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The Dream By NeoUsako It was an ordinary night, as any other. But the dream to come forth had a very powerful meaning, one which could alter Fate itself.
The Night of Dreams
Serenity tossed and turned all that night. She had not been sleeping well the past week, and her appearances showed it. Her sea-blue eyes, once filled with joy, now had an undescribable sadness about them. Her hair, once silken gold, now turned lusterless. Her life had been miserable, ever since Endymion left to settle interplanetary disputes. "Why did that baka have to leave?" she muttered. Her lonely words echoed in the empty room as a lone tear escaped, trailing down her pale cheek. She breathed a sigh and then, ever so slowly, fell asleep. ~~ Serenity looked around her, seeing purple clouds everywhere. "But purple isn't my color," she quietly objected. Her dress was crimson, instead of the usual pure white she always wore. "Why is everything so screwed up?" she asked the clouds, rhetorically. They parted to reveal a lilac gate, grand in stature, with the phases of the Moon engraved on the outside. "I should know what this is," she whispered, "but I have no clue! It's familiar, yet..." Her voice trailed off. She gingerly stepped inside. More purple clouds. But something was different here: A beautiful tower of white crystals, not quite as tall as Serenity. She reached out to touch the crystals...
They had something in them. But what, she couldn't tell for the life of her. She attempted to squint to see the object, but the crystals were too opaque. All she could see was more lilac and some deep red inside. "Perhaps," she pondered, "it's just some more clouds. They're everywhere."
Her hand wandered to the very tip of the tallest crystal.
Suddenly, the crystal fractured and split open, releasing bursts of lilac light. Serenity took a startled jump backwards as the crystal dissolved in its own light, leaving only a lilac key-shaped staff with a garnet orb perched within the heart shape on top of the key. Serenity gasped. She knew what this was, yet...! The name or significance still escaped her. She knew that it meant something; it couldn't be just some random image. She grasped the cold metal key-staff, expecting just the feel of metal. The center of her forehead burned as her attire changed from crimson to jet-black. The staff had a purple glow about it. Her hair changed also, to a greenish-black, odangoes fading to a half-bun. Her golden curl earrings became garnet arrow-heads. The staff glowed even brighter.~~ Gasping, Serenity woke up.
The Awakening
"Serenity, what's wrong?" Ami curiously asked Serenity, knowing that she had woken up in the middle of the night *again* (which was extremely rare for Serenity; she usually slept very well). Serenity followed Ami groggily as she was prepared warmed milk.
"Well, Ami, I've been having very odd dreams lately, and this one was the worst yet."
"What was it like?"
"Well, lots of purple."
"Purple?!" Ami inquired, bewildered.
"Yes, Ami, purple. And there was red too. And a gate that I've *seen* before, but I can't figure out where or when."
"Ohh, the familiarity bit. It's odd. All Senshi go through it. Don't worry."
Serenity rolled her eyes. So much for help... maybe she could ask Rei-chan. She knew lots about dreams. Maybe she could interpret this one...
Ami handed Serenity the milk and stayed by her until she fell asleep again. The next morning, Serenity was awake before everyone else, preparing the morning coffee. Since *everyone* did partake of coffee in the early hours, the first one awake made coffee in the special 24-cup coffee maker (which made *twice* as much as a normal coffee maker). The smell of brewing coffee awoke the other Senshi, still groggy in their bathrobes. Makoto was the first to speak. "Serenity, you alright? You don't look well. Want me to cook breakfast?"
"No, Mako-chan, that's alright. I'm not that hungry right now."
This brought on a jaw drop from all Senshi. Serenity, not hungry when breakfast was delayed?! How could this be?
"Are you sure?" Makoto continued. "I mean, I could cook something up in just a few minutes."
"It's alright! I'm fine, Mako-chan... if you want to cook for yourself or the others, don't let me stop you," Serenity said, grinning slightly. "It's not like I could do much *to* stop you." At this she laughed.
Rei spoke up. "Serenity, can I talk to you for a minute in the parlor?"
"Sure. Why?"
"Just get over here," Rei mumbled with her usual impatience. Serenity got up and followed Rei to the parlor, with crystals and glass all around, a tranquil place to be. They both sat in comfortable velvet armchairs facing each other, while the flickering candlelight mesmerized them.
"Serenity," Rei began, "I can tell something's up. You're not yourself. You're up early, don't feel like eating, looking disheveled. Look at yourself! You have bags under your eyes, your hair's lusterless, the cheerfulness is gone, poof! In midair!" At this point she stared straight into Serenity's soul. "Tell me, what's happened to our sweet Serenity?"
