That Special Magic
-by: the Yarnspinner-
the_yarnspinner@yahoo.com
http://strands-of-moonlight.my3gb.com
-or- http://strands-of-moonlight.6te.net
A Sekkushiaru Roman
featuring characters from the anime "Sailor Moon"> Chapter 52 - Final Showdown <
Princess Serenity stood still, her ginzuishou pulsing softly in front of her. In just moments, the other Senshi and their companions appeared around her. Happy greetings were quickly exchanged.
"I'm very glad to see you are all fine," Serenity said, as Endymion slipped his arm around her shoulder.
"Just a bit tired," Venus said.
"What happened to your uniform, Minako-chan?" Jupiter asked.
Venus sighed. "It was a casualty of battle, I'm afraid. But that's a long story, which is probably best kept waiting for another time."
Serenity nodded. "We need to launch our attack against Beryl and Metallia."
"But we've all been through some pretty intense fighting," Mars objected. "I don't know about the others, but I don't think I'll be much help."
The others nodded their agreement.
"I am aware of that," Serenity said. "But I think you've all noticed your powers getting stronger."
The Senshi each glanced at each other, then nodded.
"You're each progressing into the next level of your powers," Serenity explained. "But I have also learned that there may be the possibility of evolving each of you into essentially a 'princess' form, with greatly enhanced powers."
"Just what is this... 'princess' form?" Jupiter asked.
Serenity let her crystal glow again, and the others quickly came to 'see' in their minds her conversation with Queen Serenity.
"Oh, wow!" Venus gasped softly.
Mercury quickly opened her computer and ran some calculations. "Even at our present level, the combined attack would be amazingly potent... but it does seem to need a rather lengthy set up time."
"Are you going to try this change right now?" Mars asked.
"Shortly," Serenity answered. "But first, I need you each to hold up your transformation pens."
The Senshi held up their pens, while their companions stepped away. The ginzuishou flared brightly, and the pens of the Senshi glowed in response.
"What's going to happen?" Venus asked.
"I... I'm not entirely sure," Serenity answered. "But essentially, this is supposed to help ready each of you to reach your next level."
More energy shimmered around the pens, then extended over each of the Senshi. Ribbons of energy swirled around each of them, melting away their uniforms.
"Why does every transformation have to have us naked?" Jupiter quipped, glancing down as energy tendrils swept over her nude form.
The glow around the pens grew still brighter, and the pens began to reform, turning into small wands topped by a five-point star. Engraved on each star was the symbol of that Senshi's planet. Next, tendrils of energy came together over each girl's breasts, forming a softly glowing star-shaped brooch with a gemstone in each Senshi's color, and with her planet's symbol visible within the stone. Bows now spread out from each brooch, while a matching stone appeared on each girl's forehead, out of which emerged her tiara. Ribbons of energy then swirled outward from the gemstones, forming the white foundation of each fuku, followed by the gloves and shoes. Next, the sailor yoke formed across their chests and over their shoulders. A choker collar appeared at their throats, each with a small jeweled medallion. Another ribbon of energy swept down over each Senshi's torso, circling their hips to form the skirt, and a more ornate bow.
After the energy fields had faded, each of the Senshi looked over her new, if only slightly different uniform.
"Not bad," Venus commented. "I can already feel the new energy running through me."
Mercury nodded, activating her scanner. "All our energy levels have increased, but the change doesn't appear yet to be complete... I'd say it will take a while for us to fully develop our new powers."
Ryo glanced around nervously. "There's trouble coming," he said. "I can't tell quite what..."
Atana suddenly jumped forward, raising his arms. A magic shield formed around them just in time, as a dark youma hurtled toward them. It crashed into the shield. Energy rippled across the surface of the shield as the youma bounced back.
"Supreme... thunder!" Sailor Jupiter cried. A particularly intense blast of lightning lashed out at the youma, sending it crashing to the floor where it collapsed into dust. "Wow! That certainly felt good!"
"There's still more!" Ryo declared.
"Yes," Mars said softly. "I can feel a powerful evil."
