Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Stars: Chaos Theory
Act 17: The Final Battle Against Chaos
By: Sora Kazeno
Despite what the title says the entire battle against Chaos will not be in this act since there is one more act after this! But I think it is about time for the sleeping princess to wake up.
Princess Serenity slowly opened her eyes. She stared at her surroundings as she tried to determine where she was. After a few minutes she realized she was in someone's living quarters. She rubbed the side of her head as she remembered being separated from Chaos. She sat up in bed and raised her arms over her head as she stretched. She threw the blanket off her and began to stand up. She nearly fell over but was able to steady herself. She had underestimated how stiff she felt and wondered how long she had slept. A picture on a shelf caught her eye. It was Usagi and Mamoru. She began to feel excited as she realized where she was. She was still wearing her formal gown. She straightened the gown and quickly rushed out of the room.
Mamoru heard a noise behind him. He nearly dropped the glass he held when he saw her. He was speechless.
"Endymion!" Serenity shouted with tears in her eyes. She rushed forward toward him.
Mamoru had just enough time to put the glass down before he was tackled by Princess Serenity. She wrapped her arms tightly around him. He returned the embrace.
"I've missed you so much," she said between tears. "But I don't understand what is going on."
"Let's sit down and I'll explain it to you," he said as he guided her over to the couch. As he spoke to her of how she was separated from Sailor Cosmos. Mamoru noticed several differences between Serenity and Usagi. Serenity was quicker to gasp the information and he didn't need to dumb down his explanation to her. As a whole, Serenity was much more mature than Usagi. They really were two entirely different people.
Mamoru did his best to answer all of her questions about recent events but after a while he couldn't keep up. "I'm sorry I don't have all the answers for you."
"Is…there someone else that might know?" Princess Serenity asked.
Mamoru was taken aback by her question since it was unlike Usagi. After a moment he said, "Sailor Galaxia might know but I'm not sure where she is at the moment."
Princess Serenity frowned at his response. "Thanks for telling me everything you know Endymion."
The entire time they had been talking she had called him by his former name. It was making him a little uneasy. "My name in this time is Mamoru-"
Before he could finish Princess Serenity burst into tears and said, "but you will always be Endymion to me! No matter how many times you may be reborn and renamed."
"Call me Endymion then," he said as he realized how important it was to her. He brushed a few tears from her eyes. He hated to see her so upset.
Princess Serenity placed her own hand on top of his and sighed. "I've missed you so much," she said as she looked into his eyes.
Mamoru was amazed at the emotions she conveyed in her eyes with only one look. It was loneliness and a longing for him. "Serenity," he whispered unable to break away from her gaze.
Princess Serenity leaned forward and kissed Mamoru.
The kiss caught him off guard. She was completely different than Usagi.
Taiki stared at the cauldron Sailor Galaxia had left on the table before she left. He was amazed at how something so small could have so much power. The key to everything was right in front of him and it was such a small object considering what it could contain. Yet without the cauldron they couldn't stop Chaos.
Yaten looked at Taiki confused by the intensity he stared at the cauldron. "Things are a lot more difficult without our Princess," Yaten said with a sigh.
"We won't have to be without our princess if we save Odango. I know she can find a way to return the starseeds," Seiya said with absolute confidence in her.
"You are relying on that girl too much. This isn't like before," said Yaten in a pessimistic tone.
"She saved this world several times already," Seiya said coming to her defense.
"But Usagi-chan has never been the enemy. I know nothing about the … other side of her," interrupted Taiki.
The telephone rang which interrupted their discussion. Taiki was the closest to the telephone and answered the call. "Hello," Taiki said. "Good morning Mamoru-san."
The sound of his name quickly caught Seiya's attention. For a moment he was glad he was not the one that picked up the telephone.
"I'm glad to hear she is awake," Taiki responded over the telephone. "We don't know where Galaxia is but we will call as soon as we do." Taiki listened for a few more moments before he said good bye and hung up. "Princess Serenity is awake. But we still don't know our next move."
Seiya was really anxious to see her after he heard the news until he remembered that Princess Serenity and Usagi were in a sense two different people.
"I guess it works," Yaten said as he directed his next comment to Seiya, "the two of them have a lot to catch up on."
