It was eerie how empty the halls of Mugen Academy were; no matter the classrooms they entered or hallways they ran down, it was always the same: completely empty. Michiru bit her lip; if things kept up at this rate, they wouldn't be able to save anyone, not the planet or even Usagi. Michiru hated this being so useless now as she watched Ami, or rather Mercury, furiously typing away at those screens of hers.
Michiru didn't want destruction to be their future. There had to be a future for them; they couldn't have been reborn just for it to end like this.
"It's no use. I can't get any data on the area we're in or the whereabouts of any of our targets. I can't find anything; the space is all warped." Ami finally spoke, and Michiru didn't know what to do. This was a problem because she was an Outer Guardian who had been granted stronger powers and the responsibility to watch over a talisman; there had to be something they could do.
Michiru closed her eyes to think where could the enemies…the Daimons, could be. Mugen was huge and expansive; if they were to be anywhere, where would they be? Michiru's eyes snapped open as she thought of something. What about the basements? They had been an area that was forbidden to students; if Daimons were anywhere, wouldn't they be there?
"Let's go to the basement; we might be able to find some Daimons there," Michiru spoke, as she glanced at the elevator behind her, then Haruka and Setsuna, who seemed to agree, before she glanced the Inner Senshi to gauge their reactions. Michiru saw Minako, Venus, nod before she spoke up,
"Why don't we split up to cover more ground? You three go to the basement, and we'll start searching this floor and work our way down!" Minako spoke, and Michiru found she agreed with that logic; it made more sense to do it that way.
"Alright, let's do that," Haruka spoke before making her way into the elevator as she smiled. Though Michiru could tell that it wasn't her usual confident smile, this one was unsure, and Michiru could see Haruka's lips quiver slightly. It was fine; they'd be able to do this and win, stop Hotaru, save the Earth, and save Usagi. Sailor Saturn wouldn't incarnate; it would be fine. Everything would turn out fine; it had to. Michiru glanced back one more time before stepping into the elevator to make her way down to the basement.
_
Tomoe Souchi, or rather Professor Tomoe, laughed as he formulated different things with the various chemicals that filled the elaborate setup of test tubes and beakers before him.
"Those foolish Sailor Senshi with their cute little light of their guardian planets. They must be looking for a death sentence by boarding my elevator." How blessed he was as the Sailor Senshi had just sealed their fate!
Finally, after all this time, his life work, superhumans would be complete! They were a perfect combination of human and machine, with strength and a lifespan ten times longer than normal humans! They'd pay for casting him out of the scientific community! Heaven had blessed him since that accident years ago! Actually, the accident was heaven's blessing itself. Sure, Hotaru had been wounded and left upon death's door, and he had lost Keiko Hotaru's mother and his wife, but what did it matter? He had been able to rebuild Hotaru's body with machine!
Then he had received more of heaven's blessing as he had been rebuilding Hotaru's body with machine. He remembered the way lightning had come into the building and struck Kaori down, and with that lightning, they had arrived. The Master with the eggs of their people. He had been chosen by god himself, though he had made a mistake in Hotaru's reconstruction; he had found ample use for the eggs the Master had brought, and he was able to create a soul! He had been able to create his beloved superhumans!
Professor Tomoe turned on his heel and stared at the monstrous creature sealed behind glass, which it furiously slammed its tentacles against. He laughed, Professor Tomoe laughed like a madman,
"I created my beloved Daimons! I wouldn't create any more failures for the Death Busters! Surely, I have been chosen by heaven itself!"
Papa…
_
Haruka gripped the Talisman tightly as they stood in the deathly quiet elevator. An uncomfortable silence filled the air, making her shift restlessly. She tried to keep her thoughts from dwelling on the current situation; instead, she focused on the past, back to the Silver Millennium. She remembered the posts that she, Michiru, and Setsuna had been assigned to- the dark space for her and Michiru and the place beyond time at the Doors of Time for Setsuna. It had been lonely, a solitary existence without the company of anyone for centuries, as they were forbidden to leave their posts. Even as their beloved kingdom crumbled and was destroyed, they were still forbidden to leave. They remained alone and isolated, with no one to help or comfort them.
