Chapter 24: The Dark Messiah Part 2
Aria along with Crescemon and Alcremie ran as fast as they could until they arrived in the dark room where Serena is holding the girl named Hotaru.
Aria: Sailor Moon!
Serena: Aria, Crescemon, Alcremie, you arrived in time.
Hotaru: Who are they?
Serena: They are new friends. They came to save you and Rini too.
Hotaru: I see. But what about the Moon Chalice?
Serena: What's wrong with the Moon Chalice?
Hotaru: I heard what they were saying in this room and if Super Sailor Moon uses the Moon Chalice, she will defeat the enemies instantly. Hurry up before the enemy approaches.
Serena: I'm glad you're safe and sound.
Aria: Also, you can count on us.
Hotaru: What? Yeah.
Both Serena and Aria stood with reassuring smiles on their faces.
Hotaru: Come on, Serena. Do it. It's the only way to save Rini. Use the Moon Chalice.
But then Serena felt something fishy going on here.
Serena: Hotaru, how do you know about my identity as Serena Tsukino?
Aria: But how? Are you Hotaru?
Then Hotaru laughs with Mistress 9's voice.
Mistress 9: I'm Hotaru, but only her body.
Then Mistress 9 laughs evilly.
Serena: And what have you done to her soul?
Aria: Release her now!
Mistress 9: Very persistent, but I absorbed her soul.
Aria, Serena & Crescemon: What?
Mistress 9: I came from the great planet Tau and I took control of Hotaru's body. I come from a different mission.
*Apprehension*
Then Mistress 9 in Hotaru's body transforms back to her real form.
Crescemon: Who are you?
Mistress 9: I'm Mistress 9!
Mistress 9 still laughs evilly, but then a door was opened as the girls turned to see Amara and Michelle.
Amara: We finally found you!
Serena:(Gasping)Huh?
Michelle: For the good of this planet, we will destroy you!
Serena: Wait! Uranus, Neptune!
Mistress 9 laughs evilly as the curtains moved away to reveal Dr. Tomoe's laboratory. In other words, Germatoid's laboratory as Mistress 9 turns to see the space's horizon.
Mistress 9: Master Pharaoh 90, wait a bit more please.
Amara: What did she say?
Mistress 9 continues laughing evilly as Pharaoh 90 was advancing through space and now back with the group facing Mistress 9.
Aria: You better release our friend!
Mistress 9: It's already too late. Hotaru Tomoe is dead.
Serena: No!
Aria closed her eyes tightly while streaming tears before glaring at the Mistress 9.
Mistress 9: A great force is coming to this world. It comes from very far. From the Tau Nebula System. One of the greatest hunters of death, the governor of silence, Pharaoh 90. Only it remains for me to get the Moon Chalice and Pharaoh 90 will appear. Then the new millennium will emerge!
Aria: We won't give you anything! Return Hotaru back!
Mistress 9: You foolish child! Hotaru is gone! Why don't you wanna accept it?
Aria: You're the one who doesn't wanna accept it, you evil horrid hag!
Mistress 9: You insolent, foolish girl! I told you that Hotaru is dead! But if you insist on seeing her so badly, I will gladly kill you and then you will be reunited with Hotaru!
*Aparoid Queen Battle 1 - Star Fox Assault*
Then Aria who heard enough, she casts Horizon Beam, Crescemon uses Ice Archery, Alcremie uses Alluring Voice, Amara uses World Shaking, while Michelle uses Deep Submerge. However, the attacks didn't damage Mistress 9 who laughs evilly.
Mistress 9: Did you think those attacks could defeat me?
Then she unleashes a dark wave which hits Serena with Aria and Crescemon who reverts to her regular form and at the same time, Mistress 9 disappears before summoning dark vines which tied Amara and Michelle.
Mistress 9: If you don't wanna see them die, then give me the Moon Chalice.
But then Aria performs Fire Raid with her Keyblade which hits Mistress 9 and follows by casting Thundaga. Mistress 9 summons dark vines, but Aria casts Faith to block the attack and then uses Homing Missiles Shotlock. Mistress 9 glares at the persistent blue-haired teenager who then uses Blizzard Edge and follows by using Strike Raid and Sonic Blade.
