Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ After the Battle is Over ❯ Chapter 14: The Revelation ( Chapter 15 )

Author's Note: Thanks for being so patient everyone. I'm not getting these out too quickly but I'm going to finish I promise. I hope this stays good 'till the end but only time will tell.

Thanks so much to everyone who sent me a review. This includes new readers; firelightz, chibausagi, Marni and faithful readers; lottio and Comet Moon. I really hope this lives up to expectations. If not tell me why not and we'll see if I can fix it.

Lottio: I hope this was worth waiting for!

One Last thank you: Thank you so much to Twinkle, my beta reader. It's nice to know that I'll be publishing with a lot fewer mistakes in the future! Thank you, thank you, thank you! *S*

P.S.: Happy Thinking Day! (To those who even know what that is.)

Chapter 14: The Revelation

Ami's POV

I glanced apprehensively at Mako-chan who was sitting casually beside me. She squeezed my hand supportively and the sparkle in her eye told me she was almost enjoying this.

She would. She probably thought she'd get a chance to actually defend her princess when THE REVELATION happened, even if it was against her own Otou-san.

"As Rei may have mentioned, we had just realized that Chibiusa had disappeared when a figure appeared in front of us. As it became more distinct we could see that he looked almost exactly like Tuxedo Kamen, an exact doppelganger for Mamoru-kun except he had purple hair, was wearing a lavender suit and was holding some sort of sceptre."

The Tsukino's eyes were moving back and forth between Endymion-sama and myself now, almost as if trying to gauge the possibility of what I was saying.

Makoto's POV

I noticed their stares flashing back and forth and when Ami mentioned Mamoru-kun's hair Mrs. Tsukino's eyes flashed momentarily to his hair and then widened knowingly. She knows what's coming! I can tell! ... Why else would she be holding her husband down by his thigh?

Ami's POV

"He didn't make any sort of violent move against us so we didn't move against him, that is, until he started talking. That's when Usagi and Mamoru-kun got really upset and Mamoru-kun actually tried to attack him but, he turned out to be a hologram. He couldn't be injured."

"Hologram? You mean, like a computer projection?" Mr. Tsukino was scowling at me, his voice suggesting that he didn't believe a word he was hearing.

"Hai Tsukino-san, a hologram. Please remember, are talking about a thousand years in the future and technology had advanced greatly in that time. We could not assume that anything wasn't possible. This hologram was interacting with us in real time, it was not a computer created projection." Mako-chan again squeezed my hand and I saw Setsuna nod her head slightly as I glanced in her direction. Taking a deep breath I strengthened my hold on my girlfriends hand and continued.

"He introduced himself as Endymion, King of Crystal Tokyo."

"What is Crystal Tokyo?" asked Shingo sitting wide-eyed on the floor. I guess I'm better at this story telling then I thought.

"That is the future Shingo-san. Didn't Rei tell you about the Freeze?" At their blank stares I sighed and started into that rather lengthy explanation, really out of context.

Hotaru's POV

I blinked as the panic returned to my Haruka-papa's eyes and then blinked again when her cheeks started to suffuse with colour.

"Hime-chan that's what we wanted to apologize for. You're right, we should have told you what we were going to do." Michiru-mama was holding onto my hand but she wouldn't look me in the eye. Her face was filled with a nasty looking emotion and her mouth was flattened into a look I recognized, anger, but not at me.

Haruka-papas arms closed tightly around me again and she started talking into my hair. She couldn't seem to look straight at me either. "We took it on ourselves again. We should have learnt by then that we can't do things by ourselves but we hadn't. We should have asked for your help, or at least consulted you two. Gomen nasai, Hime-chan. What we did was wrong on so many levels and you're the one who ultimately paid for it, with your life and in your heart. How can you still . . . " Her voice rasped and broke off and I suddenly felt wetness against my forehead and realized that Haruka-papa was crying, again.

Michiru's POV

'The warrior's heart.' I stared at my partner as she was finally able to voice the feelings she had been denying since our decision to do 'what we must'. I had known the moment she chose our daughter as her target that she was trying to harden her heart. I had also known that she wouldn't be able to do it.

