Sailor Moon: The Order of Black
Chapter Thirty Nine - Denouement, Part Three
Originally published 03/04/2016
"Earth shall fear your tyranny no longer!"
Time slowed for Sailor Moon as the energy blast left Harcourt's hand. She kicked off the ground with all the strength she could muster and rolled backwards, springing off her hands and into the air. The tiles where she'd lain exploded, showering her with dust and slivers of stone. One larger piece nicked her cheek, drawing blood, and she wiped at it absently as she landed. There is no holding back, she realised sadly. Doing so will only get me killed. With a heavy heart, she raised the Eternal Tiare. "Moon Spiral Heart Attack!"
The Knight-Captain was already moving, dashing towards her with his sword arm cocked back. The massive heart bore down on him at tremendous speed, unavoidable…and he cut right through it, his blade shimmering with the same purplish-black magic as before.
She wilted, her stomach twisting into knots; she'd gotten the same result with Megumi, and she really didn't want to step it up to a more powerful attack. But it seems I have no choice…
"Futile!" the Paladin's Commander declared. "I've been a Black Paladin for twenty-three years, girl; I have no equal among them!"
"Nobody likes a bigmouth, creep!"
Sailor Moon's jaw dropped as a familiar, pink-suited Senshi rushed towards them out of the night. Chibi Moon?!
Her future daughter flexed her fingers, pink and white arcs of light crackling around them. "Celestial Tide!" It was an apt name indeed! A blast of pure, white energy erupted from her palms, roiling along the ground before rising up to crash down on him from above. The impact was cringe-worthy…but the fallen Knight-Captain was still breathing.
"Chibi Moon…?" Moon was flabbergasted, barely able to speak. "When? How? What was that attack? How did you-"
"Puu did me a favour," the younger girl replied, with a nod to the trailing Guardian of Time. "The attack is new, and I'll have you know I go by just Sailor Moon these days." She rubbed her chin thoughtfully, then shrugged. "But, for the sake of convenience, I'll defer to you as the senior Senshi for now."
"But-" Somehow, the final point was the elder Moon's takeaway. "Wait, did you just call me old?!"
A weary sigh came from Pluto. "Sailor Moons, if you please?" She pointed out two more oncoming Paladins. "The matter at hand?"
"Right! Come on, Sailor Moon, we've got work to do!" With a well-practiced flourish, the younger Moon leapt into the air, summoning a familiar item.
"The Moon Kaleidoscope?!"
Chibi Moon cocked back her weapon and cried, "Moon Spiral Heart Attack!"
Tiare held high, briefly overcome with a surge of nostalgia, Sailor Moon joined her. "Moon Spiral Heart Attack!"
The two men reacted with near-superhuman speed, raising their forearms to block the first attack. The large heart shattered against their Chaos-powered guard, but it left them vulnerable to the other; caught in the middle. It crashed into them at high velocity, leaving two Paladin-shaped holes in its form as they slumped to the ground.
"Such an inelegant attack," Pluto murmured, with an almost superior sniff. "Like throwing a brick wall at someone…"
Chibi Moon ignored her, beaming widely. "Just like you taught me, Sailor Moon. I practiced when I got home, every day without fail."
The blonde smiled herself. "You know what? I couldn't ask for a better replacement as Sailor Moon." As she turned, surveying the battlefield, she spotted Mercury and Mars. They were in trouble, surrounded by a cohort of Paladins. "I don't think we can avoid hurting anyone anymore, Chibi Moon. No matter the attack, we risk serious injury…or worse."
The younger Senshi nodded sombrely. "I know, but this is different. We tried to stop this but they just won't listen."
Moon's heart ached, but she couldn't afford to freeze up now. "Come on. We have to help them!"
"I'm with you, Sailor Moon!"
Sailor Uranus grunted with exertion as she pressed against 'Chaos', their blades locked together. Slowly but surely, she was coming to accept the truth; she couldn't win. The wounds she'd suffered in Brussels were far from healed, blood loss robbing her of her usual strength and speed. She just couldn't hold off this woman much longer, infuriating for one simple reason above all others: Uranus didn't truly believe she was Chaos. Not really. She'd fought the real deal and despite her knowledge of their past, despite Hotaru's assurances, it just wasn't possible. But somehow, she's still beating me!
Neptune and Saturn battled their own enemies around her, a quartet of Black Paladins. She marvelled at her love's graceful movements, proud of her and Hotaru for learning their lessons in Brussels. There was no hunkering down this time, no retreat. They took the fight straight to the enemy without any hesitation, holding their own even against superior numbers.
"You're getting tired," 'Chaos' noted.
"I've still got plenty left in the tank to kick your wannabe ass!" That, and Uranus had noticed something else. An opportunity, if she waited for the right moment. 'Chaos', real or not, had the same creepy obsession for Saturn as she had in Brussels. She was just as focused on Saturn as she was on their fight, perhaps even more so. I just need one lapse, one loss of concentration…
"I said she's mine!"
Uranus got her wish; a Paladin's near-miss drew her opponent's ire, distracting her for a moment. She drove a boot into her knee in a merciless attack, and was rewarded with a wet crunch as her leg gave out beneath her. That left 'Chaos' open to a skull-rattling roundhouse kick that knocked her down. Satisfied she was immobile, Uranus leapt into the air and swung her blade down in the finishing blow. "Space Sword Blaster!" A pair of crimson, sickle-like bolts sliced through the air, converging on her fallen adversary as she looked on with unrestrained glee. "You're done, bitch!"
That glee quickly faltered, replaced with confusion and finally fear as 'Chaos' vanished in a shimmer of air, like a mirage. Her icy breath touched the nape of Uranus' neck before she could even begin to turn.
"My thoughts exactly."