Aria: Give Hotaru back to us, or we won't give you the Moon Chalice! Even if we give you the Moon Chalice, you won't keep your word!
Mistress 9: You're a very stubborn girl.
*Stop Music*
Then Mistress 9 summons her vines to tie Lunamon and Alcremie's necks.
Aria: No! Let them go!
Mistress 9: Dare to attack me again and your two partners will die! Now make your Keyblade disappear!
*Hesitation*
Aria gasps in fear. Not wanting to see Lunamon or Alcremie dying and without options, she made her Keyblade disappear while Serena was still hesitant.
Amara: Don't do it, Sailor Moon!
Michelle: If you give her the Moon Chalice, I will despise you for the rest of your life!
Alcremie: Cremie…!
Lunamon: Don't do it…!
Aria was hyperventilating at the situation while Mistress 9 was laughing evilly while the blue-haired girl tearfully opens her eyes and turns to see Serena.
Aria: Do it…
Amara: Don't you dare…!
Just before Serena could summon the Moon Chalice, they heard weak grunts of pain as they turned to see Dr. Tomoe walking weakly.
Dr. Tomoe: Hotaru…Hotaru…
Aria: Is that Hotaru's father?
Dr. Tomoe approaches Mistress 9.
Dr. Tomoe: This was my fault.
Mistress 9: Keep your filthy hands away from me.
Then she hits Dr. Tomoe and she summons her vines to strangle him and Serena tearfully collapsed in her knees.
Serena: Huh? Stop it! Stop it! Please, I beg you!
But then she suddenly hears a familiar gasp which surprised them.
Hotaru:(From Mistress 9's body)Dad?
Mistress 9: Impossible…!
Serena: Hotaru, it's you?
Eventually, Dr. Tomoe along with Amara, Michelle, Alcremie, and Lunamon were released while Mistress 9 was having troubles.
Mistress 9: My body is rejecting me!
Then Mistress 9 collapsed in her knees while Aria and Serena are now hesitant about what to do next.
Amara:(Tearfully)Aria, Sailor Moon, finish her off!
Aria:(Tearfully)No!
Serena:(Tearfully)It's because Hotaru is still alive!
Michelle:(Tearfully)Don't let it fool you two!
Then Dr. Tomoe approaches Mistress 9.
Dr. Tomoe: Are you OK?
Hotaru:(From Mistress 9's body)I don't have the Moon Chalice. I won't be able to escape. Dad…! No!
Then Serena summons the Moon Chalice.
Michelle:(Tearfully)Stop it, you two, before it is too late!
Serena: Hotaru is still alive! She is still alive! I cannot believe the innocent Hotaru has to die to save the world! I refuse to accept that!
*Shaded Truths*
Then Serena summons the Moon Chalice and gave it to Dr. Tomoe who gave it to the Mistress 9. Everything seems relieved, but then Mistress 9 regains control of her body and laughs evilly as she has the Moon Chalice in her hands and released a shockwave which pushes back Dr. Tomoe, Serena, Aria, Alcremie, and Lunamon.
Mistress 9: Sailor Moon and Aria, after speaking with Pharaoh 90, he will give you two the privilege of surviving in the bodies of two of our demons.
Aria: Hotaru! Come back, Hotaru!
Mistress 9: It's already too late, child.
Serena: We'll show you that we can defeat you! We won't let you hurt Hotaru and this world!
Mistress 9: Quit it, child! This Moon Chalice has emotions like sadness, happiness, rage, and hatred, which are made to create the crystal of the purest heart that exists in the world. If you wanna defeat Pharaoh 90, you'll need the purest heart than this.
After hearing it, Aria gasps quietly and in realization.
Aria:(Whispering)A purest heart…
Mistress 9: You cannot defeat us and for the last time, Hotaru is gone forever!
Mistress 9 then puts the Moon Chalice in the capsule which was unleashing electricity as Mistress 9 was laughing evilly, but at the same time, rage was building inside Aria, but then the Moon Chalice disintegrates and a huge sphere of purplish energy appears.
Serena: The Moon Chalice!