A dark mist drifted across the far end of the chamber, growing steadily thicker and darker. As the mist thickened, it was accompanied by an almost overpowering feeling of evil and menace.
Serenity's crystal glowed more brightly, and she took a step forward.
"Why, little Princess Serenity," a female voice declared scornfully. "I am surprised at you. Is this how you show your respects? You've been in my realm for all this time, and you still have not come to give proper greetings." The mist faded away, revealing the tall, crimson-haired figure of Queen Beryl.
"I am only following your example, your majesty," Serenity replied. "When last we met, you hardly followed the dictates of royal protocol, you know."
A thin smile formed on Beryl's lips, while her eyes glowed with menace. "I merely sought to claim what rightfully should have been mine."
"And my friends and I are here to defend what is truthfully not yours," Serenity said.
Beryl scowled. "Talk is cheap, child," she said coldly. "You may surrender now... or you will die."
"We will not surrender, Beryl," Serenity said. "But you may tell the one who pulls your strings that I am prepared to consider accepting her surrender."
Beryl's eyes blazed with rage. "You insolent little brat!" She swung her staff, releasing a tremendous blast of dark energy.
The ginzuishou flared, reinforcing Atana's shield. Atana flinched as Beryl's attack slammed into the shield, sensing that it wouldn't have held for even a fraction of a second without Serenity's boost. Deciding to return the favor, he gestured and quickly prepared a spell. At once, excess energy arced back, striking Beryl. Her own shield held, but it was enough to momentarily force her onto the defensive.
Sailor Mars stepped forward, letting her power swell within her. Immediately, she felt it flowing in a different pattern. "Burning... mandala!" she cried, the words forming unbidden in her mind, unleashing powerful rings of intense fiery energy which slammed hard against Beryl's shield. She glanced over at Atana, more than a bit amazed at her power increase.
Serenity brought her hands together, framing the ginzuishou which blazed with an intense pink-tinged silver-white light. A tremendous beam of energy lanced out, shattering Beryl's shield, before the queen of the Dark Kingdom could raise her staff to deflect the blast just long enough for her to dive aside.
Endymion already held a glowing rose in his hand, and hurled it at Beryl. She was unable to parry it, and the small glowing flower struck her shoulder.
Beryl grasped at the rose, screaming in pain as Endymion's magic burned to her core. She finally flung it away, then swung her staff. "Let one of my particularly faithful servants entertain you!"
The mist swelled around her, forming into an enormous shadow demon, even as Beryl vanished.
"Oh, gods! That thing is huge!" Venus whispered.
"And tremendously powerful," Atana added.
"Sailor Senshi! Form a circle, raise your wands, and invoke your powers," Serenity instructed.
As they did so, Atana hurriedly conjured up a magical hail storm to slow the demon down. Endymion added several of his roses to the cause.
An intense ring of power formed around the Senshi and Princess Serenity. Serenity raised her crystal over her head.
"Get back," Endymion instructed Atana, Geoff, and Ryo.
"Sailor... planet... power!" the Senshi and Serenity cried as one.
Instantly, a brilliant column of energy rose above them, and from it a huge beam of multi-hued energy burst out, striking the demon. The demon was slammed hard against the wall, and immediately faded to nothingness.
"Wow!" Goeff exclaimed. "You weren't kidding about that combined attack being potent."
"Well, it certainly helped having Serenity's crystal making it even stronger," Venus said.
"Yes," Mars agreed. "But where did Beryl go. She's the one we really need to get."
"Down that passage, I think," Ryo said quietly, gesturing.
"She's sure to be waiting for us," Geoff said.
"I wouldn't doubt it," Serenity replied grimly. "But we have a few surprises for her."
Serenity brought her crystal back to her chest, and let it glow once more. The girls' wands glowed in response. Beams of energy surged out from the ginzuishou to each wand. The Senshi looked at each other uncertainly as they felt their power growing still stronger. Their uniforms glowed, then faded away, leaving them nude once more. Before any of them could comment on it, energy shimmered over them, covering each in a flowing gown a very pale version of her uniform color. On each girl's head appeared a jeweled tiara, while the symbol of her planet glowed on her forehead.
