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Final Act

Beryl looked at the empty hole Queen Metallia had left in her wake after Endymion had been taken over by her. In spite of that Beryl had always been able to feel Metallia's power. She might have been locked in Endymion's body, but this couldn't have prevented the parts of her energy that still had given Beryl some power.

But now, there was nothing. Only a deep, black, empty hole. Just like Beryl herself.

Metallia - and thus Queen Beryl's power - was gone and for the first time since… that day, so long ago, Beryl felt weak.

Princess, she thought, embittered, you've taken… everything from me.

Metallia was gone and since Metallia had been trapped inside Endymion this only meant that that girl…

"How could you?" the Queen whispered now in the dark. "Endymion. My wonderful, beloved Endymion."

He was dead.

Beryl suddenly heard a strange sound. One she actually loved to hear, but this time…

"It's you," a very familiar voice behind her said.

Beryl turned around and looked at Queen Serenity in surprise.

"You're grieving," the white Queen said then, "for the first time in your life."

The sound was heard again and only now Beryl realized that she was sobbing.

"Your daughter!" she cried out. "She's taken everything from me!"

Queen Serenity shook her head. "What you're thinking of has never belonged to you, Beryl. Endymion's heart belonged to Serenity from first sight and Metallia… she was the one who owned you from the beginning."

"Endymion should have been mine!" Beryl screamed. "If your bloody daughter would have stayed where she belonged… If she hasn't set one dirty foot on the earth…"

"That wouldn't have made any difference," Queen Serenity answered with a calm voice. "Endymion would never have belonged to you anyway… At least not his heart."

Beryl clenched her fists. Hate, rage and desperation rising up inside her by those clear and… true words.

"Your daughter," Beryl said, now composed, "causes nothing but evil and disaster. She was the one who destroyed your and the earth's kingdom and soon she'll do it again. And why? Because she's weak and immature. Only a little girl, after all."

"She's stronger than you think," Queen Serenity replied, but her voice wasn't as firm anymore which made Beryl smile in triumph.

"Once she truly realizes what she's done…"

"Beryl, don't!" Queen Serenity begged now.

Beryl walked through the white Queen's image, making her flicker. "Endymion, at least I want to see him one last time. And there are some things I have to say to your beloved daughter."

"Beryl!" Queen Serenity called now in desperation, but Beryl lifted one hand and saw in satisfaction how the ghost of the Moon's Queen turned into dust. So, at least there still remained some power inside her.

Damn you, Queen Serenity, Beryl thought while she was walking through the empty and black tunnels of the Dark Kingdom.

Damn you and your bloody daughter.

xxxx

The clicks of Serenity's boots resounded from the walls as she slowly walked.

Endymion is dead, her voice echoed in her head, Endymion is dead, dead, dead. I killed him. I killed Endymion with my own hands.

Behind her she heard the three Sailor senshis running after her.

Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Serenity thought, it's useless. You won't hold me back.

And with one single glimpse of her eyes she created an army of white dressed soldiers, strong enough to push back the three Sailor senshis, who used to be her own guardians, her friends, in the past life.

"Stop it, stop it. Oh please, no!" Usagi cried.

Silence!" Serenity shouted back. "This time you won't be able to break through. I won't allow it. You're too weak."

"What are you up to? You won't really…?"

"Nothing matters anymore," the princess replied. "Endymion, he's gone. The one and only person I loved, the one and only person who had simply seen me as a woman, not as the moon princess, not as the owner of the Ginzuishou, is dead. Nothing matters anymore now. I'm all alone and I'll end this right now."

"Please, don't do that!" Usagi pleaded, trying to break through Serenity's shield, but she was too weak. "There are many people I care for!"

"They don't matter," Serenity answered. "And you know I'm right. What meaning do family or friends have if the most important person, the one you love, doesn't exist anymore?"

"But…"

"Tell me!" Serenity shouted now and felt in satisfaction how Usagi stopped trying to push against the wall she had created. "Mamoru is dead," the princess continued. "The one and only person that is really important to you is dead."

