Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Her Battle ❯ Battle's End ( Chapter 33 )

This is the beta chapter. I'll re-upload this when I get the revision back, but since it's been such a long time since I updated, I figured an update (even a beta version) was better than nothing. Just be forewarned there might be mistakes here and there…

 

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Chapter 33 - Battle's End

 

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Tuxedo Kamen sat on the ground silently. His eyes were fixed on two people and only two people. He'd seen everything from his position. He was left feeling numb, which he couldn't understand. He thought he readied himself for what he would see. `I guess one can never prepare themselves for seeing the one they love kiss and embrace another…' It wasn't until this moment that he truly regretted leaving like he did, `Perhaps I should have stayed any enjoyed all the time I could with her.' The dark haired man shook his head slightly, `There's no going back now and besides that…it would have always been in the back of my mind.' He took a deep breath and lowered his head, even at this moment he could feel his connection with her start to fade and yet despite that, he could still feel how strong her feelings were for her senshi.

 

Suddenly he heard a loud noise to his left, causing him to turn his head in that direction. He saw Pluto laying on the ground, as well as a massive amount of energy flying toward Sailor Moon and Rei. He tried to force his battered body to get up…to do something. It was hopeless. He couldn't even get on his knees to crawl. He punched the ground angrily and looked back to the two girls, hoping they could get away. It was too late; he knew it and it seemed that they did as well. The Prince of Earth closed his eyes tightly and hoped for some divine intervention. Within moments, he heard a loud boom and felt the ground shake somewhat, but he kept his eyes closed, fearing what he'd see if he opened them. Eventually his need to know won out and he opened his eyes. Much to his shock, both girls stood a good distance away from where he just saw them and looked to be unharmed. He was sure he heard the explosion from that attack, yet by some miracle they were unharmed. The tuxedo clad man sighed in relief. Though he still couldn't figure out what happened exactly, he couldn't have had his eyes closed for more than a few long seconds…

 

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The youma came out swinging as the first of them to reach Venus quickly threw a punch at aimed at her head. She tilted her head away from the oncoming fist and let the youma's momentum take over, allowing him to simply stumble past her. The next one took a different approach and tried to take her legs out from underneath her. He slid just before reaching her, but Venus simply jump over him. The other two decided to try attacking her at the same time. One tried to kick her mid-section, while the other threw a punch at her face. Venus smiled, they telegraphed their attacks making blocking them almost too easy. She bent her left leg up to her chest, effectively blocking the kick, while she simply caught the other youma's fist with her right hand.

 

“If this is all you can do, I'll end this quickly.” Venus said, but only received an unintelligible growl from the two youma. She sighed quietly; they probably didn't even understand what she just said. There wasn't any need to hold a conversion with these guys anyway. Venus kicked her leg out sharply at the time as she thrust her arm forward, forcing the two youma, she'd been blocking to stumble back.

 

As soon as she was no longer tangled up, the other youma came at her from behind. Venus could hear the heavy steps of the youma behind her and swung around sharply. As soon as she faced the youma, she was forced to offer up a hasty block with her left arm because she saw a fist directed at the side of her face. She was able to change the direction of the attack, so his fist simply traveled past her head. With the youma so close, she took the opportunity to kick him in the mid-section, knocking him back to the ground. Before the youma could get up again, she decided to finish him off and call out her strongest attack.

 

“Venus Love and Beauty Shock!”

 

She barely had time to watch to make she her attack was successful she felt something strike her back, causing her to fall forward. “Ow…” The blonde senshi whispered under her breath. She pushed herself off the ground and touched her lower back. She gasped out suddenly as she applied pressure to one particular spot. The attack didn't break skin or anything, but she was sure Venus was sure she had a tasty bruise where she was hit. She let her hand drop to her side and she turned to the two remaining youma.

 

“Venus Wink Chain Sword!”

 

Venus pointed the golden sword at the youma, “You are so going to pay for that…” She held the golden weapon tightly and charged the two youma.

 

The two youma appeared to be surprised, whether that be because of Venus' attack or the fact that she was currently charging them with the fullest intentions to end their lives, it wasn't clear. Both of them looked at each other for a moment, but it didn't seemed either had an answer to what was coming at them. Neither youma had any melee weapons, so they attacked the only way they could. Both youma threw an energy attack at the blonde haired warrior.

 

Venus dodged the attacks by slightly changing her path to the youma, allowing them crash harmlessly into the ground. The youma didn't learn their lesson because they continued to throw the same attacks at the senshi of love, while she continued to avoid them until she finally reached the youma. She stopped in front of them, “You shouldn't stand so close to one another...it only makes this easier.” Venus said and with one swift diagonal slice of her sword, she cut down the two youma together.

 

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Uranus entered her fighting stance and sprinted toward the remaining youma. She immediately engaged the first youma she reached, throwing a flurry of punches at the unprepared creature and sending him on the defensive. After a number of attacks connected, the he was sent to ground. She looked to her left, at the next closest youma and perform a high leg kick to his jaw, dropping the monster after one hit. The next one seemed to catch on before his companions because he attacks the senshi of wind first.

 

The youma performed a quick jab, but Uranus leaned away from oncoming attack. Being off balance, she took advantage of the opening and punched him across the side of his face, sending him reeling, but he remained in a standing position. To bring the youma down, she couched down swept his legs out from under him before he could regain his bearings. Uranus now turned her sights to the only youma she hadn't engaged yet

 

She watched as the other youma charged at her similar to the last youma, but this one tried to kick her instead of trying to punch her. She blocked it with her own leg and ducked as she saw the youma's fist drawing closer. From her lowered position, she punched him in the stomach, causing him to bend over. She quickly stood straight up again and locked her hands together before driving them down into his back and sending him crashing to the ground.

 

“I think I've played with you long enough.” Uranus said and leapt high into the air, summoning her talisman to her hand. The sword appeared moments later and she quickly held it above her head.

 

“Space Sword Blaster!”

 

The senshi of wind swung the sword down several times in rapid succession, sending a number of arch shaped energy blades down toward the group of youma. She watched as the youma tried to scatter; only two of them were successful. The less fortunate ones were easily shredded to pieces by the blades. As was inevitable, Uranus began to make her back down to the ground. Seeing the she was vulnerable as she descended, one of the youma jumped at her from behind. The youma collided with her mid-air and wrapped his arms around the senshi of wind, locking his hands around her stomach. Together they crashed back to the ground.

 

Uranus and the youma both got to their feet, while continuing to struggle with each other. The senshi of wind was trying to reach behind her to grab the youma, but was continually finding that unsuccessful. For his part the youma was frantically attempting to keep his hold the senshi, as she continued to resist. After a short time longer, Uranus stopped struggling, much to the surprise of the youma, so he looked around the girl as best he could to see what happened.

 

The other youma was currently preparing his attack, causing the youma holding Uranus laugh a little. The one creature held his hands above his head for a second before pointing them at the Sailor Senshi. A ball of blue energy shot out of his hands, while the senshi of wind just watch it approach. Just as the attack was about to reach her, Uranus looked over her shoulder at the youma holding her and smiled. Before he even knew what was going on, she turned around so that now she was facing away from the attack, putting the youma in line with it. She could hear him cry out as soon as he was struck in the back and at about the same time he released the senshi. Uranus quickly leapt away, so as to avoid taking any damage from the attack herself. Once she was separated from him, he fell to the ground, dead.

 

“Now it's your turn…” Uranus said and held her hands above her head this time. A large yellow orb formed in her hands and once it was complete she threw her hand to the ground and called out the attack's name.

 

“World Shaking!”

 

The energy left her hand and flew to where the youma stood, tearing through the ground in its path. It didn't take very long for it to reach the youma and when it did, it tore through him like he was paper thin.

 

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Jupiter clutched her hands tightly at her sides and ran forward to meet the youma. However, as she reached them the larger youma spilt up while the small one hung to the back. She eyed them cautiously to see what they were doing, but they didn't show any signs of doing anything. Out of the corner of her eye though, Jupiter could see the youma that had kept his distance raise his hand above head and make a circular motion with his finger in the air. After doing the same movement three times, three white rings appeared above his head. She wasn't sure what he was doing, but he clearly had something planned. She looked around, `I have to something about these guys before I can do anything about him though…' she thought when an idea struck her. She held her hand in the air before calling out her desired attack.

 

“Jupiter Coconut Cyclone!”

 

A swirling wind surrounded the senshi of thunder. The wind slowly expanded further around her until it reached the three youma around her. They were quickly swept up in vicious winds, sending them spiraling into the air.

 

Jupiter now directed her attention to the smallest of the youma that challenged her. She ran at him, but as soon as she did, she saw flick his wrist in her direction. As he pointed toward her, the white rings he created flew over her head. She looked up and was going to disregard them when they began to descend toward her. She was about to run, when realized the rings were already encircling her. The youma close his hand into a fist and the ring tightened around her body; one around her legs, just above her knees, the next effectively pin her arms to her side as it tightened around her waist, and the final lay around her chest, just below her shoulders.

