Chapter 12-The Resurrection

"So this is where Sailor Senshi end up when they die," I thought. I flew out of the Earth's orbit and ended up on my home planet, Neptune. Without a corporeal body, I floated around my blue globe. Large storms swept across the upper atmosphere. High-speed solar winds whipped across the planet.

I landed on the side facing the Earth. "Haruka, can you believe this? I am 2.7 billion miles from you. How are you on Earth?" I talked out loud, pretending that my love could hear me from the distance.

For my past life, I have spent billions of years protecting this planet. I fought solo against any threats that might enter the solar system. I guess this would be my duty again. Sailor moon and the others would continue to fight evil on Earth. Perhaps Haruka could join them so that she wouldn't have to fight alone.

Deep in thought, I didn't notice the brilliant gold beam coming out of Earth, flying straight towards Uranus. One billion miles away, something crashed onto the surface of the icy planet. I witnessed the impact and my heart sank. That could only mean one thing. Sailor Uranus had fallen.

With Uranus so far, I couldn't sense her anymore. I tried jumping, to see if I could propel my incorporeal body toward my Haruka. Unfortunately, Neptune had the second largest gravity in the solar system. I was stuck.

Just like the proverb "*every meeting must end in parting", this was the end of us. We met, we fought, we fell in love. Short as it was, it was the most precious memories I had. I silently said goodbye to Haruka in my head.

Just then, my body started to glow. I levitated away from the surface of Neptune and I was propelled toward Earth again. I could smell the sea and hear the roar of the ocean waves. Strength washed over me, reawakening my every sense. I turned my head and I saw Uranus flying beside me. We both descended into our human bodies.

Sailor Uranus, awakened, turned and smiled at me. "The true talismans…."

"Didn't have to sacrifice anyone." I filled in Uranus's looked at each other, feeling blessed that we would get a second chance at life.

As it turned out, Sailor Pluto already had the third talismans-the Garnet Orb. I reached for my Deep Aqua Mirror as Sailor Uranus grabbed her Space Sword. We raised our talismans and called out for the Holy Grail. It materialized and stood at the apex of the triangle.

"Depending on who uses it, it could mean destruction or salvation of the world," Pluto explained.

"Fire Buster." Before anyone could grab the Grail, Eugeal called out her attack. Deadly flames surrounded us in an instant. All of the scouts, including us, were engulfed in the blistering heat. I tried to call out my attack, but I collapsed to the ground. Still weak from being resurrected, I had used all of my energy to conjure the Holy Grail. I looked at the rest of the scouts helplessly, praying that Sailor Mercury could come up with an attack strong enough to extinguish the flames.

We watched in amazement as we saw the usually clumsy Usagi leaped out of the fire ring. Sailor Moon rushed toward the Grail. Eugeal already had a head start and was ahead of her. They both leaped at the same time, arms reaching out for the Grail that was still floating in midair. Thankfully, Sailor Moon grabbed it first and bright energy flowed from the grail into her. The energy swept through the room, extinguishing the flames. Incredibly, Sailor Moon did a second transformation. Eugeal threw her attack at Moon, her last attempt. Sailor Moon waved her hand, easily deflected the attack and sent Eugeal flying out the window.

For a moment there, I was hopeful. Was Sailor Moon the messiah of light? Was she the salvation?

However, Sailor Moon collapsed after using the grail, weak from spending all of her strengths. She was not the messiah after all. If she was, she would be able to use the infinite power of the Grail.

"It looks like we have a new mission now," Uranus said to me.

I smiled and pulled Uranus into a tight embrace. I didn't want to think about mission or battles now. I just wanted to feel her in my arms.

"Shh..not now. Welcome back, my Haruka," I whispered into her ear.

****This is the Japanese proverb 会者定離, meaning "Every meeting must end in parting".******