Awaken…
The Three Talismans…
The Time is Near…
Awaken…
The Light That Leads To Destruction…
The Three Talismans…
_
A light has awakened, one that shines far brighter than our Tiaron Crystal. Find it! That light. Our Tiaron Crystal grows weaker by the day. We must find that light.
However I see another light, one that will usher about our Destruction. You must quickly find that light and destroy it! We must protect our Omega Area!
A deep booming voice gave these commands. The glowing white light of the creature's eyes was the only thing that could be seen of it. The glowing eyes stared down at a figure in front of it.
A woman with vibrant orange hair and wore a black dress with a low cut black dress with a low cut knelt on the floor. She was fully aware of the piercing white gaze fixed on her. A cruel smile adorned her lips as she spoke, her head bowed down.
"I understand Master Pharaoh 90, I will see to it that your desires are fulfilled."
Soon…it wouldn't be long now before the Master's vesselization could begin…
This planet would become their new home at long last.
_
Awaken…Awaken…
The Time is Near…
For the Light of the Three Talismans to Shine…
Signaling the Start of Destruction
Usagi opened her eyes to the sound of the shrill ringing of her alarm clock. She shot up in bed, and she saw her mother standing in her doorway with her hands on her hips,
"Usagi! It's already past 8 o'clock! You're going to be late!"
At this Usagi quickly jumped out of bed, frantically trying to get ready for the day,
"Mom! Why didn't you wake me up sooner!" Usagi whined,
Her mother only sighed,
"She'll never learn will she?"
Usagi, now dressed in her uniform, quickly bolted down the stairs. Maybe if she ran she'd have time to eat something before she had to leave. Upon making it downstairs she saw her father watching tv, curiously Usagi looked at the tv for a second listening to what the news anchor had to say.
Yesterday in Minato Ward a monster laid siege to the grounds of the famous private school Mugen Academy. Eye witness reports say that two female students who were attacked reverted to a primal state of being.
Usagi squinted her eyes, and her eyebrows furrowed as she tried to make sense of what the news anchor had just said. Unable to decipher it's meaning Usagi looked at her father and asked,
"Papa? What does primal mean?"
Usagi watched as her father glanced at her, and took a sip of his coffee.
"Oh. What they're saying is that the girls appeared to turn back into a devolved state. To put it simply they are said to have turned into monsters."
Usagi stiffened, private academy students turning into monsters, what a horrifying thought. Briefly Usagi thought of Michiru, and wondered if she had a hand in resolving the incident if it had really happened. Usagi thought about asking her father another question but it was soon forgotten as she glanced at the time. She was going to be late!
Any thoughts of students turning into monsters were quickly forgotten as she raced out the door.
_
"Ami! Makato! I'm so sorry I'm late!" Usagi yelled, running up to her two friends who stood there waiting.
As Usagi was trying to catch her breath, she saw Ami put her hands on her hips. The blue haired girl looked at her sternly,
"Really, Usagi. We were about to leave without you."
Usagi could see Makato smiling, seemingly amused.
"I'm sorry! I won't be late again! I promise!"
Ami looked at her and sighed,
"Sure you won't. Now come on, we don't want to be late." Ami quickly turned on her heel, and swiftly started walking.
Awaken…
Signal the Start of the Destruction…
Usagi stopped, what was that? Was she hearing things? Usagi looked behind her, and saw nothing. Nobody was there. Usagi sighed, and followed after Ami and Makato she guessed she really was hearing things then. Usagi had a feeling that though Metellia had been defeated this peace would not last long.
_
Michiru could hear the whispers of the students around her, as she walked with Haruka through the halls of Mugen Academy. What they whispered about was nothing of great importance, just normal gossip and the like.