 

The senshi of lightning struggled against the constraints, but found that despite her efforts they didn't budge. She looked at the youma that created the bindings and saw he had his hands pointed at her. `He must still be channeling energy into them.' Jupiter silently surmised. As she stared at the youma her eyes caught movement from the other three youma. She looked around and saw that all of them had gotten up and were now walking toward her.

 

“Sorry I'm not into this kind of stuff and even if I was, you guys definitely aren't my type.” Jupiter said and smiled slightly afterwards.

 

The youma didn't say anything; they simply continued to head for the senshi of lightning. Once she was within reach they stopped, one on each side of her, as well as one behind her. Each youma grabbed onto the middle binding and grinned at the senshi.

 

Jupiter looked the youma to her left than at the one to her right, “I guess you guys to have a couple brain cells in those heads of yours after all.” She closed her eyes for a moment and an antenna extended from her tiara, “I'll let you know right now that you're playing a dangerous game grouping up this close to me…”

 

Just as she opened her mouth to call out her attack, she felt a familiar tingling sensation in her arm. `I haven't even done my attack yet…' Jupiter thought and instinctively looked over the youma. The youma were gripping the white ring around her tightly and after a moment they yelled out something she didn't even understand. Immediately following their yell, Jupiter felt her body go numb and if it wasn't for the sound the attack gave off she probably wouldn't have even known what it was. She clenched her teeth and looked down, but before she knew it the sensation left her body and she felt that she was no longer being restrained. The senshi of lightning took a few wobbly steps forward before nearly falling down. She shook her head slightly and steadied her legs as best she could. “You call that an electrical attack…?” Jupiter asked dangerously, even as she struggled to maintain her balance. She balled her hands into tight fists, causing lightning to arch around her closed hand, “You chose the wrong person to pick a fight with!”

 

“Jupiter Oak Evolution!”

 

The three youma closest to her were vaporized almost instantly as the electrically charged energy tore through them as the stood next her in shock. They didn't seem to have a back-up plan if that technique failed, leaving them wide open to a counterattack. On fortunately for them, they were fighting the senshi whose element was the very base of their attack.

 

Jupiter looked around for a moment to find the remaining youma. Finally her eyes fell on the small creature. As their eyes met, she could see feat there, it seemed he understood that his time was up as well. “That just leaves you…” the senshi of lightning said and took a couple steps at the youma. The creature looked scared out of his mind before coming to his senses and doing the only recourse he thought he had left…he ran for his life. “I don't think so!” Jupiter yelled before running after the youma. For a small youma he wasn't as fast as Jupiter thought he'd, so once he was within range, she called out her attack.

 

“Sparkling Wide Pressure!”

 

She threw the sphere of electrical energy at the youma as hard as she could. She watched the attack for a few seconds to make sure it hit its target. The attack sped toward the youma and even when it reached him; it shot right through him, leaving a gapping hole in his torso. After a moment, he fell to the ground motionless.

 

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Mercury watched the youma intently. The foggy mist seemed to cause some confusion among them, because they were no longer running at her like they were a short time ago. She quietly walked closer to the youma while watching to them see if they noticed her. Once she was as close as she felt she could get without drawing attention to herself she stopped and off her attack close range in order to take as many as the youma she could.

 

“Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!”

 

As soon as she called out her attack the youma turned in her direction, her voice giving away her position. Even though they could react to where she was, avoiding the attack was an entirely different matter. The two youma closest to her, who happened to be the fire specialist and therefore more susceptible to water base attacks anyway were struck fully force by her attack. The other two youma weren't able to avoid the attack much better; instead they did the easier thing and used their comrades as shields.

 

Mercury was about to move from her location when she saw something flying at her. Her eyes widened as she realized exactly what it was, one of the youma she just hit with her attack. She dove out of the way of the corpse, causing it to narrowly miss her. When she started to get up, she saw the other youma fly where she was. She scrambled to get out of the way, but the youma landed on her legs causing her to cry out in surprise. The youma wasn't very heavy and it was decomposing rapidly, but that fact only made it grosser. She kicked the youma off her legs and again began to get off the ground, since she'd mostly already given away her location to the two remaining youma, she need to move from where she was. She stood up only to stand right in front of the two youma she was trying to keep her distance from.

 

One of the youma started throwing wild punches at the air in one direction, while the other started to do the same, only he was much closer to the senshi of water. She backed away as quickly as she could, while trying not to make any noise. Once she was a safe distance away, she looked the youma; they weren't ones she wanted to take on in a hand to hand fight. She looked around and noticed the foggy was beginning to get thinner, `I better end this before they can realize exactly where I am.' She thought and shut her eyes while she concentrated on draw out the power for her attack.

 

“Mercury Aqua Mirage!”

 

The senshi of water spun around sending a number of energized balls of water cascading down upon the two youma. They tried to avoid the onslaught, but there was too many and before long Mercury's attack pound them into dust.

 

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Sailor Neptune stood silently as she watched the youma's remains fall to the ground. After a moment, she took a quick side-step to her left and watched at a youma stumbled forward. Just about a second later, she crutched down to the ground, allowing another youma to fly over her head. She could hear the growls from the youma in front of her, so she pointed her mirror at that creatures, “I could see you just fine.”

 

One of the youma quickly threw a ball of green energy at the mirror, but the object disappeared before the attack reached its target. Neptune shook her head for a moment and looked as though she was going to say something when both youma got up and charged her again, so she entered her fighting stance instead.

 

The senshi of the seas waited for the youma to reach her; they didn't seem very bright or strong for that matter, so there wasn't any need to waste unnecessary energy. At least she could give them a bit of fight before ending everything.

 

Rather than attacking together, they decided to attack one at time. The first youma attacked high, by throwing a wild punch at the senshi's head, but she swiftly blocked the attempt with her left arm. She quickly retaliated by spinning away from where the punch originated from and elbowing the youma in the face as she did so, sending him to the ground after she connected with him. Upon seeing the first youma fail, the second one ran at Neptune. This youma attempted to punch her in her mid-section, but she caught his fist. She turned it sharply, sending him spinning to the ground.

 

She looked at the two pitiful youma and turned away from them, before jumping a little away from them. She held her hands in the air, intending to end them before they could even get back up again, but to her surprise she saw them getting up. They were stubborn at least. Only mild curiosity stayed her hand as she watched to see what they would do. She sighed as they merely charged her again blindly. Neptune continued to hold her hands above her head calmly as looked at the youma charge her again; this time together, but their being beside each other only unknowingly gave Neptune a larger target.

 

“Deep Submerge!”

 

The blue orb left her hand as soon as they pointed out her target or in this case targets. Neptune walked away before even watching her attack run its course. She knew it would succeed simply after fighting them; they were out of their league.

 

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“She's dead! She's dead because of you!” Kei cried and pointed her finger accusingly at Sailor Moon. “She's dead because of her duty to protect you!” She continued to yell hysterically.

 

Mars could feel the girl she was holding stiffen at the accusations being thrown her way. Within moments, she could feel her body shaking and she knew the other girl was crying. After taking a second to glare at the woman behind all of her Princess' pain; Mars put her hand under her chin and tilted her head up so she that could look into her eyes. She wiped away the wetness beneath those beautiful blue eyes before calmly saying, “It's not your fault. Pluto, no Setsuna, made a choice of her own free will. She choose to do that to save us, her friends; she didn't do it out of duty she did it out of friendship. So don't you go feeling guilty! You saved me and now I'm going to return the favor!” Mars finished by giving Moon a quick but tender kiss on the lips, surprising her slightly.

 

“I'll kill you myself now!!”

 

Mars let go of Sailor Moon and stepped in front of her when she heard the frantic cry, “You won't lay one finger on her as long as there is strength left in my body!” Mars' eyes darkened slightly as she glared at the other woman. Her stare would have brought most to their knees, but it seemed Kei had gone over the edge and lost the little sanity she had left after Pluto sacrificed herself. “I have reason enough to end your life for what you've done to me, but the threats you continue to pose against the person care about most in this world are unforgivable. Forget about doing anything to her, I'll be your opponent! So if you want to attack someone, here I am.” Mars said and walked to Kei.

 

“If I have to go through you to kill her, you can die first. It was always my intention to kill you eventually anyway.” Kei threatened.

 

“You won't make it past me.” Mars said determinedly.

 

Sailor Moon watched from the same spot Mars had left her. She seemed different, more confident, more determined, as if she changed somehow. Moon knew Mars to be confident, borderline cocky even, but watching Mars stand protectively in front of her she knew, something told that Mars had reason to be so confident. `Did she gain something from all of this?' Moon thought and remembered something, `The first thing she called me was Serenity, not Usagi, or even Sailor Moon; she called me Serenity. Does that have anything to do with this?' She'd assumed it had to do with the other girl calling her by that name since being reunited with her, but what if that wasn't it.

 

Sailor Moon looked from Mars to Kei and back again, she could see they held nothing but anger for each other in their eyes. Mars looked at the other woman with a new determination to protect Sailor Moon from harm, while the woman opposite Mars seemed to have lost everything except for her hatred. Moon couldn't see this ending without blood shed, `She's putting her life on the line for me again and all I'm doing is sitting back and watching. Not any more, I won't sit back and let you fight alone.' The Moon Princess thought and started to approach Mars.