Princess Serenity patiently waited while Mamoru was on the telephone. This behavior was the complete opposite of how Usagi would have reacted. She was disappointed when she learned Galaxia was nowhere to be found. "Since we can't find her I would love to explore the city. I know it has changed a lot since I last visited you here."
"I'm not sure if that's a good idea," Mamoru hesitantly responded.
"What are you going to do? Keep me cooped up in here all day?" Princess Serenity asked as she raised an eyebrow at him. "…maybe that isn't such a bad idea after all," she said with a suggestive glance.
Her comments were beginning to make Mamoru feel very uncomfortable as he felt himself blushing. Princess Serenity and Usagi are essentially the same person but he didn't feel right about it. "…maybe we can go out after all…" stammered Mamoru as he tried to redirect her attention.
Princess Serenity frowned as she looked down at her dress. "I can't go out in this," she said she pointed to her gown.
"Usako has some of her clothes here in case of emergencies and or if they have become ruined in battle," Mamoru said as he led Serenity over to a closet to select the clothes she would wear.
"You really do think of everything don't you?" Princess Serenity exclaimed with a large grin.
Princess Serenity took a deep breath as she inhaled the fresh air. After seeing some of the large skyscrapers she wanted to go somewhere that reminded her of how Earth used to be.
Princess Serenity's eyes widen when she saw couples in boats in a large lake. She turned to Mamoru with large puppy dog eyes, "can we go out on one of the boats?" She asked.
It was impossible for Mamoru to say no when she made that face. He hesitated a moment before he spoke. "… alright."
A short time later the two were on a boat in the middle of the lake. Mamoru was very quiet and seemed to be in his own world. He occasionally rowed the boat.
Princess Serenity watched him carefully. She knew something was wrong. "Endymion?" She spoke softly. There was no response. "Endymion," she said again in a louder tone. He was still unresponsive. Princess Serenity frowned at him. The frown quickly turned into a smile. "Endymion!" She shouted at him.
Mamoru was so startled he nearly dropped the oars into the lake. At that moment he realized he had been ignoring her. "…yes?" He responded sheepishly.
"What has been bothering you? You're so quiet ever since we've been on the lake." Princess Serenity asked as she waited patiently for a response from him.
Mamoru knew she wasn't going to let it go and told her what was bothering him. "The last time I was on the lake," he said as he began to recall the events of that day, "was with Usako. It was right after I received my memories back after the first battle with Queen Beryl on Earth. We talked for a while and headed back to the shore. It was around that time that Chibi Usa literally fell from the sky and into our lives."
"I'm sorry," Princess Serenity said as she lowered her eyes.
"Don't be," Mamoru said to her.
Princess Serenity looked at him in awe, it was the kindness in his tone that she missed most about him.
"If I can't talk to you about this. Who can I talk to?" Mamoru asked with a smile.
His smile made her heart rate speed up a little. Now he sounded more like the Endymion she remembered. In her eyes Mamoru was a lot colder than her beloved but he had very different experiences growing up.
"You're a lot different than Usako. You're… a lot more serious," Mamoru commented.
His words snapped her back to the conversation. "It's not really surprising," she said as she watched him closely for his reaction. "In a way we are two different people. I grew up in the Silver Millennium and Usagi on present day Earth. A person is shaped by their environment. Take yours for example. The more time I spend with you the more difference I see with the Endymion I remember."
Mamoru gave her a confused look. "Like what?"
"The Endymion I remember had a warmer aura. Something has happened to you in this lifetime that has left you more distant and it makes it harder for you to love others. The Endymion I knew wouldn't have been able to keep his hands off me," Princess Serenity said with a mischievous smile.
Her comments caused Mamoru to blush.
She could tell she was making him uncomfortable and quickly changed the subject. "I'm worried about Usagi. She is very indecisive."
Mamoru was able to focus now. "She is still young…" he said as he began to make excuses for her.
"But it is that indecisiveness that led Chaos to consume and why she hasn't been able to free herself from Chaos. Her heart is unsure."
Mamoru felt a lump forming in his throat even before he asked the question. "What is her heart unsure of?"
The weight suddenly shifted in the boat to the side. Mamoru and Princess Serenity quickly turned their heads in the direction of the disturbance and realized they weren't alone any more. Sailor Cosmos stood on the boat ledge. She glared at Princess Serenity.