"I don't know. I haven't been getting much sleep, I miss Endymion, and the same dream comes back night after night, and I can't figure it out."
"Tell me about it."
"Well, I become someone different, everything changes, my hair, clothes, eyes, *everything*! It's like I'm not supposed to be Neo-Queen Serenity. And there's a gate, a beautiful light purple gate that's familiar to me. It has the phases of the Moon on it. And there's also a purple staff in the shape of a key, with a red crystal orb on it. I don't get it."
"Oh, I see. Well, you'd better get some sleep soon. You're worrying me."
"Yes, 'mother'."
Rei stuck her tongue out at this, and Serenity giggled for the first time in three weeks. "Rei!!! What in the hell are your charm thingies doing in my room?!" Minako squealed, fifteen minutes after Rei's discussion with Serenity.
"There are mice in your room; what did you *want* me to do about it?" Rei replied irritably.
"Get an exterminator!"
"There *are* no exterminators around here!!!"
"Get Serenity to catch them! She loves mice!"
"No!! Serenity's in bad spirits today!"
"Serenity's been in bad spirits for the past three weeks!!" "So?!"
"That means, I don't want to make her in an even *worse* mood, baka!"
"Oh."
"Exactly, Minako. Putting Serenity in a bad mood by making her catch mice, after *all* she's been through the past three weeks, is not a good idea."
"Well, what exactly *has* our dear queen been through? Enlighten me."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"I swore not to tell, happy now?!"
"No, Rei... you're snapping at me for no reason."
At this Rei paused for a moment. "Right. Sorry." Serenity quietly entered the hall in which the two senshi had been arguing. "It's alright," she said. "I caught her."
Silence.
"This is Delta. She's been living here for years. Very friendly." Delta climbed on Serenity's shoulder and stayed there, watching the bewildered senshi with curiosity.
"Can you tell Delta that people aren't generally friendly to her?" Minako asked, preparing to swat the rodent with her towel.
"Noo," Serenity replied. "I feed her, and she keeps other mice away."
"Oh." Disgusted, Minako hung up her towel. Serenity heard her mumble, "Mice are gross." That night, Serenity decided it was her turn to cook dinner. She cooked a simple meal of sirloin steak with mashed potatoes and gravy.
"Serenity, this is really great! Where'd you learn to cook this?" Makoto asked, surprised at Serenity's newfound cooking ability. Serenity sat in silence.
"I don't know," Serenity finally said. She barely ate anything, merely pushing her food around the plate.
"Oh, Sere, what's wrong?" Ami finally asked.
Serenity abruptly looked up. "Please don't call me 'Sere'," she said, seeming somewhat annoyed. "I am Serenity or nothing. Only Endymion calls me Sere, and to top it off, I'm not even sure I really belong here. So please, don't." She hung her head and two small teardrops fell on her plate.
The four senshi stared at her for a few moments, dumbfounded by her sharp words. This wasn't at all like her! What had gotten into her? No one quite knew for sure. Whatever it was, it was really taking a toll on their queen. They ate in silence the rest of the night. Serenity silently cleaned up the dinner dishes and went straight to bed, Luna and Delta curling up beside her.
"Luna-chan," she began, "why am I like this? Why am I so upset? Why is this dream affecting me so much? I mean, it's just a dream, right?"
Luna couldn't answer, but she curled up near Serenity's face and purred loudly until both she and Serenity fell asleep. The dream returned that night, still exactly like the dream before. But instead of the black dress, her clothing was a black-and-white fuku, with bloodred bows and a gold locket. She awoke abruptly again, startling Luna and Delta. "Serenity," Luna began, "did your dream return?" She nodded and began to cry.
"What's wrong with me?" she asked Luna.
"I don't know, Serenity." She purred until she fell asleep, and Serenity giggled at Luna's cuteness and joined her again.
Endymion's Return
The next morning, Serenity woke up alone again. Luna was waking the others up, and Delta followed her, perching on her head. "So much for companionship," Serenity muttered. "Maybe I should get a dog." She looked at the alarm clock on her mantle: 9:45. How in the hell did she sleep that late?! She was normally up by 6:30. Oh, well. She sat up with a great effort and sighed. This morning seemed dull and gray. Her hair was graying, too. Too much stress, she thought to herself. This whole dream business, along with Endymion being gone and my unsureness of my identity's really getting to me.