 

Without turning around Mars spoke, “Don't come any closer, Serenity.” Sailor Moon stopped immediately upon hearing what Mars said, “I'll protect you from her. Her goal has been your life since the beginning; she tried to use me as a pawn to do that deed for her. She wanted your suffering to be infinite, and she chose me to be the one to bring you that suffering. At first, she thought she could make me join her of my own free will, but she was mistaken. I would never willingly harm you in any way, so she decided to use me the only way she could at that point, she tried to make me some mindless slave. She even failed in that attempt because you saw through my outward aggressions and you helped me break free of the bonds she place on my heart and soul. So I'm telling you not to come any closer if you do, she will strike at you. Don't put yourself in unnecessary danger.”

 

“I want to help you.” Sailor Moon pleaded.

 

Mars looked over her shoulder to the blonde haired girl and smiled, “You already have. You helped me recover my memories from this time and my full memories from the Silver Millennium. You gave me knowledge of my training from all those years ago, of my power from that forgotten time, of the boundless depths of love I've always felt for you. From the first time, I met you and learned I would have the role of protecting you as one of your senshi my heart leapt with joy. I swore an oath to protect you long ago, but I never took that oath out of duty or obligation, I took that oath out of an infinite love for you. Being the Princess gave me justification for protecting you, but had you been anyone else my reason would be the same. You've always held my heart in your hands whether you knew it or not because I love you, Serenity…Usagi…Sailor Moon, by whichever name you wish me to call you, my love for you will always be the same and not time nor even death could ever dampen my feelings for you.”

 

Sailor Moon's vision of blurred and she felt wetness on her cheeks. She wiped away as much wetness as she could with her gloved hands, but no matter how many times she cleared her vision it blurred again from a new wave of tears. Sailor Moon tried to say something, but her voice caught in her throat.

 

“I'll fight for you again. I'll fight for you as your guardian. As the Princess, I will protect you. As the one and only person I've ever truly loved, I'll never let any harm come to you. I've died for you twice, but this won't be a third. You've given me a new lease on life and I love you too much to let this go to waste.” Mars said.

 

Finally, Sailor Moon willed words to form after much effort, “I feel the same. I can't just stand off to the side as you put your life on the line! Don't you understand? Any pain I might feel from getting hurt, pales in comparison to the pain I'll feel if I must watch you get hurt. You don't have to do this alone; I'm here with you now, so let's do this together.” She said, taking a couple steps toward Mars afterward.

 

“…Such a touching moment.” Kei said disgustedly. “I'll make this easy for you, the two of you can die together!” she said and lifted her hand above her head.

 

“Chaos Wave!”

 

“I already told you, I won't let you lay one finger on her!” Mars yelled and looked back to Kei. The senshi of fire bent low to the ground, touching it with her right hand before uttering the words of her attack.

 

“Wall of Flames!”

 

Fire erupted from the ground and encircled Mars and Moon. Mars lifted her hand from the ground and stared at it, `I still have this power?' Moon looked around in awe at the fire that surrounded them and let a little smile cross her lips, she felt safe with Rei's fire all around her. The wall of flames stood firm as the attack collided with it loudly. After a few seconds the flames absorbed the blast of black energy Kei sent at them. Shortly after, the flames began to fade as though they were never there. When the flames completely dispersed Moon and Mars stood unharmed.

 

“Impossible!” She said, more to herself than anything, as she watched her attack have no effect.

 

The dark haired warrior of Mars shook her head, “You just don't know when to quit. Let me say this one more time, I won't allow you to touch her. I'll stake my life on protecting her!” Mars declared.

 

Kei' eyes widened at her words, “Do my ears deceive me or are we replaying history?”

 

“Do not mistake me for the child I was then!” Mars said as her gaze on the other woman hardened further.

 

Sailor Moon looked between both women again, `What's going on? Replaying history?' “What does she mean?”

 

“Yes, Mars tell her so she can know everything. Tell her why. There's no reason to hold anything back any more!” Kei said arrogantly.

 

Mars glared at Kei before turning back to her Princess, “Remember I told you her aim has always been your life? That goes for our previous lives as well.”

 

“How do you…?” Moon asked quietly.

 

“I was there…”

 

~

Flashback - Silver Millennium…Diana - 7, Serenity - 6

 

“Princess you shouldn't be awake at this hour. The Queen will become cross with you again.” Diana said as she entered the Princess' bedroom. The room was dark, but she had learned to adjust her eyes to adapt in any situation, darkness was no different. Besides, she set her mind on becoming the strongest senshi the moment she laid eyes on the Princess. The room was filled with an eerie silence, `But I know I heard someone in here…' she thought when she felt someone. Another thing she'd been taught was that, as a Sailor Senshi, sensing other's auras was essential. So she did as taught, she cleared her mind and focused on the presences in the room. She found it remarkably easy to do so. In the room, she could sense three others other than herself. One aura she immediately recognized as Serenity's, the second she couldn't recognize but she felt no malice in the presence, the third however, frightened her like nothing she felt before. The third presence was overwhelming; it was full of anger and intent to kill. Diana froze and could feel her body shake, `I've never been in the presence of someone so utterly hate filled.'

 

The silence was finally broken by one of the presences in the room, “You're such a fool!”

 

The other responded by saying, “I won't let you harm her!”

 

`Harm her? Does she mean Serenity?' Diana thought. `One of them wants to hurt Serenity? I can't let them…' she thought and tried to force her legs to move, but she found that her body couldn't seem to react to what her mind was telling it to do.

 

“And I won't let you stop me. Killing her will end the line and free you.” The other presence said.

 

“I did not ask for freedom. I'm content with my place. I don't know who put these lies in your head, but if you do not cease your attack on the Princess, I will forcibly stop you.”

 

“You can lie to yourself, but you can't lie to me. I will release you.” Diana could hear one of the women mumbling some type of chant.

 

“You wouldn't…” The one started to say, but the other had finished their chant by that time.

 

She ended her chant by saying, “Capture…”

 

Diana gasped in surprised. Whatever the woman did, she could feel it was a powerful spell. She also, unwittingly announced her presence to the room's occupants. If one could feel when they were being stared at, she could feel the dangerous woman staring at her.

 

“The child destined to inherit the fires of Mars, eh?”

 

“Run from here child! This is no place for you!”

 

Diana heard the other person call to her, but her mind still seemed to be having a problem communicating with her legs. She remained fixed her position, her mind was even telling her to run away, but she just…couldn't. `Am I afraid, is that it? Is my fear what's keeping me here? I know I'm afraid, but there's something more.'

 

~

“When you complete your training, protecting Princess Serenity will be your duty. You must always put her life ahead of your own.”

~

 

`Is it because of Princess Serenity that I can't run away? I have a duty to protect her, but that's not it. I want to protect her. I don't know what use I can be here, but I can't think only of myself and run away.' The young girl thought and tried to mentally prepare herself, she'd never been in a real battle, only mock fights with Sailor Mars.

 

“Why are you still here child, run!” the voice called to her.

 

“Yes, run. Someone as weak as you has no right to be here. I'll kill you before you take one step.”

 

The girl took a deep breath and charged forward toward the Princess' bed, she was banking on the sinister one to be bluffing.

 

“Ho…ho…What do you have here?” the menacing one said as she watched the young girl run to the Princess. “Isn't she the brave one? If I am right and you are the child from Mars, you have precognitive abilities and for you to still charge in after what you feel coming from me, perhaps stupid you be a better word to describe you.”

 

Diana disregarded the taunts and continued forward, avoiding the woman who stood beside Serenity's bed. She had one goal at the moment; get herself between that woman and the Princess. Upon reaching her destination, she planted one foot in the ground and spun around to face the woman. She stood in front of the Princess' bed protectively, before pulling out a dagger from its holder on her waist and positioning it in front of herself, “I won't let you harm her.” She said confidently. Only the near constant shaking of her hand weakened her threat, `Stop shaking damn it!' she scolded herself.

 

“What do you hope to accomplish child? You're already shaking like a leaf.” The cold woman said, clearly not impressed with the young girl at all.

 

“I will protect her. I'll stake my life on protecting her!” Diana yelled defiantly.

 

Diana could hear the rustling of sheets behind her followed by quietly mumbled words. Serenity finally began to stir after Diana's loud declaration. Diana cursed herself silently for being so loud. She knew the Princess wasn't the quickest riser, but she could tell that she was waking up. `It would have been better for her to have remained asleep she'll only become frightened now.'

 

“Good, our little sleeping beauty is finally waking up.” The woman standing before Diana said. She smiled menacingly at the young girl, “Now she'll be able to see one of her prospective guardians die right before her eyes, before she dies herself.” She snapped her fingers and the room's lights turned on, forcing Diana to squint her eyes at the unexpected light and aiding in the Princess' waking.

 

Behind her, Diana heard the young Princess mumble something about not wanting to get up and it being too early. Had she not be in the situation she was in, Diana made some witty comment, but this was one occasion she wished the Princess wouldn't wake.

 

Serenity cracked open her eyes slightly and mumbled, “Who turned on the lights?”

 

“Go back to sleep.” Diana whispered under her breath.