Haruka closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to push away the memories. The only thing that kept them going was the thought of their princess, their guiding light. The memory of their beautiful princess had always been enough to make them keep fighting, no matter how hard things got. They had always wanted to protect their precious Princess, who was always on their minds.
But now, Usagi, their Princess, could die, and it would all be her fault. Haruka bit down on her lip, her heart heavy with guilt. She couldn't bear the thought of losing her beloved Princess.
Setsuna's voice broke the silence, and Haruka looked up at her with wide eyes. "I don't think you guys need to worry so much. The Princess is strong; she always has been. I'm certain she'll be fine. She is the daughter of the Queen, after all."
Haruka's heart skipped a beat. Setsuna's words were reassuring, and she felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, her Princess would be alright.
"The Princess has always been a guiding light, and a light one that shines so brightly can't be extinguished so easily. So I wouldn't worry. My advice is when you see her again, you keep in mind how you both feel and that you most certainly hold the Princess's heart," Setsuna continued, her voice soft and wise.
Haruka smiled softly, feeling her heart swell with love for her Princess. She knew Setsuna was right. Her Princess was strong and resilient. When she saw her again, she would make sure to let her know how much she loved her.
As they stood there in the elevator, lost in their thoughts, suddenly, the elevator came to a violent stop, throwing Haruka into pitch-black darkness.
_
Haruka found herself in complete darkness, her heart racing as she frantically looked around for any sign of her companions. Michiru and Setsuna were nowhere to be seen, and she couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that had settled in her chest. The darkness seemed to go on forever, and she wondered if they had reached their limit. Would they be able to make it in time to save everything? Her frustration grew, threatening to overwhelm her.
But then, a spark of determination ignited within her. She couldn't give up now. Not when her Princess was counting on her. With renewed vigor, Haruka gripped her talisman, the space sword, and cried out with all her might.
"Space Sword Blaster!"
Her attack pierced through the darkness, illuminating the space around her. The sight of the light reminded her of her beloved Princess, and it strengthened her resolve.
Suddenly, she found herself on the floor of the elevator, disoriented but relieved. The sound of a ding made her look up, and she saw the door open to reveal Professor Tomoe, cackling in triumph as his Daimons closed in.
_
Michiru's heart raced as she saw the Daimons encircling Professor Tomoe. Without a moment's hesitation, she drew out her mirror and unleashed her attack, yelling,
"Submarine Reflection!"
She heard Setsuna's voice call out, "Chronos Typhoon!" and watched as the combination of their attacks destroyed the Daimons.
As soon as it was safe, Michiru rushed out of the elevator and confronted Professor Tomoe. She glared at him with disgust and anger, knowing full well that he was an evil, despicable man. "Where is Hotaru?" Haruka demanded, her voice sharp and urgent.
The Professor's only response was a cruel laugh. "Oh, my daughter? She has passed on the light of Silver Crystal to Master Pharaoh 90," he sneered with a twisted grin.
Master Pharaoh 90? Michiru felt a chill run down her spine. She remembered the vesselized Hotaru mentioning that name. Was that the creature behind all of this?
Just then, the ground began to shake violently, and Professor Tomoe started to cackle maniacally. Was the creature underground? "The Master's vesselization has already begun!" he shrieked. "This will be your final resting place, for you will be my first victims!"
Suddenly, the Professor's body began to warp and twist into a giant purple monster with razor-sharp fangs like the Daimons. "I am Germatoid!" he roared.
"He's a Daimon!" Haruka yelled, and Michiru braced herself for battle as she avoided the deadly laser beams Germatoid was shooting.
"No, I am not a Daimon. I am a superhuman! The perfect mix between human and extraterrestrial life!" Germatoid boasted.
Michiru bit her lip in frustration. There was no saving the Professor anymore; he was no longer Hotaru's father but a monster. "Space Sword Blaster!" Haruka called out, and Michiru watched as the attack flew by.
She held out her mirror, ready to unleash her own attack. "Submarine Reflection!" she shouted.
The two attacks collided with Germatoid, and with a bone-chilling scream, he vanished. Michiru breathed a sigh of relief, but she knew that this was far from over. They still had to find Hotaru and put a stop to the evil that threatened their world.