"Morning, Serenity," Makoto said cheerily as she passed the room where Serenity was investigating her hair. Then, realizing that the gray hair was really Serenity's and not a lighting effect, did a double take and exclaimed, "Whoah! What happened?!"
"I don't know, Mako-chan... do I look older? I feel older."
Speechless, Makoto nodded.
"Aww, crap," was Serenity's reply. Makoto entered the room and sat down on the vanity bench next to Serenity.
"You've been acting very unlike yourself lately. What's up?" she inquired with a hug.
"I don't know. I'm just stresed. I mean, Endymion's gone, and I keep having dreams that become nightmares because I can't figure out what they mean."
"Oh my goodness, Serenity! Why didn't you tell me sooner!"
"I was too busy being stressed out over it."
"I see. Well, I can help you. I know lots about interpreting dreams."
"Really?!" At this Serenity looked happy for the first time in nearly a month. Serenity relayed all of the details of the dreams to Makoto, who spent a few minutes puzzling over it. At last Makoto remembered something.
"You know what, Serenity?"
"What?"
"We need to make a trip."
"Nani?! What are you talking about? Where are we going?"
"To the attic, my dear queen."
"Eew. But it's dusty!"
Makoto stood up and walked to Serenity's closet. "Wear this," she said. She tossed Serenity a lacy gray dress.
"Perfect, dust colored. Even matches my hair." Makoto and Serenity walked to the attic, candles and feather dusters in hand, thoroughly not amused by the floating dust bunnies.
"Eww. I don't wanna be here," Serenity protested.
"You want to figure out your dream, don't you?" Makoto asked.
Serenity blushed. "Yeah," she admitted. "Sorry."
At last they came to a dusty cherry-wood bookshelf filled with books at least 100 years old. Makoto browed through the titles.
"Let's see, Japanese History, The Legend of Queen Serenity, Modern Cats, Mating Habits of the African Kumquat Bee, Plato's Republic, Autographed Edition, Gardening for Morons, Jane Eyre, ah here it is!!! 'The Legend of the Outer Senshi'."
"What? That has nothing to do with this!"
"You'd be surprised, Serenity. Take a look."
The third page showed a detailed illustration of the same gate Serenity had seen in her dreams.
"Oh my goodness, Mako-chan! This is it!!" Serenity squeaked. With a satisfied smile, Makoto nodded.
"I thought so," she said smugly. "I look through here every once in a while to see if there's any good reading. Fortunately, I'd browsed through this book before, and your description of the gate reminded me of this picture."
"This is great! Maybe it has some more information... but why would I be getting dreams about an Outer Senshi? It doesn't make sense."
"I don't know. Let's find out." The two senshi leafed through decalogues of information and finally came to this: "The Soldier of Love shall carry the Dark Lady's crystal until she is reborn."
"What does this mean?" Serenity asked curiously, a tinge of fear clouding her voice.
"Soldier of Love could be you *or* Minako.... and the Dark Lady...I don't know. Maybe we should consult Luna about this. She knows lots of Senshi history."
"Good idea." Makoto and Serenity left the attic with the dusty book and headed straight for Serenity's room, where Luna normally slept. Sure enough, Luna was curled snugly in Serenity's bluish-purple comforter, absorbing the warm sunlight from outside. Serenity sat at the edge of the bed, moving the mattress and waking the sleeping furball.
"Luna," Serenity began.
Groaning, Luna replied, "What, Serenity? I was sleeping."
"I know, Luna, but this is important."
Luna opened one eye, saw Serenity's serious look, and sat up. "What is this about?" she asked.
"It's about the Dark Lady. Who is she and what is her purpose?"
"The Dark Lady?! Serenity, where do you think of such things?"
"My book. Mako-chan and I have determined that she has something to do with my dreams. Look." She opened the book and showed Luna the cryptic passage.
"THAT Dark Lady. I thought you were talking about Wicked Lady."
"No! We knew about her when I was still a wimpy fourteen-year-old."
"Well, this Dark Lady is a good person. She is Sailor Pluto, the Guardian of Time."
"What does that have to do wtih me?" Serenity inquired.
"I don't know. Sailor Pluto, in her last physical form, died in a helicopter crash about 6 years ago."
"Well, I guess I'll have to think about this whole Pluto-crystal thing."
"Serenity, one more thing: Minako was asking me if I'd seen you lately. She wanted you to help her in her " Ai no Hanazono" as she likes to call it."
