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DISCLAIMER: Sailor Moon/ Neo-Queen Serenity/ Tsukino Usagi, Tuxedo-Kamen/ King Endymion/ Chiba Mamoru, Chibiusa, Mizuno Ami/ Sailor Mercury, Hino Rei/ Sailor Mars, Kino Makoto/ Sailor Jupiter, Aino Minako/ Sailor Venus, Meiou Setsuma/ Sailor Pluto, Ten'ou Haruka/ Sailor Uranus, Kaiou Michiru/ Sailor Neptune, Tomoe Hotaru/ Sailor Saturn, Oosaka Naru, Tsukino Shingo, Nephrite, Queen Serenity, and Tsukino Ikuko- as well as Crystal Tokyo, the Silver Millenium and the Crystal Millenium- are copyrighted to Naoko Takeuchi, Toie, DiC, and others I can not remember right now. They are not mine.
NOTE: This fan-fiction is a sequel to the fiction "Release", which, itself, is an answer to the fan-fiction "Tsukino Usagi is dead," by I would also thank and especially Edgaric for suggesting a part of this chapter. It's a variation of his idea.
NOTE: Koryo and Silla were medieval kingdoms on the Korean Peninsula. Pusan and Inchon are ports on the South and West coasts of Korea, respectively.
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The Kings of Silla and Koryo, with their Ambassadors and Gaurds, entered the Crystal Palace. The Embassies were shown into the ballroom, where the Senshi were stationed around the perimeter. "Where is the Queen of Crystal-Tokyo ?" The King of Silla asked. "Where is Neo-Queen Serenity ?"
"Serenity isn't here right now," Usagi said as she appeared in a gi, "may I be of service ?"
"Do you normally joke at such serious times, Serenity ?" The King of Koryo asked the queen.
"No," answered Usagi, "nor do I joke now. I am Tsukino Usagi. I am also Neo-Queen Serenity. And, when called upon, I am also Sailor Moon. There are three spirits in this body. But, right now, neither Serenity nor Sailormoon wish to come out."
"Park !" The King of Koryo called out his Ambassador. "Your father raised you in the ways of the Shaman ! Examine the woman ! Does she speak the truth ?"
Ambassador Park came forth to stand before Usagi. The Ambassador closed his eyes and said a prayer. Then he walked around Usagi, sprinkling the woman with salt.
When he again faced Usagi, he looked deep within her. Park then asked: "Are you Tsukino Usagi ?"
"Hai !" Usagi answered.
Park examined the answering woman.
"And are you also the Neo-Queen Serenity ?"
"Hai !" Usagi answered.
Park examined Usagi once more.
The Ambassador returned to the kings.
"She speaks the truth."
"So !" The King of Silla said sternly, "The Neo-Queen sends a servant-girl to deal with her missteps ?"
"Iie !" Usagi said, "It was I alone who dismissed your Emmassaries ! This was after they acted like children !"
The King of Koryo chuckled lightly.
"Your Majesty !" Ambassador Rhee protested. "It was this witch who stated Park and I settle our people's honor in a pillow-fight !"
"When one acts childish," Usagi noted, "one has to expect being treated like a child."
The King of Silla chuckled, "Ambassadors are known at times for being overgrown children !"
"Your Majesty!" Ambassador Rhee started to protest. The King of Silla raised his hand for silence.
"However !" The King continued to speak. "When an embassy is disgraced, you disgrace he who sends it ! Honor demands a reckoning. Are you prepared, Usagi ? Or are we the fight the Neo-Queen Serenity ?"
"Your fathers' fathers fought Neo-Queen Serenity." Usagi said. "The honor of your people demands we fight, but the opponents must be equals. There will be no magic used."
"We are equals," the King of Koryo said suspiciously, "but what of they ?" He motioned to the Senshi.
"Your concerns are noted." Usagi commanded the Senshi, "Ladies, transform ! Chibiusa, collect the henshin sticks."
"Hai !" Chibiusa responded.
"But, Usagi.." Mars protested.