Goodbye, Papa…my kind Papa who helped me ever since Mama died…my Papa who did everything for me. But this isn't my Papa; he hasn't been in a long time.
Michiru whirled around, her senses on high alert. A faint whispering sound had caught her attention, but to her surprise, she couldn't spot anyone else in the room except for the other two Outer Senshi. Nonetheless, she was convinced she heard a voice.
Suddenly, the ground beneath them began to shake violently, and the room trembled with greater intensity than before. The tremors were so strong that it seemed like the entire structure would crumble at any moment.
In the midst of the chaos, Setsuna called out, "Garnet Orb!"
A protective shield enveloped them, shielding them from the collapsing ceiling. As they floated above the ruins of Mugen, Michiru's heart skipped a beat when she realized that Venus, Mars, Mercury, and Jupiter were still trapped inside the building. She wondered if they were safe.
Suddenly, a menacing laughter echoed through the air, and Michiru looked down to see Hotaru's vesselized form, wearing a twisted grin. Her gaze then darted to the bodies around Hotaru - Mars, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter, all unconscious. The sight made Michiru's heart freeze with fear.
_
Haruka stood at a safe distance, her eyes wide with horror, as she watched the once-stately Mugen Academy crumble before her very eyes. The once-majestic building was now nothing but a pile of rubble, and the sight of it sent shivers down her spine. Hotaru's laughter, which was now more like a sickening cackle, echoed across the broken landscape, sending a chill down Haruka's spine.
Haruka longed to help the unconscious Senshi lying around Hotaru, but she couldn't get closer. A strange force field surrounded the area, preventing her from approaching. The ground beneath her feet quivered and shook as a vile purple substance seeped out from the ruins of Mugen Academy and spread throughout Tokyo. Haruka felt powerless in the face of this overwhelming force, and the sky itself began to feel strange.
Hotaru's maniacal laughter continued to ring in Haruka's ears, and the purple substance continued to spread, covering everything in its path.
Suddenly, Hotaru's voice boomed out, "Now that the Master has been filled with energy, the time has come! The time for utilization has come! Once it is complete, our Master will be one with the planet! This will become our second homeland!"
Haruka's heart skipped a beat as she realized what this meant. They were planning to assimilate the entire planet, and she couldn't allow that to happen. She looked up at the sky and saw that it was slowly changing, a sign of the impending danger that was coming.
With an unwavering determination, Haruka leaped forward, joining Michiu and Sestuna. Each Senshi stood on a different building, ready to defend their planet. Haruka raised her talisman high into the air and poured as much power into it as she could. Slowly, a barrier began to form around the area.
They were the only ones who could stop this menace. It was their duty to protect the planet, and they would do whatever it takes to defend it, even if it meant putting their own lives on the line.
_
Mistress 9 laughed at the foolish attempt before her. How laughable! Did they really think they could stop this? How utterly foolish and laughable!
"A barrier? You really think that will help? How useless?! Once the Master's utilization is complete, I have no need for this pathetic body!" Mistress 9 laughed as it was finally time to shed this pathetic form!
Then there was pain, and Mistress 9 screamed. This body wasn't listening to her? Why wasn't it listening to her? Why couldn't she rid herself of it?
I Won't Let You Escape!
There was that voice! Who was that voice?
This is my body, and as long as I'm around, I will not let you loose!
I will not let you free!
This voice, was it her human vessel? That pathetic girl was still around? How incomprehensible she had thought that foolish girl had disappeared long ago. Why was she still around?
Nonetheless, Mistress 9 smiled a sick smile.
"I had thought you had long since disappeared from inside this body, but you're stubborn host, aren't you?" Mistress spoke with a laugh, and she broke out into a fit of deranged laughter,
"I have taken the power of the Silver Crystal, and I have no reason to keep this body! As soon as I cast off your pathetic body, you will be no more!"
Do whatever you want to this body! Tear it to pieces; I don't care! But no matter what, I will protect Usagi's soul and her Silver Crystal! I will never give up!
Mistress 9 needed more power. She desperately needed more power; she frantically looked around for more sources; her eyes then landed on the unconscious Sailor Senshi, and she smiled and licked her lips. There! That would be her source of power! Mistress 9 reached out for the delicious and tantalizing power that came with those Senshi's souls.
