Sailor Moon Aeons.
Book 2: Rebirth.
Act 13: The Return.
Episode 151: Destiny.

By Razor Knight
Last update: February 17, 2019

Rubeus glared at his foes. "You know, I really wanted to kill the Rabbit myself, but you'll do."

Nemesis glared right back at him. "Kill us? Not likely."

Dragon Lilith wasn't worried. True, Rubeus had grown much stronger, but Naru had become a Holy Senshi during their fight. That guy was screwed.

Rubeus chuckled. "I will crush you, Nemesis."

Nemesis fell to her knees. She remembered this, Rubeus had used the same gravity powers against Usagi, back then. Still, he had obviously grown much stronger, to be able to keep a Holy Senshi in check. "Damn... You..."

"Just let go, Nemesis. Your guy will join you soon."

Dragon Lilith growled. That bastard, playing with them... No, he could see why he wasn't also crushing him. He could only focus his gravity in one target at a time. "Leave her alone!"

Rubeus smiled as he summoned a magic barrier to stop the Dragon's summon, a large flaming sword. "Useless. Wait for your turn."

The Dragon smirked as he felt something in the back of his mind. "This isn't a turn-based game, moron. Lilith Holy Power."

Rubeus turned to look at him. "Well, that just makes this more interesting."

Dragon Lilith gave him a grin that was a sound effect away from mocking laughter. "Did you know there are Sailor Moon videogames?"

"What does that have to do-"

Nemesis knew Umino was weird, but when it mattered, he could really do impressive things. She had seen Usagi do that before. A barrage of Senshi attacks of different elements, not letting the enemy time to focus on anything but dodging. Rubeus' barrier lasted through the first ten or so blasts, but after that, one could almost pity the Nemesian for being on the receiving end of that attack. The gravity crushing her was gone, and as the Dragon staggered back, she calmly walked to her foe.

"Just let me take a breather and I'll-"

Nemesis snorted. "Yeah, not happening. Not that it matters if I shoot you. You're already dead, thanks to him."

Rubeus smiled weakly. "But you're still going to shoot."

"See it as proof that we learnt from our mistakes. From now on, we'll make sure our enemies are dead."

Dragon Lilith leaned on a rock and sighed as shadows covered Rubeus. Nothing was left of him once the attack ended. "Nice."

Nemesis walked to him and kissed him before smiling. "Sorry for stealing your kill."

"I don"t mind."

"That was really impressive, though."

"Also tiring," he muttered, "but we still need to help the others."

"Yeah... Wonder if anyone else powered up?"

The Dragon chuckled. "It's Senshi Level Up Season again, I guess."

Nemesis shook her head at that. Yes, Umino could be awesome every once in a while, but he was mostly just weird. And she wouldn't change him for anyone else in the universe.

Usagi looked around. This place... She wasn't sure how she got there, but there was nothing around her. Just a white space. "This looks like a dream, but..."

She saw a woman appear near her. Her hair was white, long, and tied up in a way that was way too familiar for her. Still, her face was different. Silvery eyes, pale white skin, and a suit that matched Moon's one. "You are..."

"You can call me Gin. I like that name. And yes, I am... You could say I'm the Ginzuishou. Its power. Its soul."

Usagi was lost for words for a minute. "Uh... Where are we?"

"Inside the Ginzuishou. I couldn't leave your body out there while we talk."

"I have to save my friends, just let me-"

"Usagi, nothing would make me happier than seeing you do that. They need you. But you can't help them without your powers."

"So give them back to me. You can do it, right?"

"I... Can't do that. To most, I'm nothing but a weapon. A tool. None of them would listen as much as you and your daughter do."

"Wait, aren't you my Ginzuishou?"

Gin smiled. "I am the Ginzuishou. All Ginzuishou are me."

"So it's like... Phase?"

"You could say that. I have many 'selves' but they are all connected, they are all me. I can right now feel the pain the 'me' being used by Black Lady is feeling. To be used for selfish, destructive purposes, it's painful."

Usagi sighed. "I never heard about anyone talking to their Ginzuishou before."

"I usually can send ideas, images through, but you are the first Serenity I can actually talk to. Always a first time for everything, right?"

"But why did you talk to me? Why now?"

"Because you don't get it, Usagi, just how different you are from the past Serenities. Yes, you're an adult and you've been using your powers for quite some time, but... Your group is special. Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Nemesis... No Senshi before had your kind of skills."

"What do you mean?"

"I can't give you back your power, Usagi. Only you can."