Her body jerked as a strange pressure applied itself to her back, right between her shoulder blades. An odd sensation of cold followed, sliding through her skin and into her flesh. It finally passed through her, passing just under her heart and back towards the surface. Uranus' eyes dropped, widening at the sight of Chaos' sword protruding from her chest, stained with blood. Her blood. A strange, fluttering chuckle escaped her lips as she dropped to her knees. "Shit, Haruka…when will you learn?" Searing pain was all she felt next, as the sword was withdrawn from her body. Everything was darker now, more difficult to see. The world seemed to be spinning…but there was every chance that was just her.
"Haruka?"
She glanced up across the battlefield and into Neptune's eyes. Her face was ashen, eyes wide in horror. An attempt to reassure her failed, a grimace splitting her lips as hot, sticky blood began trickling out of her chest. Her next breath stalled, morphing into a painful cough. She reached for her love with trembling hand…then faded as the ground rushed up to meet her.
"HARUKA!"
Neptune's uncharacteristic scream of utter terror chilled Saturn to her core. She fought her way free, her adversary now the furthest thing from her mind, and searched for her friends. The shrine was now more warzone than place of worship; the ancient stone tiles were cracked and broken, its walls peppered with bullets impacts. Smoke rose from a crater near the old gate, a motionless Paladin sprawled beside it. Her horror rose with every dreadful sight…but it peaked as she witnessed Sailor Uranus collapse, the front of her fuku stained vermillion.
Neptune ran to her, screaming her name again, and Saturn wanted nothing more than to join her. Somehow, though, she couldn't move her feet. Shame rose in her throat like bile as she realised she was terrified of Chaos. She knew what it wanted from her, what it would do to her if it got her…and she froze.
Her aqua-haired friend slid to the ground beside her love, snatching up her hand with rare urgency. Her wide, fearful eyes stood in stark contrast to her typically aloof nature; this was Neptune as even Saturn had never seen. "Haruka? Haruka, please, answer me!"
Uranus' sword skittered across the ground towards her, Chaos following in its wake. "One down, two to go."
Neptune's head fell forward, her entire body slumping. Her lips moved but Saturn couldn't make out the words.
"Pick it up. You know you want to. Avenge your love. Avenge your precious Haruka…" The mask covered Chaos' lips, but her insidious smirk was clear; Saturn could hear it. "Unless you're afraid...?"
A scream of raw, unbridled fury burst from Neptune's throat. She leapt to her feet, snatching up Uranus' sword as she rushed the 'Paladin'. A shower of sparks signalled the beginning of their battle as Chaos barely blocked her swing in time. There was little grace or refinement to Neptune's movements here, no skill or technique to speak of; she clearly just wanted Chaos dead.
Stop being a coward. Saturn heard it, a voice within her own mind. Her voice. Haruka's your friend. She's more than that, she's family! Go and help her NOW! She was moving before she knew it, running at full speed towards the startled Paladin now in her path. It wasn't a safe place to be; a brutal flurry dropped him in seconds. The Silence Glaive hit the ground as she slid onto her knees over Uranus. It was a struggle to roll her over, and a terrified gasp escaped upon seeing her chest.
The fallen Senshi jerked, eyelids fluttering open as she smiled upat her. "Hotaru…you're here."
"Quiet," Saturn ordered, fighting back tears. "Save your strength." Her hands trembled slightly, bathing Uranus' chest in the pale, violet light of her healing magic. I have to save her. I have to save her!
"Don't these guys ever give up?!" Mars ducked under a spearhead as it thrust for her neck. Her right shoulder ached with every movement, a reminder of her flirtation with death earlier. Just a little further to the left, and I wouldn't be here to think about it! She snatched the polearm from its owners hands and thrust the blunt end back into his gut. His eyes bulged as vomit spewed from the sides of his half-mask; she used his distress to her advantage, putting him down with a second hit to his temple.
"Apparently not!" Jupiter called, dealing with her own opponent. She moved with speed that Mars could only dream of, catching the woman's wrist as she brought her sword down; a jab to her elbow got it out of her hand. Then, using her own momentum against her, the tall brunette slammed her into the ground with a modified Judo throw.
Mars began to congratulate her but, out of nowhere, a third soldier slashed a sword across Jupiter's back. She staggered, nearly falling to her knees; vulnerable to a follow up swing. I have to save her! The miko summoned her bow, acting instinctively as she had countless times in the past. "Mars Flame Sniper!"
She fired the blazing arrow right into the Paladin's back…and recoiled in horror as he burst into flames! His agonised screams pierced her ears like knives as he was consumed in seconds; he fell silent as he finally hit the ground, no longer a man but a grisly collection of charred bones and molten metal. Her trembling hands flew to her mouth, her heart pounding in her chest. "By the ancestors."
Jupiter's wide, unblinking eyes slowly met her own. "God, Rei…"
"I didn't…" Mars' mouth was suddenly dry, her tongue unwilling to move. "I just-"
Her tall friend limped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You did what you had to do. You saved my life."
The miko couldn't bear to look at the pile of remains a second longer. "Let's just…get to Chaos. Neptune still needs us."
"I can feel your hatred for me." Chaos' voice was almost a purr, no hint of strain or exertion despite their furious back and forth battle.
"Shut up!" Neptune snapped, outraged most of all because it was true. Haruka was dead; hatred for her murderer was all she had left. "Just…shut up!"
Still, the evil creature tormented her. "You want to kill me, don't you? I took away your precious Haruka, your love." Her eyes flashed ruby, a reminder that this had once been a person. "You need to kill me…"
The Senshi of the Sea didn't bite again. She had a plan behind the rage, if she could manipulate Chaos' emotions in return. For now, she focused on the unfamiliar weapon in her hands. Haruka's sword. This may be all I have left of her now…
"Come now, Michiru…" 'Megumi' was actually pretty, in a girl-next-door sort of way. It was a shame her life had been cut short by the monster using her body. "It's no fun for me if you don't play along."
Not yet, she thought. I'll only get one shot at this; I have to time it perfectly. For Haruka…and for Hotaru. I won't let her hurt anyone else! Another brief but successful flurry of blows convinced her of her chances. Chaos was toying with her, there was no doubt about it, and that meant her plan could work.
