Earth Guardian Prince Endymion

Earth Guardian Prince Endymion

By Senshi of Ruin and Mizu no Senshi

Act Forty Nine Recap:

(Kisho’s POV)

After Taro’s death, I went after Kuroki Mio determined to make her pay, but even I couldn’t have realised her true form…

As he watched, Beryl said something and gently clutched hold of Endymion’s arm. To this, the Prince shrugged her off and turned away, ignoring the glowering features of the young woman.

Kunzite met her gaze and held it for a few moments more before he, too, disappeared inside the palace, walking swiftly towards the music room.

Meeting Kuroki Mio’s gaze, Kunzite now recognised the true nature of the girl. She was Beryl. She was the Beryl that had lived before Metallia’s corruption had blackened her soul. Of course, she took on a different face, but there was the same element of fury and danger that Kunzite had sensed in the palace gardens in her eyes. Kuroki Mio… Beryl… they were one of the same, even if they themselves refused to realise it.

I shouldn’t have left Mamoru and Seiichi, but caught up in my own pain and fury I had done and this proved to be a grave mistake.

“Mamoru!” Zoisite shouted as he stepped nearer still to the Queen and the other man also took a step forwards until Endymion commanded that he stayed where he was.

The dread was now creeping over every inch of Endymion’s body, causing his sword hand to shake as he reached the Queen, the tip of his weapon pressing lightly against her throat.

“Where’s Jadeite?” he demanded again, though deep now Endymion knew the answer.

Queen Beryl imprisoned Metallia inside Masaki’s body so that she could be killed. Metallia had then consumed his soul, but she burned with the desire for revenge against her Queen and the Shitennou.

Metallia killed Beryl and then, when confronted by Endymion and Zoisite, she used Zoisite’s Youma as blackmail to issue another ultimatum.

Gradually Metallia reappeared and she was not alone. Zoisite couldn’t help the small gasp of dismay that escaped his lips as he recognised the being in Metallia’s grasp.

Shackles held its arms and legs together so that it couldn’t escape, but Zoisite could sense the real reason behind its submissiveness. The Youma, his Youma, feared Metallia, despite her current form, and its terror paralysed it into complete stillness.

“Now will you stand aside?” she derided softly as she slid the knife from the belt around her waist.

Mamoru stood aside, but Metallia killed the Youma anyway. In his pain of losing three of his friends, Mamoru attacked Metallia and defeated her, but at the cost of his own life.

His breathing was laboured and heavy and Endymion could feel his body shutting down as death edged nearer to him. He wasn’t afraid… indeed he now believed himself to be beyond such feelings. Masaki, Taro and Seiichi were dead, but at least he had managed to save Kisho and Usagi from whatever fate the Dark Kingdom might have had planned.

Gazing dully to his right, Endymion could see Metallia’s still form. She was no longer breath, her neck broken in the fall. This nightmare was now over… they had won…

He had thought the battle to be over, but it is only just beginning. Sailor Moon also journeyed into the Dark Kingdom and witnessed Endymion’s death.

The Princess destroyed the planet in the past life and she will do so again.

******

Act Fifty:

“Endymion” Sailor Moon moaned softly, slumping to her knees as tears sprang into her eyes. Her gaze was locked upon the chasm that had stolen her lover and she was unable look away, a morbid sense of finality and despair settling upon her soul.

Mamoru…

“Because I don’t believe that you have that weak a heart. You can overcome this, Usagi, I know you can. You just need to trust in yourself more. You’ve been fighting alone for so long. I know you can do this.”

How can I overcome this? All I ever wanted was for you to be at my side and you’re gone. You’re gone… just as you were in the past life… we never had a chance, not in this world or the last.

“Endymion!” Serenity screamed, her cries were like music to the demon Queen of the Dark Kingdom and Beryl’s laughter grew as the Princess sank to her knees, taking in the devastation that she was left with.

“My home… my mother… my Prince…” she whispered bitterly, a single tear splashing down her cheek to stain the front of her dress. “My Senshi… she has taken them all from me… I have nothing left” her voice hardened as she stood to face the triumphant Queen, “Nothing. I have nothing left so I have nothing to lose…”

With these words she raised the Ginzuishou high above her head… Beryl’s laughter turned into screams of terror as the Ginzuishou began to glow…

It was the same… no matter how many times she was reborn; she would never be with the person she loved. Fate would always stand in the way of her happiness. This world was no longer beautiful and precious to her. It was a cold, cruel place and its very existence was bringing everyone suffering.