_
Hotaru, well, her spirit at least, held the soul of Usagi and her Silver Crystal close. She didn't know why she was around. Why did she still hold on stubbornly and fight?
Hotaru then saw the light of human souls and looked and saw the flicking forms of the other Senshi, Usagi's friends, in front of her. Her spirit leaped forward, and she grabbed upon the souls. Maybe she'd be enough to protect Usagi, the Silver, and her friends' souls. She could hear the monster that controlled her body screaming for her to give up, but she wouldn't.
But why? Why wouldn't Hotaru give up? It was strange because Hotaru knew she had nothing left for her, and her soul hadn't been transformed into one of those monsters. She knew she was going to die. So why was she still able to fight and struggle like this?
Papa was dead; there was nothing left for her, and yet she still had power. Why was that? Why was she so strong? Somewhere inside her, she could feel a greater strength, like it was another stronger her deep inside of her. This other her was telling her to fight. Yes, it was telling her that she needed to protect and save these souls and protect the Silver Crystal.
So that's exactly what she would do. Hotaru gathered all her strength to force herself out of her body. She could hear the monster controlling her form scream as she left with the souls and the Silver Crystal.
Hotaru watched with a smile as the four Senshi whose souls were stolen opened their eyes as their souls were returned. Now, to save Usagi.
_
Mamoru still held tightly onto Serenity's hand, then a bright light drew his eyes to the balcony; there was a girl who couldn't be older than twelve with dark purple hair that fell to her chin, and Mamoru noted that she didn't seem fully there. Who was this?
A light went from the girl's hands toward Serenity, and the light entered her chest, and there was a jewel that fell atop of Serenity. Mamoru knew that jewel was that Silver Crystal? It was then that Serenity's eyes snapped open, and Mamoru immediately let go of her hand, and he smiled.
Serenity was alive.
_
Usagi bolted upright; she wasn't sure where she was or what had happened. What about Hotaru and Sailor Saturn? Usagi looked to her side and saw that Mamoru was kneeling next to her bedside, and she jumped back in shock a bit. What was he doing here?
"I'm so glad." Usagi heard a voice speak, and she immediately recognized that voice that voice belonged to Hotaru. Usagi turned and jumped out of bed when she saw Hotaru, no more than a spirit, floating by her bedside. Hotaru? Why was she? What had happened to her?
"I'm so glad…I'm happy I was able to help you, Usagi." Hotaru smiled at her, and Usagi, though not quite sure what Hotaru was talking about, still smiled at her friend and slowly reached for her hand.
"Even though we're both girls, I feel like us meeting and joining destines was fate…" Hotaru said, and Usagi's smile grew.
It was then Hotaru screamed and clutched her head, and Usagi jumped forward to help her friend, only for her hand to phase through Hotaru's form. Usagi didn't know what was happening, but Hotaru was hurt she had to help her.
Hotaru gave Usagi a weak smile,
"I'm glad I was able to meet you. I'm glad we became friends Usagi. Thank you, goodbye."
Usagi watched wide-eyed as Hotaru's form disappeared before her, and tears prickled her eyes.
"Hotaru! Wait! Don't disappear!" Usagi called out, but it was too late, as Hotaru was already gone. Usagi stood still and stiff for a minute before she hobbled over to the bed and picked up the Silver Crystal. Usagi held the Silver Crystal close to her chest because she knew that she had something to do, didn't she? She knew that Hotaru wouldn't like it if she gave up. Usagi's face grew serious as she gathered her courage before she called out,
"Moon Prism Power Make Up!"
_
Haruka wished she could help the other Senshi deal with the Daimon that had been possessing Hotaru's body, but she couldn't; she had to keep the barrier up, so she could only watch. They seemed to be struggling, and Haruka didn't know what to do until a voice cut through the chaos,
"Moon Spiral Heart Attack!" Haruka watched as the Daimon's face contoured in pain. Could it be? Haruka looked behind the Daimon to see Sailor Moon was there, alive. Tears quickly formed in Haruka's eyes, and she felt them prickle her skin. Usagi…her Princess. Sailor Moon was alive and okay.
Haruka could barely believe it.