"Go ahead," the evil creature cooed, ambling backwards as she spread her arms apart. "Hurt me. Thrust that blade through my heart and kill me! Avenge your love!"
Now's my chance! Neptune took a heavy step towards her, stealthily retrieving her Deep Aqua Mirror in the process. "I'm going to enjoy this."
Megumi's eyes flashed red once again, obviously smirking beneath her mask. "I'm sure you are."
Before she could raise her guard again, Neptune thrust the mirror at her face. "Submarine Reflection!" A water-like ripple passed through the air, striking Megumi…and revealing the creature within. It shrieked, a hideous, eight foot, jet black monstrosity with a nightmarish, bird-like face and tattered, broken wings; Chaos' true form…at least for now.
Her plan worked perfectly; several of the nearby Paladins stopped fighting the Senshi at once. "What the hell is that?!"
Another recoiled, reaching for her rifle. "What happened to Paladin Shoto?!"
It lashed out towards her, its beak snapping in the air. Megumi's silhouette was still visible, drifting deep within the creature's own form. That was Neptune's next target. Kill the host…and maybe, just maybe, I kill the monster inside. She took a step back, gathered herself, and lunged for Chaos with a furious roar. A second pair of hands gripped the blade with her, she was sure of it; Haruka's hands, guiding her even in death. The blade passed through Chaos' ethereal outer form and sank deep into the Paladin's chest. Neptune's eyes blazed with righteous anger, her chest heaving with every breath as she twisted the blade for certainty. "You won't hurt anyone else, creature!"
Chaos' bird-form vanished, leaving it to stare back at her, wide-eyed, in Megumi's guise. A thin rivulet of blood dribbled from between her lips…and she laughed. It started out as a faint chuckle but quickly crescendoed into a manic cackle.
I gave it my all, Neptune thought, stunned. Haruka's sword is buried in Megumi's chest, yet it's not fazed at all?! She was so focused on her next move, on defeating Chaos, that she never saw it coming; a knife, fresh from Megumi's belt. It slid between her ribs on the first thrust, burrowing right into her lung. What were deep breaths became gasps for air as collapsed immediately. Over and over the cycle repeated, Chaos sinking the blade into her flesh more times than she could count. She jerked with every impact, a lone tear sliding down her cheek as she contemplated this, her end.
"Neptune!" It was distant, a distance that seemed to grow greater with every passing second. "Michiru!"
"Hotaru…" It was the knowledge she'd failed that hurt the most. More than every thrust, more than the searing fire of her severed nerve endings, more than every strangled breath. Chaos was going to murder Hotaru, as she'd murdered Haruka. Nothing could stop it now; she'd failed as a Sailor Senshi…and failed as a friend.
Michiru…
Her eyes widened a moment as she looked beyond Megumi's face, beyond the shrine itself. "Haruka…" Her straining heart skipped a beat; could it be they might still be reunited?
Come on… Her love held out a hand, smiling that sweet, mischievous smile that she'd fallen in love with so many years before. It's time…and I'm here with you…
Chaos leaned in, pressing Megumi's face to hers in a sneer. "Just as predictable as your love, and now...just as dead!"
Michiru was cast aside like a ragdoll, barely feeling it as she crashed to the ground. Hotaru knelt over her love, desperately working to save her. But it's too late. It's too late…for both of us. Her breathing slowed, the sound of battle fading around her. Her chest no longer ached, the pain subsumed by a strange but welcome numbness. She was tingling, in fact, as her weeping eyes searched the sky above for her.
I love you, Michiru…
"And I…love you." She reached up, took her hand, and gave herself to the light. The world faded away, a distant, painful memory…and Michiru, Sailor Neptune, knew peace.
"Neptune!" It burst from Saturn's throat, pure fear and grief and rage. "Michiru!" She was on her feet in an instant, sprinting across the stone towards them. Her friend jerked with every thrust of the knife, her eyes wet with tears as crimson splashed against the stone beneath her. The Senshi of Silence brought up her Glaive, ready to attack, but Chaos had other plans.
It tossed Neptune aside and pointed towards Saturn, almost casually. A thin, violet beam burst from her index finger, and Saturn tumbled to the ground as it punched through her thigh. She shrieked in pain as she hit the stone, her flesh burning in utter agony. I'm sorry, Michiru…I was too late to save you.
"Hold on, Saturn!"
Justice's cry echoed across the courtyard as he barrelled towards Chaos…and was promptly blasted into the shrine with a wave of her hand. The Guardian Knight crashed through one of the weakened walls, a slew of debris collapsing atop him.
"Jupiter Oak Evolution!"
"Mars Flame Sniper!"
Mars and Jupiter were next, their grief apparent as they hurled their attacks at Neptune's killer. Chaos' response was a similar flick of her wrist; a ragged, violet blast tore into the two Senshi, setting the girls aflame with purplish fire. Their own pained screams jarred Saturn from her daze, and she began a long, painful crawl towards Neptune. Maybe I can still save her, she thought frantically. Just a little further…
She cried out in pain again as Chaos seized her by her hair, flinging her into the air and back down onto her spine. The possessed Paladin loomed over her menacingly, her eyes permanently red now to match the wraithlike wings framing her shoulders. The mask over her mouth was long gone, revealing what could only be described as a vicious grin.
"No more distractions!"
She swatted aside Saturn's weak defence effortlessly and plunged both hands in the girl's chest. A raw, tortured scream ripped from her throat as icy talons phased through her flesh; it was far worse than even the first time in Brussels, as if Chaos had somehow been holding back. A terrible, glacial cold tore through her body, slowing her heart and lungs to a near-halt. Chaos simply laughed as it rifled through her very being for its prize, and it was at that moment that Saturn found her thoughts drifting to elsewhere. Is this what you suffered, Father? Will I ever see you again?