“Endymion…”

“Usagi!” she dimly heard Kunzite calling her as she stood, feeling the Ginzuishou’s power taking hold, feeling the Princess’s mind surfacing and consuming her own.

“Endymion… no matter how many times we are reborn we can never be together.”

“Princess! Matte!”

“Do not interfere,” she snapped, slamming the remaining Tennou into the wall behind with a mere thought before taking a delicate step towards the cave’s exit.

For thousands of years this planet had nurtured suffering, but not for much longer, not when she had the power change things. Endymion was gone… Endymion was all that mattered.

Her life as Tsukino Usagi had paled into insignificance. There was nothing left except her former existence and she would have it no other way.

Endymion…

The memory of the moment he fell, the moment that he was taken away from her forever was painted upon her eyelids, so, even if she closed her eyes, Princess Sailor Moon could still see the imprint of his final moments.

“Princess! I will take away everything that you hold dear to you. Your Senshi belong to me for all eternity and, very soon, so will the Prince.”

Beryl had taken away everything. All she had left was her power, the power to end it.

Slowly, Princess Sailor Moon moved from the cavern, ignoring Kunzite’s shouts of protest and blocking the weakened attack that he hurled her way with her sword.

Soon the entire planet would know her suffering…

******

For minutes Kunzite simply lay where the attack had thrown him, unable to tear his gaze from the spot that Princess Sailor Moon had stood moments before.

My weakness nearly killed them, but I am not going to dwell upon the past. I am here because I want to help. I want to defend this planet

He almost laughed out loud at the recollection of Tsukino Usagi’s words. She wanted to defend this planet? Then why had she just left the Dark Kingdom with the intention of destroying it? Seiichi had been right. The Princess had a weak heart, especially in this world.

Kunzite exhaled deeply when thinking of his dead friends. They had all gone… Masaki, Taro, Seiichi and now Mamoru. He was the only one left. The past would always repeat itself, no matter how he had wanted to believe otherwise.

Now Kunzite knew he would have to end it all. He would have to either destroy the Princess or die at her hands. Neither prospect scared him. He was one of the Shitennou. He had always known his destiny/duty where the planet was concerned.

Taking a step in her direction, Ayame’s face flashed across his mind’s eye. Innocent, kind, gentle Ayame who, if the Princess had her way, would never get a chance to live in this world.

Drawing his sword, Kunzite knew what had to be done, but it didn’t stop him from silently apologising to Mamoru, wherever his friend might be. Mamoru had never wanted it to come to this, but Kunzite feared it must. He had to finish what they all started. It was down to him to kill the Princess and save the planet.

******

“Ne, Kamekichi” Motoki sighed to himself as he tapped absently on the glass tank of his reptilian companion. “It looks like there’s going to be a storm” he nodded towards the darkening sky, “and a big one at that”.

“Do you remember what I told you before?” Mamoru asked quietly, “About the Dark Kingdom?”

Motoki snorted, “As if I could forget something like that!”

“We’re going to face them today. We’re going to end this.”

Motoki glanced towards the tightly shut meeting room door as he recalled Mamoru’s word. They had been gone for hours, if he chose to believe this absurd tale, but what else seemed to make sense? Motoki sighed again and ran a hand through his hair as he heard thunder rumbling in the distance.

It would appear that the storm was rapidly closing in. Leaving the counter, Motoki hurried to pull Crown’s door shut and flicked over the closed sign. There would be no customers in this weather.

“We’d better just ride this one out, Kamekichi” Motoki explained to the turtle.

Kamekichi, in response, started to dig his way into the pebbles at the bottom of his tank. Motoki pouted loudly at this action and switched on the television. There was nothing more he could do until the storm passed.

******

“Father--”

“Haru, matte!” Tori cried, bolting up from the sofa as Haru seized Masaki by his shirt and dragged him towards the front door.

“Stay out of this!” Haru shouted as he flung open the door and threw Masaki out of the house. “Get out!” he screamed after him.

“Haru!” Tori cried, but his father caught her wrist as she tried to run after her son.

“You wanted things to be like they were before, didn’t you?” Haru questioned coldly.

Tori nodded, her gaze not leaving her son’s face as Haru continued:

“Well we were much happier when there was just the two of us. He’s been nothing but trouble from the moment he was born. We’re better off without him.”

Tori lay, half curled up behind the sofa, tears streaming down her cheeks as Haru continued to vent his fury at Masaki’s departure, despite it being his fault, upon her son’s room. She had tried to find him. Tori desperately wanted to make Masaki see that everything could work out. That she did love him and that Haru could get help and everything would be okay again. No, Tori corrected herself as she gingerly touched a fresh bruise on her face, underneath her left eye. Haru would never change. Thunder rumbled in the distance, as though accentuating this and Tori continued to silently weep, whilst clutching on, almost desperately, to a photograph of her only son.