Kaorinite was slightly worried. Onara and Rubeus' deaths had helped her, made her stronger, but it also meant there would be more pests for her to kill. And even though Uranus and Neptune could barely keep up with her, it was just a matter of time before a stray Senshi or two showed up to complicate things.

"Why don't you kids give up? You can't beat me, even after powering up."

Neptune frowned. True, even after leveling up to Holy, they had not been able to beat her. "I'm sorry, but we can't do that. We had a mission to stop the Death Busters, and you're still alive. Also, you remind us of a time when we were doing things wrong."

Uranus nodded. "Yeah, we can't erase the past, but getting rid of you will be a start."

"Shut up and die!"

The two Senshi leapt aside, dodging a massive energy blast, which tore through several trees before vanishing. "Maybe we should have fought her in the city. Plenty of tall places to drop her from."

Kaorinite growled at them. "Enough!" The attack this time was different, tendrils of dark energy shot from the ground right under the two Senshi, catching them off-guard. When the attack ended, they were both on their knees, their breathing ragged. Yes, another attack like that; and these two pests would be gone. She just needed to- Wait, was that a stony blade sticking out of her arm? Yes it was. "Who the hell?"

Dragon Earth glared at her. "I never got the chance to pay you back for using me to get to Usagi."

Kaorinite shot a blast at him, but he used his sword to absorb it. "Oh, right. Excalibur. So, you really think you can kill me?"

"Maybe I can, maybe I can't, but... I know my role in the team, and I'm fine with it."

"Your role?" Kaorinite said right before she felt something punch through her chest. Two things, actually. She looked down and could barely see a "blade" made of air poking out of her chest, along with a blade made of water.

"I'm good at distracting enemies while the girls recover."

Kaorinite looked at him and flinched. "I... See."

The Dragon had to leap to the side as the 'blades' burst into twin beams of water and wind, tearing Kaorinite to pieces. "Okay, that's another one down."

Neptune nodded. "But that means the few left will get stronger."

"Let's go," Uranus said, "we have to help our friends."

"Only I can?" Usagi frowned. "That's not true. Last time this happened, I tried to use my powers for months. I can't just get them back!"

Gin's smile didn't falter. It was a bit unsettling for Usagi, this girl looked like she was in her twenties, but her eyes betrayed her true age. She wasn't sure how long the Ginzuishou had existed, but looking at her made it clear even Pluto was an infant compared to her.

"Now, now, Usagi, if you stare at me like that, I'll start worrying you've fallen for me."

Usagi sighed. In the past she would have thought a joke like that to be out of place, silly, but she knew why Gin said that. "Thanks."

"Don't worry, I understand. Don't be afraid of me, Usagi. I'm a crystal that exists to serve you. I want to help you. You've never used me wrong."

"Then... Explain what you meant before."

"Gladly. See, the mind can be a powerful weapon in its own right, but sometimes it can also do things you don't expect it to."

"So you're saying it was me. I unconsciously blocked my own power?"

"Remember what you said several times back then? That you had cheated to win? I know you hate cheating. Your mind... You were afraid you would just abuse that power. You feared you would become something your friends would hate. You still do."

"So how do I unblock them?"

"You just need to decide what is more important. Your fear, or your friends."

Usagi smiled. "I see. I get it now. I shouldn't be afraid of my own power. I have friends who will kick me back to shape if I start growing too overconfident."

"Yes. Now go and help them."

"Will I see you again?"

"I'm sure you will. You're the first Serenity that I can actually talk to. See you soon, Usagi, no, Sailor Moon."

"Thanks, Gin."

Gin smiled as Usagi vanished. "'Gin,' huh? Sometimes the simplest answer is the right one."

Aurite dodged a lightning blast. She had lost count of how many magic blasts she had dodged in this battle. It wasn't working, she had grown stronger after each of her allies died, but the Senshi also grew stronger. And also, a few more Senshi had shown up to fight her.

"Must suck to be you," Mars commented.

"Shut up."

"Planning for so many years, being so sure of your victory. Even sacrificing your allies to grow stronger. And yet, you can't beat us."

Aurite was about to say something, but then felt it. Sailor Moon. She was back? How? No, she wouldn't let the Senshi's luck screw her plans. She could still win. "Screw this, time for a new plan."

Mercury saw Aurite vanish and scanned the area. No, she was not near them. She summoned her glove and frowned at the data she could see. "Guys, be careful. Aurite left our area. We'll search for her, but..."