"Her and her damned love garden," Serenity muttered as she changed into a short skirt and t-shirt. "Yes, Mina-chan?" Serenity inquired cheerfully upon entering Minako's pride and joy, her love garden.
"Oh, Serenity, you're here! I've been looking for you everywhere! Could you help me with one of my rose plants?"
"Alright. What do you need from me?"
"I need you to keep this darn thing alive until I can figure out what's wrong with the soil."
"You want me to use the ginzuishou over a plant?! Why don't we just get a new one?"
"Because this is a very special rose plant. It's the only one quite like it in the galaxy. It is called a Moon Blaze rose, because it is mainly milk-white with blue edges, like the Moon. It appears to have very special healing properties, curing everything from dizziness to nightmares to colds to cancers. Please, Serenity," she pleaded.
"No way. I'm not going to risk my life over a plant. And what are you going to breed it with, if it's the only one?"
Minako stared blankly. "Uh...."
"Thought so. No."
"Can you at least keep it stable?"
Serenity rolled her eyes. "Fine," she mumbled, and sent her body into its healing phase, taking the plant with her.
A half-hour later, Minako figured out the problem with the soil, and relayed the mesage to Serenity. Too much acid! Roses are normally acidic plants, but not this one. The Moon Blaze rose thrived on neutrality, an unusual characteristic for roses, requiring the soil pH to be a solid 7.0. Serenity groaned.
"You wanted me to send my body into a healing regenerative state just so you could adjust the soil," Serenity stated.
"Sure did. Thanks, sis."
"I really hope it was worth it."
"It was. Thanks again." Minako gave Serenity a hug. Serenity made her way to her room and changed into a translucent nightgown. After all, dusk was approaching, and she needed plenty of rest. She had suddenly started to become more tired within the past few nights. The sleeplessness was catching up to her.
She closed the sheer white curtains and the door, extinguished all but one candle, and fell back onto her bed. Staring at the only candle still lit, she said a prayer, which went something like this:
~~ "Powers that Be, Spirit of the Moon, please allow me to find my proper path, and to walk it without fear. In the name of the Moon. Watashi wa tsuki no tenshino. Watashi wa ai no senshi. Tenshinohanede tobitatsuno."~~
She was just about to extunguish the last candle when she heard footsteps and a faint creak from the door. She looked up. All she was able to see was a tall, dark silhouette of a man bearing a sword, but she was able to identify its owner immediately. "Endymion," she whispered, with no longer enough energy to speak.
"Good evening, my love," he replied, removing his sword before joining her.
"I missed you so much. See, even my hair's felt your loss." She held up a limp strand of silver hair.
"But the important thing is that I'm back, and I can see you. No one else knows I'm here yet."
"Well, that's just something that can remain a secret until the morning, isn't it?" Serenity replied with a wink. She moved closer and enjoyed being with him again.
That night, Endymion and Serenity fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms. |
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The Soldier of Love Returns
The next morning, Luna came into Serenity's room to wake her up and gasped when she saw not one, but two people in the bed. She immediately pounced on the mass in full attack mode, digging her claws into flesh through the sheets. Endymion and Serenity sat bolt upright as they both bled from Luna's scratches which became gashes.
"LUNA!!!!! Baka yaro!! Ow!" Serenity screamed.
"Oh, my goodness, I'm so sorry! I didn't expect you home yet, Endymion, so when I saw two forms..." At this she blushed. "My most sincere apologies."
"I forgive you, Luna, but could you help bandage us?" Serenity replied, still in pain.
"I'll go get Hotaru. If you remember, I don't have opposable thumbs and you don't have enough strength to transform me."
"True."
Endymion stared maliciously at the ebony colored feline, ready to give her an attack of his own. Instead, he held his tongue and waited for Luna to retrieve Hotaru. "How did this happen?" Hotaru asked Serenity while attempting to heal her.
"Uh, Luna thought Endymion was an intruder."
"Endymion? He's back?!"
"Yes, he's on his way back here. He was just talking with Artemis, asking him to keep an eye on Luna."
"Oh. Luna's been a bit overprotective lately. Did you notice? She'll even stay up late to watch over you."
"Aww..."
Endymion returned, still bleeding.
"You know, Mamo-chan, it's not a good idea to run around bleeding like crazy," Serenity commented.
"I know, Sere... I just wanted Artemis to take special care of Luna. She seems stressed lately."