******

“Taro-kun!” Kanaye called loudly, making his presence known as he and Michie entered the silent house. Pausing to take his shoes off on the threshold and then helped Michie with her bags, Kanaye glanced up at the black storm clouds that had gathered overhead. It was lucky that they had got the taxi from the hospital when they did.

Shaking his head at the food wrappings and unwashed cutlery that were stacked high up in the kitchen, Kanaye called out for his younger brother again not understanding where he had gotten too. Taro was supposed to pick them up from the hospital to begin with! Kanaye supposed he had just forgotten and had probably gone out with his friends instead.

“Michie, matte” he said quietly when he saw that his girlfriend had made a start on the unwashed dishes, “Let Taro do that when he comes back.”

She nodded dutifully and Kanaye drew her into a tight embrace; the two of them just glad to be alone together for the moment.

******

Narita Airport was bustling with new arrivals and departures, despite the oncoming storm and Tetsuya had to fight his way through several crowds to reach the arrivals lounge. He was on edge, whether this was brought about by the storm or possibly the fact that Seiichi had no idea he was here, Tetsuya didn’t know. Still, when he had taken the call this morning how could he have told them that it would be better to stay away? He couldn’t do that… especially not to her.

Tetsuya paused, a little catch in his breath when he saw them. They had grown so much in just a year he thought sorrowfully. A year was a long time to be apart.

“Tetsuya-san!” Etsu saw him first and ran towards him, arms outstretched. Tetsuya drew her into a quick hug, stunned at just how tall she had become. Etsu had ceased wearing her hair in pigtails and now had it tied up in a neat bun at the back of her head. Her face had thinned and she was more curvy and willowy than the short, stocky eleven-year-old that she had been.

Releasing her, Tetsuya turned to Yasuo. He towered over all of them and it was obvious that Yasuo had, had to do some growing up when Zinan died and Seiichi left. His eyes still held a resentful look in them and one arm was wrapped tightly around Shina’s shoulders, as though he was afraid to let her go.

“Shina” Tetsuya said softly as their eyes met. Shina gently shook herself free of Yasuo’s grasp and took a step towards him.

“How’s my son?” she asked quietly.

“He’s fine” Tetsuya assured her, “He’s waiting back at the apartment. I wanted this to be a surprise for him.”

“I see” Shina smiled and permitted Tetsuya to embrace her once. It had been a long time since he had held her like this, Tetsuya thought, somewhat sadly, but hurriedly let her go and explained that there was a car waiting for them.

Shaking off these feelings, Tetsuya started to lead them from the airport and to the aforementioned transport awaiting them.

******

She walked, slowly, carefully placing one foot in front of the other as the screams and agony of her former life echoed in her mind, combining together with the horrors of the past few hours. Endymion… to even think of him brought her pain. She couldn’t stop. If she did then her sorrow would overtake her and she would crumble. This she couldn’t allow. Not when she had a last purpose. A mission to cleanse the world of suffering.

Endymion…

She paused, finally reaching her destination. Forgotten by time, the alter from the old kingdom had weathered under the climate of modern society. Weeds now grew in abundance upon the once polished marble and, where it lay half hidden the in the grass, it had remained disguised from the bustle of everyday life.

Placing a hand upon this circular stone, Princess Sailor Moon closed her eyes, reliving the quite moments she and Endymion had sought together in the shrine that had once housed this alter. Safely away from the palace and the prying eyes of his guardians, they could simply be alone and enjoy the fleeting romance that blossomed under the light of a full moon.

Now that time had passed. Emotions such as hatred and jealousy had destroyed their romance. Unable to have Endymion, either in this world or the last, there was nothing left.

Standing once more, she took a step forward, to be able to stand upon this alter, when she caught movement out of the corner of her eye.

Whirling around, her bows fluttering in the slight breeze, Princess Sailor Moon blocked the downward arch of Kunzite’s sword with her own.

The leader of the Shitennou cursed loudly and broke off this stalemate before lunging forwards again. She stepped gracefully backwards, slashing out with her sword and sending a wave of purple energy directly at him. Barely blocking this, Kunzite fell to his knees as she stood over him, regarding him coldly under an ice-like gaze.

“Princess, stop…” he whispered, whilst trying to assuage the shaking that gripped his tiring body.

“Why do you fight me?” she asked, stunned at the gentle edge to her voice, “You, like me, have lost everything. The other Tennou are dead, as is Endymion. You have nothing left.”

