A/N: I just couldn't resist posting the fourth chapter! I'm really sorry, Nerf-chan that I didn't wait for your answer, it's just that all these ideas came into may head and wouldn't leave me alone until I finally wrote them. I hope you're willing to excuse me…
Anyway, people, here's the fourth chapter of "Paths Crossing"… Though you will have to wait longer for the fifth, mhm? I hope you like it… The real action will be starting soon now.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of Sailor Moon or Dragon Ball/Z/GT.
Enjoy!
Chapter Four: Healing wounds
It had been several days after Goku's second encounter with Serenity, and she still had not come back to the villa.
The saiyajin had questioned the others about it, and they had merely responded that, since her return from the 20th Century, and the learning of her husband's and daughter's recent fates by Chaos' hand, the queen had isolated herself more and more, no longer staying at the country house with the rest of them, but sometimes she would take the form of a bird, a butterfly, or a flower, and spend the night elsewhere…
They could never know which form she had taken, which plant, insect or animal was actually her. That was why they no longer made the effort to go in search for her.
When Serenity wanted to be alone, she usually succeeded…
She would return eventually.
"The Golden Crystal reacts to her." Helios had explained "It would only obey those from the Earth Royal House, that was the reason the Queen had been able to use it too, back in the 20th Century; when combined with her daughter's, her will was also able to command it, because the young princess had had the blood of the King in her…" he trailed of, his voice soft with remembrance.
"Now, however, it reacts to her pain and love towards two members of the royal line of this planet, King Endymion and Princess Serenity…" the young boy's expression had become pained when talking about this princess "her daughter and husband. That is why the crystal reacts to her suffering and allows her to take these other forms"
Given time, the last general of the Earth Army, the remaining royal advisor, her young daughter, and the priest of Elysion, had all told him what they knew about the last lunarian in existence: from the very beginning of her first life, during the Silver Millenium Era, to the end of the city of Crystal Tokyo and the destruction of the entire surface of Earth by this dark enemy… the theft of the fallen ones' star seeds, the transformation from the soldier Sailor Moon into the legendary senshi, Sailor Cosmos, and the final accommodation of all the Earth's survivors in the safer sacred lands of the Dream Realm.
In exchange, Goku had told them everything of his own life, from his adventures as a child against Pilaf and the Red Ribbon Army, the dragon balls, the Martial Arts Tournament, Piccolo Daymaio, Garlick Jr., then the saiyajins, Frieza, the androids, Cell and Majin Buu, his and Vegeta's battle with the Janemba monster in Other World, his apprentice Uub, the 'tour' around the universe and later the tsufurujin Bebi… to his final departure with Shenlong towards the dragon's dimension, a hundred years ago.
They had all been amused to know someone had had a past as much, or even more complicated than theirs.
Not long ago, they had taken him for a short visit to the new grand city of Hope, baptized that way by its current residents, who still held on to the possibility of ever being able to rebuild their home world, once their beloved and respected Queen was able to vanquish this evil for good…
…It was amazing how they had always kept their never ending faith in her.
She had already saved them all from the Ice Era…
…What reason did they have not to believe she would save them again, this time?
Goku had observed with great interest the way these people had always been aware of the danger they were in, unlike the human population on his planet, and how they worshiped and loved Serenity…
…It seemed that lunarians, in the present, the same as the ancient Queen of the Moon had told him that was in the Silver Millenium, were still considered nowadays a race sent by the heavens as a divine blessing to the rest of mortal species.
He would truly have liked to find out the depth of this Goddess of Light's powers. It was a pity, really, that she had become what they said, 'omniscient', the moment she had decided to drop the mortal form she had taken to stay on the moon, during her reign, millions and millions of years before…
Right then, though, Goku was quite comfortable staying in this wonderful fairy like world, enjoying the comforts of the villa.
Though, with each passing day, he grew restless with Serenity's prolonged absence —Even if he knew well enough that, not being able to sense her Ki signature, he would never be able to find her unless she decided to show herself to him, which, if he could rely on the events the last time they had been close to one another, would not be happening anywhere near soon.
That was another thing that had been bothering him lately… He kept recreating in his mind eye the hateful expression that had been in her eyes when she had looked at him after she had realized he had her locket —Luna had told him the object had belonged to her some time ago, and that she had probably been too shocked to discover that he had it… thus her reaction, but she had 'kindly' refused to say anything more on the matter.
