"It's been a long time," Chaos said, speaking through Seiya. "I've been watching the five of you for years, and I have to say I'm impressed. Reluctantly, but still impressed." His gaze locked with Chibiusa's. "I'm sorry to be denied the opportunity to finish this with your mother, since it all started with her." He shrugged. "Still, I suppose that can't be helped."
Chibiusa was thoroughly unnerved at hearing that tone of menace coming out of her brother's mouth, especially the casual way he referred to 'your mother'. A lifetime of memories, both good and bad, swirled in her head, keeping her all but frozen in place. She stood in front of the thing that had been her brother, unable to move or react.
"Okay, that's enough of that nonsense," she heard Rio mutter beside her. "FIRE SOUL!" Purple flames streaked across the space, ricocheting off the wall and striking at the shadow just above Seiya's head. He didn't even flinch.
"So the Guardian of Fire turns out to be the hothead," he commented, almost to himself. "Quite a change from in the past." He looked at Mizuki. "Care to take your shot now, Goddess of Love and Beauty?"
Mizuki sneered. "I won't waste my energy until I know for sure it'll kick your ass."
Chaos laughed. "Not so different from your mother, are you? The only question is who's ass do you expect to kick?" And Seiya suddenly slumped to the ground as the shadow behind him grew larger. When he lifted his head his eyes were the old, familiar blue.
That sight jolted Chibiusa out of her stupor. "Seiya!" She started forward, only to have him hold up a hand. "No, don't," he gasped out, his face twisted. She ignored him and crossed the last few feet that separated them, but when she went to touch him she was blasted back by a jolt of negative energy. She landed with a grunt of pain. Mariko ran to her.
"Are you all right?" she asked, keeping a watch on where Seiya crouched, not far away. When Chibiusa nodded in response she turned and took two steps closer to him. "Seiya." His name was all she said, but visible tears sprang to his eyes.
"Mariko," he whispered. "Don't. Don't come any closer."
Mariko took two more steps. "Why not?" she asked. "You won't hurt me."
"What's she doing?" Akemi asked, watching the situation unfold. Rio shrugged, not having a clue but unable to look away.
"She's trying to reach the deepest emotional heart of him," Mizuki replied. "The part of him that loves. She's trying to sever the link with Chaos."
"Will that work?" Rio asked, amazed at Mariko's calm face despite what was surely intense emotional turmoil.
Suddenly Seiya groaned and his entire body lit up with the same negative energy that had thrown Chibiusa. They all heard his in drawn breath, and then malevolent laughter. The blue of his eyes was once again replaced by the orange glow. "Nice try, Water Warrior. But surprisingly unintelligent of you." He lifted a hand and fired a jet of energy at her, catching Mariko completely off guard.
'CRESECENT BEAM SHOWER!" Mizuki let fly with multiple bursts of light, forming a shield around Mariko. Chaos' attack exploded against it and scattered, energy spent.
Chibiusa let out a sigh of relief from where she lay, still somewhat dazed from her fall. As long as they could defend themselves they still had a chance. And there had been a moment when she was certain that Mariko's attempt would be successful. Was that the key? To force Seiya's emotions to rise in an overwhelming tide until they all but drowned Chaos?
But once they separated the two how, exactly, did they finish Chaos off?
In the park Helios and Rei knelt on opposite sides of the pond, their hands deep in the water, trying to make any kind of connection with the younger Guardians. Usagi watched them intently, shivering as the cool of evening deepened around them. She had forced down all of her negative emotions and been able to transform back into Eternal Sailor Moon, but she still knew she was helpless. Whatever could be done at this point was entirely up to Rei and Helios.
Mamoru came up behind her and slipped his jacket over her shoulders. "Are you all right, Usako?" he asked. She nodded, smiling at the old, well-worn, but beloved nickname. "It'll work out, you'll see," he said, hugging her from behind. "Chibiusa is stronger than we've been giving her credit for. All the girls are."
"I know," she whispered. And she did know it, at least intellectually. But in her heart she still worried. Love, compassion, kindness, and sacrifice had been what freed Sailor Galaxia from Chaos' grip all those years ago. Those were qualities that all of the girls had in abundance, but did they have what it took to stand together in the face of the seemingly impossible? Was their bond as Guardians, still so new and untested, strong enough to carry them through?