With a victorious snarl, Chaos found what it was looking for and withdrew. Clutched in her hands was a sparkling, ebony orb without true substance, blacker than the night sky itself. Saturn could only manage a quiet, broken sob as she faded, only vaguely aware as the ground shook beneath her. The crack of thunder overheard signalled something new as rain drops began to fall. Saturn didn't care; her family, her fellow Outer Senshi, were dead…and she would join them soon. The world grew dark around her, Chaos' final, joyful whisper the last thing she heard as she slipped into darkness.
"At last…"
Sailor Moon levelled her Tiare at the Paladins before them, desperate to reach her friends. "Get out of our way!" She was no longer of any sort of mind to be polite; not with the image of a limp and bloody Sailor Uranus burned into her mind. I won't lose anyone else!
"Never!" Harcourt growled, raising his sword towards her. "We won't rest until we've wiped the scourge of the Sailor Senshi from the face of our world!" He slashed it through the air and charged. "Weapons free!"
A dozen rifle snapped up with unsettling speed. She dove instinctively to protect Chibi Moon, frantic for a defence of any kind, and a brilliant golden blast provided it. Justice tore through their ranks with a Crescent Sword Slash, joined seconds later by Sailor Pluto and Chibi Moon.
"Chronos Typhoon!"
"Celestial Tide!"
The Order's forces were scattered, unable to deflect their attacks with both hands on their weapons. They began to falter, showing real fear for the first time since they'd arrived; that left the Knight-Captain to Sailor Moon. Her fingers quivered a moment, then locked tight around her Tiare. I have to get to Saturn and the others. I can't let anyone else die for me! Her mind made up, she began to invoke the Crystal's power. "Silver Moon Crystal Pow-"
"What the hell is that?!"
"What happened to Paladin Shoto?!"
The Paladin's confused cries were followed by a piercing screech that tore at Sailor Moon's mind itself. It conjured up images of rage and hatred…and twisted, black feathers. Her eyes bulged from her skull at what she saw; a huge, bird-like monster stood in Megumi's place, ruby eyes blazing atop it's hideous beak in the clear inspiration for the Hunter's masks. And in its grip…
"Neptune!" she cried, lurching forward only to find her path blocked by another Paladin. "Hold on!" She was too late; her stomach folded in on itself as Chaos vanished in a swirl of black feathers…and Megumi began stabbing her friend!
Pluto's face revealed her dread for all to see. "By Selene, no!"
Neptune's body jerked helplessly with every thrust, blood spraying from each fresh wound as the entity wearing Megumi's face cackled maniacally. She finally, mercifully tossed Neptune's limp form aside and turned…to Saturn. Her eyes flashed as ghostly black wings erupted from her back, making one thing clear to Sailor Moon; Chaos was done hiding.
"There!" she cried angrily, turning on Harcourt. "How do you explain that?!"
"I..." His mouth gaped open as he followed her line of sight. "My god..."
"Come on," she cried, as the monster strode towards Saturn. An invisible fist squeezed her heart tight as Mars and Jupiter were hit, their screams an unwanted reminder of the last time they'd faced Chaos and the price they'd paid. She span around another Paladin as he tried to tackle her, an angry spark fuelling her now. "How can you still be fighting us with Chaos itself right there?!"
"Chaos serves us," he remarked coldly, "and we serve the Black!"
She clubbed him in the side of the head for his troubles. Then, as he reeled back, she cocked back her leg and unleashed an old technique. "Sailor Moon Kick!" Her boot struck his jaw hard, an almighty crack following as it broke. His eyes rolled back in his head as he fell, unconscious before he could even hit the ground. The Senshi spotted two more two headed in her direction and actually growled in frustration. She'd never get to Saturn at this rate, so she sought out her only other hope. "Justice! Can you get to-"
"No!" he called, raw pain and frustration seeping into his voice. "I can't! No more blinks, I...I'm done."
Venus danced by her, spinning between two onrushing Paladins in an answer to her unspoken prayer. "Venus Love Me Chain!" They found themselves wrapped in several coils, unable to move. "Go, Sailor Moon! Justice and I will keep them off your back!"
Moon didn't hesitate and surged forward at breakneck speed, her boots pounding against the stone. Just a little further. Just a little… "No!"
Chaos – it was stupid to call her anything else at this point – plunged both hands into Saturn's chest, right to the wrists. The girl's screams were horrific, sending chills down the older Senshi's spine, and Neptune and Uranus lay but ten feet away; their limp, bloody forms were the most horrifying sight of all. She couldn't risk an attack from here, not without hitting Saturn as well...and that hesitation would cost them dearly. It reared back all of a sudden, tearing an iridescent, ebony orb from her victim's chest.
"At last…" It was utterly transfixed by its prize, ruby eyes wide in almost wonder.
Chibi Moon rushed to Saturn's side as soon as she was clear, cradling her friend's head in her lap. "Hotaru?" Her fingers brushed the younger girl's cheek gently, tears staining her own. "Please...wake up." She glanced up at Sailor Moon fearfully. "She's freezing cold!"
"Mercury! You have to…" Moon gestured helplessly to their fallen friends as she trailed off. "Please!"
The blue-suited Senshi peered through her visor, tears staining her cheeks, then nodded. Her palm-top was soon in her hands, emitting a shrill whine as soon as she approached Neptune. If possible, her cheeks grew even paler and she turned to Uranus without another word; the computer sounded a faint, unsteady beep and she perked up, increasing her pace. She nearly toppled, though, as the ground abruptly shook beneath their feet. With it came the crack of thunder and an icy wind, springing up out of nowhere.
Moon wiped at her forehead absently as a sporadic rain began to fall. "I don't like this."
"No..." Sailor Pluto barely acknowledged her at all, staring impassively at Neptune's limp and lifeless body. The grief in her eyes was a reminder that, despite a sometimes distant personality, Setsuna had feelings for them too…and she'd just lost a close friend.