"Mamoru," Usagi sobbed now.

"You killed him."

"Mamoru. I killed him."

He's gone, dead."

"Dead. Mamoru is dead."

"Nothing matters anymore, right?"

"Nothing matters any… No!" Usagi shouted, "No, no, no! How can you be so… selfish?"

But Serenity felt that Usagi was too weak now to break through. "It's too late. And you know I'm right. Let's finish it. Now."

Then she pushed Usagi back roughly. She could only hear her sobbing now from far, far away.

Yes, Serenity thought, nothing matters anymore.

xxxx

"Thank you, come back soon," Nephrite said and watched the couple disappear through Crown Karaoke's sliding door. He sighed and took the registration book to put it back on its place under the desk.

"Good morning, Nefelin-san," Motoki greeted him, stepping into the entrance room.

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me by those stupid nicknames!" Nephrite snapped back. "I have name, it's Nephrite! Even your friend Takai is able to remember it."

"Yeah, yeah, alright," Motoki replied to placate him. "Man, do you have to be so grumpy this early in the day? Ah, I know, this will cheer you up for sure!"

He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and took out an envelope. "Your first pay check," he said, smiling. "I was able to convince our boss to make it more despite of all the things you've broken. I told him that, otherwise, you would quit and it would be very difficult to find someone new again, who would attract… so many new customers."

Nephrite looked at him and lifted one eyebrow.

"All right, I told him that the girls are crazy for you and that this is the reason the number of our customer has increased," Motoki said subdued, then he smiled again as he handed Nephrite the envelope.

Nephrite took it and looked at it thoughtfully. With this money he would be able to buy…

"Aren't you… happy at all?" Motoki asked now.

"Oh… I… Yes. Thanks," Nephrite answered, absentminded.

"You're very welcome, man," Motoki said with a grin. "Okay, I will get changed quickly and then you'll tell me how the nightshift went, alright?"

With this he finally disappeared in the changing room. Nephrite folded the envelope and put it into his breast pocket.

Suddenly a strange feeling took hold of him. A feeling like…

Ami! he thought terrified.

For some reason he felt that she needed him now. But what could he do the way he was now? And he didn't even know where she was.

And then he knew exactly what to do. He closed his eyes and stretched out his hand. Just the way he did the day when he wanted to figure out if his powers were back, leaving the entrance hall in a huge mess.

But this time it would be different. This time he knew exactly where to send this… energy. The last remains of his Shitennou powers he owned. After this, he knew, he really would be completely powerless. Just a human. But that didn't matter. Ami needed him now. And since he had been too much of a coward this morning to tell her… This was the least he could give her.

Ami, he thought as he felt the last little bit of energy run out of his body, Ami, this… is for you. My love.

xxxx

Takai leaned back in frustration and rubbed his eyes. It was useless. For some reason he was completely unable to concentrate on his homework.

What is going on with me? he thought. Then he sighed.

It felt as if something was screaming for his attention. He bowed over his notes again, looking at the words that described the assignment. Nothing. Though he read it again for probably the tenth time he still didn't understand what to do.

He sighed again, leaning his head on his folded arms.

"Is something wrong?"

Takai turned around, looking at the girl that was standing in the door of his bedroom, dressed in blue and white stripped pajamas, her hair disheveled.

"Rika, I'm sorry," Takai said. "Did I wake you up?"

She shook her head and walked towards him. "No, I just woke up and saw that you weren't there, so I was wondering…"

She stood behind him and put her hands on his shoulders.

Takai grabbed for them. "I hoped to get this done today," he explained pointing with his head at the sheets of papers before him. "I have to hand it in tomorrow. Normally it's much easier for me to concentrate in the morning. But today… I don't know."

She placed a soft kiss on his cheek and straightened up again. "How about if I make you some coffee?"

Takai looked up to her and smiled. "That would be great, Rika."