"That's an understatement," Hotaru added.
Endymion sat near Serenity and prepared for Hotaru's special healing touch. He hated the sudden purple heat which surged through his body every time she used it. Serenity moved so that Hotaru could get a better angle on Endymion's kitty-induced gashes.
"I really tore you up, didn't I?" Luna asked, embarrassed.
"It's alright, Luna," Endymion replied. "At least you were concerned about Serenity's safety, and that's what's important."
"I suppose it is," Luna continued, "but I still feel so bad for hurting both of you."
"It's okay, Luna!" Serenity added. "I mean, you didn't know Mamo-chan would be home early, you were concerned about intruders, and you did the right thing."
Serenity petted Luna's silky black fur. Luna purred and curled up in Serenity's lap, making both Serenity and Hotaru giggle. Several hours later, the warm rays of sunlight filtered through the windows of the Crystal Palace. Endymion and Serenity, now healed, dressed in their royal ensembles and majestically made their way through the halls. The royal pair caught the attention of the four senshi, who were not expecting Endymion back so early.
"Mamoru-san? You're back?" Makoto asked, confused.
"What do you think?" Serenity replied with a wink.
"Oh..." Makoto rolled her eyes.
"By the way, Makoto, I'll cook breakfast. How do pancakes and bacon sound? That is, of course, unless you'd like to help."
"Sure!" Makoto replied, cheering up. "I'll help you cook."
Makoto and Serenity made their way to the kitchen, where Minako was willing to help with the pancakes.
"Minako, we got it," Makoto said.
"It's alright, Mako-chan. Mina-chan can stay," Serenity replied. Serenity searched the kitchen and then got out a large mixing bowl and two pans. She gracefully cracked the eggs into the mixing bowl, and proceeded to make the batter. Makoto was warming the pan that was cooking the bacon, and Minako was having fun with the flour.
"This is sooo fun!" Minako squealed.
"Chill, Mina-chan," Serenity replied calmly.
Blushing, Minako dusted the remains of flour off of her apron. She placed the bag of flour by Serenity and, with a gentle pat, stepped away, embarrassed.
"Uh, Minako, do you have a fever or something?" Makoto asked.
"No. Why?"
"Just get some rest."
"Okay." Minako left the kitchen and went into her room, where she promptly fell asleep. "These pancakes are awesome, Serenity!" Rei enthusiastically commented.
"I agree," Endymion added.
Luna suddenly charged into the dining room, followed by Artemis. Luna was in poor shape, gasping for air, and Artemis wan't much better off.
"Senshi," she began, "there's been a report of attacks from people in strange costumes on the news. We should keep an eye out for anything else suspicious."
Serenity nodded. "I'll investigate it, Luna." She got up from the table and collected plates, setting them by the sink and heading to her room. Hotaru got up and followed Serenity, calling Haruka and Michiru on the communicator in the process. Serenity ran out of the palace, Hotaru following close behind. She pulled out a small locket she had kept for a long time. "I thought you said that it would be over by now," she said to the picture that stared back at her. A small tear escaped and landed on the glass cover of her mother's picture. Serenity could sense that the evil was at work again, and it was near the forest, gathering energy from the trees. She ran faster, almost tripping over her dress, and Hotaru had trouble keeping up.
Serenity reached the edge of the forest and shouted, "Moon Crisis Power Make-Up!" She had transformed into Super Sailor Moon. She figured the wings of her Eternal fuku would be cumbersome, and her Super phase had more power than the other phases.
Hotaru hid behind a tree, ready to help in case Serenity got injured. She watched Serenity run into the forest and she sighed. This was not going to be an easy battle for her Queen. The tall lady with wavy jet black hair looked from the treetops and smiled. That White Moon Queen was willing to battle. Good, she thought. I'll bring her down before she even realizes what hit her.
"Welcome, Serenity," an echoing deep voice called out. Serenity paused, looked about, and then continued toward the source of the evil.
 A fiery mass suddenly appeared before Serenity, and she froze in fear. She hated fire! The mass grew larger and wider, until it was taller than her and a little wider. The fire turned jet black and then transformed into a tall, slender woman with hip-length jet black wavy hair, emerald eyes, pale skin, and an inverted black moon on her forehead. She grinned. "I see you found me," the woman began. "You won't feel so lucky afterwards."
"We'll see about that," Serenity retorted. "I'm a lot stronger than I look."
"Take a look at yourself. Your battle skills are rusty."