It pushed Sailor Moon into action. "No. No, I refuse to let this happen!" She hurried to Neptune's side, Eternal Tiare at the ready. "I can do this. I've brought people back before, and I can do it again!" With a slow, steady exhale, she focused on the Silver Crystal...and her friend's life. "Starlight Honeymoon Therapy Kiss!"
The fallen Senshi was bathed in the healing, pink aura of her power. It intensified briefly, wrapping around her form for a moment only to fade without effect. Neptune remained where she was, pale and still. Dead.
"Come on," Moon whispered, staring down at her sceptre intently. "Please!"
Mercury's unexpected cry cut through the air like a knife. "No! No, no, no, don't do that!" Her eyes darted around frantically as she searched the courtyard around her. "Jupiter, I need you!"
The brunette hurried over, blood staining the back of her uniform. "Oh, god…"
"Never mind that! Remember when you restarted Corey's heart using your powers? Same plan!"
Jupiter nodded mutely, slipping into her game face as her tiara's lightning rod extended. It crackled with power, Mercury using her computer to monitor the voltage. "Place one of your fingers here, and another here," she said, pointing out each position in turn. "On my signal, okay? Just like last time."
Moon turned back to Neptune; Mercury's determination was infectious. "Starlight Honeymoon Therapy Kiss!" The restorative magic washed over her once again, sinking into her pale skin…with no effect. Her heart sank, feelings of shame and helplessness rising within. "Why won't you work?!" With a cry of anger, she turned her gaze to the sky. "Mother, Silver Crystal…damn it, even Selene! Someone answer me! Help me bring her back!"
Mercury's computer chirped intently. "Now!"
Jupiter grimaced as she sent a surge of electricity through Uranus' body. The Sky Senshi jerked furiously, went still, then coughed and gulped down a huge lungful of air. "Mich…? Michiru?"
Mercury met Sailor Moon's gaze and spread her hands helplessly. Her meaning was clear; what do I tell her?
Moon had no answer; instead, she decided to go all out. Her teeth gnashed together as she levelled her Tiare. It's all up to me. Her invocation of the Moon Goddess' name had sparked a memory of her own. An ability she'd only used once, but it had healed the whole city. "Silver Moon Crystal..." Her tongue scraped across suddenly dry lips as all her power was summoned. "Healing...ESCALATION!" The Tiare flared briefly in her hands...then went dark. Nothing. She was struck with the urge to scream then, much like the sceptre in her hands a moment ago, nothing. Instead, she sank to her knees and wept in silence, feeling for all the world like a fraud...and an utter failure.
"Sailor Moon..."
Mars' voice was unwelcome, and this was one time Moon was unafraid to tell her so. "Just go away, Rei..."
"I can't do that, Usagi. None of us can." The miko was silent a moment herself. "I know you're in pain, we all are, but we need you. We always need you...and if you do this, if you run away now...the rest of us are as good as dead."
The ground shook a second time, Chaos' manic laughter rising above the muted rumble. Her eyelids fluttered, her face slackening in apparent euphoria as she pressed the dark orb to her chest. It melted through her armour and disappeared into her body. "Yes..." There was a flashed of violet lightning above, illuminating the ghastly bird-face again for that split second. "After so very long, I am complete!"
With another resounding crack of thunder, the rain began to pour in earnest. The courtyard's ancient tiles gave way as long, winding cracks opened across their surface. More of the shrine's damaged wall collapsed, showering the ground around it with more splinters and dust. In the midst of it all, Knight-Captain Harcourt and what looked to be the rest of the surviving Paladins gathered around 'Megumi', weapons drawn.
He stepped forward and aimed his pistol right at her face. "What the hell are you, creature, and what have you done to Paladin Shoto?"
"You know what I am, Harcourt...and I have granted Paladin Shoto the highest honour imaginable; serving as my vessel during the time of my reawakening." Megumi's full lips contorted in an arrogant, hurtful sneer. "Say it, Harcourt. Say my name. Tell them who and what I am."
The Knight-Captain remained silent in the wake of her taunts, either unwilling or unable to do as it commanded.
"Get off me!"
Sailor Moon turned from the disturbing scene, relieved beyond measure to hear Uranus' voice...but the sight that awaited her only threatened to restart her tears.
The Senshi of the Sky attempted to sit up, swatting Mercury aside as her eyes darted about frantically. "Michiru? Where are you?" Finally, they settled on her still form, widening in terror. "No. No, no...NO!" Jupiter tried to restrain her and was punched in the face for her troubles as Uranus lurched into a wild, desperate crawl across the stone.
Grief clamped down around Moon's heart again as she took a step forward. "Haruka..."
"This can't be real," she whimpered, reaching out for Neptune with a trembling hand. "It can't be. You can't be..." Her fingers brushed her love's cold cheek as she stared up at Sailor Moon with wild, frantic eyes. "You can bring her back, can't you?! I know you can!"
A pain more powerful than any other she'd felt that night flooded Moon's heart as she shook her head in reply; she couldn't bring herself to speak. I tried...and I failed.
Uranus' desperation became anger. "Why?! Why won't you bring her back to me?! I know you can, you've done it before!" She tried in vain to stand but instead collapsed on her side. "Damn it, Usagi, bring her back to me!"
"I'm sorry, Haruka..." She dropped to her knees, placing a a hand tentatively on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry..."
Chaos continued to taunt the assembled Paladins with Megumi's face, her lips pulled back in an omnipresent sneer. "Surely some among you must recognise me? Am I so easily forgotten?!" A rippling, vermilion orb sprang up in her palm, resulting in several Paladins backpedalling quickly. "Go on, Harcourt, tell them! Tell them who I am. NOW!"
His once-piercing grey eyes had lost some of their fire. "Chaos..." It was barely a whisper, but loud enough to cause several muted murmurs among the Paladins' ranks. Various prayers, the odd curse, but mostly expressions of disbelief.
They don't even recognise it, Moon realised sadly, the source of the very powers they were using against us.
