Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Everything You Want -Book One- Everything You Want ❯ What Is Eternal (1996) ( Chapter 7 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

*And here in the night
*As I feel the inferno
*I stare in the dark
*Thinking what is eternal

"Your destiny is to disappear after your Star Seeds are taken. There's
still another way."

Galaxia looked down on us with that smug look of one who has already
won. The fires of Hell are close on my heels. Still so much blood on
my hands. Staring up at her, at the darkness she has... If this works,
would it even matter? Would the score then be settled? And should I
risk my Michiru as well? I know that if I agree to whatever Galaxia is
offering, Michiru will as well. Would that add to the weight of the
sins I have?

Please, Michiru, trust in me. We must save our Princess... at all
costs. I look up to Galaxia and smile, a smile just as smug as hers.

*The man or the moment
*The act or the reason
*These thoughts fill my head
*As I contemplate treason

"I'm glad to hear it."

I hear Michiru gasp beside me, I feel her stare. Trust me, please. If
there was ever a time for that trust...

I feel her relax. She knows.

"It's easy, work for me. Surrender your Star Seeds and swear faith to
me. If you have these bracelets into which I have sealed my energy,
you can live without your Star Seeds!"

She looked downright gleeful! But, to do this... if I fail, if we
fail, will Usagi understand? Will we even have a chance to explain
ourselves to her?! What meant more now? Does it matter that the end
justifies the means?

Just a moment, can't hesitate too long.

*Of dreams I have had
*And dreams I have pondered
*When late in the night
*My mind it would wander

"Now choose. Surrender or die!"

She was looking at the four of us. I am sure this is how she got the
others to wear her bracelets. Death or servitude. At least it won't be
forever for us.

"I'll choose death before I work for you, you devil," Pluto said
defiantly.

Good ol' Pluto. Never one to contemplate treason, never one to think
beyond protecting the Princess in a way the Princess would approve.
Saturn agreed. "Right! Who would work-"

Poor Hotaru. She will once again meet with such an untimely ending. It
was not fair of Galaxia. Why couldn't Hotaru have had a chance?!
Sailor Moon had gone through so much for that child, so much for all
of them.

And knowing how much Usagi had done and survived for them is what
makes it possible for me to do this. I cut Hotaru off.

"Sounds interesting. If I wear those bracelets, I can live, right?"

*To things I have done
*And then quickly regretted
*While denying vices
*My life had selected

I glance quickly at Michiru. What had I been thinking when I told her
to leave me alone? Had I been insane? Somewhere deep down I had known.
I had known I would do anything to be with this woman. But I had
fought it, and she had fought me.

I am proud to have chosen to become Sailor Uranus. I am proud of who I
am. I am not proud of this choice. Of betraying someone who trusted me
so. I know Galaxia will ask us to take Saturn and Pluto's Starseeds.
I'm not stupid.

I already regret it. I regret so much. But would I change any moment?
If I could, would I?

*And I think what I've done
*Or have yet to begin
*And the man I've become
*And the man that I've been

Galaxia nodded.

Death. For someone who saved lives, someone who promoted life, so much
death surrounded Usagi. Or was it that so much death surrounded her
protectors?

It's amazing. In just 3 years, my life has come to this. It began with
me deluding myself to believe I didn't love Michiru to deluding the
Senshi to thinking I am without any loyalty. What have I done that led
me to tonight? What was so wrong that I deserve this? What did Usagi
do to deserve all this?!

She has been so good. So pure! She loves all she meets, cares for all
she sees, regardless of their need for that care and concern. What
kind of universe allows for this? She fought against all odds, and
somehow she always ends up fighting alone. We let her down somehow and
she has to stand-alone.

I loved, I fought, I laughed, I even cried! I have been human since
meeting these people! What more could there be?! I cannot be more
sorry than I am for all that I have done wrong, I regret those actions
in the past! God! What more do you want?!