Michiru had a feeling that today would be significant, as she knew the ocean was rather rough today. Michiru looked down at the floor, a soft sigh escaping her lips. Michiru would rather be anywhere but here, at this accursed school. But she had to be here, she knew, to complete her mission. To ensure the safety of the planet. To protect it from the invaders that originated from another solar system, one that was dead and cold. That had always been their job to protect the planets of this Solar System from outside threats. That was the reason she had stood there alone in the cold of space for hundreds of years. Her duty, lonely as it had been, was important. She had fought so that those precious to her, like her princess, could live happily. But in the end everything had crumbled. She had failed to protect everything she had sworn she would, and the once brilliant empire that was the Silver Millennium had met its end as a glaive swung down and destroyed everything leaving nothing but ruins.
Michiru glanced down at her school bag, where her Talisman lay, hidden from sight. They couldn't fail this time. They needed to exterminate the threat, and make sure that girl never awakens. She could never awaken, and Michiru knew that that girl's life, already lonely and hard as it was, would end soon. Michiru knew this would happen, as she would be part of the reason it ended.
Michiru took a shaky breath as she thought of the younger girl with short purple hair, whose clothes hid the artificial parts she needed to survive. That girl's flesh which was mixed with metal would surely not hold out much longer anyway. The girl was already frail, and sickly. The only way she could survive is if she awakened. But that could never happen. So the clock was ticking, and as every second passed that girl's time grew shorter and shorter. No matter how often Michiru would reason for herself, telling herself how she had to do this as the planet would die if she didn't. The sick feeling she felt every time she remembered this girl would die because of her would not disappear. In fact the feeling only ever grew, and Michiru knew she would have to live with the fact that a girl's blood would be on her hands.
Michiru found herself wishing that there was another way to do this. To stop the destruction that was rapidly approaching. But the truth remained bitter, that there was no other option.
Michiru could only hope that girl would find peace after death, because it wouldn't be long now before that girl met her end.
_
Usagi walked into the game center, and looked around. She frowned, nobody was here yet. How strange. Usually everybody got here before her, but that didn't seem to be the case this time.
"Usagi."
Usagi went stiff at the familiar voice that came from behind, and rang her ears. Slowly Usagi turned around, and saw that standing in front of her was Haruka, a smile on her face.
A mixture of relief, happiness, and shock washed over Usagi. She was relieved Haruka had survived. She was happy to see the older girl, but she couldn't help but wonder what brought her friend here. Was it to see her? She figured that like Michiru, Haruka wouldn't want anything to do with her. So Usagi just stared not really knowing what else to do.
"It's good to see you…" Haruka started, before pausing and walking closer. Haruka gently placed a hand atop her head and smiled at her,
"I'm proud of you. You must have fought hard, but now you don't need to fight anymore."
Usagi felt her face heat up, and she looked up at Haruka a million and one things running through her mind.
"Haruka…I…" Usagi started to speak, but she suddenly stopped, her throat feeling very dry. Go on, say it. Tell her. But she couldn't bring herself to. Why couldn't she say it?
Usagi watched as Haruka turned to leave. No…not yet. She didn't want her to leave yet! She wanted her to stay! Usagi in spur of the moment decision reached out, and grabbed Haruka's hand.
"Will you please…stay?" Usagi asked softly, her voice unsure as she looked down at the floor.
Haruka stopped, and looked at her before smiling at her.
"You'll see me again soon, I promise."
Usagi looked at Haruka, unsure.
"You and Michiru? You promise?"
Haruka's smile was warm as she turned around to face Usagi. Haruka quickly closed the distance between them and laid a kiss on Usagi's forehead.
Usagi's face turned bright red, and she stared at Haruka, her eyes sparkling.
"Haruka…" Usagi whispered, still processing what just happened.
"Think of that as my promise to you. You'll see me again. It won't be much longer now."
_
Michiru walked down the path, staring into her mirror. The Talisman's surface reflected back what was once her own image, or rather what was her appearance in her past life.