She walked to the kitchen while he looked at the mess of papers before him again.

"It was really nice of Taro-kun to stay with a friend for a few days," Rika said from behind him.

"Yeah," Takai answered, still staring at the red marker as he suddenly knew exactly why he wasn't able to concentrate. Actually he had known it all along, but he had tried to ignore it.

Slowly he reached for the red marker and looked at it thoughtfully.

"Mars Power… Make up!"

How long ago had that happened? It felt like ages.

"I never wanted you to get involved in this. I'm sorry."

"I don't care. All I want… is to be with you."

"No. I've told you already that this won't work and I meant what I said."

"Rei…"

"Please. Please… Takai… go."

Takai sighed again. He didn't know why, but when he woke up early this morning he couldn't shake off feeling worried about Rei. Was she all right? After all she was… a warrior. A Sailor senshi, as she told him. What if she was fighting right now and something happened to her?

"Please. Please… Takai… go."

She sent him away that day. Forever. So why wasn't he able to just forget her? Why couldn't he shake off the feeling that she… needed him, despite…?

Rei, Takai thought and closed his eyes, Rei, please, take care of you, please…

"Takai?"

He winced and looked at Rika who handed him a cup of coffee. "Are you… all right?" she asked.

"Yes… yes. I'm sorry," he answered quickly and took the coffee.

"Lately you're so… lost in thought sometimes," she said now carefully. "Is there something… I should know?"

Takai took her hands into his and squeezed them. "Everything is alright, don't worry." He released her and pointed at the coffee with a smile. "Thank you. I'm sure it will help me to finally get this homework done."

She smiled back and walked towards the bathroom. "I'll have a shower now and afterwards I'll get us something to eat, okay?"

Takai nodded. "Sounds great." Then she disappeared through the door. Takai sighed.

Rika, I'm sorry, he thought, but I can't tell you… this.

He looked at the red marker again.

"Rei," he whispered, pressing the red marker tightly against his forehead, "Rei, please, take care of yourself."

xxxx

Motoki had to admit that he was a little… disappointed. He had really hoped that the first paycheck would at least bring a little smile to Nefilin's face. But he had just stayed as serious and calm as ever. Well, at least it had made him say "thank you" for the second time.

He looked at the tall man now who was cleaning up the floor, looking more pensive than ever. He wasn't really thinking about…?

"Nefelin-san," Motoki started to ask, "you've looked pretty down these days. You're not thinking of quitting, are you?"

Nefelin paused and put away the mop.

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me by those stupid nicknames; I have name, it's Nephrite!"

Darn, Motoki thought, I screwed up again.

"I've decided…" Nephrite said now and took off his apron.

Darn, darn, darn. That's it. He'll quit.

Nephrite placed his apron on the desk and, suddenly, he smiled. "I've decided to stay living here," he said then. "I'm going shopping." And he left the Crown Center.

"Is it just me…" Motoki said in surprised to himself, "or did he change?"

He shook his head and grabbed Nephrite's apron to hang it on its hook when suddenly…

Mako-chan! Motoki thought as a strange feeling of worry made beat his heart faster and he remembered the charm he had given to her, clenching his fists.

"Please," he whispered then. "Please, make it work. Please make it so that charm will truly protect her from… whatever comes her way."

And then he closed his eyes and thought: Mako-chan, when you come back, I'll tell you… how I really feel about you. I'll tell you how much I…

xxxx

"Enough. I'm no longer playing the Queen."

Jadeite looked around in deep surprise and a sudden feeling of relief overwhelmed him.

I'm free, he thought, I'm free, finally, but…

"You don't awaken any feelings in me."

"I'm Rei Hino. I'm sorry but I… can't reciprocate your feelings."

"You'll never have my feelings, my heart. These will always belong to… Takai. And that won't ever change."

"Traitor, Traitor."

What have I done? he thought, remaining where he was. He saw how the red haired Queen turned around again, looking at him in surprise.

