Chapter Nine
Troubled Emotions! The Light of the Moon Restored
The rain poured down like a solid sheet of water. Outside, the city was deserted as the citizens of Tokyo sheltered themselves from the barrage of water. From the safety of Usagi's room, Luna stared at the storm. She was filled with worry about Usagi — the only one who had yet to return home. At the Shrine, Rei knelt in front of the Great Fire, ignoring the chill of the storm. In her apartment, Ami read a book of Norse mythology. Across the city, Akumu knelt on the couch and watched the rain.
Akumu thought of the battle with Suisei. A few days had passed since then and her injuries had healed, but she was deeply troubled. Thunder sounded outside.
"Do you even know who you are?" Suisei had asked incredulously. "You are the source of my powers. You are the evil Darkness that allows Hodur to gather the Star Seeds."
Akumu buried her head into her arms, her brown eyes never leaving the storm. Suisei's words continued to echo in her mind.
You are the evil Darkness…
Akumu hated herself for believing the words, yet she was Darkness. Her sister was Light. Her powers had not worked against Suisei because they were the same power. It was her fault that Chibiusa had been taken in the future. She could do nothing to stop Hodur.
My kindred spirit.
Tears coursed down Akumu's face, rivaling the water from outside. She and Hodur were kindred spirits. They were the same. Somehow, this whole mess was her fault, but she couldn't see how she could stop it. Her powers were useless; you can't fight the dark with the dark. She was helpless to stop the end.
As Akumu wept into her arms, Eitai stood in the doorway to the living room. Her face was emotionless as she watched the young girl cry. Kiki came up behind her, wrapped in a blanket, and stood at Eitai's shoulder.
"Shouldn't you comfort her?" Kiki asked quietly.
Eitai shook her head. "It is better for her to work through her worries alone."
Kiki said nothing. The mischievous senshi had been remarkably calm and well behaved lately. Eitai chose not to question it, knowing the unpredictability of her companion's nature.
"What about her?" Kiki asked, nodding her head in the direction of the closed bedroom door.
Eitai glanced over her shoulder to where Jun had closed herself in the bedroom. "She doesn't concern me right now."
Eitai brushed past Kiki and into the kitchen. The blond girl shivered under her blanket and returned to the bedroom she and Eitai shared, hoping to have a short nap before dinner.
Suisei paced back and forth in the deserted Hall of the Immortal Senshi. She tried not to think of the hidden doorway behind the empty Golden Throne, the one which led to Hodur's collection of senshi and Star Seeds. She tried not to remember how close she had been to gaining the Golden Star Seed for herself. It had been within her grasp, so close, when Hodur had summoned her away from the room. She had to be patient, she knew. She had to bide her time until the time was right.
Soon, she thought to herself. Soon it will be I who sit on the Golden Throne.
Hodur had come too close to discovering her true intentions. She had been forced to make up some excuse, a reason for being so close to the Star Seeds. It had taken most of her cunning, but Hodur had believed her and sent her to Earth to collect another Seed. The power of the Seed of Darkness had been almost as delicious as the power of the Golden Seed, but it too had eluded her. The pesky senshi had returned, more powerful than before.
Suisei clenched her fists at her sides. Outside the Hall, thunder struck, echoing her foul mood. One Seed. All she needed was one Seed and perfect timing to gain the throne she so richly deserved.
From the shadows behind the Golden Throne, a figure watched and waited.
Ami swayed under the pile of books. In spite of the rain, Ami had decided to conduct her own research into the gods of Parallel Earth and had found the library especially helpful. She was trying to piece together the bits that Sailor Aion and Sailor NeoSun had told her, trying to form a complete picture for herself and her friends. The mysterious senshi who had arrived some time ago had demanded their help, but had offered them little knowledge about Hodur and the strange Star Seeds he was seeking. Ami had become determined to discover what they were hiding.
"Here, let me help you," a kind voice offered.
"Thank you," Ami said as a few books were removed from her pile.
Ami looked up to see the smiling face of Tansei. The elder man was holding a few books of his own as well as the ones he had taken from Ami, and was wearing a navy blue suit jacket over a pale yellow shirt.
"What are you doing at the university library?" Tansei asked as he led Ami over to a table. The table already had a few books on it, which Tansei pushed aside.
Ami deposited her books on the table and sat. "Research."
Tansei winked at her. "I see."
"How about you?" Ami asked. "What are you doing?"
"My own research," he replied, "although it's probably not as interesting as yours. I need to write a paper for school."
Ami glanced at the book titles. "Socio-political history? Sounds interesting."
Tansei made a face. "Not when this is the millionth book you've read on the topic."
Ami smiled and stood. "Well, I'll leave you to your research. Thank you for your help."
Tansei watched as the blue haired girl picked up her books and headed to the checkout. When she had gone, Tansei noticed another book on the table near where Ami had been sitting. Thinking she had missed one, he picked it up.
"Crossroads Obituaries Catalogue," Tansei read aloud. "This is from last year. I wonder what she was doing with this?"
More to delay his own research than any real curiousity, Tansei flipped through the book. There were numerous pictures of the recently deceased, along with descriptions and short epitaphs written by loved ones. He was only half paying attention when a familiar face caught his eye. He opened the book to that page and stared at the picture before him.
"Kami-chan," Tansei whispered.
Below the picture of the smiling girl were the words DERUKU, KAMI. AGE: 16. CAUSE OF DEATH: UNKNOWN.
Tansei closed the book and stared at its black cover. Was it possible that there was another Deruku Kami? The name was strange, but Tansei was sure it was only a coincidence. The Kami he knew and loved was alive, recovering in a safe place; but the Kami he knew and loved was 17 years old, and the girl in the book had died the past year.
Unable to concentrate any longer on his research, Tansei stood and left the library, his mind in a fresh turmoil of worry about the woman he loved.
Usagi landed in an undignified heap. She whined at the landing as she rose to her feet, dusting herself off. Blinking, she gazed around the unfamiliar landscape. She stood on flat ground, coloured a dark blue. The ground stretched flat in all directions as far as she could see, and then was lost in darkness. Suppressing a shiver, Usagi wondered what she was doing in such a lifeless place. She took a few small hesitant steps forward.
"Hello?" she called.
She waited a few seconds for a reply, but none came. Suddenly, the ground began to tremble and Usagi was thrown backwards, landing on her bottom. She stared in awe as the ground cracked and a huge staircase formed before her eyes, leading up into the black sky. Usagi scrambled to her feet, staring up at the stairs in disbelief. Looking around and realizing she had no other place to go, she began to climb.
It took her what felt like forever to reach the top of the stairs, all the while the darkness around her never leaving. It didn't take long before she could no longer see the ground and the stairs below her vanished into blackness. Determined to reach the top, Usagi kept climbing.
Finally, she stepped off the topmost stair and walked between two tall marble pillars. She gazed around in total wonder at the place where she now found herself. It seemed to be a throne room, the entire place ringed in white marble columns. A round shallow pool of clear water was in the centre of the circular room and all the floors were made of white marble like the columns. Usagi took a few steps forward, her shoes clicking on the floor and her eyes following the columns to the back of the room where an enormous golden throne sat. An old bearded man sat on the throne, watching Usagi as she staggered into the room. He was ancient, but still carried himself with power and dignity that seemed to ease a few years away from him. Finally, Usagi noticed him and her eyes widened in surprise.
"Are you my Guardian?" Usagi asked.
The man smiled kindly and shook his head. "No, young Princess. I am Zeus, the Lord of the Gods, and guardian to Sailor Jupiter."
Usagi frowned in sadness at the mention of her friend's name. Zeus waved her closer and Usagi did, moving around the pond to stand in front of the throne.
"I was sad to see my charge leave," Zeus told Usagi, "but you and I are not completely dissimilar. We both stand for love and justice, after all. I will administer your test to you, young Princess. We will see if you are worthy of the help of the gods."