*Now caught in a waltz
*With the eternal dancer
*I'm courted by death
*But death isn't the answer
*I say

Speed. Wasn't that what it was all about? I wanted speed. Wanted to
escape that destiny I was so afraid of. I had been running my whole
life. I ran from my family, then my home, my friends, but I couldn't
run from myself.

Always, I was told I should have been a boy. From the moment I was
around other children, I knew my father had been right. I wanted to
play in the dirt, I wanted to run and jump. I hated those prissy
girls, the girls who preened; in short, I hated girls like Michiru.

I was teased. The girls didn't want to play with me because I was
dirty and crass. The boys didn't want to hang around me because I was
a girl! I couldn't win for losing! It went on like that all through
grade school. In junior high, when we started to change for gym, I was
tortured. I found myself turned on in the locker room!

I was horrified! I started to change in the bathroom, behind a locked
door. I ran in and ran out. And I ran and ran. I was the best track
racer -- I was respected for that. Then I found another girl who was
like I was. Or at least, it seemed it at first.

She teased me, good-naturedly. She watched my meets, she asked me to
go out with her to movies and to the racetrack. I fell in love with
the sport. I knew then that I wanted to race cars. She laughed and
said girls couldn't do such things. I told her she was wrong. She
laughed again and said she knew I could do anything.

Then she kissed me.

All I was
Meant to be
*Could I
*Suddenly
*Just decide
*Not a thought
*Would survive
*Could it be
*My life's worth
*Ended there
*With my birth

I felt awkward. It only lasted two weeks. She got bored. She was like
that. I came home and found my father and mother waiting for me. She
had told the kids at school. The school had called my family. This was
not acceptable at their institution. They told me they were
disappointed.

Father had said I should have been a boy. I guess I should have.

I left that night. I was fifteen. I left for Tokyo. I knew there was a
large motocross track there. I was tall, short haired and masculine
looking. I would pass for a boy.
I went to the track, dressed as a man, my breasts bound tightly. I
applied for a job just doing grunt work and was welcomed with open
arms. I got a small apartment and started a new school, as a boy. I
was accepted, but I didn't want their attention. I was by myself, I
had to stay away from these people or else they might have found out
my secret.

And about the time I had a routine down, I began having those dreams.
I saw a beautiful woman dressed in a short sailor dress begging me for
help. I saw the world ending. I saw so many things. I stopped sleeping
well and worked more and more. Soon, they had me driving one of their
cars. Within a few months, I had sponsors and my own car.

I moved to a nicer apartment and joined the track at the school I was
attending. I made money and got my own car to drive around town. I
also started to have the same dreams, only now they were while I was
wide awake. I couldn't escape it.

*If I could see someone
*Who's been there before me
*And traded his soul
*For a moment of glory

Then, after a track meet, the girl from my visions showed up at the
track. She asked for me to model for her. I knew she knew I was a
woman. I knew she didn't care. She followed me. She bugged me. She
watched me. She was Kaioh Michiru, a famous violinist. She was prissy,
beautiful, and talented, everything I hated about women, and I wanted
her more than anything in my life.

But, I was afraid. If I accepted her, did I accept my destiny? She
confronted me on the cruise. I ran again. Then, one day, she revealed
to me she was Sailor Neptune, she told me not to pick up that stick. I
held her in my arms, listened to her, and saw what someone else had
done when faced with the same choice. She became a solider.

So I picked up that stick and became Sailor Uranus. I would fight to
prevent the Silence. And I did, at any cost. And, without my realizing
it, I fell in love with my partner.

*His penance or mercy
*By spirits debated
*While judged on a scale
*That's been heavily weighted

Then, add Usagi to the mix. I didn't know at the time she was Sailor
Moon and just saw her as a sweet girl who was so innocent, so in love
with life and all those around her. I saw her and Sailor Moon as
people who could not find evil in humankind. How she felt that all
evil could be coaxed to good. She refused to give that up.

I felt cheated. Here was a girl who would fight and risk herself to
prevent a death of a stranger, while I was willing to allow for some
sacrifices to prevent the world dying as a whole. I was being judged,
by her, by the Senshi, by God, and, most importantly, by myself.