"Incredible!" Jupiter exclaimed. "It really worked."
"Usako! Are you alright?" Endymion asked, rushing to her as she swayed a bit unsteadily on her feet.
Serenity nodded. "I think so, my prince," she said softly, accepting his supporting arm. "That just took a little more than I had anticipated."
"Serenity. You should not have taken such a risk," Mercury said. "You're still the one who has to defeat Beryl and Metallia."
"I know that," Serenity said. "But I'm pretty sure I'll also need you in your 'princess' forms. I mean, mother wouldn't have told me about it at this particular moment if there wasn't a very good reason."
The Senshi all nodded, unable to dispute Serenity's reasoning.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Mommy's so beautiful," Kara sighed, looking at the image in the sphere.
"Yes, she is," Shinozaki agreed softly, even though the bulk of his attention was on his beloved Makoto. He thought she looked absolutely stunning.
Artemis stared at the sphere, watching the events unfold. Finally, he leaned closer to Luna. "I don't remember a thing about this. Not even that vague sense of deja vu. Does this stir any memories for you?"
Luna shook her head. "No. Nothing. As you say, not even the vaguest sort of recollection... This must have been something Queen Serenity never chose to brief us on."
"I wonder why?" Artemis questioned. "I would think she would have wanted the Senshi to achieve this new level, particularly with the threat from the Dark Kingdom."
"Very true," Luna agreed. "Unless it was something that wasn't really a possibility for the Senshi in their previous lives."
Kara glanced back at Shinozaki, and then over at Luna and Artemis. "Are they going to be able to stop the bad woman now?"
"Uhm, it will certainly help," Artemis said.
"But remember, your mommy and daddy and their friends are all there working together," Shinozaki said.
Kara smiled up at him. "And then they'll come back, right?"
"That's right," Shinozaki agreed, again offering a silent prayer that they all would return safely.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Serenity walked alone into a grand audience hall, lined with huge statues of Beryl. The queen stood on a raised dias at the far end.
"I've come to finish this, Beryl," Serenity declared.
Beryl turned and snorted contemptuously. "You are no match for me, child. You cannot even begin to imagine the full scope of my power."
"Yours... or the one who pulls your strings?" Serenity asked. She turned and read the inscription at the base of one of the statues. " 'Beryl the Great, ruler of all that exists.' Hmm. I wonder what your master, Metallia, thinks of that. Afterall, the only reason you've achieved what you have is her good will."
Beryl growled angrily, lashing out with her staff. A huge blast of dark energy erupted toward Serenity, who calmly stood her ground as the ginzuishou flared once again, sweeping Beryl's attack harmlessly around her. Beryl struck her staff on the floor, and two of the huge statues began to move.
"Royal Mars Fire!" Mars cried. Fire swirled over her body like a living thing, and spread her hair out behind her like a powerful wind. Her entire body blazed in flame, which then swept along her extended arm, bursting outward from her wand. The blast created a loud roar as it superheated the air. As it reached one of the statues, the fire spread out, enveloping and clinging to the statue, burning both the rock and the dark magic that was animating it. In just moments, the entire statue collapsed to the floor, leaving just a small, smoldering residue.
"Royal Jupiter Storm!" Jupiter cried, simultaneously with Mars. A strong wind rushed up over Jupiter, spreading her hair out, but leaving her gown unaffected. As she extended her arm, pointing her wand, arcs of electricity surged around her, making the very air around her crackle. The electrical storm flashed outward, striking the second statue with blinding intensity. The magic in the statue was immediately burned away, and the statue crumbled into dust.
"What madness is this?!" Beryl cried, seeing the other Senshi appear behind Serenity.
"These are the princesses of Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter," Serenity said. "And we will stop you."
"Never!" Beryl screamed, swinging her staff again.
A tremendous wave of dark energy swept out, but was instantly countered by Serenity's crystal. At the same moment, the remaining statues lurched into motion.