Usagi nodded bravely and Zeus laughed. He patted her on the head and pointed to the pool.
"Gaze into the depths of the water," Zeus instructed. "Your test lies there."
Hesitantly, Usagi walked back to the pond and knelt in front of it. The water seemed to swirl and Usagi felt herself growing light headed. As she became more mesmerized by the flowing water, she lost consciousness and toppled forward, losing herself into the depths of the pool.
In a bit of a daze, Jun wandered the rainy streets of Tokyo, not really caring if she got wet. She had already been caught in one downpour, which left her hair sticking to her face and her ponytails hanging limply on her shoulders. None of this concerned her, for Jun was too depressed and confused to notice.
Akumu was the baby. She was the baby Jun had once taken care of, for some length of time. And then, the baby had been taken away. Why had Jun allowed herself to become close to the child, knowing that some day she would leave again? Few stayed at the temple. She had known all along. But still, Jun had allowed herself to love the baby, as if Akumu was her own.
I have no right to hate… her… Jun thought. She had every right to come back for her sister one day. Somehow, knowing that did not lessen the anger and hurt at all. Here she was, facing an older version of the baby, yet for some reason, Jun felt she could not tell her. That tore her apart more than anything. I shared all of my hopes and dreams with that baby… why can't I tell her the truth now?
Still, there was something that meant so much… something that meant all the world. Akumu had no memory of the time she spent with Jun, but… her Star Seed… her heart remembers me.
As Jun found herself back at the clear lake from a few days ago, she suddenly remembered Tansei, and wondered what he thought of her flight from the soda shop. She hoped she would get a chance to explain. But what could she say? I've got to think of something. I can't tell him the truth. Why does the thought of speaking to him again make me nervous? Jun looked at her hands; they were shaking. I need more Elysium jasmine tea. She sighed longingly. I want to go home.
"Jun!"
She raised her head and saw a familiar form standing in the rain just down the street from her. Tansei waved and ran over to her. He was holding an umbrella against the downpour and carried a backpack. As he stopped beside her and held his umbrella over her, she noticed the strain and worry in his eyes in spite of his smile.
"What are you doing out here in the rain without a jacket?" Tansei asked. He took her by the arm and began to lead her down the street. "Come on, we're near Crown's Café. Let's get out of the rain; you're so cold, you're shaking!"
When Jun first saw him, her body had gone numb. It was as if someone had been listening to her thoughts, and dumped the very person she wondered about into her lap. What could she say? "Uh… I was out walking and got caught in the downpour…" Jun allowed herself to be acted upon, but it was obvious she wasn't all there. A part of her was somewhere else, as Tansei's eyes seemed to indicate he was also.
Suisei shut her door with a soft click. She waited with baited breath for footsteps in the hall. Silence. Satisfied, she closed her eyes in concentration, a white glow tinged with black emanated from her body and exploded in a flash that revealed a wicked blade. No one, not even Hodur, knew of this sword. It had appeared one night in her chambers and something, deep within her, had been drawn towards it and she had known that it was, somehow, hers.
It was a cruel, yet elegant weapon. The blade glowed white-hot at the first then slowly faded to black as Suisei grasped its grip. A groove ran the length of it from the lethal tip to the curved hilt, set with amethysts, to catch the blood. At the end a silver skull grinned its toothy grin while rubies sparkled from its eye sockets.
Holding it, the goddess felt a strange power surge through her. It was warm and comforting and felt right unlike the powers she used as Hodur's "servant". She practiced with the sword, improving her skills, cutting complicated figures. Soon she would be ready for Hodur, and she knew that with this blade in her hand, he didn't stand a chance.
As consciousness returned to her, Usagi found herself floating in a column of white light, millions of specks of fine dust swirling slowly around her. She was dressed in her white princess garments and drifted nearly upside down, with the train of the dress trailing above her, as if she was underwater. Usagi, however, had no trouble breathing. Curiously, she looked up, behind her, to see the moon. The column of light emanated from the moon. Am I floating in the moonlight?
Below her Usagi saw nothing but more moonlight, so she tried to "swim" down, toward what must be the Earth. Slowly a figure came into view, swimming up toward her.
"Queen Serenity!" With a kick of her legs, Usagi moved quickly down to her mother from the Silver Millennium, arms outstretched to receive her. "Why do you look so troubled?"
The Queen did indeed have a worried expression on her face that echoed in her eyes. She reached up to take Usagi's face in her hands. Usagi held her own hands over the Queen's, rubbing them affectionately. "My daughter, I'm sorry. I am to be the bearer of upsetting news. But I have been your guide in the past, and I have helped you move toward your destiny, haven't I?"
"Of course. You always help me."
"That's my good girl. Please understand that I wish I didn't have to pull you out of such a sweet dream, but I must. You've been living a lie," the Queen said cryptically.
Furrowing her brow, Usagi asked, "What do you mean?"
"You are always so full of hope, but even you must realize that you cannot always save everyone. Do you understand that? Sometimes a life must be sacrificed to save the world."
Usagi began shaking her head in her mother's hands. "No, no. That's not true. If the world is in danger, I will save it. If someone must die, it will be me."
Sighing, Queen Serenity shook her head too. "No. You must realize that sometimes, one life is more important than another. Some soldiers are meant to make the sacrifices while others should be there to rebuild, and offer hope."
Bewildered, Usagi squeezed the Queen's hands lightly. "I don't understand what you're trying to tell me. Is this my test? Zeus said–"
"I see that trying to reason with you will not work, so I must try cold hard reality. Serenity, this is not a test. You have been hiding inside this moonbeam for far too long; you put yourself here because you could not deal with the reality you were faced with. The Silver Crystal granted your wish for solitude, away from having to make a decision you would not make. But you must go back!" Queen Serenity gently shook the confused face in her hands, as if she could shake some sense back into her daughter. "The other senshi will die if you stay here. Remember your friends? You don't want them to die."
Her eyes wide, Usagi methodically shook her head. "No, of course not."
"That's right, you want to go back. You won't remember making the wish because the Silver Crystal erased that memory. It is permanently linked with your life force, so it cannot help how you use its power. But this was a misuse! You cannot stay here!"
Tears brimmed and overflowed from Usagi's eyes. This was extremely confusing, but she was starting to understand. Queen Serenity was telling her that she had run and hidden from some conflict with the power of the Silver Crystal. She had left all of her friends in danger. But how much of what had happened lately was reality, and how much was this "sweet dream" the Queen spoke of? Things had been less than sweet lately. "I'm very confused, Mother, but I want to do what's right. What did I run from?"
With a deep breath, Queen Serenity replied, "Serenity, you never defeated Pharaoh 90. That was an illusion created by your wish, by the power of the Silver Crystal. Everything that you think has happened since then is an illusion. The Earth will be saved by Sailor Saturn's sacrifice, but at a high price. She has just awakened and her powers are at their height after lying dormant for so long. All of the senshi will be consumed in the blast. The entire city of Tokyo will be destroyed. You must go back to prevent this destruction."
"No!" Usagi's eyes were wide as saucers now. "No, I saved Hotaru-chan! This can't be true!"
The Queen's throat clicked as she swallowed down her own tears. "Darling, please, you must not doubt me. There is little time. You must accept this reality."
"But I already did this," Usagi wept. "I can't do it again. It's too much. I already saved the world from that threat."
"But you never saved the world from that threat, Serenity. It has been left undone. Don't you understand what I'm telling you? You've been hiding. Everyone is wondering where you went. To them, only a few seconds have passed. Your mind played a horrible trick on you. It is time to stop playing along," Queen Serenity tried to explain.
Resigned to the situation, Usagi wept against the back of her hand. "Alright. If what you say is true, then I can go back and just do what I did… what I thought I did… before. I'll go back." A part of her still did not believe this could be true.
