Sometimes You Just need to Believe

by Rhinoa Lunar

This is just one of many possibilities post-Sailor Stars that could have been. The Starlights have gone home. Princess Serenity not only healed Galaxia, and Earth while releasing all the stolen Star Seeds, but used the silver crystal to heal much more.

22. Chapter 22

I still do not own Sailor Moon. But I will lay claim to this particular plot.

(Ok, I said they'd be getting longer and now we finally see some action. Its only minor and it took some research on my part. I was unsure of Kakyuu-hime's senshi name and attacks so I had to look them up...For shame I know. But yes, Kakyuu-hime has finally come back into play and I am loving her! Sailor Galaxia shows more of her vulnerable side. I know I'm kind of inventing it since it was not really addressed in the anime. I also decided on a pairing...I hated to leave Mamoru all alone. As much as I prefer Usagi and Seiya as a couple I do like Mamoru-san. He's a nice guy. Please let me know what you think about the pairing I decided on. I'm sure you will. I want to thank everyone again for reading, reviewing and subscribing. As always I hope you enjoy! ^_^ WARNING : There is a potentially offensive comment in this chapter. It does NOT reflect my personal beliefs and I mean NO offense by it. I simply felt it was an appropriate insult for Serenity to deliver to Seiya. You'll know it when you read it. Please know that again it does NOT reflect my personal opinion in ANY way. Also some of our friends may seem a tad OOC...I sound like a broken record and everyone tells me I never made them OOC, but I'm anal retentive about that I suppose.)

Sometimes You Just Need to Believe Chapter 22

Rei was still asleep when she felt the blanket on her bedroll being tugged on. Sluggishly she opened one eye and was startled to see Luna standing in her room with the blanket in her mouth..

"Luna, its not even sunrise yet. I have a lot of chores to do around her."

"Its important, Rei-chan. Its about Usagi-chan."

Rei perked up. She remembered not sensing the princess even with Usagi right in front of her last night. "What happened? Is she ok?"

Luna shook her head. "I don't know. I haven't seen her since she left for school yesterday. I did however, run into Serenity-hime."

"What?"

"She made Usagi-chan's family believe she was Usagi and then went to Ami-chan's. I went with her. She's controlling Ami-chan and they are going to go after Minako-chan next."

Rei winced as she took in all of the information.

"Serenity-hime wants to break the barrier that separates this world from Elysion so that she and Endymion-sama can rebuild their former kingdoms."

"I don't like where this is going, Luna. They're supposed to build Crystal Tokyo together, not restore what is best left to the past."

"I know."

"I'll see what I can find in the fire."

Luna turned to leave. She wanted to tell Rei about her intuitions regarding Setsuna, but it seemed like the less Rei knew, the safer Usagi would be. Once she had made her way down the temple steps Luna paused to think. 'Now where can that girl be? It's a stretch since they broke up, but Mamoru-san would never turn her away. Then again she may be staying with Seiya-kun and the others.' Luna's heart fluttered with thoughts of Yaten. Artemis had her heart, but Yaten was…Well, Yaten was YATEN! Mamoru's apartment was closer so that is where Luna decided to check first.

Mamoru had called only twenty minutes or so ago. Setsuna was fixing some breakfast for everyone. Fried eggs and bacon with toast sounded like a simple enough plan. Hotaru was still in bed. The poor thing had cried softly in her sleep most of the night. There was too much going on in her mind and it wasn't going to get any better any time soon. Helios had been awake when Setsuna started breakfast and took a quick shower.

Setsuna was preparing to set the table when Helios walked in. He grabbed up the dishes and set the table so that Setsuna could stay focused on the food. Hotaru eventually woke up and joined them. She had thrown on black skinny jeans and a long black sweater-style shirt that could probably be worn as a dress on it's own. It was quite obvious she was nervous being around Helios.

The lock turned and the door opened revealing Mamoru carrying some groceries and behind him Luna walked in. Hotaru rushed over to shut the door and lock it behind them. Setsuna and Hotaru took the bags from Mamoru and began to put them away.