“That doesn’t matter” Kunzite snarled as he again swung his blade, only for her to swiftly counter it, “I’m not going to let you destroy the world.”

“This planet has taken everything from you” she empathised this by sending a crackling wave of power down her blade with a force ten times more powerful than any she thought she could muster.

The blow sent the remaining Tennou backwards to the ground. He landed on his back, blood pouring from a blow to his forehead to drip down the right side of his face and mingle with his tears. Princess Sailor Moon held his gaze for a moment, breaking it only to take in his torn uniform, the burnt flesh beneath it and the tightened grip he still had around his broken sword.

He could fight her no more, she noted with satisfaction and stepped up the alter once more; turning back around to face him once upon it, she called the Ginzuishou forward from her locket. The power was manifesting. She could feel it burning her skin through her gloves as, fuelled by her perpetual agony, she raised it high above her head bathing herself it its crystalline glow. She would purify this planet.

******

Tears of agony and failure streamed down his cheeks as Kunzite witnessed the full power of the Ginzuishou. It was the same as in the past life. He could feel the power bracing itself, preparing for the final onslaught…

His sword broken, Kunzite tossed the blade uselessly aside as he started to drag his battered body towards the alter, pain searing into every nerve in his body as he forced himself to continue. Blood ran freely from the wound on his forehead, sometimes blurring his vision and forcing him to stop. Kunzite could sense his power levels were at their absolute minimum. His battle against Kuroki Mio had proved to be his undoing after all. He had no power left to kill her… at least not by his own hand.

“Princess… matte…” he trembled as he reached the alter, reaching out with a hand, he gingerly tested the translucent shield around her and screamed as it burned through what remained of his white glove and peeling off the flesh beneath. The barrier was to strong… if he tried to pass it then he would surely die.

Kunzite bit his lip, forcing away more cries as he continue to push forward, feeling the burning sensation spread out from his palms to his face and chest. A scream did escape him, betraying his own will and forcing the Princess to glance down at him.

“Why do you still fight me?” she enquired, and Kunzite felt the shield strengthening, pressing his body down against the cool stone beneath his cheek, crushing the air from his lungs as he fought to grant her with an answer.

“Because… because you are wrong… I may have little left in this world, but to think only of one’s self is an act of cowardice. Your actions show nothing but a weak heart.”

“So you will sacrifice yourself for this planet? You will happily go to your grave to enable the pain and suffering that shapes this world to continue? Suffering can only make you weaker and bring you to ruin in the end.”

“No” Kunzite inhaled deeply, his breath being drawn in, in harsh wet gasps. Already he could feel his hold on reality slipping. There wasn’t long left in this world… for him at least…

“Suffering is a part of life and living. The Silver Millennium’s people, yourself included, were shielded by your powers from any kind of pain. That is why the loss of Endymion caused you to do what you did, but this isn’t the way! This will never bring him back!”

“No matter how many times I am reborn, I will never be with him. I cannot live this life without him.”

“Then why take the rest of us down with you?” Kunzite cried desperately, seeing a glimmer of doubt in her eyes. “If you have to die then so be it, but to take millions of innocents with you? Surely you can see the wrong in that?”

She paused, and the pressure on his back lightened. Gazing down at the Ginzuishou in her outstretched palms, Princess Sailor Moon shed a single tear. It rolled down her porcelain features and splashed onto the marble stone.

“Then” she whispered slowly, “I am truly the destroyer of worlds”

With these words, Kunzite felt the power of the Ginzuishou change. It was being pulled back towards the Princess herself, tearing passed him and releasing his weakened body as he felt it strengthen around her. The marble alter was being ravaged by the onslaught around him and the wind, borne by her powers, tore through his hair blowing dust into his eyes and making them stream. Still, the silhouette of the Princess was plain to see. This was it… she was truly going to destroy herself.

“Is this the burden of the past life? Will she continue to suffer for it? Even in this world?”

~~~~~~

“Don’t tell me. She is just a child, right?”

“No. She is more than that, even if she refuses to believe it.”

“Then why?”

“The Master cared about her long before he knew he was the Prince.”

~~~~~~

“Ayame! Get out of here!” Kisho shouted, but his sister ignored him.

“I said leave,” she repeated, even as Jupiter reached her. Though both girls appeared to be the same age, Jupiter had a presence that caused her to tower over the small and slightly built girl.

Kisho stood, as Ayame recognised the danger she was in and attempted to heed her brother’s advice of earlier. Jupiter, however, had something else in mind and grabbed a hold of the girl’s arm, forcing her to stay still. A triumphant smirk flickered across her face as Jupiter pressed her hand, which held the stone, into Ayame’s stomach.