"Good girl. Take my love with you."
Usagi felt the Queen kiss her on the cheek before the woman completely disappeared, and she was rushing toward the Earth, through the moonbeam, moving way too fast for comfort. Her mind was filled with images of her friends as they had been during the battle with the Death Busters, lying among the rubble of Mugen High School. "Sailor Moon, where are you!" they cried.
"I'm coming!" she tried to yell, but her words were lost on the wind.
Chibiusa lay in Mamo-chan's arms, barely awake. "I saw Hotaru-chan. She brought my Heart Crystal back to me," the child whispered.
Usagi realized she was approaching the moment Queen Serenity spoke of. Could it really be true? Had she made a wish for solitude to escape the Death Busters? Was all the trouble with Hodur part of the illusion? "I won't leave you all to die! I'm sorry! I'm coming back!"
Usagi suddenly felt as if she had been dropped on the ground from several yards above the Earth. It was a disconcerting feeling. She pushed herself up on her elbows and took her first look at the scene around her.
It was as if time had stood still. There was the dome of dark energy, the rubble of Mugen all around her, and the figure of Sailor Saturn jumping into the core where Pharaoh 90 waited. Usagi put out a hand to grab her, but she was far too late. Looking down, she realized she was dressed as plain old Sailor Moon, just like before when this happened. But it hadn't happened, had it? Was Queen Serenity right?
"Sailor Moon! Are you happy now!" Uranus screamed behind her. There was such anguish in her voice… like the world was still in grave danger. Oh this simply couldn't be real!
Sailor Moon jumped to her feet and ran to Sailor Uranus, grabbing her arms. "Uranus, this isn't happening! I already did this! Hotaru-chan didn't die!" She shook Uranus, as if by saying these things, they would happen. "I already saved the world!"
Sailor Uranus shoved her away, hard enough to knock her down. "Are you insane! Do you not see the dome of negative energy that contains Pharaoh 90? Are your little friends not lying among the ruins of my high school? The Silence is here! You've saved NOTHING!"
Dazed, Sailor Moon lay there unmoving, drinking it all in. Neptune's face was stricken; Uranus looked down at her with wild, hopeless eyes.
Zeus, whoever he was, had lied. This was no test. It was real.
The rain continued to fall, and Akumu felt her hopes strike the earth with the water. She had been pondering her situation with a kind of desperate depression for hours and could see no end in sight. Her presence strengthened Hodur; her attacks did nothing to him. As she stared outside, she felt someone sit on the couch next to her.
Eitai did not look at the girl, but sat looking straight ahead across the room. Akumu turned her head slightly but did not move otherwise.
"Sometimes it takes more darkness than light to heal the world," Eitai said.
Akumu snorted a laugh and turned back to the window. Eitai turned her head to look at the girl with her crystal eyes.
"Akumu, you are not the evil we face." With those words, Eitai rose and walked to the kitchen.
Akumu sighed and slid off the couch. She needed to speak with someone, someone who was there and had seen the power of her Star Seed. She didn't remember very much, mostly emotions from a happier time and the sweet scent of … something. Taking a deep breath, Akumu knocked on the door to the room she shared with Jun. There was no answer.
"Jun?" Akumu whispered through the door. "Are you awake?"
She cracked open the door and blinked in surprise. The room was empty. She stepped inside in disbelief, looking around in vain in case Jun was hiding somewhere.
"She's not here."
Akumu turned and saw Kiki standing in the doorway. She was wrapped up in a blanket and looked pale and tired. She had long since healed from her injuries, yet was plagued with thoughts she would not share.
Kind of like me, Akumu thought suddenly.
"She snuck out while you were staring out the window and Eitai was in the shower," Kiki continued. Her blue eyes flicked to the rain and back to Akumu. "I don't think she brought an umbrella either."
Jun was gone again? Akumu grabbed her own raincoat off the end of her bed and pushed her way past Kiki and into the hall. She walked quickly to the kitchen and, as she entered the room, was nearly overwhelmed by a familiar smell. The scent reminded her of something she could not quite grasp, but she pushed the sensation away.
"Eitai, Jun is gone!" Akumu said.
Eitai sighed. "Again? I suppose you want to go find her?"
Akumu nodded and Eitai smiled. The elder senshi nodded to the door and went back to her preparations. Akumu grinned for the first time since the battle and left the apartment. Kiki joined Eitai in the kitchen, her eyes on the closed door.
"What do you expect her to find out there?" Kiki asked.
Eitai smiled enigmatically. "Herself."
Tansei smiled as Jun sipped the warm tea. He took a drink of his coffee, feeling the warmth of the fluid down his throat. Strange that it did nothing to warm the coldness he felt in his heart. His eyes strayed to his backpack, where the book lay concealed. Tansei knew Kami was a senshi, knew she fought with the powers of the Sun and light, but was she only a ghost? Usagi and the others, they were real enough, living, breathing girls who fought as sailor suited warriors. Kami was different, somehow; he had known that all along, but she was not dead.
"Feel better?" Tansei asked his companion.
It was hard to pretend under the cloud of numbness and despair Jun felt, but she did manage a small, plastic smile. "Yes. I feel warmer." Her pony-tailed hair dried on her shoulders, although it needed to be taken down and brushed. "I shouldn't let myself get caught without my umbrella. That was very careless of me." Trying to change the subject, Jun asked, "What brought you out in the storm tonight?"
Tansei forced a smile, although it looked drawn. "Research. I have a paper due for class in a few weeks. I was — "
He broke off, the tears in his eyes sliding down his cheeks as he forced his gaze into his mug. Jun was taken aback and unsure how to react to this sudden emotion. How they tore at her heart, those unexpected tears. The door of the café opened unnoticed behind her, but Tansei raised his head at the sound.
"Akumu," he remarked.
"Hi!" the young girl said, going up to the table. Although she smiled, her expression seemed as forced as his. "Have you seen — oh!"
Akumu looked over at Tansei's companion and smiled. "Jun! I was looking for you. Here, I brought you an umbrella."
Jun had to laugh, her first genuine laugh in several days, as she took the umbrella. "Thank you, but it's a little late, don't you think?" Winking, she gestured to her half-dried hair. "You're a very thoughtful girl." Her expression became a little more solemn. You were once my girl…
Tansei looked back and forth between Akumu and Jun. "You two know each other?"
"I was just about to say the same thing," Akumu said, sliding into the booth next to Jun. "Small world, huh?"
Tansei nodded absently, his gaze moving slowly to his backpack. He moved his hand to rest on top of it. Akumu frowned.
"Have you heard from Kami? How is she?" Tansei asked suddenly.
"I haven't heard from her in a while," Akumu sighed. "I'm sure she's recovering. She'll be back before you know it."
Tensing slightly, Jun glowered into her teacup. Yes, she always returns before you know it. But how did he know Kami, the senshi Jun knew as Lucis?
Tansei's hand suddenly grabbed the bag, as if trying to throttle something inside. Jun noticed the movement, but Akumu seemed unaware.
"Akumu," Tansei began after a small silence, "how long have you and your sister lived here?"
Akumu blinked in surprise. "I haven't lived here that long. Kami has been here for a few years. Why do you want to know?"
Tansei smiled another forced smile and shook his head. "No reason. Just something on my mind. Do you want a soda?"
Akumu shook her head and leapt to her feet. "No, I'm okay. I just wanted to see where Jun was. I find her … comforting." She turned to the other girl. "Hurry home. I would like to talk to you later."
Smiling gently, Jun gave a nod. "Of course."
With a wave, the blue haired girl skipped out the door. Tansei seemed to grow preoccupied again.
Jun's eyes grew in intensity as she looked at his troubled face. How did he know her? No, it couldn't be… "How do you know Akumu… and Kami?"