"Usako!" Mamoru said as he jumped to his feet. His sudden movement made the board rock back and forth even more.
Sailor Cosmos ignored him and focused all of her energy on Princess Serenity. "Return it!" She yelled at Serenity.
Princess Serenity looked at her in utter confusion, "return what?" She asked.
Sailor Cosmos narrowed her eyes at her as she spoke, "the starseed belonging to this body! It belongs to me and you stole it!"
"Never!" Princess Serenity shouted back at her as she began to build up her courage. "You will only use it for evil!"
Mamoru intervened and grabbed Sailor Cosmos' wrists. "Usako you have to stop this!" He pleaded with her. "Please open your eyes!" He shouted as he shook her.
Sailor Cosmos turned her attention to Mamoru for the first time since she arrived. "Usako? What a childish name!" She screamed at him. She quickly freed her wrists from his grasp. With another swift moment she pushed him off the boat and into the lake.
"Endymion!" Princess Serenity cried out in shock. She was in disbelief at the anger Chaos was able to channel through Sailor Cosmos' body.
The cool water hit Mamoru as he went over. He was in shock for a moment over the events that just happened. It took him a moment to snap out of his daze. Seconds before he reached the surface a large explosion occurred. Fear began to set in. Mamoru reached the surface and found parts of the boat sinking in various locations. He frantically searched around for Sailor Cosmos and Princess Serenity. He felt a sense of relief when he saw Princess Serenity in her flowing white gown floating on top of the water. Sailor Cosmos was nowhere to be seen.
Princess Serenity walked over to Mamoru. "Let me help you up Endymion," she said as she extended her arm out.
"-and that is the plan on how we will-" Sailor Galaxia stopped mid sentence as she turned her head sharply to the right. "She's back," Galaxia said softly. "I can feel Chaos' presence close by… and the Moon Princess' starseed! Chaos is trying to reclaim it! We have to hurry!"
None of the Three Lights spoke for a moment as they pulled out their star headsets.
"We have to end this," Seiya said as he turned to Taiki and Yaten. They both nodded their heads in agreement.
"Fighter Star Power, Make Up!"
"Healer Star Power, Make Up!"
"Maker Star Power, Make up!"
Endymion stood next to Princess Serenity with his right hand on his sword. He wasn't sure what Chaos was about to do but if Chaos captured Princess Serenity's starseed there would be no hope of saving Usagi from Chaos. The two stood in a grassy area away from prying eyes. They hoped to not involve anyone else in the battle that was about to occur. A laugh made him look to the side.
"How cute. The prince is trying to protect his princess from me! But can you really hurt this body when it is the person you love most in life?" Sailor Cosmos sneered at him. "I think I know something that would make this more interesting," Sailor Cosmos said with a smile as her staff began to emit a bright golden light. "I've always wondered if the Princes of Earth was really as good of a swordsman as everyone said he was." Her staff flashed brightly again and transformed into a rapier. The blade was long and thin. She waved the sword in the air back and forth as if she was testing the weight. She then lunged forward at Endymion.
Endymion reacted on instinct and blocked her attack with his sword. He didn't want to fight her but he was going to defend himself against her sword. He tried to remain focused but so many things raced through his mind. He had a hard time keeping up with Sailor Cosmos's strikes and imagined it was due to Chaos. Usagi has never learned to use a sword like this.
"I'm growing bored with this," said Sailor Cosmos with an impatient tone. She raised her free hand and blasted Endymion back with energy.
Endymion was not fast enough to even attempt to block the new attack. He landed several feet back from where he had stood.
Sailor Cosmos transformed her sword back into a staff. The inner crystal began to flash as she prepared another attack against Endymion. Sailor Cosmos jerked her head to the left and then leaped out of the way in the nick of time to avoid a blast of golden energy. She turned her attention to the new comers, Sailor Galaxia and the Sailor Starlights.
The three Starlights slowly helped Endymion to his feet. "Thank you," Endymion said as he tried to balance himself. He was still thrown off by Sailor Cosmos' recent attack against him.
"We will protect Princess Serenity," Sailor Star Maker said to Endymion and Sailor Galaxia. "We understand that Sailor Cosmos will target her but we won't let her succeed," stated a determined Sailor Star Maker.