Helios bowed low to one knee to properly greet his prince. "Endymion-sama, forgive me for leaving my post."

"Please, Helios, you know you don't need to be like that with me. I know you wouldn't leave without good reason." Mamoru offered a hand and helped his friend stand back up. "Well, now I'm guessing we have yet another pressing matter."

"Usagi-chan is missing!" Luna's eyes teared up.

"No, she's not," Setsuna said. "She's staying with Seiya-kun and the others. She knows someone is impersonating her. I have asked Taiki-san to keep us informed and to send for Kakyuu-hime. I felt his letter move so I imagine she will be here as soon as she can."

"I knew the girls were wrong about you, Setsuna-san." Luna jumped up to the back of a chair to rub against Setsuna's hand with a purr.

"Serenity is breaking free." Setsuna looked at Mamoru. "We have to stop her from repeating the past."

"The past?" Luna blinked in confusion as she jumped back down to the floor.

"I'll explain later," Mamoru said. "Hotaru-chan, you may want to call Haruka-san and Michiru-san."

Hotaru nodded and grabbed the phone. She made her way down the hall as she dialed Haruka's cell.

"Hello?" Haruka sounded sleepy.

"Haruka-papa!"

"Hotaru-chan, how are you doing, sweetie?"

"Mamoru and I are getting ready to eat and he says I can sleep in his big comfy bed."

"How well did you two get on last night?"

"It was boring, but he found an old editing room they weren't using and brought me some old movies and a blanket. I fell asleep in the chair for a while. Mamoru woke me up when it was time to come here." Hotaru hated lying to her 'papa' but right now she had no choice. She could hear and even feel the sadness Haruka was trying to hide.

"It will only be for a little while. You get to see everyone…" Haruka's voice cracked a little.

'Everyone but you and Michiru-mama,' Hotaru thought as her own eyes welled up with tears. "I miss you."

This was too much for Haruka. "You be sure to call me again soon. I'll tell Michiru that you called, ok?" It was obvious that Haruka was fighting tears.

"Ok. Bye, Haruka-papa. I love you."

"I love you too." It came out easier for Haruka this time. Haruka sat listening to the dial tone for a minute or two. 'Soon we'll be a family again. I promise you that, Hotaru-chan.'

Usagi's eyes fluttered open. Seiya's chest felt warm and his heartbeat was soothing in it's rhythm. Usagi ran her fingers over his chest. It was smooth and hairless. She nuzzled into him further and Seiya stirred. He intertwined his fingers with Usagi's. There was no reason to get out of bed yet. Instead they basked in each other's presence as the sunlight from the window kissed their bodies good morning. They could hear the phone ring in the living room. Since it was picked up they decided to continue snuggling. Their peace was interrupted with a knock at their bedroom door.

"Seiya, Usagi-chan…" It was Yaten. "Its important. Mamoru-san, Luna and Hotaru-chan are on their way over. They're bringing Setsuna-san…Taiki swears its ok. Oh, they said something about bringing someone named Helios as well."

Usagi shot up from the bed. "Helios! They're bringing Helios? What the hell is going on now?"

Seiya had never heard Usagi swear before. He took her cue and got out of bed. He kissed his love before making his way to the shower for the morning.

Usagi had already thrown on some jeans and a baby t-shirt with little pink bunnies on it. She was just finishing putting her hair up in her usual odangos when Seiya came back into the room. Usagi went to the bathroom and washed her face and brushed her teeth. When she came back to the bedroom she was still mumbling to herself about helios.

"Who is Helios anyway?" Seiya was now dressed in jeans and a tight fitting black shirt with a dark red button-down hanging open overtop it.

"Helios is the keeper of Elysion…Prince Endymion's lost kingdom. He has only left once before that I am aware of and it was not to bring us good news."

"Oh, I see." Seiya really didn't see, not exactly. What he could see was that now his Odango had another burden to carry. 'I will carry you away from it. It may have been a half-joke before, but I mean it now.'

Usagi and Seiya heard the door open and the greetings that began. Together, hand-in-hand, the couple went out to hear what both Setsuna and Helios had to say.