Tansei raised his head sharply in surprise, taken aback by the question. "Akumu never mentioned you to me?" He seemed slightly hurt by the question.
"No," she replied, biting back on what she was about to say next. Neither did Lucis.
"I met Kami a few months ago, by the lake where I met you, actually. We became friends, but she left suddenly because of… an illness," he replied, gripping his bag harder. "Today I found something disturbing while I was at the library."
Without another word, he unzipped his bag and took out the book of last years deceased. He slid it across the table to Jun. "Page forty-seven."
Jun inquisitively turned the pages, wondering what could have worked him up this much. She came to page 47. Jun looked back up at him, clearing her throat. "I can see why this would be disturbing." She really didn't know what else to say; how much did he know about Kami and her alter ego, and senshi in general?
Tansei was thinking similar thoughts about Jun. He didn't want to distress this girl with thoughts of monsters and warriors in the city. Did she know about Sailor Moon and the others? He looked at her closely, wondering if she was connected with the sailor-suited warriors of love and justice. If she knew Akumu and Kami, perhaps she was aware of the recent world crisis. Suddenly, he didn't care about the world, only about Kami.
"It can't be the same person, can it?" Tansei demanded. "I mean, I spoke to Kami weeks ago. I touched her. She's real, alive. Sure, she has her … secrets, but I just don't know what to think anymore."
He looked up at her, a glimmer of hope in his hopeless eyes. She was taken aback by the intensity of his gaze and even more so when he reached across the table and took her hands in his.
"You know Kami, don't you? Do you know anything about… this?"
So many emotions swam through Jun's heart at that moment that she thought she might faint. He was in love with Lucis, he was in love with the person Jun hated most, and his eyes ripped at her heart–how badly she wanted to throw her arms around his neck and hold him until all that pain went away. Had Lucis never told him! How could she do that to him! Was her heart made of stone! Maybe that explained it! Maybe that explained everything. Tansei's hands feel so nice and warm.
Squeezing his hands back comfortingly, Jun carefully replied, "Yes, I know Kami, but not as you do. I know her as Lucis. I don't know how much she has told you… and how much she hasn't… but this girl in the book… she is dead." Her anguished eyes said everything she couldn't say out loud. I will comfort you. Please let me! Just say the words!
Tansei's eyes widened and filled with tears. He did not sob openly, but squeezed Jun's hand tighter and bent his head. A few tears fell to the table.
"So it was just a ghost," he said quietly. "I wondered why she would never let me close. Her illness — I knew it was something more. She knew. She knew we could never be together."
Hesitantly, Jun left her spot at the booth and slid on the seat next to Tansei. She put her arms around his shoulders and he turned into her embrace, his tears now dampening her shirt. A part of her felt horrible for him, the pain he must be going through, and the other part… it was glad. The other part of Jun liked having him in her arms, and wondered if maybe she could be the one to take something from Lucis this time, without apology.
The ground felt cool underneath her hands. Sailor Moon began counting all the little pebbles below her, her mind trying to catch up to all she now knew. The world is ending, and I haven't saved it yet. A numb shock overtook her body, until Sailor Neptune shrieked, "Look!"
Sailor Moon did, her face blank and pale. There were purple blasts of light coming from the dome of dark energy. That was Sailor Saturn in there, attacking Pharaoh 90. Hotaru-chan. I once saved Hotaru-chan. I felt her warmth in my arms. Well, if she had to do this over again, so be it.
"Moon Crisis Power, Make-up!" Nothing happened. Of course! That's what happened last time, nothing! So, now to do it again. "Moon Crisis Power, Make-up!"
"What are you doing!" Sailor Uranus barked. "You can't transform into Super Sailor Moon. You gave away the Sacred Cup, and it was destroyed!"
"She must've gone mad," Neptune whispered.
Shaking her head, Sailor Moon replied, "No, you're supposed to lend me your power. It will make me strong enough to transform and defeat Pharaoh 90. Everyone will do this." She looked at her friends, the Sailor Team, and her mouth fell open.
They were all clearly unconscious.
"No, this isn't the way it happened… they can't lend me their power if they aren't conscious." Desperately Sailor Moon looked down at the ground again, trying to gather her scrambled thoughts. There are 23 pebbles on the earth below me, all pieces of what is left of Mugen High School. "I have to get inside the dome! It's what I did before."
Sailor Uranus grabbed her by the collar. "Will you stop hanging onto this crazy idea that you've already saved the world!" She shook the smaller girl hard. "Don't you understand! The Silence is happening!" Uranus broke into bitter tears.
Now if everything else had been a shock to Sailor Moon, this took the cake. Uranus, crying! Sailor Neptune pulled her partner off of Sailor Moon and tried to calm her down.
"What difference does it make? Your paintings all are coming true, Michiru. It's the end for us all…"
Suddenly, a faint voice called out, "Sailor Moon."
"Hotaru?" She looked, but did not see Hotaru, although that had distinctly been her voice. Neptune and Uranus did not react as if they had heard it.
"Sailor Moon, come inside the dome."
Again she looked, and this time spotted the small rip in the energy dome that surrounded the remains of the Mugen skyscraper. Leaping to her feet, Sailor Moon ran right to it and jumped inside.
Sailor Neptune and Uranus watched her in shock. "What just happened?"
Inside the dome the air was thick and hard to breathe; it burned at her lungs with its dark red fury. Sailor Moon managed to focus on the events going on in the core, and found herself horrified to see a large ball of rage with flailing tentacles bounding back and forth around the figure of Sailor Saturn. Pharaoh 90 was not anywhere near human, so she doubted they could reason with it. Saturn had it pinned to the ground by one tentacle with the Silence Glaive. Blindly it fought to break free.
"Sailor Moon! There isn't time! Listen carefully!" Sailor Saturn called across the muggy air between them. "I will lend you a sliver of my power, and you must use it to create a wall of protection around myself and Pharaoh 90!"
"What will happen to you?"
"I'll be alright. Please, just do as I say. I cannot maintain the Silence Wall and finish this beast off at the same time, so you have to do it."
"Why can't I finish him off, and you create the protective barrier?" Sailor Moon suddenly remembered what Queen Serenity had said. "You're going to destroy him with a humongous blast of power, and the barrier will protect the city from your attack. I'm right, aren't I?"
"Yes! Are you ready?"
Swallowing hard, Sailor Moon protested, "But you'll be killed."
"I am the sacrificing soldier," Saturn replied matter-of-factly. Pharaoh 90 smacked at her with his tentacles, but she smoothly avoided every strike. "That is my place in life. Everyone else will be saved. That is all that matters."
"But your life matters too! You are Chibiusa's best friend. She cares very much for you. And so do I."
"There's no time for this! I have loved ones too, but all that matters is saving the world. Please, prepare yourself to receive my power." The jewel of Sailor Saturn's tiara sparkled briefly.
Sailor Moon almost fainted from the force that passed into her body. She panted with the effort of taking in that "sliver" Sailor Saturn had given her. "Now I can destroy Pharaoh 90."
"No!" A beam of purple light coursed over Sailor Moon's body, freezing her in place. "You just don't understand, do you? This is my sacrifice to make. I am Sailor Saturn. The small amount of power that I gave you would not kill Pharaoh 90. Please, do as I ask before he breaks free! I beg you."
Something in her eyes told Sailor Moon that Hotaru was still in there, and that she wanted to do this to protect the future of all of her loved ones, including Chibiusa. How could she take this away from Hotaru-chan, who had always selflessly wanted nothing for herself, only happiness for everyone who was dear to her? It would be selfish of Sailor Moon, she thought, to steal Hotaru's most cherished gift to the world, a world that had all but shunned her. Somehow, Sailor Moon understood that. "I'll do it."
"Thank you." Sailor Saturn looked upon her with grateful, gentle eyes. Hotaru's eyes. "Sayonara."