Annoyed, Serenity continued, "Who are you anyway?!"
"My name, for your information, is Mei Shinu. I come from a long, long line of superior warriors that your kind always sought to trap. But I am the purest of these evils, I will prevail and rule over this peaceful planet with a hand of darkness never before seen. My mission, dear Queen, is to kill you and your family, leaving no heir to the throne, at which point I will rule over this entire forsaken planet. Without the Moon Queen to protect them, they are hopeless."
"Cut the chatter," Serenity cut in, "because if you want to kill me you'd better not waste your time giving me lectures."
"Feisty, aren't we?" Mei continued.
"Sure am, because I won't let you steal my kingdom without a fight to the finish."
"Courageous words, for a corpse." Mei lifted her left hand and created a black sphere with a green tinge to the edges, hurling it at Serenity and creating a deep wound in her stomach and knocking Serenity down.
Serenity screamed and then got back up, holding her bleeding stomach.
"You evil sow!" Serenity retorted, as she utilized a cousin attack of Venus's love chain, the Moon Crescent Chain which wrapped around Mei and stung her with its purity.
Smiling, Mei broke from Serenity's chain and said, "Back at ya," unleashing vines which wrapped around Serenity's ankles and slowly drained her energy away. Serenity sank to the ground as Mei was draining every last bit of her energy. Why? thought Serenity. I thought I could defeat her, now I am dying. ~~~~~ "Shit," Haruka muttered as soon as she saw Serenity's predicament. "Uranus Crystal Power Make-Up!" The transformation was just about to begin, but Mei saw Haruka beforehand. Mei snatched Haruka's pen, and then attacked her with a dark energy sphere, instantly killing her. Barely breathing, Serenity tried to call Haruka's name, to reassure her that Haruka, the one who was so protective, the one who called her Kitten, was still alive. There was absolutely no response, and Serenity knew that Haruka was no longer among the living. She cried for the one who was always watching out for her, the one who gave her that irresistably cute nickname, the one who helped her through her roughest times. Haruka was one of the ones most faithful to the pact that was made centuries ago, and now she was gone. Forever. "Noo!!" Serenity screamed. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she stared at Mei with a new malice. Attempting to stand, Serenity removed her tiara, creating a glowing sword out of it.
"Baka yaro," Mei taunted. Her emerald-green eyes glowed and the vines covering Serenity's body constricted like a boa, tighter and tighter against Serenity's body. Mei laughed as Serenity struggled to breathe and collapsed.
Trying to get back up, Serenity tried to cut the vines with her sword, but it was useless. Serenity didn't have enough strength to swing the blade, much less chop through hundreds of yards of energy-consuming vine. She collapsed again, and Mei laughed again as her evil vines continued to feast from Serenity's energy supply.
"You hopeless humans," Mei mused, "now have no hope of saving yourselves from my dark rule." "We'll see about that," Sailor Saturn commented, ready to fight for her planet and her Queen.
"Another one, eh? Uranus wasn't even worth my time, and your Moon Queen is gone too. You have no hope against me."
Thoroughly pissed, Saturn invoked her Death Ribbon Revolution, creating small wounds in Mei's hands and legs.
"Ooh, I'm scared," Mei said mockingly. She simply stared at Sailor Saturn for a moment, and then uttered, "Ohm yakhtu immni ohmirus. Yakhara purlema ranichaosu!!" The afternoon sky now turned jet-black, and an ominous purplish-black cloud swirled around Sailor Saturn. Her glaive, the instrument of so much destruction, dematerialized as if made of soil. The silver dust sat in a pile as Sailor Saturn watched with horror. Her fuku faded and disappeared, leaving only the purple dress she originally wore. The cloud circled around the now-powerless Hotaru and dissipated.
Hotaru stared at Mei with total disbelief. Mei, smirking, sent a pitch-black energy beam straight through Hotaru's heart, instantly killing her. "Goodbye, weak kuso daiyo, I won't miss you," Mei said as Hotaru's body thudded against the ground. "This is not good," Sailor Neptune said with more than minimal fear in her voice when she surveyed the scene. "Neptune Aqua Blast!" she shouted as a tidal wave of ice-flaked water blasted against Mei's chest, knocking her down.
"Finally, someone knocked you off your pedestal," Neptune proclaimed, secretly proud that she could injure an enemy more than the other Senshi who had been at the scene so far.
"What?!" Mei half-shouted with disbelief. "Another one?! God, why can't you just go away?!"