"Good," it cooed approvingly, allowing the orb to fade again. "Very good."
Sailor Moon stepped forward, not fazed at all as several Paladins raised their rifles again. "I'll ask you this again. How did you come back? How are you here after I dispersed you?"
Another flash of lightning revealed its true, spectral visage; it towered over them, its mangy feathers fluttering in the wind. Several further curses followed as more Paladins withdrew, stepping back towards their wiser fellows. "I foresaw this," it whispered, almost pensive. "Your rebirth, my defeat; I foresaw it all…" Its eyes narrowed, glaring ruby points boring into her own. "...and I planned accordingly."
"How?" she demanded, with a nervous glance back at her fellow Senshi. Mercury knelt beside Chibi Moon, inspecting Saturn, while Uranus wept openly for Neptune. The rest of her friends seemed ready, but she knew the truth. They've expended a lot of energy fighting the Paladins, she thought, trying to bury any lingering fear, guilt and grief. I need to keep it talking and give them a chance to recover. Maybe it will even scare Harcourt and his Paladins into a truce.
A cold chuckle slipped from its lips. "In truth, Usagi, you did disperse Chaos two years ago…but that wasn't me."
Her heart skipped a beat. "What?"
"I was split from that Chaos more than a thousand years ago, at the Fall of the Golden Kingdom. Insurance...in the unlikely event you did somehow defeat me." It turned a cold, disdainful smirk on Harcourt. "Your precious Progenitor's hatred for Endymion and the Moon Kingdom made him easy to manipulate and we struck a deal. I would grant him and his new order my power, the means to survive and protect Earth...from you. What delicious irony!"
"The Oath..." Harcourt muttered bitterly.
"The Oathstone Grandpa told us about," Mars whispered, just loud enough for Moon to hear. "This thing was the Oathstone."
"I suffered in silence, enduring countless indignities over the centuries. But the Order's hatred was strong. They felt abandoned, betrayed by their god, their Princess, and a Moon Kingdom that had promised so much. In time, I grew strong enough to take my first host and create the identity of High Seeker Thorn. It was through him that I founded the so-called 'Watchful Eye', biding my time until you appeared in Tokyo six years ago."
"You waited for me...for a thousand years?!" A terrible dread began gnawing at Moon's stomach. Is this all happening now because I stopped Chaos three years ago?
"I used my new servants and that fool Haim to recover what remained of my former self, the...essence of the various aspects you'd faced. Metallia, Pharaoh 90, a tiny piece of Nehelleniah, Shadow Galaxia; even the piece the Revenant Knight stole from me! Finally, I tracked Small Lady to Crystal Tokyo and...well, you know the rest." She spread her arms wide as lightning struck her body. Her true form appeared, no longer ethereal at all but solid! "I was born of vengeance, Sailor Moon. It's all I know, my only purpose; to tear down your world piece by bloody piece."
"You used us!" Harcourt snarled, his fire returning. "Twisted our noble cause for your own demented gains!"
"You all knew what this was," it retorted, rising above them as it arched its back. "That fool Smythe struck the original bargain, yes, but each and every one of you reaffirmed it when you accepted my gift. A gift of myself." It's eyes flared a brilliant crimson as it leaned forward and screeched, "A gift...that makes you mine!"
"We are not yours!" one Paladin cried. "We live to serve the Black!"
Chaos reared back its head and cackled, the sound piercing Moon's skull and setting her mind aflame. "I am the Black, fools...and you will not simply serve; you will be me!" Its wings flared as it screeched once more, a brilliant violet pulse erupting from its hands and enveloping the Paladins. They let loose a cacophony of terrible, blood-curdling screams. Some clutches at their heads, others their chests, as many lurched into violent convulsions.
"What's happening?!" Jupiter cried, raising an arm to ward off the wind and rain as they intensified.
"Oh, gods!" Mars eyes widened in a sudden revelation. "The Chaos Slivers! Literal pieces of Chaos. When Rinjirou took that second one, he became..." She sagged abruptly, eyes lingering on the hellish scene before them. "Ancestors, no!"
"It's outplayed us all." Justice's face was a mystery beneath his helmet, but his tone was grim indeed. "Every single one of us."
"No!" Moon stepped forward with renewed determination. "I refuse to believe that! I refuse to believe Neptune died in vain! If we can help them, maybe we can turn the tide!"
Without a moment's hesitation, her friends joined her. Mercury closed her palm-top and dismissed her visor. "We have to try!"
"It's the right thing to do," Venus agreed, raising a fist before her.
Moon nodded sharply, raising her Tiare. "All together!"
Mercury's hands frosted over, a harp of ice forming between them. "Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"
"Mars..." The miko's fiery bow erupted from her hand, the other drawing back to fire. "Flame Sniper!"
A swirling mass of razor-sharp leaves spiralled around Jupiter, following her hand as she invoked her power. "Jupiter Oak Evolution!"
"Venus..." The blonde was all business as she blew a kiss into her palm, forming a shimmering, metallic heart. "Love and Beauty Shock!"
Chibi Moon, having set Saturn aside gently, raised the Moon Kaleidoscope as a sparkling mass of pink-silver energy coalesced before it. "Celestial Tide!"
"Chronos..." Pluto's staff whirled around her body, a swirling vortex of pure temporal energy forming in its wake. "Typhoon!"
Justice didn't vocalise his attack - he never did - but he swung Justiciar in a backhanded arc, its point drawing a golden crescent through the air...
Sailor Moon heard her friends call their attacks as one, closing her eyes as she focused all her grief into one thing; justice for Chaos' victims. The Eternal Tiare shimmered in her hands as it rose up, finally erupting in a blinding blast of golden light. "Silver Moon Crystal Power...KISS!" It merged with the other blasts, becoming one as it struck the hideous bird-creature dead-on. It shrieked, a sound of pure, limitless rage, as their magic engulfed it. So great was the force that it blinded everyone present, sparking hope within Moon that maybe, just maybe, they'd managed to destroy it. But that wasn't meant to be...