_
Usagi still did not have a full grasp of what was happening, but she knew it wasn't anything good. She also wasn't sure what had happened to her, but when her friends shouted her name and came up to her, tears in her eyes, she knew they must have been worried.
"Sailor Moon, how did you?" Minako asked her, though she still sounded relieved and maybe a bit overwhelmed.
Usagi felt a wave of sadness wash over her again after thinking over what had just happened again. She didn't really want to think about it. Thinking about what happened to Hotaru made her heart want to burst.
"Hotaru…she gave her life for me." Usagi finally spoke, her voice cracking a bit, and she really didn't want to dwell on this information.
Ami's words broke the silence, urgent and desperate. "Sailor Moon! We need your help!" Usagi felt a knot form in her stomach, but she knew she couldn't back down from her duties as a Senshi. She raised her hands in the air, calling forth the image of the grail she had seen earlier, which had granted her the power of her fellow Senshi.
The grail materialized in her hands, and a blinding light enveloped her. When the light faded, she was Super Sailor Moon, so far stronger and more capable than ever. With the Moon Stick gripped tightly in her hand, she let out a fierce cry:
"Rainbow Moon Heart Ache!"
_
Usagi's eyes widened that instead of being injured by her attack, the Daimon, or whatever it was, absorbed it, and his form started to cover more of the ground of Tokyo. No, why? Why wasn't her power working?
"Mars Snake Fire!"
"Venus Wink Chain Sword!"
"Jupiter Coconut Cyclone!"
"Mercury Aqua Mirage!"
Voices of her friends echoed in Usagi's ears as she watched their attacks soar towards the creature that had taken over Tokyo's ground. She hoped that their combined powers would be enough to vanquish this monstrous being. However, Usagi's hope quickly turned into horror as the creature absorbed their attacks, growing larger and more powerful.
Suddenly, her gaze was drawn upward as a portal opened in the sky, revealing a distant solar system that seemed lifeless and eerie. Fear gripped Usagi as she wondered what kind of place that was. The portal was a chilling reminder of the vast and unknown dangers that lurked beyond Earth. Usagi wondered if this must be the enemy's home world.
Usagi watched as the creature consuming the grounds of Tokyo laughed and went to move and consume more of the city down below; however, the creature was shot back as it hit the invisible wall of a force field. Usagi sighed in relief; at least it couldn't damage anything outside this area. However, Usagi felt her stomach drop as the creature only laughed,
Ohhh, there the long-forgotten distant star system, our home world, the Tau Nebula! Soon, I will merge with this planet and create our second homeworld.
The monster laughed, and Usagi glanced back up at the portal to the dead galaxy in the sky; she could feel her skin prickle with fear. No, she wouldn't let that happen! Though she could feel the creature's power slowly overwhelming her.
"Master Pharaoh 90! I will be your partner! I have given everything for our Master for utilization so we might have this planet!" The thing that had once controlled Hotaru's body shouted, and Usagi's head snapped back towards it. Hadn't it been dead?
Usagi watched with wide eyes as that wretched creature fell. Dropping from the skies of Tokyo at incredible speeds until it fell into the darkness of the creature and was consumed by it.
After the creature had consumed its ally, pitch-black darkness spread throughout the sky, and Usagi watched in horror, not understanding what was happening. Usagi then heard several thuds when she turned, and she saw that Haruka, Michiru, and Pluto had fallen to the ground, the force field dissipating.
No, it wouldn't end like this, not when they had come so far! Usagi held out her Moon Stick with shaking hands and called out.
"Rainbow Moon Heartache!" Usagi watched her power from the Silver Crystal shoot toward the darkness the monster was emitting. Surely this would be enough.
But Usagi's hope quickly turned to horror as her power was consumed by the inky black darkness, turning dark itself.
No why?
More thuds and Usagi turned again to see Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus collapsed atop buildings, and her heart sank. No, her friends! Were they okay? Had they run out of power?
Usagi quickly shook her head; no, they couldn't have run out of power because she was still Super Sailor Moon! She still had their power inside them! She wouldn't give up; there had to be something she could do.