Kisho transformed. He had no choice as Ayame started to scream as the stone was forced into her flesh. Drawing his sword he swung it at Jupiter knocking her away from his sister. With no one to support her, Ayame hit the floor, her body writhing in agony as her tiny hands clawed at her stomach as though she could somehow reach the stone and pull it free.

Ignoring the fallen Senshi, Kunzite raced to Ayame’s side. “Nii-san” she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks as her arms curved around him, her eyes silently begging him to relieve her of this pain.

Ayame… his sister’s face flashed before his eyes. Ayame, how it pained Kunzite that he would have to leave her. Ayame was an innocent but now, with the death of the Princess, she would get a chance to live.

Ayame is fourteen years old… as is Tsukino Usagi…

Kunzite glanced up, seeing tears shining in Princess Sailor Moon’s eyes, but he no longer saw the Princess before him. Perhaps he was finally, with the aid of the memory of his sister, beginning to see what Mamoru always had done.

She is Tsukino Usagi in this world…

“Tsukino-san” he whispered, as he drew a racking breath and moved towards her once more, “Matte, Tsukino-san.”

She slowly shook her head, but the distant look in her eyes was fading as twin tears rolled down her cheeks and onto the man at her feet. Kisho felt his transformation weakening as his true self reverted itself before her as her Princess form faded before his eyes, leaving her standing as Sailor Moon, the Ginzuishou and all its strength cupped tightly in her outstretched palms.

“Mamoru…” she whispered brokenly, “I’m sorry…”

“Don’t be sorry” Kisho shook his head, “Mamoru would forgive you.”

She lowered her gaze to meet his own, “But I’m afraid… I don’t know what to do with this power.”

Kisho smiled, “Then prove me wrong about the past life. Prove to the world that it will never repeat again.”

Sailor Moon nodded tearfully and Kisho slumped forwards at her feet, the last of his strength ebbing from him. His eyes slowly closed, but his smile was still upon his lips as he died.

Mamoru… Masaki… Taro… Seiichi… their deaths were not in vain. They had completed the mission. They had saved the planet…

******

“Tamura-san” Usagi whispered as she stared down at the dead Tennou. They were all gone… Mamoru, Masaki, Taro, Seiichi and Kisho… the five guardians of the Earth were dead. They had given their lives as they had vowed they would.

“But I’m afraid… I don’t know what to do with this power.”

“Then prove me wrong about the past life. Prove to the world that it will never repeat again.”

“I will prove you wrong” Usagi vowed as she lifted the Ginzuishou up high, casting out its power to the entire world. All those that lost their lives for the sake of the past life… all would be granted the second chance that she had.

The past would never repeat again… they would all get to meet again in this world and live their lives.

The Shitennou had been right, Usagi thought to herself as she stumbled and fell to her knees under the power that flowed through her fingertips. The Ginzuishou was affected by the heart of the wielder and her heart was strong. All she wanted was for this new chance, for everyone to be reborn again…

As she cast out this wish, Usagi felt something pulse inside her as though she had lost a part of herself. She pitched forward into a faint as she felt the Ginzuishou’s powers fade. Dawn was rising in the East. It was a new beginning and a new day…

******

She floated softly on the morning breeze, borne upon this gentle wind by the memories of all that had transpired and she felt at peace as she was gently set down. After all it had taken to come to this point, Usagi could feel some sort of resolution and, slowly, she glanced around her taking in the ornate marble palace, the soft sound of running water from a stream near by and the haunting memory of a harp being played.

Looking down at herself, Usagi saw she was dressed in her jeans and a love-rabby T-shirt. Her hair was tied up into her usual twin pigtails and trademark dumplings making her feel extremely out of place in this picture perfect landscape.

Shivering, Usagi wrapped her arms around her body and slowly started walking in the direction of the music, her feet crunching noisily on the gravel beneath her feet and the heaviness in her heart seeming as though each step she took would lead her to her own end.

The Princess sat, poised on the edge of the hand crafted bench as Usagi knew she would be, playing her harp, her eyes closed.

Where am I? Usagi wondered, is this our past life? If so then am I dead? Did using the Ginzuishou destroy me after all?

“No. You live” the Princess stated, ceasing her music and opening her eyes. Usagi stared back, trembling slightly under her gaze and even more so when the Princess stood, setting her harp down on the bench and taking a step towards her.

“This is the bridge” she continued, “A place between worlds, both yours and mine.”