 

She recognized that voice and despite what she was just told she opened her eyes wider. The first thing she saw was the back of her friend, “Diana, what…?” She stopped mid-sentence when she caught sight of the imposing woman in front of Diana. She sat up and managed to see her friend pointing a weapon at the woman.

 

“Don't move, this woman is dangerous.” The dark haired girl warned.

 

The woman smiled and looked at Serenity, “She's right. You'd already be dead if she hadn't interrupted me. Of course, she's simply delaying the inevitable…” She said, her smile turning into a smirk at the end.

 

Diana could hear Serenity move to the other end of her bed, farther away from the woman, “Stop trying to scare her!”

 

“I'm not trying to scare her; I'm going to kill her.” She said, laughing at the end. Diana held her dagger firmer and glared at the woman. “Stop pointing dangerous things at me.” She said and in the blink of an eye, she grabbed the girl's wrist. “You know your wrist can only turn so much before it takes structural damage. If you're smart you'll drop that weapon before I break your wrist.” She quickly turned the girl's wrist causing her to cry out painfully, “Hmm…” She watched her see if she showed any signs of loosening her grip, when she didn't see any, she turned the girl's wrist further. Diana cried out again, this time louder than before and her grip on the weapon's handle loosened but she quickly tightened her grip again, defiantly.

 

“Stop it!” Serenity called from her bed. “Diana, just let go.” She pleaded with her friend. The dark haired girl bit down on her lower lip painfully and shook her head fiercely.

 

“There's your answer Princess, she chooses pain.” The woman said before preparing to inflict further pain upon the girl. However, as she started to turn her wrist the girl was already crying out again and whether by her choice or not, she lost her grip on the dagger and it slipped through her hand. The malicious woman released the girl and caught the blade in her hand as it fell and looked at it for moment, “Martian craftsmen truly are the best…but you won't be needing this.” She said and tossed the weapon over her back shoulder. “That was more than I thought you'd be able to withstand, so I commend you.”

 

Diana was on one knee holding her wrist as she glared at the despicable woman, “I don't need your praise.” She said and stood up.

 

She shrugged her shoulders, “So be it then…” She charged the girl quickly kneed her in the stomach before she could even react. Diana hunched forward as the other woman stood over her. She brought her hands together, interlacing her fingers and drove her hand down into the other girl's upper back, sending her to the hard floor. She watched as the young girl tried to get back up, but shook her head as she couldn't. She bent down and grabbed Diana by the collar and pulled her to her feet again.

 

“Kei stop! She is a child!”

 

She shook her head, “She became a warrior the moment she challenged me, so she's fair game!” She raised her hand again and hit the dark haired girl, causing her to stumble to the side, but not fall. She was grabbed by her collar again to prevent any chance of that. This time she held Diana in place as she brought hand back again, it was in the form of fist this time though. Just she was about to strike the girl, she heard the Princess.

 

“Leave her alone, you brute!”

 

The woman holding Diana up tossed her to the side roughly, causing her to cry out weakly when she collided with the ground. Serenity covered her mouth as she watched her friend grimace in pain on her bedroom floor.

 

“What did you call me?”

 

Serenity wiped her eyes of wetness and stared at the woman angrily, “A brute! Why don't you pick on someone your own size?”

 

“I guess you wish me to kill you right now, then?” She said and started to take a step toward the Princess, but stumbled a bit. She instinctively looked at the ground and saw a small hand around her boot. Lying on the floor just behind her was the girl she'd just thrown down and she currently held the woman back from getting any closer to her Princess. She tried to pull her foot away, but found the girl had a surprisingly strong hold on it. “Let me go kid.” She said dangerously.

 

Diana tilted her head upwards slightly, “N-No. I-I won't let you hurt Serenity.”

 

The woman's face contorted in anger, “Let me!? Let me!?” She kicked the girl's arm that held her foot, causing her to gasp out in pain, but her grip got even tighter. She could hear the woman curse after she wasn't immediately successful, but it only seemed to make her redouble her efforts to make Diana let go. She kicked her several more time in the same spot on her arm and despite her effort to maintain her hold; Diana was forced to release her. She felt a painful snapping sensation in arm and scream out against her will. Despite the mind-numbing pain, she could still sense the other woman looming over her.

 

Kei leaned down and grabbed the girl by her hair before pulling her to her feet by her long tresses. “Tell me how you intent to stop me now?”

 

Diana swung her uninjured arm at the woman, but she blocked the weak punch without much effort. The woman quickly let go of the girl's hair and grabbed her throat before she could fall down. She lifted Diana off the ground and held her a little away from herself as she kicked wildly. “You haven't learned your lesson yet, have you?” She watched her continue to kick at her with a look a mild amusement. “I guess I'll just have to beat the resistance out of you.” She said and reared back her fist before mercilessly striking the girl's mid-section.

 

Serenity watch in horror as Diana was hit again and again. She felt sick to her stomach as the woman continued to hit her defenseless friend. `How can she be so cruel?' Before she even realized it tears began to silently fall down her cheeks as she watched the scene.

 

“Call to your mother.”

 

The Moon Princess was brought out of her daze-like state by a woman's voice. She looked to her left and saw a person she wasn't familiar with, in what appeared to be suspended animation. “What?”

 

“Call to your mother.” She repeated

 

“How?” She stared at the green haired woman curiously.

 

“Mentally. Don't call for her verbally; you'll only draw attention to yourself.” She paused for a moment and glanced over to Kei and Diana, “Only your mother can save Diana now. You have to do it now.”

 

“Okay…” Serenity conceded and closed her eyes. `Mama, please I need your help! Diana's in trouble!' She opened her eyes and to looked at the mysterious woman. After a moment she nodded her head in acknowledgement. She heard her friend gasp out in pain and her head immediately was brought back to her once more.

 

Kei was about to punch the girl again when she realized she was no longer struggling. She relaxed her hand and brought it too her side before opening her other hand, allowing the young girl to slip from her grasp. Diana fell to the ground, showing no movement. “Now, stay down this time!” The woman yelled at Diana. She turned away from the motionless girl and started to walk back to a very scared Serenity.

 

She felt like hell, there wasn't a part of her body that didn't hurt. The soreness she felt after training was nothing compared to this. She always thought Mars was cruel and unsympathetic toward her pain after training, but now…now she realized what it felt like to be in a real fight and it was harsher than anything Mars had ever put her through. She forced her body to go limp; she hoped the other woman would think she passed out or even died and release her. It was a gamble, but it paid off. She cracked open one eye and looked around, she still needed to find a way to stop that woman, Serenity was still in danger. Her eyes widened at the glint of metal to her left and a small smile spread across her lips.

 

Kei only got a few steps before she felt a painfully stabbing sensation in her right leg. She fell to one knee and reached behind her leg to find the cause of her pain, when she felt a dagger protruding from the back of her leg. She looked over her shoulder and saw Diana lowering her hand while still lying on the ground.

 

“You little bitch!” She yelled and pulled the blade out of her leg and threw it to the ground. “Why do you keep fighting?”

 

“Because…because…she's….she's precious…to me…” Diana said through labored breaths. She looked past the woman threatening her life to the one she was protecting, Serenity. Diana could see the Princess' shocked expression, but Diana smiled at her anyway. The short moment was broken by a cold voice echoing through the room.

 

“You're a foolish little brat and you're already a slave to destiny aren't you?” She asked and looked at the young girl in disgust. “If that's the case, I'll kill you right now.” She said and stood. She charged the girl with her own blade in hand.

 

Diana shut her eyes and awaited her fate, `I can't do anything to stop her. I hope I made enough noise to wake someone else up at least.' She thought and closed her eyes even tighter, allowing a few stray tears to escape. `I'm sorry I couldn't protect you…my Princess…'

 

“STOP IT!” Princess Serenity yelled and almost immediately after that, the room became filled with a bright white light.

 

Diana could hear Serenity's voice echo through the room, followed by a warm feeling, but she didn't open her eyes. `Maybe I've already been sent to Elysium…' she thought, but when the light subsided, she could still feel the pain all over her body. `I thought all the pain from life was supposed to go away in the next world.' She finally decided to crack her eyes and when she did, she saw a woman dress all in white standing in front of her. She couldn't see what exactly happened from her point of view, but it was clear the woman saved her. Her eyes traveled upward until she reached the back of her head. She was starting to get a little light-headed and her vision was starting to become clouded. Yet, even in her state she had no doubt who was in the white gown, no one else had hair that color and no one wore their hair like she did, except her daughter even though she didn't posses as much hair nor was she anywhere near as tall. “Your majesty…” She whispered almost inaudibly before closing her eyes and slumping forward.

 

The silver haired woman held the blade firmly in her hand, unflinchingly even as a small trail of blood flowed down the blade to the grip before pooling there for moment and then proceeding to dripping onto the ground. The Queen silently touched the forefinger of her free hand to the assailant's forehead. After what couldn't have been more than second, the assailant's eyes closed and she fell to the ground. She looked at the blade in her hand for a second before dropping it to the ground. The Queen walked over to the green haired woman and dispelled the spell that had been placed on her. The dark haired woman looked like she was going to say something, but Serenity raised her hand and motioned for her to remain silent, “Return to the Gates of Time, I'll speak with you later.” She said and in a moment, the woman was gone.