Minako had raided her DVD collection and stopped by the store to buy some snacks and soda. She hoped Ami wouldn't mind the movie selection, but they could always run out and rent something. Minako rarely got to spend time with Ami alone. It was going to be nice to have some down-time with her friend. She was now standing with a wide smile on her face at Ami's apartment door waiting for a response to her knock. The door slowly opened and it appeared dark inside the apartment. Ami looked at her with guilt in her eyes. 'What's with her eyes?' "Hi Ami-chan!"

Ami stepped aside to allow Minako entry. Once she was inside, Ami shut and locked the door. Minako set down her bags and stood upright again. Before her stood Serenity. Minako's body convulsed and pressed her down into a low kneeling bow position. "Serenity-hime," she said casting her eyes down.

"Welcome back, Venus," Serenity said with a vicious smile. "You will help me gather the others and my kingdom will finally join with Endymion's as one. Both of you transform. We have work to do. We're going to gather our friends."

"So Serenity left my body and is taking over my life!" Usagi slumped further into Seiya for comfort.

"And she may receive an unimaginable power," Setsuna added.

"Usako, we need to know if you can still transform." Mamoru looked mournfully at Usagi. 'If she lifts a finger against Serenity…Serenity could kill her on the spot.'

Usagi now knew the gravity of the situation. Serenity was ruled by her emotions just as she herself was, but Serenity took her hurt to a dark place. If she could, she'd have to fight. Usagi stood with pure determination on her face. She lifted the locket from underneath her shirt and called out, "Moon Eternal Make Up!" After a few moments Eternal Sailor Moon stood before the astonished group.

Setsuna, Helios, Luna, and Mamoru's faces sunk in despair. Hotaru's followed with a muffled cry. Taiki stared in amazement. Yaten and Seiya exchanged looks of confusion brought on by the myriad of reactions to Usagi's transformation.

"So that's why she is taking her out into the open," Setsuna said.

There was a tug at Sailor Moon's skirt. "Usagi-san, please avoid battles when you can!" Hotaru was begging with tears in her eyes.

"But if I can still transform that means I still have the Silver Crystal…Doesn't it?" Usagi looked desperately at Setsuna.

"Starlights, you can see her shine," Setsuna said. "When you look at it, what do you see?"

The three siblings looked to Usagi and saw the same blinding light that had surrounded her the day she had saved them all. "She still has the brightest shine in the galaxy," Seiya said with confidence.

Usagi de-transformed and sat once more beside Seiya. "So she wants the crystal, then."

"Yes and no," Mamoru said. "She has a crystal too."

"But I thought…"

"Usagi-chan, Serenity-hime was in your body for so long we believe you are both linked to the crystal. It is as much a part of you as it is a part of her," Setsuna said interrupting Usagi.

"In her past life Serenity-hime only mastered one half of the crystal's potential power." Hotaru smiled at Usagi. "You have mastered the opposing half."

"So for all the healing Usagi-chan can do, Serenity-hime has the power to destroy?" Yaten looked fearful. 'At least Galaxia had to make personal visits to destroy planets.'

"But Odango's healing spanned all across the Galaxy." Seiya tightened his grip around Usagi. "Do you really think Serenity-hime can stretch her power that far as well?"

The small nod from Hotaru confirmed everyone's worst fears.

"We need to get everyone together," Usagi all but shouted. "If we're all together…"

"Then the senshi will turn on you," Setsuna said flatly. "We are all bound to obey Serenity-hime. Our only hope is to keep Hotaru outside of our dimension. If I suspect that Serenity is on to me, or is after me, I too will join Hotaru at the Gates of Time."

"Helios, would you keep Hotaru-chan company? Chibi-Usa-chan can't know what's happening right now." Usagi had begun to cry. "But I know she'd love it if you took care of her best friend."

"Of course," Helios nodded.

"There is an option I have thought of, but there is no telling what the reaction may be," Mamoru said softly.

"I'll be glad to hear it," Taiki said.

"The Shitennu…Can Usako and Hotaru-chan resurrect them? We'd have four more soldiers on our side." Mamoru appeared pained by his idea.