"I've got her!" they heard Helios shout. Usagi and Mamoru ran forward, stopping just behind him. "I can feel Usa," Helios continued. "She's unhurt. And. . ." His voice trailed off as his eyes closed. "I can see the others through her eyes. Everyone's okay."
"And Seiya?" Usagi blurted out.
The seconds ticked by, an almost interminable amount of time until Helios spoke again. "He's there, but shadowed. I can't see or sense him clearly."
"Rei?" Usagi asked, almost pleading.
"Just emotions," Rei answered. "No thoughts. The thoughts are all Chaos."
Usagi sighed in relief. Chaos in control of her son's mind could be overcome, as long as the heart was still Seiya's. She glanced up to where the moon hung in the sky, swollen and heavy. It's light renewed her strength, as it always did. And on this night the connection felt especially strong, and she closed her eyes. Please, Queen Serenity. Mother. She inwardly prayed. We need you now, more than you know. Your grandson needs you.
"Got any more bright ideas?" Mizuki asked. "Anyone?"
Chibiusa was intently watching Seiya, trying to observe any weakness, anything they might be able to exploit. His emotional presence was so strong in that cavern, but she was concerned that it might not be enough, not as long as Chaos could exert any control over his mind and body. They had to figure out a way to weaken Chaos, making it easier to break the connection. Seiya, please, she thought, hoping her feelings could reach him. I know you're still in there, so help us, dammit!
Suddenly the entire atmosphere in the cave changed, and Seiya turned his head and stared directly at Chibiusa. His expression was so intent it was if we was peering into her soul, and so quickly that she thought she imagined it his eyes flashed to blue, and then back to the orange-gold. And in that brief moment the shadow that was Chaos wavered and moved slightly away from him.
"Did you see that?" Mizuki asked, moving to grab Chibiusa's arm. Chibiusa nodded and turned her back on Seiya and looked at her friends. Her companions and allies.
"We have to use Seiya's emotions against him," she said, meeting each of their gazes directly, Mariko's last. "If we fill this cavern with every positive emotion any of us has ever felt towards him it may just do the trick." She felt tears start to sting at her eyes. "I know I haven't always been the best, or most loving, big sister, but I swear I will not lose my little brother. Not when he's finally become thoroughly interesting," she concluded with a wan smile.
Mizuki took one of her hands. "Not when he's become an ally we can trust," she added, holding out a hand to Akemi, who quickly clasped it. "Not when he's shown the depths of his friendship with all of us," she added before taking Rio's hand in hers. Rio grinned. "Not when he's proven Usa wrong about him in the most amazing way." They all glanced at Mariko, who hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and taking hold of Rio's and Chibiusa's hands, completing the circle.
"Not when I've been able to confess my feelings for him, and know that he returned them," she softly said, blinking back tears.
The power of their emotions swelled in all of them, and a perceptible glow blossomed around each girl: red, blue, orange, green, and gold. As the glows brightened they could hear Seiya groan in pain, and a small patch of silver blossomed in the center of their circle, growing steadily brighter. Akemi, who had the best view of Seiya and Chaos's shadow shouted "It's working!"
Chibiusa didn't dare turn her head to look; focus was everything at that moment. She kept her mind on Seiya, remembering the years before teen aged emotions and rivalry had pushed them apart; the years when they had been virtually inseparable. Seiya as a toddler, his unruly mop of dark hair flopping around his face as he ran after her along the seaside, their parents looking on fondly. Seiya at age nine, visiting her in the hospital after she had her tonsils removed, his expressive face unable to hide his relief that she was okay. And Seiya as he had been just weeks before, holding the Silver Crystal and transformed into the Prince and Guardian of the Moon Kingdom. Seiya, I hope you can hear me, she prayed. I have never loved or cared for you as much as I do at this moment, and I promise you that if we get out of this I will always be there for you. I'll never let anything, or anyone, come between us again.