"It's all right Uranus, we trusted you. I knew you wouldn't do that without a really good reason. You are strong; that awful witch couldn't suck you under! I just knew it!" Saturn's voice held the confidence of a child and the wisdom of eons as she pulled back to stare into Haruka's eyes. They gleamed with an inner purple fire that seemed to catch my mate and hold her frozen, like a deer caught in headlights, unable to look away, not wanting to 'see' the consequences.

"You did what you thought was right, that's all any of us did. The princess had asked us not to go alone and we did, so in a sense we are all in the wrong. We were all trying to protect her, not just you. We knew the consequences when we went with you. In fact I think Pluto had some idea of your plan before we even met up with you."

"How do you know this Hotaru?" I laid a hand gently on each ones shoulder. "How can you be so sure?"

"Her last words to me while we were waiting for you two were, 'Trust in their love Hime-chan.', that was all I could think about when I figured out what you were doing. I didn't really understand it, but I did trust. It was a good move, ne?" She flashed me a quirky smile, so unlike her that I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Well it seems to have worked out in the end, hai."

"You knew?" Haruka still seemed to be in somewhat of a stupor. Her eyes were just starting to come unglazed but they were still filled with relentless guilt and I knew that this wasn't over. She shook her head violently. "That doesn't mean we shouldn't have consulted you, talked with you about it . . . something! We had no right!" Her tone was filled with self-loathing and recrimination and my heart felt like someone had stepped on it. I knew she was right in a way but . . . I could also see the forgiveness in Hotaru-chan's eyes and I just couldn't bring myself to feel quite so horrible about it anymore.

Hotaru's POV

'She feels with such passion; hate, love, guilt, protectiveness. It makes her a wonderful Papa, an extraordinary Senshi, and gives her the ability to destroy herself.'

"Iie Haruka-papa. You did not need to consult us. We are not structured like the Inner Senshi. We are not as cohesive a group when it comes to fighting. I've never been much of a strategist and Pluto can't even be around much because she has to be at the Time Gate so often. It has always been the two of you who were the centre of our quartet. It was your cooperation that made us so effective as a group. You don't need to consult with us about everything, especially when our genuine reactions would make the plan all that much more effective, and it did. She truly believed that you were evil and that was the idea." I saw that my words were getting to her but we they still weren't there yet.

"Oh Papa, don't you see, you saved me. If it hadn't been you, it would have been her and I don't think I would have liked that nearly as much. It was a lot more peaceful to know that you were still alive and trying something, then if I had just been standing there ready to destroy the world or be destroyed myself." I tilted my head slightly and gazed into her wonderful green eyes. "We've forgiven you Uranus. Onegai, forgive yourself. I want my Haruka-papa back. After all, you just promised me you'd never leave me."

A few of my old insecurities surfaced again and I could feel my breath catch in my throat as I waited for her to answer.

Finally her breathing started again with a large intake of air her eyes slammed shut releasing the remnants of her tears that had been hovering there since she had stopped crying earlier. When they opened again the wind was calmer and her soul was more at peace.

Ikuko's POV

I made a mental note to add the purple hair connection to my notebook as I couldn't afford to let go of my husband at this particular moment. Knowing what was to come I didn't want to take the chance. I also wanted to ask more about this Pluto character but that wasn't too high on the list.

I listened carefully as Mizuno-san explained in detail what Mamoru-kun had only made reference to and was again forced to wonder how much TV these children had been watching lately, or in Usagi's case, how much Manga she had been reading. I know she is telling the truth but that doesn't make it any easier to conceive of.

"So that's the creation story of Crystal Tokyo." She finished with a flourish, flushed and excited, proud of this future accomplishment after so much death.

"You say Usagi is going to wake the whole world up? Isn't that a little unrealistic?"

"Not for the Ginzuishou, sir. It's the most powerful thing in the solar system and Usagi is its most powerful wielder ever. She's even stronger then her Mother was!" Now Makoto-san was beaming with pride for her princess she smiled over at the sleeping girl but it dimmed when she remembered what had brought her to this state. Her reaction worried me and I wanted them to continue with the story. What had happened to her?