"Mamo-chan, last time they were here they tried to kill you! They kidnapped you and allowed you to be brainwashed…You drew your sword on me because of what they did," Usagi was crying louder now.

Seiya pressed Usagi closer to him. "Mamoru-san, I know you'd never hurt her. Do you think they would really help us protect Odango?"

Mamoru smiled at Seiya. These two really did seem to understand one another, no matter how different they were . "I think if they were not under the spells of Queen Beryl or Queen Metallia they would protect the Earth once more. Since Usako is trying to protect the Earth as well, they would have no reason to cause her harm."

"They have every reason to distrust Serenity-hime since she has already brought ruin to Elysion once before," Helios said. "They would not allow her to do it again."

"But how do we go about bringing them back from the dead?" Usagi threw her hands in the air. "Even if Hotaru-chan had them reborn, they'd just be babies."

"Taiki-san, did you write to Kakyuu-hime as I requested. I thought I felt your letter move, but I need to be sure," Setsuna looked to Taiki with hope in her eyes.

"Yes, the letter left right after I sealed it," Taiki replied.

"Why don't you and your bro…" Setsuna stopped herself realizing Yaten was in a female form. "Your siblings can bring Usagi-chan to meet Kakyuu-hime. You would know better where she might arrive. We can wait here or go back to Mamoru-san's place."

"Stay," Yaten said as she changed into her male form. "You need to stay off everyone's radar. We'll bring Kakyuu-hime back here and figure out how to get these Shitennu guys back. Hotaru should probably not be here though."

"I know." Setsuna waved her talisman and opened the portal. "Helios, please guard Hotaru-chan until I come for you."

"With my life," Helios said stepping through the portal.

Hotaru went around the room hugging everyone goodbye before joining Helios on the other side of the dimensional door. The portal closed and the Starlights left with Usagi for the park.

"Mamo-chan," Usagi said as she was closing the door. "Please be careful. Even if you sense I'm in danger, it could just be a trap."

"I know, Usako." Mamoru nodded.

Seiya poked his head in and looked at Mamoru. There was an instant understanding between them. Mamoru would fight off his instincts if the call for Tuxedo Kamen came. Fighter would handle it. Not that Fighter knew much of how Mamoru fought with the senshi, but Mamoru knew that Seiya could take on more than his slight frame let on. Only if the call became unbearable, would Mamoru answer it.

Galaxia had tears filling her eyes as she stood on the main promenade of the palace on Kinmoku with Kakyuu. Kakyuu had shown her infinite kindness and was leaving her in charge of Kinmoku in her absence. When the announcement had been made the people had rejoiced and cheered for 'Galaxia-hime.' "Kakyuu-hime, I don't know what to say."

"Don't say anything." Kakyuu smiled. "Just take good care of my people. I'll be in touch."

"If it proves to be too much…"

"Don't worry. If we need you, we'll definitely call for you. It would be nice having you by our side."

Galaxia smiled in spite of herself. Kakyuu invoked warm feelings in her. 'Is this what having a friend feels like?' "I'll miss you," she blurted out without thinking. Her cheeks grew red in embarrassment.

Kakyuu smiled and clasped Galaxia's hands. "I will miss you as well. When all of this is over, I hope to become better friends. You don't need to wander the Galaxy alone anymore."

Kakyuu's tender gesture caused Galaxia's smile to grow wider. Kakyuu nodded smiling back at Galaxia as she took a few steps back. With a bright flash of pink light, Kakyuu was gone.

'Now what am I to do,' Galaxia thought. "Its training time again," she said to herself. Galaxia walked off to gather the new senshi and resume training. 'I will make you proud, Kakyuu-hime.'

Rei broke her gaze from the fire in awe. 'Was that all real?' Without a second thought Rei reached for her communicator and tuned it to Michiru's frequency.

"Rei?"

"Michiru-sensei, its not Setsuna-san we need to be worried about."

"What do you mean?"

"Setsuna's helping us. She's protecting us at all costs. You and Haruka-san should understand that better than any of us."

The comment stung a little, but Michiru knew there was no malice behind it, only a simply stated fact about their fighting style.