But, I would have gone through with it. I would have killed the three
who held the Talismans. I would have done it, taken the Talismans and
prevented the Silence.

I will never admit, to anyone, how relieved I was when I found out it
was me. I also will never admit how good I felt when Usagi proved
herself as the Messiah. But now -- after so much! -- it has to end.
Usagi will call me traitor and I will be forced to look blankly at her
and smirk.

I will do it. I have to. I swore to protect Usagi until my death.

*And what have I done
*Could there be such a sin
*In this man I've become
*In this man that I've been

"Working under Galaxia and becoming wild doesn't seem too bad."

Am I trying to convince her or me?

Loving Michiru, caring for Usagi, saving the world time and time
again, racing, raising Hotaru, living and caring as a family for a
time, trusting my friends, teasing Setsuna, learning to cook, playing
the piano, walking with my new family along the beach, playing
volleyball with them, such simple things -- yet so complex.

Sacrificing souls in search of the Talismans, attacking Sailor Moon,
jealousy of those who wanted Michiru, my fear, betrayal after
betrayal, the lies to maintain my male facade, loving Michiru... just
to name a few of my sins.

I was a cruel and lonely woman before becoming a Sailor Senshi. Then,
I was loved and welcomed. I had people who wanted to know me, who
didn't care whether I was a man or a woman, didn't care that I loved
Michiru. I am a good person now.

I wasn't then. Doesn't that count for something?! Where is it that I
went wrong? Where did I take a left when I should have gone right? Why
does it have to be this way?

I don't want to hurt anyone, least of all Usagi. Such a good heart.
But I will, I have to. We have to try.

*Now calling to god
*From the pit's very bottom
*I pray he forgives
*Every sin I've forgotten
*This day

I look toward Michiru, her eyes shimmering a bit. She knows, she has
accepted my fate. I love her so much. What would I have been if I had
actually been able to turn my back on her that day in the garage?

"If I can be with you, I won't hesitate to sell my soul to the devil."

She smiles at me slightly. So trusting, so loving. "You're right."

I pray at this moment, I pray that poor Usagi will forgive me my sins
and forgive Michiru for my sins as well. I take Michiru's hand briefly
as we stand up and face Galaxia. I hear Pluto and Saturn's gasps of
surprise and anger, I pray they forgive me as well.
I pray I am forgiven.

This is it. We will be strong.

*And who would have thought
*That my fate it would conjure
*This twist in the road
*On which I have wandered

Setsuna, aghast, whispers, "Are you serious? Uranus! Neptune!"

"Did you forget our mission to protect this planet and our Princess?!"
Hotaru asks.

Forget? How could I? I was doing this to complete my mission!

"Shut up!" I need her to stop! I want Hotaru to understand. But, they
never would. At least Michiru did.

I open my arms to Galaxia. "Here, take it."

With a slight hitch in her voice, I hear Michiru quietly speak to me.
"Uranus, we're together even in death!"

Until death. I want to cry. One of the few times I just want to curl
up in her lap and weep like a 2 year old. But, I can't.

Instead, I look ahead at Galaxia and speak just as silently. "Yes, see
you in hell."

But, I know that hell will not include her, since hell is being
without Michiru. I know I will be alone. I fear being alone now. I am
no longer used to it. I need to have my friends; I need Michiru. They
are the center of my happiness now.

And, since hell is a place of punishment, I know that they will not be
there.

I close my eyes; I know Michiru does the same. I hear Galaxia chuckle,
the clink of bracelets.

*Each vision and dream now
*Completely dismembered
*To give one's whole life
*And find nothing's
*Remembered

I hear Setsuna scream. "Uranus! Neptune!"

The blast! The pain! I can't help but cry out. Poor Michiru. All she
ever wanted to do was make music, to create art. We all had our
dreams. Dreams that were taken away, we now had new dreams. A dream of
the future. But, even now, as I feel my star seed ripped from me, that
dream is being snatched away.