"If you've ever trusted me, trust me now." Usagi said. "Transform ! NOW, I say!"
Slowly, reluctently, the Senshi transformed: Haruka and Michiru, Setsuna and Hotaru, Minako and Makoto, and, finally, Ami and Rei. Chibiusa then collected the henshin sticks and returned to her father's side.
"Now," Usagi smiled and pointed to the kings' embassies, "what of them ?"
The Kings of Silla and Koryo dismissed their gaurds and ambassadors.
Usagi stepped to the middle of the ballroom. "Your Majesties ?" Usagi smiled. "Shall we begin ?"
The King of Silla came after Usagi with a fiery combination of blows he thought would rob her of breath and force her to submit. Usagi stood like a stone wall and blocked the blows effortlessly. Usagi then threw two blows into the king's midsection that sent the sovereign backwards. The king slowly got back up and charged, starting with a combination of blows and kicks, hoping to sweep Usagi to the ground. Usagi sidestepped the rushing opponent and, grabbing him, spun him back to his starting position. The disoriented king fell as his energy was spent in his attack.
Usagi then dropped into a half-crouch as the King of Koryo circled her. As he rushed into her, she deftly tossed him into the air. The king then landed awkwardly on his feet before falling on his hip and back. Usagi waited for his next attack- and rolled that attack off her hip. The King of Koryo was left rolling along the floor. Then, the King of Silla struck again.
This time, Usagi used the fluid motions of her body to perry the king's blows and kicks. As the King of Silla sliced and kicked at the air, Usagi worked her way closer to the king. Then she let out the strength of the tigress. As Rei, Haruka, and Michiru watched in wide-eyed amazement, Usagi reduced the man known as the "Tiger of Silla" to a weary pile of aching muscles and joints. It was at this time the king known as the "Panther of Koryo" sprang to Usagi with a cat-like scream ! As Usagi spun around, the King of Silla stood and grabbed Usagi around the waist. "Kill her !" Silla's Monarch screamed. As one, Mamoru, Chibiusa, the chibi-court, and the Senshi rushed toward the combatants.
"Iie !" Usagi shouted at her court- her family. "I started this on my own and.. I..", she swung her legs up and kicked the Panther of Koryo just below his ribs, "will.." Usagi turned around as the King of Silla weakened his grip, " finish it!" She exploded at the one who had held her. Usagi's hands flashed and punched at the king's chest, shoulders, nack, and head. She then sidekicked him to the ground violently. Then, it was the Panther's turn.
"Enough !" The King of Koryo cried out. "I yield."
"As do I." The King of Silla said weakly. "We have been bested. We await your judgement. Our fate rests in your hands."
"Hai." Usagi agreed. "That is good." She took a long breath, then found herself forcing it out against her will. "I think .. we should rest for a while. Be back in two hours hear my judgement."
The Kings collected their embassies and left.
Usagi's family and court gathered around her.
"You WON, Usagi !" Minako cried.
"That.. is good." Usagi said weakly. "For.. I am so tired, I.. don't know.. if.. I can go..." She fell to the floor, unconscious.
"Usagi ?" The court asked as one. "USAGI !"
Mamoru, Chibiusa, Minako, the Outer Senshi, and the chibi-court kept a closed-circle gaurd around Usagi as Ami and Rei stood over the fallen warrior. "Her breathing is shallow," Ami said, "but steady. And her heartrate has slowed. Usagi seems to have gone into shock."
"She's so cold !" Rei cried. "Usagi, please, wake up !"
"She seems to have.." Haruka began to speak.
"Withdrawn." Michiru answered.
"But why did she go ?" Minako asked. "What would pull her away when we need her so much here ?"
"Why am I here ?" Tsukino Usagi asked. "Has my time come ?" She stood and looked around at the Senshi, and at Momaru and Chibiusa. "Can I at least say 'Sayonara'?"
"Iie. It is not the time, yet." Neo-Queen Serenity smiled. "We are just tired, Usagi."
"But .. I heard what Ami-chan said !" Usagi protested. "We are dying !"