As the light faded, Chaos remained...and the Paladins around it stood perfectly still. A peculiar, unnerving silence descended on the shrine, the only sound at all the pitter-patter of rain as it hit the stone around them. No screams, no gunfire. Nothing.
"Well," Venus murmured, to no-one in particular. "The creepiness factor just shot off the scale, didn't it?"
A menacing chuckle was her only answer as Chaos rose up again, drifting into the air. As if someone had flicked a switch, the Paladins lurched, straightening up and turning to face the Senshi in perfect unison. Every single soldier had the same ruby eyes as the creature above. They paid no heed to the rain, or even one another; every pair of eerie, otherworldly eyes was locked on the Senshi...and Sailor Moon.
They took one, collective step forward and, in a booming, multi-faceted voice, they spoke. "Behold, Sailor Moon. My Order of Black will sweep across this world like wildfire, burning everything before it to cinders!"
"By Selene..." Even the unflappable Pluto was shaken. "They are Chaos. Every last one of them!"
Mercury's traditionally pale skin was somehow even whiter. "What if it's not just them, but every Paladin in the world?"
"Rinjirou!" Mars cried. "What about Rinjirou?!"
The now-corrupted Paladins took a second step towards them. "Michiru won't be be the last friend you lose, Usagi. I will take everything you care about, everyone you love, until you are left with nothing but the pain of loss itself. Then, and only then, will I take your pitiful life...and exact the vengeance I have dreamed of for so very long!" The monstrous creature above spread its wings and arms wide, screeching into the sky as familiar, black shapes materialised around it.
"Constructs!" Jupiter called, her fists crackling with electricity as she readied herself.
They certainly looked like the Revenant Knight's favoured servants, but Sailor Moon spotted some differences. They seemed rougher somehow, more textured than their old, glass-like predecessors. Stronger, too, with larger, more powerful builds than the lanky creations they'd first fought.
The Paladins seemed content to stand back as the Constructs attacked, laughing along in sync with the real Chaos above. The Senshi met the creatures with a unified front, unleashing a second round of attacks that destroyed only a few; it seemed these Constructs were more resilient than the originals too. Justice rushed through the horde as he drew his sword, no longer facing human opponents; Constructs flew left and right as he used his shield like a ram, drawing their focus to him.
Sailor Moon hesitated, staring first at the Construct horde, then her friends. Finally, her gaze came to rest on Neptune, Uranus sobbing atop her...and she made her choice. Her arm rose above her head, her Tiare pulsing with silver light. "Sailor Senshi, retreat!"
Mars span around, incredulous. "What?! No way, I will not abandon the shrine to this monster!"
Somehow, despite the din, it heard her. Chaos extended its hand, large talons spreading apart as another vermilion orb formed between them. "What shrine?"
"No!" Mars cried, raising both hands in surrender. "Please, just don't-"
The beam was overwhelmingly powerful, bathing the whole courtyard in red light. The rain evaporated around it instantly as it didn't so much strike the ancient building as it engulfed it. Wood, stood, paper, gold; no matter what stood in its path, it was largely vaporised. Moon gasped, her heart going out to Mars; Hikawa Shrine had been reduced to a smouldering pile of rubble. The miko stood silently in place, eyes shimmering with tears.
"Fear not, Senshi," Chaos purred, lowering its hand. "The fun has only just begun!"
"Run..." It emerged far too faint; Moon had momentarily forgotten how to speak. She cleared her throat and tried again. "Everyone, run!" It was at odds with everything she believed in, everything the Sailor Senshi stood for, but they had no choice. Chaos was too powerful in its current form; they were tired, sore and missing several Senshi. Add in the Paladins and Constructs and they stood little chance! We have to run, she told herself. We can regroup, recover...come up with a plan.
Confusion reigned supreme; the Senshi weren't used to retreating mid-battle, especially not while fighting for their very survival. Chibi Moon struggled with Saturn but finally got the still-shivering girl onto her shoulders as Pluto watched over them. "I've got Saturn!"
"Go!" Moon cried, waving her off. "Mercury, Mars; you too!"
Mars blinked back tears. "But-"
"Go, Rei!" She recalled the miko's earlier words to her. "This time we must run away...and we'll need you if we're going to fight back from here. Please...go."
Mercury tugged on Mars' arm and, after a silent stare, she nodded, following her blue-suited friend towards the trees.
"There's not enough of us for Sailor Teleport!" Jupiter hurled an ball of lightning into the closest Construct's featureless face. It screeched in response and stepped towards her, slashing at the air with its claws. "Uh...oops?"
Venus' chain lashed out, its golden links whipping across the creature's face hard...but it only seemed to provoke it further. "So we run the old-fashioned way; using our feet!" She swung it a second time, this time to clear some space, and they leapt over the faceless, black horde in pursuit of their fellow Senshi.
Pluto was still here. She twirled on her heel and headed for Uranus. "I'll get Haruka."
"No!" the grieving Senshi cried. "I'm not leaving, Setsuna! I'd rather die!"
"Justice!" Moon cried, spinning around a Construct as it dove at her. "Come on!"
The Guardian Knight was right in the thick of things, his sword whirling in a beautifully efficient dance of death. Ebony body parts were severed left, right and centre as more and more Constructs swarmed him. "I'll be alright! Go!"
He was lying, she could tell. No more blinks, she recalled. That's what he said. He has no way out of there! With that in mind, Moon strode forward, caving in another Construct's skull with her Tiare. She could buy them time...and maybe slow Chaos down. One last deep breath was all she needed before she unleashed everything she had left. "Silver Moon Crystal...POWER!" A brilliant white beam tore into the Construct ranks; she swept it across them like a laser, eradicating creature after formless creature. Gritting her teeth from sheer effort, she called out to her friend once more. "Justice! Get clear, now!" He did as he was told, breaking off and heading for the trees; that left her free to focus on taking as many of them out as she could.