All our hard work, all our sacrifices, all for nothing!
Then calm. I feel almost faint. I want to sleep.

Then the cold clamp of the bracelets. I feel anger. Hatred. A need to
destroy. I want the universe! I deserve the universe! I saved it once
and I got nothing in return. No trumpets, no pat on the back, nothing!

The universe will be mine!

But first, I must have all the star seeds, I must have the brightest
star seed!

*And what good is a life
*That leaves nothing behind
*Not a thought or a dream
*That might echo in time

Michiru, almost demonically, says to me, "I feel it! Galaxia's
energy!"

Yes, I feel that energy, flooding my empty heart. "I see! It's more
than I expected!"

My master calls to me. "Stand up, Sailor Uranus! Sailor Neptune!"

We do as she commands.

We must have the universe.

"Your first job," her voice is musical, "is to take the Star Seeds
from those two."

I knew that was what she would ask. We will take the Star Seeds from
our weak allies!

*The years and the hours
*The seconds and minutes
*And everything that
*My life has placed in it
*Betrayed

Setsuna, seeming desperate to me, angrily says, "Why do we have to
fight against each other? Did you throw away your pride as Sailor
Senshi?"

My master, from behind, informs Setsuna of our reality. "With those
bracelets, Uranus and Neptune are under my control! Now, get them!
Show me your allegiance!"

I do not feel in control. This hate! It isn't mine!

But, I... hate! I need the Star Seeds of the galaxy!

Setsuna tries again, "Why are you doing this?!"

In a low voice, Michiru answers before I can, "You know why."

"This is how we fight!" I spit out at them. Weak! They are undeserving
of the power their seeds hold!
I advance on Hotaru and throw the punch, just missing her face. Damn.

"Oh, no!" She is frightened. What a child! It angers me further!

I hear scuffling to my side, Michiru must be advancing on Setsuna.
They fall back, standing there, looking at us like stupid cattle look
at those who slaughter them!

"Pluto!"

Hotaru cries out and looks up at the eldest Senshi.

"Yes, I sense it, too. They're serious."

I smile wickedly. Of course we are! What? Did they think this was a
game?! Stupid cows!

They look toward each other.

"Then we won't hold back..." the Time Guardian begins.

Hotaru finishes, "...until our lives burn out."

Well, that can be arranged!

Galaxia speaks, "Good! Watching a deadly battle between the guardian
soldiers... of the same star makes me more excited than anything
else!"

Poised like cats ready to pounce, waiting...

"Now, let us see..." I begin.

"Your Star Seeds," my love completes for me.

We raise our bracelets and release the burst. I expect them to dodge
the blow. They don't! They just closed their eyes and let it happen!
I... Setsuna... Hotaru...

Their Star Seeds appear. So beautiful! So much power! More power!

Sailor Moon and the Starlights appear and she rushes to the
disappearing duo. I watch the touching scene play out between Sailor
Moon and the dying guardians.

She cries. She always cries! This is what we were trying to save?!

Pathetic.

*Betrayed

"I was waiting for you, Sailor Moon!"

She looks up when Galaxia calls her name. She sees us. Yes. The
crushed look in her eyes. She doesn't understand. She knows nothing of
the power Galaxia can offer!
"No... This isn't true, is it? Uranus, Neptune! Why?" she cries.

Taiki leans a bit in. Is he blind? "Those bracelets!" He speaks the
obvious!

Yaten chimes up. Of course. "No way! You sold out?"

Sold out? Sold out? We are alive! We are powerful! This is not selling
out! This is winning!

"That's none of your business!" I shout at them.

She looks so surprised! Stupid Odango... Don't look so sad...
Odango...

"They are already my faithful soldiers!"

And what my master says is true. I want the universe. I feel her need
for power. I understand that need!

"Now, go and get the rest of the Star Seeds!"

With pleasure!

"Please, stop," she cries frantically. Scared. She looks like a scared
deer caught in headlights. I will have her Star Seed!

"Please stop! Why? We're friends!" she continued, pleading.

I smirk. "Friends?"