Sailor Star Healer turned to face Sailor Star Fighter and Endymion obvious to what was shared between them on the telephone the night before, "the three of you have the best chance of reaching her and we would only be in the way." She nudged Sailor Star Fighter forward to join Endymion and Sailor Galaxia.
Sailor Star Fighter was hesitant to approach Endymion after the last conversation they had. She tried to hide her uneasiness but she was rather unsuccessful.
Endymion took a few steps forward and said, "Fighter."
Sailor Star Fighter turned her head to face to Endymion.
"I was… out of line the other day," Endymion said as he tried his best to apologize for his outburst from the previous night, "things have been difficult."
Sailor Cosmos overheard the exchange and burst out laughing. "This is too perfect!" Sailor Cosmos exclaimed between laughs. "You are fighting over the girl while Usagi can't make a decision between the two of you!"
Sailor Star Fighter's eyes widened at her remarks. She wasn't sure what Sailor Cosmos meant by that.
Endymion took a deep breath as he tried to call his nerves. He tried to appear calm but his face display a different emotion. One that conveyed just how angry he was.
Sailor Star Healer and Sailor Star Maker exchanged a confused look at each other.
"Usagi was the perfect vessel to select. A nudge here and there and she was in utter chaos," Sailor Cosmos said gleefully. "The feelings where there but Usagi never would have acted on them unless I pushed her to it. What I was amazed by was the inner turmoil that made it so easy to consume her body. All because she kissed Seiya!" Sailor Cosmos said as she laughed.
"Se… Seiya!" Sailor Star Healer exclaimed in disbelief.
Sailor Star Maker did not speak but now understood why Seiya had been acting so differently in the past few weeks.
Sailor Star Fighter didn't speak but rather took a step back. Her mind was racing when she thought about Sailor Cosmos' words. She had said the feelings were already there but Usagi never acted on them. This made her even more confused. Then she snapped back to reality and remembered her duty as a senshi to protect the galaxy. She could sort out everything later, after Chaos was defeated.
Endymion did not say anything but clenched his fist tightly. This was the last thing he wanted to hear Sailor Cosmos discuss. The information was still difficult for him to process. It was the last thing he wanted to be discussed in front of everyone.
Sailor Galaxia raised her eyebrow at Sailor Cosmos' remarks. Chaos was trying to cause as much friction as possible among them. She wanted to interrupt Sailor Cosmos but she thought it over and thought it would be best to listen to her since she might learn some valuable knowledge.
"Such indecisive over something so simple made my job very easy. She never stood a chance when the animates went after her starseed. I couldn't have planned it better if I tried," said Sailor Cosmos with an evil grin. Her grin faded as she continued, "if only the other senshi didn't get in the way. I would still have that starseed," she said while pointing at Princess Serenity with a menacing glare.
"Starseed?" Princess Serenity repeated confused by the term. She had heard the phrase several times but she wasn't entirely sure what they are.
"If you don't even know what it is then you don't have a need for it! Hand it over!" Sailor Cosmos yelled at her.
"No!" Princess Serenity shouted back at her.
"Fine," Sailor Cosmos said as she turned her attention to the Sailor Starlights, "I'll go after someone's starseed!" She then looked over at Endymion and then to Sailor Star Fighter. "One of you."
Sailor Galaxia didn't hesitate any longer. She fired a blast at Sailor Cosmos while she was distracted.
Sailor Cosmos used her staff to block the attack. "Oh? A real challenge?" She exclaimed gleefully as she returned the fire.
The others watched silently as the two began to battle. None wanted to be caught in the crossfire or be in Sailor Galaxia's way. Sailor Galaxia seemed to be matching Sailor Cosmos' power for the time being. But it was only a matter of time.
"Is this all you have?" Sailor Cosmos taunted her as she easily dodged Sailor Galaxia's attack. "You are going to have to try better than that," she said as she released another blast from her staff.
Sailor Galaxia was knocked back in the direction by Princess Serenity, Sailor Star Maker and Sailor Star Healer. It was clear Sailor Cosmos still had the upper hand. Sailor Star Maker and Sailor Star Healer helped Sailor Galaxia to her feet.
Sailor Galaxia slowly rose and was blinded by a pale lavender light. It took her a moment to try and register what had just happened.
"Taiki!" Sailor Star Fighter exclaimed as she rushed over to Sailor Star Maker's side. But she was too late.