Suddenly the glow around the five girls intensified and shot skyward in beams of each individual color. Chibiusa's gold was the brightest, but the others weren't far behind. It connected with the roof of the cavern with explosive force, forcing them to release each other and duck for cover as a shower of rock and dust poured down on them. But Chaos had clearly been weakened; even after the connection between them had been severed he was slow to react, and when he did his shadow left Seiya behind, lying on the floor of the cavern, apparently unconscious.
Usa! A voice sounded in her head.
"Helios?!" Chibiusa cried out, clambering out from under the overhanging rock she had sheltered under. "Where are you?" she asked, looking up at the ceiling.
Still in the real world, came the reply. But whatever the five of you just did keep it up. I can see you more clearly.
"Is my mother with you? Can you bring her into this connection?" There was a pause as the other four watched intently, not interrupting. Then Chibiusa heard her mother's voice. Usagi?
"MOM!" she gasped out, tears welling in reaction to her mother addressing her as Usagi, instead of her nickname. "Help me, please, Mom! I need you!"
The moon, Usagi. It's directly over the pond right now. You have to break through that barrier so it's light can reach Seiya. There was a pause, as if a consultation were taking place, then her mother was back. Chaos has released your brother. He's completely focused on the five of you right now, but that won't last. You have to act. Now!
Chibiusa didn't hesitate; she pointed upward to the part of the ceiling they had already damaged. She could feel a palpable increase in the power that all of them wielded. "Hit it!" she shouted to her friends. "And get ready to take cover! TYPHOON BARRAGE!"
"SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!"
"BURNING MANDALA!"
"SPARKLING WIDE PRESSURE!"
"LOVE ME CHAIN!"
The five attacks arced upward and spiraled together, fusing and becoming one. When they struck the ceiling the sound was deafening, and they all clambered for shelter, Mizuki forcibly dragging Chibiusa with her. This time boulders came down with crashing force, along with a dust cloud of immense size. But there was also a change in the aura of the cavern; a lightening of the air inside. The barrier had been broken.
Then an angry roar filled the space, coming from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. The shadow that was Chaos abandoned his pursuit of the five girls and turned back toward Seiya's collapsed form, intent on taking back control. But before he could reach his goal the dust cleared and a bright silver shaft of moonlight descended from above and illuminated Seiya. He stirred and sat up slowly, blinking in the sudden brightness. Then he reached up, as if to touch the moon itself, and the Silver Crystal appeared in his hand. The air in the cavern whirled around him and lifted him off of his feet. Then the Crystal flashed, immensely bright, and Seiya was transformed, his white and silver armor shining from within and the crescent moon on his forehead glittering. His blue eyes, steady and strong, were visible even from a distance.
Mariko burst into tears and ran across the cavern, throwing herself into his arms. The others could hear their hurriedly whispered conversation, words of affection mixed in with abundant tears from both sides. Then Seiya laughed, sounding just like his usual self, and kissed her.
After a moment Mizuki coughed and the two broke apart. "Hate to interrupt," she said, grinning. "But this fight isn't over yet."
Seiya laughed again. "No worries," he responded. "I know just what needs to be done." He released Mariko and held a hand out to his sister. "Together?"
Chibiusa grinned through her own tears and grabbed his hand, squeezing it tight. "Always," she replied, her voice rough with emotion.
A booming voice filled the cavern, full of loathing and evil intent. "This will make no difference at all," it said, loud enough to hurt their ears. "As long as humans fear the darkness, both within and without, I will always come back."
Chibiusa lifted her chin and unconsciously stood straighter; a true Earth Goddess. "Maybe so," she said, with a quick glance at her brother, who nodded his agreement. "But we can definitely close some of the cracks you ooze through." And with an effort of will she called the Golden Crystal to her hand as Seiya held the Silver Crystal aloft.
The lights of both brightened and blended, growing in power and intensity. A magical crackling filled the space, centered around the siblings but reaching out to pull the Guardians in also. "We have to help!" Mizuki called out. "Give them everything you've got! VENUS POWER!"
"MARS POWER!"
JUPITER POWER!"
"MERCURY POWER!"