"So, King Endymion introduced himself and asked us to follow him . . . "

Pluto's POV

I continued to listen quietly has I had been doing since this entire affair had started, and waited. I didn't know what for but I knew that my 'family' was talking right now and I would soon be needed to do something, although I knew not what. I was relatively surprised at how the Inner Senshi were handling all of this, surprised at their maturity. I know that they have grown a lot in the last two years demo it has never been as evident as it is right now.

They will rule the future well and their friendships would be treasured. I just hope MY family is still intact.

I'll just have to wait.

Ami's POV

"...Usagi almost snatched the little girl off the bed she was sleeping on she moved so fast. She then asked whom she was, why she had come back to the past. King Endymion told us that she was his daughter."

Mr. Tsukino's eyes widened and turned toward Mamoru and Usagi who were still on the chair. Mamoru looked calmly toward the older man and held his gaze.

"This man, he's you?" asked Tsukino-san in a rather mild voice.

"Yes sir, my future self."

"And this little girl, who was supposedly living with us, she's your future daughter?"

"Yes sir, she was. Princess Usagi 'Small Lady' Serenity Chiba of the Moon, Earth and Crystal Tokyo."

"Her mother?" I looked quickly at Mamoru to see if he wanted me to reveal this but I received no gesture in reply, only "Usako, of course. Neo-Queen Serenity of Crystal Tokyo, my wife."

The bellow or rage and explosion of action were so abrupt and violent that Mrs. Tsukino didn't have a hope of holding back her husband. He was out of his chair and across the room so quickly that Mako-chan was barely out of hers before he was past her. He towered over the arm chair his face black with rage and I'm sure would have thought nothing of taking a swing at our Prince except for one thing . . .

"Just five more minutes Mamo-chan. No school today, promise." Evidently her father's wrathful bellow had been enough to bring Usagi almost out of her heavy slumber and she was waking up.

Mamoru-kun stayed still, one hand rubbing Usagi's back, evidently trying to put her back to sleep but for once she was waking on the first call. Unfortunately for everyone she was enjoying her 'bed' way too much under the circumstances.

She was purring, snuggling into Endymion-sama and giggling as she proclaimed in a sleepy voice that he 'smelled good'. Her father's face darkened with rage a touch more at what this implied and reached out to forcibly take his daughter.

Kenji's POV

Even half asleep she clung tenaciously to the dark haired young man and that just enraged me more. Obviously he had confused her. Something had to be wrong with all of them if they believed even half of what they were saying. The transformations had to be hoaxes, my little girl couldn't do half the things they said she's done. She's just too sweet to fight like that, she my little girl and I want her back!

Endymion's POV

I started to see red again when he moved as if to take Sere away from me. She wasn't in any shape to be protesting, still half asleep.

"Leave her alone!" I shouted, trying to get out of the chair so I wouldn't be at such a disadvantage. I was saved by Mrs. Tsukino who had rushed over behind her husband and was trying, with little success, to pull him away. Makoto was getting more results and between the two of them he was kept at bay long enough for Usagi to come fully awake. Come to think of it my bellow probably didn't help.

Serenity's POV

I'm floating in my prince's arms feeling as safe and snug as a bunny when a noise makes me jump and I wrinkle my nose in disgust. I don't want to get up . . . but there's something important to do. "Just five more minutes Mamo-chan. No school today, promise." Yep, no school, don't have to get up. I smiled reassuringly at him and closed my eyes again.

"Leave her alone!" My eyes startled open for real this time and I realized I was looking at a very angry Mamo-chan. Not angry with me I could feel, demo angry with someONE I couldn't see.

I twisted my body around and gaped at the scene before me. My father was being physically restrained by Okaa-san and Mako-chan. His face looked like a big red tomato that had started going bad.

"Otou-san, what's wrong? Mamo-chan what happened?"

"He claims you have a daughter!" grated out my father, tugging again against his captors.

"You told him about Chibiusa already?" I didn't realize I'd slept that long.

Ami's POV

I watched apprehensively, waiting for someone to do something. Something had to give, the tension between the two men was at an all time high.