However, the warrior had been able to suspect this star shaped locket brought painful memories to Serenity —he wasn't stupid— but he had yet to figure out why exactly she could have wanted to slap him…
Him… the very person she had gone out of her way to free, to save, just hours before…It just didn't make any sense…
Somehow, Goku could feel there was more to this than what he was let on, and he vowed to himself he would sooner or later achieve in discovering what.
He owed it to Serenity for saving him from the Eternal Kingdom, and he owed it to her mother, the Moon Queen, for helping him that time in Other World and that second time on the moon.
He would not let any of them down. Even if Serenity didn't want his help, he would give it anyway, he would protect her…
…Such an innocent girl as fragile and good hearted as her did not deserve to be fighting this war all by herself… And, from what he had found, she was fighting alone, none of the Earth survivors had been or were coming close to be able to assist her against this entity.
He had also found out from Kunzite that the only reason it was not still sending its attacks towards them then, was because Serenity, as Sailor Cosmos, had raised an invisible barrier, the Shield of Protection, all around Elysion, to keep it and its minions from entering the sacred realm.
The only reason Goku had been able to trespass it was because he had had the Moon Star Locket.
"Tell me, Luna, this Chaos… this… 'thing'… What exactly is it?" he asked suddenly.
They were currently sitting on the porch of the villa, enjoying the calm weather of another peaceful afternoon; the towers of the Ancient Royal Palace of Elysion were visible far away, over the tops of the lush trees that formed the thick grove in front of the house.
The purple haired advisor beside him just sighed.
"I'm not exactly sure, Goku… No one really knows what it is, only that it is evil and seems to enjoy taking mortal lives, along with people's star seeds… I heard Usagi relate once, back in the 20th Century, that Sailor Galaxia had told her and the Starlights it was a force older than the universe" she murmured "and that it had corrupted Galaxia after she had sealed it within her own body"
Goku nodded in understanding.
"Did she say they were actually able to see it, after they defeated Galaxia, I mean?"
Luna shook her head.
"She said they never got to… Sailor Moon was only able to purify Galaxia and then rescue everyone else by throwing herself into the Cauldron" she answered "But, from what we've seen of it in the present, it can not only possess people, it can take almost any form as it wants, human, animal, plant-like or any other appearance it wishes… And it can take more than one at a time… That's what makes it so dangerous, we never know when and from where it is going to attack, and Usagi is the only one that can resist its darkness and wound it"
"But she has not been able to fully destroy it yet…" Goku finished. The woman nodded.
"Even though the legend of the Queen of Stars, has always announced that Sailor Cosmos would fight it, it has never suggested weather or not she will eliminate it… All that we know is that this being has been dormant within the Cauldron for centuries, that for some unknown reason it has woken in this time and that it wants to destroy all Earth's population"
"It wants all these people's star seeds, doesn't it? And it won't get them as soon as they stay here" Goku elaborated.
"You know" he added after a while, "the eternal dragon told me it had also attacked this planet cause it knew somehow that Cosmos was dormant within the descendant line of Selene"
Luna seemed to be considering this new piece of information.
"I think that makes sense" she responded after a while "it only proceeded to take Princess Serenity's star seed just after Usagi had turned into Cosmos… It was as if it was making sure he wouldn't kill Cosmos before she had the chance to awaken"
Her deep chocolate eyes became suddenly sad and angry.
"That means it must have been playing with us all this time… with Usagi specially. I always suspected it had crushed her family's star seeds to get to her, to weaken her psychically and emotionally in order she could no longer keep facing it… It's like it's all been a game of proving who's stronger to it"
Goku agreed with her, and reflected how the Saiyajin Prince had wanted to prove the very same thing, but how Vegeta had never lowered himself to such resorts.
He had truly been a man of honor, and Goku realized then and there how much he missed him…
"And you say my Ki attacks would not be able to harm it?" he questioned.
"It is not a living being, so I guess this Ki energy you say would not truly affect it… There is a possibility that it might even nurture it"
Luna's expression became very serious.
"Goku, if it was a matter of strength or anything, if it had ever been… then the human security forces, the human armies and weapons would have been able to take care by themselves of these 'little' menaces right from the 20th Century, and the Sailor Scouts would have never needed to reawaken in this era" she reasoned.
"However, with them being creatures of darkness it has never been that simple… To completely destroy them, they have to be purified. If not, they will always be able to return, one way or another…" she continued.
"Usually, these obscure beings are capable of misleading and possessing innocent people… That's what the Sailor Soldiers' powers are for" she finished with resolve "And Sailor Cosmos is the most powerful of all… The Great Purifier… The Universal Protector of mortals against darkness"
Goku's gaze was directed towards the ground.