"Iie." Sailor Moon calmly said. "We are just asleep as the great bear, Usagi. You had to fight for us so much already ! First the Senshi yesterday. Then, the Kings this morning."
"But they all look so sad," Usagi said, "can't they tell I'm just asleep ?"
Suddenly, Usagi, Neo-queen Serenity, and Sailor Moon noticed a pile of tiles appear above their body.
"Mah Jongg." Neo-Queen Serenity noted. "We may be at the doorway, after all ! Or, at least the crossroads. Usagi ? Would you start?"
"'WE need HER'?" Mamoru asked increduously. "Did I hear you right, Minako ? Do not misunderstand me. It makes my heart leaps to hear that someone besides my daughter and I need Usako ! But ! I cannot help but ask WHY you need her ! If it is to fix what is wrong with the Crystal Millenium, you might as well run a sword through her heart ! Because it is the Millenium that is killing her ! As surely as it weakens Serenity it weakens Usagi !"
"I wish my mother back," uttered Chibiusa, "but WHOLE ! If she is to return a broken prisoner of this place.. then she is better off DEAD !" She turned to face Sailors Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus. "But, the choice, as ever, is yours." Chibiusa cradeled her mother tightly to try to warm her.
The tiles were being matched rather quickly as each soul took a turn. Too quickly, thought Usagi. As she looked closely at the tiles she matched, she saw familiar scenes. It was different aspects of her life being answered. Dark riddles were being answered.
"As they should be !" A voice answered from in back of Usagi and to her right. "Kaasan?" Usagi asked shakily. "How did you get here ? I thought you would have been on another journey by now ?"
"Iie." Tsukino Ikuko smiled at her little girl. "My place is by you, with you. It was my duty to guide you and your brother, and my joy to see you through life. Your life is not over yet. When it is, I may pick up my staff and continue. But, until then," she held her daughter softly, "I shall be here !"
"How.. how is Tousan?" Usagi asked her mother. "He is fine !" Ikuko answered, and kissed her daughter on the forehead. Another pair of tiles were matched.
"Why do you look at us like that, Small-Lady?" Sailor Neptune asked as she felt the tempered-steel gaze of Chibiusa upon her and Uranus and Pluto.
"NEVER call me that !" Chibiusa snapped. "My name is, and always will be, Chiba USAGI! Or have you forgotten the night of my presentation so soon !" Neptune and Uranus recoiled from Chibiusa.
"Hai." Neptune hung her head low. "We have forgotten much. I wonder, at times, if we truly knew. We thought we knew.. about our mission, about our reason.. but we did not understand. Even after we were restrained by our other selves, and heard your cries, we still did not understand ! We thought that all could be made right." She looked at Chibiusa. "But, it cannot, can it, Chiba Usagi-san ?"
"Iie. Not now," Chibiusa said holding her mother's form, "and not here."
Neo-Queen Serenity took her turn. As she searched for her match, she felt a soft hand upon her shoulder. Queen Serenity stood beside her daughter. "I wish to stay," Neo-Queen Serenity said, "I feel as if we're leaving much undone ! I know I have gotten tired- and maybe I have run inside myself too much of late- but, there is still so much for Usagi, and Sailor Moon, and I to do ! But, I guess, it is meant to be otherwise."
"My daughter," Queen Serenity smiled, "it is not possible for us to do everything on our own ! We only do what we can with the help we are allowed. Then, we are sent to where we are needed next."
"But, we are tired, mama !" Serenity pleaded. "Why can't we be allowed the chance to stay with our families until we are ready to leave ? And then take that rest that should be ours ? To go from one life to another.. one heartbreak.. to another.. ?" Neo-Queen Serenity found herself crying against her mother's breasts like she had never remembered crying before. Another pair of tiles were matched.
It was Sailor Moon's turn to match tiles.
"We have killed her, haven't we ?" Michiru asked after she withdrew from the circle.
"We have only done what we thought was best," Minako said.. dejectedly. "What we were told."