"Royal Mercury Ice!" Mercury cried. Energy surged around her like a liquid, giving off a bone-chilling cold. She swung her arm forward, pointing with her wand. The energy-liquid burst out, racing across the floor, the chill filling the air with a screen of fog. As the energy-liquid reached the statues, it spread up the legs of each one, freezing them solid. The statues' momentum continued to carry them forward, and their legs shattered, sending them crashing to the floor.
"Royal Venus Love Shock!" Venus cried. Her entire body took on a bright glow, which flowed over her, concentrating on her wand, which she held over her chest. A energy pattern of the Venus emblem emerged from her wand, growing rapidly larger, with an orange heart shape forming with it. She swept her arm forward, as if throwing a frisbee, sending the still swelling energy field flying toward Beryl.
The dark queen hurriedly erected her shield just before Venus' attack struck, but immediately was staggered by the power of it. Intense energy burst against her shield, while a powerful wave of love and other positive emotions sapped at the dark magic that was her strength. Beryl screamed again, and lashed out once more.
The other Senshi ducked for cover, but Serenity stood her ground, meeting Beryl's attack with her crystal. Her rage only growing stronger, Beryl poured still more energy into her attack. Serenity responded, matching Beryl's power with her own. The entire chamber shook with the tremendous forces the two were hurling at each other.
Endymion produced two roses in his hand, both glowing with powerful energy. He hurled one at Beryl's staff. She screamed as a burst of energy shot back into her and the staff was knocked out of her hand. Before she could react, Endymion's second rose was already in flight, striking Beryl's chest. She cried out in pain, and fell backwards to the floor.
"It's over, Beryl," Serenity said quietly.
"Over?! No! This is not over, you miserable little brat!" Beryl screamed. "This has hardly begun!" Energy rippled around her and Beryl faded away.
"Is everyone alright?" Serenity asked.
The other girls regained their feet and nodded.
"I don't think she went very far," Atana said, stepping into the room with Geoff and Ryo. "There was a corresponding pulse of magic just down that passage... And now there's something there that's really powerful... I've never felt anything like." He moved toward Rei and took her hand.
"I can hardly make it out at all," Ryo added, his voice low.
Serenity nodded with a sigh, slipping her hand into Endymion's. "That must be Metallia."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Senshi stood together in the passageway. From ahead of them, they could hear a low growl.
"Can you sense anything, Ryo?" Serenity asked.
Ryo shook his head. "There's so much interference here now, I can hardly see a thing with my psychic senses."
Atana gestured, forming a small globe in front of him. "The interference is creating difficulties for me as well, but I might be able to see through it enough to determine what the situation is in there."
The globe flickered, slowly clearing to show an image of Beryl kneeling. A largely amorphous black mass with two large red spots that might have been eyes floated in front of her.
"Please, my dark lord," Beryl addressed the large black mass. "I have faced their power and held them off. With your aid, they will be destroyed."
The red 'eyes' flashed brightly. "You are a fool, Beryl!" Metallia declared, with a voice that sounded like stone grating against stone. "I gave you shadow warriors with all the powers and abilities of Prince Endymion's commanders, and where are they now? I have given you a tremendous army of youma, and where are they now?"
"They were but pawns, my dark lord, to be sacrificed as necessary to achieve your victory," Beryl said. "All that awaits now is the final move."
"I have heard this before, Beryl," Metallia said, her voice cold and menacing. "You insisted victory over the Moon Kingdom was a foregone conclusion... Instead, we have been sealed away here for a millennium. Solely because of your incompetence, Queen Serenity single-handedly undid all my careful preparations. Now you expect me to believe that you can defeat this one?"
"She is just a child, my dark lord," Beryl insisted. "She is hardly a threat..."
"This child has fought you to a standstill, Beryl!" Metallia interrupted. "And she has greatly elevated the powers of the Sailor Senshi, something which even Queen Serenity could not do."
"But my dark lord," Beryl pleaded.
