The cost of Resurrection
Kiyoko looked to her mother and the inner Senshi, "When we reach the right spot I will create a magical circle of rebirth. I need the five of you to take up five points around the circle. Concentrate your powers of holding the circle because once I've begun working with the stones it'll be up to you to keep the darkness at bay." All of them nodded. She turned to her sister, "Of course you and I will stand in the middle of the circle. I will work to unbind the stones. Once I do you have to revive them IMMEDIATELY. That is vital Serenity." Her sister nodded as well. And then Kiyoko set her gaze to Haruka and Yaten, "The two of you will stand in the circle with us and concentrate on catching any darkness that makes it into the circle. It will be very persistent." The two of them nodded without hesitation.
With that Kiyoko turned and took Haruka's hand again, moving forward continuing to chant Gado quietly causing the green glow from the pouch to brighten and light their way into the ruins. The darkness became more and more intense. Their movement was slow, but it didn't take long to reach the spot they needed. The echoes so strong at this point that they filled the cave with a howling sound that pierced the ears. Everyone was covering their ears, but they couldn't wait. Kiyoko yelled, "We have to begin. NOW."
She called the crystal from within and began making a swirling light appear on the ground as she walked around and around, it was an ancient symbol of rebirth. Everyone's eyes grew wide watching her. She had to enjoy, just for an instant, that this was the area where she shined. But just as quickly she let that thought go and focused completely on the task at hand. Once the circle was complete she motioned for her mother and the others to take their places. She'd had to create a circle too large for them to link their power through their hands as they typically did. It had to be large enough to hold the bodies of four men.
As Kiyoko reached the center of the circle she nodded to Sailor Venus. Venus nodded in return and began calling on their planet power to protect the circle. The others following her lead. It was always amazing to feel the true power of the Senshi and Kiyoko felt privileged to be part of it.
Next Kiyoko looked to Serenity and smiled, "Concentrate and be ready." Serenity nodded and closed her eyes holding the silver crystal above her. As Kiyoko moved the golden crystal to be directly over the stones she still wore around her neck, she saw Starmaker take up a defensive stance behind Serenity. She felt Uranus behind her, but she wasn't facing outward. Kiyoko could feel Haruka's hands on her elbows and her breath on the top of Kiyoko's hair. She spared a second to look up and see Uranus encouraging her with her eyes while the rest of her was ready for whatever may come.
Now it was her turn to do her duty. Kiyoko closed her eyes and began channeling the power of the golden crystal, concentrating it on the stones and the darkness that still clung to them chanting Tokimasu to begin the unbinding. The darkness that clung to the stones had the same feeling as the echoes coming from all around them. It held so tightly that Kiyoko started increasing the power she was using.
Around her Kiyoko could hear the wailing sound get louder. It was fighting harder to destroy the stones and anything in the way. The Senshi held the circle, but Kiyoko could sense the strain. This just pushed her harder. She would not fail these men or her father! She couldn't let her family down and leave them with nothing, not even the chance at hope.
Kiyoko furthered her concentration, visualizing the darkness that held to the stones as many strands, but she could only pull them off one by one. It meticulous and draining, but she wasn't stopping until she felt the last one fall away and the star seeds release.
As if in response to her increased effort the strands of darkness that were being removed started lashing back at Kiyoko. It was nothing visible, but the feeling was akin to being whipped with a vine covered in sharp thorns. Eventually the pain become too much and Kiyoko screamed to release it. She felt Haruka's grip tighten and felt the strange sensation that Haruka was trying to pull that pain from Kiyoko and take it on herself. And it was only getting worse!
More, she had to channel more power, no matter the cost. So she kept pulling…. Pulling power from the golden crystal, pulling more strands from the stones until only a few remained. Kiyoko could feel her body becoming weak. She thought to herself…. No! It's not finished! I am NOT finished! She reached into the depths of herself, the depths of the crystal and called out, "Tokimasu! Unbind these stones! I command it as heir to the golden crystal! No darkness will ever snuff out this light!" The brightness of the golden crystal was nearly blinding. But she felt it, the last strand was gone. Kiyoko did not open her eyes but spoke softly, "Now it's your turn sister." She felt the spirits releasing and opened her eyes just in time to see their pure star seeds. It was an incredible sight. Kiyoko murmured, "So beautiful…" And then she collapsed, feeling Haruka catch her before the world faded away to nothingness.
*Chibi-Usa*
She hadn't opened her eyes, but Serenity had heard her sister's murmur and the sound of her falling. But she couldn't look. She had a job to do and she couldn't let Kiyoko's efforts be in vain. She called on the silver crystal, pleading with it to grant her the power to give these men back their lives. She could actually feel their seeds trying to leave and make their way back to the cauldron.
Concentrating harder she pleaded aloud, "Please grant me the power to give these men their lives back! They are loyal men and deserve another chance at life! In the name of our kingdom I implore you!" Sometimes it was like the crystal was a living being of its own. It was as if it heard her and was releasing its power in response! She felt the power spread out from her and take hold of their star seeds.
She tried to think of everything she'd ever been told about the Shitenou and it helped her channel more power. Behind her she heard Starmaker gasp and the others just after. She knew it was working. Something inside her told her that it was time to open her eyes.
What she saw was amazing and terrifying at the same time. The Shitenou lay on the ground around Serenity and her sister, who was passed out in Haruka's arms at the moment. That was frightening enough on its but there were whips of howling dark wind whirling around the outside of their circle begging to get in. The Shitenou still looked more like spirits than living beings.
Serenity had to act quickly, just as Kiyoko'd said. She pushed herself harder, pushed more power from the crystal and they slowly looked less and less translucent. But the dark echoes weren't giving up. She could see the Senshi breaking down. Mercury and Mars both looked as if their knees might buckle at any moment, and Venus didn't look much better. Even her mother, the great Sailor Moon was wearing down.
Just a few more minutes, she knew that was all that she needed. But it was ready to seep in. She glanced at Starmaker and said, "Be ready it's almost in." Starmaker nodded and took up a stance that was ready to send anything back with her Star Gentle Uterus attack.
Just before their bodies were completely solidified a wave of darkness broke through and Serenity was grateful to have Starmaker at her back. She kept good on her promise and sent out her own counter attack, forcing the wave back. Serenity could feel it when their revival was complete. She felt the last needed jolt of energy emit from the silver crystal. It left her drained and she dropped to her knees, feeling grateful that she hadn't passed out as Kiyoko had. And as her sister predicted, when the darkness had failed to prevent the Shitenou's resurrection it fled to the furthest corners of this place.
Quickly she found her mother at her side, supporting her. As Serenity looked around she took in quite a sight. Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoicite, and Kunzite all lay there being cradled by the Senshi who loved them as they started to regain consciousness. However, when her gaze landed on her sister the sight was different. She laid there, still cradled by Uranus. Starmaker at her side as well. Her body showing the signs of the fight she'd endured. Attacks that started out purely magical had manifested physically and she had so many gashes all over her body, blood slowly trickling out of them. Uranus looked up at her, tears streaming down her face, "We have to get her out of here. I think she might be dying!"
Serenity got to her feet and nodded, "Let's get them all out of here and back to the Crystal Palace! There's no time to waste!" The Senshi helped their loves stand up.
The only one to speak was Kunzite. He looked at Venus, "What happened?" Then he looked at Kiyoko's unconscious and battered body, her hand still gripping the golden crystal, "Who is that?"
Venus replied softly, "That is the Queen that may die because she saved your lives if we don't hurry." She yelled out to the others, "You heard Queen Serenity, let's go!"
*Chibi-Usa*