"Because we won't let you take over this planet," Neptune curtly replied. "Neptunus Latius Azoth Oceanus!" she shouted, as bright starlight distracted Mei while Neptune picked up Sailor Uranus's Space Sword and used it to stab Mei in the stomach.
"You won't get away with this," Mei hissed. Greenish-black light enveloped the area where Mei had been stabbed as it healed. Her eyes suddenly turned deep red and her gown changed into a tight, battle-ready sleek all-black fuku. "Noctus merenai tilia sumare hine mihi-salus!" she screamed furiously. A black nothingness enveloped her as she grew jet-black wings and acquired an obsidian sword. Sailor Neptune stumbled, blinded by the blackness swirling around everything. Her fuku melted off of her body, leaving her powerless, stunned, and vulnerable. Mei used this vulnerable moment to her complete advantage, stabbing through Michiru's heart with her obsidian sword and pulling it back out. A skyclad Michiru screamed and collapsed, dead. "That was way too easy," Mei commented. She looked back at the pale, near-dead Serenity. "Just a little more energy from you, and I'll have enough power to fulfill my plan. Thank you for being ever so cooperative," she said mockingly. "You can't...do this," Serenity tried to say. Mei lifted the vines enough to pull Serenity upright, using this moment to give one long gloating look at the dying Queen whom she had hated for so long. She commanded the vines to drain the last of Serenity's energy, and they complied, letting go once their task was completed. Serenity, no longer living, landed onto the blood-stained forest floor. Mei laughed for the longest time, happy that she had no opposition, that she had killed her long-time enemy, and that she could now rule over this planet of love and make it a miserable planet of darkness. ~~~~~ Serenity's corpse lay there, along with the corpses of those closest to her: Haruka, Michiru, and Hotaru, the three Outers that had survived that helicopter crash. Serenity's fuku disappeared as the ginzuishou shattered. The silence of death reigned over the crystalline forest for a minute or so, while Mei relished in her glory. Serenity's corpse started glowing near her heart, not the glow of the ginzuishou but something else, something that had a life, a soul separate of Serenity's. Serenity's torso slowly lifted up until she was standing upright again with the miraculous power of Sailor Pluto's heart crystal, which, as prophesied, was being carried in the Soldier of Love. Sailor Pluto's crystal miraculously came out of Serenity as she was revived by it and retransformed into Super Sailor Moon. All of her energy was restored, dimming the crystal but allowing Serenity to live again.  "Watashi wa ima tsuki no tenshino," Serenity proclaimed as she faced Mei again.
"This can't be! I killed you!" Mei said, completely shocked.
"Some things don't go as planned," Serenity curtly replied as she used Pluto's crystal to help repair the ginzuishou. With the ginzuishou repaired, Serenity was at full power again. She placed Pluto's heart crystal back into her chest while revealing the silvery-pink ginzuishou. She looked at Mei as the crystal's light increased, obliterating Mei entirely. She turned around and used the ginzuishou to resurrect those who had so bravely fought for her and the entire planet. Hotaru arose first, retransforming as she stood.
"You...made it," she said weakly.
Serenity nodded and directed the ginzuishou's light next at Michiru, who ran to her Queen once she could physically stand.
"I'm so glad you're alive!" Michiru shouted gleefully. Her tattered fuku reappeared and then repaired itself as Serenity lent more of her energy to help her friends.
Serenity found Haruka and didn't have enough strength to retransform her, but was able to resurrect her back to full health.
"My Queen," Haruka began, "are you alright?"
"Ruka-chan, I'm just fine. Mei's gone, and you're alive again. Things are good." The three Outer Senshi gave Serenity a group hug, commending her for bravery, thanking kami-sama that she was alive, and welcoming her back. "Thanks, guys," Serenity began, "but I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for Sailor Pluto."
"What do you mean?" Haruka asked, confused. "She's deceased."
"Point and case. For some reason, when she died I was destined to carry her heart crystal. It was this very crystal which resurrected me and allowed me to finish Mei off." The Senshi stood there, completely dumbfounded. A crystal no one knew she was carrying saved their Queen and their planet!! Serenity, smiling because everyone was alive again, looked at each of them and fainted.
The Realization
"Shimatta!!" was the first sound heard after Serenity left without warning. "What in the Goddess's name was she thinking?! Are you SERIOUS, Taru-chan?!" Minako was screaming into the communicator. "What hell are you raising now, Minako?" Endymion asked, confused.