"You have failed me, Beryl," Metallia said. "I entrusted you with a ridiculously simple task, and yet that has proven utterly beyond you." The demon's black mass shifted and pulsated, and her 'eyes' flashed still brighter as she loomed closer.
Beryl trembled visibly as Metallia approached. "Please, my lord. Please!"
"I spared you after your last failure, Beryl. Now I see that was a mistake. I shall not repeat it," Metallia declared ominously.
Beryl screamed as the demon enveloped her. In only a moment, her scream died in her throat as Metallia fully swept over her.
Ripples of energy spread around Metallia, while Beryl's body was transformed, growing larger and still more demonic. Metallia's form coalesced within the body of the now dead Beryl. Beryl's eyes turned bright red, and her hair turned green, while her body was now nearly four meters in height.
Atana let his globe fade away, glancing around at the others.
"So much for Beryl," Geoff said.
"Couldn't have happened to a better person," Jupiter said.
"But now we have to finish this," Serenity said quietly.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"I believe you've been waiting for me, Metallia," Serenity called.
Metallia, still possessing the transformed body of Beryl, spun and extended her hand, sending a tremendously powerful blast of dark energy at the young princess. There was a massive explosion as the energy struck Serenity, leaving nothing but a small burn mark on the floor.
"You'll have to do better than that!" Serenity called, now standing on the opposite side of the chamber.
Metallia swept around and unleashed another blast, again striking Serenity with explosive results.
"Did you really think you could kill me that easily?" Serenity asked, standing unharmed to one side.
As Metallia turned again, several more images of Serenity appeared.
"Having difficulties?" Serenity asked sweetly.
Metallia glanced around. A thin smile formed on her face. Her eyes flashed and she raised a hand, dark energy crackling around it.
In the passageway, Geoff threw himself onto Atana, knocking him to the floor. The images of Serenity immediately vanished, while waves of dark energy flared around Geoff, being neutralized by his ability.
A winded Atana struggled for breath, slowly realizing what had happened. "Thanks, Geoff," he said. "I owe you one."
Geoff shook his head. "Don't worry about it. The only score that'll matter is Serenity beating Metallia."
Atana nodded. "Metallia tried to cause a feedback in my spell."
"That's right," Geoff said. "Your other half gave me the sign." He nodded his head back toward Rei.
Atana smiled as he looked back at the woman he loved. He could see her concern for him, but the Senshi were already in position to back up Serenity.
Serenity walked silently out to face Metallia.
"So... this is little Princess Serenity," Metallia growled. "I am not impressed."
"Your mistake," Serenity said quietly.
"I don't think so," Metallia said. She raised both hands, and instantly a cocoon of icy crystal enveloped Serenity. "And now for your pitiful friends."
Suddenly, a brilliant flash of light erupted from the cocoon, sweeping away the crystal.
"A bit premature, Metallia," Serenity said. "Princess Serenity of the Moon stands against you now, with the royal princesses of her court at her side... and one thing more... the ancient prophecy has been fulfilled."
Metallia recoiled in shock. "The prophecy... Impossible! You're lying!" She unleashed another blast of dark energy. The ginzuishou glowed brightly as Serenity countered.
Both Serenity and Metallia poured still more of their power into the contest, but it proved a deadlock. The floor beneath them shook with the raw power they were unleashing.
"Now you see what you are up against, child," Metallia growled. "Prophecy or no, you are still no match for me."
Bolts of dark energy curled out from Metallia, attempting to sweep around their main energy exchange. A shield immediately spread out in front of Serenity. The energy bolts crashed into the shield and were deflected away.
"You were saying?" Serenity asked, suddenly increasing the power of her own attack, momentarily pushing Metallia back.
Metallia scowled, drawing on more of her power. She added an intense burst to her attack, but Serenity countered, shaking the room with an intense blast of energy.
"I'm afraid it's going to come down to which one of them tires first," Mercury said quietly.
"Well, I can't stand by," Endymion said. "I have to share my power with her." He raced to Serenity, placing a hand on her shoulder and letting his energy begin to flow directly into the woman he loved.