 

Princess Serenity jumped down from her bed and ran to her motionless friend. The young platinum blonde knelt beside her and put her ear to her chest. Her eyes widened in fear and called for her mother, “Mama, she's not breathing!”

 

“Get the medical staff in here quickly!” Queen Serenity called to the guards at the door. One of them nodded and ran down the hall as fast as he could. “Take her to the maximum security detention center.” She ordered and walked over the girl lying on the ground, beside her daughter. The remaining guards hurried into the room and seized the unconscious woman. Two guards grabbed one arm and two more grabbed her other arm, before proceeding to carrying her out of the room. “Make sure she properly restrained with our highest level magical restraints.” She ordered before the guards left with the assailant.

 

“I-Is she going to be okay, mama?” The Princess asked her voice hoarse from her still flowing tears.

 

Queen Serenity turned to her daughter and addressed her, “She's going be fine, love. I won't let her lose her life here.” She said and held her palm over the girl's chest. As she held her hand over her chest, her hand started emit a white light, `This child has such little power right now and yet she still protected my daughter with all that she had.' She brushed back some of the hair that covered the young girl's face, `You will be a great warrior in time, my little Diana.'

 

End Flashback

~

 

“…I recovered quickly because of Queen Serenity's healing and you being by my side, but I never knew what happened to the woman who tried to kill you. That was until you helped me recover my memories.” She said and her stare harden even more as she looked at Kei.

 

“Are you saying…?” Moon started to say.

 

“Yeah, it was her. I won't give her the opportunity to hurt you ever again.” Mars said determinedly.

 

Sailor Moon lowered her head, “Thank you…” She said before raising her head to look at the dark haired girl, “…But I think she's hurt you far worse than she ever hurt me. Whether you like it or not, I'm with you on this. I'm not the same girl I was on the moon; you don't have fight for me, you can fight with me. There's no way we can lose if it's both of us, fighting together.”

 

Mars stared at her Princess, `She's not just Princess Serenity anymore…she's Sailor Moon, a defender of love and justice like me. Still…' “She dangerous…”

 

“It's alright, I'm with you and together we can do anything.” Sailor Moon said, cutting off further excuses.

 

Mars lower her head and sighed, there was no winning this fight. Despite how much she tried to convince the other girl she could see there was no way she'd see it her way. She looked back to Moon, “Fine, just don't do anything that could get yourself hurt.”

 

“The same goes for you. Don't be reckless.” Sailor Moon said and walked beside her senshi.

 

“Me? Reckless?” Mars repeated, allowing a small smile to spread across her lips. Moon was about to reply when another interrupted their conversation.

 

“Are you quite done? I've been waiting to finish this for a long time and if you're planning on staying there I'll come at you.” Kei said and kicked off the ground, charging the two girls.

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

“Silence Wall!”

 

The senshi of death and rebirth raised the weapon above her head, creating a dome of black energy. She didn't know what the youma had planned, but he was too relaxed for her liking.

 

“That again?” Ryuji asked and continued to walk toward the sailor senshi. “If I had to bet, I say there must be a limit to the amount of damage your shield can take before it fails. Is that right?” He asked a smiled at the end. The youma then held his weapon straight up into the air, “Allow me to show you my attack now…”

 

“Ultimate Blast!”

 

His weapon began to glow an eerie red for a moment before he swung it down. Saturn gripped her glaive tighter as she watched the wave of red energy shoot at her. Once the energy collided with her barrier she could feel how strong the blast was. The attack was enough to push the senshi of death and rebirth back a little, but her `silence wall' remained intact. The young senshi wasn't given a moment to breathe because as soon as the energy let up, someone hitting her invisible shield, hitting it multiple times. Each time the attack grew more aggressive and before long Saturn was forced to drop to one knee as she tried to maintain her barrier, `This can't be happening. I can't lose to here!' She felt her arm falter after another strike from the youma. She tried to increase the strength of the `wall', but before she could the youma had smashed it several more times. Saturn's eyes widened as she felt her defensive attack break under the relentless assault.

 

With her barrier down, the youma quickly kicked the girl in the chest, and forcing her back to slam into the ground. Saturn cried out in pain and rolled on to her side, hugging her chest. The kick alone likely broke a couple ribs, judging by how much pain she was in. She froze when she felt something cold and sharp again her neck. She turned a head slightly and looked up at the youma. Without a second thought, she swatted at the broad side of the blade with her forearm, knocking it away from her throat.

 

“I guess, I should end this now…” Ryuji said and raised his weapon once again; this time he pointed the blade end down at Saturn.

 

Just before Ryuji could bring down the blade he paused for second and leaped back just before several arc shaped energy blades sliced through where he just stood. Before he could react, a large blue circular energy attack sailed toward him. He rolled away just before the attack collided with him. As soon as he stopped he found two more attacks headed in his direction, one was green and diamond shaped and the other was blue and looked like a jet of water. Ryuji cursed and pushed himself off the ground before leaping into the air to avoid the newest onslaught. He sighed in relief, but no soon than the breath had left his lips, his eyes widened at the small golden ball of concentrated energy heading directly at him. Unlike the other attacks, there was no avoiding this, he was in the air and the attack was coming too fast. He threw up his hands protectively, offering up the only defense he could. The energy ball collided with his forearms and exploded upon impact sending the creature flying backwards. He slammed into the ground loudly, the force shaking the moon's surface.

 

Saturn stared blankly forward for sometime, surprised she was still alive. She thought for sure she was a goner. She blinked as something white passed threw her vision. Saturn looked at the gloved hand in front of her and followed it up to its owner, Uranus. “Need a hand?”

 

Saturn smiled and took the senshi of wind's offered help, “Thanks.” Uranus pulled the younger girl to her feet. It took her a moment to steady herself, but she used her Silence Glaive for balance. She noticeably favored her right arm because she held it protectively against her side.

 

“Tsk…after all that…only Venus was able to hit him.” Jupiter voiced, sounding a little annoyed.

 

A loud crash could be heard off where the youma landed, drawing all of the girl's attention. A large dust cloud obscured their view somewhat but the outline of something could be seen coming closer. It was obvious the youma still had some fight left in him.

 

“Looks like you'll get another shot, Jupiter.” Venus stated.

 

Neptune looked over to the senshi of death and rebirth, “I didn't think you have so much trouble against one youma…”

 

Saturn took a couple steps forward, staring at the youma approaching, “He's strong. I would have had him, but he used some kind of technique that allowed him to avoid my attack.”

 

“What kind of technique?” Mercury asked curiously.

 

The dark haired girl looked over to the senshi of water, “It seems he shed his skin and that take the force of my attack when he realized how dangerous it was.” She explained before looking forward again.

 

“That could be troublesome.” Neptune stated.

 

Saturn shook her head, “I don't think so. The impression I got was that he can't do it very often, so I don't think he'll be able to that again if he gets in the same situation.” She and continued to walk forward.

 

Uranus put her hand in front of Saturn affectively stopping her, “I think you should sit this one out. You're already injured…”

 

“All of you are injured as well…” She protested and looked at all the other senshi. “Besides, I can still fight…”

 

“Saturn…don't…” Venus interrupted. “None of us are in as bad a condition as you, all of us can you're favoring your right side.” The senshi of love walked over to the younger girl and put her hand on her left shoulder, “I know you want to finish this, but you can't fight right now. We'll fight in your place. For the time being, join Tuxedo Kamen. I'm sure he can use a little more of your healing.”

 

“But…”

 

“Don't make me remind you that I outrank you…” Venus started to say before being cut off.

 

“Alright.” Saturn said quietly. After a few seconds she walked back to when Tuxedo Kamen sat on the ground.

 

Once Jupiter was sure she was out of ear-shot she leaned over to Venus, “Do you use that on everyone?” She asked remember when Minako had used those very lines on her in the past. Venus looked at her for moment before giving her a wink and walking to the front of the group.

 

“Alright, let's take this youma down help Sailor Moon and Sailor Mars!” Venus announced.

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

Mars looked at her Princess for a moment, “She's going to try to direct most of her attacks at you, so be careful.”

 

“I will.” Moon answered quickly when she saw the woman had nearly reached them. She entered her fighting stance and watched the woman, she looked to be focused on her rather than Mars.

 

Just as Mars predicted, Kei went straight for Sailor Moon. The senshi of fire stood ready beside her Princess and as soon as she threw a punch at Moon, Mars caught her fist before it could get too close to the other girl. Mars smiled and quickly spun around, delivering a knee to her mid-section. Kei hunched over a bit a backed away from two senshi a little.

 

“You're too predicable!” Mars yelled. She could see the other woman glare at her, “As I've already said, you won't hurt her.”

 

“We'll just see about that.” Kei said and stood up fully once more. She reared her hand back as though she were going to throw a punch, but as she brought her hand forward she called…

 

“Stellar Flare!

 

Mars looked surprised as the attack was aimed at her, but she quickly materialized her bow and flaming arrow to her hand. She pointed the arrow at the ball of energy coming at her. She pulled the nearly invisible string back and released her attack.