The tears already streaking down her cheeks, Sailor Moon said the words that had formed in her mind. "Silent Moon Wall." She squeezed her eyes shut and wept as the purple wall of protection closed around Saturn and Pharaoh 90.
"Sayonara…" There was a pause of complete silence, then, "SILENCE GLAIVE SURPRISE!"
The monster that was Pharaoh 90 roared angrily before there was a blinding explosion. Sailor Moon heard the loud rumble and saw the purple light expanding toward her, before there was blackness, like the time between dreaming and awakening.
The next thing she became conscious of was the hand of Sailor Mars on her shoulder, shaking her. "Sailor Moon! Sailor Moon!"
"Why do you sound so afraid?" She opened her eyes.
All of the Inner senshi stood over her, along with Uranus and Neptune. Mars hugged Sailor Moon tightly. "You scared us! Why did you have to take so long to wake up?" she scolded.
"What happened?" Sailor Moon slowly sat up. When she realized Jupiter was there, she could not help but dive at her with a mighty hug. "Mako-chan!"
"What? You act as if you haven't seen me in ages."
All she could do was sob, saying Makoto's name over and over.
"Sailor Moon…" Uranus knelt beside her. "I never would have believed it was possible, but you helped stop the Silence. The world has been saved. What did you do inside Pharaoh 90's dome?"
"I…" Her head snapped in the direction of the remains of Mugen. All that was left of it was rubble and a shallow pool of water. Her eyes growing bigger and bigger, Sailor Moon spotted pieces of the Silence Glaive strewn about, some lighter pieces floating next to… "HOTARU-CHAN!"
Floating silently in the water was the broken, torn body of Sailor Saturn.
"Nooooooooooooooo!" Although she had known this would be the end result, the reality of Hotaru's death didn't hit Sailor Moon until she saw her dead. Saturn's body began to dissolve into multi-colored pinpoints of light, drifting up into the blue sky. Sailor Moon reached for them. She had never felt so cheated in her life. "Nooooooooo! I saved her! I felt her tiny body in my arms! It's not fair! Bring her back! BRING HER BAAAAACK!"
Suddenly she was yanked out of this scene and shot back up the moonbeam so fast she could hardly breathe. Usagi broke the surface of the pool of water in Zeus' throne room, gasping for air. "What? What happ-" sputter "-ened?"
Queen Serenity took her by the arms and helped her climb out of the pool. "Welcome back, my daughter. You have passed your test."
Disoriented, Usagi stood before the smiling Zeus. "Passed my test? But I thought it wasn't actually a test. My mother told me you lied to me."
Laughing, Zeus shook his head. "Child, this is the truth. It was just a test. You had to think it was real, or your decision would not be what genuinely came from your heart."
"Then… it wasn't real?"
"No. Your original battle with the Death Busters, the one where you saved the world and Hotaru, was the real one. Hotaru is alive, beginning her life over again," Zeus assured.
Elated, Usagi ran to the ancient god and hugged his neck gratefully. He laughed again. "You did the right thing. I'm proud of you."
"Although it may be hard and painful, sometimes we must allow a sacrifice to be made," Queen Serenity explained. "The important thing is to know the difference, to know when it serves the greater good. You learned that today."
"I understand." It had been almost impossible to make that decision, but she had done it. Usagi, however, did not feel proud. She hoped she would never have to make such a decision again. "Now what?"
Zeus had to laugh a third time, boisterously. "Now you receive my greatest gift."
Usagi held out her hands and a form created from shimmering light appeared in them. She lifted the object with one hand, looking at it curiously.
"A fan?" she asked.
"Not just any fan, young Princess. With this fan, you will control the powers of the gods. Use my weapon well and with your usual compassion, my child."
"Of course! I'm going home and beating that nasty Hodur so I can rescue Mako-chan. I'll make you pro–your child?" Usagi blinked innocently.
Queen Serenity had to smile as she leaned on Zeus' throne. "Your memories of the Silver Millennium are still so fragmented. Serenity, he is your father."
Usagi's eyes widened. "Father?" she whispered.
Zeus nodded and, as the scene melted away before her, Usagi saw her parents from the Moon Kingdom together. Usagi opened her mouth, wishing there was something she could do to make the reunion last, but her mother waved and tears glistened unshed in her father's eyes.
Suisei entered the deserted room next to hers. The dismal box contained only a small girl, encased in a shimmering pink shell. The woman moved the child down from the wall and onto the floor. Again, she summoned the sword from her body and its light filled the room.
"Now, my pet," Suisei sneered, "you will be of help to me."
The blade whistled down and stabbed into the girl's chest, melting into nothingness. The corpse child opened dead eyes and rose mechanically to her feet. Suisei beckoned to her and she clasped her small hand in hers.
"Child, I am going into the mortal realm. I will leave a portal open and when I call for you come to my aid."
The child silently nodded and sat stiffly on the edge of the cot. With a sigh Suisei stepped through the portal. Its inky blackness remained open, spinning hypnotically as the girl gazed at it.
Hodur raised his eyes when he heard the movement behind the Golden Throne. Without turning, he knew who it was. His third child, Vali the Avenger. Although Vali still appeared to be a young man by mortal standards, his love of vengeance ran deep. He had brown hair and black eyes and had a remarkable ability to move unseen and unheard, as if he became one with the shadows.
"Well?" Hodur asked.
Vali stepped clear of the darkness behind the throne. He bowed to Hodur. "It is as you suspected, Master."
"Never trust the personification of Betrayal," Hodur remarked to himself. He held out one hand and a glass of wine appeared in it. He took a sip while Vali waited patiently by his side.
"Watch her," Hodur commanded. "It will only be a matter of time. I'm surprised I was able to control her this long."
Vali bowed and stepped back into the darkness. Hodur smiled to himself and took another sip of wine. With luck, he would be free of Suisei and gain a Star Seed in the process.
Akumu walked home from Crowns café slowly, letting the last lingering drops of rain drip down her face. She felt better seeing Jun, somehow she always did. Eitai didn't think she was the cause of this crisis, and Jun's smile reassured her. She may be the senshi of Darkness, but not all darkness was evil.
As she walked, she wondered why Tansei was sitting with Jun. It seemed strange to see them together, her sister's love and the strange senshi from Elysion. Tansei looked so sad, distracted.
I bet he just misses Kami, Akumu thought. Jun is probably being a friend to him. He needs one right now.
She whistled a song that popped into her head, but she couldn't remember where she had heard it before. The sun peeked through the clouds and Akumu thought the weather was finally nice enough for her to cut through the park. She backtracked a bit to an alley, which would cut across several blocks to the park.
She wasn't far from Crowns when she felt a familiar presence behind her. Turning, her eyes widened and she gasped in alarm.
"Hello, my kindred spirit," Suisei said, floating above her.
Back at the Crown Café, Jun suddenly gripped Tansei's shirt tightly in her fists. "Akumu's in danger! They're trying to take it again! I can't let them have it!" She scrambled out of the booth. "They already have the Golden St-" Jun broke off, stammering, "Stay here where you're safe," and then ran out the door. This was the second time she had done this to him, but it couldn't be helped.
Tansei watched her fly out of the café without saying another word. When she was out the door, he threw some money on the table and ran after her. He wasn't sure how he knew Akumu was in trouble, but if Hodur's evil minions were out there, Jun would need all the help she could get.
He followed her, staying far enough back that he could easily hide if she turned around, but close enough not to lose her. She ran as if her life depended on it, not pausing for traffic or pedestrians in her way. Tansei was amazed at her stamina and speed. Soon, he found himself trailing her into an alley only a block or two from the café. He ducked behind a huge garbage container once he realized whom he faced.
Suisei hovered above the ground, her blue dress fluttering in the slight breeze. Below her, staring at her with defiant eyes, was Akumu. Jun marched toward the battle and Tansei almost left his hiding spot to stop her, but the look of cool confidence in her eyes held him back.