Amara: Look what you have done! You'll be responsible for the destruction of the world!
Aria: This is not over!
*Aparoid Queen Battle 2 - Star Fox Assault*
Aria dashes towards Mistress 9 before performing Quick Blitz and follows by performing Ragnarok.
Mistress 9: Fight all you want, but it's already too late!
Aria yells with rage before triple slashing Mistress 9 with her Keyblade.
Aria: I had enough of this!
Then Serena pulls out the Spiral Heart Moon Rod while Aria summons her Keyblade. Both girls used Moon Spiral Heart Attack and Prism Rain respectively with both attacks hitting Pharaoh 90, but the attacks weren't effective and the evil cosmic entity fires a red beam which hits both Serena and Aria.
Mistress 9: Now you cannot transform into Super Sailor Moon and your Keyblade is no match for my master. Now the new dominion of my master will begin!
But suddenly, from the purplish sphere, an explosion appears which hits Mistress 9 who yells in pain and when the explosion vanishes, it reveals Sailor Moon and Aria having scrapes in their bodies while protecting Dr. Tomoe and Hotaru and now outside from Lunar Tokyo, the sphere of purple energy appears while a black tornado is appearing which drags the Aether Team, even Caleb who was in his Mind Form, and the Inner Sailor Scouts with them, making them scream in pain and all of them fell unconscious. Only Sara held Caeli and Kibou protectively to reduce the amount of damage possible.
Dr. Tomoe: Hotaru…
Hotaru: Dad...Dad...Dad…
Dr. Tomoe: Hotaru…
Hotaru: Where are you? It's dark here. We have to save Rini, dad. Get me outta here.
Dr. Tomoe: I'm really sorry.
Suddenly, Hotaru returns back to normal.
Hotaru: Dad…
Amara and Michelle gasps at their sights. Suddenly, Mistress 9 came back and regains control of her body and screams while knocking Dr. Tomoe away.
Aria: Now release Hotaru!
Aria points her Keyblade as a Keyhole appears in Mistress 9's body and Aria fires a beam which hits Mistress 9.
Hotaru: Now I finally appreciate you.
*Stop Music*
Then Mistress 9 screams as the black star in her forehead disappears and her body disappears while leaving a purple symbol.
Aria: Her heart was released and also, Rini will be restored.
Suddenly, the place starts to shake.
Amara: Now there's nothing we can do to stop this.
Aria: No! It's not very yet! This is not over! Come on, Lunamon!
Lunamon: Yes!
Aria: Biomerge Evolution!
Lunamon: Lunamon Biomerge to…DIANAMON!
*Courage*
Then Dianamon jumps quickly to grab Serena, Dr. Tomoe, Alcremie, Amara, and Michelle to save them from the shockwave expansions caused by Pharaoh 90 as they came out into the rubble of Lunar Tokyo.
Amara: Is that Aria?
Michelle: She transformed into a different being. But she is not a demon.
Then at the same time, Hotaru, but coming as a Sailor Scout, appears.
Hotaru: I thank you for protecting my body. You're gentle.
Michelle: Sailor Saturn…
Serena: You're Hotaru.
Dr. Tomoe: Hotaru…!
Hotaru: I'm sorry. I'm not Hotaru. I'm the only person who can save this world from the silence. Trust me.
Serena: Wait! We're coming with you!
Hotaru: No. To destroy Pharaoh 90, I must enter his core and defeat him once and for all. Probably Super Sailor Moon could do it, but without the Moon Chalice, it will be impossible to enter Pharaoh's core and you will die instantly there. Also, it is my work.
Serena: But what will happen to you?
Hotaru: Everyone calls me the Destruction Sailor and I have the ability to destroy a whole planet. However, when I use my power, I'll die.
Then Hotaru summons her lance.
Serena: No!
Before Serena could stop her, Hotaru points her lance, forcing her to stop.
Hotaru: Farewell.
Then she jumps to go towards Pharaoh 90's core. Suddenly, Dianamon jumps to follow Hotaru.
Aria:(Inside Dianamon)Hotaru!
Hotaru: Is that you, Aria?