 

“Mars Flame Sniper!”

 

The fire arrow shot through the ball of energy, causing it to explode in bright flash of light. Mars and Moon covered their eyes as the light washed over them. `Damn, I can't see anything…I can't fight like this.' Mars thought, pause mid-thought. She closed her eyes and didn't think about not being able to see, instead she focused on trying to sense what that woman was doing. She froze for moment as she realized where Kei and Moon were.

 

Even though she couldn't see anything Moon looked around in an effort to understand what was going on around her. She couldn't hear Mars fighting, so she wasn't entirely sure what was happening. If Mars wasn't fighting though that meant Kei was somewhere else as well…

 

“Hi, Princess…”

 

Moon's eyes widened as she heard the voice beside her ear. She looked to her left quickly and despite the low visibility she found herself face to face with Kei. Moon swung her arm wildly at the woman, but she only leaned out of the way. When she threw another punch, the woman blocked her.

 

“You have no fighting skill whatsoever…”

 

“I can barely even see you, how is that fair?” Moon asked.

 

“Humph…fair you say.” She paused for a moment, “For me to fight you fair, I'd have to have both hands tied behind my back as well as have my legs bound. That would be a fair fight.” She said and pushed Moon's hand away before grabbing the compact on her chest.

 

“Hey let that go!” Moon yelled and tried to pry her hand off one of her most precious possessions.

 

“Your power comes from that crystal. Without it and your senshi, you'd have died countless times by now.”

 

Moon raised her hand into the air and slapped Kei's hand as hard as she could, finally making her release the object, “I know that already. Everyone protects me. If I were strong enough they wouldn't have to. I don't want to lose any of my precious friends anymore and if I have to get stronger to do that, I will.”

 

“Humph…that's interesting… I don't see you getting stronger…” Kei said and raised her hand above her head. “…because you're going to die here!”

 

Suddenly another voice entered into the conversation, “Don't I'll let you do that.”

 

“And don't think I didn't already understand what you were going to do!” Kei yelled and spun around. Without even looking she reached out and grabbed Mars' throat. Mars gasped out in surprised and quickly grabbed a hold of the arm that had a hold of her with one of her hands. The light finally began to subside, allowing Moon to finally get look at what just happened. She saw Kei lifting Mars off the ground slightly and rear back her free hand. As soon as she prepared to bring her hand forward, she felt a hand on her own. Kei looked the side and saw a gloved hand around her own.

 

“I won't let you hurt her either.” Sailor Moon said as she held Kei's hand in place.

 

The dark haired woman smiled at the blonde in her own sinister way, “Well aren't the two of you a real pair? Unfortunately I don't think you really have any say in the matter…” She said and pulled her abruptly forward, causing Moon to stumble a little at the unexpected movement. She was caught off guard, so she unconsciously loosened her hold on Kei's hand, allowing her to pull it away. Before the Moon Princess could adjust herself and get the upper hand again, Kei grabbed her by the throat as well. “…Because you're in the same position as her.” She said and tightened her hold on both girls causing both gasp more frantically for their breath.

 

“Hey…” Mars called quietly, drawing Kei's full attention.

 

“Did you have something to say before I put you out of your misery?” Kei asked, smiling a little at the end.

 

“Yeah…” The senshi of fire replied just as quietly as before. After a couple shallow breaths she continued, “You…should…pay attention…to your…captives…” She said and pointed her hand at Kei's chest.

 

“Fire…Soul.”

 

As soon as the words left her mouth, a ball of fire shot out of her hand and hit Kei solidly in the chest. She let go of both senshi once the attack made contact with her. Being at such close range the force of the attack was enough to drive the dark haired woman back close to ten feet before she hit the ground.

 

Mars looked over to her Princess, “A-Are you alright?”

 

Moon gave a quick nod of her head before coughing a little, “Y-Yeah…I'm okay.”

 

Mars looked over to where Kei landed and watched her roll around on the ground in pain, while her fire attack wasn't deadly it certainly looked painful. She glanced back over to Sailor Moon, “I told you that you should improve your hand to hand fighting ability.” Saying it only half jokingly.

 

“It's a little late to be talking about that now though, isn't it?”

 

“Nah…but I can tell you've gotten better.

 

Kei stood up and glared at Mars, “You'll pay!” She yelled before running at her.

 

Mars charged forward to meet her without saying a word. Sailor Moon ran after her, but found herself staring at the other girl. She'd intercepted Kei, while to her it felt as though she'd barely even moved. She continued to run after Mars, but she couldn't help but watch her and that woman exchanged punches. Kei land a few clean shots, but Moon could see that overall it was Mars that landed more. The Moon Princess ended up stay back a little, not wanting to get in the way.

 

They continued to go back and forth, with neither relenting though, so Sailor Moon decided she needed to do something to give Mars a clear opportunity to land a decisive blow. She reached up to her tiara and removed the object. She watched and waited for the right moment. Her eyes widened and she tightened her grip on her tiara before calling out…

 

“Moon Tiara Action!”

 

Kei froze for a moment as she saw the golden disc flying at her head. She came to her senses after a couple seconds, and hastily ducked the object before it could do any damage. As soon she lifted her head though, she saw another attack coming at her head. Before she'd even recovered from the surprise of Moon's attack, one of Mars' high-heeled shoes coming straight at the side of her face. There was no avoid this attack, she didn't have enough time. The kick landed cleanly and drove Kei to the ground. The fire senshi looked at the woman to be sure that she wasn't going to be moving unexpectedly. After a couple seconds Mars ran over to Sailor Moon.

 

“Thanks for the assist.” Mars said once she reached her Princess.

 

Moon stood next her senshi and stared at her, “You've gotten faster.”

 

“You think so?” Mars asked curiously.

 

She nodded her head, “I'm sure.” She looked down before speaking again, “You probably could have beaten her on your own…”

 

The senshi of fire looked over to her love and shook her head, “I don't think so. Both my body and mind are tired, but just the fact that you are by me right now gives me strength. You're the reason I can fight her like I am. I can't let her do anything to you. I don't know what I'd do if something were to happen to you.”

 

Sailor Moon stared at the other girl and was about to say something when she heard a noise from where Kei was laying. Both girls turned toward her, just as she was beginning to get up again.

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

Ryuji cocked his head to side as he looked at the Sailor Senshi, “It's probably better this way anyway.” He stretched his arms above his head before saying, “Why don't all of you come at me at once and we see how long you can last?”

 

“Sorry, but you don't make the rules here!” Venus called.

 

“We aren't here for your amusement…we're here to end your life.” Uranus said

 

“Why don't you come at me and see what that girl and boy already learned?” Ryuji gloated.

 

“You're certainly one cocky bastard.” Jupiter stated very matter-of-factly.

 

Neptune looked over to Mercury, who was typing her mini computer. “Do you see any weaknesses?”

 

The senshi of water shook her head, “Not yet, but I will.”

 

“We'll keep him busy, while you do that.” Venus said and walked closer to the youma. “Let's take this guy down a peg or two.”

 

The senshi minus Mercury stepped forward to engage the large youma. Jupiter and Uranus both decided to test the youma in close combat, so both girls charged in and started by throwing several punches at him. A couple of their strikes connected, but they didn't seem to have much of an affect on him overall. The youma swung his arm at them and waved the two senshi away like they were some kind of bugs. Neptune and Venus tried their hand at attacking him, using their ranged attacks though.

 

“Deep Submerge!”

“Venus Love and Beauty Shock!”

 

Ryuji looked at the attacks as they came toward him and summoned his weapon to his hand. He quickly sliced through Neptune's attack followed by Venus'. The large youma smiled as he looked at the Sailor Senshi, seeming pleased with himself.

 

“Do you mind if I go now?” Ryuji asked sarcastically. He held his weapon above his head for a moment as he looked over the girls, as though he were trying to decide which of them to attack.

 

“Ultimate Blast!”

 

Ryuji pointed his weapon at the two outer senshi and just like when he did it at Saturn; his began to glow before releasing a wave a red energy. The attack sailed toward the senshi seemingly without a way to stop it.

 

“Silence Wall!”

 

Uranus and Neptune looked to where the voice came from and saw Saturn standing with Tuxedo Kamen. She, as well as the Prince of Earth, seemed to be fairing better than before, and soon they were walking over to the other senshi.

 

“I thought you were done in, girl?”

 

Saturn heard the youma call over to her and addressed him immediately, “I won't let hurt any of my friends or family.”

 

Ryuji started to laugh, only to be punched in the face by Jupiter. Ryuji stumbled back a few steps and glared at the senshi of lightning. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

 

Jupiter still had her fist clenched at her side as she said, “That's exactly my question to you! Wanting to protect someone isn't something to laugh at!” She moved to punch him again, but this time he was ready and blocked it with his large forearm.

 

“It is funny when you can't back up your words!” Ryuji said and swung his arm the brunette in front of him. Before he could even get his arm going he felt something stop it. He looked to that side and saw a golden chair wrapped around his arm. He still tried to pull his arm, but it wouldn't budge so he dropped it to his side and looked back to the senshi of lightning. When he looked though, the girl was no longer in front of him. He looked around see where she went and saw all the Sailor Senshi were standing together at his left, except for Venus who stood on the opposite side holding her `Love-me chain'.