Usagi stopped and thought for a moment and realized, yes, there was something she could do. She could do it herself with the Silver Crystal and all the powers of the Senshi. Usagi lifted her gloved hands into the air,
"Legendary Moon Chalice, come to my hand!" Usagi called, and Chalice, the grail, came to her hands, and she lowered it, holding it close to her chest. Surely she could do this. Usagi took a deep breath and looked behind her, meeting Haruka and Michiru's eyes. She smiled, though her lips quivered a bit. With more breath, Usagi dove down, letting herself fall into the dark blackness of the creature below.
_
"Usagi!" Haruka shouted with wide eyes, her throat dry as it leapt out of her chest as she watched her Princess fall into the creature. Why? Why had she done that? Her Princess was…no, why? At that moment, a blinding light caught Haruka's eye, and she looked down to see her talisman shining brightly. Slowly, although her hands shook, Haruka reached down and picked up her Talisman, lifting the sword into the air. Maybe, just maybe, this would bring her Princess back safe and sound so Haruka could see her smile and hear her laughter again.
A sudden burst of intense light erupted from the creature, creating a towering pillar that caught Haruka's attention immediately. Despite the violent wind that roared around her, Haruka couldn't bring herself to look away from the sight. It was then that she noticed a figure standing within the light, and a feeling of unease washed over her.
The figure was wearing a Senshi uniform adorned with deep purple colors, and the choker and bow were both decorated with a star that had too many points to count. The Senshi's dark purple hair, akin to Hotaru's, whipped around wildly in the wind, and as the blinding light faded, Haruka could see the gleam of a sharp glaive in the Senshi's hand.
Haruka's heart sank with a sense of horror as the Senshi began to speak, her dark hair thrashing in the violent gusts of wind.
"I am the Harbinger of Death. I am the Senshi of the Planet of Destruction, Saturn. The Senshi of Silence: Sailor Saturn."
Haruka dropped to her knees,
"So Super Sailor Moon…Usagi is dead?" Haruka barely managed to choke out, not wanting to believe it, much less think it.
Haruka watched as Saturn dropped her glaive into the creature, and Haruka could hear its screams, but she didn't care. She didn't care because her Princess was…what was the point? What was the point without her?
"I was called forth by the activated trigger. The last time this happened doesn't feel like that long ago…and yet here I am once again feeling like the uninvited guest." Saturn spoke, but Haruka couldn't bring herself to care much.
"I watched as accident after accident occurred as incidents kept happening. It's as if history were going off its predetermined course."
Saturn paused before continuing.
"After that accident in the Infinity District, the one whose life I was supposed to be slumbering through died and continued on as a cyborg. I was never supposed to awaken within that girl's body as it would be too much of a shock to a body so delicate. But her body was resuscitated through utilization."
Saturn looked away from her glaive and the creature, almost like she was looking towards them or maybe Haruka herself.
"Professor Tomoe's twisted mind summoned these creatures from their alien planet. Yet I could do nothing. We were all drawn here; this land was the chosen place, and now that I have awakened, I have no other choice but to lower my silence glaive." Saturn finished her voice, her voice cold, and Haruka couldn't believe it.
Haruka hit her fist against the ground and shouted,
"God dammit! That's a lie! It can't end like that again!" Haruka's voice grew rough as she shouted out her frustrations. No, it couldn't end like that again. It couldn't…
"I just wanted to protect her.." Haruka whispered, and she raised her hand, watching Saturn raise her glaive into the air.
"Death Reborn Revolution!"
Aghhh, I can't move! My power is fading away! This enormous negative aura, so it was you who will lead us to their destruction!
Haruka could hear the creature shout, and she watched as it separated itself from the Earth and tried to escape to the portal of its homeworld.
"You abominable being! I am going to return you to nothingness, and after that, I will end the world!" Saturn shouted, and Haruka let her head drop. Saturn was going to end everything, and there was nothing they could do.
Haruka grit her teeth; what she wouldn't give to see Sailor Moon…her Princess, one last time.
"Usagi…" Haruka whispered…knowing she'd never see her Princess again. Not in this life, at least.
Just then, a glowing light filled the sky, and Haruka's head shot up; she knew that light. But it couldn't be…could it?
"Super Sailor Moon…?" Haruka choked out a hint of hope present in her voice.
_
Usagi opened her eyes and could see the chaos around her. Had it worked? She could see the creature was no longer attached to the Earth's surface.
