Ranma Half Moon chapter 72 "The Beautiful Death of Zoisite"

Author's note: This episode also happens during the Sailor Moon episode 34, "The Sparkling Silver Crystal! The Moon Princess Appears" and episode 35 "Memories Return, Usagi and Mamoru's Past".

Zoisite admires his handiwork. This is wonderful. Mamoru lies dying in Sailor Moon's arms and there's nothing Sailor Moon can do but cry.

Suddenly one of Sailor Moon's tears starts glowing. Zoisite watches in horror as the Rainbow Crystals teleport by themselves back to the teardrop and transform into the Silver Millennium Crystal. "Impossible."

Usagi transforms again into a regal figure in a long white dress.

Luna's eyes grow wide. "Princess Serenity."

Princess Serenity kneels before Mamoru and cradles his head in her lap.

"The Princess has awoke? No matter. I will kill you and take the Silver Millennium Crystal. Zoi!"

Zoisite shoots his best energy bolt at Princess Serenity, but having spent most of his energy earlier with the fireball and the ice shard that killed Tuxedo Kamen, it is not up to his usual standards.

Princess Serenity barely acknowledges Zoisite's attack. She holds up her healing wand, now holding the Silver Millennium Crystal, and counterattacks.

"What?" The force of the counterattack knocks Zoisite backwards some twenty feet and a stalagmite rudely stops his flight. Zoisite falls forward stunned. She didn't even name her attack.

Princess Serenity attends to Mamoru. "Being willing to die for me?" One of her tears lands on Mamoru's cheek, reviving him, but just barely.

A flood of memories come back to Mamoru, memories of Mamoru as a noble prince who loved the Princess of the Moon, the girl in his dreams; memories of him going off to fight for her; memories of him promising to come back to her and not being able to fulfill his promise in that life. "Princess Serenity. I remember everything now. I am Endymion."

"I am Princess Serenity?"

Mamoru faints, unable to endure the pain from his wounds.

Usagi transforms back into Sailor Moon and faints.

The Sailor Warriors rush over to Sailor Moon and Mamoru. Sailor Mercury and Sailor Venus tend to Sailor Moon. Sailor Mars tends to Mamoru.

Sailor Venus feels Sailor Moon's pulse. "She's okay. She's only passed out."

"Mamoru-chan! Wake up!" Sailor Mars tries her best to keep Mamoru from going into shock. Mamoru barely opens his eyes.

"This is nothing." Zoisite tries to stand, but his voice and his stance are weak. He has taken an unbelievable amount of punishment but refuses to lose.

Suddenly Kunzite teleports into the penthouse next to Zoisite.

"Lord Kunzite, the Princess has awoke."

"I see. That's why she could draw the crystals to her." Kunzite sees the Silver Millennium Crystal in Sailor Moon's wand.

Zoisite is in no condition to fight and I can't protect Zoisite and fight the Sailor Warriors at the same time. However, some misdirection might work. Kunzite strikes a threatening pose.

The Sailor Warrior's brace for attack.

Kunzite shots a bolt of energy at the Sailor Warriors but deliberately misses and instead hits Mamoru and transports him to Queen Beryl. "I will let you live a little time longer." Kunzite teleports himself and the barely conscious Zoisite to Queen Beryl.

...

Queen Beryl looks at Kunzite with disdain. "I thought you had a foolproof plan, Kunzite? Now, we have lost the Silver Millennium Crystal, and the Princess has awakened."

Kunzite looks down, showing proper respect to his Queen. "Your majesty, we captured Tuxedo Kamen and brought him here. Also, the Princess has not yet mastered how to use the Crystal. I ask for a short time more, for even now I am confident that the Sailor Warriors will not leave our trap alive."

"Very well. You have some extra time. Unlike you, Zoisite. Do you think I am a fool? Did you think I wouldn't know you tried to kill Tuxedo Kamen instead of capturing him?"

"I ..."

"You knew the penalty before you acted, I hope you are ready to face it."

Kunzite tries to step in between Queen Beryl and Zoisite. "Your majesty, this happened while I was in command. The punishment should be mine."

Queen Beryl ignores him. Zoisite has screwed up too many times and is now just a liability, just like Jadeite. Queen Beryl uses her crystal ball to throw an energy bolt at Zoisite.

The energy bolt throws Zoisite backwards, mortally wounding him, but he does not die.

Queen Beryl looks at Zoisite with disgust. He was like one of the earth's cockroaches. "Kunzite, clean up this mess!"

For a split second Kunzite's rage wells up inside of him. How could Queen Beryl do such a thing? But, I must remember my place and Zoisite's place. The Queen could kill us both for no reason and not be wrong. "Yes, my lord."

Kunzite teleports Zoisite to a chamber and lays him on a bed.

Kunzite's emotions come back to the surface. It is my fault this happened. If only I had trained Zoisite better as a General. But, it was the things that I loved about Zoisite that were Zoisite's undoing: Zoisite's pride and Zoisite's determination.

"Lord Kunzite?"

"I am here." Kunzite gathers Zoisite up into his arms.

"Lord Kunzite, I am happy now, just because I have the honor of dying in your arms."

Kunzite winces.

"Please, grant me this one last request. Please make my death beautiful."

Kunzite smiles and wraps his cape around Zoisite, creating a temporary alternate dimension. He and Zoisite slip into the dimension. Thousands of flowers and sakura blossoms surround them.

"Lord Kunzite, I love you. Take my life now."

Kunzite nods and causes the dimension to collapse with Zoisite inside, killing him instantly.

...

Mio Kuroki works in her room at a desk, filling out some forms.

Suddenly, she goes into a trance. "Queen Beryl, we have Endymion? Excellent. He might be the key now for getting back the Silver Millennium Crystal. Use all available energy to revive him at once."

Mio sees Queen Beryl agreeing.

Mio comes out of her trance. "Baka."

...

Kunzite grieves in the now empty chamber. Zoisite, you were loyal and brave to the very end. It was my fault you died.

Kunzite relives the many happy memories that he and Zoisite shared.

But, there is only one thing that Zoisite would want me to do now. And even if it means facing them with no energy from Queen Beryl, I must face and kill the Sailor Warriors!

Next up, The Death of the Sailor Warriors, and the Secrets of the Silver Crystal.