Michiru, distracted by the image displayed in the mirror, did not see the dark haired man in front of her. Michiru quickly ran into the man and her mirror fell to the ground. Michiru bent down, reaching to pick the mirror up when she noticed the reflection in the mirror. So this was….
"You've got such dark eyes, might you have been a prince in your past life?" Michiru said a smile on her face, and as she stood up she saw the man bending down picking up a set of stones. The stones were cracked in multiple places. Briefly Michiru wondered what they could be for, but dismissed the thought as Haruka walked out of the game center.
Michiru just smiled rather mysteriously at the man, and spoke,
"Don't think too much about what I said. I'm sorry for running into you."
With that Michiru walked away with Haruka, she looked at her significant other,
"Did you get to say what you wanted to say?"
Haruka glanced backwards looking at the game center,
"I did. I just wish I could've stayed."
Michiru took Haruka's hand in her own and smiled,
"It won't be long now. Till we're able to be by her side again. We just need to finish our mission first."
_
"You guys! Where have you been!?" Usagi whined, glaring at her friends who had only just now shown up at the Game Center.
Usagi watched as Ami gave her an awkward smile. Looking a bit embarrassed.
"Sorry we're late." Was all she said, and Usagi had never imagined she'd hear Ami say those words. Usually she was the late one.
Usagi wondered what had caused them to be late. As they had never had before.
From behind Usagi briefly saw a glimpse of the Mugen Academy Uniform as two female students of the school walked by. Usagi didn't think much of it. Instead, she turned back to Ami, and smiled.
"Oh well it doesn't matter now! But anyway Ami something great happened!"
Ami blinked and looked at Usagi curious as to what could have happened in such a short period of time.
It was then Minako chimed in a smile on her face,
"Oh? What's that?"
Usagi had felt like over the past few weeks since the battle she had grown closer to Minako. They felt like real friends now instead of just acquaintances. But then Usagi paused, and thought for a minute. Should she really tell her friends about her conversation with Haruka? Last time Usagi had checked they had been very wary of Haruka and Michiru. Usagi decided then and there to keep the interaction to herself.
"Oh, nevermind it's nothing."
A part of her was telling her she was doing it to keep her friends from worrying about her. But really Usagi knew she was doing it so they wouldn't try to stop her from seeing Haruka. Because Usagi knew they didn't like Haruka or Michiru. Or were at least distrustful of them and Usagi hated that. Maybe…Michiru had been avoiding her, maybe she really had. Maybe Michiru really hated her. But Usagi didn't want to believe that. Usagi still just couldn't understand why Haruka, and Michiru wouldn't just talk to her. Usagi was sure if they just told her what was going on she'd understand. So why couldn't they talk to her?
Usagi was quickly pulled from her thoughts as a loud screech was heard. Usagi flinched at the noise, and quickly snapped her head in the direction it was coming from. Usagi recoiled fear shooting through her body like lightning at the sight that was in front of her. There in front of her was a mutated beast that was colored a dark purple and had long insect-like limbs and long slimy tentacles protruding out of its back.
Usagi wasn't sure what he was seeing and was quite terrified. But even still she ran into the nearest alleyway and raised her hand up in the air and yelled,
"Moon Crystal Power Make Up!"
_
The moment the Daimon appeared, Haruka was ready to fight. She just needed to find a place to transform. But then her Princess, and her Senshi appeared in front of the beast and horror quickly became what Haruka felt. Somewhere inside there was also the feeling and spiraling thought process of why her Princess decided to jump in and start fighting a monster she knew nothing about. Haruka understood, and knew that her Princess probably didn't know any better. But her guardians did! They all had memories now, as far as she was aware. They should be prioritizing the Princess's safety above all else! Not letting her fight the creature alongside them! The urge to transform jump in there grab her Princess and remove her from the danger was strong. But Haruka knew she couldn't do that as Mugen was likely watching, and that might put an even bigger target on her Princess's back. Though the Princess seemed to be doing a fine job of that herself already. Haruka knew there was nothing she could do but watch. So she watched. She watched and saw improvement. Her Princess was clearly scared, but she stood her ground putting a brave look on her face. That wasn't something the Princess hadn't done before. It wasn't just the Princess who showed improvement either, the entire team showed it. Overall they were more coordinated, and were acting like a team. And then just like that it was over, and Haruka saw her Princess display a power she hadn't seen from her before. Haruka felt that beating such a creature in such a short amount of time was rather impressive. But that still didn't excuse the fact that they let their Princess fight it.