Retreat! Go to the Tau Nebula! We must not be drawn into the gravity of death!
Usagi's eyes widened, and she saw that the creature was afraid it was running.
"It's so beautiful the moment before imminent destruction…" Usagi heard a voice say, and she turned to see a girl in the uniform of the Senshi. Who was that? Was that who the creature was afraid of?
"Now I, Sailor Saturn, will lead you to your destruction?!"
Usagi's heart dropped; that was Sailor Saturn? Usagi didn't know what to do. That was until Sailor Saturn smiled at her,
"There is no need to feel despair. For with death comes hope and rebirth, and you will be the one to bring it forth, Super Sailor Moon."
"Sailor Saturn.." Usagi said, breathlessly unsure of what else to say.
"Sailor Moon, because you unleashed the holy grail and Silver Crystal into this planet, it can be saved. But to be reborn, I must bring death and destroy things as they are." Sailor Saturn spoke softly before swinging her glaive down.
"Sailor Pluto! You must close the portal to their world!" Usagi heard Saturn shout, and she looked down at where Pluto was and could see her moving her lips but could not make out what she was saying.
Suddenly, Usagi looked up just in time to see a giant pair of doors slam shut, and Saturn was gone. Usagi felt a bit overwhelmed, but she slowly landed on one knee onto a destroyed building and raised her Moon Stick up in the air, allowing the light of the Silver Crystal to fall upon the city.
That's when Usagi heard the sound of a baby's cries.
_
Michiru looked at the baby in her arms and saw the symbol of Saturn glow upon its forehead.
"Hotaru?" She whispered and looked at Haruka and Setsuna, who were at her sides. She smiled; if this baby had nobody, then maybe…
"She's been reborn and all alone, so…let's raise her on our own. Let's be her parents." Michiru spoke as she stood up and pulled the baby closer.
"Haruka! Michiru! Pluto!" Michiru heard her Princess's voice, and she turned to see her beloved Princess standing there, her Senshi surrounding her. Michiru smiled, a warm, loving smile.
"Princess…we've found a new mission," Michiru spoke, her voice soft as she looked lovingly at her Princess. Michiru then watched as her Princess's face bunched up in confusion,
"So…are you leaving?" Her Princess asked softly, and Michiru could hear a hint of sadness in her voice.
"No, we are not leaving. We'll always be here, Princess, because you're so precious." Haruka spoke, her voice soft, and Michiru smiled.
"Come visit Haruka and I sometime, Princess, because remember, we love you, and we're so happy we got to protect our precious Princess."
_
Usagi's heart skipped a beat as she looked at Haruka, who had opened the door; Usagi gave a shy smile and greeted her.
"Well…Michiru said to come to visit, and so I…" She trailed off, feeling nervous and unsure of how to continue. She looked down at the floor, feeling a bit silly for being so nervous.
Haruka laughed softly and stepped aside to let Usagi in. She removed her shoes and put on some slippers before making her way into the central area of the apartment. Boxes were stacked everywhere, and Usagi couldn't help but ask, "I thought you weren't leaving?"
Michiru spoke up, giving Usagi a reassuring smile. She lifted Usagi's chin with her hand and said, "We're not leaving, Princess. We're just moving to a bigger space to properly raise Hotaru. We'll still be here for you."
Usagi felt relieved and grateful. She had been afraid that Haruka and Michiru were leaving her behind. She blurted out, "I'm sorry for what I said...do you still love me?"
Michiru's laughter filled the room, and Usagi couldn't help but smile. "There's no need to apologize, Princess. And, of course, we still love you. We always will."
Usagi felt her heart swell with love and gratitude. She fidgeted nervously and finally blurted out, "I love you guys too. Is that okay?"
Haruka's laughter filled the room this time, and Usagi found it comforting. "Of course, it's okay, Princess. The question is, will you be willing to have us?"
Usagi's eyes widened, and she blushed. "Yes, of course!" She couldn't believe it. Haruka and Michiru loved her and wanted her to be with them.
But then, doubts crept into Usagi's mind. "Are you sure you want me, though?"