Suisei noticed the other girl and smiled. "Two little toys. How nice!"
"You're the one who took Endymion's Star Seed," Jun growled. "I won't let you get this one. And I'll take back the one you stole, you creep."
"A rebellious little toy, aren't you?" Suisei almost purred. "I'll have to rub out that stubborn streak."
Akumu had used the moment of Suisei's distraction to draw out her henshin pen. While the dark goddess and Jun exchanged remarks, she raised her pen above her head.
"Darkness of Night, Transform!" she called.
"No!" Suisei exclaimed, her attention returning to her intended target.
Tansei breathed a silent sigh of relief. At least Sailor Nyx would be able to protect Jun from Suisei's powers.
To keep her attention while Akumu transformed, Jun picked up a rock and threw it at Suisei. Bull's eye, right between the eyes! "What a big woman you are, attacking a child!"
"Ack! My nose! My beautiful nose! I'll teach you to throw rocks!" the woman noticed Tansei crouched behind a dumpster, "You again! What would Lucis say to see her precious human playing second fiddle to another senshi!"
She let off a blast towards the unprotected Tansei and laughed at the look of horror on Jun's face.
Acting quickly, Jun opened her hand and cried, "Sacred Fire!" It caused her pain to use the Fire in her civilian form, but it could be done. The ball of liquid flame exploded against Suisei's energy blast as it was still in mid-air, many yards above Tansei's head. She hoped the garbage dumpster would shield him from the shock waves. Gritting her teeth, Jun held her burned hand to her chest. "Tansei, get out of here!"
What the hell was that? Tansei thought to himself. Did Jun just save me?
He ducked as the fire from Suisei and Jun's attacks fell to the earth. His clothing was singed slightly, but he was otherwise unhurt. Ignoring Jun's yells to leave, he stayed firmly where he was.
"Magic or no magic," Tansei said through gritted teeth, "I can't let either of them be hurt."
Luckily, Akumu had completed her transformation into Sailor Nyx, so Jun had time to change into her senshi identity. "Sacred Elysion Power, Make-up!" The Sacred Fire flared up around her, and she gratefully took the Unicorn Stave from within it, ending her henshin by spinning on her heel and posing once again as Sailorelysion. The golden horn on her head reflected the light with a glorious shine.
Tansei rose to his feet, blinking in surprise and shock. Jun, the shy, quiet girl he had met by the lake, was a senshi. He thought she looked beautiful in her fuku, the cool look of determination in her eye as she stared at Suisei. He didn't even realize he was no longer under cover until he felt someone tug at his sleeve. Looking down, he saw Sailor Nyx.
"Get away from here," Nyx urged.
"She's a senshi," Tansei replied dumbly.
"Yes, she's a senshi," Nyx said impatiently, pulling Tansei. "She came from Elysium to help us while my sister recovered. Please, Tansei!"
"Your sister?" Tansei repeated. "Your sister is dead."
Sailor Nyx stared at him hard. "Sailorelysion can't hold Suisei forever. We'll be fine. Go!"
With a final shove, Sailor Nyx pushed Tansei free of the alley and returned to the battle. Tansei blinked as if coming awake from a long dream, and shook his head. He wasn't quite sure what was going on, but he knew he would never find out if the two girls in there were defeated. Setting off at a run, Tansei searched for another who could help.
"Sacred Elysion Carousel!" The golden crystal spikes shot through the air toward Suisei; she could feel their intense heat on her face, but her confidence didn't waver.
"Child, to me!" she called.
The air in front of Suisei became distorted and through this rift stepped the puppet Chibimoon. The child stood impassively as the fire consumed her instead of the sneering woman.
Gasping, Sailorelysion put a hand to her mouth. "Oh! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Chibimoon had not been born yet in her time, so she did not recognize the girl. Still, it was a child! Tears brimmed in her eyes. Suisei had tricked her into hurting a child! "You horrible creature… you're lower than pond scum. How could you use a child as a shield!" Even as Sailorelysion cursed Suisei's name, she had also stopped attacking her.
Tansei ran breathlessly through the streets. He had only one thought in his mind as he dodged the pedestrian traffic — save Jun and Akumu. He should have guessed the shy, white haired girl was a senshi. She seemed too… alien to have lived on Earth. What did Sailor Nyx call her? Sailorelysion?
"Eitai will know what to do," Tansei murmured to himself, skidding around a corner. He barely noticed when he ran into someone, knocking them to the ground.
"I'm sorry," he said quickly. He blinked in surprise.
"I should have been paying more attention," Ami said, retrieving the book that had flown from her hands.
"Ami! I'm so glad to see you!" Tansei exclaimed, helping the girl to her feet.
She looked at him quizzically as he grabbed her arm and started leading her back the way he had come. As they moved, he tried to explain everything that had happened. As the story emerged, Ami began to move as fast as him until they ran side by side down the street, heading back toward the alley where the battle was being fought.
Lucis paused, her teacup halfway between her mouth and the plate. She cocked her head as if listening to a far away sound. Across from her, Elios waited patiently, his confusion only apparent in his eyes. They sat together in the gardens of Elysium, sipping the refreshing jasmine tea that grew there. They had been sitting together like this everyday since Lucis' arrival, and each day the Light senshi had grown stronger.
"What is it?" Elios asked calmly, placing his own teacup on the table beside him.
"Something…" Lucis said softly. She shook her head and smiled. "I'm sorry, Elios. I thought I heard something peculiar."
Elios returned the grin. "You're eager to return to Earth, aren't you?"
"Am I that transparent?" Lucis asked.
"Not at all. I've known you long enough to see when you're agitated. Why don't you go back?"
Lucis placed her teacup and plate onto the table. "I do think I've been here long enough. My strength has returned and Hodur's poison is gone."
"And there are people on Earth who miss you," Elios said knowingly. "One in particular, I think."
Lucis blushed and turned her head back to where she thought she had heard the sound. "Still, something evil is in the wind, even here."
"It's almost time," Elios said softly.
Lucis could only nod, knowing too well of what her friend spoke.
Suisei laughed mockingly and set off a blast at the enraged Elysion, "You let your guard down, toy. Don't worry your pretty head about the vessel."
Nyx now took the opportunity to attack, "Nightmare Revelation!"
"Not that again!" Suisei wailed.
Slowly, thousands of white humanoid shadows crept from the cracks and materialized from the walls. Nyx floated above the ground, her eyes as white as the minions she had summoned. The shadows gathered around Suisei, whispering her nightmares to her, making them a reality.
The child stared impassively on as the woman behind her cried like a baby, "Mommy! Save me!"
As the attack faded, Nyx returned to the ground, her eyes once again becoming brown. She was dumbfounded when she saw Suisei's reaction to her attack, and looked to Elysion.
"How dare you do that to me!" Suisei growled, throwing a ball of energy at the two senshi.
Elysion jumped out of the way of the blast, doing a tuck-and-roll so that she wound up closer to Nyx. "Do you have an attack you can aim right at the big one?"
Sailor Nyx nodded. "I'm not sure if my attack will damage her, but I'll try."
Nyx closed her eyes, gathered her energy and thinking of the brief conversation she had had with Eitai. Sometimes it takes more darkness than light to heal the world. When she opened her eyes again, they were white.
"Darkness," Nyx summoned, holding open her hand. A small black sphere appeared on her palm. It began to grow until it was the size of a basketball, floating above her open hand. Her eyes flicked up towards Suisei, aiming her attack carefully.
"Engulf!" Nyx cried. The sphere shot away from her hand and stuck fast to Suisei.
The dark goddess struggled against the still growing sphere as it threatened to consume her. Nyx watched intently, her brow furrowed in concentration and her arm still outstretched.