"I'll take your Star Seeds before you feel any pain!" Michiru teases.

We laugh. I can't resist joining in. "Because we're friends!"

"I believe you, Uranus, Neptune..." She looks so small, so alone. But
that doesn't matter!

I raise an eyebrow, "Oh, thank you."

Michiru quietly says, "Bye!"

Galaxia seemed to be in a torturous mood. "Wait!" I want to turn and
look at her, but I don't. Why is she stopping us? She laughs. "Are you
crazy? Do you still believe in them? Even now? You saw the others
eliminated by these two! This is reality! Or do you still think this
planet will be saved?"

"I do!" Naive little fool.

Galaxia laughs again, a loud, raucous laugh. "Take their Star Seeds
later! Show them reality!" She turns and walks away, muttering "Don't
make me laugh."

Michiru and I smile at the little lambs waiting for their slaughter.
Yes, we will show them reality. Show them how much it hurts, how it
burns, tears you up.
Usagi screams, "Uranus! Neptune!" As if that should matter to me.

I raise my hand. "World Shaking!" At the same time, I can hear Sailor
Star Fighter's voice calling out "Star Serious Laser!" Fool. I watch
with perverse glee as her pathetic attack is quickly defused and
overcome by my newly strengthened power.

The trio of Starlights and Sailor Moon, still clutching that blasted
child, Chibi Chibi, are blown backward by the force of the explosion.
I stand calmly in the shadows near Usagi and watch her in her
unconsciousness. Weakling. No better than that pitiful Princess
Kakayuu. I should take her Star Seed now, while she sleeps. It's
certainly better than she deserves. But I wait. Galaxia will tell me
when the time is right.

Usagi stirs after a long moment, and begins to cry. Again. Finally,
she notices me and stands. "Uranus!" she calls out, and runs up to me.
In the whole galaxy, only this little imbecile would be stupid enough
to run up to an enemy. "Uranus!" she continues, "Please tell me the
truth! You have a plan, right? I know! Everything is just an act!"

Oh, dear God. What a poor, deluded soul! I'll be doing her a favor
when I take her Star Seed. Who would have thought that such a bright
Star Seed could be contained inside such a twit!
I want to shake her. Don't you see you have the power to win?! I knew
you did from that first impulsive moment where I kissed you!

But no, she just looks at me with those wide, innocent eyes, still
thinking this is all one of her little girlish games. She disgusts me.
I reach back across my shoulder and slap the little Princess across
the face hard enough to knock her down.

"This is reality!" I say to her. My hand stings. I should have done
that a long time ago. Maybe it knocked some sense into her. She looks
up at me... no, past me. Behind me? Thanks for the hint, Odango!

I step to the side just in time to block Fighter's flying kick. He
rebounds from the block and is joined by the other two damnable
Lights. I just smile. One or four, makes no difference to me. You'll
all fall in the end. "Did you finish your nap?"

Healer calls out, "Don't boast!" As if I needed to.

Maker joins in. "That power comes from Galaxia!"

What difference should that make? Power is power, no matter the
source. It may have been hers once, but she bestowed it upon me to
dispense. "You're like a barking dog after losing the fight."

My darling Michiru chose that time to step from the shadows behind the
group. "Right! Those words don't sound like you want to defeat
Galaxia! Do you think you can defeat Galaxia if you can't beat us?"

Don't give away the game too quickly, beloved! We want to break their
spirit first! "After all, you guys think too highly of yourselves!"

Seiya narrows her eyes, "What?"

Ah... there it is. That nerve. That last barrier. I push the
advantage. "That's why you couldn't protect your Princess!"

That did it. Seiya leaps forward, shaking off the other two Lights. "I
can't forgive you!" she screams. As if her forgiveness should mean
anything to me.

Usagi reaches for her, screaming, "Fighter!" He hesitates. Thanks
again, Odango.

Fighter leaps then, but I've had time to ready myself. "What do you
know?!" she retorts, swinging furiously. Angry, unfocused attacks,
easily dodged; easily laughable.