Moon appeared near them just in time to hear that. "I can sense her on the Moon. Wonder what she's up to?"

Mercury shrugged. She wanted to ask Usagi how she had gotten her powers back so fast, but she would wait until after the battle. And she realized now why Aurite had run. "No idea. Is she luring us there?"

"She moved," Moon said, "she's... What the hell."

"Usagi?"

Moon looked at Venus. "She is... Guys, go to where Chibi is!"

Mars saw Moon vanish, but didn't even waste a second wondering what to do. None of them did.

"You kids are stubborn."

Dragon Sun looked at Boa. "Hey, you know us. Losing is the one thing we just don't know how to do."

Lynx looked around. Several Senshi, and some other warriors, were still up and ready to fight. It was dumb, even with the Zarthask and Cygale's power... No, they could win. They had to. All Senshi had to die.

Boa turned as she sensed something. "Aurite, what-"

It happened too fast for them to react. Aurite ran Boa through with a crystal blade, then shot her at point blank with a massive beam, which vaporized her. Lynx glared at Aurite. "You asshole..."

"Sorry, I just figured out the flaw in my plans. I don't need any of you, just your power."

"You killed her, bitch!"

Aurite vanished again, appearing right next to Lynx. "Don't be sad, you'll see her sooner than you think."

Earth saw Lynx get blasted to atoms, and prepared to fight, but Aurite simply teleported away. "... What the fuck."

Phase was using her scanners, and quickly found their target. "Anyone who can still fight, go to where ChibiMoon is. Now!"

Black Lady was in a very bad mood. First ChibiMoon's other pet had shown up, then the rest of the cats, and even a couple Dragons. "You pests keep on popping out of the woodwork."

ChibiMoon shrugged. "See, this is how teamwork goes. A group of selfish assholes like you is doomed to fail."

Just as Black Lady was about to say something, Aurite appeared. She was about to ask her what she was doing there, but then saw her eyes. There was true killing intent in them, and she was only looking at her. She dodged a blast and frowned. "Aurite, what the hell?"

"I need your power. And your crystal. Now."

Black Lady glared as her. "As if, bitch. Did the parasite already eat your brain? Guess it had less to feed on than I thought."

Aurite laughed. "Boa and Lynx tried to stop me too."

ChibiMoon shot a blast at Aurite, but the woman punched the blast back, turning to smile at her. "Okay, the crazy youma isn't a pushover."

Black Lady took the chance as Aurite was distracted, rushing at her with energy-wrapped fists. "You stupid youma, do you really think you can kill me? I am a Serenity!"

Saturn saw Black Lady suddenly stop, as both her arms fell, and blood sprayed off her sides. "Damn it, she-"

Aurite appeared right next to Black Lady. "You're not a Serenity, just a second-hand copy of one. Your only purpose was to help me achieve my destiny."

The rest of the Senshi and their allies got there just in time to see Black Lady's body explode. "No, I was too late..."

"Oh, the main character arrives," Aurite said. "It's good to see you back, how can we have a final battle without the heroine?"

Moon glared at her. It was clear that Aurite was not quite in control. "That parasite is-"

"Controlling me? No, you are wrong. It is helping me. Helping me fulfill my destiny."

ChibiMoon growled. "You heartless scum. You just use others to get what you want. Destiny? I hate that word. I really hate it. If you say your destiny is to kill us, then... Screw you and your destiny!"

The energy wave that shot off ChibiMoon's body lit the area for a few seconds. And yet, Aurite just stood there, smiling mockingly. "Ow?"

"You... Monster."

"Aww, don't be sad. It's not your fault you can never catch up with your mom."

Moon surprised everyone, even Aurite, by tackling her down, punching her straight in the face. "Catch up? She's already a Holy Senshi, idiot. I'm the one who needs to catch up. Moon Holy Power!"

Aurite vanished, appearing meters away from her. "Impressive, but I don't think you realize just how much stronger I am now." She pointed her finger to the south, and everyone could see a massive explosion, in the distance.

The Senshi all knew what was in that direction. Mercury summoned her glove, and her shock was quite visible. "Tokyo is gone. All of it."

"You monster... Killing millions just to make us angry?"

Aurite looked at Moon. "It worked, didn't it?"

"I'll kill you."

"Usagi..."

Aurite saw Dragon Earth smiling kindly at Moon, whose glare disappeared. "Oh dear, that won't do."