 

“You're done.” Jupiter said.

 

“We'll finish you with this attack.” Venus explained.

 

Uranus looked over to Saturn and whispered, “You sure you're up one more attack?”

 

“I think I can manage one more attack…I did heal myself a little after I healed the Prince while all of you were fighting.” Saturn assured the other girl. Uranus nodded her head in response and both focused their attention of the youma.

 

“So, we're all attacking at once?” Neptune asked, looking over to Mercury.

 

The blue haired girl nodded her head, “Yeah. It might be a little overkill, but by my calculations it's impossible for him to survive if all of us attack at once.”

 

“Is everyone ready?” Venus yelled from her position. After receiving a nod for the other girls, she gave the go-ahead in return.

 

Ryuji watched as the Sailor Senshi all prepared their respective attacks, “I guess all of you just expect me not to move while you do this…” His eyes widened as he felt the chain loosen around his arm, but only a moment later he feel the same chain wrap around his body, causing him to curse silently.

 

“Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!”

“Deep Submerge!”

“Jupiter Oak Evolution!”

“World Shaking!”

“Venus Love and Beauty Shock!”

“Silence Glaive Surprise!”

 

All the senshi released their attacks simultaneously and virtually at the same time, they made contact with the youma. If he yelled as the attacks struck him, his screams were drowned out by the deafening sounds of the many attacks hitting him. Venus released the youma from the chain as soon as she was sure he wouldn't be able to avoid the attacks. The senshi of love ran over to her friends and watched as the attacks stopped, leaving a large cloud of dust in their wake. Once everything died down and cleared up enough for them to see, they saw there was nothing left of youma, only a gaping crater in the ground where he stood.

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

“You don't stand a chance against us.” Mars stated calmly as looked at the worn-out looking woman.

 

“What?!”

 

“I said…you don't stand a chance against us.” She repeated, louder than before, and relaxed her stance afterwards.

 

“What do you mean?!” Kei asked angrily.

 

She sighed before answering, “I mean, as you are, you have no chance of beating us. I imagine it's been a long time since you've been in a real fight. Sailor Moon and I on the other hand have been in fights almost constantly for nearly three years now. You're not as battle-ready as you believed yourself to be. Do you understand where I'm going with this or do you need me to spell it out for you, more than I already have?”

 

“You don't have any idea what you're talking about!” Kei yelled.

 

Mars shrugged her shoulders, “Then perhaps we're just stronger than you.”

 

“You've just been lucky thus far!” The dark haired woman yelled.

 

“You're blind then.” She paused for a moment and looked over Sailor Moon, “Let's end this.”

 

The Moon Princess nodded her head, “Alright.”

 

“This only ends with both of you dead!” Kei yelled and charged the two senshi recklessly.

 

“Moon Gorgeous Meditation!”

“Fire Soul!”

 

Moon thrust her kaleidoscope forward, sending a wave of triangle shaped energy at the woman. At the same time, Mars pointed her hands at Kei as the flames left her hands. Both attacks collided with one another and rather than adversely affecting each other; they complimented on another…Mars' flames arched around Moon's attack. The combined attack sped toward Kei quickly and before she could even muster up a real defense, she was struck in the chest and propelled back several feet into the air. She collided with the ground roughly, rolling over a couple times before coming to a stop.

 

Mars stared at the woman lying on the ground; she didn't show any signs of movement as far as the solider of flame could tell. She took a few steps away from Sailor Moon to inspect the woman closer. She needed to be sure…she needed to know this woman wouldn't cause anymore pain. She stopped only about a foot away, she could tell Moon was getting closer, but she didn't turn and acknowledge her. Mars' eyes were focused on someone else, `She's not dead.' Her hands clenched tightly at her sides as she stared down at the woman. Without any hesitation Mars held her hand over Kei's body with anger burning in her eyes.

 

“No, stop.”

 

Mars heard someone say something behind her, but she had no intention of stopping. She was going to end this. `This woman has hurt enough people and she needs to pay for her crimes.' She thought. Mars could feel the flames starting to form in her hand when she felt someone wrap their arms her around her waist from behind. She turned her hate-filled amethyst eyes to see the culprit and met a pair of wet crystal blue eyes.

 

“Please, stop.”

 

Mars opened her mouth to counter Moon's plea for mercy, but quickly closed it. She could see in Moon's eyes an emotion she had seen one other time when she looked into the other girl's eyes, fear. She closed her eyes tightly; she couldn't look at the other girl's eyes any longer. Mars used all her will-power to control her anger and force the flames to leave her hand. She fell to her knees, bringing Moon with her. Mars could feel the other girl press against her back and rest her chin on her left shoulder.

 

“It's over.”

 

She could hear the other girl whisper into her ear. `How can she think that? There was still life in that woman's body.' She tried to understand, but she just couldn't. When she saw Kei still breathing, she knew why. Her Princess was too kind and that woman didn't deserve it. “Why did you hold back?”

 

The senshi of fire didn't receive an answer immediately, though she did feel the other girl tighten her hold around her waist. After a short time of remaining like that she finally got her answer, “Setsuna told me her story. She wasn't always bad. And even if you disregard that, she's still a person. It's not the same as if she were a youma. You can't kill her, Rei.”

 

“Despite everything she'd done?” Mars asked, sounding defeated.

 

The darker haired girl could feel her nod her head before she answered, “Yes. Despite everything she's done.”

 

“I already know about her past.” Mars said quietly, before turning a bit in an effort to look at her Princess face to face. The other girl's grip on her loosened enough for her to completely turn around. She looked at Moon, “It doesn't excuse all that she's done. She can't go unpunished!”

 

Sailor Moon finally released the darker haired girl, only to cup the other girl's cheeks with her hands, “I hate how much you've been hurt…I hate how much she hurt you, but you know I'm right. I know you that you know I'm right. You have every right to be angry and you don't have to forgive her, I wouldn't ask you to. I simply want to see with eyes that are not clouded by that anger. Don't let your let yourself be ruled by your anger.”

 

Mars closed her eyes, allowing a few stray tears to escape her eyes. She could feel her love wipe away the wetness without a word, `How can she be so compassionate? If given the opportunity again, that woman, Kei, would try to kill her again, but that was the furthest thing from her mind.' Mars opened her eyes again and looked straight into her companion's, “How? How can you forgive her?”

 

“I wouldn't say I forgive her exactly…she hurt you too much for me to simply forgive and forget. However, killing her won't accomplish anything. I don't intend to allow her to walk away unpunished either though.” Sailor Moon said and stroked the dark haired girl's cheeks with her thumbs.

 

“If you don't wish to kill her, what do you intend to do?”

 

Both girls jumped slightly and quickly turned their heads to see Saturn coming toward them. The young girl was being help by Uranus and Neptune. Following closely behind them, were the three inner senshi. Even further behind them, Tuxedo Kamen walked over gingerly. Soon Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury stood beside the three outer soldiers, but the Prince of Earth still remained to the back slightly.

 

Sailor Mars and Sailor Moon stood up together, as they stood fully Moon held a firm grip on the other girl's arm. They took a couple steps toward their friends, while they closed the rest of the distance between them. They stared at each other for a few seconds before saying anything. Moon nudged Mars in her side, urging her to say something.

 

Mars looked over everyone and smiled, “Hi everyone.” She said simply. It sounded cheap as soon she heard herself say it, but she didn't know what else to say.

 

“It's good to see you back Rei.” Jupiter said

 

Mars smiled even wider, “It's good to be back.”

 

“You're really back?” Venus asked, sounding as though she didn't believe what she was seeing.

 

The senshi of fire looked right at Venus and nodded her head, “I am.”

 

“Thank goodness!” The blonde said and hugged Mars, causing Moon to let go of her senshi. The senshi of love's actions were quickly followed by the two other inner senshi, Mercury and Jupiter.

 

Moon stepped back a couple paces and watched her friends reunite with Rei. Her eyes traveled over to the outer senshi who were watching on silently, but each of them wore smiles and that said more than words could. Her eyes then fell on to the only member of their group to have not said anything, Mamoru. She looked at him sadly and started to open her mouth to say something, but before she could speak another beat her to the punch, drawing her attention to them.

 

“Thank you! Everyone.” Mars said and let her eyes scan over the entire group. Rei had some how separated herself from her friends and she currently smiling at the group with a much gusto as she could muster.

 

“You don't have to thank us Rei. We're just glad to finally have you back.” Venus said with a large smile.

 

Mercury nodded her head in agreement, “Yeah, you'd have done the same for any of us.”

 

“Besides, Usagi's the one who had to do all the work to get you back.” Jupiter stated.

 

Mars looked over to Sailor Moon, who was looking at the ground intently, but a blush was evident on her cheeks. “Yeah, I know.” The raven haired girl couldn't help but smile as she looked at the other girl.

 

“So, that's the woman that caused all of this?” Uranus asked as she stepped even with Mars.