Frustration then. "Damn you!" Another right jab to the face,
another... oof. Dammit. I got cocky again, and took one right to the
stomach. The wind is all but knocked out of me. Still, I manage to
bring my face near her ear.

"You can do it, all right!" Learn, damn you! Figure it out! I can't
fight this alone!

She stares at me blankly, stupid dimwitted nothing that she is. Get
away from me, you disgusting swine! I plant a swift uppercut to her
jaw, sending her flying.

I hear blubbering. Usagi's, of course. Who else could sound so
annoying? "Stop! Please stop these kinds of things!"

I nod. Yes. Enough games. "Okay, let's end this now."

Michiru agrees. "Let's."

I raise my hand as she raises hers. This is what it all comes down to;
the flood of power, the rush. The wind and the sea, just like we've
always been together.

"World Shaking!"

"Deep Submerge!"

Even as they see the force of our attacks speeding toward them, the
fool Starlights crowd around Usagi, hoping in some futile way to
protect her.

Our attacks land. Bright light. Smell of sea salt carried on the
breeze. Then the explosion. Sulfur and ash. Michiru and I dance away,
giggling as if we shared a secret joke.

Galaxia chooses this moment to reappear. About time. I was growing
weary of toying with these four. "Well?" she asks, "Have you awakened
from the sweet dream that this planet will be saved?"

Usagi, tiresome as always, defies her. "It's definitely not a dream!"

"How stupid! Look at the city around you! How do you like this
fantastic scenery?"

Usagi walks to the edge of the building and surveys the destruction
surrounding her. Yes, I think, yes, see your world crumble, see your
hopes swindle, see despair, see futility! I
barely hear her whisper, "Oh, no," as she falls to her knees.
Galaxia continues, "Right now, the whole galaxy is almost within my
grasp. Even if you struggle, there's no way for you to win!"

Once again, I see the Starlights surround Usagi. Will they never
learn?

"How surprising! Are you saying that you're not giving up?" She laughs
again, a roaring laugh, as if it's the funniest sight she'd ever seen.
"What can you do? Is there anything that you can do? Fools! Get their
Star Seeds!"

*Betrayed

Now. This is the time. This is the only time. The last time. I raise
my arms as Michiru raises hers. We stare down at Usagi and the
Starlights.

I hear Galaxia calling, "This is the end!"

Yes. The end. One way or another. I'm sorry, my Princess. Forgive me.
Forgive us. I hope you understand. I love you.

We turn as one to face Galaxia, the fog on our minds clearing just as
we had hoped it would. There, up there is the enemy, not below. We
hesitate no longer. The blasts from the bracelets hit Galaxia square
in the chest and we watch in pure satisfaction as her Star Seed begins
to be extracted.

But... it isn't. What? Oh, no.

"No way! Her Star Seed didn't appear!" Is that Michiru? I'm too numb
to turn to see.

"We made a direct hit!" I call out to the heavens. It was supposed to
work! Oh, God, what have I done?

Galaxia smugly looks down on us. "Oh my, I didn't expect that someone
couldn't be controlled by my bracelets! It's the first time I've seen
such soldiers in this galaxy!"

I whisper in disbelief, "She doesn't have a Star Seed?" How? I hear my
Michiru -- my dearest love, my partner -- fall heavily to her knees.

"Not only stealing your partners' Star Seeds but also ready to die,
you pretended to be my soldiers while looking for an opening? Oh my, I
was deceived, all right!" She chuckles. "What a surprise! I enjoy you
people of this planet!" Another laugh. God, what I would do to shut
that laugh up forever!

*The things I have done
*The places I've been
*The cost of my dreams
*The weight of my sins

What I have done to shut that laugh up! Saturn! Pluto! Neptune!
Everyone... Princess. I've done it now; well and truly damned them
all. No time to say I'm sorry, no time to take it back. Not even a
Time Guardian left alive to stop what's to come. The tears pull at my
eyes, but I will not let them fall. I will face my death with honor
and dignity.