He was recalling how the wizard Babidi had been able to corrupt Vegeta, and how difficult it had been for him and his friends later to defeat Bebi, all because they hadn't been prepared for him taking control of some of their minds and bodies.
He understood what the woman was trying to say to him.
"Either way" he whispered "I will not stay comfortably seated while Serenity risks her life, her own existence even, in such a way…"
He lifted his stare towards Luna.
"I'll find the way to be able to harm it myself… I've never let anything stop me from helping before, and I do not intend to start now" he said so deeply.
The purple haired female knew he was being very serious.
She smiled.
No wonder the locket had reacted to him that intensely, by playing its wonderful sweet music…
It was said the 'Song for Eternal Lovers' could never be played by any mortal instrument… That no mortal device would ever reflect the depth and feeling to it like when this music was played by itself…
It would only resonate like that from a lunar music box, and only when the owner was blessed by the gods with the opportunity of a hopeful love.
Usagi had always been its 'original' owner, before she had given it to Mamoru in the Silver Millenium… and after the King had been killed, the locket had never played the song again.
Then, it had mysteriously disappeared…
…and now, it had appeared back, placed on Goku's right hand, the beautiful Song for Eternal Lovers being played by it once more…
…like an unquestionable sign.
Luna could not help but smirk to herself.
He was truly handsome, seemed very kind hearted, and looked really strong……Usagi was certainly one lucky girl.
Goku just looked at Luna in perplexity; first Queen Serenity and now her… he couldn't understand why so many women looked at him so knowingly nowadays…
The loud sounds of a horse, along with Kunzite and Peruru's voices, interrupted both their thinking.
Goku wasn't really surprised; he had already sensed their Ki signatures.
Now, he already knew he couldn't sense Luna or her daughter Diana because they were honorary lunarians, by willing adoption, and he couldn't sense Helios 'cause he had deeply bonded emotionally to Serenity's deceased daughter, the princess of Earth, thus sharing her longevity and other lunarian attributes from then on.
"Come here, boy! We won't hurt you!" came the other light lavender haired youth's yell.
Soon he became visible, his rainbow fairy like wings carrying him as fast as they could as he chased after an injured immaculate white unicorn.
The boy didn't look older than sixteen years old.
A while later, Kunzite showed up walking behind him.
The poor unicorn trotted in a zig –zag to get away from the obstinate dream elf.
It looked scared.
Luna frowned and stood. Goku just took it all in silence.
Helios didn't take long to step out from the door.
"What do you two think you're doing?" Luna demanded.
"Kun-san and I found him while we were fishing near the waterfall!" the dream elf, Peruru, shouted back.
"He's wounded and he won't let us heal him!" he excused himself.
Helios smiled at his younger cousin.
"You should leave it alone, Peru-chan" he gave advice "Unicorns are extremely pure and sacred creatures… They will only allow a thoroughly innocent person to get close o them…"
Then Goku recalled how he had always been able to ride on Nimbus.
Perhaps I should try it… He thought to himself.
It is worth a try…That animal looks in pain. He resolved.
He had already started to get up, when he noticed everyone, the unicorn included, had grown oddly silent, their gazes towards the sky.
He fully stood, looked up… and saw it.
It was a very white, delicate and beautiful swan, flying above them, which approached slowly, until it landed a couple of meters beside the mythical horse, which seemed to be looking at it in odd interest.
Then, a bright golden aura enveloped the newly arrived swan, until it started growing in size and changing form…
…Not long after, they were all staring at what… or rather 'who' the swan truly was.
It was Serenity.
Without a word, she confidently made her way towards the sacred animal, which never made any attempt to avoid her, and placed her hand carefully on top of the wound, her golden crescent moon birthmark flickering to life and giving off a faint golden gleam.
A silver glow surrounded her hand and enveloped the wound, healing it instantaneously.
The unicorn leaned its snout against her long loose golden blond hair and the fair skin of her neck, and smelled them quite a few times in affection.
Their spectators observed them in awed silence.
Usagi's eyes shinned brighter than they had in a long while. She laughed at the unicorn's antics and caressed its mane lovingly, stopping only once to embrace its strong nape between her thin soft arms, not caring if her white silk gown was getting messy.
They were two heavenly creatures playing together, speaking to each other in their own language.
The other five watched them as if hit by some sort of enchantment.
Luna sighed and smiled softly, lifting her right hand towards her face, her fingers rested casually over her lips.
Helios stared at the blonde queen petting the unicorn with a knowing smile on his own face, while his cousin, Peruru, just gazed at them questioningly.