Usagi started to laugh, deep belly laughs that startled and confused everyone, especially her family. "Serves you right!" she gasped out between bouts of hysteria, "You fell for her hypnosis and made my life horrible for so long, now it's your turn!" she crowed with obvious delight. I haven't seen my friend in a vindictive mood very often but she appeared to be getting quite a lot of personal satisfaction from this particular moment.

Her laughs had also stopped her father in his tracks and it was hard to hold on to his anger in the face of his daughter's obvious mirth. "I don't understand you Usa-chan." He muttered but he allowed himself to be sat again, only throwing the odd murderous glance in Mamoru-kun's direction. I'm sure the only reason he didn't continue his rampage was the fact she woke up. Usagi never had the best timing in the world but this was stupendous.

"Otou-san, I can understand why that would upset you but, look at it this way, it's not going to happen for at least a thousand years and we'll be safely married by then!" at her father's continued scowl she sighed and muttered, "You aren't at least glad that your going to have a granddaughter?"

Kenji's POV

A granddaughter . . . I'm going to have a granddaughter. I've met my unborn granddaughter. My head hurts.

Ami's POV

This may be the right time to continue. "We were then interrupted by another man who called himself Prince Demando of the Black Moon . . . "

Rei's POV

My throat is on fire! I feel like I've been talking for days without water. Mako-chan and Ami-chan came just at the right moment in more ways then one. I also haven't eaten in almost 24 hours and I'm starved!

Mina's POV

I jerked to a stop suddenly when I saw Kaykuu-Hime glide out of the dining room and head back up the front stairs. Suddenly I knew I just had to talk to her about Yaten, I had to find out what made him click. He'd been so warm and friendly earlier but I'd also seen him cynical and bitter. Which was the real him? I think she might have a good idea.

My abrupt halt had also stopped Rei in her tracks as she had been dragging me by the wrist to the dining room, her intent clear.

"What are you doing Mina? I can smell the chicken from here! Let's go!" Rei again tugged on my wrist but I wouldn't budge.

"I need to go talk to Kaykuu-hime for a minute Rei. You go on ahead."

She looked at me as if I'd grown pointy ears. (Cute ones of course, how could they be any less on me?) "You're passing up Mako-chan's cooking?" She sounded as if I'd just committed some sacrilegious act.

"Not for long. I'll be down to do my fair share of demolition, but I want to speak to her while Ya . . . she's alone." I could feel the blush working its way up my neck and from personal experience knew that I'd soon be the same colour as my favourite hair bow. I have to leave quickly or I'll be getting a grilling, by a professional, and I'm not ready for that yet. Heck, I'm not even sure how I plan to approach this with Kaykuu-hime!

She still looked mildly shocked but only shook her head and released my arm. "Fine, I'll be waiting." I nodded and we parted ways.

Michiru's POV

We hugged for what seemed like a million years. It was a healing hug, no more tears or self-recrimination, just a meeting of hearts and minds and an affirmation of love. I was quite sure some version of this scene would be played out again with Setsuna but for right now I just savoured getting my daughter and my partner back and the healing begun.

"Might I suggest we go and see how the Princess is doing and get something to eat? We should also check and see how the story is progressing, after all, your Haruka-papa did promise to tell a part of the story." I winked saucily at Hime-chan who giggled as Ruka groaned dramatically.

"You are going to help me right Michi-chan? Onegai?" She started making puppy dog eyes at me, or should I say she tried to and failed miserably.

In a rush of emotional release Hotaru and I started to howl with laughter and any lingering tension in the room melted away. "Leave the begging to our daughter Ruka, you just don't have the gift!" I managed to gasp out and pulled them both off the couch with a mighty heave.

Haruka's POV

I moved past Michi following Hotaru who appeared to be following her nose out the door. 'This is going to be lots of fun.' I silently complained.

I was stopped briefly on the way out when I felt Michiru's hands on my shoulders holding me back and then her breath whispered against my neck as she asked "And what would I get in return for my help?" and then a small kiss tickled the back of my neck and I grinned widely.

Ami's POV

"It was a few minutes before either of them woke up but once they did they seemed fine. Tired, but fine. We all were. We teleported back to earth just as the platform started to disappear and most of us were home in time for diner." Although meant to relieve some of the tension my small joke at the end didn't beget any laughter. Instead everyone sat quietly, even the Tsukino's who were looking with barely concealed amazement at their daughter.