Sailorelysion crinkled up her nose in disgust at the things Suisei had done here tonight. "Nyx, keep that up. I'm going to rescue the kid." She still had no reason to suspect the child was anything but a child under Suisei's control, control that would be broken once the girl was saved.
Nodding, Sailor Nyx increased her concentration, causing the sphere to grow much quicker. Suisei was still fighting it, wiping it from her body as it rose up her limbs to devour her.
Elysion took the opportunity and leapt into the air, grabbing the puppet child on the way down. "You'll be safe now," she told Chibimoon, cradled in her arms.
Suisei was now crouched on the floor screaming like someone being tortured, "YOU WORTHLESS LITTLE BRAT! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTING ME!"
Now, for the first time the child moved. The girl turned her head and looked into Sailorelysion's eyes with such emptiness that the senshi shuddered. Still cradled in the older woman's arms, Chibimoon sneered and wrapped her small hands around Elysion's neck. Her eyes retained their same dull expression while her horrible sneer grew crueler.
The senshi's eyes widened in shock at how strong the child was, but this wasn't her normal strength, was it? Suddenly, Suisei began to laugh. Nyx blinked, losing her concentration and returning her eyes to their brown colour. The dark sphere Nyx had used to attack Suisei was being absorbed into the dark goddess' body. She was feeding off of the power Nyx had called to destroy her.
"Thank you," Suisei said mockingly. "I needed a recharge. Now, if you're done with your little show…"
She trailed off as she fired a ball of black energy at Sailor Nyx. The young senshi, still shocked at what she had done, was not prepared to deal with the attack. The blast caught her full force in the stomach and sent her flying through the air to slam into a brick wall.
"Sailor Nyx!" Elysion choked. She grabbed at the child's wrists, trying to pull her hands off of her neck.
Nyx remained against the wall for a split second before collapsing into a pile of garbage cans. Suisei laughed and turned back to her other target. She walked over to where Sailorelysion still knelt, wrestling with Chibimoon.
"You are all I need," Suisei said. "One last Seed to break free. Hodur is a fool to trust me. With your power, I will sit on the Golden Throne at last."
"Not without a fight," a new voice called.
Both Suisei and Sailorelysion turned to see Immortal Sailor Mercury standing at the entrance to the alley. From behind her, Tansei ran to where Nyx had fallen to see if the girl was all right.
"Do you senshi travel in herds or something?" Suisei hissed angrily.
There was a loud clang as Sailorelysion's Stave fell to the ground. She started to sink as Chibimoon's grasp completely cut off her airway. Elysion's hands clawed at the child's wrists. "Aaaugh… c-…can… t…" Suisei would get what she wanted unless Immortal Sailor Mercury could take care of her on her own!
Sailor Nyx shook her head, clearing her vision as someone helped her into a sitting position. She smiled gratefully at Tansei who knelt beside her, partly sheltered by the garbage cans around them. She ached all over from Suisei's attack but knew she had to put the pain aside. The battle was far from over.
As the loud clang rang through the alley, Nyx looked up sharply. She saw Sailorelysion on the ground with Suisei's strangely familiar-looking minion at her throat. Nyx blinked again and at last her vision became clear. It was Chibiusa!
"Usagi-chan," Sailor Nyx murmured, calling the young girl by her future name, the name Nyx knew best of all. "No, stop!" she cried loudly. "No! Mother!"
Although she was beginning to lose consciousness, Elysion heard every word Nyx said, especially that most precious word. Mother, Sailorelysion thought. She called me Mother.
Sailor Nyx pushed Tansei aside in her rush to get to Elysion. She barely registered Suisei moving closer to the nearly asphyxiated senshi. She saw the dark energy building in Suisei's hand as she moved closer.
"One last Seed," Suisei smiled.
"Mercury Frozen Hellfire!" Immortal Sailor Mercury yelled.
Icy blue flames shot at Suisei, and the goddess shrank back to avoid the attack. At the same moment, Nyx threw herself at Chibimoon, tearing the girl from the throat of Elysion. Sailorelysion took in a deep, raspy breath, and then lay there on the ground, sputtering and coughing.
"I thought you guys were too good to play dirty, or is it that you are so weak you need a pack of you to stand up to me? No matter, I have a surprise for you. Vessel, to me!"
Chibimoon wrenched herself out of Nyx's grasp and strode to the woman's side. With an insane laugh, she plunged her fist into the girl's chest. The senshi screamed out in horror as light flashed out of her chest and filled the alleyway. Just as suddenly, the little body collapsed on the ground and Suisei stood with a cruel black sword raised above her head.
"Usagi," Sailor Nyx muttered, sitting on the ground in shock.
Immortal Sailor Mercury rushed over to join Nyx and Elysion. She kept her back to the fallen senshi, facing Suisei with a look of cold determination in her eyes.
"Are you going to attack me Mercury?" a look of mock horror on her face, "I think not."
"Mercury Froz-" the ice senshi was cut off when a long sword imbedded itself in her chest.
"You see, Mercury, it is much more effective if you attack silently."
The sword shot back to Suisei's hand with Mercury's body impaled upon its length.
"Ami-chan!" Tansei screamed, charging at Suisei.
Sailor Nyx managed to pull herself into a kneeling position and lunged at Tansei as he ran past. The two fell back to the ground, Nyx holding the fighting man as he tried to get to his friend.
"It's too late, Tansei," Nyx said, tears streaming down her cheeks. "She's gone."
Still quite disoriented, Sailorelysion clawed around for her Unicorn Stave, which was lying on the ground behind her. "Wha… what happ-happened? What has she done to Mercury?"
Suisei pulled the blade from the now lifeless senshi and although it had gone completely through her, it left no mark. Her body hung limp in the air as her Star Seed rotated slowly in front of her.
"One last Seed," Suisei muttered, watching the Seed spin lazily.
She reached out to claim it when a black portal opened just behind her. She saw it out of the corner of her eye and growled in frustration as a figure stepped out. Hodur walked slowly past Suisei to stand in front of the spinning Star Seed.
"Well done, Suisei," Hodur said, holding out his hand. The Seed obediently left Sailor Mercury to spin above his palm.
Trying to get up, Sailorelysion growled angrily, although she was still coughing. "Stop. You can't take that. Give it back to her!"
Hodur laughed and tossed the Seed up and down as if it were a ball. "What? This? Do you think you can take it from me, senshi?"
"No, but I can," Suisei growled menacingly.
She swung her black sword down, slicing the dark god's arm off at the elbow. She deftly caught the star seed and stood sword at the ready.
"Your time is over Hodur. I'm in control now! Step down or I will destroy you!"
Hodur smiled causing a wave of nervousness to break over her. What the heck did he have to be smiling about?
Elysion looked at the forearm lying on the ground. "Oh I think I'm gonna be sick."
"Hold it right there!"
Everyone turned to look at the entrance to the alley. It was as if time had frozen as the figure silhouetted in light stepped into plain view.
"Sailor Moon!" Sailor Nyx gasped.
Immortal Sailor Moon entered the battle. She wore her typical uniform, except it was open at the mid-section. Her hands were at her hips and she looked quite annoyed. Her eyes took in the scene carefully: Sailor Nyx kneeling with Tansei on the ground; Sailorelysion standing, facing her enemies; Suisei with her black sword pointed at Hodur; Sailor Mercury lying dead and Sailor Chibimoon standing passively by. Sailor Moon blinked in confusion.
"What on earth is going on?"
"It makes no difference, Moon brat," Hodur said. "I have your friend, and I have her Seed. There is nothing you can do to stop me."
Calmly, he held up the stump of his arm and the senshi watched in amazement as it slowly reformed into an arm. He gathered the prone body of Sailor Mercury in one arm, and used his newly re-grown limb to shoot a burst of black energy at Suisei. She screamed and went flying backwards, slamming into the brick wall.