"Hai." Haruka agreed. "We do what we do for the good of the Millenium ! We do not even ask what the price will be. Then, we act so surprised when payment is demanded !" She left the small gathering.
Haruka's weeping could be heard from the corner-bannisters. None could relieve her.
"It has come to this," Hotaru said from the shadows, "death has come full-circle once again. And Usagi isn't even dead, yet."
"We TRIED to protect her, damn you !" Michiru screamed to Hotaru. "We tried to protect our queen, damnit !"
"And how was that done ?" Hotaru asked. "By watching for outside invaders ? You watch the yard while the house falls in on itself ! But- maybe there is time,"
she looked back to Chibiusa, Mamoru and Usagi and whispered, "for all of us."
Michiru moved back towards Chibiusa and Usagi. She knealt and cried. "I am sorry, Usagi-sama !" she whispered through her tears. "If we never get the chance to tell you we love you again.. I hope.. that your next life will be kinder."
There will be no more cycles." Chibiusa said as she cradled her mother. Haunted eyes looked up at Michiru. "Mom has said that she wishes this to be her final life."
"Nani ?" Michiru gasped.
"Hai." Chibiusa sighed. "Because of the great sadness in my mother's lives, she wishes her cycle of rebirth to end. They have agreed.. to go as one- Usagi, Serenity, and Sailor Moon- when their time comes."
Michiru did not try to stop her flow of tears. Sailor Moon's and Nephrite's words of yesterday came back to haunt her.
"If my mother leaves this world today," Chibiusa said, "then my reign shall be short. But its effect will be lasting. The Senshi will be outlawed. Any who pick up the banner of the Sailor Senshi will be hunted down- and destroyed."
There was a silence in the room. It had come to this.
"The Embassies of Koryo and Silla are here." Sailorpluto told the Court.
"I am so tired." Sailor Moon whispered. "My weariness is unbearable. I do not have your strengths ! I am just a warrior-maiden. And, I am not really 'here', am I ? Iie. There was never suppoed to be a Sailor Moon, was there ? Iie. "If I could only touch my Tuxado-Kamen once more before I die. For I know I should die. It is best."
"Iie." A voice said behind her. "Sailor Moon, you are as much a part of Serenity and Usagi as they are of each other and of you." Nephrite said from out of the darkness. "Sailor Moon ! Commander ! It is as I told Usagi yesterday ! She is the heart and Serenity is the head, but you are their strength ! As your parts can not live without the whole, the whole cannot live without all its parts !" "But.." Sailor Moon sighed, "my sisters at least have their families for them ! Who do I have, besides Tuxedo-Kamen ?" Tears began to well is Sailormoon's eyes.
"You have us." Tsukino Ikuko said, placing a hand on Sailor Moon. "You are as much my daughter as Usagi!"
"And as Serenity is to me !" Queen Serenity smiled warmly at the warrior.
"Or grand-daughter," said Neo-Queen Serenity with a smile, "seeing that Usagi and I gave birth to you !"
"You have more friends than you realize, Sailor Moon!" Said Naru as she appeared in the light. "You always have. I knew there was something strange about Usagi a few months after you first appeared ! She would act like herself at times. Then, she would change.. into you ! But, there was always something, inside, that reminded me one of the other ! I figured that, since you were probably a friend of Usagi's," at these words, all three spirits bowed their heads to hide the tears, "I would gladly be your friend."
Another pair of tiles were matched.
"I go to speak to Chibiusa, now, Usagi." Naru smiled softly. "She is worried for you."
"Where is the Queen who bested us ?" The King of Silla asked.
"She's.. not.. here right now", Minako said.
"Where IS she ?" Commanded the King of Koryo. "WHERE IS your champion ?"
"She is.." Makoto began.
"She is here", Said Chibiusa, still cradling her Mother's head lightly.
"The Kings and their embassies came foreward. "How did this happen ?"
"Mom lost consciousness after the battle between you and her ?"
"Ah !" The King of Silla said. "And you are ?"
"Princess Chiba Usagi, daughter of Neo-Queen Serenity, also Sailor Moon, also Tsukino Usagi."