"You really did love her didn't you?" Mr. Tsukino asked in a flat emotionless voice. You could also see the gears turning in his head. More proof that his little girl wasn't so little anymore. She had taken care of her own child for a while and had grown up because of it.

"Hai. We're very a like, Chibiusa and I. That's why we didn't get along easily for the first while. Demo she is my daughter and I love her with all my heart." Her eyes shone with tears now but they didn't fall. She'd see Chibiusa again and anyway, her story wasn't over yet.

"You can say that again Odango! The two of you could eat a person out of house and home all by yourselves. It must be genetic." We all turned to see the three missing Outer Scouts silhouetted in the doorway, barely visible as the last of the day's sunlight streamed through the large picture windows and masked them in a yellow glow.

"And don't forget their pure hearts, Haruka-papa. They both have the purest hearts."

"Your awake Usagi!" Michiru smiled with relief and came over to the royal couple who were struggling to get up. Each was trying to help the other and neither was getting too far. Finally, Usagi just slid off of his lap onto the floor and rose to her feet. She managed to do this all so gracefully that you hardly realized that she had just fallen off a piece of furniture. She then reached out and hauled her Prince out of his seat.

"Hai Michiru, I'm awake. My father and my boyfriend tried to have a yelling match right over my head. I'm a deep sleeper but everyone has their limits. She glared teasingly at the men in question and then bent down in front of the smallest Senshi.

"How are you feeling Hotaru-chan?"

Serenity's POV

I could see the little girl was uncomfortable with my question but I had also felt her inner turmoil earlier and that it was gone now. After a quick look at her parents I knew that she was all right, but I wanted to hear it from her. "I'm all right Serenity-sama. I was a little confused about a few things but they helped set me straight. I still miss Chibiusa though, that's what really upset me earlier while you were sleeping."

I'm glad they were able to work that out. I knew how the little girl was feeling and I too would have to talk with the two older Senshi at some point, but I knew that their little girl should come first. "I'm glad you've worked things out Hotaru and I miss Chibiusa too. Who knows, maybe Pluto will let her come back for a visit some day. That would be nice. We'll have to wait and see."

"Hai."

"So, Haruka, you've come to tell your part of the story?" I grinned widely at the disgusted look on her face but was faintly surprised to see a bit of a blush creep up her neck.

Haruka cleared her throat delicately and managed to get out "Um, yeah, that's why we came in. Where were you?" I raised my eyebrows at her discomfiture but said nothing when I saw the twinkle in Michiru's very satisfied smile. I didn't want to know.

"Actually we've stopped at a perfect spot for you to take over although I think it'll be a joint effort for the first little while. Why don't you explain your part before you joined us and I'll do our experiences, then you can go it alone after we join up."

Haruka nodded sullenly and the two older women returned to the love seat they had vacated earlier and sat beside the continually silent Setsuna. Hotaru again claimed her seat on the floor with Shingo and gave him an encouraging smile.

Shingo's POV

She sat in the same place she had been in before she left but nothing else about her was the same. The air of confusion and sadness had almost completely disappeared and she was smiling so much that she almost glowed. Whatever had been bothering her seemed to have been dealt with.

"I'm sorry I was so rude earlier." I nodded and smiled and in return hers got even brighter. The most amazing thing about her now was her eyes. No longer were they the dull lifeless grey with purple flecks that they had been. Now they were a shining royal purple so deep and dark that the whole universe could be hid in them and nobody would have been able to find it.

"I guess we should start by explaining how we come into the picture, where we started from." I turned back around at the voice of Hotaru's 'papa' (still getting used to using that title with a girl!) and listened intently. Ten'ou Haruka had been one of my favourite racers almost since they day she has shown up on the circuit when I was younger and I had followed 'him' ever since. I was finding out something that none of her other fans even knew about and I wanted to pay attention. I knew I couldn't tell anybody but hero worship wouldn't allow me to be disrespectful. I sat back and continued to listen to the story unfold.

By: Mala (LoneMala@hotmail.com)