"Please, Haruka," Pluto cried plaintively, "we've already lost so much-"
Uranus was having none of it. "I swear, Setsuna, if you touch me-"
Justice' flat tone cut her off. "I've got her." Moon risked turning her head, watching as the Guardian Knight seized Uranus' arms and pulled her to her feet.
"NO!" she screamed, immediately fighting back. "Get off me! Damn it, Tinman, you let me go right now I'll-"
"You'll what? Die?! That's the coward's way out and you know it!" He continued dragging her towards the trees, but made little progress. "I'm sorry, Haruka, so sorry for your loss, but dying won't bring Michiru back!"
"I don't care!" she wailed, her anger fading. "A life without Michiru isn't worth living!"
Justice span her around, his blank helmet staring at her face. "Pull yourself together! You're more than that, better than that!" His voice softened quickly. "Please, come with us. We've lost enough today; we don't need to lose you as well. By all means grieve, mourn for Michiru, and then? Help us bring this monster to justice! For Michiru...and for all of us."
Uranus struggled weakly for a moment longer then, with a wordless nod, went limp. "I...I don't think I can walk on my own."
The Guardian Knight gathered her up in his arms without a hint of sarcasm and, with a final glance back at Moon, ran after the rest of the Senshi. Pluto followed close behind, hitting a stray Construct with "Dead Scream!" along the way.
That left Sailor Moon alone, staring down a growing army of Constructs, corrupted Black Paladins...and Chaos itself. With a final, anguished look at the shrine - a home as much as any other for the last six years - she turned and fled, the creature's mocking laughter ringing in her ears.
"You can run, Usagi, but you can't hide forever. I will find you, in time..."
"My god…"
Rinjirou glanced at Mamoru's distressed features, forced to concur with his assessment of the situation. They sat in the lounge at Charles De Gaulle, Paris' largest international airport. It was all over the news; footage of a burning Tokyo. Initial reports were confused but largely agreed on one thing; unknown soldiers in unmarked armour were tearing through the city...and they had glowing red eyes. Black Paladins...taken by Chaos. Is that what would have happened to me if I hadn't stopped when I did? When Rei told me to?
His reluctant partner shook his head and closed his eyes. "Usako, everyone...be safe."
The former Paladin swallowed back his own sense of dread. Fear for Rei and concern for the Order - the real Order - clutched his heart in a vice, squeezing painfully. Were we too late to stop it?
"Chin up, boys." Surprisingly, it was Hino-sama who would rally them. "There's nothing we can do for them right now."
"How can you be so dismissive?" Rinjirou retorted, mildly annoyed. "Aren't you concerned for Rei at all?"
"Of course I am!" The old man's voice softened immediately. "But the best thing we can now is carry on with the task at hand. The Exalted Knights are needed now more than ever, and it's our job to bring them back!"
His ire fading, Rinjirou glanced to his side again and, a rare moment of solidarity, squeezed Mamoru's shoulder. "Chaos must be stopped."
END
AN: Oh, boy...what a rollercoaster ride these last two chapters took me on! That's all, folks! Order of Black is officially complete. I published the first chapter on the 30th of April a year ago, and here we are 39 chapters and over 235,000 words later!
I set out to tell a darker, more complex story than I did with Last Guardian Knight, and I do feel I accomplished that goal. Rinjirou was an interesting character to write because, unlike Corey, he was an outsider. He was taught to fear and mistrust the Sailor Senshi, he had little concern for what they thought of him, and that let me do some things that Corey never could. I adore Minako, that's probably clear if you've been reading this long, and Rinjirou's insults were a great source of amusement for me. Fact is, as much as I love her, she could be INCREDIBLY annoying if you knew her in real life, and he let me explore that whole "the Senshi from outside the group" facet.
I fully expect I'll receive divided opinions on one scene in particular; the death of Sailor Neptune. I toyed with offing Uranus too, but in the end I decided it was more powerful for her to live on and have to deal with the loss of her beloved. Neptune's not a character I dislike, but I felt like her arc to this point - and really, throughout the anime - showed an overwhelming weakness when it came to Haruka. She once risked the fate of the world because "a world with Haruka wouldn't be worth living in". With that said, I tried to show a moment of redemption as well. She didn't die because of her own stupidity or anger; she died intending to save Hotaru from Chaos' clutches. It was her power that revealed its true form to the Black Paladins and effectively ended that conflict...and it was a difficult scene to write.
Um, other than that...cliffhanger. Sorry everyone, but this was pretty much always the point I intended to split the story. Order of Black dealt with Rinjirou's break from them, in addition to the return of Chaos from its ranks. The Order is still around, but things won't be particularly happy within their headquarters right now. The focus now shifts to Rin's efforts to restore the ORIGINAL Order, the Exalted Knights of the Undying Sun, which hopefully explains my rationale in splitting the story in half with different titles.
I've got a bunch of people to thank but, in particular, I have to give metalgear a massive shout out. There were a couple of times during the writing process where I started feeling burnt out and really doubting myself, and he kept me motivated and on track throughout. If you like shades of grey, wonderful characterisations of our favourite girls, and great fight scenes, give his fics a look, The Shadow of Silver Millennium (complete) and its follow up, The Scourge of the Sailor Scouts! Thanks, man!
Other thanks go to sailorv1986, UH-60, Sailor Sapphire Wolf, NeroJove, LadyRainFeather and Scorpio-Rat. I may have lost some of you at some point, I'm not sure, but you've all reviewed, PM'd or otherwise given me some feedback and confidence at some point throughout this story and I want you to know it was greatly appreciated. I hope you all enjoyed reading Order of Black as much as I enjoyed (not always the right word, lol) writing it, and with any luck I'll be able to count on your readership for the sequel...when it comes. After I recharge my batteries a little and wipe away the burnout! Well, enough rambling from me; thanks so much for reading!
Lisseas