Usagi raised her head and looked around, allowing a small gasp to escape her. To the left lay the palace from the Silver Millennium and to the right lay modern day Tokyo.

“The bridge? Then I must be dead after all.”

“Not dead. Just sleeping. You used up most of your energy yesterday. Your body needs time to heal.”

Usagi nodded, her gaze now cast out in front of her. Across the horizon all she could see was darkness…

“That is the future,” the Princess said, taking another step towards her reborn self, “Your future.”

“Why is it so dark? Will there be darkness in my future also?”

The Princess smiled, “The future is something that cannot be touched. It is a fragile thing and forever changing. If you were to see it clearly now then you might do things differently.”

“I see” Usagi nodded, “Why are you showing me this?”

“So you can see.”

“See?”

“Can’t you see? You have won. When you wake, my spirit will forever leave your soul.”

It is not about winning… in this new world I live as Tsukino Usagi, but the past life will always be a part of me. The present shapes the future but what shapes the present? The past life happened so we could all be reborn and meet everyone again.

“I don’t want you to leave” Usagi whispered as she gingerly drew the Princess to her in a gentle embrace, “Whom shall I turn to, to give me strength?”

Again the Princess smiled before her body began to shimmer and break down, despite Usagi’s attempts to hold on to her last connection to the past life… and to Endymion.

“Your friends”

“Minna…” Usagi whispered, tears springing into her eyes and then she woke.

The transition was sudden. One moment she was on the bridge and the next she was lying in her own bed. Slowly, Usagi sat up, feeling the soft duvet beneath her fingertips as she winced at the sunlight streaming in through the window. Downstairs she could hear her mother and Shingo moving about and the sound of the radio. She could smell breakfast being cooked and smiled at the painful and much desired familiarity of it all.

She sat up, still slowly, as her gaze fell upon the locket dangling around her neck. Reaching out, Usagi cupped it in a hand whilst the other fumbled with the clasp. It snapped open easily enough and the pigtailed girl exhaled deeply when she was the silver gemstone set in the centre of it. The Princess’s final gift to her. Should she ever need to, Usagi could become Sailor Moon again.

“Usagi-chan!”

“Luna!”

The plushie had been waiting, patiently, for her charge to get a better grip on her surroundings. Smiling, Usagi picked up her friend and hugged her tightly, until Luna’s protests for air caused her to release the cat.

“It’s a new beginning” Usagi stated softly, “A chance to make things better.”

Luna nodded and then her gaze fell on the clock on Usagi’s bedside cabinet.

“Usagi-chan, do you know what day it is?”

“No?”

“It’s a Tuesday! You’ll be late for school!”

“No way!” Usagi cried in disbelief. She helped save the planet and still had to go to school! Scrambling out of bed, Usagi hurriedly found her uniform hanging on the back of her door and quickly pulled it on before stuffing some books into her bag. She had missed so much, no longer knew what lessons she had, but she didn’t care. Even school wasn’t so bad, not after all she had been through.

Racing downstairs, Usagi grabbed her coat and was halfway out the doorway, calling goodbye to her mother as she did so when Ikuko shouted after her, “Usagi! Matte! Your friends are here!”

“Friends?” Usagi repeated as Ikuko appeared in the kitchen doorway, “Naru-tachi?”

Ikuko shook her head, “Ami-tachi”

“Ami-tachi?” Usagi felt her heart pounding as she repeated her mother’s words.

“Your friends”

“I’ve made them pancakes” Ikuko continued, “Honestly, Usagi. How could you keep them waiting like this? And you’re late for school.”

“Hai” Usagi nodded, glad that her mother seemed to then take the hint and hurried upstairs. Her heart still beating wildly, Usagi pushed open the kitchen door fully and stepped into the room.

“Minna” Usagi whispered, tears springing into her eyes at the sight of them. They had changed, but of course that was to be expected given the circumstances. Mercury and Jupiter sat at the kitchen table, but both stood to acknowledge their Princess’s presence. Mercury’s hair was now black and fell down passed her shoulders, a little bit pulled into a half-ponytail. Her eyes were a warm brown and framed by a pair of glasses. She wore a light pink knitted cardigan over a white blouse with flowers embodied down the left side and a pale blue knee length skirt.

Jupiter’s hair was still dark brown, but this was now pulled back into a high ponytail. She was tall, possibly two heads taller than Usagi at least. She wore a pair of black tracksuit bottoms, a light green T-shirt and a matching tracksuit top was slung around her shoulders.