The room fell silent, and Usagi could hear footsteps approaching her. Suddenly, she felt a pair of strong arms around her waist, lifting her off the floor and spinning her around. It was Haruka, and Usagi felt her face grow hot as she looked into Haruka's loving eyes.
"We wouldn't have anyone but you, Princess," Haruka said with a smile.
Usagi's face grew even redder, and she could feel her heart racing. Michiru's laughter broke the silence, and Usagi looked at her with a smile.
"Your face is red. It's so cute. In fact, it's so cute I could kiss it."
Usagi's heart skipped a beat, but she laughed and said, "Really? I don't think I'd mind that..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Michiru leaned forward and kissed her lips. Usagi's mind went blank, and she couldn't process anything except for the feeling of Michiru's lips on hers. It felt nice, and she didn't want it to end. When Michiru finally pulled away, Usagi saw her smiling at her.
"You really are so cute," Michiru said with a smile.
Usagi felt her heart swell, and she felt light, like she was flying. She couldn't believe it, she was so very happy.
_
Usagi laughed and was thrilled, ecstatic, in fact, as she was wearing a Jubban High School uniform because she had passed high school entrance exams! She hadn't failed!
"We made it! We're all high school students now! I'm so happy!" Usagi cheered excitedly.
She heard Makoto let out a sigh, "After all that with Mugen, we studied so much, and it paid off! What a relief! I'd thought we'd die from studying!"
"It is a good thing we all made it in, but what's really a miracle is the fact that Usagi made it in. She can barely write in Kanji." Rei spoke up, and Usagi froze and stopped celebrating; she felt that attack personally. It hurt so much worse than any attack from enemies ever could.
"Maybe there was a mistake in the grading?" Makoto chimed in, and Usagi's head snapped towards Makoto. No, not Mako too! They were all turning on her! At least she knew Ami wouldn't-
"People can do impossible things when they are desperate," Ami spoke matter-of-factly, and Usagi dramatically landed on her hands and knees.
"Hey! You guys, why do you have to be so mean!" Usagi whined; why did her friends have to be so cruel?
"Usagi, I'm happy I get to go to Juban High School with you all!" Minako said, taking her Usagi's hands and pulling her up. It was like Minako was an angel sent from above.
"Usagi, we can lament our failings together! We can be failing buddies." Minako continued, and Usagi froze as if her soul had left her; she let go of Minako's hands and only managed to mutter,
"M-Minako…"
"Anyway! I'm going to join the volleyball club, and on weekends, I'm going to start idol auditions!" Minako exclaimed excitedly,
Makoto seemed to follow suit, "I'm going to join the cooking club!"
Usagi turned to Rei, who stood there smiling, "What are you going to do, Rei?"
Rei smiled, "I'm going to join the archery club. I've always wanted to give it a shot."
Usagi thought Archey sounded like a good fit for Rei,
"I'm going to join the computer club." Ami chimed in, and Usagi knew that, yep, that club was a perfect fit for the studious Ami.
"What about you, Usagi?" Ami asked, and Usagi stopped and thought for a second.
"I think I'll join the art club," Usagi said with a smile until a voice interrupted them,
"Well, it looks like you are having fun," Usagi's smile widened, and she turned to see her girlfriends, Haruka and Michiru, standing there with a baby Hotaru in her arms.
"Haruka! Michiru! You came!" Usagi said, walking over to them and smiling brightly.
Usagi looked down at baby Hotaru, "You brought Hotaru too! She's so cute!" Usagi said, and she could have sworn she heard Haruka mutter something under her breath, and she giggled before turning to her friends.
"We're going to watch the Solar Eclipse in Ichi no Hashi park. Do you guys want to come?"
Usagi saw that her friends were giving her amused looks, and Rei had turned away, her arms crossed, and she waited for one of them to speak up. Finally, Ami did,
"No, I think we're going to watch it here. You have fun!"
_
Once they were at the park, Usagi felt Haruka pat her head, running her hands through her hair,
"Good job. Getting into high school, Usagi." Causing Usagi to blush and smile before she looked up at the sky and put the visor over her head, watching as the sun started to be covered by the moon. It was then Usagi heard something soft, and she thought she had been imagining it.
Ring
There it was again. What was that?
Ring
Was that…it sounded like the sound of a bell