Chapter 11: Swans Sing Before They Die
"Big sister, are we there yet?" the child asked, clutching her sister's hand, afraid to let go.
Her sister shook her head and smiled at the little girl. "No, not yet. We'll be there soon."
"But you said that days ago! I'm tired! And hungry!" The little girl stopped walking and sat on the ground in defiance.
Her big sister sighed and tugged their linked hands. "We can't stop. We must keep going. If we stop then..."
The little girl looked defiant for a few more seconds before deflating. "I don't want to walk anymore."
"Neither do I," Her big sister said. "But we have to keep going." She softened, looking at her little sister's downcast face. "We'll rest in the first cave we find, alright?"
The little girl brightened and stood up. "Well, what are you waiting for? Let's go!"
"I'm glad that Mamoru was able to get away," Rei said.
"He escaped the worse of it...He's probably still alive in the states." Ami hoped.
Fighter nodded vaguely. "He's lucky. The rest of us weren't."
Usagi stayed silent. She didn't like how they would speak to her, like she knew what they were talking about. She didn't know at all. She didn't remember any of them. Sailor Moon she barely remembered. Usagi, she didn't know. How was she supposed to know Mamoru, when she didn't know herself?
"Are people just hollow?
I put the lid on and pretend not to see, out
Truth six nine nine six empty
I got tired of hearing it."
Those words reverberated in the emptiness that was their home. Healer looked at the softly glowing lake.
"If my heart's just gonna get dirty, I'd rather stop my heartbeat."
Siren's haunting echo filled the empty space. Healer wished her heart would break. Whoever said madness was bliss? This was Hell. The worse part? Healer was aware of it all. Maybe she didn't want to be insane, did anyone think of that? Maybe she wanted to be normal like everyone else. It just wasn't fair, what did she do? Healer buried her face into her knees, maybe Neptune would come back soon.
"And what do I owe this pleasure, Michi?" Haruka sneered.
Michiru looked at her former lover. "Why did you do it?" she asked softly.
"Do what? I've done many things."
"Kill Makoto."
Haruka looked pained, but it left quickly. "We gotta exterminate them all. Sailor Moon must be alone when she faces Chaos." Haruka looked into Michiru's eyes. "Will you get in my way?"
Michiru looked away. "There aren't anymore beaches Haruka...the beaches are gone..."
"They'll come back."
"It's all gone...Nothing's left. There's no point."
"What do you see?"
Michiru chuckled humorlessly. "Nothing."
Haruka scowled. "No, not nothing! Look, this is just a blank canvas! A canvas that Chaos will use to repaint this world!"
"No Haruka," Michiru shook her head. "You can't make a painting out of nothing. This is not a canvas, it's a stage. We are the players, but nobody knows the play."
"I don't like this place, Big Sister..It's dark and cold."
The young woman sighed. "It's a cave, not a hotel. What do you expect?"
"I don't want to be here!" the girl wailed. Her sister rubbed her temples. If she could, she would make everything all better, but she couldn't. Instead she held her little sister close.
"I'm sorry it has to be this way."
The little girl nodded, wiping her eyes. "It's not your fault..."
The embrace tightened.
"Here," Big Sister said. "Let me sing you a song. It'll help you sleep."
"I will tell you of a place, only for the pure.
Everyone is joyous there. There is no strife, only love.
And when you look up, you see only bright stars.
We cannot understand the peace that is there
The sun smiles down on them
And fills them all with such warmth.
The moon chases the fear away
And bathes the children with hope.
The powerful trees sway gently in the wind.
The air is scented with the sweet scent.
The flowers play among themselves.
The fish swim with the waves.
The sun smiles down on them
And fills them all with such warmth.
The moon chases the fear away
And bathes the children with hope.
I know of a place, a place meant only for the pure.
Everyone is joyous there, I want you to see it."
She never sung again.