"Are your wishes those of your mother ?" The King of Koryo asked.
"Always", replied Chibiusa.
"Then," said Koryo's king, "we shall abide by your judgement."
"Your Majesty !" Ambassador Park said to the King of Koryo. "I since strange things ! Beware ! Their Champion is caught mystically between life and death !"
The Kings looked at Serenity's Court with shock and suspicion. The Senshi were silent.
"Is this true ?" The King of Koryo asked Chibiusa.
"I wish my mother nothing fut peace and freedom !" Chibiusa answered emphatically. "It would kill me to see my mother enslaved to this place ! I need her, but I would never condemn her ! "
"Such a champion, a slave ?" Ambassador Rhee asked. "Is it possible ?"
"Hai." Mamoru answered. "This.. PLACE.. has drained us all of our will and spirit ! It fed on my wife the longest, to the point where all three spirits within her are ready to die. And, our daughter has been so drained as to yearn for death, too! This place is a CURSE !"
"And what of her Senshi ?" The King of Silla asked. "Did they not see the Queen's weariness ?"
"Half of us did," said Rei, "while half was taken by the hypnotic ways of the Crystal Millenium !" Venus, Haruka, Michiru, and Setsuna once again wilted under the accusatory tone.
"So !" Said the King of Koryo. "You see to the well-being of strangers, But neglect your kin ? We will be back in one hour ! If your Champion is not here by then, our forces will leave Inchon and Pusan to attack Crystal Tokyo ! And when we are done, will be nothing left but dust !"
The Kings left, their footsteps echoing down the hall.
"What has Venus done ?" Minako asked. "What have we done ?"
"Have we lived too long ?" Haruka looked up wearily. "Have we forgotten how to live ?"
"I thought this place was so.. beautiful.." Michiru said through her tears. "And Serenity, the most- beautiful of all ! I never realized.. where that beauty came from ! And now.. it's.. it's... Forgive me, Odango!"
"Sma.. Usagi-sama !" Setsuna called in a shaking voice. "Can you.. forgive me ? I.. realize.. the wrong I've done. I have condemned everyone I cared about to a living-death. You, Usagi, everyone ! I can do nothing to undo the damage. If I could, I would undo it. For, I do not wish to live without your love, and the love of your mother !" Setsuma's eyes were filled with tears as she knealt.
"I forgive you, Setsuma !" Chibiusa smiled through her weariness. "We were all prisoners, I guess." Chibiusa turned to Mamoru. "Tousan ? I leave Kaasan in your care, and Ami-Obaasan. I need some fresh air."
"Chibiusa-chan ?" Ami and Makoto asked.
"Do not worry, minna." The Princess sighed. "Someone has to stay to watch over Crystal-Tokyo. Even over it's death." Keiko and Naoko shadowed Chibiusa as she went to the balcony, to their mothers' relief.
Chibiusa stepped out on the balcony and searched the distant mountains. "I've always loved those mountains." She told Keiko and Naoko. "They always seemed a refuge from this prison." Chibiusa sank to the floor. "Damnit !" she cried. "Why did there ever have to be a Crystal-Tokyo ? Whose sick idea was it ? SOMEONE had to put it into Puu's head ! I hope the forces of Koryo and Silla DO reduce this crystal-prison to dust !" Keiko and Naoko gently lifted their Princess up. They turned back to the ballroom.
Naru met them as they entered the palace. "Konnichi-wa, Chibiusa-chan." Naru bowed slightly.
"Naru-obaasan?" Chibiusa gasped. "Kaasan told me about you ! You are her oldest friend ! Does this.. mean..." Chibiusa felt a knot tighten in her stomache.
"Iie." Naru smiled. "Usagi is not dead yet. But she plays the game we all must at the point of death. To play Mah-Jongg is to arrange in order the mysteries we are here to face."
"And, if she wins ?" Chibiusa asked the spirit.
"To match all the tiles means that the mysteries have been answered, and that the gates to the next life are open !" Naru said. "One of your mother's spirits is ready to go through, or was when I left. Usagi was talking to her as I left."