Quietly, Michiru says to me, "It looks like the end."

I can't look at her. I don't even know where the words come from, but
I can hear my voice. "We no longer have wings to fly freely in the
blue sky. We've dirtied our hands with the blood of betrayal..."

"I know."

"Everything was futile, wasn't it?" The last word, it seems, is
Galaxia's. Have you learned the lesson, Princess? Do you know how to
succeed where I have failed? Tell me you understand -- that you will
never give up.

I feel the weight being removed from my wrists as Galaxia calls the
bracelets back to her. The power is gone, and I can feel my heart
slowing, my mind clouding. Again come the words from nowhere, "...or
the beaks to pick our own flesh?"

Michiru speaks. She always was the strongest of us. "I can endure
anything with you, even being burned by the fires of hell..."

"Hell?" I want to laugh. Doesn't she know her own worth? All she did
was trust me. And I let her down, too. She's far too pure and good to
follow me. "It doesn't suit you..."

"I don't regret it..."

Of course you wouldn't. All you did was what I asked you to. You tried
so hard to please me in all the time we were together. Did I do the
same? Did you ever know just how much I loved you? Did I show it
enough?

Too late. Too late for everything.

*And everything that
*I've gathered in life
*Could it be lost
*Could it be lost in this
*Could it be lost in this
*Night

Another voice, floating on the breeze. Usagi's, full of tears for the
damned. "Why did you do it?"

Does she have to ask? "Because it is our way..." Sacrificing ourselves
-- the burden of the Outer Senshi. Little Hotaru, her sweet face
hiding frightening power. The lonely Time Guardian, forever apart,
even from us. And the star-crossed lovers, forever chasing down their
destiny. I can't feel my legs, and they crumble under my weight,
throwing me face first onto the ground.

"The cross that was assigned to us as soldiers..." Michiru explains as
she falls, just out of reach. She understands. She always did. Damn
her for loving me. Damn me for picking up that stick. Damn us all for
my stupidity.

But I don't regret it. I can't.

"That's... That's terrible!" Poor Usagi. So innocent. So caring. And
harboring such power that she isn't even aware of. "Since you didn't
tell us, I thought that you two really had become our enemies and
doubted your friendship. I didn't believe you until the very end!"

Don't cry, Odango. It was necessary. I don't expect you to forgive me.
It wouldn't do me much good in hell anyway.

"Haruka! Michiru!"

Seiya speaks up. "I won't forgive you! You talk big words! If you
leave, what will happen to Sailor Moon?"

Somehow, I find the strength to smile. So naive. "Fighter, what you're
trying to protect isn't space, peace, and the future, is it? From now
on, you want to protect her..."

She can barely reply. "Uranus..."

I can still hear Usagi crying for us. I turn slightly to Michiru,
knowing Usagi will hear and say teasingly, "Our Princess is such a
crybaby..."

I don't have to see her to hear the smile in Michiru's voice. "She
is..."

Oh, God. Here it comes. Wait... please. "Are.. you... scared,
Michiru?"

"Haruka..."

"What?"

"I... want... to... touch... you... Haruka..."

My sweet love. My light. In my mind's eye, I see Death coming for me.
Not yet, I call to him, not yet! I strain to move, but we come ever
closer. I can feel the heat from her hand and find the extra push from
somewhere to put my hand on hers.

"I… can... see... the... light..." No, Michiru. Don't go there without
me. But I know you must.

"You're... warm... Michiru..." Stay with me. I'm so cold. I'm scared.
Good-bye, my Michiru.

The sheen of Galaxia's armor is blinding me. I close my eyes, but the
shine doesn't go away. It's too bright, this light! Is it the fires of
Hell, burning me already? I force myself to open my eyes, force myself
to face my fate.

The light is warm, but it doesn't burn. I don't smell brimstone and
ash, but wildflowers and fresh grass. The ground is soft, not rocky.
What is this place?

"Haruka! Wake up, silly! I've got the picnic all laid out, and Hotaru
won't let us eat without you!"