"We have to do the same," Venus said. "In our princess forms, adding a Sailor Planet Attack to Serenity's power should be enough to overwhelm Metallia."
The others nodded, knowing there was no time to lose. They quickly gathered around Serenity, their wands raised.
"Royal Mercury Power!" Mercury cried.
"Royal Venus Power!"
"Royal Mars Power!"
"Royal Jupiter Power!"
"Sailor Planet Power!" they all cried.
Brilliant beams of power flowed to Serenity, then burst out toward Metallia.
"NOOOO!!" Metallia screamed. The demon dug for every last reserve of power she could find, but to no avail. Almost at once, she was overwhelmed, an immense globe of raw power burning into her. Charged with the loving and caring the Senshi felt for each other and for their respective soul mates, the power of the globe was completely antithetical to Metallia's nature. The demon screamed helplessly before being destroyed utterly.
Almost at once, a powerful tremor shook the chamber. As the group gathered closer together, large pieces of the roof began to break loose. Atana hurriedly formed a shield around them, but it quickly began to fluctuate wildly.
"We need to get out of here!" Atana declared, his voice ringing with urgency. "With Metallia gone, this place is tearing itself apart."
Serenity nodded, already feeling exhaustion creeping up on her. The ginzuishou flared again, enveloping all of them and sweeping them away.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
They reappeared just outside Atana's cave. The ginzuishou pulsed once more, as Serenity sent out a wave of energy to wash away the lingering traces of the Dark Kingdom's evil. As the crystal was still performing its work, she looked happily at her friends and opened her link with her beloved soul mate, taking pleasure in his presence next to her. Serenity let her power fade, and immediately felt exhaustion overwhelming her. Her legs grew weak underneath her, and she began to sag.
"Usako!" Endymion exclaimed, quickly scooping her into his arms.
She looked up into his face and smiled. "I love you, my prince," she whispered, slipping her arms around his neck.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
Serenity nodded. "Just exhausted," she sighed.
"You've been through quite a major battle," Endymion said. "Just relax. I've got you."
"There's no place else I'd rather be than in your arms," Serenity said softly, leaning up to kiss him. She turned her head to see the others gathering around. "Thanks so much, all of you."
"Thank you, Serenity," Venus said. "You did a great job."
Energy began to ripple around the Senshi as fatigue was obviously catching up with them again. Ribbons of energy swirled around them, transforming them each from princess form back to their new Senshi form.
"What just happened?" Jupiter asked, concern evident in her voice.
Mercury activated her scanner.
"I don't sense anything particularly wrong," Atana said.
Mercury nodded. "It appears we only achieved the princess transformation because of the boost Serenity gave us. Most likely, performing the Sailor Planet Attack overtaxed our own energy reserves."
"Does that mean we can't initiate the princess transformation without Serenity's help?" Mars asked.
"I don't know for sure, but I would think that is true," Mercury said. "Based on what Queen Serenity had said, we may eventually get to the point where we can perform that transformation on our own, but I don't think we're there yet."
The other girls glanced at each other and nodded, then transformed back to normal. Usagi and Mamoru likewise transformed.
"Welcome back! Good job!" Artemis called.
"Mommy! Daddy!" Kara cried excitedly, running toward them.
"Hi, honey," Atana said, reaching down to pick up the little girl in his arms.
"Mako-chan," Shinozaki called, taking her in his arms. "I glad you're back safely." He pressed his lips to hers.
"I'm glad to see you too," Makoto sighed.
"Did you miss us, honey?" Atana asked Kara.
Kara nodded. "Oh, yes. But we got to see some of it in the sphere."
Rei glanced at Atana questioningly, but Kara threw her arms around Rei.
"I'm so glad to have you both back, Mommy," Kara exclaimed.
"We're both glad to be back," Rei said softly, taking the girl in her arms.
Shinozaki motioned with his hand, catching Atana's attention. "She knows the truth," he said in Japanese. "We saw the scene from the past on the Moon."
