiseman, causing his body to implode upon itself with a deafening boom and blinding array of lights, followed by absolute silence and absolute darkness.
Then the planet began to shake violently.
Endymion felt it when Serenity fell backwards into his knees. He tried to bend and catch her, but even the tiny weight of his wife was enough to send his weak body to the ground. They fell into each other's arms, limp and entwined as the planet began to collapse around them.
"This place is going to blow!" Jupiter shouted.
"Where are they!" came Saturn's voice in the darkness.
"Here, let me help! Crescent Beam!"
Almost like a flashlight, Venus's yellow light swept the plains until it rested on the still figures of the monarchs.
"There!" Nephrite bellowed, and began to run towards them. But the ground split open into a deep, and widening abyss, and black flames shot through the openings. Sailor Jupiter grabbed her husband before he could fall.
The ominous ebony flames inched closer and closer to the royals, suspending on a small island of land.
"Mercury, Zoisite! Try to douse those flames! Jadeite, Mars! Jump through the opening they make and try to get to them! Venus, keep that light shining. Neptune, go get Ambassoder Osaka and be sure she is safe. Everyone else, prepare to teleport, now!" Pluto shouted.
Mercury and Zoisite tried to keep their footing on the shaking planet as they sent streams of water over the flames, clearing an opening. Mars and Jadeite leapt through it, immune to the stray flames that licked at their skin. Neptune gently gathered Naru in her arms, then added her own power to the teleport. They grabbed the King and Queen, careful not to separate their joined hands, and leapt over the opening into Sailor Uranus and Nephrite's arms. Without a second glance, they all rushed into a circle, added their own power to the prepared teleport, burst into light, and disappeared just as Nemesis exploded.
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Expect the epilogue in no less than a week. I promise. And please, review. This chapter was very long and difficult, and I hunger for feedback. Hope you enjoyed!
-rosa