Orange, red, green and blue light joined the gold and silver, the entire mass pulsing in time with the joined heartbeats of all six. Then Seiya and Chibiusa lifted their clasped hands and the light flew across the chamber, striking and obliterating the shadow that hung there. With one last, pained shriek Chaos melted away, the darkness receding and the moonlight filling the entire space. There were a few moments of stunned silence before sighs and laughs of relief filled the air as all six were engulfed in one multi-armed hug.
"Again, I hate to be the one to interrupt," Mizuki said, wiping tears from her cheeks. "But we still have to get out of here and back to the real world."
"Relax," Mariko said. "I've got this." She raised her hands above her head and water cascaded down and around them in a sphere. "We came here through water, and we'll get out the same way!" she exclaimed as the sphere lifted off the ground, pulling them all up and toward where the almost full moon shone it's gentle light down on the Earth.
The adults all waited, crowded around the pond. They had no idea what was going on; when the barrier had collapsed it had disrupted the connections that Helios and Rei had been using, leaving all of them ignorant of what their children were going through. Minako had been unable to keep still, her nervous energy leading to frenzied pacing until Artemis had grasped her arm and whispered a few words, calming her down. Luna had simply smiled her gratitude to her husband; the last thing they needed was for any of them to suffer some sort of nervous collapse.
Suddenly Makoto lurched to her feet and pointed. About twenty feet away the ground started to glow with an eerie blue light, growing stronger as they watched. A strange sphere then rose out of the earth, wrapped around five daughters and one son. It hovered in place for a moment, the collapsed with a loud splash, releasing the teenagers.
"Mom! Dad!" Seiya and Chibiusa exclaimed together, running to their parents. Usagi felt her knees go weak with relief and would have fallen over if her son hadn't taken hold of her in a hug that threatened to squeeze the life out of her. She didn't object, though; she didn't think she'd ever again object to anything Seiya did. When he pulled back from her she reached up and held his face between her hands, aware of the tears trailing down his cheeks. Her throat was so tight that she couldn't speak, but the gentle finger that traced the crescent moon on his forehead was more eloquent than words.
Pandemonium had erupted in the park with hugs, tears, explanations and praise. Helios stood a little apart from it all, barely aware that he was also crying. He turned his back on the group and walked away, thinking that to return to Elysion without a long, protracted good-bye would probably be best for everyone. Especially himself.
"I don't think you'll be able to go back."
He stopped, but didn't turn around. The last thing he wanted was to see Chibiusa for what might be the last time. Then her words sank in. "What?"
She came around in front of him and waited until his eyes met hers, then she opened her hand. Resting in her palm was a tiny crystalline shard that gave off a muted gold glow. Helios gasped and took it from her, recognizing it as soon as his skin touched it. It was the Golden Crystal, reduced to a minuscule fraction of its former glory.
"That's all that's left," Chibiusa said. "The Silver Crystal is the same." She took the shard back from Helios and held it up between her thumb and forefinger. "It took nearly all of the power of both crystals combined to defeat Chaos." She sounded immeasurably sad as she continued. "Even so this isn't really the end. Chaos said it himself; as long as human beings fear the darkness from within as well as from without he'll always have a chance to come back." She shivered and closed her hand around the shard, watching as her transformation brooch reformed around it.
Helios put his arms around her and pulled her close. "It'll return. You'll grow and change in the coming years, and so will it," he whispered. "Have faith. Believe in yourself as strongly as I believe in you."
Chibiusa gulped against a fresh tide of tears. "But without the full power of the Golden Crystal you're stuck here! On regular Earth!"
"With you?" Helios asked, pulling away slightly and brushing the hair off of her face. "I don't know about you but right now that sounds like the best place to be." And he kissed her, a gesture she returned with all of her heart.
"One thing makes more sense," he said, long moments later.
"Hmmm? What?" Chibiusa asked.
"At least now we know why the red roses were wilting."
Shūryō
Final author's note: At the time I first began writing this story (Over three years ago!) I realized that it would be important to have visuals of what the five daughters looked like when they became Guardians, mainly because I wanted to have them in my head as looking enough like the older generation Senshi. But I also gave each girl a few little twists to make them different. Some are in a different shade of the signature fuku colors, some hair color or style, and even left-handed (Rio/Mars). I put them together using the Sailor Senshi Maker at and they can be found in my gallery here: galleries/sandyclaws-287471