Haruka felt a hand on her shoulder and looked at Michiru, who smiled at her as she spoke,
"If you're worried about her you can always check in on her later."
Haruka nodded, and mentally decided that was what she was going to do.
_
They did it. They had won. They had beaten, whatever that thing had been, rather quickly and without much effort. Venus felt a wave of relief wash over her. There was also a sense of pride there at how her Princess handled herself, she really had come a long way. But then there was the glaring elephant in the room, should her Princess really still be fighting. The battle for the Dark Kingdom was over so they really didn't need Sailor Moon anymore. But it wasn't like she could say something as Venus knew that was rather unfair to Usagi as they had forced her into a battle she didn't want to fight so telling her to leave now would be rather hypocritical. Venus also didn't think Usagi would accept it anyway. It was at that moment that Venus' train of thought stopped as she felt a familiar skin crawling feeling, one of being watched. Yes, someone was watching them but who was it?
Venus didn't have an answer to that question.
_
The sun had already set in the sky when Haruka ran into Usagi again. It was actually really lucky she had just run into her standing still on the sidewalk. Now Usagi looked at her with a a nervous look in her eyes. Haruka also saw some guilt hidden away in her stare too.
"Haruka…" Usagi started her voice soft but she stopped and trailed off.
Haruka looked at Usagi with concern before speaking,
"Hey bunny, how are you?" Haruka gave Usagi a reassuring smile to tell her Princess she was still safe, like she always had been.
If Usagi was confused by Haruka's use of a nickname she had never used before she didn't show it instead tears welled up in her Princess's eyes and ran down her cheeks, staining her pretty face.
"I'm sorry." Came from Usagi's mouth, and Haruka grew rather confused,
"For getting you hurt. You almost died because you were protecting me. If it weren't for me you wouldn't have been injured and…"
Haruka stood there in a bit of shock as her Princess went off crying, apologizing as she did. A whirlwind of different things coming out of her mouth. Haruka stood there and listened, barely being able to catch it all. Haruka was pretty sure she heard the Princess repeat degrading remarks about herself at some point.
Haruka's lips pressed into a thin line, as wondered what to do. This was not okay on any level. The Princess should not be saying these horrible things about herself. For what? All because Haruka got hurt protecting her. Why did that matter? Haruka would give her life to protect her precious Princess. Her Princess's safety was what was most important. Haruka watched as her Princess cried and Haruka had the strong urge to bend down, and tell her it was okay, that she wasn't all those things she said herself, and kiss her soft lips to show her how much Haruka loved her. But as she wanted to she didn't as she was afraid that would make it worse.
Instead she placed her hands on Usagi's shoulders and looked her in the eye,
"Usagi…look at me. I'm fine, see? I'm standing right here in front of you just fine. I would give anything to protect you. I would never regret putting your safety above mine."
Usagi looked at Haruka, tears still in her eyes, and breath hiccupped a bit.
"But…Haruka…you almost died…"
Haruka shook her head,
"Usagi, no matter what happens or how much I get hurt I will never leave you. I would never die on you."
Usagi looked at Haruka her breaths were sahky and uneven,
"You promise?" Usagi spoke her voice broken and weak,
Haruka leaned forward, pressing her forehead against Usagi's and she smiled. Gently placing her hand on her cheek,
"I promise you Usagi. Nothing is going to happen to me."