Aria:(Inside Dianamon)Yeah, it's me, inside my Digimon.
Hotaru: Don't try to stop me.
Dianamon: We don't wanna stop you!
Aria:(Inside Dianamon)We're going with you!
Hotaru: But you two won't survive there.
Aria:(Inside Dianamon)I'm inside a Mega Level Digimon and therefore, I'll survive too.
Then Hotaru nods before she and Dianamon enters Pharaoh 90's core. Hotaru swings her lance, slashing the core many times, while Dianamon uses Crescent Harken and Arrow of Artemis many times as possible. However, Serena was concerned, wanting to help.
Serena: Hotaru! Aria!
She ran, trying to help them, but then the force of the barrier hits her, causing her to scream in pain before crashing in the ground. She got up tearfully, not wanting to see the two of them dying.
Serena: MOON CRISIS POWER, MAKE UP! MOON CRISIS POWER, MAKE UP! Why is not working?
She tried to transform into Super Sailor Moon, but nothing happened. She tried again, but it wasn't working as she collapsed in her knees and slammed her right fist to the ground with sadness and frustration. She kept crying and punching the ground, but in the tornado, Ami, Raye, Lita, and Mina were able to hear Serena in distress.
Ami: Sailor Moon…
Raye: Sailor Moon…
Lita: Sailor Moon…
Mina: Sailor Moon…
The crystals from their tiaras glowed and at the same time, the ones of Amara and Michelle and lastly, Serena's tiara glows as she kept sobbing and tried again.
Serena: MOON CRISIS POWER, MAKE UP!
And surprisingly, she transforms into Super Sailor Moon, but this time, having glowing butterfly wings.
Hotaru: Do it…!
Then Serena enters Pharaoh 90's core and joins to fight alongside Hotaru and Dianamon until they were able to destroy the core and Pharaoh 90 once for all and the dark tornado disappears too.
*Stop Music*
The skies returned to normal while the Aether Team manages to recover themselves from the black tornado. Also, the Digimon are back in their regular forms.
Caleb & Mario: Heal.
The healing spell heals the Aether Team and Inner Sailor Scouts and then from the skies, some sparkles appeared which then turned into glowing butterflies and from those butterflies, Serena along with Aria and Lunamon appeared.
Aria: Where's Hotaru?
Serena didn't answer as she was holding a baby wrapped in a blue cloth. Aria shows a sad smile.
Lunamon: Is she…?
Aria: Yes, she is alive.
However, despite saving the world, Aria was feeling extremely guilty and sad, wanting to do something else and avoid Hotaru being reverted into a baby.
Kibou:(Tearfully)Sis…!
Kibou jumps to hug Aria who returns the hug. She couldn't help but cry quietly while hugging her little brother.
Aria:(Tearfully)I'm okay…Don't worry, Kibou…I'm here…I won't leave you…
*Detiny's Union*
The group then approaches Aria holding Kibou along with Lunamon and Serena holding the baby Hotaru.
Luke: Is it over?
S. Absol:(Nodding)Absol.
As Aria was still holding Kibou, the Aether Team then flashbacks about themselves in a palace on the moon's surface which shows the group along with Serena, or Princess Serenity, along with a black-haired prince wearing a black tuxedo and top hat, and the company of the Four Sailor Scouts, fighting against evil monsters being led by an orange-haired woman wearing a sleeveless purple dress who, before she could attack, an adult version of Serenity appears and was holding a pink rod with a jeweled heart.
Aria: Queen Serenity…!
Queen Serenity: MOON PRINCESS HALATION!
She fires pink sparkles which defeated the monsters.
Sara: The Dark Kingdom's forces have decreased greatly!
Aria: It's all over for you, Queen Beryl!
Queen Beryl: This is not over! Someday, I will be back and Prince Endymion will be mine!
Then Queen Beryl and a few of her troops retreated and now back in the present, the Aether Team watches their surroundings, but weirdly enough, the Keyhole didn't appear like usual in the worlds that they've visited.
Caleb:(Whispering)The Keyhole isn't here.
Mario:(Whispering)Unless-a this-a world was-a saved…
Rei: So now what?
Aria: I think we must go now.