"The Queen has just fainted after a long battle in which she died and then had to use the Goddess-damned ginzuishou to banish whatever she was fighting and resurrect the Outers!! Damn, your wife is dense," Minako continued.
"It's alright, Minako, so long as she's alive and well now. I'll go out to find her, and bring her back here so Ami and the Starlights can help heal her."
Minako sighed as she realized her overreaction and blushed.
"Um, I'll prepare the room for her return," Minako said.
"Good idea," Endymion said, picking on Minako's concern. Minako promptly prepared a room, making the bed and placing a large basin of cool water on the nightstand. At the crystalline forest, Hotaru was pacing nervously. "Endymion should be here any minute," she commented.
"Firefly, just relax," Michiru said, attempting to calm Hotaru down. "What's making you so nervous anyway?"
"I just want Serenity to be alright, that's all. I can't do much to help her right now, because I don't have my healing abilities back yet; I lost them when I died."
"I know what you mean; I can't sense anything. It should be a few days before we get our abilities back."
"It's not helping me right now; I feel so hopeless!!" Hotaru continued. Sneaking up behind her, Haruka gave Hotaru a hug, and garnered an evil glance from Michiru.
"Michi, I'm trying to calm her down," Haruka commented, sidestepping another jealous glance. Rustling in the trees was heard as the Outers turned to see Endymion, ready to carry Serenity back to the Crystal Palace. "I'm here," Endymion commented, trying to lighten things up.
Michiru rolled her eyes. "Just make sure Serenity's going to be alright."
Avoiding Michiru's evil comments, he replied, "That's what I'm here for: to make sure you four are going to be alright. We have Ami and the Starlights waiting for you all. It's not a long journey; I have horses waiting in case you tire. So, shall we proceed, my warriors? I'm so proud of how you all defended Serenity and this planet." Michiru was still pissed, but Hotaru and Haruka welcomed the recognition and helped Endymion with mounting an unconscious Serenity.
In the end of the struggle, Michiru and Haruka used the Thoroughbred named Prism, Hotaru mounted a Pinto who was unnamed, and Endymion and Serenity were on a white Arabian mare named SilverMoon. A gray mixed-breed stallion was left riderless; his name was LunarConspiracy, named by Makoto during a time of her life when she swore that the world was on some sort of a conspiracy against her. (AN:It wasn't her best year, to put it nicely.) The four battle-torn Senshi, led by Endymion, made their way home, watching the glorious sunset as they rode. At the palace, Minako was frantically preparing for the Senshis' arrival, feeling somewhat like the only Red Cross volunteer in a blood drive where there are hundreds of people waiting for her attention. She prepared four beds, with fresh linens, set basins out with cool water, banned the other Senshi from entering her rehabilitation area, drew fresh water for a soaking bath, and generally attempted to make things as simple as possible. The Senshi returned, with Endymion carrying a still-unconscious Serenity in his arms. Minako raced around, trying to keep things organized, placing Hotaru in Makoto's room, Michiru in Ami's room, Serenity in her room, and sending Haruka to the soaking bath. (AN:Haruka was the least injured, so Minako figured that her medical attention could wait until *after* the bath.) Ami, Rei, and Makoto simply stayed in the living room, figuring it wise to stay out of it until Minako declared it safe. Serenity was the first to be attended to, since her injuries were worst, and a lot of her energy had been drained more than once. Minako, Seiya, Ami, and Taiki attended to their Queen, while Yaten checked on Hotaru and Makoto helped Michiru. Rei simply waited impatiently in the living room, not caring that Serenity, Hotaru, Michiru and Haruka had all been very close to death.
Haruka was loudly complaining about the bath antiseptic; everyone knew she was alright, since she suddenly had the vocabulary of a trucker. Seiya and Minako nervously looked on as Endymion took a washcloth, dipped it in the cool water, and gently dabbed it on Serenity's face. After a few minutes of similar treatment, Serenity woke up, slightly dazed. "Where....am I now?" she asked Endymion.
"Home, my Usa-ko."
The Realization
After everyone was in good health again, Serenity patrolled the halls to make sure everything had been kept in its place during her absence. She attempted to describe how she had been reborn through Pluto's crystal, but no one seemed to be understanding. She sighed and simply looked at her friends, happy that she made it through. Don't leave me people!! More to come, I promise!!  Thank you to the Sailor Moon Hideaway for "Sailor Team No Theme"... |
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