“Mercury… Jupiter…” Usagi racing over and drawing each of them into a tight embrace, “I’m sorry… I’m sorry I couldn’t save you…”

“But you did” Mars stated quietly, placing a comforting hand on Usagi’s shoulder. Glancing up into the fire Senshi’s eyes, Usagi saw none of the coldness that had been there before, only concern and, yes, the hint of tears. Mars now wore a red and white miko’s outfit and her hair was layered neatly to just pass her shoulders.

“You gave us a chance to live as you do” a forth voice added.

“Venus…” Usagi trailed off as the leader of the Senshi stepped forward. She, too, could have easily been a normal citizen. She now wore a camouflage mini skirt together with a white T-shirt with silver and gold sequins decorating the front. Her hair was a glossy black with brown tints to it. Yet what truly filled Usagi’s heart with happiness was the white plushie under the crook of her arm. Venus and Artemis were finally reunited.

“Demo…” Usagi frowned, still looking to Venus for an explanation, “You look older… I don’t understand.”

“We’re all eighteen” was the reply given to her, “When the Ginzuishou gave us these new lives it knew that we couldn’t become your age. Although normal people think that we’ve been friends with you for a long time, today is our first day in this world. Had we been reborn as fourteen then we would have been too young to look after ourselves. The Ginzuishou can create one life, but not a family and endless blood ties. It cannot recreate history, only manipulate it.”

“But… you are happy?” Usagi ventured hesitantly.

“Yes” Jupiter confirmed and then cast a sidelong glance at Mercury.

The former Senshi of water blushed slightly and then murmured the name of her lover. Usagi beamed happily at this. The past would never repeat itself again, but there were something’s that were good about what had happened with the Dark Kingdom and she was determined to cherish those things.

“Daijobu, Mercury” she smiled, “I can help you find him.”

“Ami” Mercury corrected, “It is Mizuno Ami in this world, Princess.”

Usagi nodded and then looked expectantly from one girl to the next and they confirmed to her their names in this world: Kino Makoto, Hino Rei and Aino Minako.

******

“Mamoru” he whispered quietly, giving the Prince cause to pause, “Please don’t.”

Endymion shook his head, and then moved away from the tunnel exit, “I’m sorry.”

Metallia’s smirk widened and, with one clean movement, thrust the knife into the Youma’s chest.

For Zoisite, all he felt was an initial burst of agony, which quickly ceased as the wound reached his heart… Then all he knew was darkness…

“He must have been here all night”

“I know. He has been working himself into the ground lately.”

Slowly, he felt his consciousness returning to him. He was being pulled back from the depths and thrust back into this world. He exhaled sharply and, as he did so, he became aware of the voices around him, the cool, wooden surface on which he lay and the smell of green tea brewing from the small kitchen.

Taking his time, Seiichi opened his eyes, staring at the closed piano lid that was acting as a cushion for some time whilst trying to arrange his thoughts/memories into some kind of order. What had happened? He had died, that much he was certain of but after that there was darkness.

“Seiichi?”

He now focused his gaze upwards, taking in Shina’s concerned gaze. Tetsuya stood behind her although he moved away; seemingly a little uncomfortable as Seiichi pushed himself up, subconsciously running a hand through his hair as he did so.

Looking around him, Seiichi knew this was real. That somehow Mamoru had won and that this was their reward; the chance to live again as their present and true selves.

“Nii-san?” he glanced towards the doorway as Etsu entered. Seiichi barely had time to get to his feet before she threw herself into his arms.

Seiichi returned her hug, whilst struggling to keep some sort of composure, although the relief of their obvious triumph was beginning to take hold as was the desire to see the others, to see that they too had been granted this second chance.

“Seiichi?” again he raised his gaze to the door and saw Yasuo watching him, as though guessing his thoughts.

Yasuo who had been so angry when he had left them still regarded him with the same wariness that he had the last time they spoke and then his gaze softened slightly. Yasuo smiled and stepped further into the room, his anger completely gone.

“It’s good to see you again, nii-san” he allowed quietly.

Seiichi smiled and nodded, “I missed you. All of you.”

******

He forced himself to draw a racking breath, coughing as more blood filled his mouth with this action and he was forced to part his lips slightly, to allow some to dribble down his chin to pool at the hollow of his throat.

Tentatively, she felt her take his limp hand in her own, as she leaned down, his vision now completely gone, Taro let loose a small cry as the pain in his chest became unbearable. He gripped her hand tightly, to the point where he felt her own harsh intake of pain, as her lips brushed his own.

Her tears slid down the ends of her silky lashes to drip onto his cheeks as they kissed, the gentleness of her embrace being the last thing that he was consciously aware of as the darkness claimed his soul…

“Taro! Taro, wake up! If you don’t get up you’ll be late for work! Taro!”

