Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Never Alone: a reimagining of Episode 111 ❯ Part Four: A Glimpse of Eternity ( Chapter 4 )

DISCLAIMER: Obviously, I don't own Sailor Moon or any of her companions. Also, as with "Not Without You," this is intended to use the names and situations from the North American dub, not the original Japanese. Thus, I have used the NA names, not the original names. So please don't get on my case for the use of the NA dub names - that was done deliberately.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I have taken some serious creative license because... because I felt like it! Sailor Antares is a character I've been trying to write for a very long time, and this was her debut in fiction. If I ever get back into this anime, I may actually finish the story I'd planned originally with Sailor Antares, but as it stands now, that's not likely to happen.

  NEVER ALONE:
A reimagining of episode 111 (North American dub)
by Joanne Calypso Blessing (sirbartonslady)
first published May 2002 PART FOUR: A GLIMPSE OF ETERNITY

Sailor Moon slumped as the powers of the Purity Chalice released her with an almost angry violence. She didn't have the strength. Eudial was gone from their hair for now. With an awful lot of luck, she'd be gone for good.

Uranus frowned; "So she isn't the one who will save the world. The one who is to save the world requires the strength to use the Chalice's force, and Sailor Moon clearly doesn't have that."

"You think it could be someone else?" Neptune raised an eyebrow as she looked askance at her partner.

"It looks to me like we've got a new mission, Neptune. Are you in?"

"Definitely."

"I think we should all go home. This has been an extremely long day," Tuxedo Mask said calmly, cradling an exhausted Sailor Moon in his arms.

Uranus looked back over her shoulder at Pluto, who appeared to be in orbit with her guardian planet. Her eyes were unfocused, and the garnet orb in the her Staff was glowing faintly.

"Pluto?"

The other Senshi soon became aware of Pluto's peculiar behavior. Tuxedo Mask tightened his grip on Sailor Moon. If Pluto should prove to be on the wrong side after all...

Then Pluto lifted her Staff, her eyes trained upwards at the very center of the ceiling. The orb flared with a brilliant purple light. Pluto then struck the base of the staff against the floor, and was engulfed in light. When the lights subsided, she was not alone.

Beside her stood a woman easily as tall as Pluto, and perhaps even as tall as Uranus. Another Senshi. She was clad in white and black, with beautiful black hair that flowed around her like an ebony mantle. A thick streak of purest white hair graced her brow and reached the floor with the rest of her hair. She held a Staff as well, but one more ornate than Pluto's. She also had a uniform that was more regal and impressive.

"Greetings, Senshi of the System of Helios." Her voice was beautiful, angelic. She was like something out of a dream. "I am Sailor Antares, guardian of the Song of Life and the Shrine at the Heart of the Scorpion."

Pluto's eyes were huge, like discs, with startlement. She apparently hadn't realized who she'd been aiding in transport. "Antares..." she murmured. "I didn't know it was you who was asking my assistence!"

"I have not travelled for millennia, Sailor Pluto. You wouldn't know me out this way. You might have mistaken me for anyone."

"I--" Pluto looked flustered. "I knew it was one of us who called, but I didn't know who, and I certainly didn't expect you!"

"The summoning of the Purity Chalice stirred up the Flame of Eternity, informing me that my time has come at last to aid the Purity Force. You have found your vessel, I trust?"

"I'm afraid not, Sailor Antares," Uranus said. "It seems Sailor Moon isn't strong enough."

"I see." Antares's brow furrowed. "Very well. I shall convene with Fomalhaut, Regulus and Aldebaran. Pluto, you know how to call me if you need me. When you have found your vessel, summon me."

Then with a sinuous sweep of her arm, Antares disappeared.

"So, that's that?" Jupiter asked skeptically. "Rather abrupt,"

Pluto shrugged; "She'll be back."

"Let's get out of here. I don't like this place," Venus announced.

"Amen," Mars agreed. "This place is throws bad vibes."

One by one, the Senshi each returned their powers to their henshin devices and powered down to the civilian phase. Uranus was the last to do so, and for reasons that manifested soon enough when she finally did power down. Once her Senshi powers drained away into her henshin device, she thought her head exploded; her vision swam with fireworks of black and red hues, and her eardrums must have burst, for the pain--

"Amara!"

"Oh my god!"

"What happened to her!"