Moon gasped in shock. Aurite had appeared right behind the Dragon, and stabbed him through. As he fell, she could feel something boiling inside her. That bitch had... "Damn you!"

Aurite smirked before teleporting away. "I'm just getting started."

Mercury was shocked, but still tried to scan the area. "Damn, she's cloaking her power. Stay alert, guys!"

Moon was almost too shocked to breathe. Mercury was just done saying that, when countless energy blasts shot from the ground, hitting everyone. Everyone but her. Moon could hardly contain her rage. Aurite had hurt her friends, she could sense some of them were down. That bitch was provoking her. Using her friends as tools to make her angry.

'Usagi, calm down.'

'Calm down? Mamoru is dead, and Shingo, Yuki, Hana... Even Luna and Artemis... How can I calm down?'

'She's doing that because she fears you. She wants to break your will to fight. Don't let her win.'

'I... You're right, Gin. I can beat her.'

Mercury was confused. How could Aurite... "The Ginzuishou. The first one. She's using it."

Aurite's voice boomed from all around them. "Yes, and its power is just amazing. Nothing can stop me!"

The two Plutos appeared right next to Aurite as she stopped moving - and everything around them had also stopped. "Nothing, you say?"

Younger Pluto saw Aurite move, and frowned. "She can break through?"

"You two..." Aurite glared at them. "You are too dangerous to play with. It's a pity, I wanted Usagi to see all her friends die, but she'll miss this one..."

Younger Pluto looked at her with the same emotionless stare her mother was known for. "Begone. Chrono Trap."

Pluto couldn't help but smile at that. Her daughter really had grown stronger.

"The fuck was that?"

Younger Pluto kept her cool, hiding her surprise at seeing Aurite teleport back in. "Oh, that? I sent you to the Earth's core. You're stronger than I thought, I guess."

Aurite's hair was singed, and there were burn marks all over her body. "You time bitches..."

"Chrono Storm!"

Aurite 'saw' the elder Pluto's attack shoot at her and smiled. "Thanks."

Younger Pluto fell on one knee. Was this for real? She couldn't see a bright future ahead. She looked back. Her mother was- "Damn it."

"You see now? Not even the mighty Pluto can defeat me. My destiny-"

The Time Senshi tried to move, but her body wasn't responding. "I used to think the future couldn't be changed, but... I've seen enough of Usagi to know she can do it."

"That's impossible."

"The war against those 'Dark Ones' that almost covered the Earth completely... We couldn't see a future where we would win. Moon was supposed to lose against their boss, but she kept struggling, and somehow... That made Mars realize what was needed to win. So go ahead. I don't fear death, it is rarely irreversible for us. And I know Usagi will win."

Aurite looked at her. "You think so highly of your leader, even though she barely acknowledges you?"

"She... I used to see it as strange, but... She even thinks of me as a friend."

"Well, she'll be missing two more friends, then," Aurite said as she prepared to shoot at her.

"It doesn't matter. You have already lost, Aurite. It is not a matter of how, but when."

Aurite sighed as time started flowing again around her. Were they all this dense?

Moon was glaring at Aurite. "You... Even Setsuna ans Saki..."

"They were tricky, they stopped time, and even sent me to this planet's core. But as I was saying, nothing can-"

Moon heard Mars mutter something, and looked back. She could see all the surviving Senshi were trying their best to stand up, but Mars was standing, her body wrapped in flames. "Rei, no!"

"I'm sorry, Usagi, but I can't stop now. I can't forgive that bitch. She killed Hisa, and dad... I'll show her the real limit of our power."

Aurite was shocked. "You... I will destroy you!"

Mars rushed to her, tackling her and pinning her against a rock. But the rock gave in to heat in just a few seconds, and the fire around Mars kept on growing stronger. "Die, monster!"

"You are ready to give up your life to defeat me? How foolish!"

Mars felt a sharp pain in her shoulder, and the Aurite in front of her vanished. "How..."

"I'm using a Ginzuishou, dear Mars. Even a Senshi's rage is worthless against me."

ChibiMoon saw Mars fall to the ground, and gasped. This wasn't looking good for them. "Damn it..."

Aurite looked at her, and at the woman right next to her, who was too tired to move. "Oh right, I better take care of all the trash before dealing with the main dish."

Moon saw all her friend, again, being hit by darkness, and she felt a wave of dread as she felt their lives fading away. "No!"

"Oh my, looks like one of them is still around. How was that human saying, 'like mother, like weakling?'"