He sat bolt up in bed, momentarily dizzied by the nausea that came with this movement. Clutching one trembling hand to his chest, Taro struggled to gain a grip on the reality that he was now faced with. What was happening? Where the hell was he?

“Taro!”

“All right, Kanaye!” he shouted back, “I’m up! Just give it a rest would you?”

Kanaye?

That must mean… the battle… had the battle taken place? It must have done, but he had died! Why was he here now?

Bolting up from his bed, Taro hurriedly pulled on a pair of rather crumpled jeans and a black T-Shirt, before pulling open the bedroom door so hard that he nearly tore it from its hinges.

Racing down the stairs, he almost forgot to pull his trainers on as he ran outside. It was morning. A few school children were walking passed on their way to school. The sun shone brightly in the sky and there was a slight breeze that ruffled through his already unruly hairstyle.

“What happened?” Taro whispered, swallowing hard as Mercury’s face flashed before his mind’s eye. Mercury… where was she? Was she safe?

He stumbled slightly, angry and frustrated at the same time. Where was everyone? If they had won then why didn’t Mamoru come to tell him?

“Ohayo, Kimi-kun!”

Taro whirled around; the annoying nickname managing to grind his already shattered nerves as he glared down the street, searching for the person who had called him by it.

“Kisho?”

His older friend smirked and came to a stand still just at the end of the garden path. His fury dying as quickly as it had been born, Taro raced towards him, stunning both of them by grabbing Kisho by the shoulders and demanding: “What happened? Masaki, Mamoru, Seiichi? Where are they? Did we win?”

“We won” Kisho confirmed quietly, “The Dark Kingdom has gone.”

Taro exhaled deeply, “And Mercury? What became of her?”

Kisho hesitated and this hesitation said it all.

“She died, didn’t she?”

“I don’t know.”

“She didn’t make it out. She’s dead.”

His joy at finally winning this war had fast faded. Taro felt a lump in his throat and tears burning at his eyes, but he forced these back down inside of him. He would not allow Kisho to see him in such a state, despite all that had happened.

He still shook, even as he followed Kisho down the road in silence. He might be able to hold up some sort of front for now… but Taro felt completely numb inside. They had saved the planet, but he had lost something far greater than his own life in the process.

******

Kisho smiled, “Then prove me wrong about the past life. Prove to the world that it will never repeat again.”

Sailor Moon nodded tearfully and Kisho slumped forwards at her feet, the last of his strength ebbing from him like the tide. His eyes slowly closed, but his smile was still upon his lips as he died.

Mamoru… Masaki… Taro… Seiichi… their deaths were not in vain. They had completed the mission. They had saved the planet…

Kisho awoke early the next day. After the Ginzuishou had revived him, he had somehow managed to get back to the apartment that he and Ayame shared and gone straight to sleep. He had been confident in this action as he knew that Mamoru-tachi would have been reborn, too, with the light of the Ginzuishou and Tsukino Usagi’s will to do good with the much sought after tool of destruction.

Kisho hadn’t been sure how he would feel when the mission was finally over. It had been a part of his life for so long that he feared that he would feel as though he was lost without it. This was not the case at all. Kisho felt relief. Relief that it was over. He could finally look to the future. The future that he had never dreamt would come.

Her future… Kisho said to himself as he reached out and gently touched Ayame’s cheek. His sister rolled over in her sleep at this touch, mumbling slightly but not waking.

Smiling he walked to the room door and pulled it tightly closed. He would have gladly died a thousand times over if it meant giving Ayame a chance to live, to have a future. This was why they had fought and, Kisho realised with some sadness, that had they understood this from the beginning then things might be different.

No, he shook his head. Why wish for things to be different when they had got there in the end? The Dark Kingdom was gone and they now had a chance to live normal lives once more. It didn’t matter how they had got to this point, the most important thing to remember was that they had got there now and had this new chance awaiting them.

Still, this had not stopped Kisho from going to find the other Tennou. Despite his thoughts concerning their new lives, he still felt responsible for them somehow and the memory of their deaths was still somewhat fresh in his mind.

Slipping on his shoes, after leaving a quick note for Ayame, Kisho had left the house and gone in search of them.

He found Taro first. Or rather he chose to look for Taro first. Not knowing what had happened, Kisho assumed that his friend would be somewhat disorientated and he was right. The first thing Taro did when he saw him was to demand what happened after he died.

“And Mercury? What became of her? She died, didn’t she?”

“I don’t know.”