Sailorelysion gasped in shock, then looked around her, taking in where all of her loved ones stood. She did not want anyone she cared about to get caught in the crossfire of Suisei and Hodur's fight.
"That was for your betrayal, Suisei," Hodur said. "This is for stealing my Seed."
Suisei's screams redoubled as Hodur blasted at her with his dark powers. His face grew cold and his eyes wide as he began to suck Suisei's life force from her body. The senshi watched in helpless surprise as Suisei's screams began to grow weaker.
Looking away, Elysion did nothing to help. "What goes around comes around," she mumbled to herself.
"Child," Suisei gasped.
Chibimoon moved mechanically behind Hodur, striking at him with her fists. Hodur swept her aside as if she were a rag doll, knocking her into the black portal he had just vacated.
"Chibiusa!" Sailor Nyx screamed. She rose to her feet, her body shaking and her eyes losing their colour. "Hodur! I cannot allow this to continue."
As she spoke, her senshi uniform faded from its normal light gray to a deep black. The bows turned blood red and her blue hair became streaked with red as well. Large devilish wings grew from her back as Sailor Nyx became the Fury.
Hodur watched with unconcerned bemusement. "Calm yourself, my kindred spirit. No use wasting good energy on a futile cause."
The Fury launched herself at Hodur, abandoning her human sense to the frenzy of anger. She tore at him with claw like fingers, following him wherever he moved. Finally, she launched herself into the air and hovered above him.
"Night Fury Storm!" she screeched in a high pitch voice, flapping her wings.
The alley became filled with an intense wind, electrified with bolts of lightning. The electricity chose no specific target, striking first at Hodur, then at Tansei. Senshi and villain alike scrambled for safety while the Fury brought devastation upon them all.
"Sailor Nyx!" Tansei called from behind a dumpster.
Elysion had managed to fight her way to Tansei's side, trying to shield him with her body and the Unicorn Stave. "What's wrong with her?" she yelled into the gale.
"I don't know," Tansei replied. "I've never seen her like this."
As suddenly as it had begun, the wind died down and the Fury floated back to earth. As she touched the ground, she transformed back into Sailor Nyx and collapsed to her knees. She blinked, her eyes once again becoming brown. "What happened?" she asked.
"Delightful performance," Hodur gasped. It was apparent that the storm had injured him more than Suisei's sword. The portal appeared behind him.
"Wait a moment!" Sailor Moon yelled. She held out her hand and a large fan appeared in it. It was covered with closed eyes and a large crescent moon in the centre. "You're not going anywhere until you release Sailor Mercury."
"I'm afraid I can't do that," Hodur replied. "Her Seed is far too precious to me. I'll leave you my untrustworthy minion instead. I'm sure you'll be able to use her far better than I."
Sailor Moon ran at Hodur as he stepped into the portal. By the time she arrived, he was gone with Sailor Mercury. Tansei and Sailorelysion appeared from where they had taken shelter from the Fury's storm. Suisei lay on the ground near the wall where Hodur had left her. Nearly all her life energy was drained and she appeared near death.
Suisei's eyes were wild and staring as her breath came in short gasps. As Immortal Sailor Moon approached her, she closed her eyes and smiled to herself.
"Release me to Valhalla," she managed to say between breaths. "My time here is done. Save me, like you would have saved Njord."
Sailor Moon's face hardened at the mention of Hodur's other minion, the one who had repented on his deathbed but had been killed by Suisei before he could be saved. Suisei was growing pale and in obvious discomfort, and Sailor Moon's heart softened. She cradled the dying woman in her arms. Suisei's breathing slowed as Sailor Moon lay her down and stood over her, holding the fan Zeus had entrusted to her.
She whipped open the fan with a flick of her wrist, revealing long feather plumes. Each plume had an eye on it that was closed, and Sailor Moon closed her own eyes in concentration. Suddenly, her eyes and the eyes on her fan opened. Sailor Moon extended her arm out and held the fan over her head.
"Neo-Queen Justice Eyes!" she called, moving her weapon in a downwards-fanning motion towards Suisei.
A glimmering, sparkling dust gently fell from the fan, landing on Suisei. At first, no change seemed to come over the limp form. Then the villainess gave a final satisfied sigh and opened her eyes. They were no longer full of hatred or ambition, but of kindness. She held Sailor Moon's gaze with those eyes as her body vanished into particles of light, off to join the spirits of the gods in the endless halls of Valhalla.
When she was gone, Sailor Moon turned to her friends, a sad smile spreading across her face. Nyx, Elysion, and Tansei all remained where they had been when Hodur vanished through the portal with Chibiusa and the body of Mercury. As if a spell had suddenly been broken, Sailorelysion moved across the alley to where Nyx sat and helped her to her feet.
"Are you alright?" Elysion asked, her voice full of concern. "What just happened here? Why did Nyx collapse?"
"I'm okay," Sailor Nyx mumbled somewhat weakly, leaning on the girl for support. "Just drained. I hate it when that happens."
"Perhaps I can help."
All eyes turned to the end of the alley, where a figure radiating pure, golden light stood. She smiled gently and began to move towards them, her golden light fading until a not so strange person was standing among her friends.
"Sister," Sailor Nyx gasped.
"NeoSun," Immortal Sailor Moon said.
"Lucis," Sailorelysion said to herself, with some bitterness.
"Kami," Tansei exclaimed, his voice full of passion.
Sailor NeoSun stood dressed in her yellow gown and her white angel wings were folded on her back. Her skin was radiant and no signs of her poison showed. Tansei ran to her and enfolded her in his arms. As they held each other, Sailor Nyx noticed Sailorelysion averted her eyes and thought she saw tears brimming in them, though none were openly shed.
Sailor NeoSun broke off the embrace, and regarded each in turn. A frown creased her face. "I was too late, it seems. Hodur is stronger, but also weaker."
"Suisei was left behind," Sailor Moon said. "I sent her to Valhalla. She is at peace at last, but Hodur took Ami-chan."
NeoSun nodded. "I fear we have not seen the last of Hodur's minions, and I regret that I was unable to save Sailor Mercury. We are running out of time."
Sailorelysion was still holding Sailor Nyx in a loose, maternal hug. "What about Nyx? What happened to her?"
NeoSun sighed. "That, I'm afraid, was her instincts kicking in. My sister has much the same powers as me, although hers deal with Darkness while mine deal with Light. Had she returned to Elysium with me as Noctis, she would have been able to better control herself."
"Not this lecture again," Nyx muttered, resting her head on Sailorelysion's shoulder.
"But, she chose to remain mortal," NeoSun finished. "As a result, when her emotions cloud her judgement, she transforms into a manifestation of her power — the Fury. Unfortunately, she finds it difficult to control herself in this form, but the powers of Light can negate the powers of Darkness, so I usually can calm her down."
"What now?" Tansei asked, slipping his arm around NeoSun's waist.
"I imagine Hodur's power will grow with the addition of Sailor Mercury's Seed," NeoSun said sadly. "There is nothing we can do about that right now. I must speak with Eitai and Kiki about a few things before we proceed. It seems to me the end is near."
Sailorelysion's head jerked slightly back in surprise; the end! No, she would never let that happen, even if she had to die trying to prevent it. The children would have their chance for a future.
Reluctantly, Tansei let go of his beloved, forgetting the obituaries book that lay in his discarded backpack. The senshi all began to leave the alley, first NeoSun, followed by Nyx and Elysion. Tansei followed as well, but stopped when he realized he was not being followed.
Immortal Sailor Moon stood staring at the space where Hodur had disappeared. She held her fan loosely in one hand and her cheeks were streaked with tears.
"You have caused too much suffering, Hodur," Sailor Moon said. "You will not succeed. I will rescue my friends from your hold, and save the world from your grasp. Chibiusa-chan…Ami-chan… Mako-chan… I'm sorry I let him get you. Please don't give up on me."