"Your mirror should work again…Setsuna-san wanted…Oh no…She's here…I have to go. Trust in Setsuna-san, please."

The transmission was cut short.

"Rei-chan? Rei-chan!" Michiru was desperate now.

Haruka heard the yelling and came to her lover's side. "What is it Michiru?"

"Something's happened to Rei-chan!"

"We have to go get her." Haruka went to move for the suite door.

"She told me my mirror should work again. Would you get it for me, Ruka?"

Haruka rushed to grab the mirror from their room. She brought it to Michiru right away.

Michiru felt a surge of energy run through her so strong it left her tingling the moment her fingers came into contact with the holy relic. She gazed into it and both she and Haruka saw what Rei had seen. They saw Serenity destroy the White Moon Kingdom, Elysion, and everything as far as they could sense. They saw Setsuna protecting them all as Saturn sacrificed herself to seal away Serenity. They saw Rei being taken away from the temple by Serenity.

"Oh God Michiru! They know where we are!"

Not another word was spoken as only the essentials were packed. The women checked out of the hotel and left immediately. They decided to head for home. Nobody would suspect them to be there and maybe, just maybe, Setsuna would be there. They feared going to Mamoru's since it may draw attention to Hotaru.

Mamoru and Setsuna were still sitting beside each other on the sofa in the Starlights' apartment. They had run out of average pleasantries to discuss. For all her stress, Setsuna appeared cool and collected…Not to mention beautiful. She could feel the eyes on her. She dared not believe it to be true. She had suppressed these thoughts this long, what would cause her to give in now?

Mamoru could not take his eyes off Setsuna. He had always known they had a lot in common. He felt closer to her than most people. They both knew isolation, yet neither had grown bitter from it. Instead they had each learned what they could from it. Her hair was hanging around the curves of her face. 'Was that a tear,' Mamoru thought. Instinctively he put an arm around her and allowed her to fall into his chest in tears. He wrapped his other arm around her and ran his right hand through her hair in a comforting gesture. "Shh…Shh…"

In the back of Mamoru's mind Endymion smiled. 'I hope you bring her peace. May she bring you the same.'

It was when he felt Endymion's blessing that Mamoru slid one hand under Setsuna's trembling chin and brought her face to his. She looked at him in confusion, but he could see the longing. Mamoru kissed her tenderly on the lips. He pulled away so that Setsuna could decide if it was what she wanted. It was not long before her arms were wrapped around his neck and she was returning his kiss.

In a secluded area of the park, Seiya held Usagi's hand as Taiki and Yaten looked around.

"I could have sworn this was where I was drawn to," Taiki said.

"Well, maybe she had to settle some things before leaving," Usagi said.

"Princess, please come quickly," Yaten prayed aloud.

Seiya's eyes widened as a pink flash erupted before them and Kakyuu emerged. "Kakyuu-hime!"

"Do not bow, my friends," Kakyuu warned. "We do not want to create a scene. Please Just call me Kakyuu while I am here."

"Welcome back," Usagi smiled as she hugged Kakyuu.

When Usagi returned to Seiya's side and their hands met, Kakyuu beamed with happiness and nodded approvingly to Seiya.

"Oh how sweet, you approve of the twit and your gender-confused senshi," an icy voice called out from behind them. "You will help your old ally reclaim her kingdom, won't you, Kakyuu-hime?"

The group turned. Taiki and Yaten stepped in front of Kakyuu and Seiya pulled Usagi behind him. Before them stood Serenity in full regalia. She was flanked by Sailors Mars, Mercury, and Venus. The senshi had tears in their eyes and seemed to be begging Usagi for help.

"Serenity-hime, can't you build a new kingdom of peace with Endymion-sama," Usagi asked. "Why do you threaten my friends. Can't you see you are hurting them?"

Serenity smiled. Her smile sent shivers down Seiya's spine. "No worries about that. Once I break the barrier and join this pathetic illusion with Elysion the people will long for Endymion and I to rule. Anyone who stands in our way will only herald this planet's destruction."