Sailor Star Healer stared at Sailor Star Maker speechless. After a moment she finally spoke. "You did it on purpose…"
Sailor Star Maker's starseed floated away from her body and to Sailor Cosmos' out stretched hand. "I've never seen one of the Starlight's starseeds before," she said as she seemed to be memorized by the shine. "So this is what the power of the stars look like…" She paused for a moment before she continued. "I'm not even upset I missed my original target. A starseed is a starseed… only five left!"
Sailor Galaxia focused her attention on the fallen senshi before her. "I don't understand," she said as she lowered herself to the ground by Sailor Star Maker. "After everything I've done in the past… and to your home world…" she said as her voice trailed off.
Sailor Star Maker smiled. "When we fought against you I asked someone the same question when they had protected me. They told me it was to protect people that were close to. We had our differences in the past but I know you can help everyone stop Chaos more than I ever could…" Sailor Star Maker said as she closed her eyes a final time. Moments later her body faded away just like the other senshi before her had.
"How touching," Sailor Cosmos said at the scene that had unfolded before her. She then realized no one was protecting Princess Serenity. This was the perfect opportunity to collect her starseed while no one was watching. She raised her wrists and prepared to attack. She looked around one more time. No one paid attention to her. Tow golden blasts erupted from her wrists on their way to her target.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw the energy heading toward them. Sailor Star Makers words still echoed in her mind and she had promised to protect Princess Serenity. Sailor Star Healer stood in front of the blast that was meant for the Princess. Her starseed was expendable, the princess' wasn't. Sailor Star Healer cried out when the blast hit her. She didn't realize just how painful it was to have a starseed taken.
Time seemed to move in slow motion for Sailor Star Fighter. Moments ago she just lost one of her best friends and now she was about to lose the other.
Princess Serenity gasped and covered her mouth with her hands when she realized what Sailor Star Healer had just done. Tears began to form in her eyes as she walked closer to the fallen senshi before her. A pale lime colored starseed floated above the senshi's body. Princess Serenity wanted to return the starseed but the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou resided inside Sailor Cosmos' staff. At that moment she realized she was powerless unless she learned to harness the power of her starseed to reach Usagi. She turned her attention back to Sailor Star Healer, "we barely even know each other yet you are willing to risk your life for me…"
"You are the only one here that can stop Chaos," Sailor Star Healer explained to the Princess. "You have the most powerful starseed here. Use it to stop Chaos so every galaxy can be safe. I've seen too much suffering on my home planet. No one should have to experience that."
A few tears trickled down Princess Serenity's cheeks as she listened to Sailor Star Healer's words. She nodded her head and began to feel determined. So many had placed their hopes on her and she couldn't let everyone down.
"There are only four left," said Sailor Cosmos as she eyed everyone closely. With a flick of her wrist Sailor Star Healer's and Sailor Star Maker's starseeds disappeared. "The only thing to decide next is who's starseed will be mine."
"No!" Princess Serenity shouted at Sailor Cosmos. Her heart began to race.
"No?" Repeated Sailor Cosmos as her raised her eyebrow. "Don't tell me you're going to do something about it."
"I can't let this continue anymore. Too many have been lost because of Chaos and I won't let another star burn out!" Princess Serenity shouted at Sailor Cosmos.
Sailor Star Fighter looked at Princess Serenity. She had the same look in her eyes Usagi had when she went against Sailor Galaxia. She began to believe everything would alright.
Sailor Galaxia looked at the Princess and nodded her head in agreement with her words.
Endymion could help but smile a little after hearing Princess Serenity's words. He was hoping this nightmare would finally end.
The four of them disappeared in a bright flash of white light.
Usagi wiped away the few tears that remained in her eyes. She stood up and glared at the cell walls. She couldn't stay in her any longer. She had to get out and help the others. "I'm going to get out of here," Usagi said as she found her voice. "I can't waste any more time…" A bright flash of white light caused her to turn around. The light only lasted for a short period of time but it had warmth to it. Usagi took a few steps forward in the direction of the light.
It is almost over! The next act will conclude the story. Princess Serenity versus Sailor Cosmos. Will the other senshi be revived? Will Sailor Galaxia be able to seal Chaos inside the cauldron on May 22nd? Act 18: Usagi's Decision.