Kunzite only folded his arms over his chest and his look remained emotionless, but Goku…
…Goku felt as if he were falling in love with Chichi all over again.
He had never seen such a tender and breath taking scene.
The saiyan could not explain why, but it reached deeply inside his heart.
He slowly let out the breath he didn't know he had been holding.
"It is no wonder, really" came Luna's rather low whisper, so that only he could hear it.
"In the Silver Millenium, everyone assured the moon princess had the purest and most innocent heart…" she gazed at the view in front of them "…I guess they were right"
Helios smiled as he approached the pretty maiden.
"It is good to have you back, my Queen" he closed his eyes as he vowed respectfully.
Though, Serenity remained silent. Her gaze remained on the horse.
She kept caressing the immaculate white mane as her eyes saddened.
"Do you remember, Helios" she started, "how you took the form of a Pegasus very similar to this unicorn, when you were inside ChibiUsa's dream mirror?"
The young priest's expression became grave.
"I do" he whispered.
Usagi smiled.
"We were quite happy right then, actually… Weren't we?" she continued "And we didn't even know it…"
Her eyes became filled with tears.
The unicorn's head turned towards her as if in worry.
Helios' face was heavy with suppressed grief.
"I know, Your Majesty… I know" he replied almost in a non-audible voice.
His own eyes were also filled with tears now.
Serenity saw this and smiled again, but this time it was towards him.
"She was very fortunate to have you"
The priest shook his head.
"I could not keep her safe. I was of no help during the battle"
"You gave it all you had"
"It was still useless, I wasn't able to save anyone… I wasn't able to save her"
He choked. His hands closed into fists.
At the other side, on the porch, Goku stood listening in silently.
He knew it was the first time the young boy let it out and showed his often reserved feelings.
The Neo Queen's stare softened with empathy.
"You loved her thoroughly when she was alive; you made my daughter very happy" she replied "That is all that will ever count".
Her gaze fell to the ground.
"Whereas me… I'm the one to blame. Even with Cosmos' power, I still failed to protect them"
Helios' yellow brown eyes widened.
"Please, do not say or think that, my Queen!" he pleaded anxiously "I could never blame it on you! None of us believe it is your fault this happened!" he tried to reason.
The blonde maiden wiped away her tears and looked at him proudly.
"You've become such a kind hearted young man…" she whispered. "You would have made such a perfect son-in-law…" she smirked weakly between sobs.
Then she broke and hugged him tightly between her arms.
Helios remained stunned and motionless for a moment, shocked.
Then he slowly reached to lightly hug her back.
And so, they began to cry freely in unison, no shame and their emotions no longer concealed, while they held tightly onto each other, united by the same pain.
Everyone else kept their distance, not willing to interrupt or disturb this mutual understanding of feelings.
This temporary giving of mutual comfort……Because no one else would have understood their pain as well as each other…
…They were both grieving the very same people the most…
Peruru's turquoise eyes also became sorrowful… He had also been very fond of ChibiUsa.
He took out his flute and started playing a soft, sweet, melodic tune he hoped would help them all feel better.
Goku remained watching the pair and somehow felt their profound wounds had started to heal, if only just a little bit.
He felt happy for them.
Usagi finally let go of Helios but kept him at arms length, staring at him in the eyes and smiling tenderly like a mother would.
She wiped away his tears, and lightly kissed his forehead.
The unicorn had approached her again and caressed her cheek with its snout consolingly. Serenity petted it gratefully one more time.
"I'll come see you all again soon" she whispered.
Then she turned and left.
Helios stayed standing where he was beside the now calm unicorn, his gaze wandering as he reflected on everything that had happened.
Goku was going to go after Serenity when Luna's light grip on his arm stopped him.
"Let her go" she advised "She needs to be alone"
Goku considered this for a few moments.
He shook his head.
"She's been alone for too long already" he answered "She now needs the help and support of those that care about her more than ever."
"I'm not gonna let her continue keeping all her suffering to herself… She needs someone right now, and it'd better be me than no one" he stated.
Luna looked intensely into his eyes and seemed satisfied by what she saw.
"Go ahead."
She suddenly let go of his arm.
"Go."
He looked at her chocolate pools and nodded.
Soon he was running after Serenity.
Luna watched hi leave with a thoughtful expression on her face.
She sighed for the third time that day.
"Oh, Goku…" she murmured "I do hope your love is able to finally mend her shattered heart"
END TO THE 4RTH CHAPTERPlease R&R!
Jay.