They turned to Aria who was holding a sleeping Kibou.
Caleb: Aria…?
Aria: We did everything we could, but under another sacrifice…
Caleb could see that his girlfriend must be tired physically and mentally and he then nods.
Caleb: OK.
Mina: Do you know if we'll meet again?
Ila: Yes.
Then the Aether Team left this world, knowing that their work in this world is apparently over and at the same time, Aria must rest easily.
*Xehanort - The Early Years*
But unaware to them, Seth and Young Xehanort watched the events.
Seth: Well, Pharaoh 90 was destroyed, but they didn't see and seal the Keyhole.
Y. Xehanort: It doesn't matter, because the Spiral Heart Moon Rod was destroyed after the destruction of Pharaoh 90. The Spiral Heart Moon Rod was the source of light of this world and eventually, this world will be consumed by the darkness. Slowly, this world will disappear and at the same time, there's a Princess of Heart in this world. She like the others six will be the key for the plan to unlock Kingdom Hearts.
Seth: But who?
Y. Xehanort: The girl who was with your sister.
With those words, Young Xehanort refers to Serena Tsukino as one of the Seven Princesses of Heart and at the same time, below the debris of the destroyed buildings, a sparkle of darkness manifested as a blackhole.
*Comet Observatory 1*
Now in the Comet Observatory, the Aether Team came back. Aria was still holding the sleeping Kibou.
Rosalina: So how was your mission?
Mario: There wasn't a Keyhole there.
Aria:(Sadly)Also, I need some time alone with Kibou.
Rosalina nods in understanding after seeing Aria's emotional condition. Then the blue-haired girl brought her baby brother to the bedroom. They settled themselves in their bed and slept together. As Aria was holding Kibou, she streams a few tears in the corners of her eyes, clearly as a result of that bittersweet ending.
*Dive into the Heart - Kingdom Hearts*
Meanwhile, in another world, there is a young boy at the age of 14 with brown spiky hair and blue eyes. He wore a red jumpsuit, a black and white jacket with a hood around his upper body, a blue belt around his waist, a necklace with a crown on it, white gloves with his fingers shown, and big yellow shoes. He was on a circular platform with a stained glass which was showing Serena in her Sailor Moon Form, along with two bubbles to the left of her, showing a young man wearing a black top hat and white glasses and a black cat with red eyes and a crescent moon on it's forehead. The two bubbles to the right of her shows a little girl with pink hair and two kitty-shaped buns and a white cat with blue eyes and a crescent moon on it's forehead. There are also fifteen additional bubbles on the edges of the platform in circular positions, showing Ami, Raye, Lita, Mina, Amara, Michelle, a teenage girl with long dark green hair, and the last bubble showing Hotaru. Then the boy hears a voice speaking.
The closer you get to light, the greater your shadow becomes.
The boy looks down to the ground and notices his shadow was very tall. Then it came to life and rose from the ground, becoming a giant creature. The boy walks back in fear. Then the voice spoke yet again.
But don't be afraid...And don't forget.
The boy ran away from the creature. He reaches the edge and almost fell, but regains his balance and saw the creature with the same yellow eyes as the Shadows. It has wavy black hair and a heart-shaped cut in it's stomach. The boy drew out his sword and fought the creature. The creature threw a giant punch at the boy, but he quickly rolls out of the way. He struck the creature's hand, causing it to growl in pain. Little Shadows came out of the creature's hand on the ground, but the boy finishes them off quickly. The creature then fires shadow balls from it's heart-shaped stomach and aims at the boy, but he dodges all of them. The creature then punches the ground again and summons more Shadows. The boy quickly finishes them off and then strikes the creature's hand again. The boy smirks, thinking he has won, but then the creature still attacks him while panting. The boy's sword then disappears as the dark wave swallows him. The voice then spoke.
But don't be afraid...You hold the mightiest weapon of all...So don't forget.
As the dark wave swallows the boy, he hears the voice for the last time.
You are the one who will open the door.
That's it for chapter 24. The ending scene is the same scene as the prologue from Tiny Toondom Hearts 1, setting the stage for the events. Next time, the Aether Team will return to another world.