"What are you doing?" she asked. "The curse should have been lifted."

"I… I've chosen Beryl-sama as my Master," Jadeite replied.

"What?"

"I won't move from your side," he asserted firmly.

The Master… is dead, Jadeite thought in grief, Nephrite, Zoisite, Kunzite, too. Where else could I go anyway?

"Then you're just a fool too," Beryl said now.

"I suppose," Jadeite answered.

The red haired Queen smiled lightly and slowly stretched out her hand towards him. Jadeite stood up to take it.

Yes, he thought, while around him the Dark Kingdom and the earth was breaking into pieces, this is where I belong. The woman I love more than everything doesn't remember me that way anymore. She has decided in favor of another man and I was ready to kill him to win her again. I've threatened the man she loves. Nephrite, my best friend, had to die because I was too weak to withstand the curse that lay on me. I betrayed him and delivered him to the guillotine . Kunzite… my leader, who in the past life had been like a father to me died through my own hands when he protected my true Master, Endymion, whom I wanted to kill.

So, how could I be able to show off before anyone of them? I'm a weak and bad person. I don't deserve to be free. I'll be buried under the ruins of the Dark Kingdom. This is where I, Jadeite the traitor, belong.

The earth started to shake more violently.

Master, Nephrite, Zoisite, Kunzite… Mars, please forgive me. Forgive me for have been so weak and unfaithful to all of you.

xxxx

Ami stretched out her hand towards Usagi, who was flying towards the ceiling, covered in a white light.

"Usagi-chan!" she cried in desperation.

No, this wasn't Usagi anymore. Usagi would never have allowed it. She would never have allowed her family, her friends, and everybody to be killed.

Ami tried to stand up once more, but it was useless. The battle had weakened her completely. She wasn't able to move a muscle anymore. All she could do was watch the princess' light getting brighter and brighter.

Nephrite, Ami thought, Oh Nephrite, please forgive me. I was too weak. I've failed. I'll never be able to see the present you usually wanted to buy for me.

The princess' light had reached its climax and a terrifying explosion came out of her body.

xxxx

"See you tonight, Mama!" Naru called from the door.

"Have a nice day, sweetheart," her mother called back.

Naru left the house quickly and walked along the streets. It was a really wonderful day today and for some strange reason she felt like she was in a Disney movie. The sun was shining, the bees were humming, the birds were singing and all those beautiful flowers…

Naru stood still to smell on a daisy and suddenly a strange feeling took hold of her. For some reason she felt that today was a very special day. Not like if it was somebody's birthday or Christmas or something, no, somehow she felt truly, truly… grateful for this day.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes to feel the sun's warm rays on her face.

Thank you, sun, for being here, Naru thought, thank you for this wonderful… and special day.

"You'll be late for school, young lady!" a female voice cut her thoughts.

Naru jumped and looked at the woman who was giving her a friendly smile.

"Don't you also think that it's a very special day today?" Naru asked.

The woman laughed and continued her way. "These young people nowadays, "she mumbled. Naru glimpsed at her watch and winced again. Holy mackerel, she was late! That wasn't like her at all!

She started to run, still feeling overwhelming happiness and gratitude for this day and unable to suppress her wide smile. She raced all the way up to her school, entering the gate quickly.

"Good morning!" she greeted the janitor. "Isn't it a beautiful day?"

"Let's see what your teacher thinks about it, missy," he answered with a laugh and nodded.

Naru changed her shoes quickly and ran through the hallway towards her classroom. Now she suddenly began to feel a little uneasy. She opened the door and stepped inside the room.

"I'm sorry!" she gasped.

"Osaka-san, calm down," Ms. Haruna said reassuringly. "A new school term has begun."

"Yes, sensei. I'm sorry," Naru answered and felt a huge sense of relief. No lecture?

Yes, she thought as she smiled at Ami, the school's genius, this is definitely going to be a great day.

….

End of "New Love"

.

To be continued in "Love Reawakened"