ChibiMoon staggered up. Her whole body was in pain, but she wouldn't let that stop her. "For Hotaru... And everyone else. I will destroy you."

"Chibi, wait!"

'She's not listening.'

'Gin, can I win this?'

'You always find a way, don't you? It's not because you're a Serenity, or Sailor Moon. It's just that you're too stubborn to give up, Usagi. I like that one trait of yours.'

ChibiMoon growled at Aurite. "I don't care if I die, I'm taking you down."

Aurite saw the girl summoning Saturn's glaive. "Really, don't have enough being a dual Senshi, you want to be a triple one now?"

ChibiMoon said nothing, she had nothing else to say to her. A wave of energy shot out of 'her' glaive, washing over Aurite. As it ended, Aurite was down to one knee, and - for the first time since she went on her power trip - her face was a mask of fear. "Heh. Guess I still can't be... The heroine. Mom, good luck."

Moon froze in shock as her daughter fell face-first to the ground. Hotaru and Terry were gone, so none of them could revive... She was alone. She had lost everyone. She-

Aurite saw Moon's face and smiled. Yes, she had done it, Moon was too broken to fight. She had won. Aurite's self-praise didn't let her notice Moon's expression changing, from shock to a glare that could have made anyone back away. And Aurite did, unconsciously, back away. Moon's scream was filled with anger, regret and pain, and it made Aurite realize that maybe trying to break her had not been a good idea.

'Usagi, don't-'

'Don't what? This creep killed everyone I cared about! Butt off, Gin.'

'You can beat her-'

'I know! But what's the point? I've lost everything.'

'Are you giving up? Did you wait until you were the only one left to show your true self? Because the Usagi I know never gives up.'

'I just...' Usagi stopped and looked around. She could sense Gin, but... In more than one place. 'Those are...'

'Usagi, let me help you. Let's defeat this monster, and find a way to bring everyone back.'

Aurite blinked in shock as a Ginzuishou appeared floating near Moon. But that wasn't hers, so- "You can't be serious. Using two crystals at a time? Impossible."

"Haven't you heard? Nothing is impossible for us."

"No! I can't be defeated! I will not be defeated! My destiny-"

Moon saw the energy beam coming her way, and shot one of her own. Neither beam could overpower the other, but Moon wasn't worried. "That word, I never believed in it. There is no destiny, there is no future set in stone. For example, I can see the future shifting right now. I see no Crystal Tokyo there."

"See the future? But that-"

"Yes, it's Pluto's power. Thanks to you, thanks to this war, and... Thanks to a friend I didn't realize was there, I finally know what I was lacking."

"How nice, but if there is no Crystal Tokyo, that means I'll win!"

"No, you see... I'm seeing nothing in the future. Even time itself is going to vanish."

"What... What's that even mean?"

"You say your destiny is to win, and in a way, you've won. I can't stop you, even with two Ginzuishou by my side. I can't bring my friends back. However, have you ever heard of the full power of three Ginzuishou being used at once, like this? I think that's a first. If Setsuna or Ami were here, I bet they would be scolding me for putting reality itself at risk like this, but..."

"You're just trying to make me stop my attack."

Moon smiled, it was an eerily friendly smile, despite the calm rage in her eyes. "Oh, it doesn't matter if you stop, really. Only a few moments now..."

'Usagi, are you sure about this?'

'I see no way to win this, so... Let's try again.'

'What if you fail? What if you destroy everything?'

'I'm sorry, Gin, I guess I'm using you selfishly this time around.'

Usagi could see Gin smiling in her mind. 'Don't worry, you're only human after all.'

Aurite saw a 'bubble' of energy appear in the point where the beams were clashing. A bubble that seemed to change colors randomly, but at the same time, "What the he is that?"

Moon smiled. "I guess my daughter was right. Screw destiny. I'm not going to let this happen."

"This? What do you-" Aurite froze in fear as the bubble started expanding. "What have you done?"

"Goodbye, Aurite," Moon said before both were swallowed by the bubble, which never stopped expanding.

A/N: The end.

Just joking. And yes, I still love this kind of cliffhangers.

The idea of the Ginzuishou being an actual sentient 'being' is one I hinted at several times before. And hey, one more side character won't hurt, right? It's not like there's a lot of 'main' characters already. Yeah, that was sarcasm.

Next episode will most likely be the last for this 'book,' and after that, I'll start working on the next part of the saga. As usual, expect things to not go the exact same way as in Cyber Moon. It wouldn't be fun to just copy-paste everything...