"She was," said another ghost, "until Usagi spoke to her.. with a little help !"
"Nephrite !" Chibiusa, Keiko, and Naoko said in unison.
"Hai." The General bowed. "Chiba Usagi ! Your mother can find the strength in anyone ! You are, indeed, fortunate !"
"I am," said Chibiusa, "if I can have my mother back alive. Arigato, Naru and Nephrite !"
"Remember what your uncle tells you now, Chibiusa," a third shade said in the shadows, "you will never be alone !"
"Hai, Shingo-Haku !" Chibiusa said, smiling.
The Princesses went back to the ballroom.
"Has mother's condition changed any ?" Chibiusa asked Mamoru and Ami.
"Iie." Ami said softly.
"What do we do ?" Rei asked Chibiusa. "The Kings will be back in minutes."
"After they leave," Chibiusa said, "evacuate the people to the mountains ! Then, leve with them ! I.." Chibiusa said softly, "shall stay behind as this prison is razed. We shall be together. But, promise me that my last order will stand: The Sailor Senshi will be no MORE !"
The Senshi agreed as one to their abolition, but would not hear of Chibiusa staying to die in the palace.
"I will stay behind!" Chibiusa screamed. "I want to be with hahaiue!."
"Admirable sentiments," Usagi said, "but not if in means getting yourself killed!"
"Kaasan!"
"Usako !"
"Usagi !"
"You're alive !"
"Hai. But it was a near-thing, I think." Usagi sighed. Then she rose. "Now, what was this you agreed with my daughter to do ?"
"Chibusa's first and last order, Usagi-chan," Minako said, "would have been to abolish the Sailor Senshi ! And, with no Royal Family, there would be no Millenium.. and, thus, no need for the Senshi."
"And, you agreed to this ?" Usagi asked, cradling her daughter.
"Hai." Haruka answered. "Why should we defend what takes away and never returns? You almost DIED, Odango!"
"I am sorry, Kaasan!" Chibiusa sniffed. "But I missed you so ! I.. would not have lived without you ! I would have let Crystal-Tokyo be destroyed !"
"You have nothing to apologize for, Chibiusa." Usagi smiled. "As for the Sailor
Senshi- it sounds like they are finally learning the lessons taught three years
ago. Family is more important than the state. And we ARE family !"
"Your Majesty !" Sailorpluto announced, "The Kings of Koryo and Silla have
returned."
"Show them in, Setsuna !" Usagi commanded.
"Hai ! Your Majesty !" Sailorpluto snapped to attention.
The Kings entered.
"Is your Champion here ?" The King of Koryo asked the Court.
"Usagi is in !" Usagi said. "Are the Kings ready to receive their punishments ?"
The Kings of Silla and Koryo bowed. "Our fate is in your hands", Said the King of Silla.
"Good." Usagi commented. "I have heard your history. Your poeples are cousins. Five-hundred years ago, a king moved his clan to the valley you now fight over. He had twin brothers, your forefathers. One moved north of the valley, and one moved south." Usagi drew a breath thoughtfully. "Since your peoples have blood-ties between them, why do you act like loving brothers ? You should be at each other's side - not each other's throats !"
"Yes." The Kings agreed.
"Good." Usagi said. "I will make arrangements this evening to view your common-border ! We shall see what needs to be done to relieve your people's sufferings. Now.. do not make me regret not treating you like the bullying schoolboys you came to Crystal-Tokyo acting like. Return to your Embassies !
"Yes, Your Majesty !" The Kings of Silla and Koryo snapped to attention and exited the palace.
"It appears that the war will soon be over", Usagi mused.
"And what of you, my wife ?" Mamoru asked.
"Hai !" Michiru asked. "What of Tsukino Usagi ?"
"Ara. Neo-Queen Serenity is still a bit tired, and so is Sailor Moon." Usagi told the Court with a gleam in her eyes. "So, for the time being, you appear to have me shepherding you !"
SAYONARA