 

Mars turned around and looked where the senshi of wind was staring, “Yeah.” She answered quietly. She could hear someone run up to her from behind, but she didn't have to look to see who it was. She felt the person hug her right arm. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Uranus' expression change from serious to amused. “You don't have to worry. I'm not going to do anything.” Mars said quietly, but even as she said it, she could feel the desire to finish the woman off was still there.

 

“I know…I just don't want to you look at her without my support.” Moon explained, looking down the whole time.

 

The fire senshi knew she wasn't being entirely truthful, she was still afraid that she was going to do something. `It's not with out merit.' She told herself. She could still feel the yearning in her, but her love's touch was more than enough to quench that desire and she was glad for that. Now all she had to do was make she never let her go. As if Moon heard her wish, she tightened her hold on to her arm. Mars leaned her head to the side and rested her cheek against Moon's hair near her ear, “Thank you.” She whispered, almost inaudibly. She only received a slight nod in response.

 

Sailor Moon's actions, though small, raised quite a few eye brows among their group. It was Mars' actions a short time after the other girl took a hold of her arm, though spoke even louder. For two in the group, it was far less surprising than it was painful.

 

Mercury and Jupiter looked at each for a moment seeing if the other had the same idea. When it was clear they did, they both looked to Venus for confirmation. The senshi of love could feel she was being stared at, so she turned to her fellow Guardian senshi. Jupiter looked at Moon and Mars and pointed her forefinger and index finger at them before looking back to Venus and crossing those fingers. The blonde simply nodded her in reply. The exchange between the three girls didn't go unnoticed by the outer senshi and if Venus' boasts about being the Goddess of Love are to be believed, Rei and Usagi are more than just friends.

 

Mamoru remained silent; he didn't need Venus to confirm what he already knew…he knew it for a long time. They weren't making it ridiculously obvious, but their embrace was intimate enough to draw all of the girls' attention. He hadn't expect it to all come out like this, but in truth, he wasn't really sure how he thought it was all going to turn out.

 

“Is this how you wanted them to find out?” Mars whispered.

 

“There's no reason to hide it from them.” She replied quietly.

 

The senshi of fire had to take a deep breath before asking her next question, “Is it how you wanted Mamoru-san to find out?” She could feel Moon's grip on her arm falter for a moment, but only for a moment. Afterwards, she held Mars' arm even tighter.

 

“I decided that I would follow my heart…wherever that leads me.” The Moon Princess said and tilted her head up, causing Mars to pull back a bit. Both girls looked into each other's eyes for a short time before Moon spoke again, “It lead me to you.”

 

Mars could feel a smile spread across her lips as she leaned closer to her Princess again. For a moment to she thought of kissing the girl on her lips, but thought better of it, at least for the time being. Instead, she kissed her forehead, near the center of her tiara. She pulled back once more and said, “I love you so much.”

 

Sailor Moon smiled brightly, “I love you too.” Afterwards both girls finally turned back toward the rest of the group. No one really said anything and if anything it was a bit awkward. Moon and Mars didn't confirm anything; this wasn't the place to discuss it especially since Usagi had yet to speak to Mamoru. Moon had released the other girl's arm when they turned around, but she still stood close to her.

 

Meanwhile, couple in the group noticed there was one among them that wasn't any where to be seen. “Hey guys, where's Pluto?” Jupiter asked, completely changing the atmosphere.

 

Sailor Moon noticeably stiffened at the question. The senshi of lightning stared at the Moon Princess questioningly. Soon her vision drifted over to Mars, the dark hair senshi simply shook her head slowly in response. Jupiter soon looked over to the outer senshi for some kind of answer, they reacted similar to Mars. Without any word the brunette's questioned was answered, Pluto was gone. The group shared an impromptu moment of silence as the reality of what happened fell on those who were unaware. The silence was broken by the groaning of someone. Everyone's eyes turned to the woman they believed to be unconscious.

 

“I think she's waking up.” Neptune stated.

 

“Whatever you had planed, I think now would be a good time to do it.” Saturn suggested quickly.

 

“I'll seal her away as my mother did, with the Ginzuishou.” Sailor Moon said and took a hold of her compact.

 

Mars stared at her as though she'd completely lost her mind, “I don't like you doing this. I know what using that thing can do.”

 

Sailor Moon looked over to Mars, “This is the only way to go about this. I don't have to use the Ginzuishou at full power, so this will not kill me.”

 

“I don't like you taking that risk. The last time you used the crystal it nearly did killed you.” Mars argued.

 

“I'm grown more experienced since then, so there's no need to worry. I promise that I'll be fine. Just…please trust me.” The Moon Princess pleaded.

 

The dark haired girl closed her eyes tightly for a moment, “Of course, I trust you. But…”

 

Moon released her compact and brought that hand up to her senshi's cheek, “Then believe me when I say I have no intention of leaving you now that I finally have you back.”

 

“I'm sorry to interrupt, but….” Kei and sat up slowly. “I'm not done yet.” She said and pointed her hand toward Sailor Moon.

 

“Don't move.” All the senshi minus Moon said in unison, almost instantly after she raised her hand at the Moon Princess.

 

Kei looked around; it seemed that all of the sailor senshi had survived. That also meant that Ryuji was dead and her plan had failed, just as Pluto said it did. All the senshi minus the Princess had an attack ready, if she tried anything, she was dead. There was only one thing left to do…Kei threw her hands up into the air mockingly and laughed, “I give up.”

 

None of the girls back off though, they still held their attack on the woman if she still tried to do anything. “Do it now. I can't promise I won't kill her if she threatens you again.” Mars said seriously, as her gaze remained focused on Kei.

 

Moon nodded and called forth the Ginzuishou from her compact. Once the crystal emerged, Usagi's appearance changed into that of the Moon Princess. The Crystal floated down to her hands and she closed her eyes. She focused on her wish to seal away the woman responsible for so much pain, just as her mother did so many years ago. After a few moments, a light shot out of the crystal in her hands and hit Kei. She didn't say anything as she was hit by the light, but seconds later the light surrounded her. With its job done, the crystal returned to its rightful place in Usagi's compact and when it did, she returned to being Sailor Moon. The blonde sat down and sighed, she was tired from using the crystal, but it wasn't as bad as she expected.

 

Kei cursed her fate silently, she'd felt the same thing she was feeling currently once before. After a moment, a smile appeared on her features, there was one more thing to do before being sent back to that place. Her eyes became fixated on Mars as she said, “Once you've been infected with the energy of Chaos, you can never fully purge it from your body. There will always be a part of you that thirsts for bloodshed and wishes to cause destruction. That is my parting gift to you.”

 

Mars stared at the woman, her fate was sealed and she was still spewing garbage. She'd almost pity the woman if she wasn't such a monster, “You're a fool. I have a pillar of light that will never allow me to fall into darkness again.”

 

Kei sneered at the other girl, “You really think it's that easy?” She asked before starting to laugh. At the same moment she began laughing, she started to disappear. If she realized what was happening, she showed no sign of it, if anything her laughter became more hysterical.

 

The senshi of fire stared at the woman in disgust. With her last words that was all she could say. Her intention was to never see that woman again after this moment, but if she were to free herself somehow and if they should ever cross paths again, she resolved to not allow her to get off so easily. Only a few moments later, the laughter had ceased and the cause of it had completely disappeared, having been magically transported to the cold moon of Pluto.

 

“I think it's about time we went back home. Kei used some sort of dark magic to allow this place to be livable and with her gone…” Mars stated. The words had barely left her lips when nearly everyone in the group began to feel the truth in her words. Several of them started cough and found it difficult to catch their breath.

 

Sailor Moon got up at looked at everyone with concern, “What's wrong with everyone?”

 

The Moon Princess' immediate response was several more coughs from her friends.

 

Mercury was typing on her mini super-computer furiously before shutting it and looked at everyone, “We're running out of oxygen…fast!”

 

“We have to…cough…teleport out of here.” Venus said and motioned for everyone to take someone's hand and form a circle. Everyone, even Tuxedo Kamen, quickly did as instructed and held hands with the person closest to them, until they formed a complete circle. After a few moments of concentration, all of the girls' planetary symbols began to glow on their foreheads.

 

“Sailor Teleport!”

 

All the girls said the command in unison and a second later they were transported off the Moon. As soon as they touched the ground, Sailor Moon could feel Mars' grip on her hand loosen. She looked over to the dark haired girl questioningly, her eyes widened at what she saw. Rei's eyes were closed and she was no longer in her transformed state. Scariest of all, she seemed to be falling forward towards the ground. Moon quickly let go of Hotaru's hand and caught the falling girl in her arms. “Rei! Rei!”

 

End Ch. 33

 

~~~~******~~~~

 

The Mars/Moon versus Kei fight wasn't as epic as said it would be…but that's partially due to the shear about of other stuff that occurred. I could have made this into two parts, but I couldn't find a good point to break this chapter up. The only possible point would have been after the flashback, but then that would left me with very little to write in the second part outside of fighting. The final chapters are structured in such a way that I'd have end part two at the same point this chapter ended anyway. Sort of got bored with a couple of the fights early on, so they weren't that impressive.

 

This chapter was hella long (this chapter is easily the longest I've ever written), so I hope that makes up for the long wait, even if only a little bit.