Atana's eyes widened as he turned his attention back to his daughter. He could see a similar look of shock in Rei's eyes.
"Now that you've beaten the bad monsters, you're going to get married, right?" Kara asked. "I saw it where you said that."
Rei glanced up at Atana in confusion. Memories began to surface, and she experienced a vague recollection of their final moments together on the Moon.
"Uhm, well, honey... that was a long time ago," Atana said softly, leaning close to Kara.
"And like we told you, that was in a previous life for Rei," Artemis added.
"That's right," Atana said, thankful that that much at least had already been explained to her. "She's begun a new life. Just because we were ready to get married in that life doesn't mean we're ready right now in this life."
"Your daddy's right," Rei said, pausing to kiss the girl's cheek. "I couldn't possibly love both of you more, and we will get married, but not for a few years yet."
Atana nodded, enfolding them both in his arms. "We have Rei back in our lives, honey, but now we have to give her time to get used to this. This is still very new to her."
"But Daddy," Kara cried softly, tears starting to form.
Atana kissed his daughter. "We have your mommy back in our lives. Isn't that something to be happy about?"
Kara sniffled and nodded. "But I want her to be with us forever."
"We will be together, honey," Rei said.
"Will you be living with us?" Kara asked softly.
"Well... not full time," Rei admitted. "But as much as I can."
Kara lay her heard on Rei's shoulder, still crying softly. "I want you to stay with us, so we can be a real family."
"I'd love that too," Rei said quietly. "It's just not quite so simple... But as soon as we can..."
Mamoru glanced around as he held Usagi in his arms. "How long have we been gone?"
"About four hours," Shinozaki said. "Why?"
"I was just wondering," Mamoru said. "It was difficult to keep track of time there."
"And time may not have passed at the same speed in the Dark Kingdom as it does here," Ryo added.
Shinozaki turned toward Atana. "In any case, your daughter was working to keep that sphere going for about four hours."
Atana nodded. "I think you could use a nap, honey," he said. "And I know your mommy is quite tired after her experience."
"Your daddy's right on both counts," Rei said.
"We're going to put Kara to bed for a nap," Atana told the others. "And then we're going to get some rest ourselves."
"That sounds like a very good idea," Mamoru agreed.
Usagi nodded. "Definitely." She started to move. "You don't have to carry me to the bungalow, Mamo-chan."
"I don't mind," Mamoru said. "And you really expended a lot of energy there."
Usagi sighed, quickly giving in, letting him carry her.
"We'll see you later," Mamoru called to the others.
Geoff kissed Minako's lips. "Are you interested in a nap too?"
Minako nodded. "Yes. I'm exhausted."
Geoff took her arm and began walking with her up the slope.
Shinozaki walked with an arm around Makoto. "Can I offer you a warm bath and a rub-down, beautiful."
"That sound wonderful," Makoto said softly, smiling at him.
Ryo kissed Ami. "I'm glad you came," she admitted. "And even more glad we both made it back safely."
"So am I," Ryo said. "I love you more than anything, and I couldn't bear not being with you."
Ami kissed him in return. "I love you. You are just so wonderful."
"So are you," Ryo agreed.
Artemis and Luna watched the young people walk up the hill.
"They really did it, Luna," Artemis said. "And I thought Usagi handled herself very well."
Luna nodded. "They did very well... Metallia was going to be tough, regardless."
"I'd say they've earned some time off now," Artemis said. "They all need to relax before they head back to Tokyo."< To be continued >
* * * * * * * * * * * *
NOTE: I know this is roughly where the anime stopped it, but I have no intention of stopping here. There is still much more story to tell. More to come.Hopeless Romantic and I now have a message group to notify our readers when we post new stories/chapters. Those who are interested can sign up at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/strands_of_moonlight/ .
Always remember, good gentles, that a yarnspinner works from and within existing legends and stories. The characters of "Sailor Moon" belong to others. In spinning my yarns, I do not seek to infringe on their rights of ownership, but merely to join with other fans to spread the legend still further. "The moonlight carries a message of love." Enjoy.
-12.13.2002