"Serenity-hime, the people of Earth are not yet ready for what you ask," Kakyuu said.

"Then they walk the path of destruction." Serenity's eyes grew colder. "I will ask you this once and only once," Serenity stared at Usagi through Seiya. "Where are the rest of my senshi?"

"I don't know," Usagi lied.

"Mars, help her remember," Serenity ordered.

'Usagi please tell her SOMETHING,' Rei's voice rang in Usagi's mind.

"Mars Flame," Sailor Mars took aim at Usagi's exposed leg, "Sniper!"

Seiya threw Usagi to the ground dodging the attack. Rising Seiya glared at Serenity. "Man did you pick the wrong guy to fuck with. Fighter Star Power, Make Up!"

"Healer Star Power, Make Up!"

"Maker Star Power, Make Up!"

"Moon Eternal, Make Up!"

"Kakyuu Star Power, Make Up!"

The Starlights stood in front of Sailor Kakuyu and Sailor Moon. One swift move of Serenity's wrist and a sword appeared in her hand. Serenity pointed the sword at Sailor Moon calling her out.

Fighter would stand for none of this. "Star Serious Laser!"

The attack was deflected by Serenity through her sword. A nearby wooden bench and garden statue caught the attack instead in a massive explosion. People in the park had begun to panic and run in terror.

"All of you attack at will. Defend your true leader," Serenity ordered.

Venus stood her ground in front of Serenity her chain whip in hand.

"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"

The flurry of water knocked down Yaten and Seiya.

"Star Gentle Uterus!"

Serenity again absorbed the attack with her sword, but something was very different this time. A circle of energy was forming in front of her.

Kakyuu took that moment to yell out, "Kinmoku Fusion Tempest!"

The whirlwind of flowers created enough of a distraction for the Starlights, Sailor Moon, and Sailor Kakyuu to get away.

When the flowers disappeared, Serenity tucked her sword away into thin air. "So the people of this planet once again choose destruction. Venus, I suggest you find Jupiter. They know we do not have her yet and we can use this to our advantage. They will trust her. Seeing as the outer senshi are traitors to my crown, we will need to use full force to bring them back. I expect her at my side before dinner tonight. Is that understood?"

"Yes, of course," Venus said as she bowed low to Serenity. 'Sailor Moon, I know you can save us. Stop Serenity-hime, please!'

The senshi and Serenity calmly walked away from the fire that raged where the bench once stood. As far as Serenity was concerned, the whole world could crumble and burn to the ground. This world was a veil over the true Earth and had to be destroyed anyway.

(I know I'm potentially portraying the senshi to be weak, but I assure you I'm not. I'm merely playing to their official sworn duty. Ok, I did NOT mean to offend with the gender-confused remark. I AM bisexual and I felt that it would be something the bitter Serenity would say to push Seiya's buttons. I know it would push mine. Also I felt it would show how little she cared for anyone other than herself and Endymion. For those of you who are fans of PGSM yes I will be using the attack Serenity began later on. ^_^ I love that attack! The next chapter will be another couple of days. I promised my future step-daughter I'd play with her on that Webkinz thing...She got me the bat for Christmas and I can't for the life of me figure the crazy thing out...I did buy her a school uniform and name her Hotaru though. ^_^ It's also probably going to be a long chapter. Unless I split it somewhere unexpected I think it will be the longest yet. I have a lot of ground I want to cover. The pairing between Mamoru and Setsuna will either end or continue...I had thought about Rei but decided her youth and how she has grown over the time in the show would make her not as compatable with Mamoru. We should see more action. I know my first action scene was brief. I promise for an extended fight either in chapter 23 or 24. We will see some new developements with Hotaru as Saturn awakens even more. Helios will relax more around Hotaru. Don't worry, I have no plans of him betraying Chibi-Usa-chan. I'm not a huge Chibi-Usa fan...Ok, I loathed her until Helios came along. He made her grow up some and become her own person. I will probably update on how Galaxia is handling being in charge of a planet. We'll get to know the new senshi some too. Thank you again for reading and if you have stayed with me through this final rambling...you are truly a braver soul than I.)